Stella Cadente

Spirits (PART II)

Raleigh

He cares too much. Faith and Will was right. Love does blind you. I thought Harold was devoted to me.

I look at his hopeful eyes. He walks passionately like the ways he always do.

As we proceeded into the tables, The butler suddenly nudged Harold as he was assisting me to my seat.

"The guests of the Empress always sits by her side."

Harold just nodded. And took his arm for me to cling to. I quickly slid my hand to his muscular build.

"The Abbot definitely hates me." Harold murmured.

"Nope. Don't worry. She doesn't." I assured him. "She is... humoured with you"

I see his eyebrow crunch. Searching for the right words.

"I'm just humiliated." Harold said "This is the first time I was ever humiliated."

I just smiled.

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Vasilissa

I stared at the white marble floor. I focused my gaze as I was lost and swept to the ballroom. The red velvet gown shuffled.

The room shifts. I notice masks. I must be wearing one too.

Another whisks me away to the dance floor. Gliding to a constant rythym.

Another song, Another dance. As if the never ending cycle of dancing has just begun.

Lovely, the masked dancers are with their gracefull-- water like bodies.

Then gunshots... Wounds. Falling.

Do I have to fall for my own lie? Facade to Harold, Mask up to my men. Hide from Kent?

There's no turning back.

When I lie. Least live up to it.

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Harold

I invited Raleigh to dance. I knew how much she loved to dance. As we entered the dance circle, She handed me a moon crested mask. Same as the masks that the men wore.

I feel betrayed.

As we clasps our hands together, She arched her back and joyfully danced. She clapped her hands together. As she joined other women in circle.

I see other women's lavish gowns like Raleigh. But one woman dances in such simple attire.

Her soft velvet gown illuminated the color of Gold and white in the hallways.

She instead, falls. With sound of firing gunshots. I buffed in my position as Raleigh tugged me to safety.

"What was that?" I asked. My voice ringing in suspicion

"The annual cleansing ceremony, of course!" The Grand Abbot announced. People around us began to cheer. "Raleigh, You forgot to tell him right?"

Raleigh threw me a sorry look.

"Vasilissa's about to join us!" Her tone was gleeful, but full of sinister.