A few months have passed by, as nothing but peaceful events and tea parties among them have taken place.
Felisse: "Right, Miss Yen, how is your relationship with Sir Rui?"
Rui had been acting like the 'sweet' and stubborn boyfriend for the past few months, gifting Yen different kinds of gifts like roses and poems, to which she had guessed he payed someone to do it instead, for compensation for his 'busy' schedule. Yen could've cared less.
Yen: "He's quite the sweetheart, if I do say so myself. I understand his busy schedule but it has been quite extraordinary with the plans he has for our dates."
Yen: 'Right. It has also been a long time already since we have dated. I wonder what Marione has in store for our eventual break-up. She wouldn't even tell me anything about it.'
Yen knew that she was definitely up to something, but she knew that with her help, it would be most likely the only way to expose him for his deeds.
Riley: "That must be quite like heaven! Oh how I wish a nobleman were to like me."
Bea: "I'm sure quite a lot of nobles love you, Miss Riley. You are quite the beauty."
Yen: "I agree with Lady Bea. I'm sure they have been falling for you already."
Riley: "You flatter me, Lady Yen."
____________________
Marione had called Haru to meet somewhere around the town square. Haru was already captain of the royal knights, which was quite the achievement, and knowing how Yen talks about Marione, she must have something real important to talk about.
After a lot of searching, he had spotted a girl with buttermilk hair and red eyes, wearing a white cloak and walking to an alley. She fit the description of Marione, so he decided to follow her.
He was lead to the darkest corner of the alley, where he spotted her taking off the hood of her cloak.
Marione: "We meet officially for the first time, Member of the Royal Knights. I am Marione Ceresé, and it is a pleasure to meet an acquaintance of my sister."
Haru: "You two look nothing alike, Miss Ceresé the Magician."
Marione: "Hahaha! 'Miss Ceresé the Magician'? Now that's a first."
Haru turned embarrassed, realizing how awkward that title must've been.
Marione: "I'm the current Magician of the Grand Tower, but you may just call me Marione or something, whatever is appropriate and fits your interest."
Haru cleared his throat, which made her realize he wanted her to go to the point of his arrival.
Haru: "What are you planning?"
Marione: "I want your help.."
Haru: "..?"
Marione: "To expose Rui, the Foul!"
Haru: "Foul? How is Rui foul? Does he pose a dangerous threat to the empire?!"
Marione: "Of course not! That disgusting man doesn't even know basic etiquette.."
Haru: "So why do you want my help?"
Marione: "It's simple really. He's a cheater who does foul things whenever Yen's not around."
Haru's eyes widened. He couldn't even imagine Rui doing such a thing.
Marione: "Let me explain. The day of Yen's debutante was the day he said he was 'busy', correct?"
Haru: "Yes. You're correct."
Marione: "Let me rule this out to you: Only one member of the family shall contribute to small and medium events such as debutantes, small festivals, and birthday parties. Big events like important festivals and dates shall be carried by as much family members possible. It's a rule from the family."
Haru: "What's your point?"
Marione: "The only family member in charge of the debutante was no other than Sir Raphael, Rui's older brother. And in questioning him personally, Rui took no part in this and visited another noble, to which he had assumed was Yen."
Haru: "But he said he was busy-"
Marione: "Busy with another girl, of course."
Haru was plunged deep into thought.
Haru: 'This makes a lot of sense, but I do not know Rui as such a person. Surely there's a reason for this.'
Marione: "Rui only dated my sister because he wanted to be of good terms with our family. He must have done something so wrong and that, is what I'm investigating on as of right now."
Haru: "Does Yen know any of this?"
Marione: "Of course she does. Why do you think she was grumpy on the time you mentioned Rui on her birthday? She was already suspicious of him by then."
Haru: "So she asked you for help?"
Marione: "Mhm. She's REAL mad at him."
Haru: "..."
Marione: 'Did I convince him enough or do I have to think of more excuses..?'
Haru: "W-what's your plan?"
He sounded unsure of his next sentence, hoping he wouldn't regret that decision. But if it meant he were to help expose someone, the one who hurt Yen, his childhood friend, he would try his best to help with all the strength he has got.
Marione: "We expose him on Princess Dianna's birthday tomorrow. A large crowd, a lot of drama, don't you think?"
Haru: "But wouldn't this be quite bad? Attempting to do such things in the birthday of a member from the Royal Family.."
Marione: "Oh, we won't be doing saying it out loud. We will simply use this recording I got to catch and instead of the voicemail of her brother, the Emperor's voice mail, it will be this recording instead."
Marione giggled at the thought of Rui's humiliation in front of all those people. Her laugh sent chills on Haru's spine.
As a member of the Royal Guard, he simply couldn't dare do this, but the thought of Yen made him do otherwise.
Haru: "If it was to avenge a dear friend.."
Marione: "Great! Now all I need is for you to keep tabs on Rui and tell me what he does."
Haru: "How am I supposed to tell you?"
Marione: "Here."
She touched his badge, symbolizing his status as a royal guard. This left him confused.
Marione: "Just touch the badge and think of your report. Just make sure to end it with the word 'Over' or I might just listen to all your thoughts.."
Another chill was sent down his spine.
Haru: "..Alright then. I must get going."
Marione smiled as she put on her cloak, making her way out of the alley. But she turned to him one last time.
Marione: "Do keep it to yourself when she asks you about anything I tell you. I plan on making this a surprise."
Haru: "..Okay."
She left the alleyway and back into the town square.
Haru followed shortly after.
____________________
As soon as Yen arrived home, one of their maids, Sarah, who has mostly been serving Marione, called out to her.
Sarah: "Lady Yen! Lady Yen!"
Yen: "What is it, Sarah?"
Sarah: "Lady Marione requests of your presence."
Yen's eyes widened.
Yen: 'Has she found more clues?'
Yen: "I'll head over there, right away."
Yen hasn't visited Marione for the past month. She had been too busy will all the invitations and worrying about the many scandals that might arise, prepared to solving it as fast as possible. Not to mention for the fact Marione had to go stay in the Grand Tower for a while.
She knocked on Marione's door.
Marione: "Come in."
Yen opened the door, feeling the same sense of deja vu when she first talked to her about her revival. She sat in the couch.
Yen: "What do you have in store for me today?"
Marione: "I devised a plan in breaking you up with your boyfriend."
Yen's eyes lit up on the news.
Yen: "Really?! That's wonderful!"
Marione: "I got to convince a friend of yours in exposing him. So why don't you wait for the surprise."
Yen: "You won't tell me?"
Marione: "Of course not!"
Yen: "How about you tell me which friend of mine is helping you?"
Marione: "It's Haru, of course. And he won't say anything to you, even if you ask him."
Yen: "..Fine.."
Silence engulfed the room as Marione was flipping pages of a book she took from her shelf.
Yen: "Is that all?"
Marione: "That is all."
Yen: "I'll meet you on dinner."
Yen got up and left the room.
____________________
Yen prepared herself as soon as she woke up to write a letter to Princess Diana, greeting her on her special day
Dear Princess Diana,
I give my greetings on this special day. May today bless you with health and prosperity. May no one stop you in doing what you believe and dream of. If any of today's events cause any hindrances to thee, do call the House of Ceresé and we shall do our best to help Her Highness.
Sincerely Yours, Yen Ceresé.
P.S. Do meet Duchess Aquie later on. I expect she wants to relay a message to you.
She put the letter in an envelope, smelling of beautiful roses as she sealed it shut with wax, colored like a rose.
Yen: "Kayla, please ask someone to send this to Her Highness, The Princess."
Kayla, who was standing behind her, waiting for any instructions, took the letter without hesitation.
Kayla: "Of course, my Lady."
Kayla left the room and Yen went toward the mirror to brush her hair. She kept on thinking about her schedule.
Yen: 'I shall spend the whole day finding a present for Princess Diana before sunset.'
They were soon called on for breakfast, and as Yen sat on her seat, she could see Marione, who was sitting opposite of her, having the brightest look she has ever seen on her face.
Yen: 'What in the goddess is she planning..'
Duchess of Ceresé: "Marione, you look quite happy today.."
Marione: It's nothing. I just found something quite interesting in the Grand Tower recently."
Duchess of Ceresé: "And might I know what it is?"
Marione: "I may or may not have found a hint that there is a secret room hidden in this tower, but it's hidden with magic so it might take me some time to decipher."
Duchess of Ceresé: "I see.."
Yen cleared her throat.
Yen: "Aquie, is it alright if I go out for the day?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Why?"
Yen: "I would like to search for a gift for the Princess for the House. If anyone would like to come, we may be able to find it much more quicker."
Duchess of Ceresé: "You may go out, but I'm still quite busy in helping the Devoz family in preparing for the party. It is quite a special occasion, after all."
There was a pause.
Marione: "Then I could go. Investigation on the hidden room may wait."
Yen: "Alright then. We'll be leaving after breakfast."
Marione: "Okay.."
____________________
Yen waited in the carriage, wearing a brightly colored hat that matched with her clothes, which were of a blue color.
Marione hopped in the carriage, wearing a polo shirt with a dark blue vest and jumper shorts.
Yen: "..?"
Marione: "What?"
Yen: "You want to blend in?"
Marione: "Of course I do! And please change the attire into village something much more comfortable, we'll be much more prone to get stolen from."
Marione used magic to switch her to wear a long white sleeved polo shirt, same as what she wore, and instead gave a faded blue jumper skirt. She also switched her hat with a summer lace straw hat.
Yen was shocked at the sudden change of clothes.
Yen: "..."
Marione: "Comfortable right? You even get to blend in with village folk!"
Yen: "Just.. this once."
____________________
The carriage dropped them off in the town square, as they walked past the many stalls.
Marione: "Seeing all the food makes me hungry.."
Yen: "We just ate breakfast, hold yourself."
Marione sighed in annoyance as she continued checking out the stores with Yen.
Marione: "What exactly are you trying to find? We've been walking for minutes!"
Yen: "I wish to give an accessory that matches her eyes."
Marione: "Amethyst.."
Marione stopped in her tracks for a moment, which made Yen do the same.
Marione: "Follow me, there's a shop that sells jewelry like that nearby."
Marione took her hand and went to the west side of the area, entering a small store, which had stored a lot of jewelry inside.
Marione: "Start looking and you can ask me if any are real or fake."
Yen: "Okay.."
Yen walked around the small store, checking for any amethyst jewelry. Most were made of diamonds so Yen had to go to the counter.
Yen: "Miss?"
Lady running the store: "Is there anything you need?"
Yen: "Are there any jewelry with amethyst in it?"
Lady running the store: "To the very most corner at the back on your right."
Yen: "Thank you!"
Marione was eyeing some of the jewelry, mumbling to herself. She grinned in satisfaction, which confused Yen.
Yen: 'Weird.. what is she smiling about..?'
Yen just ignored and passed by her, then checked out the amethyst section.
Yen: 'A brooch, a necklace, earrings.."
What caught the corner of her eye was a hair clip. It was filled with bits of Amethyst crystals, which drew the symbol of the kingdom. This was exactly what she wants to give to the Princess.
She approached Marione, who just finished using a spell, which she didn't even care to point out.
Yen: "Is this real or fake?"
Marione observed it a bit before touching it with her index finger. Yen held herself from laughing from how weird she had looked doing it. Letting go, Marione looked amazed when she finished this.
Marione: "You're quite lucky. Not only is this real, but it's of a rare kind."
Yen: "Really! My luck seems to have increased these days. Makes me think something bad may happen."
Marione: "Might happen soon, you never know."
Yen: "..."
Marione: "..."
Marione: "Are you gonna go to the counter, or..?"
Yen: "R-right..!"
Yen: 'Right, I forgot about that..'
Both Yen and Marione headed toward the counter as Yen purchased the gift.
Yen: "Now all we need is to wrap it up nicely."
Marione: "I know a shop."
Yen: "Then let's go!"
____________________
It didn't take long to get the gift wrapped. Marione and Yen walked out of the store with a purple wrapped box, golden ribbon tying it together.
Marione: "It's noon. We should go eat lunch in a restaurant."
Yen was interested with lives of the common folk so she wouldn't dare hesitate such a request.
Yen: "Of course. We'll go where you wish to eat."
Marione: "Nice!"
Marione led them in a place titled 'Angel's' on the front of the store. Many have lined up, but Marione was immediately let in once they saw her.
Yen: "They immediately let you in? What about the people lining up?"
Marione: "Hehe, I'm a VIP in this place because I really enjoy their food."
Yen: "What type of restaurant is this? It's filled with people!"
Marione: "It's an all-you-can-eat, but you really don't need to worry about weight. Just enjoy yourself!"
Yen was a bit worried, but once she tried some of their foods, as well as others she has never tried before, most likely from other countries, she was amazed.
It tasted quite flavorful and the fact they could get more delighted Yen in every way.
Marione: "Like it?"
Yen: "Why haven't you introduced this to us yet?!"
Marione: "Everytime I ask you both, you're always busy."
Yen was reminded of the memories of both her and Aquie declining her as they ate breakfast.
Yen: "I'll convince Aquie, and we may all try this together."
Marione: "That's good to hear you like it that much."
_____________________
Eventually, Yen restrained herself from getting more as they payed and went out.
Yen: "Ah, I feel so full.."
Marione: "Though it's good, you need to restrain yourself or you'll get attacked out of nowhere."
Yen: "..."
Marione: "..?"
Yen: "I can't fight well."
Marione: "No weapon techniques at all besides magic?"
Yen: "No, but how I wish I could learn how to use the sword though.."
Marione: "Then I'll convince a simple someone to train you. I'm sure you'll be able to learn it quickly, like how you learn fast on etiquette."
Yen: "I'd ask Aquie first if I were you."
Marione: "Then I'll ask her later."
Yen decided that they could go back but after a lot of convincing, Yen decided she'd check the stalls a little more with Marione.
____________________
They arrived home by sunset as Yen immediately went to her room to get herself dressed.
She was given an emerald colored dress, filled with jewelry that had all the maids compliment her like always.
She hopped in the carriage, with her two sisters waiting for her. Aquie just smiled as she closed her eyes and cover her lower face with a fan she had brought with her. Yen just sat down.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Hm, late as always, young lover."
Marione: "A few seconds later than that of her debutante, perhaps. I expect something interesting will happen tonight."
Yen: "Sorry.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "It's alright. I trust you have the gift with you?"
Yen: "Of course. That's the very reason I'm late."
Marione: "Oh right. I got you both something?"
Marione teleported two items, an emerald necklace, which she had used magic to put on Yen, and an emerald bracelet, which she used magic again to put on Aquie's arm.
Yen: "Is that why you were eyeing one of those sections in the store?"
Marione: "Of course! It even matches with your eyes."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Well I have to thank you for that."
____________________
People had always eyed the House of Ceresé upon the announcement of their arrival and this day was no exception.
Many had commented on their beauty, mostly Aquie's, being the Duchess and still stunning.
Yen and Aquie were always the talk of the nobles when it came to beauty.
Marione: "If there was a day they stop eyeing us everytime, I can get rid of that feeling of chills."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Just hold on until the end of the party."
Marione immediately used magic to do the same thing she had done in every royal party, which had started ever since her use of magic in the birthday of the Crowned Prince, now announced the Emperor a month ago.
It had been a request from the Royal Family and Marione knows she can't decline.
It took a few minutes before the room's attention was caught by the announcement of the Emperor's message in voice, which he had recorded a day ago.
Everyone was expectant. But the only thing voiced out was a message. One that had shocked the whole room
' Rui: You are much better than Yen.
A woman's voice: "Then why be with her?"
Rui: "For my reputation to rise! When the time is right, I shall leave her and reveal our relationship." '
It was short but it was enough for eyes to fall on Rui, who looked like an ant against a horde of horses, ready to attack and insult him.
Marione: "Heh.."
Marione tried to hold her laughter, yet the smile on her face was as clear as day. She tried to compose herself as much as possible.
Marione: "After months with my sister..!"
Marione used magic to drag him in front of her, floating and seeing Rui on the verge of just breaking didn't help him at all.
Rui: "I-I swear it's a misunderstanding! I'm being framed!"
Marione: "And who do you think framed you?"
Rui's silence was the only answer Marione needed to hear before dropping him on the ground.
Duchess of Ceresé: "It was unpleasant. I always had a feeling you were suspicious. You claimed to have helped in the debutante despite knowing Sir Raphael was the only member of the Devoz family helping us!"
Aquie covered her face with her fan, yet it didn't hide her clear disgust.
None of the members of his family defended him at all. It was like they knew of his sinful acts yet we're too busy to confront him of it.
The more time passed, the more Rui had been suffering of humiliation.
Princess Dianna had arrived with the Emperor on the scene.
Dianna: "Why is this happening?! Even on my birthday.."
Emperor: "Guards! Arrest Rui Devoz for disturbing the peace of my sister's birthday."
Rui was then taken away.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Judging by your reaction, you were already suspicious of him."
Yen: "It was unusual as everyone knew the rules of the Devoz family. I just had too much faith in him."
Marione: "It isn't your fault. He'll get what he deserves."
Yen: 'What an actress.'
Yen eyed Marione. She knew Marione was behind all this but she herself knew that this was the best opportunity that laid out for her. She would talk about it later.
The whole night was a mess but thankfully, the Princess had liked her gift and the burden of being with Rui has faded away.