Chapter 5. King's Kindness
Sephora had stormed out of her sister's room and chambers entirely, and gone back to her own.
Both of the girls were mostly dressed at this point, even though she was wearing less makeup than usual. Due to this, Sephora looked far more stern than usual. Unfitting for her and contrary to her usual demeanor, which all the servants of the house knew her for. Instead, right now, icy blue eyes burned with a fidged and cold fury; with the force of a midwinter's blizzard behind her.While the twin sisters were nothing like their mother, in terms of her cold and collected cruelty, they did share with her a fiery temperament. While one of the house servants flinched out of Sephora’s way as they met her piercing gaze; like a sharpened icicle. The servant was Lyla, one that Sephora was quite familiar with and even liked. They were of similar ages and for a servant girl, found Lyla very pretty and easy to talk to.
Lyla knew in her heart that neither Sephora nor Seraphina would ever lay a hand on any of the staff. After watching Queen Nox; both strike and mark a new servant girl… Branwen… Layla thought, trying to confirm the name of the girl she watched blood trickle from the lines of the 3 talons which made contact with her cheek. Even with the best healers in the Raven Harpy Clan, those would be left as a mark for the rest of that poor girl's life. It was this type of behaviour that the twins couldn’t dare rebel at.Certainly, they would never dream of lashing out at them… at Lyla…unthinkingly like that. They didn’t have it in them to strike at them in the same fashion that their mother sees fit… but, who would ever be so bold as to tell the Raven Queen what to do? Lyla signed at her own thought.
“Young miss,” Layla approached professionally. She was confident that she and the rest of the staff could do this with the twins. Certainly not Queen Nox, as poor Brenwen had found out this morning, “Are you alright, young miss?”
Usually, Princess Sephora would have answered. Instead, the young Harpy heir stormed off and past her. Saying not a word in response. Almost as if she never heard Layla at all.
It was easy to tell that Princess Sephora was as upset as she was angry. All harpies folded wings could droop or be perky depending on their mood. Someone excited and confident would have more upright folded wings. Where one who was more saddened would droop... Princess Sephora's wings now currently drooped, from her posture to the point that more than the ends of her tips slugged along the ground, dragging behind her.
This was as rare a sight, as much as it was concerning.While feeling slightly desponded at the young raven harpy, it was nowhere near as disastrous as another staff member's encounter this morning.
Layla had successfully shown all of the current visitors to their respective chambers in the guest quarters. Queen Nox's inconspicuous threat had resonated clearly and fully. It wasn't required to instill fear in Lyla to encourage her to do her job... but that was how the Raven Queen had always seemed to go about "Inspiring", others. The other servants had been readying the guest rooms in what was considered the spare wing of the manner. It had taken some time and effort, over the last two, to four days; dusting the cobwebs away, buffing the marble and polishing the wood... and not least, opening windows into rooms that hadn’t seen light in… whoever knew, just how long?Either way, Queen Nox had seemed eager to leave after the Older and largest owl had spoken to her after the blood wine was served, introductions were made, and toasted. Then she was off and poor Lyla was seemingly, to follow suit and take guests group by group to their living quarters. Attending to all of their needs while they were there. She was only one raven harpy and a common born at that.
Queen Nox's notion was that this servant should be honored and feel lucky to have such a prestigious part in history at all. It had taken the servan at least an hour and a half to settle all the guests into their rooms and was just on her way back from delivering the last of the luggage. Stopping even for a moment of concern, allowed her to gain some rest, to be able to catch her breath. However, it wasn't pleasant when that coincided with concern for the young heiress, right now, - Sephora.
Lyla watched her, as she stomped out of her own room and over towards the center of the house, where the stairs lay.
The young miss, was clearly upset, but what more could Lyla possibly do if the young miss didn’t want to talk about it? She could not force her and did not want to. Especially having seen the result earlier from getting in her mother's way, who had only been minorly interrupted, and not in a bad mood. The hair on the servant girl's neck prickled with fear at the notion of, even attempting, to stop Princess Sephora at the moment. With that icy look in her piercing eyes, no servant in the house would dare chance it... over the years of raising the girls, even the cook - who had worked for the Royal household the longest - had perhaps only seen this twice in either of the girls, the entire time he had worked here. Sephora had walked right past Layla as if she were a cloud in the sky. Even, more like she was entirely invisible to her.Instead, the servant girl began to think of how, more often than not, the twins would show kindness to the staff in various ways. Trying to remind herself, that despite how similar the girls could seem to their mother at times, they were not Queen Nox and would never dare treat them as cruely, or coldly as the Raven Queen.
The twins... It was just something about the pair of them.They could never speak up directly against the Raven Queen, or they would risk the redirection of her wrath back toward themselves. The twins quickly learned that their kindness was best received behind the Raven Queen’s back. As the Queen referred to house staff as, “the help,” she never made a point to even learn their names, so never got to know any of them the way that the twins had. Definitely not enough to know how and when her daughters’ had given any aid or assistance.
Once Seraphina and Sephora found out about Brenwen, they would work together to ensure she was well cared for if she chooses to no longer serve their household. The girls were very generous like that. Something they didn’t take from the Raven Queen, but from their long passed father.
It was odd that Nox almost never spoke of him; the young servant girl, Lyla, thought some more about this.
About how strange it was, that the old raven king was almost entirely forgotten. A recent memory... no, he was worse... the old and most recent king. He was a ghost in his own kingdom.
Many had even forgotten he married, then Queen Nox, initially and that she was not of royal... or even noble blood. Despite being one of the fiercest generals in the Raven Harpy's army and one of his most trusted advisors. The old king had loved Queen Nox with all his heart.
Not only this, Lyla continued in her reverie, he was loved and well-respected by almost all of the harpy clans. They say he had been especially close to the hawks, eagle, and falcon clans. He had two sisters that had hatched from his same clutch, Princess Aurora and Princess Pandora. Princess Pandora was married to an eagle clan member and Princess Aurora the peregrine falcons – the latter is the Harpy clan known for the fastest speed among all, despite their smaller stature in size.Perhaps it was that very reason that there had been no eagle or falcon harpy clan suitors arrived, ready to woo the twins and the Queen, into signing over her daughter's hands in marriage. One thing was certain; whichever two would have to negotiate with the Raven Queen on terms of contractual agreement regarding a political union with her daughters, were the ones to be pitied.
No fool in the whole of the Raven Harpies’ mountainous, Kingdom would dare suggest that those two heirs would ever be allowed to marry for love, overpower.
Their mother… the Raven Queen… simply would never tolerate it. Those girls were as valuable as her best political instruments, as the house staff was just servants. All of the house staff knew it.
Both sisters, Princess Pandora, and Princess Aurora, had never once visited after their brother’s death, though they had written to their nieces many times in an exchange of letters and scrolls.No one could be certain what truly killed him. What was made clear, was that it was in relation to some turf war between Clans that never quite made it into a full-blown, and official war.
Either way, the twins' could definitely be said to have the King's Kindness. Something the Raven Queen seemed to entirely lack.
If she ever found out that her daughter had been helping, “the help,” she would be most displeased with both Seraphina and Sephora alike. Who knew what would happen if she were to find out such a thing?
“Lyla?” Another voice called, light but authoritative.
The servant girl looked back in the direction Sephora had walked from. Seraphina was peeping her head out from her room looking rather upset. “I thought I had heard you outside.” The older sister of the two was the most level-headed among them, so seeing her upset was more abnormal and concerning.
“Young miss, is everything alright? Your sisters just passed me in the hall and-” Before Lyla could finish, Seraphina had raised her hand out of the doorway for her to stop.
The older twin grinned sheepishly and then began, “I am still to finish getting ready. Would you assist me with my hair?”
Lyla knew this was code for the girls wanting to talk. She nodded and walked into the room, happily obliging.
To be refined, and polished for continuity.
Chapter 6. A Perfect Black Diamond Among Us All After realising that it has been Seraphina who had called, “Lyla?” , lightly, yet authoritatively; Lyla,the servant girl had turned her head back, toward the direction Sephora had initially walked from. In a comical way, Seraphina had been peeping her head out from her room, it was so comical that Lyla had to really do her best to remain professional and not laugh upon seeing such a sight! After a moment, the servant had realised that the young miss had looked rather upset. “I thought I had heard you outside.” The older sister of the two had always been Lady Nox’s favourite. A large part of that was how similar Seraphina was in terms of Raven beauty standards; onyx black eyes and hair as black as night, where her sister with icy blue, pale eyes, was treated with far less respect. All the household staff had taken notice. Yet despit
Chapter 7: Sephora's StormAt the same time, Having stormed out of the castle, carved into and out of the pique of the mountain top, Sephora's chest heaved with anger as her head whirled with upset. The entire time she was blinking back tears, and this was mostly what her concentration was on. Her fist were balled by her sides, shaking, so tightly that her knuckles were a peculiar shade paler than she already was. The younger twin was having to face and confront a whole mix of overwhelming and different emotions. She had been, and still was, so in her own head that Sephora doesn't even notice Lyla, due to how upset she is! It wasn't just the young servant girl, that both twins enjoyed having around, it was all of the staff she passed in the house. As she had passed the another two hallways, and turned into the main foya she had anothe four members of staff attempt to speak to her
Chapter 8. Much is Broken Since she had been flying just below cloud cover, to hide herself easily from any harpy/ies who may be flying back to the Raven Kingdom, Sephora hadn't noticed the lack of creatures below her at all. To a human, this might seem a trivial detail. Yet, hawks, eagles, ravens and other such harpy all had some of the sharpest eyesight around. Owls, could even see details in dim lighting, or the complete darkness, where the ravens, eagles and hawks would fail. If it had taken her so long to notice that there was an absence of any movment... of any life... this was wrong. "This is wrong..." Sephora muttered out loud, to herself. As she continued flying back and forward in a grid pattern, her stomach felt like it was dozens of miles below her, - on the forest floor. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her that something was very off... what sh
Chapter 9. Something Bloody With powerful and sure momentum of her black wings, Sephora flew over towards the bloody claw marks indented into the ancient tree; which had been torn in half. Gently she touched one of her fingers against them mark. Going by the size of this... perhaps there was a bear here? As she considered this further, Sephora looked again at the surroundings and shook her head. If there was a bear here, it was more likely to have gotten caught up in... whatever, had done this and whatever this was. For a flitting moment, Sephora gave a silent thought to the bear which likely got caught up in this. Is that what the blood and fleshy chunks were? The heckles on the back of her neck stood up in fear. Though she would never admit it to her mother... What could eat a bear? Certainly, Sephora was no fool. If it whatever did this could kill and eat a bear... then it could kill and eat her too. She gulped. Shaking the thoughts out of her head and lo
Chapter 10. The Crimson Blood-Hounds "Remember the name of the wolf who will defeat you."Lorcan Whitelaw, had howled viciously at me through his wolf form. It wasn't a battle I had been intending to have to fight. It wasn't even a battle I was expecting to have to fight. This was- er, had been my Beta. My second in command. The one within the Pack who had held my most trust and confidence... the one to whom I had told everthing. No Alpha ever wants to have to admit it to any fellow Pack member when they have any sense of genuine fear about, well, really any given situation. No Alpha wants to have his Pack believe that they wouldn't have any threatening or harmful sitaution under control. Yet, the very real and terrifying threat that the re-emergance of the Dark Ones' had brought with it, an ominous cloud of dread for what was
Chapter 11. Angel of Death I tried to open my eyes but they were so heavy. As heavy as my chest felt, as it heaved attempting to, simply, get air into my lungs; just breathing each breath was accompanied by a piercing, stabbing, pain in my side and back My body was too heavy to move. I had been certain that I had heard footsteps, and then heard talking. It was a bell-like voice which I had heard. I was so sure I heard it. Once something began shaking my shoulder lightly, with all the strength which remained in my body I willed my eyes to open. They had truly felt, like lifting concrete shutters. My body was fighting against all of my movments. The scent of blood whafted strongly all around... it was my blood. Unmistakeably. I was aware of just how injured I was. How much Lorcan had layed into me with each claw and each of his bite
Chapter 12. It is your kingdom At the same time, as Sephora taking a flight out of the Raven Kingdom, and over to the Ancient Forest, to calm her mind and straighten out her thoughts, Lyla the young servant harpy was helping Seraphina finish her hair and make-up before the late lunch, where the twin princesses were supposed to have their formal introductions with the suitable male bachelors who had already arrived so far. Really, Seraphina had used the exercise of finishing getting dressed and ready for the occasion, as an excuse to talk to Lyla honestly and frankly. Among all the servants, Lyla had remained in the castle a short while now. With their mother’s cruel and cold disposition, alongside her temper many servants often quit, died or went missing after several months. Being of similar ages with Seraphina and Sephora, the twins always entrusted her and spoke
Chapter 13. Where IS she? Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. The eldest of the, Raven Harpy twins, princesses thought. With each step Seraphina took down the hallway, to the right and then left at the opening at the end of the hallway, headed towards the formal dining room. She was steeling herself against her own warring thoughts, which were whirling in her head. With tidal wave, after tidal wave of differing emotions slamming from her heart into her stomach. This is my kingdom. She echoed the words Lyla had quite passionately uttered. Seraphina was playing them back to herself in a loop. Not the entire conversation, just the stark realisation and the emotion that accompanied that… the feeling and realisation that today also marked the beginning of the twin sisters becoming one step closer to one day being a Queen themselves. Ser
Chapter 55: Personal SpaceThe castle's secret passageways were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. Black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits - they probably were.The air was thick with anticipation, the heavy scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood only serving to heighten the intensity of the moment. Sephora led Orion through the twisting passageways, her heels clicking against the cold stone floor, her breaths coming in shallow gasps that echoed off t
Chapter 54: Set Up, Part 3Sephora's lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes gleaming with a dark, tantalizing light. She leaned in closer, her voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Orion's spine. "I want you to do something for me, Orion. Something... intimate." Orion's eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. He took a step back, his hands raising in a feeble attempt to ward her off. "Sephora, I don't... I don't understand. What are you asking me to do?" Sephora's smile never faded, her eyes never leaving his. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out to tuck a stray feather behind her ear. "You see, Orion, there was this young noble, a little while ago who had recently been promoted to work in the castle. He was charming, handsome, brilliant black hair and wings and he had the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. Try as I might have, he rejected me." He knew the rejections that were spoken of, because it was the rejections of all of her advances on him be
Chapter 53: Set Up, Part 2Sephora had never been one to heed warnings, especially not from her goody-two-shoes, perfect sister. She pushed the thought away, her smile returning as she approached the cell. "Orion," she cooed, her voice a low sultry rumble that echoed through the dank cell, stopping at the door. "I must say, I'm quite disappointed. I expected more of a fight from you, earlier today at court." Orion lifted his head, his face pale and gaunt in the dim light. His eyes were filled with a mix of fear and anger, his lips pressed into a thin line. "What do you want, Sephora?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet resonating with a raw intensity of hatred in his eyes lingered while he lookedcat yer. That sent a shiver down her spine. She leaned against the cold iron bars, her feathers rustling softly as she did so, her eyes never leaving his. "Oh, Orion," she said, her voice that low toxic purr that seemed to wrap around him like a silken rope. "Always the
Chapter 52: Set up, Part 1 The castle's new dungeons in the south wing were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. The black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits. Sephora's icy blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, her feathers ruffling slightly in the chill breeze that wafted up from the dungeon's depths. She followed the twisting corridors, her heels clicking against the damp stone floor, her breaths misting in the frigid air. The dungeons were a maze of darkness and despair, a labyrinth of whispers and,
Chapter 51: Set upThe castle's new dungeons in the south wing were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. The black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits.Sephora's icy blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, her feathers ruffling slightly in the chill breeze that wafted up from the dungeon's depths. She followed the twisting corridors, her heels clicking against the damp stone floor, her breaths misting in the frigid air. The dungeons were a maze of darkness and despair, a labyrinth of whispers and, not as many
Chapter 50: Sephora's Era of Lies The throne room was a symphony of black, echoing the Raven Kingdom's signature color palette. Towering walls, draped in lush, velvety fabric, bled into the high ceiling where massive crystal chandeliers cast prismatic shadows, dancing with the breeze from the open windows. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of night flowers and distant rain filling the vast chamber. Sephora Nox, the youngest of the Raven Harpy Princesses, strode into the throne room with all the grace of a tornado. Towering walls, draped in lush, velvety fabric, bled into the high ceiling where massive crystal chandeliers cast prismatic shadows, dancing with the breeze from the open windows. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of night flowers and distant rain filling the vast chamber. Her black feathers, white icy blue eyes, and nails seemed to glow against the murky atmosphere, drawing every eye like a moth to a flame. She wore her usual smirk, like a
Chapter 49: The Green Dress Servant.{{The following events happened prior to the Peacock's finally leaving the Ravens Kingdom. Chapters released in the wrong order.}} The Peacock Harpy Prince named at 23, has encouraged and covered the younger Eurasian harpy princes at 19 to help him commit an unspeakable act. Raping one of the Raven Servants at the castle. The Raven servant who ends up getting this, is not a servant at all. It is Sephora the youngest Raven princess and heir, dressed in a green noble robe and brassy body plate. As she is not wearing her usual black royal garments, he doesn't recognise her fully due to his fetishism for a Raven mate. Caruso begins by stroking the Raven Harpy Servants Hair and Feathers, as she is reasting on a large food storage box. He begins taking off her breastplate, moving thr hem of her dresses breastline to reveal and fondling her petite breasts with his long boney hands. "Oh, how I have waited for this." He says as he moves his other hand
Chapter 48: The Unravelling The sun hung high over the rolling meadows of the Peacock Kingdom, casting a golden hue that shimmered like jewels across the landscape. Caruso, the second prince, stood on the balcony of his opulent chamber, gazing out at the vast expanse of greens and golds, his mind swirling with thoughts darker than the shadows cast by the fluttering peacocks below. For too long, he had been a mere pawn in the grand game of royalty, but today, he felt the stirrings of true ambition. “Solomon,” he called, his voice dripping with a mixture of excitement and unease. The advisor entered swiftly, his broad build filling the doorway. Solomon was a Eurasian Eagle Owl harpy, tall and mountainous in stature, with feathers that glinted like polished wood under the sunlight. His presence was commanding, a stark contrast to Caruso’s more delicate frame, yet it was the wiry strength of the advisor that had often proven invaluable. “Your Highness,” Solomon bowed slightly, his e
Chapter 47: A Blood Debt Slave The werewolf lay unconscious in his human form, restrained by shimmering unicorn shackles that bound him to the wall and floor. He was strikingly handsome, with olive skin and dark hair that framed his face, while his stubble was evolving into a full beard. Sephora, the youngest princess and the daughter of the Raven Queen, approached this hidden prisoner, a secret unknown to her family. As Sephora settled into the ornate chair nearby, a wave of drowsiness washed over her. The effects of the enchanted atmosphere began to take hold swiftly. Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged before her, drawing her attention. "What do you desire?" she asked, her curiosity mingling with a hint of authority. "I am Nikolas, and I demand my freedom from these binds," the figure replied in a deep, strained voice. "And I am not your toy. You can not control me." She smirked, undeterred by his resistance. "I have come to offer you ecstasy in your shackles. Whether you li