The day of the so-called playdate had finally arrived.
I woke up as usual and went through my morning routine, though the mansion felt a lot more chaotic than normal.
"Young miss, would you like this one or this one?" Annie asked in pure panic, holding up two dresses like she was choosing between life and death.
I stared at them.
"They're both dresses."
"Yes! But they're different dresses!"
Clearly I had underestimated Annie's ability to turn clothing into a national crisis.
Selene calmly brushed my hair while Marie brushed Kaelith's fluffy Luminox fur beside us.
"I don't really mind," I said honestly. "Pick whichever."
Annie gasped dramatically like I had just committed fashion treason.
"No! Today you're visiting the imperial palace! Presentation is everything!"
I sighed and finally looked properly.
One was overly frilly.
The other looked like a walking cake.
I pointed to a third option lying on the chair nearby.
"That one."
It was a deep sapphire dress, simple but elegant, made of soft layered fabric that shimmered faintly like starlight when it moved. The sleeves were light and flowing, and the skirt ended just above my ankles so I could still move easily.
Marie nodded approvingly.
"Good choice."
"For jewelry," I added, "just the silver ribbon with tiny ruby charms."
"And shoes?" Annie asked anxiously.
"Comfortable ones," I answered.
She immediately grabbed a pair of soft crimson shoes with small embroidered patterns.
Selene finished tying my hair into a high ponytail, leaving a few strands loose around my face.
Meanwhile, Kaelith sat on the table like a judgmental fluffy statue while Marie brushed his fur.
"You look ridiculous," he muttered quietly so only I could hear.
"Says the magical spirit wearing a sapphire collar," I whispered back.
His tail flicked in silent rage.
Perfect.
I picked him up.
"Ready, Lumi?"
He glared.
"Don't call me that."
Too late.
Theo was already waiting downstairs when I arrived, dressed neatly but far less decorated than me.
Lucky.
The carriage waited outside.
"I'll accompany the young master and young miss today," the butler Ron announced as he climbed inside with us.
Kaelith—currently pretending to be my innocent "pet" Lumi—curled up on my lap.
The ride to the Imperial Palace passed peacefully.
Too peacefully.
Which should've been a warning.
After arriving, we were escorted inside to greet the Emperor and Empress.
Theo and I bowed.
"Greetings to the Sun and Moon of the Empire."
The Emperor chuckled.
"Ah, the Ravenshade children. Welcome."
After brief formalities, the palace butler guided us to the royal gardens.
And there they were.
Crown Prince Cassian and Princess Seraphina, surrounded by magical creatures.
Driftlings floated lazily through the air.
Cinibuns hopped through flowerbeds.
And a tiny Emberfox cub chased its own fiery tail.
"Lady Evelyn! Theo!" Seraphina ran toward us happily.
Cassian followed at a calmer pace.
"Good morning," I said with a small bow.
"Shall we play?" Seraphina asked immediately.
Straight to business.
I liked her already.
Soon the four of us were wandering through the garden.
Cassian suddenly pointed at Kaelith.
"That creature… is it yours?"
"Yes," I replied smoothly. "His name is Lumi."
Kaelith twitched.
Seraphina's eyes sparkled.
"He's so fluffy!"
Cassian studied him carefully.
Seraphina crouched beside him.
"Can he eat berries?"
Kaelith slowly opened one eye.
If looks could burn holes, the berries would've combusted.
But he ate them anyway."Your Lumi sleeps a lot," Cassian observed.
"He's conserving energy," I replied.
Kaelith snorted quietly.
The next few hours were chaos.
We played hide and seek.
Driftlings accidentally gave away hiding spots by floating around giggling.
Cinibuns chewed Theo's sleeve.
Seraphina proudly introduced us to her Emberfox cub, which she had named Flare.
The tiny fox happily ran in circles leaving tiny sparks on the grass.
"You should make a contract with Lumi too!" Seraphina said suddenly.
I froze.
"Of course I did."
Technically.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Magically… not so much.
Kaelith's tail flicked.
He definitely heard that.
After lunch, we made flower crowns.
Mine collapsed three times.
Cassian eventually handed me sturdier flowers.
"Try these."
"Thank you."
I placed the finished crown on Kaelith's head.
He immediately shook it off.
The crown landed on a confused Cinibun.
Theo laughed.
Seraphina clapped.
Cassian looked mildly entertained.
Kaelith looked like he was planning my funeral.
Eventually it was time to leave.
"Visit again!" Seraphina waved excitedly.
Theo and I climbed into the carriage.
Kaelith curled up beside me again.
I fell asleep halfway through the journey.
The carriage jerked violently.
I woke instantly.
Outside the windows was dense forest.
The carriage had stopped.
Theo frowned.
"Ron? What's happening?"
"I'll check," the butler said calmly before stepping outside.
Kaelith suddenly climbed onto my shoulder.
His voice whispered in my ear.
"Bandits."
My stomach dropped.
Then—
CLANG
Steel clashed outside.
Theo grabbed my arm.
"What was that?!"
The carriage door burst open.
A masked man grinned.
"Well well. Two little nobles."
He reached for me.
Before he could grab me—
CRACK
Sir Alistair slammed the man unconscious with his sword handle.
"Stay inside!" he ordered.
Fighting erupted outside.
But then—
Someone shoved Alistair aside.
Another bandit lunged forward.
Kaelith was knocked from the seat.
A rough hand grabbed me.
I was yanked out of the carriage.
"Sis!" Theo shouted.
A dagger pressed against my throat.
"Stop struggling!" the bandit growled.
Cold metal cut my skin.
A drop of blood slid down my neck.
Everyone froze.
"Let her go!" Alistair shouted.
The bandit laughed.
"Why would we?"
My heart pounded.
Where was Kaelith—
Then I felt it.
The air shifted.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
A familiar figure stepped forward.
Blue hair.
Golden eyes glowing with fury.
Kaelith.
His voice was ice.
"Return my student."
The bandits hesitated.
Then laughed.
"Take her if you can."
Kaelith sighed.
"Very well."
He moved.
Too fast to see.
Fire exploded across the battlefield.
Bandits screamed.
Spells struck with terrifying precision.
Within seconds he reached me.
The man holding me barely had time to blink before—
CRACK
Kaelith's fist smashed into his face.
I fell—
But strong arms caught me.
Kaelith held me close with one arm.
His other hand lifted.
Flames spiraled upward.
"Inferno."
Pill