Helia sat before her mirror, the autumn sunlight gently caressing her hair as her maid, Lucille, carefully arranged her locks into an elegant hairstyle, paying special attention to her bangs.
Lucille was a woman in her early thirties, with dark hair and warm brown eyes, her soft features framed by a gentle face permanently marked by patience and kindness.
Today, Helia was to meet her fiancé, Adrian, for an afternoon in his company.
"Miss, are you satisfied with your hairstyle?" Lucille asked, securing the last pin.
Helia nodded with a smile, though her mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of Adrian wouldn't leave her, and the mere idea of seeing him again filled her heart with tender warmth.
Adrian was no ordinary man. The second son of a duke, he was one of the most sought-after men in high society. His beauty, charisma, and status made him the subject of many ladies' conversations. Yet, he had chosen her. She, with what she considered ordinary features, her light brown hair without any remarkable shine, her small stature, and her rounded figure.
Unlike the dazzling beauties that graced the salons, she had always felt like she simply blended into the background. Her introverted nature did little to help her social standing. While other ladies shone with charm and confidence, she preferred discretion, too afraid to put herself forward.
And yet, Adrian had been one of the rare few to notice her. He had been the one to close the distance, the one to take the first step.
She had never understood why a man like him had set his eyes on her, but she was deeply touched. Every day, she felt grateful to have found someone who loved her for who she truly was, rather than for appearances or societal expectations.
When the carriage was ready, she settled in comfortably, her thoughts drifting between the upcoming engagement celebration and her recent activities.
The carriage came to a stop in front of an elegant café, where Adrian was already waiting. Seated at a terrace table, a newspaper in hand, he wore his usual concentrated expression. As always, he was impeccably dressed, his jet-black coat contrasting with his neatly groomed blond hair. He rose as she arrived, smiling politely, and helped her down.
"Helia, as lovely as ever," he said, assisting her into her seat.
She blushed slightly.
"You're always so flattering, Adrian."
They took their places as the waiter approached, carrying the order Adrian had arranged in advance.
"How is your father?" Adrian asked, leaning back comfortably, a neutral expression on his face.
She sighed slightly, setting down her cup.
"Still as busy as ever. He only returns late at night, and even then, it's often just to leave again soon after."
"That must be exhausting," he replied with a sympathetic smile, cutting a piece of cake. "My father is equally burdened with responsibilities... especially with the situation at the borders. He's doing his best to lend support."
She looked up, suddenly concerned.
"Is the situation that critical? How is your father handling it?"
"As well as can be expected, I suppose," he replied with a slight shrug, taking another sip of tea. "My brother was sent there recently. It seems the Empire is mobilizing more forces, so…" He paused, his expression darkening for a brief moment. "It's tense, but we're hoping things will stabilize."
She slowly nodded, a fleeting worry in her eyes. She was tempted to ask more, but before she could press the issue, her fiancé smoothly changed the subject.
"By the way," he said, adjusting his sleeves with a practiced motion, "I've recently started developing a new business in jewelry trade."
She smiled, though her mind was still preoccupied.
"Really? Tell me more."
"It's still in its early stages, but I have plans for expansion. I'm considering exploiting the duchy's gemstone mines. I was wondering," he paused thoughtfully, "if you could perhaps mention it to the marquis. Establishing connections with influential families would be invaluable for me."
The marquis, Helia's father, was a pillar of high society. Renowned for his keen business sense and negotiating prowess, he had built a solid network among the wealthiest elites. Anyone wishing to prosper in trade or establish a financial empire sought his backing.
This was especially true for younger sons of noble families, who, lacking direct inheritance, saw entrepreneurship as their best path to wealth.
She immediately nodded, happy to help.
"I could likely arrange a meeting. My father appreciates ambitious men."
A faint smile played on Adrian's lips.
"That would be a wonderful opportunity for me to win over the marquis. In fact, I'm thinking of gathering other business partners and investors at the upcoming banquet hosted by Count Dante. It would be the perfect occasion."
She frowned slightly.
"Elysia mentioned that banquet. She didn't seem very enthusiastic. According to her, it will be dull and poorly organized."
Adrian looked at her, visibly surprised.
"Poorly organized? That's surprising. I've attended several of Count Dante's events, and they are always among the most anticipated of the year—lavish gatherings that attract many dignitaries."
Helia had never had the chance to attend one of these banquets. When she finally received an invitation, she had been excited to experience these famed receptions. But Elysia's opinion, having already attended, had planted doubt in her mind.
What intrigued her even more was Adrian's glowing praise. He was a frank man with strong opinions, never hesitating to criticize what he disliked. If an event had disappointed him, he would have said so without hesitation. Yet, he seemed genuinely convinced of Count Dante's banquet's quality. So why did Elysia, who had also attended, see it so negatively?
She froze for a moment. She couldn't think of a reason.
"Really? It's strange that you have such different perspectives on it…" she murmured, thoughtful.
"Perhaps your friend simply has different tastes than we do," he said with a small smile, sitting up straighter.
"Yes, that must be it," she replied, her voice slightly troubled.
They continued their conversation a while longer, exchanging pleasantries about the engagement celebration and other minor details. Though she engaged in the discussion, Helia couldn't stop thinking about Elysia's remarks about the banquet. She glanced out the window, noticing the sun beginning to set, casting a soft golden glow across the room.
"Time flies when you're in good company," she finally said with a slightly forced smile. "But I should return before nightfall."
Adrian nodded, standing as well.
"Of course, I wouldn't want you to be late."
They exchanged a few more lighthearted words as they walked slowly toward the door, as if trying to extend the moment. Despite her lingering concerns, she still felt that familiar desire to please Adrian, to show that she was present, useful, and devoted.
"Thank you for this afternoon, Helia," Adrian said, leaning down to place a quick kiss on the back of her hand.
"It's always a pleasure," she replied softly.
Once in the carriage, she settled comfortably, her thoughts swirling. She gazed at the city streets passing by without really seeing them.
It troubled her more than she dared admit. Her best friend had never lied to her. It simply wasn't in her nature. She trusted her blindly, as one trusts an undeniable truth.
But lately, an insidious doubt had begun to creep in. Those dreams... Those strange visions that haunted her each night, where she saw Elysia in such a dark, unrecognizable light... She always woke up with a lingering anxiety, her heart pounding, unable to believe that the woman she considered almost a sister could be as terrible as she appeared in her nightmares.
And yet, despite herself, everything Elysia did or said recently seemed imbued with an unsettling mystery. As if something was slipping through her grasp. As if those dreams were trying to open her eyes to a truth she refused to see.
Even though it might have seemed trivial, after all, the fact that Adrian and Elysia disagreed over a mere banquet was not evidence of anything, it was the accumulation of all these doubts that made her anxious. Every little inconsistency, every troubling detail, added to the unease she struggled to dispel.
Soon, the family manor appeared on the horizon.
As she entered her home, Helia found her father and brother already seated for dinner. The marquis, upright and focused, cast occasional glances at a report lying beside his plate. Her brother, seated opposite him, was leafing through another document with a pensive air, his fingers absently brushing the edges of the pages.
"How was your afternoon, Helia?" her father asked in a neutral tone, without truly looking at her.
"Very well, Father," she replied, taking her seat.
"Another attack reported near the eastern border," remarked Lucian, her brother, frowning as he read, too absorbed to notice his sister's presence. "Three farms destroyed in two days."
The marquis barely lifted his head.
"This has been going on for months. The giant boars continue to wreak havoc."
Lucian nodded gravely, his expression serious. His silver hair, identical to their father's, fell naturally across his forehead, and his amethyst eyes, so similar to Helia's, were focused on his reading.
"Our knights are struggling to contain them. It's becoming a growing problem."
Helia watched the two men in silence. She had considered discussing Adrian's business ambitions with her father, hoping to open a door for him with the marquis, but something in the tense atmosphere made her realize that this was not the ideal moment.
To break the heavy silence that followed, she decided to bring up a subject she was passionate about.
"I've made progress with my research," she said, trying to mask her enthusiasm with a calm tone.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Ah, these famous researches... Should we expect a revolutionary invention this time? Something that will turn lead into gold, perhaps? Or maybe a plant-based potion that will make us invincible?"
Helia gave him a mock annoyed look, sensing the mockery.
"You'll never really understand the importance of science, will you?"
"Oh, I understand perfectly," he replied, leaning casually in his chair, his expression full of challenge. "You spend hours locked away, fiddling with suspiciously colored vials, while others take care of things that are a bit more... practical."
She shot her brother an exasperated glance.
"Mock me all you want, but what I'm doing could really help. Some of the plants I've studied have properties never seen before, they could save lives!"
Lucian shook his head, feigning regret, a mocking smile on his lips.
"Well, maybe one day, when you've saved a soldier with a herbal tea, I'll bow to your healing talents."
She frowned, stung by his words.
"And you? It's so convenient to pretend to manage the estates while all the work is done by the stewards."
"At least I pretend to manage something useful," he retorted, his tone playful.
Their bickering briefly caught their father's attention, sitting at the other end of the table. The marquis sighed lightly, a trace of fatigue in his gaze, before returning his focus to his plate.
"Enough, both of you."
Helia held back her words, feeling a little ashamed for having let herself get carried away. Her brother, for his part, shrugged, pleased to have had the last word.
The rest of the dinner passed without incident, the conversation turning to more mundane and trivial matters. Helia, however, couldn't stop mulling over her brother's words. She knew her research had potential, but it seemed so difficult to prove it in an environment where everything was judged by outdated standards.
As the meal neared its end, she took a deep breath, ready to ask the question that had been on her mind for hours.
"Father... I would like to consult our sorcerer. I have an idea for a magical accessory that I'd like to try."
Her brother raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Since when are you interested in such things?" he asked, suspicious.
Helia shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just an idea I'd like to explore."
The marquis, tired and eager not to prolong the conversation, nodded.
"Very well. I'll have him join you tomorrow."
With dinner finished, she left the table and headed upstairs to her room. A moment later, Lucille entered, a warm smile lighting up her face.
"Good evening, miss. I'll help you get rid of that hairstyle," she announced as she approached.
Helia nodded. Lucille began undoing the pins that held her hair in place.
"Lucille, could you have the tailor come tomorrow?" Helia asked, a slight tremor in her voice.
Lucille paused for a moment, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Are you planning to buy new dresses for fun, miss? It's been a while since you've accepted any invitations."
Helia returned her smile, trying to make it look as natural as possible.
"Actually, yes, I plan to attend a banquet."