𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄'𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐄𝐌

𝐓𝐖𝐎 ━ 𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

୧ ‧₊˚ 🍮 ⋅ ☆ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎

THE MORNING SUN FILTERED THROUGH THE TALL, arched windows of the grand hallway, casting a golden hue on the polished marble floors as you and Elise made your way towards the gardens. Despite the tranquil beauty of the estate—the soft rustling of tapestries in the breeze, the distant trill of birdsong—your thoughts were ensnared in the looming threat of the afternoon tea with Lady Amara. The memory of [Name]'s poisoning lingered at the forefront of your mind, each step a grim reminder that the same fate could easily befall you if you were not careful. You knew this world too well to be lulled into a false sense of security by its surface elegance.

Elise walked just ahead of you, her movements graceful and unhurried. There was a calm to her presence that helped ground you, a quiet reassurance amidst the turmoil roiling within. The lavender gown she had chosen for you swayed gently with each step, its soft fabric brushing against your skin like a reminder of the role you now played. Even as you moved through the estate's hallowed halls, tension coiled beneath your ribs, tight and unrelenting. The very walls, with their intricate mouldings and ancient tapestries, felt as though they held secrets—secrets you were only beginning to unravel.

As the ornate glass doors to the gardens came into view, your pulse quickened. You knew your mother, Lady Lillianne, would be waiting for you amidst the flowers and fountains, her eyes sharp, her words sharper still. Lady Lillianne, a figure as formidable as she was beautiful, had shaped her family's standing in the empire through sheer force of will, and her reputation for unwavering poise had always been mirrored in her daughter's upbringing. The relationship between [Name] and her mother had been marked by a rigid formality, an ever-present undercurrent of expectation and, perhaps, something closer to fear. Now, in this strange new reality, you would need to navigate those delicate dynamics with care.

Elise paused at the doors, her hand resting on the handle as she turned to you, her green eyes filled with quiet concern. "Would you like me to accompany you, My Lady, or should I wait here?" Her voice was soft, carrying an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the day.

You hesitated for only a moment, considering the options. Elise's presence was a comfort, a steadying influence in a world that now felt perilous and unfamiliar. But you knew the perception of relying too heavily on her could be seen as a weakness, a vulnerability. In a world like this, any sign of weakness was dangerous.

"I'll be fine, Elise," you said with a reassuring smile, though the words felt hollow in your mouth. "But thank you."

Elise dipped her head in a slight bow, though a flicker of hesitation crossed her face. "As you wish, My Lady. I'll be just outside should you need anything."

You caught the lingering look in her eyes, the way her gaze seemed reluctant to leave you, and felt an unexpected warmth stir in your chest. But you pushed the feeling aside. There were far more pressing matters to attend to.