Inside the Divalo Manor, the ballroom was packed with hundreds of people, all dressed to the nines. Lydia Revelia was a cute girl who seed to be a shy and timid one. She had long, black hair, and a pale complexion. Her eyes were a stunning shade of red just like her mother's, and she wore a beautiful, white gown that complinted her perfectly.
Although Lydia was surrounded by all the younger daughters in the nobility, she knew that most of them were forced to talk to her. At least the ones she could rely on were her sisters as they tried to protect her and Clara to the best of their abilities. Especially after her brother died. Her parents seed to have less ti for their daughters after that day as she and younger sister stayed in her parents' castle in the Divalo Domain.
Lydia wasn't even sure if her parents cared to give her her coming-of-age party. But to her surprise, they went above and beyond.
The party was extravagant, with decorations of silver and blue, her favorite colors. And it was filled with music and laughter.
As Lydia stood there in the middle of the ballroom, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. She had never been one for parties and was always a bit nervous around people. Still, she did her best to smile and chat with the other guests.
Tracy von Falkenstein, daughter of Lady Cecelia von Falkenstein and Natalie Nattily Nyte, daughter of Lady Noa Nattily Nyte were trying to talk to Lydia, by their mothers' orders. The two girls were a few years older than Lydia and they really didn't care for her much. Tracy, being the oldest, took the lead and began the conversation.
"So, Lydia, how have you been?" Tracy asked politely.
"I've been well, thank you," Lydia replied shyly.
"That's good. We heard about your brother, we're so sorry," Tracy continued.
"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Lydia said.
"I heard the woman who killed him is coming to the party. Do you think she try to attack—"
"Natalie!?" Lady Noa Nattily Nyte cut into her daughter's statent. "What did I tell you about bring up nasty subjects like that? Apologize to Lydia this instant."
Natalie straightened up and curtsied, "My apologies, Lydia."
Lydia just nodded and smiled at the girl, accepting her apology.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte then took over the conversation. "I'm sure you're excited for your coming-of-age party. I'm glad we got a chance to et before it started."
"Oh yes, I'm very excited. Thank you so much for coming," Lydia replied still feeling awkward as she wanted to expand for a conversations with everyone, but it felt forced and awkward.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte looked down at the younger girl. "You are such a charming young lady. I'm sure you'll make a fine Countess soday. I'm sure your parents will fine you the perfect husband," the Noblewoman said with a smile.
Lydia's smile faltered for a brief mont, but she quickly regained her composure. "I hope so. My parents have always told to help the family," she said.
"That's wonderful. It's so important to realize your noble purpose. That's why I'm always trying to get my daughters to understand that is bigger than themselves," Lady Noa Nattily Nyte. She had a daughter who was 17 and a 14-year-old daughter. Natalie was the younger of the two.
"O-Of course, Mother," Natalie replied with disappointnt in her voice.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte's gaze narrowed as she stared at her daughter. "I swear, girls these days have all these dilutions of love from these annoying roe... roe?... Tracy what were those novels you got my daughter to read?"
"Romance novels, Lady Noa Nattily. Romance novels," Tracy replied in a quiet tone as she didn't want her mother to co down on her again for bringing a few of these books to a couple of tea parties.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte gave a short nod of acknowledgnt. "Ah yes, that's right. Romance novels. They are full of all this nonsense about true love and happily ever after. It's a load of hogwash, and I tell you that commoner won would give their limbs to be in a position to have a man provide for them," she said as she turned to her daughter, Natalie, "and that's what a woman should look forward to. It's your job to produce children and make sure they have a good future. That's how we keep our power and influence. And that's what your father wants."
Natalie looked down at her feet and nodded. "Yes, Mother."
"But isn't the Crown Prince engaged to soone he has fallen in love with, Lady Noa?" said the voice of the eldest daughter of the Revelias.
The Minor Noblewoman turned to see Countess Sara Revelia Willowbrook. She was a prettier version of her mother Leandra.
"Countess Sara Willowbroo—"
"It's Revelia, Lady Noa. I don't use my husband's na," Sara cut off Lady Noa Nattily.
"Oh, pardon . You are right, Countess. My mistake. And the answer is no, the Crown Prince has not. He's been betrothed to an enchantress that wishes to rip the Kingdom apart. Of all people here, I would assu that you would understand this. After all, the woman that killed your beloved brother and future Duke of the Divalo was an evil witch and enchantress. What would you call Rya Vellanax if not a dangerous witch and enchantress?" Lady Noa Nattily asked.
Sara looked unamused by the minor noblewoman's question. "Lady Noa, have you t this Dark Elf?"
"Um... Well, I haven't seen her yet—"
"So, where did you get this information about my brother's death?" Sara asked.
"I... um... I was told by your mother herself, Duchess Leandra," Lady Noa answered.
Sara took a sip of her wine and stared blankly at the Minor Noblewoman. Sara has been hearing multiple things about this Dark Elf, who took a fancy to her cousin, Quinus. The Priestesses all worship her after contacting the Goddess and had all the Church of Balance's Idols magical wrap and changed as two more Goddesses were added to the church's holy Idols. And she heard so whispers that Rya was the first healer to be seen in over centuries.
But then there was the other rumors that she enchanted her cousin to start a war with the Holy Alliance of the Divine Three. And she was manipulating the Major Houses to turn against the Pri Minister. Or how there are these strange figures that are roaming around the Kingdom doing her dirty work, they say they look similar to Rya but their bodies' are made of indestructible earth, which sounds frightening indeed. And lastly, the rumors of her brother Marcus's death.
So say that Marcus betrayed Quinus and he ordered his retainer to put him down. Or it was Quinus himself that killed him out of fear that Marcus had legitimate claims to the throne. But the one she's been hearing this entire party was the Rya was the one who murdered her brother because he couldn't be enchanted due to being a Wind Mage.
Sara thought it could be possible that this Dark Elf murdered her brother, but every ti she probed soone about where they heard this from, it always ca back to her mother. And she learned the hard way that she shouldn't take her parents words at face value.
'So, yet another Noblewoman spreading my mother's... propaganda... Is it wise to spread these claims when this Dark Elf is coming to this party, which ans her allies are going to be here as well. Perhaps I should warn them... no, no, no... If she hates my brother, then she's their enemy, which ans she will see us as her enemies. We must stay out of her way until I can confirm my brother's death. It seems no one is willing to go against my mother.'
Sara was brought back from her thoughts when the second oldest daughter of House Revelia tipped Sara's shoulder.
"Hm? Yes, Jemma?"
"Mother is at it again," Jemma whispered.
Sara followed where her sister's finger was pointing and she saw that her mother was animated while speaking with a large group of won. The most notable out of the group were Marchioness Isabella Wrightwood, Countess Alexandria Ingham, Viscountess Cassandra Blackwood, Lady Lucinda Montclair, and Baroness Evelina Dravenhart.
It was a sight to behold seeing this many Noblewon from Major Houses standing around their mother and occasionally laughing at the Duchess's jokes.
"When did the Marchioness and her friends start warming up to mother?" Jemma asked as she could have sworn that Marchioness Isabella Wrightwood and her friends despised their mother.
"When it beca politically expedient," Sara answered as she noticed that Countess Alexandria Ingham and Lady Lucinda Montclair were delayed with their laughter as they seed to wait if Isabella was laughing first.
Jemma frowned and crossed her arms. "So, she's using Lydia's coming of age party to curry favor with the Marchioness. Does she intend to marry Lydia off to one of their sons?"
Sara scoffed at the idea and shook her head. "You know that the Marchioness and her friends would never marry their children off to our family."
"Not unless they are getting sothing from us in return," Jemma countered.
Sara turned to look at her sister and saw the heavy makeup on her face. Her dress has long sleeves and it went up to her neck. It was a dress ant for cooler climates as it was a sumr's day. Sara saw the abuse Jemma was trying to hide from the world. Her husband was not kind to her and would often use her as a punching bag.
Sara was the only person who knew what was going on and would do what she could to help her sister. But they lived far away in different kingdoms. It was hard to do much, but Sara made sure to send powerful healing potion to speed up her recovery. Sadly, Jemma could not escape her husband, and Sara could not take her away as she had to deal with her own issues. At least her husband had a few more wives so he would be distracted with them.
"Indeed," Sara whispered will sipping her wine while glaring at her mother.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte, Natalie, Tracy, and Lydia were standing there my the two older Revelia siblings as they whispered about how odd their mother was acting.
Lady Noa Nattily Nyte cleared her throat. "Ahem..."
Sara and Jemma turned to look at their guests. "Yes, Lady Noa?"
Lady Noa smiled at the two ladies and then nodded her head. "I was curious when you two were going to have children. I an you two are both in your thirties."
Jemma and Sara looked annoyed, but they smiled and shrugged.
"I don't plan on having kids," Jemma stated. "I had a few miscarriages and now I am unable to have children."
"If my parents married to a better man. Then maybe she would be a grandmother."
Lady Noa felt embarrassed as she placed her hands together and bowed her head. "Forgive , my lady, I did not know."
"Of course you didn't," Jemma said coldly.
Lady Noa knew when she was unwelco and decided to leave. She walked over to her daughter, Natalie, and whispered. "We will be staying by the duchess for the rest of the party."
Natalie was about to complain, but she just nodded her head.
"I hope you have a good rest of your party, Lady Lydia. May your trial in the Labyrinth of Lost Souls goes well," Natalie stated.
"Thank you, Lady Natalie... But my mother doesn't want to go through the Trials of Adulthood... She said it would be a waste of ti on because I will just married... Nothing more."
Natalie didn't know what to say and just bowed and left.
Jemma and Sara watched as the nobles were slowly heading towards their mother.
"What do you think will happen when the Dark Elf arrives?" Lydia asked.
"Who knows. But we need to keep our distance from her as best as possible. She might lump us up with our parents and brother," Sara said.
Jemma sighed and looked for another glass of wine as they could hear their mother enjoying herself.
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