As Churan prepared for the party, she chose a stunning red hanfu with flowing wide sleeves and delicate touches of gold accents. Her hair cascaded gracefully down her back, adorned with elegant hair ornaments. A subtle touch of light red lipstick enhanced her features, and she carefully accentuated her eyelashes.
Excitement and determination filled her heart as she knew that all eyes would be upon her that night. Riding in the carriage with her brother, Eugene, who looked effortlessly handsome in his own sweet way, she couldn't help but worry about standing out too much.
"Sister, you look splendid," Eugene complimented her sincerely. "However, I fear that if they see how stunning you are, they might exile us to avoid stealing the spotlight from their daughter."
Churan glanced down at her outfit, suddenly uncertain if her attire might be too extravagant for the event. She queried, "Am I overdressed? Should I go and change?"
Eugene gently reassured her, his tone filled with reassurance. "Nonsense, you look perfect. You will be the center of attention tonight."
As the carriage continued its journey, a mixture of excitement and nerves swirled within Chuan's heart. She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the evening's events.
Ziyi spoke in an attempt to console her, "It's alright, everyone typically dresses up for social gatherings like this. A girl's eighteenth birthday is a significant milestone here, and the more you embellish yourself, the quicker you'll find a husband, friends, and an elevated standing in society."
Churan let out a frustrated sigh, "That doesn't help at all. I hate the idea of people only approaching me out of curiosity. I want to find genuine friends who adore me for who I am."
Churan's words echoed her frustration, her desire for authentic friendships that surpassed superficial interest in her appearance. It was clear that she sought connections that ran deeper than societal expectations and beauty standards.
Her brother, Eugene, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, chimed in, his voice filled with encouragement. "Sister, it's true that people might be drawn to your beauty, but that doesn't mean they won't appreciate you for your true self. Just be yourself and let your genuine qualities shine through."
"You have a point," Churan replied, acknowledging her brother's warning. "This place can be treacherous, and one should be cautious in choosing friends. Have you heard the tale of the prince whose father yearned for immense power, turning him into a heartless being who ultimately massacred his entire family for the sake of the royal throne? However, the prince neither married nor took a queen, as his ambition consumed him completely."
Curiosity sparkled in Churan's eyes as she pressed further, "What became of the prince after that?"
Ziyi continued: "A powerful magician came and killed him, and brought the whole family back to life again, but that father killed the magician and prevented magic
Before this, They had a contract so that everyone in the Magic Kingdom would help those in the capital during the wars, this is because of their strength and being connected to the capital of our kingdom through a forest that gathers us, after this incident our contract ended, our people thought that we were freed from those evil people but inside they felt sad, because they used those people For themselves, so they felt sad because it meant that there was no one to sacrifice but them".
"How did the magician bring everyone back to life?"
"his identity is really unknown, he was in the city when he heard about the death of the royal family so he went to help them, all we know about him is that he is a famous magician and respected by many, after his death the magic kingdom cut us off completely, so we can't know anything about him"
"It's so sad that good people always die"
"That's right, but he doesn't have the right to interfere, and he can't kill the king or his family or bring them back to life. Perhaps he was a great mage, but he definitely lacked logic, a lowly mage who only had skills and reputation, could he change this vast, selfish world?"
She smiled slyly, "You are wise."
(Churan found herself reflecting on Ziyi earlier words. There was indeed an underlying truth in the notion that even in a welcoming land, acceptance was not guaranteed. When secrets unraveled and truths remained hidden, realities often remained unchanged. It was imperative to safeguard oneself and avoid acting foolishly on behalf of others, as one's good intentions could inadvertently turn into evils.)
Finally entering the palace, Churan could sense the collective gazes fixating on her. The fact that the event was held in the princess's personal quarters, far from their home, made her feel somewhat uneasy.
But with the knowledge that her brother and sister were benevolent and at her side, Churan's anxieties subsided. She understood that their unwavering support provided her with a comforting sense of security, allowing her to maintain her composure despite the curious gazes fixed upon her.
Churan pondered to herself, "Being here has made me realize something profound. I'll never be as noble as these people; I don't fit here at all. It's impossible to be oneself in this environment."
The weight of this thought rested heavily upon Churan's shoulders, for she understood the necessity of adapting to her surroundings. She knew that she must suppress her true self and conform to the standards of this society, even if it meant losing a part of her authenticity.
Churan suddenly halted, spotting a familiar face in the crowd. Turning to her sister, Ziyi, she said, "Sister, go ahead. I'll catch up with you soon, I've spotted a friend."
It was the rude man from the previous day, and he motioned for her to approach him, his smile in place. Rolling her eyes, Churan ignored the formalities and sprinted up the stairs, throwing herself intentionally at him as if about to fall. He caught her out of reflex, slowly realizing her ploy.
She settled onto the armrest of his chair, wrapping her arms around his neck
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered with a hint of danger, "What happened yesterday cannot be disclosed to anyone. Unless you wish to be buried in that forest."
This was the first time she had revealed her darker side since her return, her gaze sharpening as she spoke.
The man laughed in irritation and sarcasm as he pushed her back, feigning concern, "Oh my God, are you alright?"
Churan shot him a cold glance, her expression filled with anger and disdain. She thought to herself, "I can't believe I had the misfortune to stumble upon him in this place."
As her brother, Eugene, approached her worriedly, she winced and said, "Oh my God, it seems my feet are hurting."
Eugene hastily apologized to the man, "I'm sorry, my sister isn't accustomed to socializing and interacting with others."
The man responded with a reassuring tone, "No, it's okay. I'm also partly to blame." He then directed his gaze back at Churan and chuckled.
Churan had found a secluded spot to gather her thoughts, mumbling to herself, "There's something disconcerting about this town. The energy here feels off. I just hope I can uncover what I'm seeking and leave as soon as possible. And staying in the limelight might only bring trouble."
Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder, causing her to assume it was her brother. She turned to speak, saying, "Brother, what are you doing here? I'm truly fine."
Lianjie responded with a sly tone, "I'm not your brother, but we can be so much more than that if you..."
Ziyi, overhearing the conversation, intervened, angrily tapping Lianjie on the head and standing protectively beside her sister.
"Are you seriously trying to seduce my sister now? You think your tactics will work?"
Lianjie smirked arrogantly, trying to salvage his situation. He replied, "It would have worked if your sister hadn't interfered. I thought it would be difficult to approach you. Fortunately, I had a Plan B."
"What do you mean, Plan B? Am I being played now? Are all the men here crazy?"
Lianjie chuckled in response, "When you say 'crazy,' are you referring to my friend, Minghao?"
Ziyi, trying to clarify, chimed in, "I don't think my sister knows who he is..."
Lianjie retorted, a hint of mockery in his voice, "What do you mean? I saw her sitting on his lap just a while ago!"
Churan vehemently defended herself, "I just fell by mistake! The situation was purely accidental!"
Lianjie pretended to be surprised, laughing as he responded, "Really? I didn't even think about it haha."
However, beneath his laugh, he couldn't help but wonder about the strange circumstances that had allowed Churan to end up on Minghao's lap.
Ziyi observed her sister, then placed a comforting arm around her shoulder and softly suggested, "Let's head home."
Churan was taken aback by her sister's unexpected kindness. They started walking away, but Churan couldn't help but occasionally glance back at Lianjie with a murderous glare on her face.
Lianjie chuckled to himself, "She's adorable."