Mrs. Pickinns hurriedly grabbed a bundle of keys from her wooden office desk, while the two subjects watched her with anxiety in their eyes.
"Mrs. Pickinns?" Asty gently called out. "Do you want us to help you find the right key-"
"Hush, child!" one by one, she tries on the different shaped keys on the warehouse doorknob. It was where she had promised that the unfinished samples of outfits were stored.
Asty looked down and reached for the envelope. She examined the smooth texture of the paper and confusion was evident in her bright, orange eyes.
Her fingers could feel the paper from the inside. But she was scared to open the envelope. She didn't want Lady Rosellia to be upset about her seeing the contents of what she had in store for the Duke.
But at the same time, Asty was doubtful whether Lady Rosellia really placed a message inside or not. It would be a disappointment if the Duke opened it and there was nothing inside but the invitation card of the King.
She pondered a thought.
Lady Rosellia could have opened the envelope and see it's contents for her to know that she was indeed invited and what she was holding was truly an invitation card.
But why is it still fastened as it was as if nobody had opened the envelope?
How did Lady Rosellia slip a note for the Duke inside of an unfastened envelope?
"Asty." a low voice called out her name. Her eyes looked over to Noelle's nervous expression. "Do you not feel anxious?"
"Anxious? With what?"
"Of course you wouldn't." he heaved a sigh. "You always loved to do new things."
Asty smiled at Noelle and placed her hands on his shoulders, caressing. "It's alright. We're together in there. After we deliver the message to the Duke, we can leave and stay out of the nobles' way."
"Yeah. But..." he looked at her with furrowed brows, displaying his nervousness. "It's also the ball of the Counts."
Asty patted his back, comforting him. "We'll stay out of the Counts' sight too."
Noelle nodded.
Finally, they heard a door creak, followed by a rigid cough.
"It's open," Mrs. Pickinns waved her hands on to the dusty smoke that the door produced. "Your outfits should be here. We'll wash them and ask the maids to help spin them."
The two stood up and assisted Mrs. Pickinns inside the abandoned warehouse.
The rickety floorboards creaked as the trio entered the dilapidated storage. They waved their hands to the air and looked around.
Boxes, sacks, bundles of cloth, and broken sewing machines were everywhere. Mrs. Pickinns brought out a small key and walked into a locked antique closet.
Noelle and Asty observed.
Mrs. Pickinns inserts the key into the rusty lock and a faint click could be heard. The chain dropped into the dirty floor with a soundful thunk.
She slowly opened the closet and revealed a few usable formal outfits inside. Asty and Noelle looked at each other and grinned like idiots.
"This place could do some cleaning."
"We'll offer to clean them the day after the ball, Mrs. Pickinns!" Asty answered enthusiastically.
"Very well. Noelle, do you have any objections?"
"Not really. It should be my payment to you for being able to enter inside the palace."
"You've grown a lot, Noelle."
The male shifted his green eyes away and pouted his lips.
"You used to be so naughty and playful when you were young. I remember the very day you left the fence open and the next day Farmer Roonie had woken up to have no lambs in his farm."
Noelle awkwardly chuckled. "Come on, Mrs. Pickinns. Don't tell Mr. Roonie about that."
The strict lady could only sigh. "I'll have the maids wash these. While doing so, return to your homes and inform your parents. Come back immediately after you have told them. Tell them that you do not need their approval, Mrs. Pickinns have already decided it."
Noelle and Asty chuckled. "Mrs. Pickinns, are you going to pick a fight with our parents if they said no?"
"Preferably convince them to agree. Then there will be no war," she said in a stringent tone. "What are you staring at? Get moving."
Noelle and Asty immediately scampered outside. This was their very first mission together. To reach the Ball and have Lady Rosellia's message relayed.
The young girl ran towards the forest path into her mother's home, breathing heavily but with a huge simper on her lips.
"Mother!"
"Asthenosthene! Why- oh look at you now! You are all sweaty!"
"Mother..." she paused to breathe. "Mrs. Pickinns told me to go to the Ball this evening."
Her mother's eyes dilated in shock. "Why- what?"
"Lady Rosellia passed away earlier this morning. There is no one to attend in her behalf."
"And you volunteered to attend the ball? You do not even know how to dance Asthenosthene!"
"Mother, I am not going to dance..." she paused for a while, again. "I am going to give the Duke a message from Lady Rosellia."
"You can let Mrs. Pickinns do that! That woman had access to the palace for all I care! Do not go to the Ball!"
"Mother, Lady Rosellia told me to do it..." Asty frowned between heaping breaths. "Did you not tell me to give back Lady Rosellia's kindness?"
Her mother looked down, she wanted to say something to Asthenosthene, but her little girl was too smart.
"Asthenosthene."
"Mother, I'll be fine."
"You won't be. The Palace is not the same as the village. What would become of you if you stray away and never find your way back?"
"I even found my way home when Father abandoned me in the woods."
Her mother's heart cracked in pain. "Oh, Asthenosthene." she embraced her with her arms gently.
"Mother. I can manage. Noelle is coming with me to the Ball and we will return together."
"Listen, Asthenosthene. The Palace is a dangerous place. Much dangerous than the woods infested by wolves."
"Why is that, Mother?" she loomed at her with her bright orange eyes. "The Palace is near the city and full of wardens. Why is it that the Palace poses so much threat than the forests?"
"The Palace is safe during the morning, my child. But if dusk arrives, you know what lies ahead?"
She shook her head.
"The Palace is home to the Counts. The strongest of the Night Hallows."
It was 5:00 in the afternoon. The sun started to set in the horizons but Asthenosthene and Noelle still did not return to their homes. Instead, they were wearing fancy suits and dresses to attend the King's Ball.Asty had her eyes closed as Mrs. Pickinns arranged her bright, persimmon-colored hair. She neatly placed a few stands of hair in front of her left shoulder. She then carefully reached for the basket. A basket that contained little, fully-bloomed chrysanthemums.She conscientiously tucked the little flowers into her hair.When she was finished, Mrs. Pickinns asked Asthenosthene to open her eyes."There. There, look at yourself."Asthenosthene opened her eyes and found her reflection in a clear mirror. She was wearing a beige, laced dress with ribbons accompanying her neck and arms. The dress went all the way down to her legs.And for the very first time, she wore polished sa
"Both of you look nervous."Asty and Noelle smiled at Mrs. Pickinns."Mrs. Pickinns, I feel like I'm gonna throw up," Noelle confessed. "I don't feel so good."Mrs. Pickinns rolled her eyes. "Noelle, for the love of God, grow up. You are a grown man and yet the thought of a ball scares you."Noelle waved his hands in the air. "But Mrs. Pickinns, I have never been to a Ball!""It's just music and dancing. Once Asthenosthene delivers the envelope to the Duke, we can leave."Asty's eyes were focused outside of the carriage. Her eyes fixated on the nearby trees that darkened their trail. Her lips were pursed in a straight line as she recalled what her mother had told her when she left her."Asthenosthene, you must return no matter what."The thought lingered on her mind.Asty's mother ha
Noelle, Asty, and Mrs. Pickinns descended from their carriage after arriving at the Palace of Chesterfawn. With glimmering eyes, Noelle and Asty obsequiously stared at the Nobles which displayed beautiful and shimmering regalias.Dresses that are handwoven with sequins and beads which glowed in assonance of the lights. Noelle and Asty stared as the Nobles ascend the beautiful golden glass staircase that led to Palace's gates."Asthenos, Noelle," Mrs. Pickinns proposed. "Let us go inside."Noelle and Asthenosthene immediately followed Mrs. Pickinns on to the staircase, leaving the navigator behind. Asty then glanced back and smiled at him, while waving at him goodbye.The navigator's eyes widened after her gesture. He then raised his hand and waved back at her, while smiling sweetly as they fade from his view.Asty returned her gaze to the view in front of her. There
BEFORE THE BALL, WOODS OF ERANAFrom the far distance, just above the humongous sea of trees stood three silhouettes engulfed by darkness. Even as the full moon shone from beyond, they can never be fully seen. It was like, somehow, the light never truly liked them, as it never dared reach to illuminate their skin.But somehow only their eyes could be distinguished from the far sight. As the palace sentries spot them from afar, they fled with their lamps and soiled their pants, leaving their spears falling onto the hard ground. Frightened as they recognized their silhouettes, they did not dare waste a second and immediately bailed. They knew that interacting with them was up to no good."They really fear us." a female voice croaked."Is the Palace really holding a Ball?" another voice chimed in, it was more of a hoarser and chilling tone."I heard every Count and Countesses
GARDEN"The Duke of Illum is blind and deaf."The mysterious man's voice resonated in Asty's head for a few seconds. While clutching the creased envelope, she remained standing still before him, perplexed and speechless.What was she here for all this time?The male with the blue eyes, took the envelope gently from her stiffened hands and gave her a pleasant smile."I will give this envelope to the King, instead. There could be something inside." he offered to her. He places his huge gloved hands above her lowered head and caressed her hair gently.The towering male lowered his gaze at the fear-stricken woman. She was incredibly young, and her looks truly, was a mystery.But no matter which unknown method he used, it would always result in one answer. The girl is human and none of her blood hinted the slightest of a Night Hallow.The girl
As the Nobles swing into the beautiful and vast ballroom, the King of Chesterfawn remained seated on the top of the stairs.Somewhere, deep inside him- consternation rises. No matter where his eyes looked, he could never spot the person or perhaps creature, that he was looking for."Your Majesty."His bright green eyes blinked, and then he turned his head to find a woman clad in a beautiful red regalia. Her hair was tied in beautiful shimmering ribbons and she wore a gentle smile on her small face."Your Majesty, Her Highness, Loretta Lynn is here." one of his servants whispered. "I brought her here because she demanded to see you."The King ignored the princess. She looked at him, hurt, and lowered her gaze. "Your Majesty," she called out to him."Princess Loretta," he began, while his eyes still focused on the ballroom. "What is it?"His cold voice had the princes
The King resumed the celebration, fire igniting in his chest. At last, the Count of Erana has come to see him. He would say that his grand entrance did quite amuse him a bit.After the Count's proud introduction and bewitchment to the ladies inside the ballroom, he was asked to ascend the staircase to confide with the King.As Chaol's silhouette shifted through the glass staircase, Asty could not help but observe him. His voice. His voice was extremely familiar to her."The rumored Count of our village," Noelle whispered to Asty and Mrs. Pickinns. "He seems pretty intimidating. I mean look at the other Countesses and Counts. Their legs are barely even managing to lift them up."Mrs. Pickinns squeezed Noelle's ear. "Hush! They will hear you!""That man..." Asty began, her bright orange eyes still fixated on the male. She observed him as he speaks with the King with ease. But she could not
On the far side of the ballroom, Asty's group had gathered in one table to dine. They listened on the harmonious classical music that was playing on the background."The Palace does really have the best musicians, don't they?" Noelle whispered.Asty nods. "Yeah. I think so too!"Asty wiped her lips gently with a piece of cloth after having her meal. Mrs. Pickinns and the carriage navigator were busy dining.They were seated in a massive table wrapped in pristine white, handwoven tablecloths with different exquisite cuisines above. From tender, juicy meat of unknown origins to perfectly spiced seafood to mouth watering desserts, everything was displayed before them.Meanwhile as they were minding their businesses, a few male nobles stole glances at the group from the other table. They were constantly sharing whispers with one another.Mrs. Pickinns closed her e