The Crimson Serenade: Chronicles of Betrayal and Redemption (HIATUS)

The Web of Blood and Magic

The golden light of the afternoon sun streamed through the ornate stained glass windows of the Grand Duchess's private drawing room, casting vibrant hues across the plush velvet carpets and gilded furniture. Within this opulent setting, the regal figures of the Grand Duchess and the future ruler of Obelia- Crown Princess Amaravati De Alger Obelia, could be seen in a deep conversation-a scene that exuded a rich tapestry of history and intrigue.

The Grand Duchess- Abiri Emyrys Von Alvarez, a figure renowned for her unparalleled elegance and a demeanor as enigmatic as it was commanding, was seated in her favorite high-backed armchair. Her posture was relaxed, yet every inch of the nobility she represented. In her hand was a fine china cup, the delicate pattern echoing the blooms of the castle's famed gardens, which perfectly matched the honey lemonade tea that her trusted butler had prepared. It was a simple pleasure, yet one she cherished deeply in these rare moments alone with the Crown Princess.

Crown Princess Amaravati, her hair golden as the morning sun and styled impeccably, watched her with her jeweled eyes that mirrored the color of the deep blue of the ocean-intense and questioning. She had been raised amidst the intricacies of court life, taught from a young age to navigate its undercurrents. Yet, the question she posed to the Grand Duchess spoke of deeper waters, touching on matters of the heart and the shadows of past machinations.

"Your Excellency, may I have your permission to ask something?" inquired the beautiful blonde girl, despite her status as the future sovereign of the empire.

"Speak," Abiri replied, her voice cool as she elegantly sipped her honey lemonade tea, prepared by her meticulous butler who had been dismissed to ensure a private moment between the two pillars of the Empire.

"I've noticed, that not only are you somewhat distant with Emperor Father, but at times, you're also quite harsh with him. Sometimes, you even seem to disregard his presence entirely, as if he was never there to begin with. May I know why? You've been quite protective of him even before I was born, after all," the young but mature teenager said, her tone laced with genuine confusion but devoid of any malice. It was clear that she was puzzled by her Excellency's actions, which, despite a facade of indifference, suggested deeper care, particularly towards her biological father, Emperor Claude De Alger Obelia.

"Annoying," Abiri murmured almost absent-mindedly, her attention momentarily more on shoving chocolate cake into her mouth as if guarding it against potential thieves.

"Yes?" Amaravati's face mirrored her confusion, evident in the metaphorical question marks in her eyes, puzzled by the succinct response.

Abiri sighed deeply, her thoughts racing. 'How do I explain this to her? She's grown so close to him that he would endanger someone just for her sake...'

Wait,

that actually happened before

'I remember holding him back by the scruff of his neck, hidden from the view of the attending nobles, as he almost unleashed his fury on young Ijekiel Alpheus simply for asking her to dance. He was a beast then, barely contained, and there I was, working so hard to keep his murderous impulses in check'

"Your father's presence has begun to irritate me more than usual. I apologize if this offends you, as he is your father," she confessed, her words a mix of bluntness and an inexplicable hint of something else, something not directly related to their past interactions. If she had been merely annoyed by Claude's actions in a previous timeline, that would be an understatement-she was infuriated by how he had used her as a pawn, despite her loyalty. "I should have heeded Zanielle and Jooyoung's warnings."