Vela's bedroom was scented with the familiar fragrance of roses and lavender, as Olivia thrust open the door.
Olivia flew towards Vela, her arms embracing her in desperate need as tears streamed down her face, smearing mascara across her cheeks in a comical fashion that made Vela want to smile but instead felt anxiety bubbling through her veins.
"I thought I was going to get beheaded!" Olivia wailed between sobs.
Vela sighed, removing an earring from her lobes and setting it on the bedside table.
"This is bullshit," She clicked her tongue as she mumbled.
Vela then looked up at Olivia, who momentarily paused her theatrics to give Vela a mischievous grin that quickly made all of Vela's anxieties fade away.
Vela couldn't help but laugh heartily; for it had been ages since she had encountered an individual that made her feel this way - not since Professor Alvis had she shared a sincere conversation till now.
"Fetch my gown, Olivia" Vela demanded with a hint of authority and amusement.
In a flurry of motion, Olivia hurried toward the wardrobe, her hands searching frantically through the black box they found earlier and returning with a royal blue silk dress adorned with white diamond lace cinching the waist.
"This is pretty…" Vela muttered, admiring the gown.
Olivia deftly wove Vela's long locks into one big braid before tucking it over one shoulder. But as Vela stood to survey herself in the mirror, Olivia softly pushed her back down.
She reached for a box of azure artificial flowers with reverent care, artfully placing them within Vela's hair.
Vela beheld herself in the looking glass—her impeccable features were reminiscent of a painting from some romantic novel.
Olivia helped her slip into the stunning dress, which only made Vela stare at herself the more.
"Once you step out of here, there shall be no shortage of suitors wanting your hand!" Olivia said.
Vela let out a soft chortle as Olivia blushed with pride.
"you really outdid yourself" Vela twirled in front of the mirror, delighting Olivia.
"Like I said, Miss must be the prettiest!" Olivia held her head high.
Vela patted Olivia's head and made her way out of the room.
"Miss, wait for me!" Olivia called out, but Vela had already taken off down the hall.
Vela's stomach twisted into knots as she laid eyes upon the sixty-worn steps that stood between her and the ground floor; a sigh of exasperation escaped from her lips.
She daintily grasped the hem of her gown and carefully descended the staircase, vividly aware of the humid atmosphere in tow.
To her disbelief, at the bottom of the stairs was Don Kaylon—the Duke's eldest son—his body glistening with sweat, each of his well-defined muscles visible.
His wooden sword tattered and weathered from training with the Duke's knights.
A sudden wave of heat coursed through her veins, causing the hairs on her body to stand on end.
It was a feeling that heightened her senses but also brought a sense of dread; her skin prickled with awareness as she stood in his presence .
Her every instinct bidding her to kneel in respect, for he was the successor to Kaylon's exalted legacy and power that far surpassed Vela's comprehension.
Vela cautiously stepped onto the last stair, finding herself level with Don.
He lowered his head slowly towards her, his heavy hazel eyes simultaneously conveying both curiosity and dominance over her.
The air was heavy between them.
Vela's gaze pierced through him as if she could sense his uneasiness.
With a feigned grin, she uttered, "Excuse me brother" and brushed past him.
"Be safe," he whispered, although his voice seemed to fill the room.
Vela felt her heart stir with emotion; all too familiar scars of betrayal crept up from years of mistreatment by her former brothers were stirred anew.
'Oh please…' Thoughts raced through her mind.
She had no memory of either Don or Raphael mistreating her or anyone else for that matter, but the trauma still lingered.
"Your carriage awaits, my lady!" Olivia announced shrilly as she bustled down the stairs.
Vela's gaze flew to the window, and her expression shifted from bewilderment to delight.
She wanted nothing more than to get new dresses rather than wear armored clothes in the name fashion sense.
She stepped out of the Duchy and beheld a grand carriage drawn by two horses. The ivory exterior was adorned with intricate golden details and boldly branded with the Duchy's crest on its door.
Momentarily paused in admiration, a large man slowly emerged from behind it.
He wore a knightly uniform fastened with a sword at his side, silver hair, with streaks of black running through it that framed his captivating steel-grey eyes.
"Lieutenant Roycezic at your service, madam," he declared with a ceremonious bow.
"Lieutenant" Vela stood frozen in astonishment as she repeated the title back in awe.
"Yes my lady," the lieutenant Roycezic replied, his palm pressed ceremoniously against his chest plate as he knelt.
Vela stood stunned, unable to fathom why her father would send his most trusted aide to accompany her to the capital.
She watched as he rose and extended his hand in an offer of assistance.
Her eyes drifted down to take in a landscape of little bruises and scars written over his palm and wrist.
"Fear not madam vela, I assure you, I am no man of danger," Lieutenant Roycezic spoke in a reassuring and comforting tone as he watched the delicate hue of her cheeks burn in response.
'The hell!' vela turned her head away.
Taking his hand warmly, she stepped into the carriage with Olivia following close behind.
The doors closed with an ominous thud that reverberated through their very bones as Lieutenant Roycezic gallantly mounted his graceful horse. His hands deftly groomed the horse's mane before he softly spoke something into its ear, making it snort with delight and stamp its hooves powerfully against the ground.
"What in the Horse Whisperer?" Vela gasped; eyes glued to the carriage window.
"Where to, Miss?" The burly coachman asked as he gave the horses water from the trough,
His question drew her attention back to the carriage as she paused momentarily, her thoughts scattered across time, unsure of where to go.