A few days later, Helia found herself in her carriage, observing the line of vehicles ahead of her. The long procession of nobles was heading to the count's grand estate for the much-anticipated banquet. Helia had purposely delayed her arrival to avoid curious stares. She needed a moment to herself before facing the evening.
The carriage stopped at the entrance to the estate. After a quick check of her identity by the guards, she entered the grounds. Once inside, sheltered from prying eyes, she took a deep breath and activated the bracelet the family sorcerer had entrusted to her a few days earlier. In an instant, her amethyst eyes turned to a cold blue, and her brown hair became a shimmering, almost ethereal silver. She wore a simple, elegant dark blue gown, a deliberately modest choice, quite different from the colors and styles she usually favored. She didn't want to attract attention tonight, only to observe.
Helia stepped out of the carriage, her shoes sinking slightly into the gravel of the gardens before the count's house. The nobles around her, radiant in luxurious attire, laughed and chatted merrily as they made their way to the ballroom. The women wore shimmering gowns adorned with sparkling jewels, while the men, dressed in impeccable suits, spoke of their latest hunts or recent acquisitions. Helia, adjusting her dress slightly, suddenly felt nervous.
Sir Aldric, her personal knight, looked at her questioningly. He was a man in his thirties, his face marked by time and battle, with a few discreet lines at the corners of his eyes, evidence of years of service and trials endured. His golden eyes sparkled with attentive intelligence and unwavering loyalty, while his short, dark hair framed his stern features. His imposing stature, bolstered by a solid physique, hid a subtle sensitivity, noticeable only to those who knew him well. He hesitated before gently asking, "Lady Helia, would you like me to accompany you?"
Helia shook her head, trying to appear confident. "No, Aldric, I prefer to go in alone. Stay here with Lucan."
Without waiting for his reply, she made her way toward the grand estate. Her heart raced, a mixture of fear and excitement filling her. This evening could either confirm or dispel the doubts she secretly held about Elysia, but deep down, she still hoped to be wrong. She hoped Elysia was the friend she had always known.
When she reached the grand door of the ballroom, she felt a brief moment of apprehension. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and entered.
The sight that greeted her left her speechless. The ballroom was breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft, golden light, illuminating a sparkling dance floor where numerous couples twirled gracefully. The walls were adorned with lavish tapestries, and enormous tables covered with delicate dishes stretched along the room. Music resonated softly in the air, adding a touch of magic to the atmosphere. Helia felt dizzy from the sheer magnificence. This was far from the cynical description Elysia had given her of social soirées. Everything here seemed paradisiacal, and for a moment, Helia forgot why she had come.
Then, her gaze fell on Adrian, her fiancé, standing at the other end of the room. Surrounded by influential men, he was engaged in animated conversation, a glass of champagne in hand. Helia knew he must be gathering support for his cause, his focused expression betraying the importance of the conversation. A wave of relief washed over her as she saw that he seemed at ease in this world where she often felt like an outsider. After observing Adrian for a moment, Helia let her gaze drift across the room until she finally spotted Elysia.
The young woman was, as always, stunningly beautiful. She wore a deep red gown that caught every eye. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her skin seemed to glow under the candlelight. Elysia was surrounded by several ladies, all hanging on her every word, as if she were the queen of this small social circle.
Helia hesitated for a moment, her heart beating faster. She didn't want her suspicions to be true. She decided to descend the stairs and mingle with the crowd. Slipping discreetly toward the buffet, she approached the group without drawing attention, pretending to serve herself a glass of wine while listening carefully to the conversation.
Elysia and the ladies were talking about a trivial subject. One of them, a young woman in a green gown, laughed as she mentioned a recent ball, while another lady, with a mocking smile, told a story about an awkward suitor.
"I assure you, he tripped over his own feet!" the mocking lady said, prompting discreet laughter.
Elysia smiled, but her gaze remained enigmatic, as if she were never fully present in the conversation. Helia, for her part, struggled to keep calm. She took a sip from her glass, her hands slightly trembling. Then, suddenly, her name was spoken.
"But tell me, Elysia, where is Lady Stellaris tonight?" asked a lady in a purple gown, her curious gaze lighting up her face.
Helia's heart skipped a beat. She held her breath for a moment, her senses on high alert.
Elysia displayed an expression of sadness, her face transforming into that of the concerned friend, lamenting her companion's absence. "Oh, Helia… I tried everything to convince her to come, believe me. But she chose to stay at home, claiming she hated these soirées, finding them too extravagant and dreadfully boring."
A heavy silence settled, and the other ladies' looks became more probing. Helia felt a chill of unease run down her spine. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
The lady in the green gown, visibly shocked, shook her head in disdain. "How insolent! How can she refuse such a prestigious invitation and make such remarks? These gatherings are the heart of our society!"
Another lady, dressed in purple, intervened, her tone acidic, betraying her contempt. "Elysia, I truly don't understand how you can associate with someone like her. She doesn't deserve you."
Elysia, playing her role of the devoted friend perfectly, flashed a sad smile, lowering her eyes as though she felt guilty. "I know… Helia can seem cold and distant, but she has a good heart. She's not always aware of the impact of her words." She let out a slight sigh, feigning patience. "She even begged me not to come tonight, repeating that these festivities were just a waste of time."
"How absurd!" exclaimed a lady in a purple gown, outraged. "After everything you've done for her, she dares to treat you this way?"
The lady in green, with a cold tone, retorted, "You are far too charitable toward her, Elysia. A friend like that? She doesn't even return half of your kindness. You deserve better."
"Indeed, she treats you unworthily," added the lady in crimson, shaking her head with clear disapproval. "You are unbelievably indulgent with her. I would never have such patience."
Elysia raised her eyes, continuing to play the perfect friend, an almost angelic smile on her lips. "Oh, it's nothing, really... I've known her for so long. I'm sure she doesn't act out of malice, she's just... clumsy."
Helia felt her heart tighten. Each word was like a dagger to her chest. She had hoped her suspicions were unfounded, that Elysia would never be capable of such duplicity. But here, in front of her, was a scene she could never have imagined. Elysia was betraying her, and worse still, she was skillfully manipulating these young women to turn them against her.
Helia took a deep breath, trying to hold back the pain that was consuming her chest. She wasn't ready to face Elysia. Not here. Not now. She could no longer bear to hear those venomous words. A dull, painful rage began to rise within her, making her hands tremble. Ignoring the murmurs around her, she suddenly turned away from the ladies with a heavy heart. Tears began to blur her vision, but she didn't want to show her weakness. Ignoring the guests she brushed past, she muttered apologies, but her voice was barely audible above the laughter and chatter.
As she crossed the terrace leading outside, she felt a desperate urge to escape this place. The cool night air hit her face, and she stopped, gripping the carved railing of the terrace. The gardens stretched before her, lit by the soft glow of lanterns hanging from the trees, but none of it could soothe her heart that was pounding in her chest.
A wave of pain swept over her as she realized that her greatest fear had come true. The thought that Elysia, her one and only friend, her confidante for so many years, was betraying her, tore at her soul. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to banish the memories of Elysia's laughter, their shared secrets, their dreams together.
After wiping away her tears, she took a deep breath. Trembling, she removed the bracelet the sorcerer had given her, the one that allowed her to change her appearance, as a final act of separation. She stood there, shaken by waves of despair and betrayal, her heart heavy. She then continued her path toward the exit, walking quickly, head held high, though grief was choking her.
As she walked almost at a run, she hardly noticed her surroundings, her dark thoughts consuming her. The sounds around her seemed to dissolve into the pain in her mind, until a sudden, brutal collision stopped her dead in her tracks. A cold shiver ran through her body, as if the air around her had frozen in a suspended breath.
She had bumped into someone. The man in front of her stood tall, unwavering, like a rock amidst her rush. He was dressed in black and silver, a dark and imposing figure. The fabric of his clothes seemed to blend with the shadows, but the silver details of his costume faintly glittered under the torchlight. His features were well-defined, but in the shadow, Helia could not make out his face or his eyes clearly. Yet, she felt an intense, almost overwhelming presence emanating from him.
She lifted her eyes, trying to see who he was, but the shadow surrounding him seemed to almost envelop him. The man's eyes were a piercing gray, cold and curious, as if he were scrutinizing Helia's soul with relentless attention. He didn't seem disturbed by the collision. On the contrary, he remained perfectly still, his hands slightly crossed in front of him, as if waiting for her to react. A slight shiver ran down Helia's back, but the urgency of her situation made her not linger. She shook her head, trying to shake off the strange sensation, and collected herself.
"Please excuse me, I wasn't watching where I was going," she stammered, slightly bowing and making a quick curtsy to apologize, her voice trembling. She didn't want to be distracted any longer. Turning quickly, she resumed her hurried pace toward the carriage, her head spinning with swirling thoughts.
Upon her arrival, Sir Aldric, her knight, and Lucan, her valet, greeted her with concerned faces. Aldric stepped forward quickly, scanning her pale face. "Lady Stellaris, are you alright?" he asked, his gaze heavy upon her.
"Yes, I... I just want to get home as quickly as possible," she replied, her voice choked with tears. She rushed into the carriage, shutting herself off from the reality around her. The door closed behind her, and the outside world dissolved into an indistinct blur, while the pain of betrayal settled deep in her heart.
She slumped against the seat padding, her head in her hands, as tears flowed freely. A few moments later, the carriage started. Helia sank into her seat, the wheels bouncing slightly on the cobblestones of the city. She watched the landscape pass by the window, but her mind was far from what she was seeing. It had all started with those dreams. Strange dreams where Elysia appeared different... cold, calculating. Helia had initially thought her mind was playing tricks on her, influenced by meaningless nightmares. But gradually, she had started to notice disturbing behaviors in real life.
There was the time when Elysia had "forgotten" to send Helia's invitation for the reception she was hosting. Helia had let the incident go, thinking her friend was just distracted by preparations. But the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if it had been intentional. Then there was the day when Elysia had pushed her to wear a gown for an imperial ball, insisting it looked marvelous on her. Helia hadn't liked the gown, she felt uncomfortable in it, but Elysia had insisted so much, almost with certainty that it was the best choice, that she had eventually accepted. That night, she had been mocked by some of the guests, their mocking glances and whispered words tearing at her heart. Yet, she had brushed off these thoughts, telling herself she was overreacting and that Elysia surely hadn't meant to hurt her.
Every time a doubt had arisen, Helia had pushed it away, convincing herself that her dreams were disturbing her. But today, she had received the confirmation she had refused to admit for far too long: Elysia had betrayed her. But why? Why act this way when she already had everything? She was beautiful, always at the center of attention, with a family as prestigious as Helia's. What could she possibly gain by manipulating her childhood friend?
Helia closed her eyes, feeling the pain rising within her. Since when had Elysia been hypocritical? Had it all been a façade from the very beginning? Or had she simply caught her best friend at a poorly chosen moment, a situation that could be explained? Maybe there was a reason. Yes, there must be a logical explanation. If her best friend had truly been a manipulator, how could she have missed it all this time?
As the carriage slowed, coming to a stop in front of the main door of her house, a thought crossed her mind: Helia, she, had never noticed anything, but someone had already tried to warn her in the past.