Back in the ballroom room Rya, Nieren, and Tayna made their way towards Alia Dule who was backed into a corner by her cousin, Fiona Dupree and her three friends.
"My, my... You seem to be avoiding , cousin. Is there a reason for that?" Fiona said in a sweet and innocent voice.
Alia looked nervously around the room, hoping for a way to escape. She knew that Fiona had sothing planned.
"I'm just busy, Fiona. I have no reason to avoid you." She lied, hoping her cousin would buy it.
"Oh, co now. I know it's hard being in a Major House with no talent, but that doesn't excuse you from my engagent party... Unless you were ashad that you were the only one who isn't engaged? Poor thing."
Alia felt her heart sink at her cousin's words. She had always felt inferior to her cousins, but Fiona's comnt hit hard.
"That's not true. I am going to be betrothed." Alia stated firmly.
"Really? To whom?" Fiona asked, surprised.
"I-I don't know. But my father is—"
"How old are you again? Twenty-three? And you're still not married? I fear you'll be a wrinkly old spinster before you finally find soone who wants you." Fiona said, feigning concern.
"N-no... I'll..." Alia trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"Face it, cousin. You're a failure. You've failed as a noble, a daughter, and a stain on the na of House Dule. It's only a matter of ti before everyone sees it too."
Alia wanted to cry but sothing inside her refused to let her show weakness in front of her torntor.
"You're wrong!" She snapped.
Fiona was taken aback. Alia had never spoken to her like that before.
"Excuse ?"
"I said you're wrong! I'm not a failure and I won't let anyone tell otherwise. Especially not you, Fiona," Alia said, her voice rising as she spoke.
Fiona and her friends were silent at first but then burst out with laughter.
"Oh, you're serious. That's hilarious. You're delusional, Alia," Fiona said between laughs.
"And why is that? Because I'm not like you and your friends? Because I'm not interested in petty politics and gossip? Because I actually care about the people of this kingdom and want to help them?"
Fiona stopped laughing and stared down Alia, "No... It's because my father should have been given the title as Baron Dule... You and your brother should have be Duprees not ... I should be the one living in Castleliegh Rock. I should be the one that the ruling class wants to marry. But I had to make compromises to get the life that I deserved."
Alia was dumbfounded. She had heard that Fiona was engaged to a minor noble in the Silverhaven Domain. He was in his 70s and was said to have a terrible temper.
"So, what does that have to do with ?" Alia asked.
"If I had your life then I would have found a handso man to marry when I was in my teens. Instead I agreed to marry a man that should pass away in a few years, if the Goddesses are kind. But it never would have happened if I was a Dule," Fiona said as she moved closer to Alia.
Alia took a step back, her heart pounding. Fiona's eyes were full of hatred.
"And what about you, Alia? What have you done with your life? You're a failure. No one wants you and no one ever will. You'll spend the rest of your life alone."
The words hit Alia hard. They were exactly what she feared the most.
"You are worthless—"
"Who's worthless?" Asked a woman from behind Fiona.
Fiona's friends wanted to mock this naive girl who interrupted their conversation. But as they saw who the woman was, they were too shocked to speak. Alia looked past her cousin with eyes wide when she saw who it was. She thought her day couldn't get any worse but it just did.
Fiona, though, was completely unaware and had an annoyed look on her face before she turned around.
"I didn't realize so was so foolish enough to—"
Fiona was slowly turning around, ready to insult whoever they were, until she was face to face with the Dark Elf. Fiona panicked and stepped back at first, but then stood up straight and regained her composure.
The two other large groups of girls who were listening and gossiping. No longer tried to hide their whispers. They were just shocked to see the Dark Elf in their midst, and they watched from a distance to see what happens next.
"Hm? You look like you saw a Dark Elf. So, you were about to say sothing? And it wasn't anything pleasant, I assu," Rya said with a pleasant smirk on her face. Nieren wasn't amused, and neither was Tayna.
"I thought you were soone else, is all. You have so nerve coming into a conversation that didn't involve you. But then again, I see the rumors about The Marked Maiden befriending the Dark Elf were—"
"That's Princess Rya to you, peasant!" Nieren growled.
"Nieren, calm down. It's alright. There is no need for such hostility. She's just an insecure wannabe that married a withering old man for his wealth... Or maybe her personality is the problem, so her only choice was a rich old man," Rya said.
Alia didn't know how to react. On one hand, she was glad the Dark Elf saved her, but on the other, she didn't know why she ca here. This Dark Elf could have a devious sche far worse than anything Alia could imagine.
'H-Hopefully she's not after ... Yeah, I don't have any power besides my family na. And she already has Tayna wrapped around her fingers. She doesn't need ... Hopefully,' Alia thought as she swallowed a lump in her throat.
Fiona didn't know how to react at first, but then she started to chuckle. "Hahaha! You think I couldn't get a young man? I could, but none of them have the financial or the political power for a woman of my stature."
"Hm? So you are a gold digger. That's no surprise. I've seen your kind before, and trust , it's not hard to tell what you are," Rya said.
Fiona didn't appreciate her words, so she scoffed. "Please, I have more class than you. You probably slept with hundreds of n before you fooled the Crown Prince. You're a bigger gold digger than I could ever be."
The peanut gallery of ladies who were watching gasped or chuckled at the remark. Alia didn't find this funny at all. She was starting to worry more and more. She had never felt this stressed in her entire life. She could feel her palms sweating and her heart racing as she watched her two enemies go head-to-head. She wanted to escape, but Fiona's friends, Linda and Beca, were standing on both sides, keeping her trapped.
Rya burst out laughing and looked at Tayna, who was frowning at Fiona, who was insulting her friend. Fiona thought she got the Dark Elf good, yet the laughter that was coming from Rya wasn't masking her anger. In fact, she seed amused, which confused and flustered Fiona more.
"You don't know how old I am, do you?" Rya asked.
Fiona was a bit caught off guard. She didn't understand the question. Why would her age matter? "What does that have to do with anything?" Fiona asked.
Rya looked over at Alia and smiled at her. She turned her attention back to the arrogant noblewoman.
"I'm 27 years old... And Prince Quinus is the only man that I let get close to ," Rya answered.
Everyone was shocked by that response. Even Fiona, who didn't seem fazed much by the Dark Elf, was speechless. She thought she heard that Rya was over one hundred years old.
"S-So! That doesn't an anything!" Fiona protested.
Rya was still smiling. "You are right, I could probably have had a few others before my fiancé, but I never thought I would fall for a man in my entire life... I tried to push him away the first ti I ever laid eyes on him. I thought sothing was wrong with and trust when I say this... I tried to fight these feelings, but he made it difficult. He broke through the walls that I built around my heart, and he did so without even knowing. My dear, Fiona, can you say the sa? Have you ever felt a connection with any man that you would risk it all? Your status, reputation, and dignity to be with? And once you did, you knew that you could never go back to who you once were?"
Rya's words stung her. She couldn't admit that. Her goal was to find a younger man once her current fiancé passes away which she hoped would be sooner than later.
"Y-You're just a harlot who seduced the poor prince. I bet you did it for his money," Fiona argued.
"Oh? Do I look like soone who cares about money?" Rya questioned.
Fiona clenched her fists tightly and was ready to strike the Dark Elf. She was losing this battle as she noticed all the other won looking at her with pity in their eyes. She needed to focus on soone else to look better, and there wasn't anyone better than Tayna, the Scarred Maiden.
"What are you smiling at, Tayna!?... You think you're better than , when you are no different. You married that talentless cousin of mine all to move out of your pathetic life as a damaged, pitiful girl," Fiona spat.
Tayna wasn't smiling at all before Fiona addressed her and she reminded silent. Usually, those comnts would have struck a chord with her. But she was no longer the scarred girl who thought she was married to a talentless husband. Rya was the one to change that and now she was living her life happily as the wife of her beloved.
"But your cousin is pleasant to the eyes..." Beca thought of loud.
"And rich too," Linda added.
Fiona was pissed that her friends were accidentally agreeing with Tayna.
"But he's talentless! Who would want to marry an heir to the barony when he's going to be challenged for the title and will lose his life!?" Fiona turned back to stared down Tayna.
"I see that you enjoy emptying my uncle's coffers to hid all the flaws you have. You couldn't protect yourself from a sli, Tayna?" Fiona declared. She was loud enough so all the girls watching the confrontation could hear her.
Alia looked panicked and worried about her sister-in-law. It was ant to be a secret. Sure there were rumors, but Tayna's family kept it under wraps and no one besides a few Major Lords knew. Was that why Tayna has sided with this Dark Elf as protection against her cousin. With this news out in the open, Tayna's status within the Ladies of the Court will surely be affected.
Tayna took a deep breath and remained silent. Fiona's words didn't bother her. If anything, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Her secret was finally out and she was going to use it to bury Fiona once and for all.
Rya glanced at Nieren before looking back a Tayna. She saw that forr Marked Maiden was cool as a cucumber and didn't need her help at all. So the Dark Elf stood back and was getting ready to enjoy the show with her older sister. Nieren though wanted to punch this disrespectful girl in the face but Rya stopped her and shook her head with a mischievous grin.
"What's wrong, Tayna? Can't co up with a retort?" Fiona said confidently as she moved closer. She glanced over and saw the two elves staying silent, even though Rya had a smug look on her face.
"See!? Not even Tayna's Mistress will co to Tayna's aid. Because they know its true! And what's even better is that my dear uncle could only get her to marry Johan because of how worthless he is!" Fiona was gloating now.
The girls around them were watching, whispering, and giggling. They could tell this was a fight between these two and they were not going to miss it.
Tayna didn't even flinch when Fiona ca right up to her face. Alia couldn't let her sister-in-law be left alone. If she ca to her aid then maybe she could free her from the Dark Elf's hold on her.
"Fiona!" Alia exclaid, "Please stop, we're here for Lydia's party, rember."
"Oh don't worry, Alia. I haven't forgotten about you... Once everyone knows how ugly Tayna really is, it'll be your turn next!"
Alia felt like the wind was knocked out of her. She took a step back, shocked by Fiona's words. This was supposed to be Lydia's party. Not a place for petty squabbles between them.
Nieren couldn't hold back anymore as she had a perplexed look on her face. "Ugly? Do they not realize what you are capable of, Rya?"
Rya chuckled, "You know how it goes, Sis. Dark Elves are the scourge of the world. I doubt any of my finer qualities have spread through the nobility. But I have a feeling that's about to change."
Fiona looked at the Dark Elf like she was crazy.
"Good qualities?... Don't make laugh—"
Fiano was caught off guard as Tayna slowly lifted her left hand up. It was covered up with a elbow length black dress glove. Fiona took a couple steps back while all the other girls were curious about what was going on.
"So you know my secret, do you Fiona?"
Fiona was confused but kept her cool. "Of course I know your secret. Who doesn't? Everyone knows that a damaged woman like you could never be a real noble lady."
"Well... Would you like to show everyone my scared arm? Is that what you want, Fiona? Is that why you're being so an to ? Is that why you hate so much? Is it because I'm not good enough to be the next Baroness of Eder Hills?"
All eyes were on Fiona now, who was starting to get nervous. She didn't know why Tayna was acting so chill about her secret getting exposed.
'What the in the hells is her angle? She must have sothing up her sleeve... But if she's using so type of artifact that's hiding her missing finger or scars then I'll grab her hand and pull it off before she can make look like a fool.'
Fiona was determined to make sure she was better then her cousin-in-law. "Yes... Neither you nor Alia are worthy of your titles. I'd rather see our families ruined than allow that to happen. You and your family are nothing more than commoners, pretending to be Minor Nobles. You don't belong here nor do you deserve to be in the ruling class of nobility."
Alia was in shock at the way Fiona was acting. "That's enough, Fiona! Tayna is a part of this family. How dare you speak about her that way?"
"It's fine, Alia... I'm done hiding the truth. Fiona wants to expose my secret, right here and now, to the entire court. So that's what I'll do."
The tension in the room was thick as no one was expecting this to happen. Fiona had a confident smirk on her face as she stared down her opponent. Tayna just rolled her eyes at the stupid girl.
She gracefully pulled one finger after another of her long, black silk gloves slowly sliding it off. So of the girls watching have heard rumors that Tayna was missing her ring finger and were getting a bit squeamish about seeing a unsightly injury like that. As the hem of the glove slowly crept up, the girls watched in anticipation while so got the fans ready to shield their eyes if it ca to that.
'Huh?... Why isn't her arm scarred? I thought that doctor said the sli engulfed her entire left arm?' Fiona thought as a pit in her stomach started to form while seeing nothing but flawless skin in the wake of the retreating black silk.
Then the mont everyone was waiting for had finally arrived, as the hem of the glove reach Tayna's wrist.
"I must say... I never thought this day would co. I had prepared myself for a lifeti of secrecy. To never have a choice, but to keep this hidden from the world. And yet, here I am, exposing my deepest secret in front of all of you. Not out of so misguided sense of sha or guilt, but out of spite for this little brat."
The glove ca off with a flourish and Fiona was left speechless as Tayna showed her perfectly normal hand to the rest of the court. There wasn't a single blemish on her. Alia was the one who was the most shocked by this turn of events, even more so than her cousin because she's seen her sister-in-law's disfigured hand by accident.
'H-How? I was there... I saw her hand. How is it back to normal now?' Alia asked herself, her thoughts running wild.
The rest of the girls had their mouths agape at the sight before them. They wondered if the rumors were true, and Tayna's disfigured left hand was actually a rumor started by her enemies. But why would she go along with it if it was a lie. No, the only way for soone to recover a limb was by becoming an avatar to a deity, losing their will, and becoming a tool or a healer needed to be walking on this plane.
'Could it be...?' One of the noble ladies thought as she glanced at Rya who was standing next to Nieren waiting to see what Tayna would do next.
'S-She is a healer? Those rumors were true?... M-Maybe I should beco friendlier with her?' a daughter of a Minor House thought.
So of the other few Noblewon who heard about the rumor of Rya's healing capabilities were looking at her in a new light. They were trying to see if they could find a way to have the dark elf heal one of their family mbers or beco friends with her to have access to her healing magic. But Fiona wasn't having any of it as this must have been so type of trick.
"T-There has to be a mistake! T-This isn't possible... It has to be an illusion or a new artifact!" Fiona yelled.
Tayna gave a soft chuckle, "You can think whatever you want, little brat, but I can assure you that this is no illusion."
"N-No, you're lying!" Fiona hurried over and grabbed Tayna's hand. She was determined to pull off the prosthetic finger or dispell the illusion.
The ladies now were looking at Fiona as if she was crazy. Even her three friends weren't sure what she was thinking.
"You must have spent a lot of my uncle's gold to an artificer. Or perhaps you're using an artifact from an elven kingdom? Rah! This thing is so fake. You can't fool us, Lady Dule!" Fiona said, still trying to pry off the finger.
Fiona was getting more and more frustrated and pulled harder on Tayna's ring finger. If Tayna hadn't been training with Lady Nelumbo in the ways of the sword while also developing her Mana Vein thanks to Rya and her Golems capturing all those monsters for her to slay in the Raski Forest, she might have felt so pain. But Fiona wasn't even able to make her twitch.
'She's not even moving! I'm applying so much force!' Fiona thought as Tayna was having enough of her attitude. Rya noticed this and felt it would be nice if her to warn this little brat that Tayna wasn't soone to trifle with.
"You know... You probably might want to stop, honey. My friend, Tayna, isn't one to be ssed with..." Rya whispered.
"Oh shut up!" The girls gasped as Fiona snapped at the Dark Elf. "This is all just an illusion! It's not possible for her to have a finger back!" Fiona said as she was determined to get the finger off.
Tayna's hazel eyes were starting to as her mana began to flow, strengthening her body as she was ready to show Fiona that she's a Maja.
Rya just smirk, "Well? Do say I didn't warn you."
"Oh shut up—huh?"
Tayna grabbed Fiona's dominant hand with her left, and before Fiona could process what was going on, Tayna started squeezing her hand like a vice.
"L-Let go of—Ah!"
"So Fiona... Do you want to experience what it's like to have a mangled arm and hand?" Tayna said with a cold and dangerous tone. Fiona saw the Tayna's glowing eyes from her mana. She's only seen this from her father's guards when they would spar. That's when she knew she was in trouble.
"What are you doing, you freak?!" Fiona yelled.
"Teaching you a lesson after all these years." Tayna's mana flared out around her.
Fiona was desperately trying to pull her hand free. But even with her enhanced body, she wasn't able to move the finger that Tayna had trapped her with. She could feel the pressure intensifying on her wrist.
"Aaagh! Y-You're breaking my hand! S-Stop!" Fiona cried out in pain.
"Not without a reminder," Tayna said.
"I'll make sure you regret this! I swear—"
*Crack!*
Tayna finally broke the bone in Fiona's palm and released her hand.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
"That was only a finger, dear... Now you know the difference between a Maja and an average person. Don't you dare treat my family or friends the way you did ," Tayna said, her voice filled with anger and resentnt.
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