The chirping of birds echoed in the distance, blending with the faint scent of burning wood wafting throughout the room.
Yura had just returned from her village, while lily was tidying up the space. When I opened my eyes, both Yura and Lily greeted me with warm smiles and a cheerful.
"Good morning! My lady." Lily said, curtsying slightly. "We're glad to see you're feeling better." Yura said.
Elara rubbed her eyes, trying to shake of the remnants of sleep. "How long have I been out?" she asked, her voice husky from disuse.
Yura stepped forward, a concerned expression on her face.
"Four days, my lady. You've been feverish and restless. We were worried sick about you." Yura looks worried about her now too.
''Four days?" my eyes narrowed, my mind racing with the implications. She repeated, her voice rising in alarm.
"I can't afford to waste that much time." She was now helpless but she wants recover fast. And her plan.
"What are you saying? You just need to rest and recover. So, rest as much as you." Lily said to her and leave the room.
With a sigh of frustration, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and moved to the window, letting the warm winter sunlight kiss my face.
"You shouldn't be by the window so long." Lily said as she entered the room with Elara's favourite tea, The Luminous Leaves tea.
"Oh! Lily, if I don't get some sunlight, I'll shrivel up like one of the old books in library." Elara grinned, a hint of her usual mischievousness returning.
"You're impossible, my lady. Here, drink your tea before it gets cold.
Elara took the cup of a tea with smile, as I sipped the Luminous leaves tea, its soft glow seemed to seep into my soul, the aroma, a delicate balance of floral notes, transported me to a state of serenity.
The Flavors danced on my tongue, a symphony of light and rich notes that resonated deep within me. Luminous leaves tea was more than just a drink – it was a key to unlocking my heart's deepest secrets.
Meanwhile Yura was bustling about, preparing my bath.
"Your warm bath is ready, my lady." Yura announced softly, breaking the quiet moment.
"Okay, Yura."
----
--Duke's Office--
"How is Elara's condition" Duke looking at Maid and asking her.
"She's much better now, my lord. This morning, her condition showed great improvement. She is no longer in distress." Lily softly smiled and replied to Duke Larousse.
[Suddenly a soft knock is heard on the, followed by a voice.]
*Knock*
"Come in." duke Larousse {gesturing}
The doctor enters with a respectful bow. "My lord, I bring you tidings of Elara's condition. I hope the news serves you well" Dr. Varric Montclair bowing low, with respect.
"Report, Doctor Varric, I do not have time for idle words" Duke replied with icy calm.
Lily turns and exits the room, closing the door softly behind her. Doctor after lily leaves, walking toward the duke.
"I've checked Elara's condition for the last four days, my lord. She is indeed recovering, but there's something unusual. It's not exactly what we believed." Doctor Varric Hesitating slightly, before speaking carefully
"What are you saying, Varric? Speak plainly." Duke voice is sharp and eyes cold
"From my examination, the fever Elara experienced wasn't normal, my lord. It was… different from what we've seen before." Doctor bowing slightly, his voice tense.
"Not normal" What do you mean? Is there something more?" Duke's voice hardening.
"Yes, my lord, I believe her fever was not caused by an illness. It seems to have been triggered by an external force… my suspicion is that it may have been due to... excessive use of magic." Doctor pausing before speaking cautiously.
"Magic? How is that possible? Elara has no magic." Duke's expression hardens, his voice a sharp whisper.
Doctor Varric bowing his head and said, "I cannot explain it fully, my lord, but something about her condition doesn't match that of normal illness. Perhaps it's something more... hidden…"
The Duke Larousse stands motionless for a moment, the gravity of situation sinking in. the air around him grows heavier, as if the very room is pressing in with the weight of unanswered questions.
Meanwhile, the room filled with the delicate fragrance of sweet candles as Elara sank into the warm bath, feeling the soothing heat seep into her bones. It was a comfort she desperately needs after the haunting nightmares. As she leaned back, she looked up at Yura, who was watching her mix of concern and relief.
"When did you come back from the home, Yura? I thought you would stay longer with your family." Elara broke the silence, her voice curious.
"I returned two days ago, my lady. I couldn't stay when I heard you were so ill. My heart was too restless." Yura hesitated, her eyes glistening.
"Oh, so you run back just because of little fever? What a foolish girl." Elara's expression softened, though she tried to hide it behind a teasing smile. she said, tone playful.
Yura's eyes widened with mock indignation.
"My lady! How could you say such thing? She crossed her arms, pouting slightly.
"You're always teasing me."
Elara laughed, the sound light and free, a rare contrast to her usual stern Demeanour.
"It's true, though. You take everything so seriously."
Elara reached out, placing a hand gently on Yura's head, her fingers brushing through the younger girl's hair.
"Thank you, Yura." She said, her voice softer now. "I May not say it often, but your loyalty means more to me than you know."
"I'm glad you're here, Yura." Elara said to Yura with gentle smile.
Yura paused in the doorway, turning back with a warm smile. "Always, my lady. I'm always here for you."
----
-Rutledge's Mansion – Sofia's Room-
Sofia paced nervously across her room, her thoughts swirling in confusion. She couldn't shake the events of her birthday party from her mind, Especially the arrival of the two mysterious guests.
'After so many years, why had they come back now? What did they want?
"Why… why… now?" she thought, her mind racing.
"And our gold mines… they've collapsed. What are we going to do?"
Her hand trembled as she gazed out of the window, her eyes distant, lost in her swirling thoughts, she couldn't understand what was happening. The weight of her family's collapsing Estate pressed on her chest like stone.
"Is this fate… or is someone behind this? She Wondered; her heart heavy.
'But who could be behind all this destruction? Who would want to bring down the Rutledge family?
[There were whispers about the gold mines—rumors that a curse had been placed on them long ago by a forgotten queen. One whose greed had drained the earth itself.]
Sofia's thoughts tangled further. She didn't know what to believe anymore. "But those two… I have to deal with them," she thought with growing determination.
"If they spread rumors, it'll be the end of everything. They could ruin me, family's reputation."
----
-Marquis Valmont Estate – Nadia's Room-
Lady Nadia hadn't left her room in four days. The castle staff whispered among themselves, worried about her absence.
"Have you heard? Lady Nadia hasn't come out of her room in four days." Marquis's maid 1 said.
"Yes, I saw it myself. She's had her meals brought to her door. Not a word from her." Marquis's maid 2
Inside her dimly lit room, Nadia sat hunched over a pile of ancient magic books, her eyes scanning the pages with
A mix of determination and confusion. The flickering candlelight cast long shadow on the wall, and the weight of silence pressed down on her.
"What is this Dark Magic… how did they die? All at once… when they arrived, they were fine. Did Elara have something to do with
this? But she doesn't even have magic…"
"So, who could wield such powerful magic?" Her mind raced as she turned the pages, desperately seeking an answer to the enigma that tormented her.
The suspicion that Elara might be involved lingered, but the idea that Elara had no power and mana magic seemed impossible. Nadia's frustration deepened with each passing hour.
-The News – Lily brings in the latest updates-
Four days ago, Elara had asked lily to bring her the latest news regarding the gold mines and the mysterious events surrounding them. But as she had fallen ill, The news had been delayed.
Now, Lily entered Elara's room, holding the much-awaited updates in her hands. She looked at her, who was staring at something outside the window, lost in her own thoughts.
"My lady, I've brought the latest news… it seems rumors has spread all over the Empire. The Viscount Rutledge's gold mines collapsed reason was a curse. It's said to be the work of an ancient queen who drained the earth's magic to satisfy his greed." Lily said gently.
Elara's eyes glinted with interest, but there was something more beneath the surface-something darker. She smiled.
As her gaze shifted to a nearby table, a small dragon egg sat in a bed of soft material, nestled in the shadows. The fainted hint of a smile curved her lips as she looked at it.
"What do you think little one? What do you think they'll do now? Her laughter echoed softly, growing lauder as her eyes gleamed with a dark amusement.
"Everything is falling into place," Elara thought to herself, her smile widening.
"But there's something they don't know. Something they never will. The real game has only just begun."