The sun began its descent towards the horizon, painting the sky in an array of breathtaking colors, its rays gently kissing the imposing facade of the bright manor. The golden hues shimmer across the polished windows, casting a warm glow that reflects the residence's enchantment.
A sudden ripple of energy crackles and shimmers in the grand room fit for the Fallow Princess. A portal emerges, swirling with the same ethereal shades of blue and violet as Emris' portal in her world, momentarily illuminated by the vivid hues of the mesmerizing sunset.
Stepping out of the portal, A man steps through; his ebony black hair, sleek and lustrous, cascades like a midnight waterfall, framing a face sculpted handsomely. His golden eyes are like orbs that gleam with the radiance of sun-kissed treasure. His clothing brings out the magnificence of his physique, creating an aura of sophistication that compliments his striking features.
With an exasperated sigh, he wondered to himself in the isolated bedroom, "Why did I willingly accept this burden into my hands? I should have waited for my inevitable death instead." He sighed again, only this time with a more defeated expression.
"Looks like my assignment isn't here yet." He'd taken one lazy look around the room and decided to wait for her. A puff of dark charcoal-black smoke concealed him until airing out to uncover that handsome man became a cute cuddly penguin.
He jumped onto the soft cushion sofa, curled up, and napped, waiting for her return.
Further, into the skies' changing colors, time passed until the sun had almost entirely set when Emris turned up. She dragged her feet across the hard marble floor, the skin around her heels completely diverting into a purplish bruise color.
"Ugh, my feet are killing me; I hate being out so much. I wish I could just sleep all day." She complained, flopping face-first into the mattress, ruffling up the sheets and pillows. Without so much as lifting her head, she extended her feeble arm to her nightstand and smacked down the Platinum card from her father.
"Stupid card, If I hadn't gotten you I could've avoided buying the custom-made dress that screamed for attention seeking. Oh, how I hate my life." She hugged the pillow cuddling her head into it. "Ella advised that I brushed my hair since the wind could have caused tangles but I feel super comfy right now."
Emris knew what was best and arose from the bed, her body drained and tired. "Might as well get it over with so I can sleep." Emris sat in front of her mirror, picked up her brush, and glided her hairbrush through the soft silk weaves of her hair. "Thankfully, I gained the new information I was looking for with today's outing."
Apparently, regarding the current events in the Empire, the title of the beauty of the Empire was being passed to the woman who was second place to Emris. Julia said that she was as vicious as a snake and cunningly evil but someone like that is the least of my concerns right now. Though I can predict what will happen when she sees me or well Emris.
Anyway, what they told me next was the upcoming finalization of the trade contract and route establishment with the Carian Empire, which just found valuable resources on their small island. Again, nothing important there so I shouldn't worry much about it.
Finally, what caught my attention was the magical depletion of the Grancona Shore and its surrounding forest. Magical Depletion is considered a strange phenomenon for any land so I suspect there could be clues. Since many never went there anyway because of fear of the Graokurin beast it's obvious that the reason for Magical Depletion is unknown.
"I should investigate that area once the Black and White Ball is over." Emris glanced up at herself in the mirror one last time, then set down her brush. "That should be enough organization of my thoughts for now." She thought she'd finally be getting to bed until a muffled puffing noise hit her ears.
"What? Did something fall?" She shifted her gaze to the sofa and noticed a black speck in the shape of a weirdly curved ball. Swiftly, she made her way over, staring down to see a penguin resting. "A…penguin? How the heck is a penguin able to survive here? Wait…is it still alive?"
In her arms, Emris lifted the penguin ruffling its feathers within the spaces of her fingers. Scanning its body, she curiously wondered how it was possible for a penguin to be in her bedroom when it awoke frantically and resorted to biting Emris' hand.
"Owww!" Her hand flinched, releasing her grip and dropping the penguin on the floor. Emris waved around her hand, bringing the stinging pain close to her to examine it. Focusing back her eyes to the penguin a swarm of smoke blinded her and got caught in her throat.
"What's happening?! I can't see anything around me!" She coughed up the smoke stuck in her lungs, waving it away until it subsided. Lowering her arm, her covered eyes witnessed the sight of his transformation into a gorgeous well-dressed tall man only a foot away from her. Emris stares at him speechless with her jaw dropped.
"Ow! That hurt, you dropped me on my shoulder!" With her lightning-fast reflexes, she sprinted to her bed, picked up a pillow, and threw it at a fast speed that smacked him right in the face.
"Who are you!? Why are you a man instead of a penguin now!?" Emris grasped the pillow preparing her stance to swing at him again. She gritted her teeth and narrowed her glaring eyes of fury.
"Calm down." He stood up looking disheveled from the whack in the face. "Won't you give me a chance to introduce myself?" Running his fingers through his hair, his gaze apathetic while letting out a sigh.
Emris remained hostile atop her bed, backing her body into the corner. "Fine but make It quick, I'll hit you again if you try anything." She'd given him a dangerous stink eye but it did not affect him whatsoever.
"My name is Conan Cleffort and I was sent here to become your magical assistant," Conan said complacently.
"A magical assistant…?" No! I can't believe him so readily. He could be an enemy trying to trick me. "I don't believe you on your word only. I must see proof to lower my guard." Emris locked in her arm, ready to fiercely strike Conan down with another pillow.
"Verra sent me. Here's the contract I signed with her." He dropped it on the floor and backed away to allow Emris a glimpse from a comfortable distance. Emris jumped off her bed, racing to the contract and picking it up from the floor. Her glare still focused on him while she moved away from him.
She scanned over the contents but had no way to identify if it was real. Reading, her eyes stuck to the signature at the bottom, noticing a familiar symbol she'd seen before. It had been the same one marked on Verra's hand.
So this thing is real but why didn't Verra tell me she would sign a contract with someone to be my magical assistant? She's still keeping me in the dark even though I'm the one with my life on the line. Emris clutched the piece of paper, tensing her hand to a trembling point.
"…I believe you," Emris muttered. "I verified the document so you may move freely now." She weakly smiled, the tiredness of her eyes becoming emphasized.
Conan briskly made his way over, swaying his arms forth and back. Startling her, He suddenly knelt to Emris and bowed his head. "Greetings, Lady Fallow. I, Conan Cleffort, am delighted to meet you and serve you earnestly."
Emris cringed, her smile turning into a frown and one of her eyebrows arsing. The atmosphere of the bedroom became thick and heavy, she had no response to Conan's unsettling words. "You know, I'd prefer it if you treat me as your equal in this mission. Please come up off the floor, Sir Conan, and speak truthfully toward me. I hope we can be that way moving forward." Emris shared, reassuring him with a warm gaze.
"If that's how you feel then I'll be blunt in my words from now." Conan stood up, ignoring her efforts, and stepped to her desk. "How far have you gotten in your investigation?" He questioned, skimming the few notes she wrote on the pages.
"So far I've found out about a suspicious anomaly in the Grancona Shore. After the Black and White Ball, we should head out to the area and gather information. More than that I've also gathered a list of suspects who are active in the Black Market." Emris handed him the sheet, explaining her reasoning.
"Why the Black Market?" On the list was the identification of each person both physically and title based. She went into meticulous detail, maybe this won't be as taxing as I expected.
"The book stated information that the Black Market was accumulating magical weapons strong enough to blow a country to smithereens. It's also said that the people on this list such as Viscount Clarilon and Colonel Ranet of the Imperial Fleet stationed in the North have a personal vendetta against the Emperor." She snatched the book for a quick moment to tap the table of contents and pull up the information.
Her information is well structured and planned out. I'm curious as to how she will suggest infiltration of the Black Market and the capturing of these individuals. Conan thought it to be interesting to hear more about the plan she conjured up. Emris happily explained, hoping to get him on board.
"So now that the Ball is tomorrow night, have you learned the basic etiquette needed to fit in with the members of high society?" He asked, patiently waiting for an answer.
"Truthfully, I think I've learned enough. My manner of addressing the nobles has improved and I've gotten the hang of a common waltz used during the ball. Isn't that all I need?" Emris' head tilted a bit, wondering why Conan's expression looked dreary.
"Haa…looks like you're still not prepared at all." He placed the book down on the desk. "Those are not the only things you need. When dealing with nobles who dare insult and look down on you, you must know how to respond with the upper hand. I'll teach you as much as I can so follow my lead."
"Okay!" I never thought about it but Conan was right. I'll face ridicule for the act of hiding away for so long that Emris committed. If I encounter such acts I have to be prepared to push back and defend Emris, that way when she comes back she won't have to face such cruelty. As long as I stay here, I will make sure to give back to the life I stole shortly.
***
Tomorrow had come and the inevitable day of the Ball had come upon them. Ella jovially skipped down to Emris' room with a cart full of preparations. Hair oils, bath scents, and skin oils filled the cart with other things that would make Emris' appearance glow.
"My lady will be the most beautiful at the ball everyone will think a goddess has descended to the human realm." Her cheeks turned a rosy color, her little body bouncing to the beat of her skipping heart.
'Knock, Knock,' "My lady, may I enter?" Ella politely asked.
"You may," Emris responded. Ella opened the door wide, with an expression of passion and happiness. "Good Afternoon My Lady! Are you ready for your evening at the Ball—Huh? My lady, if you don't mind may I ask what's sitting on your lap." She'd lifted her finger to point at Conan who stared with a lazy yet scary cold gaze.
"Ah this, It's a penguin." Emris smiled, petting Conan with a light touch.
"You mean a regular penguin but how? Isn't that impossible?" Ella attempted to make sense of it all, glancing at every crevice of Conan.
"Oh no it's not a regular penguin. It's a Raccibia Spirit!" Emris lifted Conan into the air, holding him in front of her beaming face, making him irritated. "Can you believe it, Ella? This Raccibia Spirit chose me!"
"That's fantastic, My Lady! I hear that the chances of such an occurrence are 0.001 percent!" Ella clasped her hands together, cheering along with Emris as Conan hung in Emris' arms.
A Raccibia Spirit is known to live in a separate realm from the Empire's called Eamaria. In Eamaria only the strongest beings can have the power of shape-shifting into any creature they choose. However, their original animal form is chosen by the animal god Oris who provides the blessings of the animal form he chose.
It's sacred for shape shifting parents expecting a child to bring their child forth to the temple for a blessing. Failing to do so can leave a child having a cursed appearance and an outcast from society. Raccibia Spirits rarely come to the Empire but even rarely do they choose an owner because they value freedom more than anything.
"Since I'll be gone for a while would you please take care of him for me Ella?" Emris turned with a pleading tone. "You won't need to do much, he's quite lazy." Conan jerked his head, giving Emris a death glare.
"Yes of course! I'll take good care of him, My Lady!" Ella gleefully hollered. "I'd better prepare the bath, My Lady. Oh, and I've left some of the scents for you to choose from on the tray." She headed off into the bathroom.
Emris picked up the transparent bars of bath scents, sniffing and judging each one of them. "Hmm, I want to go for a peach scent I always use but for a Ball like this I should choose an elegant fragrance right Conan?" Conan looked up at her nodding his cute penguin head bringing a smile to Emris's face.
He jumped from her lap onto the tray and lifted a bar, with a delicate aroma of jasmine. The intoxicating floral essence intertwined with a rose scent, adding a touch of intrigue and allure to the deep scent. "This one's perfect! Thank you, Conan." Emris locked eyes on the bar, patting Conan's head nonchalantly. Conan, with a stare of an abyss, void of any flicker of enthusiasm or emotion, kept his eyes on Emris.
After, bathing all the other maids had come into Emris' bedroom and commenced the makeup that would make her sparkle. Discomfort sat in the pit of her stomach, she felt like a dress-up doll for the amusement of the maids. Her hair and makeup had finished and soon came in stacks of boxes filled with jewelry.
"What's all this!?" Emris's heart dropped.
"It's a gift from the Duke, My Lady." A gift!? This is a whole mountain of gifts and for what, just a simple Ball! "Go on, My Lady, choose the one you like best." There are so many options I feel too overwhelmed to even look at them properly.
Yanking on my dress, Conan came over with a box of matching earrings and a necklace. The maids squealed when they saw the fuzzy ball offer something up. "Thank you again, Conan. You've helped me a lot today. Ella make sure to prepare something mouthwatering for Conan for all his hard work okay?"
"As you wish, My Lady." Ella smiled, her eyes squinting from the widening of her smile.
The maids suddenly swiped the jewelry from Emris's hands and fired up with determination again, swarming around her.
***
In the distance, you could hear the pattering of feet from the direction of the ballroom. The ballroom was filled with the Nobility of Riphulon, they all looked expensive with their bedazzled outfits and luxurious jewelry. Suddenly the bustling atmosphere went quiet at the sound of the announcer's horn, they all grouped to see the next person who had arrived.
"Announcing the arrival of Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and the Grand Emperor of Riphulon." They walked down the stairs seeing the room of nobles bow their heads for their arrival.
"Thank you all for coming to the annual Black and White Ball, the ball may now commence." He coldly spoke as the people clapped for him.
He didn't smile or show any inch of emotion. They continued to cheer and clap for him. Any other person would have been happy to receive so much praise but the Emperor's thoughts were the exact opposite of happy.
This is all an act, most of the nobility are just trying to get on my good side so that I will marry one of their daughters. However, I decided this ball would only be a ball because I don't need nor am I interested in having an Empress candidate.
All the noblewomen swooned for the Emperor who'd walked down the stairs with a striking countenance. His blue sapphire eyes resemble orbs that possess a luminescence reminiscent of crystalline waters. His faded blonde hair like golden strands adding to his heavenly aura. Standing tall at two meters, Ashton Radomir the man with a captivating regal face known to be the most handsome in the entire Empire.
The crowd murmured knowing those whispers could reach Ashton's ears.
"Is he going to choose his Empress at tonight's ball?"
"It's unlucky that the future Empress will have to deal with his cold personality."
"As long as he's handsome and powerful his personality doesn't matter."
Hearing all the shameless comments from the nobles made him angry. If only I could do away with these pathetic excuses for nobles. He thought, forming a clenching fist, which trembled rapidly as he tried to forget it all and move on. It's decided I'm not spending any more than an hour around these rude people who can't keep their mouths shut.
Ashton made his way over to his father who had just approached Warin Fallow, Emris's father, the Duke of Moonhollow. He was the childhood friend of the Grand Emperor, Stephen Julius Radomir.
"Hello Warin, it's good to see you again." Stephen smiled brightly, waving his hand in the air.
"I…Duke Fallow greet Your Imperial Majesties, the Emperor, and the Grand Emperor." The Duke was the only noble who didn't offer his daughter to Ashton, mostly because she no longer participates in society, but with him, Ashton felt a little at ease.
"Warin! It's been a long time, hasn't it? It's always nice to see you." Stephen and Warin chatted, and laughed, exchanging friendly hello's. "Yes, I've been buried under documents concerning the new manufacturing factory I've recently opened in Levatou."
Ashton faded into the background drowing himself into his thoughts. Such an uninteresting conversation will drone on for longer than needed. When is Reinfrid returning from my office? He's taking much more time than necessary.
"Will Lady Fallow be joining us, Warin? I've anxiously been waiting for the day I'd meet the lovely daughter you always boasted about." Ashton listened in but knew that the question his father asked was useless since Emris never showed up to any of these events.
"Yes, my daughter will be arriving shortly. I'll introduce you to her when she arrives." Warin happily said.
Both were shocked that he'd actually agreed and Emris, who was elusive, had agreed to come. Ashton predicted what would come next and side-eyed his father anticipating his response.
"I'm looking forward to it! Aren't you Ashton?" Stephen became ecstatic and smiled while Ashton felt annoyed knowing his father's hidden intentions. "No father, I don't wish to meet her at all."