Kaelith put on a midnight blue velvet mask in front of the mirror. It was not a ball but rather a council session disguised as a celebration – the treacherous waltz of both words and weapons.
She murmured "Let them see a duchess tonight" as she secured the last hook of her corset.
Corven propped himself against the doorframe and asked, "And what will I see?"
Kaelith turned around; half her face concealed by her ornate mask was visible in her reflection. "You'll see the truth. But not all at once."
They descended together, an alliance in picture form, shadow, steel. The Grand Hall shimmered with golden chandeliers that hung from outlandishly adorned nobles but beneath this glittering façade Kaelith felt it: dread masquerading itself as propriety.
As she moved through the crowd, ripples spread like a rock thrown into standing water.
"Duchess Ravencourt," Lord Verent drawled. "No mask can hide your infamy."
Kaelith smiled sweetly at him. "Nor your cowardice my lord."
Hushed voices filled the room. A subtle wound but still deadly.
Corven's hand brushed hers; he warned quietly, "Don't provoke them all at once."
But Kaelith hadn't come here to be careful.
She had come to reveal decay.
Lady Ysara, Viscount Elric and Chancellor Merin, with others who had sharp smiles on their faces were sitting on the high table in disguise.
Kaelith waited until the wine had been poured and the music hushed.
Then she rose
"This masquerade is fitting," Kaelith said loudly. "So many of you wear masks even in daylight."
Gasps filled the room again as her voice cut through the fabric.
"An accusation was made against me. I was judged and burnt without a fair hearing. But now, I have names - evidence. And I will not be silent."
She opened her bodice and took out a scroll which she put down on the table.
Theron had returned from his journey.
And with him, came different volumes of evidences pertaining to an old conspiracy.
Elric moved forward snatching it from her hand. He vibrated as he read it.
"A forgery!"
Kaelith leaned closer to him. "Why then, do you grow pale, my lord?"
The room became silent
Corven stood next to her with his face void of any emotions. "This needs to be studied by our courts; thoroughly."
Lady Ysara rose with a brittle smile around her lips. "These accusations threaten the stability of the Crown."
Kaelith turned to face her." No. You do—through concealing and killing its sources whilst you hide behind veils"
Suddenly, there was a scream that reverberated through the hallways
A servant fell down frothing at the mouth while panic spread like wildfire…
Poison…
Again…
Corven bellowed commands, and the guards rushed in. But Kaelith remained where she was.
She saw someone leaving through the side door with her eyes.
A flash of red hair caught her attention.
It was Thalia.
Kaelith picked up her skirts and began to run after him.
Kaelith chased the shadow of betrayal through torch-lit halls and silent galleries. Her heart raced – not in fear, but in fury.
She turned a corner—and ran headlong into somebody's chest.
Someone grabbed her roughly.
"Mind yourself, Lady," a voice croaked next to her ear.
She twisted and sank an elbow into their stomach. They staggered away from her.
And there he was—
Not Thalia!
Not a stranger!
But someone she had not seen for years!
Her brother….
Jareth Ravencourt!
Alive!
"You missed me, didn't you?" he murmured softly.