Chapter 34

A week had come and gone, and finally, a large cargo ship made land, docking at the port with a resounding thud that echoed across the water. As people hurriedly unloaded crates filled with goods, a figure emerged, walking down the plank with nothing but the clothes on her back. "This is the Empire's capital, Hermosa?" Estella questioned, her eyes wide as she gazed out at the large bustling port of the city. It appeared to be as expansive as her home city, yet somehow more vibrant. The beauty of Hermosa captivated her—not just the impressive buildings that dominated the skyline, but also the way nature seemed to seamlessly intertwine with man-made structures. Trees lined the streets, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, while flowers burst with color from window boxes, creating a picturesque scene that felt almost surreal.

"Was it how you imagined it?" A voice broke her reverie, and she turned to find a young man standing beside her. He introduced himself as Jordel, though whether that was his true name was something she couldn't ascertain. For reasons she couldn't fully understand, she felt an inexplicable trust in him and made the impulsive decision to follow.

Estella had left behind her old life that night, following Jordel with nothing but a flicker of hope for a better future. He led her to a carriage that took them to the port town in Montcroix territory, where they boarded the cargo ship that would transport them. After a long journey of a week filled with uncertainty, they finally arrived.

"No, it's better..." She replied to his question, her voice filled with wonder as her gaze returned to the bustling city, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement and hope.

"That's good." Jordel said with a calm expression, having gracefully manoeuvred around her on the narrow wooden plank before reaching the bottom. Estella felt a rush of anticipation swell within her; she was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead in this vibrant new world that stretched out before her.

Her gaze shifted back to Jordel, who was striding purposefully toward an elegant carriage being pulled by a pair of sturdy brown horses. The moment he reached it, the young man stepped forward to open the door. With a flourish, he motioned his hand inside while casting a warm glance at Estella, encouraging her to step inside. Her heart fluttered with excitement as she took her first step into the carriage, the interior luxurious and inviting.

As soon as they were both settled and the door was closed, the carriage began to move, rolling smoothly away from the bustling port side of the city. The carriage navigated through the lively streets, quickly entering the main thoroughfare, where the atmosphere was electric with energy. Estella's eyes sparkled with wonder as she gazed out at the vibrant scene unfolding around her. The streets were alive with people, all engaged in animated conversations, laughter, and celebration. Everything was so beautifully vivid, but what stood out most was the majestic palace that loomed ahead. It belonged to the emperor and the beloved imperial princess, whose recent awakening had sparked an empire-wide celebration. Even Estella's small, often-overlooked town was caught up in the festivities, with townsfolk rejoicing more than usual, filling the air with music and cheer. The city was a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and aromas, promising adventure and new beginnings, and Estella couldn't help but feel that her own journey was just beginning. 

It didn't take long before the carriage came to a stop, the gentle jolt prompting Jordel to stand up and carefully open the door, allowing the crisp air to waft in. The moment felt charged with anticipation, and as he turned back towards the carriage door's entrance, he lifted his hand toward Estella, who was still adjusting herself inside the carriage. He extended his hand, an invitation for her to take it, a small gesture meant to offer reassurance and support as she prepared to step out into the world beyond the carriage. Estella accepted his hand, her small fingers wrapping around his firmly as he helped her down. As she stepped out onto the cobblestone path, she looked up, her eyes widening in awe at the sight of Restaurant Le Voile, resplendent in its architectural beauty and bustling with patrons. The vibrant atmosphere was punctuated by the laughter and chatter of diners, the tantalizing aromas of gourmet dishes wafting through the air.

"Let's head inside." Jordel stated, freeing his hand ready to enter. However, he quickly noticed a change in Estella's demeanour; her expression shifted from excitement to a sudden wave of nervousness. It was a palpable tension, and it made perfect sense given the circumstances—they were not here to enjoy a meal but to engage with the 'master,' who was drawing closer with each passing moment. "You shouldn't worry too much." The young man turned his head towards the building. "My master isn't the type to hurt innocent people." Although that also meant that he does hurt people if he needed to. Which clearly didn't help her feel any better.

However, that was when the doors to the restaurant opened up where someone came stepping out, which had Jordel and Estella's head over to see long wavy, reddish-brown hair that glimmer as it's curls gracefully sat on an elven woman's shoulders. The woman's skin tone is light, and her features are sharp. She has prominent, high cheekbones and a delicate nose. Her eyes were a light greyish-blue, and her expression was serene and composed. Her eyebrows are well-defined. Her lips are a soft, rosy nude colour, neither overly full nor thin. 

"I have returned, Miss Lilith." The moment Jordel saw the elven woman, he instinctively lowered his head in a gesture of respect, acknowledging her superiority. This action prompted a slight flinch from Estella as she mimicked his behavior, feeling the weight of the moment.

"You must be Miss Estella Marsden?" Lilith's attention shifted toward the human girl with an air of authority that made Estella's heart race.

"T-That's right!" Estella replied, her voice louder than she intended, betraying her nervousness.

"Let's head inside." Lilith dismissed the awkwardness with a wave of her hand, spinning around, her long, silken hair cascading behind her like a veil. Jordel followed suit, his mind focused and untroubled, while Estella hesitated, her uncertainty evident. The moment caught Lilith's attention, causing her to halt abruptly. "Hurry up. I do not enjoy having to repeat myself." She commanded, her tone frosty as she shot a glare over her shoulder, making Estella's heart race.

"S-Sorry!" The single word tumbled from Estella's lips, fear gripping her as she hurried to keep pace with Lilith, who resumed her brisk walk. Estella trailed alongside Jordel, yet unlike him, she kept glancing around the unfamiliar surroundings, her suspicion growing with each passing moment.

"Stop looking around." Lilith's voice cut through the air like a knife, startling Estella into silence. The elven woman didn't even spare a glance at her.

"R-Right!" Estella mumbled, her head dropping in submission as she fought to suppress her curiosity, forcing herself to focus on the ground beneath her feet.

Soon, they arrived at the stairs leading to the VIP floor. A guard standing sentinel at the base stepped aside, granting them passage. As they ascended, Estella felt a mix of trepidation and excitement. The hallway stretched before them, leading to a distant room where two men stood waiting, their expressions unreadable. When Lilith suddenly stopped before the door and spun around to face Estella again, the girl flinched instinctively, bracing for another reprimand.

"I'm going to set two ground rules." Lilith stated, her voice cold, her icy eyes locking onto Estella's with a piercing intensity. "Rule one: do not speak unless spoken to." She raised one elegant finger, emphasizing her point. "And rule two: what you see and hear, you must never speak of." With her second finger raised, the gravity of her words sank in. "Do you understand?"

Estella could only manage a nod, her throat dry and her mind racing. The elven woman nodded curtly before turning back to the door, where the two men standing guard sprang into action and opened the heavy paired doors. The creaking sound echoed ominously through the corridor, amplifying Estella's anxiety. As they stepped inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was crossing a threshold into a world vastly different from her own, one that was steeped in mystery and potential danger. She felt a sense of dread mixed with an inexplicable thrill as the doors closed behind them. 

Estella's eyes had to adjust to the dimly lit room, a result of the curtains being half closed. The soft light filtering through created an ambiance that felt both mysterious and slightly ominous. As her vision sharpened, she began to take in the details of her surroundings, and her gaze fell upon six figures in the room besides herself, Jordel, and Lilith. Two of these figures bore swords at their waists, standing vigilant and poised, while the others were clearly dressed in maid attire, their expressions a mix of respect and curiosity.

The final two figures caught her attention immediately. They were seated calmly at a small table made for three, one chair occupied by an adult man and the other by a child. The moment Estella's eyes landed on the smaller figure, her heart raced, and she felt compelled to drop to the ground, landing on her hands and knees with her head lowered in a gesture of deep reverence.

"Greetings to the Imperial Princess, Cassandra Annabel Albuquerque," she uttered, the words escaping her lips in a soft whisper. It quickly became clear why she had reacted this way, as the child sitting before her was none other than Princess Cassandra. Estella recognised her instantly, captivated by the girl's glimmering silver hair and shimmering golden eyes that seemed to hold the light of a thousand stars.

"We finally met, 'Harlan'." Cassandra called out, her voice filled with familiarity. She had used the name of Estella's older brother, a name that resonated deeply within the dreams that had haunted Cassandra. Yet, despite this apparent connection, Estella found herself engulfed in confusion.