The Night of the Nobles I

“Why what just transpired?” I ask. I squint as the trembling in my palms won't stop. I listen to Linia speak while tightly clutching my lower skirt.

“Is it okay to tell the lady, Kaylla?” First, Linia inquires of Kaylla as they exchange looks. Although Kaylla's eyes were closed as she nodded, I could still see that she was trembling. Is the date today incorrect in some way?

On my sixteenth birthday, as far as I can recall, not much else happened outside the fact that the gardener, not the duchess, attacked me. Other than that, things returned to usual once the gardener was imprisoned. Have I missed anything from that day in the past?

Linia responds tremblingly, "Milady, there is a corpse of a deer near the backyard, and no one knows who attacked it."

“Isn't the gardener to blame for it? Maybe he tried to kill the deer first, then …my mother,” after speaking the final two words, I hesitate. 'My mother' I should have said duchess, but those are the terms I've used to describe them in the past instead.

“If that's the case, Milady, I think you ought to be aware of this,” Kaylla then continues. Her words briefly sent chills down my spine. They are filled with a mix of worry and anxiety, and I can definitely sense it.

“What should I be aware of?” My hands are shaking uncontrollably. My hands are being held by Linia, who softly strokes them and says, "Milady, the gardener did not stab the deer to death. In fact...” after pausing, Linia is followed by Kaylla.

“Milady, something bit the deer and that's why it died.”

"Something bit it?"

“Yes. Unusual Sebastian and Jaime learned that the deer's death was caused by a bite to its neck.”

It's the first time I've heard of an animal being bitten to death. “Milady, please stay safe. Let's get ready for your bath right away.”

“I appreciate all of your care for me, Kaylla, Linia but I think you should be also careful”

They both say, "When it comes to our Lady, we'll always want to serve you and we’re grateful you’re our lady."

I give them a nod and grin.

A short while later, I peek out the window and realize how wonderful it is to feel alive once more. I sit down in my chair and move away from the window. I smile as I glance in the mirror in front of me. However, I can make out very slight blood stains on the edges of my lips.

Unconsciously, I touched it, yet I didn't recoil from the discomfort.

Did my lips bleed because I bit them so hard? I'm not sure, but I'm not worried about this anymore. What concerns me is the impending disaster that will occur on the Night of Noble's gathering. It won't be long after this week.

***

As time passed quickly. It's already the most anticipated event among the empire's upper ranks. It does signal the start of a new year, and I will never forget how the tragedy unfolded at the time. Casimir never went, though I know from my prior life that he did something behind the curtains.

Despite the fact that I was his crown princess at the time, I as his fiancée was left behind and I know he's not compelled to tell me why. What a fool I was to think I was his crown princess when all he does is disregard me as if I don't even exist.

As she works on my hair, Kaylla says, "Milady, I guess it might be too early to tell you this, but I hope you have a fantastic time ahead." I’m in awe of her with every touch that she gives, I’m just glad that after that event, none of them talks about it. I genuinely care about her as a friend rather than as a servant. I found myself unconsciously wrinkling the lower portion of my dress just thinking about her passing.

When Kaylla dresses me correctly, I typically sit in front of a mirror and a desk, and the others prepare my necessities on my bed. My hair is fixed upward and over my head when I glance at it. My brown hair and smooth, silky skin, which first appear pale, take on a lustrous glow from the warm light of the chandelier, but when the sun meets my skin, it invariably turns hot pink, as if I've had an allergic reaction or rashes. That is what I consider. Apart from that, I hate my body.

It's not as if I don't know what makes something beautiful. It's because I just wanted to feel like myself. I've always wanted to be the kind of person who would always be willing to show my true self to someone deserving. I know Kaylla, Linia, and other people know who I truly am, but I can always tell when they are looking at me with pity, so maybe I understand what it means.

They might not have told me about it. Perhaps because I would be hurt by the questions they would ask, but I know that even if they are unable to do so, I already know the answers, and at that point, I can make out a trapped bird. It's sad because I constantly see those figures whenever I see my reflection in their eyes.

Like a solitary bird figure, caught and without somebody to hold onto.

"I am aware of Kaylla, and I would hope for it. I turn to face Kaylla with my sweetest grin and add, "But I'm delighted you're always here to console me,” I try to grasp her hands when she finishes doing my hair. We continued in that manner for a bit before Kaylla eventually excuses herself, leaving me in my room by myself to examine my appearance in the mirror.

“Solstice, it's now or never. Be prepared or you'll—no, I'm sorry, I can't,” I mutter, trying to divert my attention away from the image and toward my hands. “I just want to succeed this time, and I'll never want to think about any alternatives with that," I say. After returning to my vision, I quickly move over to my desk and open the right drawer to check the folded paper I had earlier written. I'll take advantage of every opportunity this year before starting with the Duke's son, Alceister Brecker, who passed away as a result of that unanticipated circumstance.

The Brecker Duchy has been referred to as the warrior net since it had one of the best militaries in the empire aside from the Grand Duke’s. However, the Brecker Duchy's Duke and Duchess committed suicide at the time of that tragic incident, and the imperial family had taken control of the troops.

At first glance, it appears that no one in the empire had any suspicions, but I am aware that something had been on display in the public's eyes. The most well-known quotes from the rulers or nobility of this empire can be found, as they say, "behind the curtain."

A violet-haired maid with freckles says, "Milady, I'm sorry for unexpectedly coming toward your chamber, but I think you must hear this." She is Linia, one of the household's servants, and I consider her to be a friend.

I already know what Linia will say even if I don't ask. To her face, everything has already been written. She had a troubled look. Her whole body is shaking. She offers me the letter while trembling since she is unable to even look me in the eye. "Milady, here is the letter from his highness, the crown prince, y-your fiancé," she says. Instead of the letter that caused her to gaze directly into my eyes and make me sigh, I held her hands.

I offer her a grin and say, "It's okay, Linia," like I normally do to them. I'm good. There is hence no cause for concern. Alright?”

“I-It is due to His Highness —” I hug her and massage her back before she can begin to cry in my presence.

“There, there... I should be crying, but Linia, you're already making it difficult for me to cry," I remark with a smile, and I can see that she has calmed down.

"Linia, there's nothing to be concerned about. I am aware of His Highness. I am aware that he has some pressing matters to handle. So, please, don't worry in my place, Linia," I add, causing her to tighten her embrace and turn to face me. She was able to blink the melancholy away before I could say anything, but there is still a hint of it that I can always see.

"I'll always be okay with it if it's for my lady's benefit. I promise to make an effort going forward to stop crying in your place," I chuckle again, this time beaming at her. I gently pat her head as though she were a wonderful being.

As I read the letter that Casimir gave me, Linia left right away. I close my eyes, yet I still sense the aroma of this letter. It is powerful and seductive, yet hazardous. Acacia, a limited-edition perfume used in the imperial member's home, has only one scent: a minty woodland aroma. It costs close to 500,000 gold pieces.

As always, the words are well-crafted, correctly expressed, and concise. Casimir had previously been associated with this heinous group, as I had assumed, and I just now know this. The phrase "for this event" in his final paragraph led me to believe that he was referring to a different event rather than the “Night of Nobles.”

I gave the letter a long moment of consideration before sighing and putting it in my drawer.

I straighten my outfit and shut the door as another servant welcomes me.

Although I'm prepared to travel alone, I can't help but notice a figure approaching our front door from the second story as I descend the stairs.

“What is this---" I can't continue my sentence after coming down the stairs.

We are astounded by a young man with brown hair who stood out in the ambiance created by the golden wreaths. In formal clothes, he is currently on his knees and says, "Greetings, Milady. If you don't mind, I would like to speak with you in private. I'm Rutherford Flenming, the first rank in the western division of the imperial knights. I have a message for you from his highness.”