Helia sat before her mirror, the autumn sunlight gently caressing her chestnut hair as her maid, Lucille, carefully arranged her locks into an elegant hairstyle, paying special attention to her bangs. She could feel the bustle of preparations around her, with servants coming and going, bringing her dresses and accessories. Today, she was to meet her fiancé, Lord Adrian, for an afternoon in his company.
"Miss, are you satisfied with your hairstyle?" Lucille asked, securing the last pin.
Helia nodded with a smile, though her mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Adrian. Just thinking of him filled her with a warm, pleasant feeling.
Adrian was no ordinary man. The second son of a duke, he was one of the most sought-after men in high society. His beauty, charisma, and status made him the subject of many ladies' conversations. Yet, he had chosen her. She, with what she considered ordinary features—her chestnut hair without any remarkable shine, her small stature, and her soft, rounded figure. Unlike the dazzling beauties that graced the salons, she had always felt like she simply blended into the background. Her introverted nature did little to help her social standing. While other ladies shone with charm and confidence, she preferred discretion, too afraid to put herself forward.
And yet, Adrian had been one of the rare few to notice her. He had been the one to close the distance, the one to take the first step. She had never understood why a man like him had set his eyes on her, but she was deeply touched. Every day, she felt grateful to have found someone who loved her for who she truly was, rather than for appearances or societal expectations.
When the carriage was ready, Helia settled in comfortably, her thoughts drifting between the upcoming engagement celebration and her recent activities. The ride to the café where she was to meet Adrian was swift, despite the liveliness of the streets. The city, in the heart of the afternoon, buzzed with life. Market stalls overflowed with fresh fruit and colorful fabrics, and the laughter of children playing near the fountains blended with the voices of merchants. Helia watched it all from her carriage window, her mind still fixed on Adrian.
The carriage came to a stop in front of an elegant café, where Adrian was already waiting. Seated at a terrace table, a newspaper in hand, he wore his usual concentrated expression. As always, he was impeccably dressed, his jet-black coat contrasting with his neatly groomed blond hair. He rose as she arrived, smiling politely, and helped her down.
"Helia, as lovely as ever," he said, assisting her into her seat.
Helia blushed slightly. "You're always so flattering, Adrian."
They took their places as the waiter approached to take their order. Helia chose her usual—strong, black coffee—while Adrian ordered an Earl Grey tea with a selection of pastries.
"And an assortment of cakes, please," Adrian added casually, glancing at the menu.
Once served, they enjoyed a brief moment of silence, Helia savoring the comforting warmth of her coffee while Adrian sipped his tea. The golden sunlight filtering through the terrace curtains bathed the scene in a serene glow.
"How is your father?" Adrian asked, leaning back comfortably, a neutral expression on his face.
Helia sighed slightly, setting down her cup. "Still as busy as ever. He only returns late at night, and even then, it's often just to leave again soon after."
"That must be exhausting," Adrian replied with a sympathetic smile, cutting a piece of cake. "My father is equally burdened with responsibilities... especially with the situation at the borders. He's doing his best to lend support."
Helia looked up, suddenly concerned. "Is the situation that critical? How is your father handling it?"
"As well as can be expected, I suppose," he replied with a slight shrug, taking another sip of tea. "My brother was sent there recently. It seems the Empire is mobilizing more forces, so…" He paused, his expression darkening for a brief moment. "It's tense, but we're hoping things will stabilize."
Helia slowly nodded, a fleeting worry in her eyes. She was tempted to ask more, but before she could press the issue, Adrian smoothly changed the subject.
"By the way," he said, adjusting his sleeves with a practiced motion, "I've recently started developing a new business in jewelry trade."
Helia smiled, though her mind was still preoccupied. "Really? Tell me more."
"It's still in its early stages, but I have plans for expansion. I'm considering exploiting the duchy's gemstone mines. I was wondering," he paused thoughtfully, "if you could perhaps mention it to the marquis. Establishing connections with influential families would be invaluable for me."
The marquis, Helia's father, was a pillar of high society. Renowned for his keen business sense and negotiating prowess, he had built a solid network among the wealthiest elites. Anyone wishing to prosper in trade or establish a financial empire sought his backing. This was especially true for younger sons of noble families, who, lacking direct inheritance, saw entrepreneurship as their best path to wealth.
Helia immediately nodded, happy to help. "I could likely arrange a meeting. My father appreciates ambitious men."
A faint smile played on Adrian's lips. "That would be a wonderful opportunity for me to win over the marquis. In fact, I'm thinking of gathering other business partners and investors at the upcoming banquet hosted by Count Dante. It would be the perfect occasion."
Helia frowned slightly. "Elysia mentioned that banquet. She didn't seem very enthusiastic. According to her, it will be dull and poorly organized."
Adrian looked at her, visibly surprised. "Poorly organized? That's surprising. I've attended several of Count Dante's events, and they are always among the most anticipated of the year—lavish gatherings that attract many dignitaries."
Helia had never had the chance to attend one of these banquets. When she finally received an invitation, she had been excited to experience these famed receptions. But Elysia's opinion, having already attended, had planted doubt in her mind.
What intrigued her even more was Adrian's glowing praise. He was a frank man with strong opinions, never hesitating to criticize what he disliked. If an event had disappointed him, he would have said so without hesitation. Yet, he seemed genuinely convinced of Count Dante's banquet's quality. So why did Elysia, who had also attended, see it so negatively?
Helia froze for a moment. She couldn't think of a reason. "Really? It's strange that you have such different perspectives on it…" she murmured, thoughtful.
Adrian shrugged. "Perhaps your friend simply has different tastes than we do," he said with a small smile, sitting up straighter.
"Yes, that must be it," Helia replied, her voice slightly troubled.
They continued their conversation a while longer, exchanging pleasantries about the engagement celebration and other minor details. Though she engaged in the discussion, Helia couldn't stop thinking about Elysia's remarks about the banquet. She glanced out the window, noticing the sun beginning to set, casting a soft golden glow across the room.
"Time flies when you're in good company," she finally said with a slightly forced smile. "But I should return before nightfall."
Adrian nodded, standing as well. "Of course, I wouldn't want you to be late."
They exchanged a few more lighthearted words as they walked slowly toward the door, as if trying to extend the moment. Despite her lingering concerns, Helia still felt that familiar desire to please Adrian—to show that she was present, useful, and devoted.
"Thank you for this afternoon, Helia," Adrian said, leaning down to place a quick kiss on the back of her hand.
"It's always a pleasure," she replied softly.
Once in the carriage, Helia settled comfortably, her thoughts swirling. She gazed at the city streets passing by without really seeing them. Adrian's words echoed in her mind, but it was especially what he had said about the banquet that troubled her. Had Elysia truly exaggerated? Or was there another reason for not wanting Helia to attend?
It troubled her more than she dared admit. Elysia had never lied to her. It simply wasn't in her nature. Helia trusted her blindly, as one trusts an undeniable truth, something self-evident. But lately, an insidious doubt had begun to creep in. Those dreams... those strange visions that haunted her each night, where she saw Elysia in such a dark, unrecognizable light... She always woke with a lingering anxiety, her heart pounding, unable to believe that the woman she considered almost a sister could be as terrible as she appeared in her nightmares.
And yet, despite herself, everything Elysia did or said recently seemed imbued with an unsettling mystery. As if something was slipping through her grasp. As if those dreams were trying to open her eyes to a truth she refused to see. Even though it might have seemed trivial — after all, the fact that Adrian and Elysia disagreed over a mere banquet was not evidence of anything — it was the accumulation of all these doubts that made her anxious. Every little inconsistency, every troubling detail, added to the unease she struggled to dispel.
If what she saw in her dreams were real, it meant she had lived in an illusion. An illusion about Elysia. An illusion about everything.
As the minutes passed, the sensation only grew stronger within her. The truth must be somewhere, and she promised herself she would uncover it. Soon, the family manor appeared on the horizon, and as the carriage slowed, Helia let out a soft sigh, as if releasing the invisible vice tightening around her chest.
Entering her home, she found her father and brother already seated for dinner. Her father, the marquis, cast discreet glances at his documents between bites, while her younger brother, no less stern in his demeanor, ate in silence.
"How was your afternoon, Helia?" her father asked in a neutral tone, without truly looking at her.
"Very well, father," she replied as she sat down. "I spent some time with Adrian. He mentioned that his brother was sent to the Eastern borders."
The marquis barely raised his head. "The Eastern borders... It's been months since that situation started. The giant wild boars are wreaking havoc on the farms."
Her brother, Lucian, nodded, his serious face framed by his silver hair, falling over his forehead with natural elegance. His amethyst eyes, so similar to Helia's, shone with intelligence and a touch of mischief. "Our knights are struggling to control them. It's becoming a growing issue."
Helia watched the two men in silence, still feeling that emotional distance between them. She had considered discussing Adrian's business ambitions with her father, hoping to open a door for him with the marquis, but something in the tense atmosphere made her realize that this was not the ideal moment.
To break the heavy silence that followed, she decided to bring up a subject she was passionate about. "I've made progress with my research," she said, trying to mask her enthusiasm with a calm tone.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ah, these famous researches... Should we expect a revolutionary invention this time? Something that will turn lead into gold, perhaps? Or maybe a plant-based potion that will make us invincible?"
Helia gave him a mock annoyed look, sensing the mockery. "You'll never really understand the importance of science, will you?"
"Oh, I understand perfectly," he replied, leaning casually in his chair, his expression full of challenge. "You spend hours locked away, fiddling with suspiciously colored vials and concocting potions from leaves and roots, while others take care of things that are a bit more... practical."
Helia shot him an exasperated glance. "Mock me all you want, but what I'm doing could really help. Some of the plants I've studied have properties never seen before — they could save lives!"
Lucian shook his head, feigning regret, a mocking smile on his lips. "Well, maybe one day, when you've saved a soldier with a herbal tea, I'll bow to your healing talents."
Helia frowned, stung by his words. "And you? It's so convenient to pretend to manage the estates while all the work is done by the stewards."
"At least I pretend to manage something useful," he retorted, his tone playful.
Their bickering briefly caught their father's attention, sitting at the other end of the table. The marquis sighed lightly, a trace of fatigue in his gaze, before returning his focus to his plate. "Enough, both of you. These aren't topics for a dinner table."
Helia held back her words, feeling a little ashamed for having let herself get carried away. Her brother, for his part, shrugged, pleased to have had the last word.
The rest of the dinner passed without incident, the conversation turning to more mundane and trivial matters. Helia, however, couldn't stop mulling over her brother's words. She knew her research had potential, but it seemed so difficult to prove it in an environment where everything was judged by outdated standards.
As the meal neared its end, Helia felt a weight settle on her shoulders. She took a deep breath, ready to ask the question that had been on her mind for hours.
"Father... I would like to consult our sorcerer. I have an idea for a magical accessory that I'd like to try."
Her brother, who had remained relatively silent up until now, raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Since when are you interested in such things?" he asked, suspicious.
Helia shrugged nonchalantly. "Just an idea I'd like to explore."
The marquis, tired and eager not to prolong the conversation, nodded. "Very well. I'll have him join you tomorrow."
With dinner finished, Helia left the table and headed upstairs to her room. She climbed the stairs slowly, her mind still preoccupied with the conversation from dinner. Once in her room, she walked to the mirror, her face marked by fatigue. A moment later, Lucille entered, a warm smile lighting up her face.
"Good evening, miss. I'll help you get rid of that hairstyle," she announced as she approached.
Helia nodded with relief. Lucille began undoing the pins that held her hair in place.
"Lucille, could you have the tailor come tomorrow?" Helia asked, a slight tremor in her voice.
Lucille paused for a moment, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Are you planning to buy new dresses for fun, miss? It's been a while since you've accepted any invitations."
Helia returned her smile, trying to make it look as natural as possible. "Actually, yes, I plan to attend a banquet."