The Castle ballroom is filled with many influential and grand people. Ballgowns and dresses of various colours, gems, and garments sweep the floor as the ladies chat. The men's shoes echoed on the marble floor, and an enormous chandelier hung from the wall, its crystal light bouncing on the marble floors.
Tables were arranged with an assortment of foods, drinks, and pastries, filling the air with a sweet and rich aroma.
Maids and servants carried trays of different pies and beverages, as they moved gracefully around among the guests, offering it to everyone.
Despite the peaceful and lively environment, the castle guards stood watch at the ballroom's entrance, their stance rigid and their gazes sharp and focused.
Trevon approached the ballroom's entrance, greeting the guards with a warm smile. As he stepped inside, his eyes swept across the room, searching for someone amidst the festivities.
"Trevon."
The voice drew his attention, and he turned to see King Ronan approaching. Their gazes met, and Trevon's lips curved into a polite smile.
"You should fetch Emily. She ought to be here by now," Ronan said calmly, his black cloak flowing behind him as he came to a halt.
"Okay, I will," Trevon replied softly.
"Remind her she needs to be on her best behaviour," Ronan added sharply, his expression remaining neutral.
"I'm sure she will," Trevon said, his smile strained, barely masking his unease.
"If she doesn't, I'm sure you're well aware of her punishment," Ronan continued with a mischievous smirk. "I doubt you'd want a repeat of that."
Trevon's forced smile faded at the King's words, his eyes narrowing slightly. Without another word, he gave a small nod and turned on his heel, leaving the ballroom immediately.
✨🌙✨
Emily stood by the window of her room, her eyes fixed on the moon glowing in the night sky as she surveyed the islands below. Though she hated to admit it, her room offered a breathtaking view of the island's inhabitants. From this height, the scattered lights and lanterns resembled a constellation, sparkling against the darkness.
"I'm just trying to buy time," Emily muttered to herself, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
Her gaze shifted to her wrists, decorated with pink and white jewellery that sparkled against her dark skin, creating a striking and beautiful contrast. As much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't deny her love for the dress she wore.
The off-shoulder pink gown was elegant, with pink ruffles lining the hem of the shoulders. The puffed short sleeves added a charm, and the perfectly fitted bodice was accented with soft pink embellishments. The skirt was grand, sweeping the floor gracefully, concealing her legs entirely.
A delicate pink gemstone necklace rested on her neck, highlighting her skin. Her face had simple light makeup, and her hair was neatly styled with white charms that added a touch of grace.
"I don't even have a solid plan yet," she sighed loudly, her gaze shifting back to the window.
A soft knock echoed from the door, causing Emily's gaze to shift toward it. She sighed to herself, reluctant to break her quiet moment, before turning her eyes back to the glowing moon.
"Come in," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The door opened gently, and Trevon stepped into the room. His gaze immediately found her, still standing by the window in quiet contemplation.
He paused momentarily, taking in the sight of her delicate dress and the moonlight enhancing her beauty. A subtle blush tinted his cheeks as he scanned her attire, his expression softening slightly as his eyes lingered on her face.
"You're meant to be at the ball, Emily," Trevon said softly, his gaze falling to the floor as if he couldn't bear to look at her directly.
Emily finally turned to face him, her expression tight with irritation. She folded her arms, her stance firm. "I don't want to," she retorted, her voice sharp with reluctance.
Trevon hesitated before meeting her gaze, his face flushing slightly, though the room's dimness helped conceal his nervousness. "Emily, for your safety... please, just come," he pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency.
He stretched his hand toward her, patiently waiting for her to take it. Emily's eyes flickered to his hand, then back to his face, her reluctance evident.
With a resigned sigh, Emily reached out and grasped Trevon's hand.
Trevon smiled softly, a quiet sense of relief washing over him, as he led her gently out of the room. They walked silently down the hall, their footsteps echoing in the hall.
"You may not want to be there, but just try to tolerate it, for your safety," Trevon said softly, his voice almost apologetic. "Your family will be worried if they hear something bad about you."
Emily's gaze shifted ahead, her expression unreadable as she walked beside him. "If I say they should visit me here, will Ronan allow it?" she asked, her tone casual.
Trevon hummed at her question, a faint grimace crossing his face as the thought of Lucas lingered in his mind. He didn't want to admit it, but the very idea of seeing Lucas made his skin crawl. "I doubt he will," he muttered to her.
"I see," Emily said softly. "The letters will do then."
✨🌙✨
Emily and Trevon finally arrived at the grand ball, their steps slow and gentle. Reluctantly, Trevon slipped his hands away from Emily's and together turned their attention to the two watched King Ronan, who was approaching them slowly, a faint smile plastered on his face.
"I'm glad you could make it, Miss Emily," Ronan said warmly, extending his gloved hands to her with practised elegance.
Emily forced a polite smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes as she rested her hands gently on his. "Glad to be here," she replied, her tone reserved.
"You look stunning—beautiful, exquisite... graceful," Ronan continued, his voice smooth and deliberate. A flicker of fondness clouded his eyes and he turned a mischievous glint toward Trevon with a teasing smile. "Don't you agree, Trevon?"
Trevon stiffened, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected attention, "Yes, she is." he answered, his reply measured and formal.
Ronan hummed softly, clearly unimpressed by the guarded reply, but chose not to press further. Instead, with a subtle shrug, he guided Emily away from Trevon, his grip gentle but firm.
"Well, Emily, you have quite a few guests eager to meet you," Ronan said with a charming smile, his tone light yet purposeful.
"Oh," Emily replied simply, caught off guard and unsure of the appropriate response. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.
As they moved through the ballroom, Ronan leaned in slightly, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Remember what I told you," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "No mention of the plan."
Emily sighed quietly at his words, giving him a subtle nod as she lowered her head to the marble floor.
✨🌙✨
Minutes passed, and Emily felt dizzy and drained from the guests she had to engage with. Faking smiles, acting polite, and enduring their relentless curiosity about her powers were more exhausting than anticipated.
She hadn't realized how highly Northerners were regarded here.
Needing to boost her energy, she made her way toward the refreshment table, grateful Ronan had granted her a moment's rest.
Emily reached for a modest piece of pie, as she took a bite, her expression twisted into a grimace. The flavour was unexpectedly bland and plain, something she hadn't expected for a grand ballroom event.
'How disappointing.' Emily muses, rolling her eyes as she glances at the other guests curious at their reaction to the pie.
Glancing around, she noticed other guests enjoying the same pastries with delight, their faces lighting up as they were engrossed in conversation.
"Is it... just me?" she muttered, her voice tinged with shock and self-doubt.
Soon enough, Emily noticed someone standing by her side, prompting her to glance up at the newcomer. Her gaze met the kind eyes of an elderly man, his soft smile framed by deep wrinkles that held years of wisdom and experience.
"So, you're the Northerner Ronan boasted about in his letter," the man remarked warmly, his tone gentle and inviting.
Emily felt an odd sense of comfort from his presence, something she hadn't experienced all evening. "Yes, that's me," she replied softly, her voice steady despite her fatigue.
"Name's Eldrin," the man introduced himself, offering her a polite nod.
"Emily," she responded with a faint smile.
"Oh, I know your name, dear," Eldrin said, his smile widening slightly as his eyes narrowed with a hint of curiosity. "Now, tell me—how has Ronan been treating you?"
The question caught Emily off guard. She stammered nervously, her eyes glancing around before she exhaled quietly. "He's been accommodating." She said with a strained smile.
Eldrin gave a comforting smile, his eyes softening as he took a bite of the pie in his hand. "Ronan's ambitious, but his schemes are a bit questionable," he added.
Emily looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. Something in the way he spoke made her feel like he was trying to tell her something more important.
"Your aura can communicate with the Goddess," Eldrin continued, his tone shifting slightly. "Ronan has an interest in your ability. What does he want you to communicate with Hecate for?"
"Eliminating the non-magic users for expanding the kingdom," she whispered, unable to meet his gaze as the weight of the words settled on her shoulders.
Eldrin's eyes widened at her answer. He froze for a moment, pie still in hand, and his breath hitched slightly as he processed what she'd said. "That's not good—not only for the world but for you as well," he said, his voice laced with concern.
"Me?" Emily repeated a sense of dread creeping into her chest.
Eldrin set his pie down carefully, his face serious now. "Your aura is indeed strong, Emily. But it's not invincible. You may not come out unchanged If you attempt to communicate with Hecate Something... something bad may happen to you," he warned, his words stark and full of a truth that sent a shiver down Emily's spine.
Emily's eyes widened in shock, her face draining of colour. "B-but I thought... I thought my aura was powerful enough to handle it!" she stammered, her voice rising in panic. "And the new moon is supposed to help, isn't it?"
Eldrin sighed softly, his gaze gentle as he tried to calm her. "It hasn't been done before. No one has attempted such a thing," he explained, his voice soothing but heavy with caution. "It's... a very high-risk decision."
"R-risk?" Emily repeated, her thoughts spiralling, her mind bombarded with troubling scenarios.
Her gaze drifted across the ballroom, settling on Ronan in the far corner. Her eyes darkened, an icy fury overtaking her. 'He's willing to sacrifice me,' she thought bitterly. 'Dispose of me like I'm nothing.'
'Does Trevon know this?' she muses darkly.
"I... I'm going to die?" Emily asked, her voice surprisingly calm, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, betraying the panic she tried to suppress.
Eldrin sighed, his heart heavy at the sound of her words. Gently, he placed his hands on her shoulders, offering what little comfort he could. "No, you're not going to die," he reassured her, his tone firm but kind. He spoke with the authority of someone who had seen too much, yet still held on to hope. "This is a hypothesis, Emily. A possibility, not a certainty."
He paused, his eyes softening as he chose his next words carefully. "Normal people would indeed perish trying to communicate with Hecate. The power required is immense—too much for most to withstand. But with your aura, it's different. You won't die... but..."
Eldrin seemed to sense her growing anxiety and, with a small smile, he added gently, "Let's not talk about this anymore, okay?"
Emily nodded frantically, the tension in her shoulders finally easing. She took a deep breath, but her eyes darted nervously around the room, noticing that a few guests were watching them curiously.
Her attention shifted to Ronan, standing at the far end of the ballroom. His expression was neutral, but his eyes lingered on her briefly before he returned to his conversation.
A chill ran down her spine, but Eldrin's comforting presence again grounded her.
"I met your friends, Zack," Eldrin said, his voice drawing her attention back to him.
"Really?" Emily asked, a small smile tugging at her lips. The mention of Zack brought a flicker of warmth to her heart—she hadn't seen him in a while.
"They were in my Islands a few weeks ago. I knew about you from them," Eldrin added, his smile faint but genuine.
Emily's smile widened, her curiosity piqued. "How are they?" she asked, eager to know how Zack and the others were faring.
"Wonderful," Eldrin replied, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "The kids are quite... chaotic"
Kids?" Emily asked, her brows furrowing. "There's only Aspen."
Eldrin's smile widened at her words. "It seems they've added a new member, a teenage boy from the South."
Emily's smile softened at the thought. "Can't wait to meet him then."
"You should probably head North," Eldrin suggested, his voice gentle. "At least to learn your powers and meet up with the others."
"Yeah," Emily sighed, her mind heavy with the weight of her current situation. "I'm trying to find a way to escape the islands... and the castle."
Eldrin nodded thoughtfully, his expression calm but knowing. "I could just talk to Ronan," he said simply, offering a potential solution.
Emily hesitated, her gaze drifting toward Ronan, who seemed to sense her attention and met her gaze with a cool neutrality. "I... I don't think he will agree," she admitted.
Eldrin hummed quietly, sensing the tension in her body language. He didn't like the weight of uncertainty hanging between them. Stretching out his hand toward her, he gave her a reassuring smile.
"Just leave the talking to me," Eldrin assured her, his tone soft but confident. "I'll handle it."
Emily's hesitation melted away, and she reciprocated his gesture.
✨🌙✨
"Good evening, Ronan," Eldrin greeted.
King Ronan, already expecting the two, turned his attention to Emily and Eldrin. His eyes narrowed slightly before a polite smile spread across his face.
"Good evening, Eldrin," Ronan said, stepping closer to engage in a private conversation. "I see you've met Emily," he added with curiosity.
Eldrin returned his smile warmly, while Emily maintained an unreadable expression.
"Yes, she's a sweetheart, having a northerner is very valuable," Edlrin added softly.
"Yes, she is," Ronan replied, his gaze shifting to Emily.
"But Emily is quite limited in this environment," Eldrin added smoothly, his eyes fixed on Ronan.
Ronan's brows furrowed slightly at his words. "Get to the point, old man."
"Rude," Eldrin chuckled lightly. "But yes, Emily needs to train her powers properly, and what better place for that than her place of origin, the North?"
"Additionally, Emily could build a strong bond with the Northerners. We need to befriend all magic users in the land," Eldrin continued.
Ronan scoffed at his words, his eyes filled with hatred as he spoke. "You talk about creating a strong bond with the North, but they have distanced themselves from us. They didn't endure the years of pain and torture that we did. They act as if they aren't magic users."
"We don't need them. Emily is a quick learner," Ronan added sharply.
Eldrin sighed at his words. "Still with that one-sided beef with them," Eldrin muttered, but Ronan and Emily heard him.
Emily looked at him curiously, her mind drifting to Ronan's words: 'The North was left unwounded, but why?'
"I'm not the only one who feels that way. That's why many guests here are curious about Emily," Ronan added sharply.
"Well, in any case, I want to take Emily off the islands to practice her powers," Eldrin interjected quickly, not wanting to stray from his true intention.
"Off the islands?" Ronan replied, his expression unamused as he shifted his gaze to Emily, who froze under his stare.
"As I said, Emily is a quick learner. She can train on her own," Ronan stated calmly.
"So, you prefer to keep her here?" Eldrin asked, his resolve wavering.
"Nothing you say will convince me, old man," Ronan replied with a shrug, a smirk appearing as he noticed Eldrin's calm demeanour shattering.
"You—"
"It's okay, Eldrin," Emily quickly interjected, offering him a warm smile.
Eldrin's gaze softened at her words. "Okay," he replied.
Emily guided him away from Ronan, who watched them with an amused expression.
"I'm sorry, Emily," Eldrin said as they walked away from Ronan slowly.
"No, it isn't your fault," Emily smiled. "I knew he wouldn't agree; I just need to find a way to leave alone and meet with the others."
Finally, they arrived back at the refreshment table, a sigh of relief escaping their lips.
"How are you planning on escaping?" Eldrin asked.
"There's a map in the private quarters," Emily replied, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "I need to get it to figure out how to leave, but I need a distraction so Ronan won't notice I'm gone."
Eldrin nodded at her words, his eyes scanning the area. "Okay, leave the distraction to me. When it happens, go and retrieve the map," he said before walking away from Emily.
Emily's eyes widened at his words, her gaze following him with curiosity. Watching intently, she noticed him pick up a glass of drink before walking toward a table filled with refreshments and lanterns.
Eldrin moved with practised ease, lifting a glass of wine and pouring its contents into a lantern. For a moment, nothing happened, causing Emily's brows to furrow slightly.
Then, with a sharp whoosh, flames burst forth, climbing higher than she had expected. The fire spread rapidly, licking at the ribbons and garlands that decorated the area.
Gasps and screams filled the air as the guests scrambled away from the growing fire. Eldrin stepped into the crowd, blending in with the rising panic.
Staff and guards rushed toward the ballroom, trying to extinguish the flames.
Not wasting any more time, Emily ran toward the ballroom entrance, relieved that the running crowds were shielding her from unwanted eyes. The sharp scent of smoke filled Emily's lungs as she squeezed through the mass of guests, her heart racing with each step.
✨🌙✨
Emily walked through the castle's dark, dimly lit hallways, the tinted decorative glass reflecting the moonlight and serving as her only guide. She held up the skirt of her ballgown, running in annoyance. "This dress is a problem," she muttered as she continued down the corridor.
Hearing voices approaching, she quickly ran to one of the pillars and hid behind it, pressing her body against the cold white stone and holding her breath in anticipation.
Taking a peek, she noticed a few guards rushing past her, their steps urgent and alert as they echoed on the marble floors. While hiding behind the pillar, she was able to catch snippets of their conversation.
"The ballroom," one of them said. "Fire in the west wing."
She could sense their panic, and a small pang of guilt formed in her gut at the thought of someone getting hurt.
Watching the guards drift toward the end of the hallway, she sighed in relief before continuing her journey to the private quarters, moving silently.
Finally, she arrived at a staircase built into the wall, her heart racing with adrenaline. Before ascending the stairs, she turned around abruptly; no one was in sight behind her.
Despite not seeing anyone, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. She sighed silently, taking a deep breath, hoping that maybe she was feeling nervous.
✨🌙✨
Emily opened the door quietly, her eyes squinting in the dark, dim room. She walked towards a table by the side of the door and noticed a lantern. Without hesitation, she picked it up and lit it, the soft glow revealing the walls covered with maps, antiques and paintings.
As she walked deeper into the room, the light expanded, and her gaze wandered to one of the paintings—a portrait of an elegant young woman. The woman was seated gracefully, her light pale skin glowing against the simplicity of her purple dress, her smile calm and beautiful.
Emily's gaze drifted to the lady's eyes as she studied it quietly, and she felt her own widen in recognition.
The eyes resembled Ronan's, but unlike her unsettling feelings when looking at Ronan's, she felt calm and relaxed gazing into the woman's eyes. They were filled with love and peace.
"This must be his mother," Emily muttered.
Emily snapped out of her trance, remembering her goals; she couldn't waste time looking at all the portraits. She walked toward the maps, searching for one of the castles.
After a moment, she found a chest filled with dozens of castle maps. Picking one up, she tucked it under the skirts of her dress, secured it in her undergarments, and blew the flames out of the lanterns dropping it in its appropriate place.
Emily walked towards the door, shutting it behind her as she prepared to enter the ballroom without being noticed.
✨🌙✨
Walking through the castle hallway, she felt a sense of relief and calm as her mind drifted back to the portrait of Ronan's mother. She was curious about what the other portraits would reveal. "Trevon did say he had sisters too," she mused.
Her thoughts were so occupied that she failed to hear the approaching footsteps. When she finally caught the sound, she squealed softly and ran to a nearby pillar, pressing her back against it while covering her mouth, scolding herself for being distracted.
The footsteps grew closer, and she could hear voices now. She strained her ears, her pulse hammering in her chest.
"I think someone's in here," one of the guards said, his tone sharp with suspicion.
Emily's heart dropped into her stomach. She knew she couldn't be found here. There was no way she could explain herself.
Her eyes darted across the hall, searching for a way out. She could hear the guards' voices drawing closer as they inspected the environment, their boots clicking against the marble floor.
"What are you doing here?"
Emily recognized the voice and peeked from behind the pillars, her gaze fixed on Trevon, who was addressing the guards.
"We were searching for someone," one of the guards replied, though his voice wavered slightly.
"You shouldn't be here," Trevon said, his tone calm but firm. "Go guard the private quarters. They're unprotected right now."
The guards exchanged hesitant glances before nodding. "Yes, sir." Their footsteps receded down the hall, and Emily released a shaky breath as she watched the guards leave.
"You can come out now," Trevon said, causing Emily to flinch in surprise at his words. Reluctantly, she revealed herself, wearing an awkward smile.
"You knew I was here?" Emily asked slowly.
"Yes, I've been watching you," Trevon replied with an unreadable expression. "You need to be more cautious or Ronan may punish you."
Emily stared at Trevon in shock. "You're not going to tell Ronan?" she asked.
"Tell him what?" Trevon added with a smirk, causing a slight smile to appear on Emily's face.
"Now you should quickly head to the ballroom," Trevon said, directing Emily down the hall.
✨🌙✨
Emily finally arrived at the ballroom, with Trevon strolling behind her. As they entered, Emily's gaze wandered everywhere. She noticed the noise had calmed down and the guests were present, their expressions still cautious.
She let out a sigh of relief upon realizing that no one had been hurt in the fire. The castle staff and maids were nearby, cleaning supplies in their hands as they swept away the charred debris.
"Ronan will definitely not be happy about this," Trevon stated calmly as he glanced around. "It doesn't fit his perfect image."
Emily gave a nervous smile at his words. "Yeah, he won't," she replied.
They walked deeper into the ball, their steps leading them to Ronan, who spoke to the staff with a frustrated expression.
"Ronan?" Trevon called out to him.
Ronan turned his attention to them, his face filled with suppressed frustration. "What?!" he asked sharply.
Trevon remained calm despite Ronan's outburst. " Do you have any idea what caused the fire?" he asked.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Ronan replied simply, before his eyes drifted to Emily, narrowing a bit.
Noticing his gaze, Emily met his look with an unreadable expression, her mind drifting back to the portraits of his mother.
"Is something wrong?" Emily asked innocently, adjusting her face and hair with a pout.
Ronan shifted his gaze away from her and looked back at Trevon.
"The good thing is we got a lot of funds and help for our eventual expansion of the islands," Trevon said, trying to remain positive and calm Ronan.
"That is a good thing," Ronan agreed softly. "Even the old man agreed to it—a big shock."
"Eldrin is reasonable," Trevon said, his face expressionless.
Ronan rolled his eyes, his gaze returning to Emily. "The most important factor is Emily communicating with Hecate."
Emily's face turned pale at his words, her mind drifting back to her conversation with Eldrin.
"So tomorrow, go back to training your abilities," Ronan added calmly. "Do not fail me."
Emily took a deep breath, her mind relaxing as she remembered the map she had obtained. "Of course."