Home for the Few - The Awakening of the Silenced Ⅰ

V. Listen.

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   The Palace of the Foxes was built in such a way that no matter which floor or room you were in, you would always have at least one window facing the private garden and another facing the cliff where the sea waves crashed furiously against the back of the fortress or the beautiful frozen city of Vulpes.
   Standing in front of the window with her back straight, Kaira watched the snowflakes fall over the castle's private garden. The trees, flowers, and shrubs were so abundant that it was barely possible to walk, forming tunnels and mazes. All the paths were covered in snow.

    In honor of Serendipity Day, she wore a new dress, made of olive green velvet. With long, tight sleeves, a turtleneck, and a long train, it framed her silhouette perfectly. Her necklace rested on the fabric, shining. The corset was white, with small brown embroidered details, and from it hung fine golden chains that draped over her hips. She wore her hair in two Dutch braids. With each movement she made, her hair swayed gently, just barely brushing the floor. Fine gold chains, like threads and braided rings, decorated her hair with great elegance.
   Behind her, her mother wore a very similar dress, though not as form-fitting and of a green almost white in color. Her corset was like her daughter's, but with the colors inverted. Her hair was tied up in braids, and her lips were painted red with blackberry extract. Green cords were woven between the braids of her hair.
   From the earlobes of both women hung multiple earrings of Sun Horn.

   "Your father is waiting for us in the hall, the guests have already arrived," Lorenza said with a smile as cold as the snow. "Remember to always smile. We must find a man your father will accept, time is running out."

   Lorenza left, leaving her daughter alone, whose hands had begun to tremble. After taking three deep breaths, Kaira made her way to the hall where she dined with her parents and the current twenty suitors, without saying a word. Outside, in the town square, a great celebration could be heard.

   The following week, fifteen more young men would arrive and be introduced to the Princess at a ball.
   But that same night, by the end of the evening, her father would reject seventeen of the suitors, leaving only three of the twenty to continue competing for her hand. He had prepared a series of trials to find the perfect candidate to take the throne when he was no longer there.

   King Sauro, in his brown suit and green velvet cape, raised his glass and toasted:

   "For the greatness with which Egot and Knglo have honored Serendipity; the anniversary of my birth and that of my precious daughter, of course. To a wonderful evening, today and always."

...

   The Princess was looking out the window of her room again, this time in her nightgown, with her hair loose and freshly brushed. In her bathing room, the tub awaited, brimming with steaming water that Zervus had prepared for her. Torches and lanterns lit up the private garden. The tears fell uncontrollably down her face, but her expression remained serene and cold.

   "I don't want to hear your complaints again. Wake up and be grateful for the life you've been given," her father said before closing the door as he left.

   Once the door finally closed, Kaira let out an uncontrollable cry. She waited until the castle's halls fell silent and sneaked out to the stables to spend time with Angus.

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   The Olympe de Gouges, completely in darkness, approached the royal galleon, poorly lit. They were halfway between Mare Turtur and Vulpes, out of sight from both. The Black Block, dressed in black, waited for the right moment to act.