"What? No." Evan keep himself from screaming to avoid making a scene.
"But you agreed that she's interesting." Stevan sneer.
"What I meant by tha-" Evan was about to explain when Eve suddenly hush him.
"Their coming towards us." She informed.
"How's my beautiful and handsome nephews and nieces?" Helen asked with a joyous smile.
"Where all great, auntie." Evy replied sweetly.
"Oh looks like three of you are missing."
"Don't worry Stephanie, Stephania, and Oliver just gone somewhere else." Eve replied.
Eve's gaze then shifted to Mayari, whose just following behind Helen, and she immediately pulled her in front.
"How about an introduction from this pretty lady." She commented.
"Mayari." She simply said.
"I'm Eve, let's be besties alright?" She beamed.
"I'm Stephan!" Stephan smiled.
"Hi, I'm Evy." Evy shyly wave her hand.
"And I'm Stevan Arscelor." Stevan came forward and gave Mayari a flower. "Your one and only prince charming."
He gave his most handsome smile and wink at Mayari, earning another smack from Eve's fan.
"Stop being flirty and make way!" Eve shoved him to the side to make way for Evan.
"But I'm not done yet!" He complained.
"Save it for later." She scolded. "And last but not the least, our eldest brother, Prince Evan."
"Glad you could come." Evan gave a warm smile.
"You should thank Ms. Helen, for dragging me." Mayari spoke in her usual monotone.
"Wait, you two have met before?" Eve asked.
"Yes," Evan nodded, "Just a few hours ago when I'm visiting town."
"Oh." That's all Eve could say.
"Then it's perfect." Eve whispered to herself, as she covered her sly grin with her fan.
"Did you say something, Eve?" Helen asked.
"Oh it's nothing." She played innocent.
The ball was going smoothly, everyone is having fun chatting, dancing and eating delicious viands and delicacies. Well, except for Mayari of course, she's really not into fun and just kept quiet sitting at a table or let Eve and Helen dragged her anywhere.
When someone asked her to dance she quickly rejects it. Evan haven't tried asking though since he's stuck with Vivian.
"Pardon my intrusion your highnesses, but Princess Eve needs you, Prince Evan." a maid interrupted Vivian and Evan.
"Excuse me Vivian, Eve is calling me." Evan excused himself.
"I understand." Vivian nodded with a smile.
Evan immediately head to Eve who was with Stevan and Evy. They both are having a chat but he couldn't make out the words because of how far his distance.
"What do you need me for?" Evan asked as he joined in the group.
"Oh, you're here." Eve smiled, "Why don't you and Mayari have a dance."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Stevan disagreed, "She's been rejecting anyone who comes near her."
"You are just saying that because she also rejected you." Eve stared at him in disbelief.
"Not just me, she's literally rejecting anyone who asked her." He reasoned.
"Maybe she just don't know how to dance." Evy spoke, "After all, aunt Helen brought her from her travels, Mayari is very new in Enchantia."
"Oh, right." Eve looked at Evy, "She might be unfamiliar of our dances and traditions. That's why she's refusing to dance."
"Then what will we do to make her fall in love with our brother here." Stevan hanged his arm once more to Evan's shoulder.
"Guys," Evan step to the side for distance and removed Stevan's arm from him, "I appreciate your efforts but I am not agreeing in this matchmaking."
"Why?" Evy asked, "Don't you like Mayari, brother?"
"I only met her hours ago." Evan reasoned, "I am still not convinced if I like her or not."
"I guess time will tell." Eve sighed in defeat, "I'll stop pestering you for now but believe me when I say that, that girl will steal your heart someday."
"Why are you so sure with that hypothesis of yours?" Evan raised a brow.
Eve's azure irises then stared at Evan directly in the eye with a knowing look. She then flapped her fan open and covered her sly smirk that curve in her cherry red lips.
"I saw how you looked at her, brother." She stated and pointed her fan to his chest, "You might not know what you feel but the eyes I saw is the only proof that I need."
"Hey, when did you learn soul gazing?" Stevan scoff.
"I don't know just a gifted skill of mine that is more useful than your woman magnet." She sneered back.
"So that's how you can read us like an open book." Evy stated.
And Eve nodded as confirmation.
Then suddenly they heard loud peircing cry of crashing glasses. All eyes, including the group of siblings, immediately shifted to the direction of where the shattering noise was heared.
A palace servant, carrying a tray full of glasses of wines, accidentally trip and falls to the ground creating the commotion. And he fell near Mayari, staining her beautiful cyan skirt with scarlet scented fluid.
"Oh, I am very sorry, your ladyship!" The servant hurriedly stood up and bow his head apologetically. "Please forgive me for my clumsiness!"
"Oh dear! Your dress is a mess." Helen stated.
"I am very deeply sorry." The servant remained bowing his head low.
"Don't worry about it." Helen said to the servant, "Just call the maids to help Mayari clean up."
"Right away!" The servant immediately left and brought back two maids with him to help Mayari.
The maids then led Mayari inside the palace and to a washroom. The first maid have the element of water and instantly rubbed off the red stain with clean fluid.
While the second have the element of fire and with serious concentration and control she used fire to dry Mayari's skirt without burning it.
And just a couple of minutes, her dress was back to normal, clean and stainless.
"Your gown is back to its beautiful form again, your ladyship." The first maid informed.
And Mayari just bluntly nodded in response. She never cared for this dress or any of the fancy stuff, Helen just dragged her and she couldn't refuse, but at least this life is better than her previous.
It might not show because of her hard-stone mask but she is thankful for this new beginning.
"Are you ready to go, your ladyship?" The second maid asked.
"Yes." Mayari simply answered.
And with that they left the room and walk in the large fancy hallway decorated with a theme of fancy gold and red.
Bright light illuminate everything and a big glass windows are aligned perfectly to the walls, giving a perfect view of the ball on the garden.
As she continued to glance at the openings, a shadow suddenly moved in the musky darkness of the night. Mayari immediately halted and gave all of her attention to the castle roof where she just saw the figure pass.
"Is there something wrong, your ladyship?" The second maid asked behind her.
"No." She answered before continuing to walk.
After reaching the party she told Helen what she saw. Even though it's night, Mayari's vision are as sharp as an owl, peering through the darkness with golden sight.
Mayari's instinct are also acting up, and she had already learned long time ago to always trust her gut feeling.
"It is very certain that they are targeting the Royal Family," Helen stated, "I'll go alarm the soldiers, make sure to keep your guards up."
Mayari nodded.
"And if something happens while I'm gone ask Evan to cast a magical barrier."
"A magical barrier?"
"It is a simple magic that can easily be cast by any magic user, no matter what elements the caster possess." Helen briefly explained.
"I see." Mayari replied.
"Well then I'll be back right away." She left but not before calling Evan over and leaving Mayari to him.
"Did something happen?" Evan asked Mayari, worried.
Mayari shook her head in response, "No, your highness." She lied.
She don't know why but sometimes her urge of lying kick in without warning. She can't stop or leave this habit of hers, it is maybe the effect of lying half of her life to cover her dirty deeds.
"May I have your attentions, everyone!" Fernando announced to the crowd. Gaining all the eyes and ears of the guests.
"Tonight's ball is held in honor of the very night where our 'Delightful Queen Elvira Arscelor' was born." Fernando started his short speech for the queen.
"As you all know, she is beautiful, loving, brave, and kind. That made her worthy of the Queen's Throne" Fernando then raise his glass of wine. "So let's have a toast".
The servants hurriedly move and gave every guests a glass full of crimson red wine to raise. Mayari also did the same, blending to the crowd of people like she always does to avoid suspicion.
"For her majesty, Queen Elvira!" Fernando loudly addressed.
"For her Majesty, Queen Elvira!" The crowd repeated.
Together, Every then take a sip of the red tasty beverage in their glasses, and after that, fireworks suddenly shot up to the dark night sky.
Rainbow colors immediately painted the dark inky horizon with life. Beautiful lights are scattered everywhere and all eyes looked up, adoring the sparks and blazes of the exploding decors above.
Even Mayari looked up, it is indeed beautiful, but the painful memory of long ago still stings her heart like she's tracing a scar that reopened and bled continuesly. It will never heal and the pain shall remain with her and only her.
It didn't took Mayari long to look away and focus her vision to the matter at hand. She scanned every corners above the roofs of the palace, searching for any sign of the unusualness.
Then in the far distance, in the place where only the faint luminosity of the fireworks ever reach its pitch black angle, a green dot was seen pointing in a unconfirmed location.
Mayari squinted her eyes to see more but it is too far to make out what glowing object she is seeing, though her instinct is raising a red flag for danger.
"Prince Evan." She called out to his side.
Evan shifted her eyes from the fireworks and looked at Mayari, who also meet his gaze.
"What is it, Mayari?" He asked.
"Ms. Helen told me that you can easily cast a magic barrier." She said.
"Yes, I can." Evan answered.
"Cast a large barrier at our left." She calmly instructed as she moved her head to the direction of the green dot that suddenly started to approach with speed.
"Why?" Evan was confused.
"Cast a barrier." Mayari repeated. "Or someone will die."
"Why?" Evan was confused. "Cast a barrier." Mayari repeated. "Or someone will die." Evan move his head to where Mayari is staring, and he immediately saw a green dot shooting towards them. Then it suddenly multiplied into ten, and as it got closer it continued to multiply rapidly in an alarming rate. Evan didn't waste time and hurriedly cast a large magic barrier that blocked the arrows ahead. At the time the fireworks stopped, a woman's ear-piercing scream echoed throughout the ball as she saw the arrows through Evan's transparent blue barrier. As the crowd started to panic, a red smoke was launch at the sky where the phantom archer was firing his arrows. Intruders unexpectedly jump out of their hiding places and surrounded everyone with their blades, not letting any soul escape from their trap. They all wore black with masks and hoods covering their features. Their swords are pointed at each guest and Evan instinctively push Mayari behind him attempting to protect her. The gu
The assassin trainees are practicing shooting, most of them are very good in hitting the target's head but little Mayari is having a hard time.She couldn't shoot properly and always miss, the very loud noises of guns being fired is making her head ache painfully and her shaking body couldn't cooperate with her as the memory of her mother being shot dead repeatedly flashed to her mind, scaring her every second she heard a gunshot.She slowly placed her trembling finger in the trigger attempting to hit the target again, regardless of how terrified she is because the punishment she will recieve later will be more painful and dreadful.But before she could pull the trigger, her hair was suddenly yanked by one of her trainor causing her to stepped back."Please, stop pulling my hair! It hurts..." She begged.Mayari's tears are falling off as she tried her hardest to claw away the hand that's been harshly holding her hair. Her aching head is becam
The busy street of the city is very lively. Noises are everywhere to be heard along with the endless chatter of the townspeople. The street is buzzing with dragon-drawn carriages along with bystanders and workers doing their own businesses.But deep within the dark places of the sprightly city, have untold secrets and mystery. There are lawbreakers lingering in such murky shadows, dangerous criminals hiding their existence from public view.In a unfamiliar room, a black hooded man suddenly barged in. Even though his hood is hiding his face, an emotion of frustration and anger is evident in his atmosphere."I'm sure you know what happened, so there's no need for me to explain." A young man, sitting on his bed, spoke unfazed.He his in his early twenties, jet black long hair freely cascading in his back, and a pair of dark evergreen eyes that portrayed nature's deep wilderness.He have long pointy ears with silver and gold tiny loop earrings. There a
After spending the entire day practicing magic with the help of the other servants, Mayari feel tired. Her energy is pretty much drained, making her sleep early than her usual schedule. Lissy understand her situation and did all she could to make her feel relax by burning a scented herb in Mayari's room. The soothing smell of flowery fragrance drifted to the air like dancing petals, making Mayari immediately fall asleep, and let another memory become her dream. It was a fine sunny day, little Mayari and Lisa is at their vegetable garden, harvesting. It was hot but Mayari didn't mind, as long as it please her mother, she would do anything without complains. "Look at this Mayari," Lisa is holding a big red tomato, "It looks like you when you're angry." She teased. "Hey! I'm not like that, mommy." Little Mayari pouted. "Just teasing." Lisa giggled. Mayari's frown then turned into a sweet smile as she run to her mother and hug her tightly. "I love you mommy!" Mayari cheerily said.
After shooting a lot of exploding arrows, Jim finally stop but the mansion is completely devoured by the thundering burst of wild flames."That should be enough to burn the whole mansion down." he stated proudly with a grin."Sorry Ms. May, your skill became a waste." He said, "This is nothing personal though, I was just hired."He could clearly hear, in the other side of the manor, the servants' cries of desperation for their mistress that was trapped in the ablazing house of inferno.Satisfied, he then sat at the grassy ground as he twitches his ears a couple of times to zoom out the annoying screams of the housekeepers. And just enjoy the burning scenery of the red flower.He chuckled under his breath and continued to watch with a smile as the mansion's dark shadow slowly crumble beneath the sea of arson.Then suddenly, his evergreen eyes widened to witness his glorious flames was suddenly vanquish by thick cold ice that surrounded and co
"Please! I don't want this anymore!" "Please... I quit I can't... f-father, please..." Little Mayari beg as tears unendlessly fell down in her cheeks. But her father just grinned wickedly at her, and grab his whip. Mayari knows what will happen next so she tried to run but before she could even get up, two men that is with her father grabbed her. And with the chains they shakled her hands and feet. Adolf stood up from the couch, and slowly walk towards Mayari, facing her back. Adolf raise the whip high above his head and slash it with force to Mayari's back, the wind sung as the whip repeatedly strike to her skin tearing it off as it implant deep wounds where crimson blood unendingly ooze out. "Ahhhh!" Mayari screamed in agony. But Adolf just ignored her pain as he continued to grin with pleasure, while more tears flooded down from Mayari's eyes as she shriek and cried for mercy. Adolf didn't stop, and repeatedly hit Mayari lik
Kitchen staffs are all bustling, preparing the Royal Family's dinner. Chefs are busy in the kitchen, cooking delicious dishes to serve, and the palace maids are setting and preparing everything on the long big dining table.Lissy knows her mistress is very hungry because she hasn't eaten all day, that's why she also cooked a lot of delicious food for her to enjoy.Everything is now settled on a food cart that Lissy will use for the delivery. All she need is to get a large metal lid to keep the food warm and cover it from the dust in the air."That's a lot of food that you cooked, and it looks delicious." A palace maid suddenly praised, "Who are you taking those foods to?"She's holding a big empty pot, and seems to be just passing by when she notice Lissy."Thank you for the compliment." Lissy replied, "Its for Ms. Mayari.""You mean the apprentice of the Queen's younger sister, Ms. Helen?" She asked again."Yes." Lissy replied once m
"You're late, my son. Why?" Stephen asked when Evan arrived with his servant in the dining room.The dining room is huge with a very long, wide table, and a big fancy chandelier in the center of the beautifully structured ceiling.A feast decorated the long table and the aroma of the delicious food filled the entire room with delicacy, making anyone's appetite build up like a moutain of hunger.The dining table's seats are occupied by Evan's Family and his Uncle's. They didn't touch a single food and waited for Evan to arrive."I'm very sorry for my tardiness, everyone." Evan bowed, so as Nino, in an apologetic manner. "I just stumbled on something on my way."Evan then straightened his back and took his seat, while Nino joined the other servants, who are standing patiently near the door.After taking his seat, Evan's eyes then looked up to the bee-like creatures flying above. Yellow and black stripes covered their entire skin