Deviating from the original plot

Chapter forty-one

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"Do you people not understand the meaning of style? How could you even suggest something so horrid?" Celeste shrieked at the dressmakers, her voice echoing off the walls. The attendants trembled under her glare.

"It's... not that bad," Victoria offered weakly.

"Please, don't make it worse, it obviously very ugly." Evelyn cut her off with a sharp frown, and Victoria quickly pressed her lips together. Celeste continued to berate the attendants while Evelyn stepped in, giving precise instructions, her disapproving gaze sweeping over everyone.

"When did those two become so close?" Victoria muttered under her breath. She had noticed in the past few months that Celeste and Evelyn had grown unexpectedly cordial. In the novel, they were constantly at odds. It was a relief not to see beautiful women tearing at each other, especially over a man, but still... Victoria couldn't help but wonder.

"This fabric is atrocious! Do you even sell this to people?" Celeste snapped, grabbing the offending material.

The poor attendant's eyes filled with tears. "N-no, my lady... It's one of our least popular fabrics."

"And yet you dare to bring it here? Despicable!" Celeste's voice rose again, and the attendant broke down into wails.

Victoria winced, burying her face in her hands with a sigh.

"I honestly don't understand why you're crying," Evelyn said, her tone steady and calm. "All of this could have been avoided if you had simply done your job properly." Then, softening slightly, she gestured toward the fabric. "Replace it with the silk I asked for. And bring the colour palettes I listed. Quickly, now."

Victoria peeked at them from between her fingers. "You two are acting... strange."

"Consider yourself lucky," Celeste huffed, crossing her arms. "We decided to accompany you for your fitting so you won't have to suffer their atrocities alone."

"She's right," Evelyn added, tilting her head. "These dresses are an eyesore. Not that it matters—you'd still look beautiful, radiant even, in a potato sack."

"But potato sacks have style!" Celeste shot back, throwing her hands up. "These rags don't. Now where is that silk? We are waiting!"

The attendants scrambled like frightened mice, practically tripping over each other as they rushed to obey.

'They are so not accompanying me ever again,' Victoria sighed.

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In the damp basement of a forgotten shop tucked deep within the capital's slums, a circle of cloaked figures knelt in reverence before a looming shadow. The air was heavy with mildew and candle smoke.

"Great Dark Ruler," they said in unison, bowing low.

The entity's hollow gaze drifted over them, and it raised one long, skeletal finger toward the crowd. A chosen follower stepped forward, clutching a small glass vial that glowed.

"Master," the cloaked one whispered, holding it high.

The entity plucked the vial from their hands. As the stopper was pulled free, whispers came from the bottle, proof of a trapped human soul. With a rasping chuckle, the entity pressed the bottle to its lips and drank. The glow faded as the soul was consumed.

"Better..." it croaked. "Well done, my devout."

"It was my honour, Master," the follower murmured, retreating into the crowd.

The entity's gaze slithered across the room once more. "Where are the new supplicants?"

At once, three figures stepped forward, falling to their knees. Their cloaks were less worn.

"Do you wish to walk this path with me?"

"Yes, Master," one said eagerly. "We have heard of your works."

"Is it true?" Another pressed. "That we shall have anything we desire?"

A low laugh rumbled from the entity's chest. "Look around you. Your brethren can testify to my generosity. Power. Stability. Sustenance. All can be yours. But there is a price. You must follow me. You must bring me souls."

The three bowed their heads as one. "We accept."

"Good." The entity reached out with long, clawed fingers. Dark smoke coiled around the initiates, seeping into their mouths, eyes, and ears. They writhed but did not resist.

When the smoke faded, the three rose unsteadily to their feet. Their eyes glowed faintly.

"Serve me well," the entity crooned, its crooked smile revealing teeth like shards of obsidian. "For soon, the world above will learn what it means to kneel."

The cloaked figures bowed again, their unified voices echoing in the chamber:

"All hail the Dark Ruler."

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A/n: Hurray Arc 2 has officially started! ✨✨✨✨✨, let the plot unravel!!