"Oh my, my lady?! You read all these books all night?!" Maddie squealed in disbelief; she was carrying the trolley with the breakfast menu and stopped in the doorway to find Lady Vienna sitting on the sofa by the window. "You didn't sleep at all?"
Stacks of books littered the table; the plates from snacks and cups from the hibiscus tea set were completely empty. Maddie continued her work with a deep sense of guilt.
V laughed simply, showing two sweet dimples on her flushed cheeks. "Don't feel so guilty. I'm fine, Maddie. I had trouble sleeping last night; I have a lot to learn anyway. It's quite fun, since Father locked me up again."
I know what to do now. I have so many evil plans to bring Sebastian and Vante down. I can do it. I just need people I can trust. Like Maddie, and someone else I can use as a pawn. If possible....
"You could get sick, my lady." Maddie viewed Vienna miserably. "You have not fully recovered. When you asked me to bring books on the various philosophies, etiquette, witchcraft, and history of the Alverton empire—I shouldn't have brought this much. If Madame Countess finds out, I will be severely scolded."
"Do they care about me?" V rolled her eyes. "All they care about is selling me to a wealthy nobleman. How pathetic is my life? I have many abilities that I have yet to show. But they refuse to listen to me."
"If there is anything, I can do it for you. Just say the word, my lady." Maddie felt sorry. "I'm sorry. You are forbidden to eat together in the living room. I brought this by order of the madame countess."
"Thanks, Maddie. It's so nice to have you here. It makes me feel less lonely."
Maddie's cheeks flushed brightly, and being complimented like that, she looked thrilled and flattered. "But I don't fathom, why are you interested in witchcraft books? Do you want to learn it?"
"Yes, I'm interested. Magic is amazing." V continued to read the last book; out of all the magic books she had read, there was not a single one that discussed silver light-based power. V sighed, but she never gave up. She had to figure out this strange power she had. There must be a definite explanation. "The Alverton Empire has an ally in the magical country of Sellia."
Maddie nodded, cleaning all the corners of the room swiftly and efficiently. "That's right, from the rumours. The Golden Order alliance was established hundreds of years ago. This alliance involves three clan nations: the magical town of Sorcery Sellia, the lycan Digris Northlandic, and the imperial dragon Alverton. This cooperative relationship covers many things, from multilateral diplomatic, peace treaties, welfare interests, and addressing common issues and challenges. When a great war broke out in Northlandic Digris a few years ago, the crown prince of Ares Halvard Constantine and the sorcerer party of Sellia jumped in to help—win the war."
V's eyes widened in fright. Her breathing had stopped as if a boulder pressed her chest; she couldn't imagine a human turning into a real monster. There was a nauseous turmoil pressing on her stomach. "What?! Dragon? Did you say that?! You mean monsters?!"
"Oh, yes. Shifters." Maddie held up a hand, chuckling, somewhat confused as to why Vienna appeared so flabbergasted, perhaps as she had lost some of her memory. "In the Netherworld there are some beasts—like clans that can shift their form into dragons, or lycans, my lady. Not all of them have that great power. Only the special breeds chosen and blessed by the power of the god Drakonis can do so. Except for werewolves and vampires; they are eternal enemies. Darkness creatures. Horrible beasts that slaughter others to satisfy their hunger."
V was stunned, unsure of how to react. For a few pauses, she had trouble accepting reality. In fright, all the information Maddie had said seemed to have slipped through the surface of her brain. "Then, what about the nobles?"
"Not all descendants of dragon nobility have shifter powers. Some are born without elemental power. If their descendant has elemental power, he or she is clearly of special blood and chosen by the god Drakonis. Their place is definitely in the imperial court, joining the special elite knights such as Draximus, Shades, Valzareth, and Kalzarin. The current most powerful possessor of great elemental power in the Alverton empire is crown prince Ares Halvard."
V nodded, showing her poker face. She cleared her throat. Maintaining her demeanor. So many mysterious realities in the Netherworld were astounding. "You have a lot of knowledge, Maddie?"
"I'm a bookworm, my lady. Books have so much stunning information about the world." Maddie replied through sparkling eyes.
"Yes, you're right." V stared at Maddie's flurry of activity to break this strange silence. Enough already with the discussion of shifters that V's head was about to burst. "Where does your family live? I heard you have a younger brother."
Maddie smiles fabulously, her face always beaming when she talks about her family, especially when it comes to her little brother. "My family lives in the charming village of Maplewood. My little brother, Arien Waltz. Just celebrated his 10th birthday."
V gives a staged smile; she was stunned for a moment listening to Maddie's story. "Arien, what a cool name. Is he often telling you about his dreams?"
"Yes, my brother is intelligent and skilled. When he grows up, he wants to enter the Alverton imperial military academy. He wants to enter the Voltarion."
V got up, taking something from the wardrobe drawer. A navy-colored pouch, which she handed to Maddie. "This is for you, Maddie."
Maddie gasped; she accepted it with an innocent, perplexed face. "What is this, my lady? So heavy?"
V smiled gracefully, sitting on the sofa again. "My saved gem. A gift from me, since you are the only one who has been kind to me in this residence. You can use it for your family and your brother's future."
"But... my lady, I can't accept it."
"Of course you can; it's a confidential gift from me; no need to report to my parents. You deserve it." V's hand rested on her head, this time smiling more broadly. "Say hello to Arien too; based on your story, he must be a good boy."
V's eyes closed, imagining the faces of the two younger siblings she missed so much. As kind and sweet as my two brothers were; believe me, Maddie. I've been in your shoes. Doing whatever it takes, fighting for your brother. Ah! Nero, wherever you are right now, I wish you well. Live well. I hope we can meet again.
Maddie kneeled before Vienna; she prostrated herself, tears of joy in her eyes. "Thank you so much, my lady. I vow to give my life and soul in your service. I shall certainly convey your regards to Arien."
***
"Looks like Moonlight Butterfly isn't showing its usual light, yes? Even the Lunar guardian has dimmed. I hear the phoenix crying in the sky. What's going on?" V mumbled, also depressed, but she was actually asking Maddie.
Maddie's cute face was bent downcast again; this time she took out the tools to clean the windows. "Yes, actually the Alverton Empire has been in mourning for a few days now, as His Majesty Raziel Constantine and Her Majesty Viridian passed away. They were kind and loved their people. I'm unsure, but it seems that the situation in the capital and the palace is chaotic. That's why the Lord Count has been so upset lately."
Eating her morning meal, V didn't give a damn care about Sebastian. She wanted to visit Sellia. In this book, there were so many enchanted spots in the Sellia region that were magnificent to her eyes. She could definitely find clues there. "You said Oakhaven is directly adjacent to the capital of Sellia?"
"Yes, my lady. Why?"
V cracked a smiled line mysteriously from the wide-open tower window, showing the beauty of Oakhaven's enchanted valley; her hair that glowed under the warmth of the morning sunlight fluttered in the cool breeze.
There's also a benefit to being cooped up in this tower; I have eagle-eye vision.
V's gaze fell on the backyard, on the figure of the knight of the Beaumont manor who had stolen her attention these days.
"Maddie, do you know that knight?"
Maddie approached the window, following Vienna's line of sight. Then clucked politely. "Uhm, sir Lionel Ferran. What's wrong with him?"
"Tell him to face me now." V closed the book, finishing her breakfast. She got up from the sofa. "Help me get dressed; I'll wait for him in the tower library."
"Hold on, my lady. What do you want from a man who doesn't have an expression like him?" asked Maddie, her hand pressing against the tip of her aching temple. "I mean, he's an unpredictable man. You might find it tough and awkward to talk to him."
But he has an attractive orange soul life. Yes, he's a good candidate.
V widened her warm smile. "Just call him now, please."
"Yes, my lady." Maddie replied, with a tone of surrender sighs.
***