Hellan
Its been three days since Shin and I were attacked. Three days and nothing from them. I asked and Linda was all like "Now is not the best time to be around the Keels" Whatever that means. I couldn't stand the suspense anymore. I jumped off the bed, now that my engagement was getting shaky I no longer needed to wear party dresses, I was back to my normal pants. It was sunny today and the flowers were happily basking in its warmth and Alex was there sited on the grass watching them. She was in a green dress her jet black hair devoid of the jewels that normally adorn it. Even without all the jewels she still looked like an immortal that had landed on the mortal plains. She looked up to me with her emerald eyes.
'Come sister, join me' She patted the grass next to her. I sat next to her. Her emerald eyes and green rose was characteristic of the poison she possessed. I've seen her in action and lets just say I am happy were family.
'Where are you going in a hurry? Is it Linda's office' She smiled. 'Don't worry your man is fine' She smiled mischievously.
'And how do you know?' I asked.
'The flowers whispered to me' I raised an eyebrow knowing that no one possessed such an ability. 'Okay, I was there when she got the news' I was happy so much that I couldn't control my lips as they twisted into a smile. 'Your helpless' She shook her head. I was standing to leave when she added. 'You should find a dress. You don't want to attend Nurr's dinner in your undies' I turned and looked at her expecting an explanation. 'Ask Linda I also have no clue' With that I left the emerald goddess to her flowers and grass and rushed to Linda's office.
The manor was built in a way that suited us and our needs. We were daughters of the Rose, children of spring and our houses always emphasized our connection to nature. It was a single floor house each room connected forming an inner courtyard so wide we had our own forest right here. My connection to the lady was so weak ,I was the only twenty two year old in history whose tattoos were still incomplete. I never felt the pull of spring, or the call of the forest, or the power of the grass, all I ever felt was wet, sticky, sweaty and mosquitoes I wished would go extinct. Linda and Alex always tell me it'll kick in soon. I guess she gave up and instead found me a husband, whose family just so happens to have two powerful female branch families. This was killing two birds with a single pebble. My luck was trash but there was no way I could mess getting the approval of one of the two ladies. Was there?
I got to Lind's office as someone walked out. She nodded to me in greeting and left without a word. I walked into the office. Her office had a huge window at her back showing the gardens full of life. A hearth was at the far corner. Apart from her desk, there are other two couches facing each other and a small table between the two. A rug spreads from under her desk to the two couches. On one wall is the Clan's symbol, A silver thorned red rose on a sky blue shield. On the other wall were portraits of some of the old matriarchs that were unfortunately yet to die. She looked up to me a few minutes after I walked in, she leaned back on her chair. She'd worn a yellow sleeved dress. her face appeared haggard and her hair was unkept, yet she still looked breath-taking.
'Alexandria must have told you about tonight' She started toying with her pen. I nodded. She sighed. 'Its not all flowers little sister, Edith chose this particular time to bring up your little stunt' She was getting mad I could feel it. And why did this devil lady have to bring weeds where roses had been planted. 'Since its a mater that might involve the Keel's the emperor has invited us for dinner.' She muttered a curse I didn't hear then continued. 'I've spoken to Adriel, she told me its not her call to make. Just when those skeletons had given their approval of your betrothal' She filled her glass with wine and took a sip. 'Remember to carry the necklace and your best smile tonight' She dismissed me and I didn't hesitate to leave.
That night in the Nurr palace, we were greeted by maids who ushered us in to a table that had already been set. We bowed to the emperor and his family giving them our heartfelt greetings before we took our seat at the round table filled with various foods. The emperor took a seat where their family symbol was behind him and the door was right Infront. To his left was his daughter and then the princes in their order after them was Edith and her brother and next to her brother was Alex, me then Linda on the other side. Three seats were still empty. The doors were opened and they walked in fashionably late. It was three days since I saw him passed out at their garden. I looked down to hide my blush.
'Sorry were late' His baritone echoed across the room. They walked in, his cousin Adriel first, her blue foggy eyes, characteristic of all who walked dreams, were on me then shifted to Edith. Shin walked next after her and for a moment I saw his eyes dart to me. And his uncle brought the rear his blindfold hiding all emotion. They sat in that order with the Adriel next to the emperor and uncle next to Linda.
'Please' The emperor gave the official confirmation for everyone to eat. 'So shin how are your injuries?' He was also the first to make small talk. 'I really do apologise. We've combed the city and found nothing its as if your attackers just vanished without a trace'
'Thank you for the effort your highness but I'd like to get done here quickly, if possible' Adriel spoke softly. She put only the slightest pretence of showing the emperor face. Her words were sharp but then no one was willing to anger them especially right now. The Keel's were well known for their clan ties, they were the kind to massacre first, say sorry later. The emperor looked at Edith.
'Brand here has come with an accusation saying it relates to your current...predicament' The atmosphere was getting tense but Shin and his uncle still ate in silence not bothering with the dinner proceedings.
'A week before the princess's party, This girl trespassed onto our property and cold-bloodedly killed some of my guards. We had not provoked her hence we don't know why she did such acts. Then three day ago as she was with his majesty Keel, he got attacked and she, who was also allegedly attacked with him, escaped unscathed. This raises a lot of suspicion doesn't it?' She directed her question to the Cresworth sisters. I swallowed audibly trying to put up a tough front. I thought I had already gotten away with this, I didn't know it would blow up into something so huge.
'How many of your guards were killed?' Linda started. 'And how could my little sister best them if they were warriors? They must have been shity guards'
'Your sister clearly bested them. And we chased her all the way...'Edith was getting worked up.
'And you lost her?' Alex took a sing at her. 'Or what, are you saying she vanished too?' Unlike Linda, Alex tended to get murderous and uncontrollable when she got worked up. The princes wisely chose to shut their mouths for now as they still needed the support from both sides. 'Your stories are always about your pitifully warriors and some fiction bullshit no one but you understand...'
'She stole a necklace on that night.' Edith looked at me. 'You brought it right dear? I can feel it in your pockets' Linda nodded at me and I placed the said necklace on the table. It looked like an old necklace with rusted golden parts but the mana residue on it was too strong to ignore.
'Why steal a worthless necklace when your clan are the largest makers of jewellery?' One of the prince decided to join in.
'Good question? and why send your most elites after it?' Alex said.
'So your no longer hiding the fact that you killed my people?' Edith was getting angry. I knew all about the children of Lynn, the lady of calamity. They were a powerful bunch I'd rather not make an enemy out of but we had already drawn blood, there was never going back now.
'I thought we already agreed your weak?' Linda said and the prince snorted as he held his laugh.
'ENOUGH!! damn how is any of this related to us?' Adriel had blown as she stood up. 'Thi...' Shin stopped her with his hand as he finally looked up from his plate.
'Sorry your majesty, my cousin has been under stress lately, we mean no disrespect' He started softly as he pulled Adriel down.
'Sorry for my outburst' She apologized albeit reluctantly.
'I should start with introductions' His tone was jovial but took a turn immediately his next words left his mouth. 'I am Keel' It was short for an introduction but still carried its weight. The fact that he only used his clans name to introduce himself put more pressure on the table than Adriel's outburst. By introducing himself that way he was basically saying "your dealing with the whole of the Golden Valleys" His uncle stopped eating, elegantly wiped his mouth and looked at us his gaze was piercing emphasizing what Shin had said earlier. I always thought Adriel was their defacto leader when it came to such matters, turns out these two monsters also knew how to deal with politics even though they used a different method.
'Now with that out of the way, lets enjoy our meal as friends' His demeanour evaporated just like that and now he was back to his jovial mood.
'Aren't we hear to discuss whether lady Hellan is free of guilt of your attack?' Another prince spoke up maybe thinking this was the best time to get on Shin's good graces.
'Oh that's what we were doing? I was told His majesty prepared a dinner for us...no wonder there was a lot of chitchat.' He mattered the last part. He looked at Adriel who nodded her head as if she was giving him permission.
'First of all, the Cresworth never attacked us' He put down his fork and started.
'And how are you so sure. Remeb...' He cut Edith off.
'She told me she doesn't want to get widowed' I was startled. I couldn't quite process what he had said. Everyone at the table except uncle was visibly confused.
'What?' Layann was the on who broke the ice.
'Lanny and I are betrothed. So tell me Edith, why would my future wifey plan such an attack?' The question was utterly stupid yet made sense in the most logical of ways. Everyone's eyes, including the emperor turned to her waiting for an answer.
'When was this announced?' Layann asked making everyone's eyes shift back to Shin then to me. I looked down too embarrassed to look at them.
'Just now' he grinned. 'Say, Edith, you do remember what happened the last time you tried something funny with my people' it was scary how he could go from jovial to a murderous tone in the drop of a hat. 'You do remember, right uncle?' Uncle wiped his mouth building tension as everyone waited for his answer.
'like it was yesterday' he grinned at Edith and I swear I saw her spine pass a shiver. Uncle went back to his meal.
'Excuse me' Layann quickly left the room.
'Fine' Edith breathed and reached for the necklace I pianistically stole from her.
'Wait!' Shin suddenly shouted and reached for the necklace in Edith's hands. 'Where did you get this necklace?' He asked after examining it for a while.
'My family has had it for generations, legend says it was on of lady Lynn's trinkets' She sounded smug as she said this.
'If I apologise on behalf of Lanny do I get to keep this?' He asked an expected question again. 'Thanks' He didn't wait for her to answer as he pocketed the necklace. 'Your majesty if you'll excuse us' He turned to the emperor and bowed in respect before walking from his seat to mine. He pulled my seat back and took me by the hand and we left as the other watched us leave. I was too embarrassed and excited. After walking around for a while and sending away any maids and soldiers we found in the hallway he finally caged me between his arms himself and the wall.
'You can feel it too right?' He held up the necklace and I frowned. He wasn't here to make out but to ask about the necklace.
'Feel what?'
'This watch...'His eyes rolled in and I was on the verge of calling for a doctor when I saw them roll back. Now that I thought about it, his eyes were moving more that they used to. He tilted his head still appearing to be in a daze and suddenly his lips were on mine.