Empire of Nightfall

Chapter 1: The betrayal

Chapter 1

On New Year's Day, just 19 years ago, Empress Luna and Emperor Edward of the Empire of Nightfall were blessed with twin girls. They were named Moonlight and Starlight. From the day of their birth until they turned ten- their parents showed them unconditional love and support and promised they would always be there for their children. At least, that was what the two of them always thought.

However, on one tragic stormy night, when the girls were barely ten, The emperor and empress met an untimely death. They were tragically killed in a carriage accident on their way home from a wedding held at the Empire of Sunrise, a neighboring empire to their own, just south of the empire motherland to them and their little girls.

Due to this devastating circumstance, the government officials ruled the Empire of Nightfall until Moonlight - the older one of the twins by 5 minutes and heir to the Nightfall throne, was of age to rule. She held the title of crown princess until her 19th birthday - when she would have a grand coronation.

On the eve of their 19th birthday, Moonlight was set in stone to be crowned the Empress - for her Empire. They have been planning the coronation months before the official day. Everyone was excited: the royal court, the subjects, and most of all, Moonlight and Starlight. However, Starlight wanted to play a different tune as she was jealous of her sister's crowning.

*********

Hours before the extravaganza, Starlight went to look for her sister - Which is difficult considering the ample size of the castle. When she eventually found she was standing in a hallway beside the staircase, enveloped in a silk ruby red gown, and a golden crown rested atop her exquisitely styled dark brown hair - tied up in a stunning knot.

Starlight approached Moonlight cautiously, attempting not to act suspiciously. Moonlight was conversing with one of her lady-in-waiting. When Moonlight saw her sister hovering nearby, she turned to look at her, her happiness flowing off her in droves.

''Pardon me, I need to steal my sister for a minute,'' she said to the lady in waiting with a feigned smile.

Once she left her alone with Moonlight, she turned to her, still wearing a fake smile: '' My dear sister, look at you, you are radiating with joy!'' she hugged Moonlight.

''I am so happy and proud of you. You are finally going to be bestowed by your title of empress.''

Moonlight smiled at her sister, marveling at her attention, happy that her sister was proud of her. She went to hug Starlight, her warmth seeping through her sky blue cotton gown, and her hair flowing bit down her shoulders made her think of the ocean.

''So am I, my sister. Come, I need your assistance in getting ready. Those gowns are a nightmare to get into. and I also need your opinion on which dress I should wear and you can show me yours.'' Moonlight blurts all that out in one breath, making it almost impossible to decipher what she was saying, and embraces her sister. Starlight smirked wickedly. What she had planned might be exceptionally easy on her hand - she hadn't thought it would be.

As they started their journey to Moonlight's room, Starlight stopped in the middle of the carpeted hallway leading p to the stairs. Guards - clad in their armor- lined the walls.

''Wait! I Need your help with something up in the attic.'' Starlight blurts out, using a high-pitched voice that Moonlight isn't familiar with.

Moonlight scrutinizes her sister, Suspicion evident on her face. Why would she want to go up in the attic at this time? What does she want? But at last, she followed her sister, she wouldn't lie to her, why would she? She didn't have any reason to. After all, they are sisters.

Once they reached the attic - after climbing tremendous flights of stairs. Silver gas lamps lined the white-painted walls surrounding the staircase. - Starlight unlocked the attic-carved wooden door and articulated, '' It's right over there.'' she pointed in the dark attic, a bit on the right side. "A little black box, could you please fetch it for me?'' she hands Moonlight a lightened gas lamp she had held in her hand.

Moonlight thought it was peculiar that Starlight requested her to go into the attic and get a little black box when she could have accomplished it herself. What did she want to do with the black box? What could be inside it? But she trusted her sister, so she did what Starlight said and stepped into the dimly lit attic meekly - gas lamp in hand- to give her sister what she desired. However odd it may seem.

The attic was quite big, with grey walls that hung a couple of old silver gas lamps, which did nothing to light up the room. Dusty storage boxes piled up on one end of the wide expense of the room, while the other end of the room retained old furniture and some wooden crates. The floor was a monotonous beige, dirtied with what might be years' worth of dust. ''

''hmm. . .'' she eyes the mess with disapproving eyes. She would have to notify someone to tend to this room and clean after the coronation.

Moonlight searched the room but didn't see the black box her sister was talking about anywhere. Perplexed, she called out, ''Starlight, where did you say the box was?''

When she didn't hear her sister's response, she looked back toward where she came in. Starlight was leaning against the carved wooden attic door with a remorseful and devastated countenance.

"I'm sorry, sister - I really am,'' she said, expressing sincerity. ''I wish it didn't have to end this way,'' she continued as she slowly closed the door inch by inch. Shocked, she stands there while her brain is at war with her body, helplessly commanding her to run to the door. Despite it all, she can't. She's too astounded by the turn of events. She can't even process it. Moments later, Moonlight heard the familiar clicking sound of the wooden door shutting and locked by the key.

Finally getting her bearings, Moonlight ran towards the door, hoping with all her might that her sister didn't do what she thought she did, That this was all a part of her dream, or she was only imagining it. But no, when she tried to open it, it wouldn't budge. She roared at her sister to unlock the door. Despite her best efforts, she wouldn't. She would come back for her. No one could hear her through the thick walls.

She locked her in the attic. Her SISTER! She never considered that jealousy would be the ruin of their relationship.

Feeling faint and nauseous, she sat on a dusty old emerald green velvet sofa. She had never thought her sister would be jealous. Jealous of her sister, her TWIN for that. All for becoming the empress. She never wanted to be one. Moonlight had asked her sister (on numerous occasions) if she wanted to become the empress, but she denied it and said that Moonlight was the rightful heir, so she had to become the empress.

Now, she's locked in her attic because she is too gullible. Everyone had invariably told her that her underlying trust in everyone was going to be the death of her. While she never believed it to be true - it just might be.

Enough of the self-pity, she thought. Before her sister does something she will rue, she ought to find a way out of the attic!

Hi! so this is my first chapter of Empire of nightfall, and I am really excited to share it.

let me know what you think of it.

make sure to comment, vote, follow and share

have a great day everybody!