Chapter 4 - It was WINE?-Amoria Pace; Luxana's Room- The soft light filtering through the delicate curtains bathed my room in a warm glow, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. I was lost in my thoughts when the gentle knock of a maid broke the silenbsp;"You have a visitor worth so much more than you," she informed me, her tone a mix of formality and something else I couldn't quite pbsp;I merely nodded. My mind raced through the possibilities, but I was careful to keep my expressioral.-In the Guest Room- "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long," I admitted as I stepped into the room. "SISTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Isabel excimed, ung herself at me with ahusiasm that caught me off guard. She ed her arms around me in a tight hug, her warmth enveloping me like a f b. "Did you miss me, Sister?" she pressed, her voice a melodic blend of excitement and curiosity. I managed a small smile, feeling the familiar mix of abhorrend exasperation.Isabel, my step-sister and the Queen's biological daughter, itome of mesmeriziy. Her luscious, pink lips evoked images of delicate roses, while her evergreen eyes sparkled like precious emeralds, enting all who dared to gaze into their depths. ing her angelic face was a flowing mane of light blonde hair, gleaming as if spun from golden sunlight itself. With each gentle sway of her head, the shimmering tresses seemed to whisper secrets of celestial allure. The soft, celestial glow of her por skin danced gracefully in the light, radiating an aura of pure ethereal charm. Her delicate features were perfectly sculpted, as if by the divine hand of an artistic master. High cheekbones graced her visage, emphasizing the elegance of her slender, swan-like neck. The gentle slope of her petite nose harmonized with the subtle curve of her Cupid's bow, while her brows arched with just the slightest hint of mystery. Her beauty was so magic, so utterly bewitg, that it seemed as though the heavens themselves spired to create su enting vision. Isabel's smile was a radiant jewel, casting a spell of warmth and kindness upon all who wits splendor. Like the sweet song of a siren, her melodic voice captivated the hearts of noblemen throughout the kingdom, ensnaring them in a web of desire. Even the most indifferent souls were powerless to resist the charm of this exquisite, divine maiden, their hearts aflutter with the first glimpse of her angelic face.Her shy, demure nature only enhanced her allure, casting an irresistible mystique over those who watched her every move. With her delicate, graceful movements and regal bearing, it was no wohat she left an indelible mark on the royal court, her presence forever etched into the hearts and minds of all who beheld her ethereal beauty. But I'd hate to break to y'all; she frequently throws tantrums and demands attention since she is such a cry baby when it es to things she doesn't get. Because of her extreme stubbornness and ck of willio promise, she may be quite difficult to get along with at times. Trying to please her with every whim and mood fluctuation might get exhausting. It be draining to deal with her tinual need for approval and affirmation, particurly whes too worked up over trivial matters. To trol her means to beg for your death. And don't even ask about pleasing her; I have no idea how the maids in charge ma. It's the talk of the pace; every day, there'd be at least 10 servants being punished, fired, or sometimes even dead by her own hands. Oh well, of course, this information is kept top secret from the nobles; only the people ihe paow about it. " sis, you're always like this, so cold!" Isabel excimed, her voice a mix of frustration and pyful teasing. "You also ck the knowledge of how to respond appropriately when asked a question..." "..." Yes at least I'm not like you, angel oside and devil on the inside. I thought as I stood there with a straight fabsp;She rolled her eyes dramatically, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, by the way, sis... where is he?"There was a hint of in her voice, but I could sehe underlying suspi lurkih her words. I tilted my head to the right, maintaining my straight face. I had no iion of revealing anything. P who she might be referring to. "I'm talking to your lover who..." "HUH?" I blurted out loud, uo grasp the situation. The outburst seemed to freeze the entire room in an instant. Isabel, along with everything else, halted in motion. Time seemed to stand still, as if suspended in a moment of sile even a clock dared to tick, and no one dared to speak. An eerie stillness bhe space, leavierly perplexed by the sudden shift imosphere, but I was an exception to this. I turned around, searg for answers, and there he was—the st person I expected to see, the person who had broken his promise. "Oh, what're you doing here?" I questioned, with an expressionless fad my voice barely above a whisper. "Hehe, I told you I'd e get you st night, but... let's just say the circumstances didn't allow me to," Cillian fessed, a hint of mischief dang in his eyes. I raised an eyebrow, my gaze pierg into his. I could tell he was lying, but I chose not to call him out on it. Instead, I turned back to look at my sister, who was still frozen in pce. Her expression riceless, her hirious face didn't wait an oust to make me smile. As Cillian stepped closer, curiosity flickering in his eyes, I....... *Hug* *Blush* "Ugh, Ugh, hat do you think you're doing Lux-Lux-Luxana"? he stuttered, his cheeks turning a shade of red. "Demon tractor, huh!" I excimed, my expression revealing my suspi that something was amiss with him. It’s as if he has mao freeze time, leaving only the two of us ued. It appears that he possesses a formidable demon as his ally. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I realized the extent of his abilities. It was clear that I was fag a deadly oppo. "Ha-how'd you know"? he questioned, geonishmeched across his features. "Your heartbeat." I replied, my toeady. "It's different from a normal human's." Now it's clear how he ended up finding my mother's keepsake. "So you know about demons and their tractors"? He quizzed with a straight face, his eyes narrowing down on me. "..." He sighed, breaking the tension. "Whatever, let's go." "Where to?" I tilted my head slightly, curiosity piqued."Anywhere but here," he replied, casting a disgusted gnce around the room. It ink oriented, he must definately dislike it. I couldn't help but giggle at his dramatic fir. "I'm sorry, but I 't. I'm busy right now, please e back tonight if possible." I said with a smile. He hesitated for a moment, theed. "Fine, but I want you ready by the time I'm here to get you." I nodded, and as he turo leave, the air around us shifted, time unfreezing with a rush of sound and movement. Isabel's words pierced through the otion, exg, "...just bombarded our father's birthday ba!" This statement jolted me back to the reality of our situation. A smirk pyed at my lips as I recalled my duty to eain uest. Isabel's dumb, so she definately wouldn't have realised, time had halted and my position glitched. I'm certain about it. With a gentle brush of her hair and a warm smile, I sat beside her on the bed, our heads toug lightly. "You've got it all wrong, my little one," I said vingly. "He was here for you." Isabel's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. "Ma-me? Wha-Why me"? she stuttered, her shyness evident. "Didn't you see? The way he was looking at you when Father was yelling at him," I asked, trying to steer her thoughts in a different dire. "Ah...he was...looking at me...and not Father?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course! The smile on his face was his way of soothing his eagero meet you, the beloved princess of the Holy Kingdom of Domino. Who wouldn't fall in love with you, Isabel?" I asked, watg as her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. "You really think so?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope. "Well, here's my theory: We still don't know if the two individuals who were instantly sin were Elmirian or Dominions. If they prove to be Dominions, then it’s obvious; he showed up to our father's birthday celebration without notice, eager and anxious to see the rumored flower of paradise behind the curtains. Because—e on—who wouldn't fall in love with you, Isabel?" I added, watg her blush deepen. "And what if those two wao harm, murder, or even take you captive? He must have evaluated the situation and taken a to keep you safe." "Oh, oh, do you really think so, sister? Could he have really e for me?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Watg her with a mixture of s and amusement, I couldn't help but think to myself, How incredibly na?ve... A sinister gri the ers of my mouth. "Of course, there's her than our lovely Isabel deserving of him, no?" I replied, her a soft smile. "Hehe, of course, you're right! Why else would he e other than to see me?" she excimed, her happiness radiating like sunlight. But then her expression shifted, and I felt a chill run down my spine. "Oh, but sister, I hope there's nothiweewo of you, 'cause if there is, it'd be a shame to the whole nation, don't you agree?" she said, her tone suddenly serious. "Of-of course. I'll definitely keep that in mind," I stammered, reizing the thinly veiled warning behind her words. She wasn't askio stay away from him for the sake of the nation or my reputation whatsoever—rather, she was warni to meddle in their burgeoning e, lest it be severed before it had a ce to blossom and as if my involvement could jeopardize her ces with him. "Very well then, sister, I'll take my leave. I'm very, very, very, very sorry if I disturbed you," she said, her i and captivating gaze disarming me. "Oh, of course not. Please visit me again sometime," I said, smiling as I escorted her to the entrae. "Please take care and e visit again." "Yes, you too," she replied, her kind smile melting the hearts of the servants behind me. Haa..................................Thank God it's over. I was getting worried that she might suspect me even more than she is doing right now. Luckily I hahe situation well. With a small smile, I settled bato my thoughts, knowing that the delicate bance of our lives was ever sile.-Amoria Pace; Luxana's room- *Clibsp;*Cbsp;The door creaked open, and in stepped a maid, her expression twisted with anger. "You i B*tch!" she spat, her hand shing out and striking me across the fabsp;I remained silent, my cheek stinging from the impabsp;Aaa...she's the maid from earlier that day. The one who I spped, befoing to the Ba. "What? Did you think I wouldn't take my vengeance?" she hissed, her eyes burning with fury. "BECAUSE OF YOU, we were beaten with sticks at least 50 times! And now look at how sore my body's gotten." She held up her hands, revealing the angry red welts that marred her skin. Ow, too bad. It doesn't seem like it'll heal anytime soon. Oh well, they deserved it. "Just 'cause I spilled some wine on you, and you think you do this to me?" she cried, her voice ced with accusation. WI was WIhe liquid she spilled on me was wine and not juice? Wait....then why'd it taste like berry then? "Ah, I'm so sorry *hick* I didn't know they'd hurt you soo much *cries* Ahh I feel so guilty! *wailing*" my expression crumpled, and I broke down into fake tears. "Ugh, st-st! If anyone would hear you, I'd be in big trouble!" the maid excimed anxiously, gng around the room. *Luxana wails even louder*"I'm so so so sorry, *bawling* Ahhhh" "Alright fine. I five you!!!! Now just shut up a up! And don't cause unnecessary fuss." Ugh, If I get entangled with this princess again, God knows what she'll do to get me dead. It's best to just stay away from her and be on good terms. I don't want to gh that harsh beating again *shivers*. "Tha-thank you.......I'll....I'll ask the butler te some oi for you......" I sniffled, my tears slowly subsiding. "No need," she retorts, waving off my offer. "Do you want us dead or what?" "Of-of course not!" I excim, my eyes wide with monobsp;"Ugh, alright, whatever," she mutters, her anger subsiding. "I'm leaving." As she turns to leave, I call out to her, "Um, I had a question..." "My name's My, if that's what yoing to ask," she sighs, gng over her shoulder. "Um, no," I reply, maintaining my facade. "I wao know where you got the wine you spilled on me from?" "Oh, I found it in the basement a few days ago," she admits. Why'd she be asking that? Well, whatever, none of my s. As long as she's quiet I don't need anything else. She thought. "Oh, alright. Thank you, My," I say with a soft smile, watg as she blushes and leaves the room. *Door Closes* *Luxana plops onto her bed* Wine..................wine................................wine.........................Why's there wine in this abandoned Castle in the first pce? And to add on, it's berry? Something's fishy. To be tinued...