Meeting

Out of breath, Destiny arrives at the Little cabin. As she enters the stateroom, she distinguished a feminine figure and says:

" I'm sorry for the wait. I hope you didn't wait too long."

"No, Not at all. I am already surprised that I was allowed to come, I am really grateful so I would rather wait then have our role inversed."

Destiny smile

" Ah... I always wondered something... "

" And what is it, my lady ?"

"May I know what is your name? You never mentioned in your letters so I don't know how to address you and I thought it would be more polite to ask you in person."

The woman suddenly started to cry

Destiny flustered ask:

" W-Why are you crying? Did I say something I shouldn't have ?"

"sob, sob... Not at all... It's just seeing how beautiful, a gentle you are... Makes me realize how much you have grown... I am happy that you have grown into a such respectable lady... After all...maybe, what happened was for the best... Maybe you weren't abused and unhappy as I thought... I am...so glad.. snif.. Sniff...My name is Sephora."

"Please don't cry. Here take my handkerchief. Sephora... What a beautiful name. (warmly smile)."

"Thank you( smile back )"

" It's nothing...but...what did you mean by abused and unhappy..?"

"Oh my! I have said too much please forget about it! The walls have eyes and ears everywhere... I wasn't careful enough."

"What do you mean..? This place is safe no would dare to spy on us beside it was a secret meeting...no one should know. Don't worry. It's not like we did something wrong."

Sephora looked away from the eye contact with Destiny as if she was guilty.

"A-Anyway! We don't have much time left. I -I need you to promise me to listen carefully until the end and not interrupt. I know it will seem unbelievable and I am sorry that I have to tell you like this on your birthday. I know that it will affect you a lot and if I had the choice I would have let you in the dark but the circumstances oblige...and you may be in danger... "

Destiny bewilder answered

"I-I promise."

***

Meanwhile, in the mansion, a guard entered the ballroom and walked towards Cressida. He announced something in her ears.

" WHAT?! How dare she. A mere commoner you said? How did she get in? Why didn't you execute her? "

"T-That was because..."

"You should know that I am not very patient."

"S-She had an invitation, Miss"

"Oh? How curious...who is that commoner, my dear daughter invited. If she is my daughter invited. I should welcome her... What is her name? "

"She said her name was Sephora."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY HER NAME WAS?! "

"S-Sephora, Your Royal Highness."

At the heard of the new, the duchess fainted.

"MA'AM!! YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS!!"

The duke caught's Cressida.

"THE DUCHESS FAINTED!! SOMEONE CALL THE PHYSICIAN !"

***

Cressida slowly regains conscience.

"What happened Cressida?! Are you okay? The physician will arrive soon. You will feel better shortly."

" T-the commoner...Destiny invited..."

" Don't overwork yourself. I will take you back to your room."

"Destiny...she invited Sephora..."

" What? What do you mean? Are you saying Destiny invites the dead? Sephora is dead! Are you sure you didn't hear wrong? Or maybe it's another person sharing the same name..."

" Is that name that common to you?!"

Cressida fainted again and the duke shifted to a serious almost scary face.

"Maid, take my wife in her room and bring me Destiny personal maid and Knight discreetly search for that commoner and bring her to me."

"Ladies and gentlemen's Let the party resume. Thank you so much for worrying about my wife, the physician is already taking care of her. Please do not let this accident stop your fun. ( I can't let guesses learn that a commoner made her way to the party. I have to pretend everything is under control, I can't make a big deal of it or rumours will start and our secret will no longer be...)"

***

Back to the small cabin

"Destiny, no, Pandora...we are your true family. I -I gave birth to you...You... You were taken from us when you were 5 yr old. Take this box. I will give you the key next time we meet and tell you everything. If you are curious about what's inside the box comes at midnight under the huge clock."

Destiny is shocked and panicked.

"T-That's impossible. Why would I trust you?"

"I can prove it...Under your clavicle, you have a birthmark that looks like the Roman number 17."

"H-How do you know? "

Sephora in hurry says:

"I will tell you more next time. I will tell you every and even give you more prove... But for now, I really need to go. (Sephora takes Pandora hands and says) : Please Stay safe until we meet. I am sorry and I love you."