Hazel's eyes felt heavy as she gazed out of the carriage window. The rolling hills and lush green forests of Alvana passed by in a blur, a stark contrast to the dull, grey walls of her room. She had spent three days confined to her quarters, with only her grandmother's occasional visits to break the monotony.
As she sat beside Evelyn, the Aldof's eldest daughter, Hazel couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Evelyn's laughter was infectious, her smile bright and carefree. Hazel, on the other hand, felt like a shadow of her former self.
"How do you find the land of Alvana?" Evelyn asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Hazel hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The truth was, she had never expected to find herself in a place like this. The land was beautiful, but it was also a reminder of her confinement, of the life she had left behind.
"It's...different," Hazel said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn's eyes lit up with excitement. "I know what you mean! The land of Alvana is full of surprises. And the people...oh, the people are so fascinating!"
As Evelyn continued to chat, Hazel's mind began to wander. She thought about the Lord of Darkness, about the rumors and whispers that surrounded him. Some said he was a monster, a creature with no heart or soul. Others said he was a god, a being with powers beyond human comprehension.
Hazel didn't know what to believe. All she knew was that she felt a shiver run down her spine whenever she thought about him.
"I heard he's handsome," Evelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hazel's eyes snapped back to Evelyn's face. "Who?" she asked, her heart racing with anticipation.
Evelyn's cheeks flushed pink. "The Lord of Alvana , of course. I met him at a soiree once. He's...intimidating, but also...alluring."
Hazel frowned , this was far from what she has heard of the lord .
As the carriage ride continued, Hazel found herself lost in thought. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't imagine.
Evelyn's voice broke into Hazel's reverie, and she turned to find the other girl watching her with a curious expression.
"Hazel, have you been to Ravensworth Valley before?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowed with interest.
Hazel nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes, I came here with my sister ..... some weeks ago. It's just as beautiful as I remembered."
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've heard so much about the valley. I'm excited to see it for myself."
As the carriage rounded a bend, Hazel caught a glimpse of Ravensworth Valley. The valley was nestled between two great mountains, their peaks shrouded in mist. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of wildflowers.
Ravensworth Valley was like another land on it's own but specifically a place where the elites of the society shop.
Where Evelyn and Hazel was headed was the part closer to Alvana where only people from Alvana shop because it was close .
It could also be considered as part of Alvana since it's in Alvana.
Hazel felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her as she gazed out at the breathtaking scenery. She had fond memories of her previous visits to the valley with her family and even bad one's with Caroline .
But as the carriage drew closer to the valley, Hazel's sense of nostalgia began to fade. She felt a growing sense of unease, as if something was watching her from the shadows.
And then, just as she was starting to feel like she was imagining things, Hazel saw a figure standing atop a great black stallion. He was tall and imposing, with piercing red eyes that seemed to bore into Hazel's very soul.
Hazel's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. She felt like she was drowning in the depths of his gaze, like she was being pulled under by a riptide.
But as quickly as it had begun, the moment was over. The figure turned his horse and rode away, leaving Hazel feeling shaken and confused.
"Who was that?" Hazel asked Evelyn, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn's eyes were wide with excitement. "Oh that's the stylist I visited the last time with my mother "."He's very talented "she praised looking at a lean man with mustache on his upper lip.
Hazel's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What was that ?. She clearly saw a pair of red eyes staring back at her didn't she ?
The carriage stopped at Ravensworth valley and the duo got down .
Hazel made her way to the one of the shops with Evelyn leading the way .
Hazel could see from the mannequins that whoever made the dresses was talented .
She smiled when she saw a man approach instead of a woman .
"Good day mister Rogers"Evelyn greeted and Mister Rogers nodded his eyes brightening up and briefly pausing on Hazel before returning to Evelyn.
A woman entered in time to serve them with hot tea and Hazel accepted it .
Two women walked in to sit beneath them taking off their shoes and giving them manicure .
Hazel was surprised at the hospitality of the shop and smiled.
"What dress would you want milady , I can get it ready in three days " mister Rogers assured and they nodded .
As Hazel sipped her tea, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had seen something earlier, something that didn't quite add up. The man on the black stallion, with the piercing red eyes... it didn't seem like something that should be ignored.
But as she looked around the shop, Hazel saw that everyone seemed completely normal. Mister Rogers was chatting with Evelyn, discussing the finer points of dress design. The two women were giggling and chatting as they received their manicures.
Hazel took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease. She was probably just imagining things, she told herself. After all, she had been cooped up in her room for three days. It was only natural that she would start to feel a little paranoid.
But as she looked around the shop again, Hazel couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Something that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"Mister Rogers, do you have any dresses in... um... dark colors?" Hazel asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Mister Rogers looked at her with a curious expression. "Dark colors, milady? Ah, yes... I think I have just the thing."
He disappeared into the back of the shop, leaving Hazel to wonder what she had gotten herself into.
Mister Rogers returned with a beautiful dark blue dress, adorned with intricate lace and delicate embroidery. Hazel's eyes widened as she took in the dress's beauty.
"Oh, it's lovely," Evelyn breathed, her eyes shining with excitement. "Try it on, Hazel. I want to see how it looks on you."
Hazel nodded, taking the dress from Mister Rogers. She slipped into the dressing room, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation. As she changed into the dress, she couldn't help but feel like she was being watched.
She emerged from the dressing room, feeling a sense of confidence and poise. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves and highlighting her beauty.
Evelyn gasped in delight, her eyes shining with excitement. "Hazel, you look stunning," she breathed. "The dress was made for you."
Mister Rogers smiled, his eyes twinkling with pleasure. "I'm glad you like it, milady," he said. "I think it suits you perfectly."
As Hazel admired herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had seen something earlier, something that didn't quite add up. And now, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched.
Suddenly, the door to the shop burst open, and a tall, manly figure strode in. Hazel's heart skipped a beat as she saw the figure who just entered.
What was councilman Evan doing here in the land of Alvana ?
She thought as she was filled with dread.