The Binding Fates SEASON 1: The Past

Chapter 56: The Stolen Necklace

The Emperor, his laughter echoing through the grand halls of the palace, couldn't contain his amusement at the news of Elyse's actions at Louisette's tea party. "My half-sister's descendant, she has a spirit as fiery as her own," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling with pride.

His right-hand man, however, remained unconcerned. "Emperor Cairo, please stop laughing. This is a serious matter! The tea party is not only for useless parties but it's about the connection between Empires! It has become Master Lucia's rule," he said, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

The Emperor, unfazed, waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, don't worry about that. The other aristocrats won't say a word when it comes to my half-sister's Descendant."

"Are you sure? Because I can clearly remember that Lady Elyse Valentina has been bullied many times back at Aracnia Empire!" the right-hand man exclaimed, his patience wearing thin.

The Emperor let out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry. Whatever happened that day at the tea party, everyone won't dare to lay a hand on her again unless you're really shameless to mess with Aniya's Descendant."

The right-hand man sighed in defeat. "I guess they're really siblings," he muttered under his breath.

Meanwhile, Elyse, consumed by anxiety, paced her room, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and guilt. The whispers of Emperor Cairo's intimidating nature, a reflection of his half-sister's fiery spirit, echoed in her mind. Days had passed since the tea party, and the Emperor had yet to summon her, choosing instead to speak with Louisette.

The maids, their eyes filled with admiration, called her "Aniya" in their hushed conversations, their words a constant reminder of the resemblance she now bore to her ancestor. But beneath the surface, Elyse felt a gnawing sense of unease. She knew that the Emperor, a man of power and tradition, would not take kindly to her disruption of the carefully orchestrated social gatherings that played such a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of power between the empires.

She had, in a moment of righteous fury, disrupted Master Lucia's carefully crafted plan for reconciliation, a plan that had taken centuries to build.

Elyse stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the falling leaves, the wind gently caressing her hair. "What to do..." she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of regret and despair.

Across the hall, in Chad's specially designed room, Chad stared at his blank canvas, his mind lost in thought. A flurry of silver hair drifted past his window, catching his attention. He recognized it instantly, Elyse's hair, its silvery sheen a beacon in the fading light.

He smiled, his heart warming at the sight of her. He leaned against the window, his gaze fixed on her. "Hey," he called out, his voice a cheerful greeting.

Elyse, startled by his sudden appearance, jumped back, her hand flying to her chest. "You scared the hell out of me!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

Chad burst into laughter. "Sorry, my bad! I just thought your hair is pretty," he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

Elyse, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine. "Damn, are you a pervert?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Chad flinched, his laughter dying down. "I'm not. Anyway, what's the problem?" he asked, attempting to change the subject.

"Oh... Nothing," Elyse replied, leaning against the window, her gaze fixed on the sprawling cityscape.

Chad fell silent, his eyes studying her, sensing the turmoil beneath her facade. "There's a problem, isn't it?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. "Care to tell me what is it?"