CHAPTER 10

DAYS GONE BY AND I have been holding myself locked up in my room. Ever since I've summoned Ebony, I realized how weak I was. So, I busied myself reading more books about the mystical beasts, and spirits. And something about stabilizing my mana.

I'd let my two maidservants roam around the manor, while Pandora, Aster, and Ebony accompanied me in my room. Spending time together with those three was more enjoyable than having to see those other idiots.

"My lady," Scarlet knocked and stayed outside of my room as she spoke. "His grace invites you for dinner."

I groaned. I only planned on coming out whenever the duke called for me. We'd have tea in his office while he works. It wasn't boring since I got to discuss some things I needed, like my coming-of-age ceremony.

Three months from now and I'll become an adult. Moreover, letters of marriage might come flying by in the estate. And I must delay that as much as I can.

"Pandora, take care of Aster," I said as I stood from my bed. Pandora lowered his head then he disappeared along with Aster. Ebony, on the other hand, remained in my shadow.

"Come in, Scarlet," I said, calling for them. My two maidservants entered my room in unison. I cocked an eyebrow at them. Did they wait for long? "I need a dress that will suit the celebration," I added.

I sighed heavily as I watched Marina and Scarlet from the mirror. They fixed my hair by gathering it on one side of my shoulder, then tying a flower hair accessory on the end of it.

If it wasn't for the duke who personally visited my room earlier to remind me of tonight's family celebration, I would have spent the remaining hours of my day in my room.

Kaiser arrived yesterday. The war between the empire's troops, and the monsters wreaking havoc at the eastern border ended with the empire's victory. The victory was led by the fourth prince as their general.

I heard that the general was ordered to go back first while his subordinates had to wait a few days before they were able to go home.

I wore the dark blue dress I bought from La'Rose boutique. The bust of the dress was adorned with embroidered flowers.

Then I wore the thin-chain necklace with the small sapphire butterfly pendant that I randomly grabbed from my jewelry box. And surprisingly, it matched my dress so well. I smiled as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I was sure that I arrived right on time, but to my disappointment, everyone was already gathered at the dining table. Their conversation stopped when I entered the dining room.

"I apologize for my tardiness," I bowed. I'm not always tardy, though, they were just early.

The duke sat in his usual seat wearing a dark blue formal attire. It was a matching dress code he wanted to do with me. I only agreed in exchange for some gold coins.

On his left were Eclipse and Caspian with their matching red clothes. And on the right one sitting on the second chair in front of Caspian was Kaiser wearing the same matching clothes as his brothers.

The right chair beside the duke and Kaiser, was empty. As always, the duke must have saved that as my seat. How burdensome.

The atmosphere was awkward. I wasn't sure what to feel as their gazes all fell onto me. Was I interrupting something? Or what? What is it?

"They must be admiring you, master. After all, you look incredibly beautiful tonight," Ebony interrupted.

I wonder where this annoying spirit learned that.

Mind your own business, Ebony. He doesn't usually bother himself with my business since he enjoyed slacking off by hiding in my shadow.

"Why are you being like this, master? I only wanted to accompany you!"

Look at this spirit. He was acting all intimidating when he first came out, and now he's being a distraction. Instead of arguing with Ebony in my head, I focused back on the dinner happening in front of me.

I forced out a smile. I couldn't hear the words they were all saying because Ebony's loudmouth was occupying my head.

I told you to shut up, Ebony. What do you want?

"Well, I only wanted to warn you, master." He started with suspense.

About what?

"I can sense a malicious intent directed towards you, master. And you will know right away once she approaches you."

"Elisse, what do you think?" The duke asked. I blinked as I reverted to my senses.

I lifted my head slowly, then threw a questioning look at him. "I apologize. I couldn't hear what you said, your grace. The food was phenomenal."

He must've thought how adorable I looked while enjoying the food he requested to be prepared that he let out a chuckle.

Was I being funny, your grace?

"I was talking about your coming-of-age ceremony, child. Would you like to celebrate it during the imperial ball next month together with the other ladies debuting?"

In this empire, the coming-of-age ceremony is the time when society acknowledges you as a grown lady or a gentleman of legal age. This celebration happens when a lady turns 18 and when a young man turns 20.

And debuting in society bears great importance for every noble. Because it's also the time when you spread your influence and gain valuable assets of information that you can use for your prospective marriage.

Apparently, it is allowed to debut during an imperial ball or in a higher ranked noble ball. It's normally grand, so they allow the other debutantes to hold their celebration on that same day.

And this was the best way to spread your influence to high society. After that, it will be up to the noble lady or man if they wish to hold another coming-of-age ball for formalities.

However, to me, debuting is a pain in the neck. If I could, I would avoid this, so I can disappear in peace when the time comes.

"If we won't hold another ball after that then I'm fine with the duke's suggestion." I really hate going to parties. The attention thrown at me makes me puke in disgust.

The duke acknowledged my answer by smiling at me. "Then that will be done for my child," he added.

I tried to focus back on my food as I recalled Ebony's warning. But then, an annoying bastard turned his attention to me.

"Is my little sister enjoying the food so much?" Kaiser asked. He's starting to make me feel embarrassed again with the way he talks to me. I'm not a kid anymore, for heaven's sake!

"Stop treating me like a little kid, Kaiser," I muttered, glaring at him. But the annoying fish just grinned at me.

"Have you matured enough for the last few months I was gone?"

I only sneered at him. Our conversation would always turn out like this, but instead of him getting annoyed like his other brothers, he would continue to treat me kindly.

"That's none of your business." Back then, he was the sole person I admired with all my heart in this estate, but things changed.

I heard the duke's laugh on the side. He must be listening to our little argument. I looked up to him curiously as I took the last bite of my food.

"Did you enjoy the food?" The duke asked when he noticed I was looking at him.

I nodded my head. "I did. I want to have this again next time," I said, looking back at the almost empty plate in front of me.

And the duke let out another laugh. I wonder what's amusing him. Then I noticed him throwing a smirk at his son, Kaiser.

Oh. I think I know what this is. He's teasing Kaiser since I wasn't answering him properly, yet I answered the duke.

"Shall we visit your favorite boutique tomorrow, Elisse?" I take it that Kaiser doesn't want to give up.

But now that I think about it, this guy was the reason I developed an ugly fashion sense. Those ribbons and frills, tsk. I really hated those.

"Does Elisse enjoy shopping outside?" Eclipse inquired, which surprised me.

"Then should we go outside together?" Caspian suggested with the frowny look on his face.

What's with the sudden change of concepts?

I was still in a whirlpool of confusion when someone approached me.

"Please excuse my rudeness, your grace, young masters. I just want to give this special dessert to her ladyship. The other servants and I made this only for Lady Elisse."

I looked up to her, and I instantly recognized her face. She was one of those servants who bullied me and Marina.

"It's her, master," Ebony said.

And here I thought that you wouldn't help me.

"You know, I was joking, right?"

"Aren't you being rude for interrupting our dinner?" I asked, letting go of the fork I was holding so firmly.

But the maid only smiled at me. "My apologies for appearing that way, my lady. I just wanted to hand this special gift to you."

It was a small pudding with vanilla ice cream and a slice of strawberry on top of it. And I know that Kaiser sensed something off about the dessert when he stood up and grabbed the plate from the maid.

I heard mages were sensitive to the scents of poisons.

"Arrest this criminal," he ordered. The knights quickly followed his commands. And this caused a sudden commotion.

The duke was confused, along with Eclipse and Caspian as they all stood from their seats.

I wanted to stand as well, however, an ominous wave of energy spread all over my body.

"Blurgh!" I covered my mouth as I felt something bursting from my mouth.

"Master!"

My body quivered as the blood forcing its way out of my mouth tainted my hands and dress. Was this poison? Where did this come from? Why didn't we sense this earlier?

"Elisse!" The duke called.

My vision became blurry, and I could only see a hazy reflection of the duke as I looked up to him.

Then a rush of burning sensation filled my chest. I was so immersed with the pain that's quickly scattering throughout my body that I didn't notice the people panicking around me.

And the last thing I heard was the duke's thunderous voice before I passed out.