Center Mennork, at the Sallon University.
Skyler was in the lecture hall taking history lessons, her head was supported by the palm of her hand as she stared at the other students around her.
With her head in the clouds, she laid her eyes on the yellowish-brown history book on the table. Although her body was sitting still, her mind was completely wandering into imagination, only thinking about what had happened in the last few days.
Ruby McDemort's murder, her encounter with Sebastian Blackwood, and the argument she had with Benson rushed into her mind, shackling her inside. She couldn't stop thinking as she tapped the table with her index finger.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
"Miss Hall seems distracted. Could you please explain to the class the page I just read?"
A voice called Skyler's attention, making her blink a couple of times. Nervously raising her head, she glanced at Professor Essie who was staring at her with a serious face, silence suddenly falling on the lecture hall as the students' eyes were focused solely on her.
"A-a-alright!" Skyler quickly stood up, took a deep breath and continued. "During the Old Testament Century, the war of the Daemon God of the Abyss broke out involving the Human World and the Demihuman World. During the war the demihuman soldiers who had a symbol of an eye on their chest lost control of their powers, and began to carry out a massacre in the Human World, killing anyone in their path. This attracted the attention of the Dragon God of Miracle and Concealment who exterminated those demihumans from the Human World and exiled the Daemon Realm, finally ending the war."
"Excellent as always, Miss Hall. A really good explanation." Essie stated.
Relieved, Skyler let out a short sigh with her hand on her chest. The lecture hall slowly began to be noisy again.
Essie picked up her clipboard. "Well, we shall stop here for today. Make sure to study this topic for the test."
As the students left, Skyler placed her history book inside her black bag, slung it over her right shoulder, and left the lecture hall restlessly.
She walked down the arched white marble-adorned corridor toward the entrance of the university building crowded with students.
"Without Evelyn everything is dull... how will she fare in Ravenport?..." Skyler thought.
Disappointed, she watched her classmates walking in the hall with her lips twitched, while their laughter and chatter were resounding off the walls.
She felt an inexplicable smile on her lips, but at the same time it was like she were somewhere else, wandering above it all.
The world around her began to blur, faces and whispers became hazy as if she were detaching herself from the world, like a lonely spectator.
She knew she was walking, but it seemed like she was watching her movements—
"Good afternoon, Skyler!"
A voice cut through her haze, startling her back to reality.
Skyler turned her head, seeing a woman who was approaching her.
The woman had curly brown hair that fell to her neck and black eyes that gave her a mature look. Her facial features were delicate, and her bronze skin gave her a mix of Steatha and Duskfall. She wore a long blue-green dress with a pitch black bow tie on the collar that gave her a touch of professionalism.
Skyler forced a smile, and greeted. "Oh! Professor Susie, how nice to meet you again."
"It's a pleasure to see you again. Come to my office, I have many things to talk to you about." Susie turned her back.
Skyler followed her teacher, climbing the hand railed stairs to the third floor of the building. Reaching the third floor, Susie unlocked her office door with the bronze key which creaked open. She then walked in and noticed a change from the last time she went. The floor of the room was covered with a large red carpet, while to the right of it there were shelves with many books.
As she walked to the office. Skyler the smell of tea entered her nostrils while Susie poured the tea into two white porcelain cups with pink-colored edges.
Susie sat on the sofa by the glass wall. "Come in, make yourself at home."
Skyler sat on the adjacent sofa and looked out the glass wall at the crowded university square. She took up the porcelain cup from the table in front of her, and let the warm aroma of tea enter her nostrils.
"How was the trip to Duskfall? I'd love to go there one day." Skyler asked.
Clap! Clap!
Susie clapped her hands and replied. "It was amazing! I wouldn't even know where to start."
Seeing Susie happy, Skyler couldn't help but smile. She took a sip of tea which went down her esophagus, heating her up.
Skyler then peered at Susie. "Well, what was the part?"
"First of all I have to say that I was pleased to return to my homeland after years. I saw a painting by Rasha Khoury which left me, well, how to say... amazed. And then the food! I really missed their cuisine, much better than the food here."
"Oh, that must've been wonderful. You say it's better than Aetheria's food?"
"I can't tell you, I haven't had the chance to visit Aetheria yet! But I've heard that their cuisine isn't bad—" Susie suddenly stood up "I almost forgot…"
Susie went to her desk, and took something wrapped in a white handkerchief from her back. "I brought you some bread, go ahead and eat it."
"Let's see what it's like." Skyler removed the handkerchief, and smelling a sweet aroma took a light bite of the bread. "B-but… it's delicious! Much better than what I usually eat."
She could not resist the taste of the bread at all. With each bite she felt the chewed pieces sink softly into her stomach, and the sugary taste made her more and more ecstatic.
Meanwhile, Susie sat down on the sofa and leisurely took a sip of tea. "I told you their cuisine is special. If you decide to go to Duskfall, I recommend doing it in the winter."
"Makes sense. I imagine it gets awfully hot in the summer."
Susie nodded as her expression suddenly grew serious. "Yes, but that's not the only reason. Things are… a bit precarious there right now."
Skyler's heart skipped a beat while she set the bread down on the table. "What do you mean by, 'precarious'?"
"One of the priestesses…" Susie hesitated, her voice lowering. "Well, she committed suicide, and the entire capital is in mourning."
Skyler's pulse quickened, she felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Her brain and skull struggled to comprehend what her ears had heard.
"That's awful… W-when did it happen?" Skyler asked.
"April 26th. From the newspapers it seems that she hanged herself in her room under queer circumstances. And then, they... they held a memorial day in her honor. Everyone was dressed in black… and it was quite sad in my opinion."
"First the serial murders, and now this…" Skyler swallowed, her hands trembled slightly as she thought back to everything that had been happening.
Susie sighed. "Skyler, if you want to go to Duskfall, I recommend you go around October."
Her wise words brought Skyler to reality, interrupting angelically her train of thoughts.
"You're right, it's better to go there when the situation has improved." Skyler looked down at the bread. "This bread is delicious. I think I'll share some with Evelyn."
"Tell me, how are things going between you and Evelyn?"
"Very well! We spent the day together a few days ago." As she said those words, a warmth made its way into Skyler's soul. "Though, I would've preferred to meet her somewhere else, rather than on the bridge."
Despite the problems, Skyler was really happy that she was able to talk to Evelyn at the Red Tail Park. She closed her eyes and placed her right hand on her chest, trying to remember the hug Evelyn gave her.
"I'm glad to hear that you two get along. You know, you seem calmer than the last time I saw you" Susie expressed.
"Am I calmer?" Skyler looked at Susie perplexedly, feeling her cheekbones heating up. "D-do you think so?"
"Yes! Before my trip you seemed a little down, but now I see a different energy in you." Susie took a small breath, and smiled. "I'd say that Evelyn has influenced you positively. Now I can rest a little easier, knowing you're doing better."
Skyler looked out the glass wall at the blue sky, her voice fragile. "There's no need to worry about me, Susie."
"Of course I worry, you're my student, it's part of my job to help those in need. But I can sleep soundly now… for now!"
Upon saying that, Susie tilted her back forward and placed her index finger on Skyler's forehead, leaving her stunned.
Susie smiled and whispered in a soft voice. "At least until you get in a bad shape again."
Skyle looked at Susie with her lips pursed, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Susie."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Royal Quarter, Ravenport, capital of the Republic of Steatha.
In the Jones family's opulent mansion, Evelyn Throne was in their luxurious garden struck by the mid-afternoon sun's rays.
Sitting at the smooth white stone table surrounded by four pillars with an intricately patterned white canopy, she checked herself to make sure nothing was out of place in her dress.
For the meeting with the noble and aristocratic families, she had worn a long blue-green dress with white sleeves and collar. She had a soft blue hat on her head with three white flowers on the front, and golden earrings on her ears that gave her charm.
"Today is simply the most beautiful day to come here." Evelyn thought as she slowly sipped her afternoon tea.
Placing the white porcelain cup on the table, she looked at the large green court bisected by a black net with a white border. Inside the court there were two people who were playing cheerfully. To the right was a medium-sized man with bronzed skin and raven hair. He was wearing a white shirt, light blue bow tie on the collar which gave him elegance, and brown trousers, his black eyes shone in the blue sky. To the left was a slender girl wearing a long red Steathan dress that reached her ankles, and a gaudy hat with a white ribbon. She had brown hair tied back, and her brown eyes gave her a noble touch.
The two passed the ball between each other with the racket, and a dazzling smile formed on the man's lips.
"Indeed Mr. Lars is very gallant while playing. I'm not surprised that noblewomen are enchanted by him, but luckily I'm not like them." Evelyn thought, laughing slightly while she covered her lips with her hand.
Whilst she straightened her back on the wooden chair, a strong sweet scent of perfume entered her nostrils, she could feel the perfume entering her body.
Turning her head, she saw two girls walking next to the lined bushes. The first girl had short blonde hair that reached her neck and bright blue eyes. She wore a long light blue dress with white patterns and long light blue gloves that reached her arms, her small earrings sparkling elegantly. The second girl had long straight brown hair and blue eyes full of beauty. She had a beige dress and a dark brown skirt with white edges that reached up to her heel.
Evelyn waved her hand. "Hello Eleanor, and hello to thou too Selena. Long time no see, I dare say."
Eleanor and Selena waved their hands happily, and sat elegantly next to Evelyn. They had a soft smile on their faces, as if they were enthralled by something, as they looked at the dress Evelyn was wearing.
Eleanor clapped her hands. "Your charm hasn't yet faded, my dear Evelyn. You shall always remain the most dazzling noblewoman in the Republic."
Evelyn laughed softly. "Uhm, Eleonor, don't thou think thou art exaggerating? There art noblewomen much more dazzling than me, I dare say."
As she waved her hands she could feel the strong scent of perfume typical among the noblewomen of Ravenport intensify. Her heart thundered loudly at the sight of the beautiful Eleanor and Selena. After all, they had been friends since childhood who she cared about, and who she hadn't seen for several months. Evelyn couldn't help but be happy with their company.
Selena pinched Eleanor's dress. "Look at Mr. Lars, he is really beautiful."
"Yea, it's every lady's dream to marry him."
"Blessed is Annie that she has the opportunity to play with him. I almost envy her."
"You're right. Do you think they shall get married?"
"I don't know, Eleanor. I'd like to know what it is like to be the wife of a prince, especially one from Keswick Island like the magnificent Lars."
Eleonor gazed at Evelyn, a smile forming on her lips. "I think you two make a great couple."
"B-but what art thou saying? I don't think someone like me is suitable for Mr. Lars." Evelyn retorted with a dry laugh.
"Impossible, I heard that he was courting you the last time you came here." Selena said in a playful tone.
"The rumors art affecting thou too much, Selena. Thou shouldn't trust what thou hear." Thoughts raced through Evelyn's mind as she forced a smile.
Belonging to a family influential in the aristocracy, ministry, and among the Member of Parliament, she had always been subject to gossip from the nobles, especially about her relationship with the Campbell family.
Although she was on good terms with Lars and the rest of the family, the idea of getting engaged to him only made her laugh faintly.
"It's true that Lars and I have known each other for a long time, but I don't think I'm right for him. In my opinion, Annie is the one, I dare say." Evelyn advocated, waving her right hand.
Selena placed her hands on the stone table. "They may be on excellent terms, but Lars treats her like they were friends. It's quite different when he talks to you. Just think, he's even willing to come to your parents' anniversary from Keswick Island."
"Yes, yes, not to mention he also gave you Emperor Berisa's mirror and mystical trinkets for your birthday. He is in love, deeply in love." Eleanor added.
Selena stared intently at Evelyn. "But do not think he shall be the only one to show up. We, the Jones family, shall also participate. Being part of the four Great Families, we'd like to extend our regards to your parents."
Eleanor placed her hand on her chest, her voice becoming soft. "And we, the Stowner family, shall participate too. Your family has done a lot for us, and we want to give them our beloved flowers."
Hearing Selena and Eleanor words, Evelyn smiled faintly. Her heart was pounding, a warmth was growing in her chest. Their words resonated in her eardrums until they entered her mind. She struggled to describe the emotions she was feeling—maybe she was moved, maybe she was happy, maybe she was surprised.
But she was sure of one thing, she was grateful to them, as she was grateful to Skyler Hall for accompanying her to the cemetery every year.
Evelyn bowed her head. "Thank thou very much. My family is also very grateful to thou, and I am grateful to thou for being my friends."
Selena laughed slightly. "The pleasure is ours, Lady Throne. I'm sure you were bored in Prestwich, that's why we invited you."
"True, true. How are you doing in Prestwich? Have you made any new friends since the last time we saw each other?" Eleanor asked, her voice close to a whisper.
Evelyn shook her head. "No, let's say I'm keeping my circle of friends that I like to talk to, especially Mrs. Skyly."
As soon as Evelyn finished speaking, silence immediately fell between them. Selena and Eleanor stared at her with pursed lips, their once cheerful gaze turning to concern–emotionless perhaps. While she looked at their faces, Evelyn couldn't help but smile faintly, knowing what she had said.
Selena bowed her head towards Evelyn, her voice akin to a whisper. "Oh, are you talking about Skyler Hall? You know, I wish I could meet her, it's not like you to have middle class friends."
"I've heard peculiar rumors about her, mainly from Duke O'Neal and Earl Rinsewell. They say she is a grim reaper to stay away from." Eleanor stated in a whisper.
Selena leaned close to Evelyn's ear, and whispered. "Are you really sure you want to continue being in a relationship with a girl like that? Aren't you afraid of the gossip you might receive from the aristocrats?"
Once she felt Selena's cold words go cold on her eardrums, Evelyn gently placed her hands on her thighs. "Yea, and I shaln't broke my relationship with Skyly. I know there aren't any good rumors going around about her, but for me she is a dazzling friend to whom I owe a lot."
Judging by the mere fact that she was middle class, and on top of that, basing everything on an unfolded gossip circulated from the distant past was ridiculous. How did anyone who didn't know a single thing about Skyler Hall's true nature have any right to hate her?
Hence, Evelyn clenched her fists.
Selena put her hand on Evelyn's shoulder. "I apologize, maybe I shouldn't have said those words."
"The decision is ultimately yours, and we have no right to interfere with your life." Eleanor stated with a dry laugh.
As she took deep breaths and closed her small lips, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, her brown eyes were shifted to Lars and Annie who were walking towards her, the sun's rays illuminated the drops of sweat that were slowly falling on the smiling Lars' face.
Lars waved his hand, voice deep. "Lady Throne, would you like to play a few racket shots with me?"
"Of course, Mr. Lars" Evelyn exclaimed without even thinking twice.
She hastily rose from her chair, and without losing her elegance walked across the soft grass towards Lars, the sun shining majestically while her delicate skin was pricked on every part of the arms and forehead.
Selena and Eleanor will be stunned by her behavior, perhaps they were disappointed in her. Evelyn Throne didn't dare turn her back.
As they passed each other, Annie sighed. "Do your best. When he is serious, no one can stop him."
"Oh, surely. Thou shall place your trust upon me, I dare say." Evelyn advocated with a dry laugh.
She gripped the hem of her dress, the rough fabric pinching her fingers as she curved her lips at the charming, smiling Lars.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Prestwich City, Conan County, North Mennork, at 15 Angel Lane Street.
Skyler was in her bedroom, sitting at her desk. Her face was on the cold wooden surface, and her mind was filled with unresolved thoughts.
The tension from the argument with Benson hung over her, and she didn't feel like training with him the day before.
She pushed herself up from the desk with slow movements—as though the weight of her negative emotions were dragging her down. She took a bread given to her by Susie from her bag, and walked towards the black-haired man who was crouched in his usual place.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Here," Skyler said, holding out the bread. "Susie gave me this, it's very good."
The black-haired man slowly lifted his head, his gray eyes narrowing as they locked on her. Skyler flinched under his gaze like he repudiated her very existence.
Without omitting a single word, the man violently snatched the bread from Skyler's soft hand, the force making her fingers sting. He began to eat it, turning away immediately to the corner of the room.
Skyler eyed at her empty hand for a second. She sighed sorrowfully, and gently patted the hand, trying to soothe the sharp sting. She then sat on the edge of the bed, her blue eyes were fixed at the black-haired man eating.
She plumply lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling with her arms folded over her chest. She closed her eyes, feeling deeply the tightness in her chest spread like a heavy weight.
Silence fell on the room, broken only by the occasional sound of the black-haired man moving in his corner. Skyler looks at the emerald green necklace around her neck, its shine makes her think of her late father. She wished she could go back in time, talk to her father once more, and make things better. But instead, here she was—staring at the ceiling that offered no comfort, no relief.
She stood up from bed, lips pressed together in a frown. Her eyes moved to the mirror in front of her. Something caught her attention—something black, barely visible, flickering at the edge of the glass.
"What is it?" Curiosity got the better of Skyler.
She cautiously raised her hand towards the small shape, but she felt something was wrong.
—No, something odd was happening to her.
Normally, when she touched the mirror she always managed to touch the solid material, however, her hand with which she was touching the mirror did not emit any resistance, as if it had suddenly become liquid!
"W-what the hell is happening now…?" Skyler was dumbfounded.
That moment, she inexorably realized what was happening to her. Skyler Hall was getting sucked into the mirror!