The sky was filled with dark storm clouds swallowing every trace of moonlight. Sound of thunder echoing the whole sky. Cold breeze touching the soft curtains of a large window, where standing a young women, who was wearing a beautiful outfit, one that only rich folks of the royal family could afford.
As for the upper garment she was wearing a white blouse with puffed sleeves and high collar, a cravat and corset style waist armor. For the lower part she was wearing slim black decorated pants with golden embroidery, practical for movement like fencing or dueling and an overskirt, a long transparent fabric draped behind, adding elegance while keeping the front free for mobility.
The chains and ornate details on the corset and pants were purely decorative, showing wealth and status.
Her black beautiful hair was swept back into an elegant updo, strands coiling into soft waves that framed her crown with quite authority. A subtle side part sent gentle locks cascading into the gathered twist at the back, where the waves were folding into a refined bun. It was a style both disciplined and graceful, every strand in place, yet carrying a natural softness of noble blood and quiet strength.
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She was looking at the sky with her green, shimmering eyes, but her eyes were reflecting a sorrow deep enough to suggest she had lost someone dear.
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"Looks like it will rain soon" she said in a calm voice.
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"This weather.....it reminds me the of that...time....."
Suddenly there was knocking at the door.
"Miss Grace everyone have gathered already and they all are waiting for your arrival." the man said, who was standing outside the door, and he sounded elderly by his voice.
"Yeah! I'll be there in a minute you go ahead and start the preparations." Grace said while looking at the dark gloomy sky.
"As you say madam" the old man replied in agreement and left.
After staring at the sky for a while she turned around and walked towards her closet.
Her room was full of fancy furniture and antiques, there was a large bed draped in dark, rich green bedding with layered blankets and embroidered details on them. On either side were ornate wooden nightstands with carved details, each were holding a classic lamp giving off a warm golden glow.
The walls had a dark, aged stone or textured finish with gothic elements. A grand chandelier was hanging from the ceiling with candle-like lights. There was a massive arched window with intricate iron patters.
The room wasn't well illuminated which could be because of the room lights, they were dull, it's as if the person who was living in that room hated bright lights.
She opened her closet and took out a small treasure chest, made up of shimmering blue crystal and gemstone panels, crafted with ornate gold, full of curls, floral motifs and intricate baroque style decorations, it's as if it was holding a forbidden treasure.
She opened the chest and inside it was a photograph. A photograph of her decreased parents, she took out the photo with her left hand, holding the box in right. She looked at the photo with brimming eyes.
"Mother, father it's been eight years since you left us, eight years from that day, it was the same night as it is today, same gloomy night."
Before she could continue someone knocked at the door.
"Sister are you in there" the person outside the door asked.
"Yes, I am in here" Grace replied.
"Can I come in" the person asked hesitantly.
"Yes you can" Grace replied in a calm voice.
The door opened and outside standing a 13 year old kid. Grace quickly put the photo back in the the box and placed the box in the closet where it was. The kid walked in and stood near grace. Grace closed the closet door and looked at the kid.
"You came here for something?" Grace asked politely.
"Yes I...I wanted to see you" the kid replied nervously.
"Wanted to see me? Why? Don't you see me everyday" Grace chuckled as she said this.
The boy blushed and said "Yeah but it's your birthday and I wanted to see you before everyone else, see how beautiful you look today."
Grace leaned a bit towards the boy "But you said I look beautiful everyday didn't you, so what's so special about today."
The boy looked at grace with yearning eyes before looking down.
"It's just...today isn't just your 21st birthday but also your crowning ceremony. After today you will officially become the queen of our kingdom."
The boy clenched his clothes with his hands before continuing "As you will become the queen, you will eventually get busy as well."
Grace kneeled down and gazed at the boy, gently lifting his face up and looked at the boy with her tender eyes.
"Are you afraid that I won't be able spend much time with you guys" Grace said with a soft smile on her face.
"Don't worry no matter how busy I get I'll always make time for you two."
The boy's eyes sparkled as he heard this.
"You promise" he asked.
"Yes I promise" Grace replied.
She stood up glanced at the door and then again looked at the boy and asked "By the way, where is Rui? She doesn't seems to be with you."
"She is sleeping in her room" the boy replied.
"She is asleep already, I thought she was excited for the day, Grace asked while looking surprised.
"Well she is, she was so excited and worked up that she got tired of waiting and fall straight on thebed" the boy said while laughing softly.
Grace chuckled softly and said "Then how about we wake her up before the ceremony starts or else she'll get all mad and angry at us."
"Yeah we should, though she looks cute when she get upset, but she don't talk either and refuses to play with me" the boy replied while looking at grace.
"Then let's go" Grace said this while she held the boy's hand.
They exited the room and started walking in the corridor, after passing by two rooms they stopped at third. Outside that room there were two guards standing on each corner, they both bowed their heads to both grace and the boy, Grace bowed hers as well in acknowledgement. Both the guards looked delighted by her gesture. Grace held the door knob but before she could open the door.
"Happy 21st Birthday Miss Grace" the guard on the left said.
"Thank you Sir Eryndor" Grace responded with courtesy.
The guard looked at grace in awe.
"Mistress, you know my name" the guard asked grace.
"How come I wouldn't, you have been in this palace for almost 10 years now doing your work diligently" Grace replied politely.
She shifted her sight to the guard standing on the right and said "And you Sir Seradric you have been here for even longer."
Hearted by the kind words both the guards bowed and said "We are honored to have you as our Queen."
Grace smiled softly and replied "And we are delighted to have you as our wardens."
After the long chat, Grace opened the door and both the boy and Grace went in.
The room was well illuminated with the glistening lights unlike that of Grace's. The ceiling was elaborately carved with detailed plasterwork and reliefs. The arched and sweeping curves were making the room felt tall, airy and majestic. The centerpiece was a massive crystal chandelier.
The bed was a grand four-poster with carved wooden posts. Rich drapery was hanging from the canopy, giving it a royal presence, more throne like than just a bed. The furniture was ornate, with carved wooden frames and velvet upholstery.
Tall, elegant windows and heavy, gathered curtains with tassels. The large marble fireplace was decorated gilded details.
The palette was mostly ivory, cream and gold which was emphasizing refinement and brightness, rather than dark heaviness.
They took some few steps forward and stood near the bed.
On the bed, there was a 11 year old little girl, slumbering. The boy moved forward and reached out his hand and gently shook the little girl to woke her up.
"Wake up Miss Ruivienne, how long are you going to sleep" the boy said in a teasing way.
"Ugh, who's this" the girl slowly opened her eyes and looked at the boy.
"Oh Ray it's you" the girl said while she gently rubbed her left eye.
"Wait the ceremony, has it ended already."
She quickly sat upright and glared at Ray.
"Why didn't you woke me up, I told you to do so didn't I."
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[Some moments ago]
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"Ugh I'm tired when is it going to start I can't wait" Rui said while looking agitated.
"It will soon once all the guests will arrive" Ray who was sitting beside Rui answered.
Ray was reading a book so he answered without looking at Rui.
Rui bugged by this said irritatedly "You are always in these books can't you take a rest for once, how about we play a game to ward off the boredom, what do you think."
Ray turned the page of the book he was reading and replied "But weren't we doing so half an hour ago."
Rui looked at Ray with guileless eyes and said "That's what I'm saying, it's already been 30 minutes since you have been reading, let's play some games already."
Ray heaved a sigh and closed his book and placed it on a nearby table and looked at Rui "So then, what do you want to play" he asked.
"I don't know, you pick" Rui answered looking puzzled.
Ray placed his left hand on his chin holding his left elbow with his right hand "Hmm, then what should we play.....Cards."
"No" Rui answered.
"Then how about a board game" Ray asked.
Rui again said no.
"Then hide and seek" Ray asked again.
Rui again declined.
"Then what you want to play" Ray asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
Rui pouted and replied "I don't know, we already played them I don't want to play them over again can't we do anything else."
Ray sighed and replied in a calm voice "But there is nothing else we can play else for these three things."
Rui falls back on the bed she was sitting on and placed her hands on the back of her head "Then can't we head outside and wander around a for a while" she asked.
"We can't do that" Ray said this as he reached out his hand for the book he placed on the table.
He grabbed the book and opened it and continued talking "We are not allowed to until the ceremony's is over."
Rui yawns and asked "Why so."
"I already told you didn't I" Ray replied.
"You did?" Rui asked while dozing off.
Ray sighed again and said "Guess it can't be helped" and continued "During the crowning ceremony, the family members of the person being crowned are supposed to show up with the individual only, they are meant to enter the main hall, where the ceremony is going to take place, together, which is why we can't go out."
As he got no response from Rui, Ray then started reading the book from where he left.
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"Wait" Ray said this as he suddenly closed the book he was reading.
"We can't go out go out but we can atleast go check on our sister, though we'll get to see her before everyone else, but I still want to go see her right now, Rui do you wanna come with.....
"Oh! She is snoozing already, should I wake her up, I don't think I should, it's better to let her rest as the night is going to be very long" Ray said to himself.
"Looks like I have to go alone."
He left the book on the bed, stood up and started walking towards the door, he opened the door and went out of the room.