"Tell us, how did you get so handsome my King?" The main performer with dull icy eyes mockingly asked the performer portraying Father, drawing out the last word.
The crowd howled with unrestrained laughter. The family next to Aisha and Lucelia guffawed as if it was their first time hearing such an original joke. Beside them, Lucelia was deathly still with a quiet, controlled rage.
"I am so glad you asked. You see it is a new elixir crafted from the bewitching country of Nocturna. Lady Vernos uses the exact same elixir," said the King portrayer, oblivious to the fact that he was being mocked. Scattered knowing whispers erupted from the audience at the mention of Lady Vernos.
Father's appearance was often ridiculed by individuals who did not know his story. Only those close to Father knew why he looked the way he did but this insight isn't something these commoners should concern themselves with—they are unworthy of knowing. How unfortunate it was that these wicked commoners dared to also ridicule Lady Vernos! As if it was her fault that she was exiled and afflicted with Pirou.
Lucelia's breathing was shallow and she dared not move a single muscle in fear of what she might do.
She wanted to kill them all.
They were all guilty. Even the children watching.
She was outnumbered and she would surely die if she acted upon her thoughts, but that did not matter to her. After all, she swore an oath to protect Father's honor and life. But she could do much worse than simply kill a few worthless commoners. She just had to bide her time.
"Come on, Celia, we have seen enough," Aisha spoke softly to Lucelia as she took note of her rigid stance.
Lucelia ignored her. Aisha sighed and murmured something Lucelia couldn't bother to make out.
"An elixir you say," exclaimed the dull eyed performer. "Well, I have taken the time to craft a fine paste to reverse the unfortunate effects of the elixir," he turned to face the audience, "would anyone like to help?"
The entire crowd lit up with excitement. The commoners rushed toward the stage nearly trampling Aisha and Lucelia.
"Don't you dare touch me, you filthy commoner!" Lucelia snapped at the man who thought it would be a good idea to push her aside as he rushed to the stage.
"Celia!" Aisha was shocked by Lucelia's sudden outburst. "What has gotten into you?"
Lucelia turned to fully face Aisha. The participants had already been chosen and were currently smearing rotten tomatoes across the face of the performer portraying Father. Their laughter echoing all around her. She was beyond furious now and Aisha's indifference only served to fuel her anger.
"You think this is perfectly fine? To ridicule a disabled man just because he looks different than you? Raksan's wrongdoings sure do pale in comparison."
Aisha gasped and worriedly peered around to see if anyone had heard Lucelia utter Raksan's name. "I know it is wrong, but it's the way those personally victimized by King Cyrus express their frustration. I'm not justifying it but—"
"But you are! Am I the only one here with a consciousness? Perhaps I haven't been clear enough. Allow me to repeat myself: ridiculing a disabled man does not make you any better than him," Lucelia scoffed, "I have to go." Lucelia turned around and began heading toward her chambers.
"Celia, please don't go. You'll miss the main event," Aisha pleaded with her, but Lucelia did not once turn back.
On her way to her chambers, Lucelia's mind began unraveling. Angry tears brimmed her eyes and she struggled to breath evenly.
To hell with playing coy. I'll kill them all! All of them! See how they enjoy being disgraced in such a way, Lucelia thought to herself.
Wiping away tears of frustration, Lucelia took note of how deathly silent it was. Stopping in her tracks, she could make out the faintest noise off in the distance. A rhythmic sound of some sort.
Suddenly, screams erupted all around her as people bolted past her, nearly trampling her. At first, Lucelia thought it was all part of the festival, but the genuine fear in their eyes made her think otherwise.
Thinking quickly, Lucelia sprinted in the direction the people were running from. Arriving to the southern edge of the palace, she skidded to a halt. Her eyes widened in fear. The entire eastern part of the forest was ablaze.
Marinisle was under attack.