As they rode to the academy in their carriage, Elara's mother, Catherine, sat alongside her daughters, Eirlys and Calantha. Eirlys turned to her mother and said,
"Mom, Elara seemed to be a little bit down after you refused to take her shopping." Concern etched on her face.
Catherine gazed out the window and replied.
"Yes, but it's necessary. She's not a child anymore. She needs to learn about the latest trends and etiquette. It's essential for her future." Elara's mother had been a little harsh with her
And Eirlys fell silent. Calantha, however, spoke up.
"Don't worry, Sis. We'll all be together someday. You'll see, Lara sis will understand." As they approached the academy. The carriage came to a stop. They had arrived at the academy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the street, Elara and Yura stood inside ''Petals and Threads", the cozy salon of Shasha, a talented commoner seamstress.
Just then, a group of refined and beautiful noble ladies, exuding an air of arrogance, approached the entrance. Among them was the daughter of a marquis. Her haughty demeanor commanded attention.
"Has it come to afford, this? The daughter of Duke Larousse has stooped so low as to employ a commoner as her seamstress?"
"Has the Larousse estate fallen on hard times, that they can no longer afford to feel a decent tailor?" The marquis's daughter Nadia Valmont sneered at Elara.
Elara gazed at Nadia, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Lady Valmont, why do I have the feeling that you are spying on me?" Elara Retorted, her words dripping with sarcasm as she mirrored Nadia's tone.
Nadia's face twisted into a mocking smile as she sneered.
"Why would I ever resort to spying on someone like you?" Nadia's face contorted in a mixture of rage and disdain.
Elara's eyes sparkled with cheer as she turned to face Nadia.
"How the mighty have fallen, your presence, a noblewoman of your standing, graces a humble commoner's salon."
"Tell me, Nadia, what is that you hope to find here? A barging on a new gown, perhaps? Or merely a chance to slum it with those beneath your station."
Elara's retort was so biting that Nadia couldn't bear it, her eyes blazing with anger. However, reining in her temper, she spat out,
"What business is it of yours, Lady Elara? What I do here? I'm asking a simple question." Her eyes boiling with anger and frustration.
Her face had twisted into a duplicitous smile, like a two-faced serpent. Her words conveyed another thing, but her expression betrayed another.
"It's none of my concern what brings you here, and likewise, it's none of your business whether I choose to associate with a commoner or a noble as my seamstress."
"And It's not only a seamstress, anything else too." Elara gazed at her and replied her she looked so calm.
Elara's gaze drifted towards Shasha as she spoke, her voice laced with malice.
"If you are here to tease someone, as is customary for nobles like yourself, then I'm afraid you're out of luck. I'm currently occupying the salon owner's time," Elara said, her gaze shifting to Shasha as a subtle smile touched her lips.
The salon is busy these days because it's winter and lots of people come to buy warm clothes. That day is also their lots of people are gathering and they are all commoners. Then Nadia Saw all over the salon and replied, Elara.
"Tsk, I'm not here to indulge in petty games," Nadia said with a smirk.
"If I were to sully my reputation by purchasing from this… commoner. But I suppose some individuals are already well-versed in the art of courting infamy."
Nadia's smile was a delicate, velvet-clad dagger, slicing through the air with subtle disdain.
"If you know, then go to some noblewoman's salon! Why are you wasting my time, your time, and your friends' time standing here?" Elara said, her gaze shifting to Nadia's friends.
Sweat beaded their faces as if they were frozen in fear. They were all Nadia's supporters but they saw Duke's daughter they were only standing behind Nadia's side.
"How dare you try to belittle me? Who are you to speak to me like this?" Nadia's anger finally boiled over, her voice rising in indignation.
Elara Laughed as she turned to Nadia, her expression transformed in an instant.
"Perhaps you've forgotten, but I'm the daughter of Duke Edrick Larousse. How Shameful."
"If you've lost your composure, you're free to leave." Elara's facial expression shifted abruptly as she addressed Nadia.
Nadia's face turned with rage as she spat out.
"You'll pay for this humiliation! I'll make sure you regret this!" she turned to leave, her friends bustling after her, looking frightened
Elara's voice was laced with sugary venom as she purred.
"Do drop by Larousse palace, Lady Valmont. I'll be… delighted to entertain you." Her lips curled into a sly, envenomed smile, glinting with icy satisfaction.
Nadia's eyes blazed with fury as she shot Elara a scorching glare, before stalking out of Salon with a swirl of her skirts.
Shasha and Yura gazed at Elara anxiously.
"My Lady, You…"
Elara's laughter was a melodious, tinkling sound as she reassured Shasha and Yura.
"Don't fret, my dear. I'm more capable of handling myself. And besides, I've been itching for a chance to put Miss Valmont in her place." Her smile was a dazzling self-assured flash of teeth.
'As I ponder my next move, I'm reminded of the words of Duke Larousse once told us; In the game of power, one must always be willing to get their hands dirty.'
I've always known that I would have to make a tough choice and take calculated risks to protect the loves one interests. And now, with
Nadia Valmont as my adversary, I'm more determined than ever to emerge victorious.
But what I'm not sure about is how far I'm willing to go. Will I stop at simply humiliating Nadia, or will I take it a step further and destroy Valmont's reputation once and for all?
The thought sends a shiver down my spine. I've always known that I have a ruthless streak, but this is different. This is about taking down The Empress's maternal family.
Still, I'm not one to back down from a challenge. And if taking down the Valmont is what it takes to secure my family's position, then so be it. I'll do whatever it takes to protect what's mine….'
As Elara's thought drifted to Nadia, a flurry of emotions swirled within her. Her mind was a maelstrom of questions, but she suppressed them, her eyes flashing with determination. With a quiet resolve, she stepped into.
The fitting room, the soft rustle of fabrics, the only sound breaking the silence.
ROYAL PALACE, CROWN PRINCE'S OFFICE
Meanwhile, at the royal palace, Duke Larousse arrived outside the crown prince's office, where the crown prince's aide waited for him.
The two entered together, and the duke greeted the Crown prince.
"Your Highness, I am Duke Larousse, at your service." Duke Larousse is greetings the Crown Prince KEAL.
"Come here Duke Larousse and check these documents." Crown Prince KEAL's face serious and he passed the paper to his Aide Ryan.
"Your Excellency, we have received these unknown named documents yesterday. It's appeared that there was a plot to assassinate your children five years ago." Ryan said to Duke Larousse. Ryan's face turned pale.
Duke Larousse's eyes widened in shock.
"What? That's impossible. I would have known if there was a plot to harm my children." Duke's face looks like he's shocked to hear this news.
Ryan, the crown prince's aide nodded.
"I'm afraid it's true, Your Excellency. We have reason to believe that the carriage accident that injured your children was not an accident at all, but a deliberate attempt on their lives."
The atmosphere of the office has changed, and it's called seriousness. Duke Larousse is looking so shocked because he fails to find any clues about who attempted to murder his children.
"Who was behind this?" Duke Larousse's face turned white with rage.
"We are investigating this. And you and the royal knight captain are both in charge of this," the Crown prince said. He is tense because there is more than in documents.
"In the Empire Eldrador, there are lots of traitors Duke Larousse and we will be the one who reveals their plans."
Royal knight captains, are entering the office and greet the Crown Prince and Duke. His name is Killion Fagiolo.
"Investigate with Duke Larousse and report me in 3 days' Killion. I don't want to delay this. If we miss this chance, our empire teeters on the brink of collapse and it remains to be seen whether we can salvage it from the jaws of destruction."
Just then, Killion's voice boomed as he declared.
"Yes, Your Highness! We'll save our Empire!"
or with that, he turned to leave, but his gaze fell upon Envelope, and he halted, his expression questioning.
Why is the Shadow Weaver's sealed envelope here? This is an ominous sign…!
Shock struck everyone...