Two weeks later,
Evelyn sat in her chamber, having just finished her breakfast. The silence was heavy, only broken by the soft sound of her utensils as she placed them down. She looked over at Gerald, who stood at attention, his face betraying a hint of disappointment.
Evelyn: "Has there been any news from the guards?"
Gerald: "No, Your Highness."
His voice was laden with frustration as he bowed. Evelyn's face remained serene, yet there was a subtle flicker in her eyes, a glimmer of anticipation that suggested she had already known this would be the case.
Evelyn (Thoughts): "So, no news even after 2 weeks, even though an attempt on a princess's life was made. To think that I, a powerless and unfavored princess, am still not safe. Hah... Looks like it's time. I can handle things on my own, but I don't like being disturbed while I sleep."
She let out a quiet sigh and then turned to Cassy and Gerald, her gaze unwavering.
Evelyn: "Can you bring me some people?"
Cassy: "Who, Your Highness?"
Evelyn's voice was calm but firm as she described the individuals she needed, detailing the exact features. Cassy and Gerald exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them before they nodded in agreement. They left the room, determined to fulfill Evelyn's request.
When they returned, Evelyn was standing by the window, gazing out at the garden. Her presence was commanding, her posture poised and graceful. As the group entered, she turned to face them, her sharp eyes assessing each individual in turn.
There were five people standing before her: two girls with cyan-colored hair, a girl with reddish-brown hair, a woman who appeared to be a bit older than Cassy, and lastly, a young girl, no older than 12 or 13, with messy black hair. Her face was hidden beneath the wild tresses, her appearance suggesting as if she had never combed her hair before.
Evelyn's gaze swept over them, her expression unreadable. For a moment, there was silence. The tension in the room thickened, as if the air itself was waiting for something to happen.
Then, in her usual calm, unwavering tone, Evelyn spoke.
Evelyn: "Do you know why I called for you?"
No one answered. The silence pressed in, but Evelyn didn't mind. She observed them silently.
——————
In an ancient place,
The wind howled fiercely, carrying an ominous chill through the air, rustling the once vibrant leaves that hung from dying trees. The flowers, once in full bloom, were slowly withering, their colors draining as if life itself was being siphoned from them.
The rivers, once full and flowing with crystal-clear water, were gradually drying up, leaving behind cracked and barren riverbeds. The great trees, towering and proud, stood like silent sentinels, slowly dying, their branches devoid of life as leaves fell to the ground, lifeless.
The very land seemed to groan in pain, as though it, too, could feel the weakening of the life force that once thrived within it.
Inside a grand chamber,
A group of figures sat around a large stone table, their faces tense with worry. Their eyes darted from one another, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like an invisible force. The air was thick with unspoken fears, and each person knew the gravity of the discussion that lay ahead.
"My lord's 'Essence' is growing weaker, and weaker day by day" one of them spoke, voice shaking slightly with concern.
"The life force that sustains him, that sustains us all, is dwindling. If this continues, not only will we lose our lord, but the very life force of our world will wither away with him."
Another voice joined in, filled with quiet urgency,
"Our lord's 'Essence' is intrinsically tied to the Heart of the world. If it fades beyond recovery, the clan will cease to exist, and the balance that keeps this land alive will shatter."
The room grew silent, the reality of the situation settling like a heavy cloud over them. The great world they had known, the land they had cherished for centuries, was slipping through their fingers like sand. Without their lord's 'Essence,' there would be nothing left to hold the world together.
A figure of high rank, garbed in blue robes, stood from their seat. Their face was calm, but eyes spoke volumes of the burden they bore. The figure addressed the room with quiet authority, their voice steady despite the gravity of the moment.
"There is no time left," The figure said, their tone leaving no room for doubt.
"We can no longer wait for the situation to resolve itself. We must act now. It is time to send our lord to find it."
A murmur of agreement passed through the room. The others knew what they meant. There was a way to restore the lord's 'Essence,' a way to save the world, but it required something more than mere power— time. The lord must find the 'It' as soon as possible.
But there was a cost, none could say what would become of their world if the journey failed.
The air in the room grew thicker, the tension mounting. With the weight of their world on their shoulders, they all realized the impossible truth: Only by sending their lord on this unknown journey could they hope to save everything they held dear. But would it be enough? Would their lord succeed in finding it before it was too late?
With a final, resolute look, the high-ranking figure turned to leave.
"I will tell him," they said in a calm voice.
"Time is slipping away."
And as the figure exited, the room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of distant winds that seemed to echo the fate of a dying world.
——————
Cristiane Empire,
Black Rose Palace
In the Princess's chamber-
The golden rays of the sun filtered softly through the tall, arched windows of the Black Rose Palace, casting long shadows across the velvet-lined chamber. The scent of fresh roses lingered in the air, faint but present, as a small group of girls stood before Evelyn.