The grand hall of banquet hall shimmered with golden chandeliers, the scent of fresh roses and fine wine filling the air. The celebration was in full swing—Calantha Larousse's birthday. Nobles laughed, glasses clinked, and musicians played a sweet, enchanting melody.
The Duke Larousse stood beside his wife, his gaze sharp as he observed the room, but his thoughts seemed distant. His eyes frequently drifted toward the door, as if expecting something—or someone. He leaned toward the crown prince and started a conversation who stood nearby.
Crown prince, dressed in dark velvet, his usual mask of composure firmly in place. Noticed the Duke's anxiety and uneasy posture. He gave a barely perceptible nod, his voice low, a subtle weight to his words.
"Is there any trouble, Duke? You seem distracted."
The duke gave a forced smile, glancing briefly at his wife, who was conversing with a group of nobles. "It's nothing. Your Highness. Just… the weight of the occasion."
"Is that so?" The Crown Prince's sharp gaze lingered for a moment longer, studying the Duke's face and he said, his tone betraying a hint of curiosity.
The Duke Larousse hesitated, he nodded.
A long silence fell between them as they both turned their attention back to the festivities, but something lingered in the air—a tension neither could ignore.
A servant came to hurriedly and whispered in his ears.
Duke Larousse shot to his feet, his wineglass slipping from his hand and shattering on the marble floor. The nobles gasped, heads turning toward the corridor.
The Crown prince saw the Duke was running somewhere in a hurry; his expression remained unreadable, but his sharp gaze turned deadly. The air in the hall shifted. Everyone was shocked.
And then- without a word, Duke's family ran.
The once-lovely party was forgotten. The nobles whispered in fear. Something was wrong.
**
Loud and hurried footsteps come into the Corridor.
Duke Larousse appeared first, his expression a mix of fury and terror. The bruises on Yura's hands, the kicked-in-ran door—his blood ran cold.
The screaming of Yura was buzzing in the room. And the Maid who brought the water for Elara was manically laughing.
"Elara" the Duke's, Cassius, and her mother's voice trembled.
Crown Prince's Aide Ryan Captured a woman who was laughing.
Overturned chair, and the faint scent of poison that lingered in the air.
With a trembling body, Cassius went closer to the chair. In that chair, Elara was sat, her pale face. Cassius' eyes and tears fell, and he kneeled by Elara's side. And he screamed, "How could you do this…"
Crowded was whispered. "it's poisoned, right" murmured a voice buzzing in the room.
Larousse families one of the daughter's birthday and losing that day their the child. The whole family froze like ice. They don't believe that Elara was poisoned and dead. Her mother screamed. "Call, call a doctor, please…"
But it's too late for the doctor and Sage even Eirlys, the oldest daughter couldn't be saved her.
The pain of losing her precious sister, he didn't control himself and he grabbed his sword and….
"Did you know what you have done?"
The woman's voice grin returned, even as her voice wavered. "It means my master is winning. She's gone. And there's nothing you—"
A sharp gasp cut her words off as Cassius moved. The blade sliced cleanly through her throat.
Blood splattered onto the floor. Within moments, she crumbled to the ground. And that scene made the room deathly silent.
Cassius stood over her, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady his breathing. His sword dripped with blood, his expression dark and unreadable.
****
"Am I alive?"
...To be continued….