Specks of dust float freely in the gleam of the morning light pouring into a dark room through soft, white silk curtains left slightly ajar.
The light crawled upon the eyelids of a young lady with birch-white skin, glowing amid the soothing rays. She gently arose, sitting upwards upon the large queen-sized bed.
Rat-at-at
The sound of knocking at the entrance of the large, lavishly furnished room rang out. The young woman turned her head, wearing an unchanging expression.
Slight dark bags hung under her eyes. Against her light skin, her appearance almost betrayed the idea that she was even alive.
"Come in."
The doorknob twisted, releasing the door inwards, revealing an old man in his fifties with a white moustache curling neatly past his cheeks.
He bowed, slowly and carefully, as though this small movement might strain his joints.
His hair whitened with age and pushed back with some sort of gel, had a few strands falling over his forehead.
"Good morning, Lady Kirin. The Duke has ordered for all children of the Fairn household to gather in the dining room. He has an announcement to make. You may have a few minutes to get ready. That is all."
With that, the old man gave another small bow, and withdrew immediately, closing the door with practiced gentleness.
Kirin lifted a hand to shield her eyes.
"That glare is bright."
***
Kirin stood up slowly, brushing the small pieces of hair that fell onto her face past her ear. She briefly glanced at the mirror sat atop the white wardrobe that her mother had gifted her when she was younger.
Long white hair messily reached past her collarbone, furling into moderately sized curls. Her bright blue eyes caught the light in a way that had made them glow gently. Soft silk shirt and pants, intended to be worn strictly for bedding, clung to her skin.
Kirin had noticed the displeasure in her siblings' eyes grow since her mother had passed. She remembered the day her mother had passed quite vividly. It was a cold winter with light snow. The cold air bit into her skin that day harshly, so she had stayed in her bed and missed the wake.
'I hope the next winter isn't as bad. My clothing wasn't able to keep the cold out very well.'
She paused for a moment, raising her finger to her lip in thought.
'Unless that was the winter before last year? Winter has been getting worse these last few years. It's getting hard to separate them from memory.'
Whatever the case may be, she was wanted in the dining hall. She had no reason to refuse, so she had made a small effort to push herself out of bed.
She closed the curtains, shutting out the sun's glare before approaching the door.
She grasped the metal handle, turning it and pulling. The cold morning air made it feel as if she were grabbing onto ice.
A slight breeze brushed past her as she exited her room.
She stood in a long hallway with wooden floorboards, the middle of which were covered by a long red carpet that spanned as far as the end of the hallway.
The far wall was indicated by a sharp corner on both ends.
She ambled through the hallway, admiring the art pieces that lined the walls.
Some depicted the previous dukes of the estate, while others were general works considered treasures.
The brushstrokes were what mattered to her the most though. It was pleasing to the eye.
Maids and butlers occasionally hurried past her, holding an array of things, from napkin to clothes sometimes a platter of what she assumed was food.
The most they did to acknowledge Kirin's presence was a slight glance in her direction.
After walking for a couple of minutes, she approached double doors twice the height of her.
The doors spanned across the entire hallway, roughly the width of a horse carriage, including the horses.
The tall old man with the noteworthy moustache who had notified her earlier stood outside.
He glanced at her attire briefly before meeting her eyes.
"Greetings once again, lady Kirin. Will you be entering like that?"
The cold air flowing through the hallway made the hair on her neck stand up. Waking up in the morning was always a bother.
"Yes."
The old man closed his eyes and gave a slight nod, before opening up the brilliant white doors studded with many types of rare gems.
Once the doors were open about as wide as her wingspan, she slipped through.
Inside was the expansive dining room, reserved for the nobility of the house.
Walking all the way wasn't ideal for Kirin though, so she usually had food delivered to her room.
Positioned in the middle was a long table. Nine chairs lined the table lengthwise, mirrored on the other side.
About twenty-two people could sit at the table at a time. The table was rarely, if ever, fully seated. As of now, nine seats filled.
Across the end of the table, two empty seats were present. These were usually reserved for Kirin's father and his wife.
As she stepped in, the sharp glares of everyone seated redirected towards Kirin.
Her siblings were dressed in rich fabrics layered upon embroidered silk, deep jewel-tone garments stitched with gold and silver thread.
Rowan, Kirin's oldest brother, sat hunched over the table. The silver Fairn family crest woven across his white fabric overcoat shimmered, reflecting light into Kirin's eye as he turned towards her.
She squinted, with a slightly annoyed expression.
'It's bright.'
Lora, Kirin's sister of similar age, wore a gown that flared in soft waves of violet pinned at her shoulders with pearl clasps.
Her airy material of the gown draped over the decorated wooden seat padded with a soft fabric.
Even the youngest, Linton, sported polished boots with tailored frock coats.
Their hair was styled accordingly, either slicked back or light and airy which flowed over their shoulders.
The mothers of each of her siblings sat next to them, quietly gazing at Kirin with unique expressions.
Three other people, unknown to Kirin but dressed similarly to her brothers, were present. Kirin concluded they were most likely her cousins.
Kirin continued forward, paying no mind to the gaze of others. She took her seat in a composed, emotionless manner, as if she were simply going through the motions.
After a couple seconds of loud silence, a voice broke through the air.
"Is this a joke to you, Kirin? This meeting has been planned for over a week. Are you ignoring the meticulous efforts of his lord, the Duke?"
This voice was Rowan's mother, Lady Lapis, sat straight with a rigid expression. Her hands lay in her lap, fiddling with something as though she were slightly nervous about what's to come.
Bright jewellery hung from her ears, catching the sun's light from the open window across the room behind her each time her head moved. Her onyx-black hair was tied up into a small bun, her bangs falling just below her eyebrows.
Kirin looked at the tall woman, with an expression that appeared almost condescending.
Nothing. Her expression did not change at all. It's as if Lady Lapis had said nothing to her.
"What do you mean?"
'She looks displeased. I don't know why.'
Lady Lapis blinked. She didn't respond for a moment, but eventually caught her voice to continue on.
"Your clothes! It's as if you have just gotten out of bed! Is this meeting not important enough for you to have the decency to wear something befitting for such a cause? What do you have to say for yourself?"
Kirin glanced past Lady Lapis while she was talking. The window was open at such an early time in the morning.
"It's cold."
Lady Lapis stiffened. She furrowed her brows, and her mouth was left slightly agape.
The cousins glanced at each other silently smirking. The eldest brother, Rowan, covered his eyes with his palm, resting his elbow on the table while frowning.
The youngest had his head nestled between his elbow pit as he was sleeping. His mother was brushing his hair with her fingers. She paused momentarily.
Her sister, Lora, shared the shocked expression the mothers wore.
A single thought shot through the mothers' minds at this moment. They had always believed Kirin wouldn't be a problem, thinking of her as a piece of furniture.
She merely existed, and was often quiet and keeping to herself. But this incident sparked a new concern.
'Is she a threat?'
Kirin stood up, causing Lady Lapis to flinch. She walked around the table, past where Lady Lapis sat in front of her.
"What is it!? What are you doing?"
She continued walking, reaching the wall that held the open window. She grabbed the handles, and shut it.
"It was cold. The window lets the cold air in when left open."
She returned to her seat, saying nothing. Silence once again returned to the room, until a door opening cut through it.
In walked a man of large stature. Soft bristles of brown hair flaked his chin and cheeks. His oak-brown hair of moderate length was parted, the tips resting atop his eyebrows.
He adorned a fur-lined mantle clasped with an iron clamp embroidered with the family crest over a dark leather undercoat.
An iron broadsword lay sheathed on his hip, swaying lightly with his heavy gait. His brown eyes scanned the room, commanding a heavy pressure that settled over those present.
He entered alone, his wife not present.
"Children of House Fairn, and those associated. Attend."
His words weighed down on the room. Postures wavered slightly, as if something were physically pressing upon them.
Kirin, who was sitting comfortably, resting her head atop her hands and her elbows on the table felt the pressure push more strongly against her arms.
'It's gotten heavier. That's uncomfortable now.'
The Duke took a couple measured, heavy steps before arriving at his seat. He pulled the chair back and sat.
He glanced around the room once more, before continuing.
"Before we begin, let it be known that this meeting is no formality."
The composed expressions of the nobles faltered slightly under the Duke's presence.
Kirin rubbed her tired eyes to soothe them briefly.
'I hope this doesn't take too long.'