In a modest house not far from the grand estate of Archduke Eridrius, before the arrival of esteemed guests at the great manor, the morning sun cast a soft glow through the simple glass windows. Standing by the open window, gazing down at the stone pathway leading to various parts of the city, were four young women—cousins, bound not only by blood but by fate. In the distance, the Cheinzs family's grand estate loomed majestically, its golden spires gleaming under the morning light. The gentle morning breeze caused the delicate half-masks adorning their faces to flutter slightly, revealing only their striking eyes. One of them, her voice soft yet thoughtful, broke the silence.

  "It feels different, looking at Grandfather’s estate from here," she murmured.

  The cousin standing beside her, her tone calm and serene, replied, "Hmm, this kingdom has changed a lot since the last time we were here..."

  A third, whose striking emerald-green eyes shone with quiet contemplation, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The last time we set foot in this kingdom, we were but seven years old. Now, in merely a month, we will reach eighteen."

  The fourth cousin sighed, her voice carrying a mix of resignation and anticipation. "Yes. And now we are here to be introduced to the noble families... and to the public."

  A shared understanding passed between them as they nodded in unison. Before another word could be spoken, a knock sounded at the door. The owner of the modest house, a well-mannered and humble woman, peeked inside before stepping in with a respectful bow.

  "Lady Meridia, Lady Asterlayna, Lady Lunaria, and Lady Aelita," she addressed them with deep reverence. "The gowns for Archduke Eridrius’s grand banquet have been prepared, and the carriage awaits at the back entrance, per your instructions."

  The woman lifted her gaze cautiously, her eyes lingering on the masked young women before her. The half-masks they wore only heightened their mystique, allowing those who saw them only fleeting glimpses of their ethereal beauty. The simple yet elegant presence of these four young women had already caused quite a stir among the household staff, whispers and speculations spreading like wildfire. In the dimly lit corners of the house, maids and servants exchanged hushed words, their curiosity burning.

  "Did you hear? The young ladies are addressed with the same reverence as the nobility!" one whispered, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

  "More than nobility," another added, voice barely above a breath. "They were named in the same breath as Archduke Eridrius himself! Could they be...?"

  "Impossible! If they were truly from the Cheinzs family, then why have they were here instead of the Cheinzs estate?" a third chimed in, her eyes filled with intrigue.

  "But look at them! Their grace, their elegance—it is beyond that of ordinary noblewomen. And their eyes..." The maid trailed off in a daze, recalling the way their gazes had seemed to pierce straight into one’s soul.

  "Perhaps they are daughters of high-ranking nobles, sent here in secret... or perhaps there is a greater mystery at play," another murmured, eyes flickering with both awe and apprehension.

  As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the four young women gathered in the center of their room, sipping warm tea in quiet contemplation. The atmosphere was both expectant and uncertain.Meridia, her deep sea-green eyes steady and composed, was the first to voice what lingered in their minds. "Will our brothers be surprised to see us after all these years?" Asterlayna, her fiery red hair shimmering in the sunlight, grinned playfully. "Perhaps, perhaps not. We won’t know until we meet them." Aelita, ever soft-spoken, chuckled lightly at her cousin’s words, while Lunaria, her silvery waves cascading over her shoulders, suddenly spoke with a hint of concern. "I have a bad feeling...". At her words, the lighthearted mood in the room shifted instantly. Asterlayna’s playful smirk vanished, and the cousins exchanged glances, their instincts sharpened by years of training and caution. "We must remain vigilant at all times," Asterlayna stated firmly. Aelita nodded, her expression now serious. "Our sudden reappearance may stir unforeseen consequences for our family." Lunaria’s voice was measured, thoughtful. "There must be a reason why we are being introduced to the public now... something unavoidable." Meridia, the eldest among them, exhaled slowly before declaring, "In other words, we have no choice but to conceal our true abilities. We must appear weak in the eyes of the guests attending the banquet. Even from our own family." Lunaria pursed her lips. "This may invite danger... but it is also our greatest shield." Aelita agreed, her gaze steady. "The most important thing is that we remain cautious." Asterlayna smirked slightly. "So, we’re only to display the strength that is expected of noblewomen?" The three nodded in agreement, their minds made up. A second knock echoed through the room, signaling that it was time to prepare for the evening ahead. Their gowns awaited them—simple yet refined, each reflecting the distinct elegance of the four cousins. The long skirts flowed like cascading water, brushing the floor with every movement. The sleeves, fitted at the arms but billowing at the ends, gave an air of quiet grace. A delicate train extended behind each gown, adorned with subtle yet intricate beading, catching the light with every step. As they readied themselves, the whispers among the staff grew only louder. Tonight, the world would meet the four hidden daughters of the Cheinzs family. And in the shadows, not all who awaited their debut had noble intentions. After preparing themselves, they stood before the mirror, adjusting their half-masks to conceal most of their faces, revealing only their eyes. Their hair was styled elegantly—half tied up, while the rest cascaded down their backs in soft waves. The front strands of their hair framed their faces, swaying gently whenever a light breeze passed through. Resting atop their heads were delicate crystal ornaments, small yet luminous, arranged in a regal circle with intricate placements along the sides. They adorned moderately high-heeled shoes that complemented their gowns. Though their dresses were simple, they exuded an undeniable aura of nobility, marking them unmistakably as members of prestigious families.

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  Once everything was in place, the four cousins stepped out of their chambers, only to be greeted by the highest-ranking servant of their grandfather’s estate. He bowed deeply before addressing them.

  "My ladies, I have been assigned by His Grace, Lord Eridrius, to escort the four of you to the mansion." His voice was steady and respectful, his posture formal—his right hand placed over his stomach while his left remained behind his back.

  As he straightened from his bow, his gaze fell upon the four young ladies, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes widened in awe. The sight before him was almost surreal—elegance, grace, and beauty woven into one. They looked otherworldly, as though they had stepped out of a dream. Realizing his lapse, he quickly cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

  "My ladies, this way, please," he said, gesturing toward the hall leading to the back entrance of the modest house they had been staying in.

  The four of them nodded, their lips curving into faint smiles beneath their masks. "Thank you," Lunaria spoke first, her voice gentle yet commanding. They followed the hallway towards the exit, pausing briefly to express their gratitude to the house’s owner and exchange polite words with a few servants before continuing on their way.

  Their presence did not go unnoticed. Murmurs rippled through the halls like an undercurrent of whispers.

  "Why is one of the highest-ranking servants of Archduke Eridrius here?" a maid whispered to another.

  "Could they be guests of His Grace? I heard the butler mention his name at their door earlier." The second maid responded, her voice hushed but curious.

  The speculation spread quickly, carrying out into the streets. Observant eyes caught sight of the golden insignia pinned to their dresses—each bearing the crest of their respective noble families: Sletcheinzs, Sheencheinzs, Sancheinzs, and Shaincheinzs. Those who recognized the symbols gasped in shock, exchanging glances of disbelief.

  The cousins, aware of the attention, cast sidelong glances at the gossiping maids and simply smiled behind their masks, placing a single gloved finger against their lips—a silent request for secrecy. The unspoken message sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers, as if the four mysterious ladies had just stepped out of legend itself. They proceeded through the back entrance, where an elegant yet modestly grand carriage awaited them. Its exterior bore the sigil of the Cheinzs family, a silent declaration of their origins. One by one, they stepped forward, accepting the hesitant yet respectful hand of the carriage driver as he assisted them inside. Initially unsure, the driver found himself momentarily frozen when his hand touched theirs, the delicate fabric of their noble gloves against his skin.

  A soft voice cut through his daze. "Thank you for your assistance." The warmth in her words struck something within him, and he quickly averted his gaze, shutting the carriage door before climbing onto the driver’s seat. With a firm grip on the reins, he called out, "Hiyah!" and the carriage set off at a steady pace.

  Unbeknownst to them, rumors had already begun spreading like wildfire.

  "Does anyone know which family those four ladies belong to?"

  "Could they be part of the Cheinzs family?"

  "Impossible! The dukes have never had daughters!"

  "But the maids from the house at the end of the road swear they saw them wearing the crests of the Cheinzs lineage!"

  While some debated their origins, the rumors reached ears that found them particularly intriguing—those of The Rebel, a shadowy organization that thrived on political turmoil and secrets.

  One of the leaders leaned forward with an amused smirk. "Could this be a stroke of luck for us?"

  Another leader, seated beside him, chuckled darkly. "So, the whispers of hidden daughters might actually be true... hahahaha."

  A third figure, cloaked in an air of cold indifference, spoke with a chilling finality. "True or not, the plan proceeds as intended."

  At his words, the other two exchanged glances before nodding. One of them pointed at the third and commanded, "I’m giving you the task of observing them. See if they hold any value to us. If they don't..." His hand moved across his throat in a slicing gesture, indicating death.

  The third leader gave a single, silent nod, accepting the order without hesitation.

  Meanwhile, at the grand estate of Archduke Eridrius, the opulent banquet was well underway. The air buzzed with laughter and the gentle clinking of glasses, masking the underlying tension among the brothers of the Sletcheinzs, Sheencheinzs, Sancheinzs, and Shaincheinzs families. Though outwardly composed, they alone knew the true purpose behind this grand gathering. Despite their inner worries, they remained calm and unshaken, blending seamlessly into the crowd of nobles. The young noblewomen present that day found it nearly impossible to tear their eyes away from the eldest sons of these powerful families. Their commanding presence and air of quiet authority were utterly captivating. However, their stolen glances did not go unnoticed. When their eyes accidentally met those of the Cheinzs brothers, a sudden wave of embarrassment washed over them, causing their cheeks to flush, forcing them to quickly avert their gaze. Outside, the golden midday sun streamed through the grand windows of the ballroom, casting shimmering patterns of light across the floor—a fleeting moment of peace before the storm that was surely brewing just beneath the surface.

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