Lady Celestia

Prologue

The celebration is full of merry-making and joyful conversations that one could see that it is indeed a time of peace and prosperity. The noblemen and women all flocked here and there. Although anyone sensitive enough could feel the tension amongst them if one should look closely. The music played as couples danced in the middle of the ball room. Laughter echoed from one conversation to another. Gossipmongers flock each other as they share the latest news. The chaperones looking at their charges with eagle eyes, carefully watching them as they converse with eligible, handsome bachelors.

The host-looking at all of these-, thinking that he hid long enough, decided to appear.

The air around him hung thick with sophistication. Nobility. Authority. Power. Every step light as though walking amongst clouds, but with a weight none could quite figure out what it is. His mere presence caused silence to erupt from the once loud room. Although the music still played, conversations stopped as he entered. Eyes looked at him as he walked. A tall figure, with a devilishly handsome face, his raven dark hair and icy blue eyes sent shivers down anyone's spines when they stared at him. His face, always under a composed mask of impassiveness, was something that many thought to be crafted by the Almighty to perfection.

As if by magic, the once silent room fell back to its former noise. Conversations resumed and laughter now heard. He sighed as he looked at all these. 'Such hypocrites,' he thought and clucked. He stood amongst a corner, away from the ton's eyes. A servant approached, bearing a tray full of glasses of red wine. He took a glass and sipped as his eyes swarmed over to the different faces present in his party.

He caught sight of two gentlemen hovering their way towards him. "Duke Ellsworth," said the first one with a bow. He was pudgy, middle aged, with brown hair, and caramel colored eyes. "Lord Robinson," the host replied with a bow. "Your festivities are truly gratifying. I am honored to be invited," said the pudgy man. He nodded in return, then shot a look at his companion. Noticing this only now, Lord Robinson immediately introduced him. "Ah, this is Lord Sanders. A friend of mine. He just came from Falsker to enjoy the city this season." Lord Sanders immediately bowed. Having dark colored hair and green eyes and quite a nice face. Although relatively taller than Lord Robinson, he only reached the shoulders of Duke Ellsworth. "A pleasure to meet you, Duke Ellsworth," he said with a smile. Duke Ellsworth, in return nodded in his direction. They talked about politics and the problems of the kingdom, though after a while, Duke Ellsworth excused himself and went to his private study.

He walked near the fireplace, which was always lit, and took a brandy in his alcohol cabinet. He sat down at a settee and sipped his brandy while staring at the fire, with a hollow, lonely look in his tired eyes.

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The night was unperturbed as the moon shone gloriously at the starlit sky, perfectly masking a calm before the storm.

All these was disturbed by a frantic servant opening the door of the room of her lady.

"Milady! Milady, please wake up! We must hurry!" The servant shook the young, sleepy woman lying on the bed, who, eventually, sat up, rubbing her eyes, oblivious as to what is happening. "What is it, Cora? It is still too early," she made an act to lie back down, when suddenly she heard a scream from downstairs. She jolted and immediately looked at her maid with a questioning look, fear hidden within, sleep now gone, replaced by awareness. The maid, wasting no time, took her lady's hand and grabbed a bag hidden under her lady's bed that she had prepared if ever this time came and placed something warm inside and another bag full of something jingling- coins, perhaps?