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DUKE'S OFFICE
Selentia, the young duchess of the Flowell family, sat at her desk, buried beneath a pile of paperwork. Her eyes, once bright and full of energy, now seemed distant and tired. Dark circles beneath her eyes spoke of long nights spent working tirelessly. On the desk beside her were two pens and five romance novels, her only escape from the mountain of duties she was expected to handle as the duchess of the Flowell family.
"I can't believe I have to finish all this in just three days..." she murmured, her voice low as she pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to alleviate the growing pressure in her head.
Her mind wandered to her parents. The thought of them, no longer here, struck her deeply. She remembered how they used to carry the weight of the family's responsibilities with such grace. Selentia could almost hear their voices in her head, soft and kind, urging her forward. "It's all up to you now, Elen. Take care. We love you." The words echoed, bittersweet, filling her heart with both sorrow and an unfamiliar strength.
As the clock chimed 3:00 PM, Selentia felt a chill sweep through the room. Her skin had gone pale, and the fatigue weighed heavily on her shoulders. The maid moved to light a fire, the warmth offering some comfort against the cold of the Lavastian Empire. As the fire crackled, a newspaper slipped off the table. Underneath it, a note caught her attention. The message read: "The Emperor of the Sevalos Empire has ordered a search for the Dark Killer who caused chaos in the capital. A reward of 100 million gold awaits anyone who finds the culprit!"
Selentia's heart skipped a beat as she read the words. She could feel her anger rising, but there was something more—something deeper. "What is this? Did I cause all this chaos?" she thought, her voice trembling as she softly muttered, "I don't understand."
Her thoughts then drifted back to a memory from three weeks ago—a memory that was still too painful to fully grasp.
Selentia's Flashback:
"Go ahead, then! Burn the capital and kill everyone! We'll catch you and hang your head at the city gates!" The voice of the crown prince, Evren, echoed in her mind, taunting her.
Her recollection of that day was unclear, the details clouded by confusion and anger. But what she remembered most was the rush of emotions—the fear, the frustration. "What are you doing?!" she had screamed, trying to stop him, to make him understand the consequences of his words.
Her anger had been overwhelming. "Evren, why can't you see the harm you're causing?" she thought at the time, her heart racing. "I can't let this happen."
Sevalos Empire Palace
Evren's POV:
Evren sat at his desk, his fingers absently scratching at his ear, a strange itch he couldn't shake. "Why does my ear feel so itchy?" he muttered quietly to himself.
He was surrounded by a mountain of documents—tasks, orders, reports. There was always something to do. With a sigh, he continued scribbling his notes, trying to focus on his work despite the growing weariness he felt.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Your Imperial Highness, it's me, Apocoline," a voice called from outside.
Evren looked up as Apocoline, the second son of the Marquis, entered the room. With his sharp brown hair and piercing purple eyes, Apocoline had been Evren's trusted assistant for years, since they were children. The two of them had earned the nickname "The Cold-Blooded Duo" for their serious, no-nonsense approach to everything they did.
"Come in," Evren said, his tone as calm and composed as ever.
Apocoline handed over a stack of documents. "I'm afraid I bring troubling news, Your Highness. There has still been no progress in identifying the Dark Killer, despite the Emperor's orders."
Evren closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing his temples. The task had been a relentless one. "I see. Well, you've been working tirelessly for three weeks. You can take a rest now."
Apocoline suppressed a sigh. 'It's because you keep ordering me to find this Dark Killer. Morning to night,' he thought, but he kept his expression neutral.
"I think it's time to bring in the Lion Aces, Dragon Aces, and Tiger Aces for the search," Evren continued, his voice quiet but firm.
'The Lion Aces, Dragon Aces, and Tiger Aces... They are the most powerful forces in the Sevalos Empire and the surrounding realms,' Apocoline thought, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. He nodded respectfully but couldn't help feeling the weight of the ongoing search.
Flowell Residence – Four Hours Later
Selentia sat alone in the glass garden, surrounded by untouched desserts. The delicate sweets were no longer appealing to her; her mind was preoccupied. She reached for the bell on the table, her hand shaking slightly as she did.
A maid appeared almost immediately, offering a polite bow. "You called, Milady?"
Selentia looked at her, but her eyes caught a detail that made her pause—a bloodstain on the maid's uniform. It didn't go unnoticed. 'Shana's uniform...?' she thought, an unsettling feeling creeping up her spine.
Selentia leaned in, her voice low and composed but tinged with concern. "Please clean this up, and tell the other servants they may eat the desserts. I have no appetite for them."
"Yes, Lady," the maid replied, her voice steady as she bowed and moved to follow the duchess's command.
Selentia sighed deeply, her emotions still unsettled. 'How many more secrets must I uncover?' she wondered.
Inside, she called for Vivian, the head maid. "Vivian, please prepare my bath."
"At once, Lady. We'll prepare everything right away."
"And that maid—did you notice she's an assassin? She must have been sent here for a reason." Selentia's eyes hardened, but there was no anger in her voice, just a sharp focus.
There was a soft rustling sound from a nearby bush, and Selentia's expression softened just a little. She knew who it was.
"Zike, come out and handle the situation. Let's see if she's immune to the poison I've used," Selentia said calmly, her tone even as ever.
Zike emerged from the shadows, a trace of annoyance in his eyes. "Why does this always happen? It's so tiring."
"These assassins underestimate the people of Flowell," Selentia muttered under her breath, a slight smirk crossing her lips. "They'll learn soon enough."
The assassin, who had tasted the poisoned desserts, collapsed as the effects quickly took hold. Selentia had anticipated this moment, her instincts sharp and precise.
"Vivian, inform the servants to act as if nothing happened. We've had a small problem, but it's under control," Selentia added, her voice cool and composed.
"Of course, Milady," Vivian responded, her demeanor serious.
Selentia's servants, carefully trained over the years, were loyal and capable. They were more than just household workers—they were a strong force of their own, ready to protect the Flowell family at all costs.
Selentia's world, though filled with challenges, was one of deep introspection and careful strategy. As a duchess, she had learned the importance of strength, intellect, and emotional resilience. She knew that navigating this life would not always be easy, but with her sharp mind and steady heart, she would face whatever came her way.