Duchess Medea sits over at her couch, slumping her body and leans back against the armchair. Her temple aches a bit as she presses down on it unconsciously. The ruby eyes keep her gaze on her; however, it is different tonight since they never talk. After Aurora bumps into them, they never address the issue, not that Aurora would ask it anyway.
"Why do you meet with Ares that time?" the amethyst eyes still read on the book, but she heard every piece of the words.
"He asked me to join him as he wants to kill the Emperor and Empress soon," the Duchess said merely as if everything was normal and under control.
"What is your answer?" Medea closes her book, turning her head at Aurora, who crosses her legs on the opposite couch.
"I didn't give him any answer, as he left afterwards," Aurora nods at her answer, but the image of the kissing alluded to her mind, which annoyed her to the core. Somehow, she wants to stop the time and burn Ares right there, but this is Medea's revenge. She could have killed him right away if she wanted to.
There was an abrupt halt to the small conversation, and the room fell silent. The wind rustled through the open window and slightly cooled the space. The stars will be out tonight, so Aurora is wearing an oversized cardigan. Medea, however, is wearing only a flimsy nightgown that exposes her porcelain complexion. The blonde then goes to Medea's bed, removes the blanket, and returns to the couch.
Aurora is walking up to Medea, but Medea isn't paying any attention to her. On the contrary, she chooses to read for pleasure. Aurora, too, doesn't mind, but wrapping the blankets around Medea puts her in a trance.
"What are you doing?" she looks down at the blanket.
Aurora looks at her with, "Really?" face.
"It's cold tonight. You will catch a cold," Aurora replies shortly, as the red tint on her cheeks goes unnoticed.
However, before Medea could even say anything, Aurora cuts her off as she remembers the story between the Empress and Hera. The Duchess then sits up, closing her book, as her legs on the floor point in Natalie's direction.
"Why would Empress Ophelia makes a move now?" Aurora wonders.
"Empress Ophelia. She doesn't show affection much to Ares in public. Like everyone, she rarely talks to them but is much cherished by the Emperor," Medea said, but she was also full of thoughts about that.
"Unless everything is in a stage. Why would an Empress of the Empire suddenly visit a dessert shop? And why is it so coincidence? Why does she take an interest in the Crown Princess?" Aurora furrows her brows, thinking about every possibility.
"Why would you think it is a stage?" the amethyst eyes fill with curiosity.
"Ares is capable enough of that. He is intelligent and calculative. He almost had us on the halfway if you and Hera didn't switch bodies. Furthermore, the knights you killed that night were the kids he recruited since he was a mere child. Overall, he was capable of orchestrating something like this," Aurora shrugs after explain of all that.
"Hmm, she is right. That makes sense," Medea thought.
"However, we still don't know if the Empress is aware of this. Let's assume she knows, and we will keep an eye on her. I'll notify Hector on that," Duchess Valimos said after a few thoughts.
Day by day passed, and the news of the Empress had taken an interest in Lady Hera Nicoli subside among the nobles. The Empress hasn't exchanged letters with her anymore and went off the grid. Many rumours spread that the Crown Princess has enraged Empress Ophelia, but it is all just rumours. Baseless ground rumours.
Nevertheless, as the day begins the pass by, Hera and Natalie can wield their power better as well as improve their swordsmanship. Natalie's prediction of the future is correct when Medea practically tortures her during the training between them. Medea sometimes shows her a few tricks while sparring with Natalie. Of course, Natalie would be crushed by her power and strength in swordsmanship.
Most of the part would probably come from how she teases Medea privately. From her slim, quivering arms to her frail body, her body is now lean and toned from the consistent training. Natalie would be out of breath in the first ten minutes of the movement, but now she can train more than that. So that she may reach her full potential in whatever endeavour, she practises swordsmanship and the use of a bow.
"My Lady?" Apollo's voice suddenly appears, causing Natalie to stop swinging her sword.
Daphne approaches with a handkerchief in her outstretched palm, ready to be received by Natalie. The Duchess of Light gives the gesture a quick look before accepting it and wiping away the sweat that has been building up during her rigorous training.
"Yes?" she asks, still wiping her forehead.
Daphne catches sight of Lord Apollo, who is fidgeting with his fingers and distracting both women. Then, Daphne understands his nonverbal cues and immediately gets to her feet. The figures keep an eye on her till she leaves. With a glance around, Apollo ensures no one is breathing anywhere but him and Natalie.
He closes his gap with the Duchess, then talks in a small voice, "About the man you want me to search--- he is gone."
Natalie pulls back as her face fills with confusion. "How?" she asks, putting her sword on the ground.
"He vanishes into thin air. Even his family don't know where he is, and he disappears overnight," Apollo explains, feeling puzzled about the man.
"Not even a trace of him?" she bombarded him with questions.
Apollo shakes his head, meeting Natalie's disappointment.
"People haven't even seen him after that?"
"Nothing, except a man claimed that he saw him with another unknown figure with a black cape going somewhere. Some people said he is just a madman talking ridiculous things," Apollo notices the Duchess clenches her fist over the news.
It is natural for her to react that way. He should have found it better.
"Find the man. Someone owes me something," she said as her ruby eyes darkened.
Lord Apollo has no choice but to oblige. Although there are in the middle of a war, the blonde woman still thinks about it. A part of her will never let it go as it continues to haunt her. The man then bows to her, leaving the Duchess alone. The Duchess of Light lets out a heavy sigh, looking up while closing her eyes.
"I don't know what I am doing right now. It is pointless, but I can't let it go. Fucking Viscount Jonathan," Aurora thought.
Duchess Smith picks her sword again, putting it in the training area, the usual place to place it back. Then, she takes herself to the bedroom, submerging herself in a scented bath while scrubbing off the dust and dirt accumulated while training. She feels refreshed after winding up. Daphne notices the Duchess changes a bit after meeting with Apollo and decides to go to the kitchen, preparing some hearty snacks for the blonde woman.
On the other side of the heart of the Empire, another figure moves his chess piece on the board, grinning at the pawn.
"It should begin right now," the Crown Prince smiles, turning his chair, looking at the capital's view.
Meanwhile, another man eyes the Crown Princess, who walks over to her garden, the greenhouse Ares built for her. It is beautiful, but as time passes, it slowly strangles her down, reminding every piece here of Ares and how she fell right into his game. Sometimes, Hera even doubts herself for a while, wanting to run away from this fight. But, she vows that she will face any challenges in the future.
"Lady Hera?" another servant interrupts her thoughts.
"Yes?" the emerald eyes gleamed with happiness but soon filled with curiosity observing his hand trembles and pale skin complexion.
"What's wrong?" Hera asks softly, approaching the man.
"You have to be inside the manor now. The Empress has made a sudden visit to the manor," the man scratches his head, lowering his sight.
"Suddenly?" perplexed by the sudden news, Hera proceeds to go inside, changing her attire to meet with the Empress soon.
Everyone in the manor goes into a cleaning frenzy and scrubs the place till it sparkles. Empress Ophelia is making her maiden trip to the location. Of course, they want to make an excellent first impression of her. But things change when the Empress doesn't even set foot there, much to the disappointment of the household staff.
"My apologies, Lady Hera. The Empress is here to tell you that she wants your audience immediately to follow her at the Imperial Garden," a man said, probably a butler in the most polite voice.
The Crown Princess knows the woman never likes her, although she tried not long ago. So, as she was about to get inside, the Empress said, "Use your carriage."
Hera pretends to be deaf, not listening to her words and sits directly in front of the Empress. This woman underestimates her kindness as a weakness, but the Empress can't do her like this. So, Hera gives her brightest smile and continues to annoy the woman. Aware of the numerous pairs of eyes upon her, Empress Ophelia bit her tongue in frustration but remained silent.
"We can go now," she said, dismissing the driver.
The ride was full of angst and glaring at Hera. However, the woman pretends to be oblivious about it and occasionally smiles from time to time. Now, the Empress orders her servants to leave them altogether, walking around her exclusive garden. The garden that the Emperor bestowed to her for their marriage 23 years ago.
"Forgive me for my rudeness, Your Majesty. What's our purpose of talking about today?" Hera breaks the silence.
The Empress stops in her track, turning her grey eyes towards the emerald ones. It darkens with hatred. Hera thought she would flinch from that, but somehow she didn't at the time. Deep in her heart, she wants the Empress to love and adore her. Maybe, in her wildest dreams. But, even her heart aches whenever her mind thinks about it.
"Let me cut to the chase. Why do you break off your engagement if you love my son so much?" Hera shuffles at the question, not expecting the Empress to know about it.
"How do--"
"It doesn't matter. How could you reject Ares after all he had done for you? He even threw away his engagement before. With a fine lady," the Empress raises her voice as the veins around her temple to become visible.
"Because a relationship cannot be formed without compassion and trust," the Crown Princess looks at the woman who is practically to blow up any moment. This is getting nowhere and tiring.
The Empress approaches the blonde woman and chuckles lowly at the remark.
"You are truly not fit to be a ruler. Compassion doesn't exist in a royal marriage! Don't mix the fairytale with reality," she points out at Hera.
Out of the corner of Hera's eyes, a man in black moves too fast in their direction. At that moment, she blinks her eye; she finds out the man brings a Temple box, unleashing her nightmares at the look of it. At this point, she collapsed to her knees, clutching her head in a cold sweat. Her chest rises and falls with each breath. The Empress seems confused by this unexpected movement, but she quickly recovers as she fixes her gaze on the blonde.
That's until she realises the man that Hera saw earlier was already in front of her, smirking, passing by. The Empress feels a sharp pain in her abdomen, tracing it with her fingertips only to find something wet. She examines the crimson fluid on the floor. She's bleeding out because he stabbed her. The excruciating pain spreads like wildfire. Not only does she feels the wound, but she feels her body limps immediately.
Is it poison?
"Here, my Lady. You haven't touched any foods today. The snacks shall fill you, even just one," Daphne said, serving the plate in front of the Duchess.
"Thank you," Natalie flashes a small smile to the woman. She is thankful for it, as the servant remains loyal to her despite what they have been through in the past.
The Duchess of Light reaches for the food, opening her mouth and savouring the snacks. The taste pops out in her mouth, causing her to hum while eating it. Daphne lets out a smile looking at the Duchess, happy when she likes to eat the snacks. However, that ends when Apollo interrupts them for the second time today.
But, this time, he catches his breath, his chest vigorously moving up and down. Feeling uneasy, Natalie puts the snacks on the plate.
"What is it, Apollo?" Natalie wipes her mouth with the napkin.
"Countess--Countess Hera is being dragged to the Imperial Palace for killing the Empress!" Natalie drops her napkin as the world spins again around her.