Veer was standing on a platform overlooking a tower . He could see the vast landscape from this high up place. The fortress itself rose on a hill surrounded by a lake so vast it looked more like a sea. Evening had already descended, and the sky was painted in shades of crimson and violet. Black lines streaked across the horizon where water met sky, like strokes of eyeliner across the face of a veiled woman.
It was beautiful. Peaceful, even.
A peace that stood in jarring contrast to the chatter and laughter behind him, where Lady Eryssa mingled with her friends. It was also in stark contrast to the turmoil in Veer's chest, where fear still coiled like a snake.
That puppet…
His thoughts circled back again. Was it connected to his memory loss? He had collapsed right near the so-called Puppet Bazaar. That much he remembered. But what kind of puppet could induce that sort of unease and fear? The image lingered, gnawing at the edges of his mind. How was he supposed to sleep in a city where such things existed?
Before his thoughts could darken further, a gentle, awkward voice broke the silence.
"Um… hello! Royal guard of Lady Eryssa. I am Noelle. I–I'm a big fan of your quickstyle art! Could I… maybe have your autograph?"
Veer turned and found himself staring at a young woman with seemingly innocent eyes, pale skin, and striking red hair. She wore a delicately embroidered yellow dress that shimmered faintly under the fading light.
Fan of me? Quickstyle… art?
Confusion welled inside him. Everyone seemed to know more about him than he knew himself. Dozens of strangers had greeted him warmly since he'd started escorting Lady Eryssa. He felt like an actor thrust onto a stage mid-play with no idea of the script.
Quickstyle art? What the hell even is that?
Suppressing his unease, he simply nodded. Noelle, elated, presented a shimmering fabric square embroidered with faint dolls forming a circular pattern . Veer was again reminded of the eerie puppet and fear was gripping him again. Noelle pulled him out of his fear by saying "Just a common embroidery pattern ! Your sign will make it much more valuable". Veer dipped the pen in ink and scrawled his name across it. He felt a bit strange but could not describe it. Maybe it was just his imagination.
The simple act seemed to startle Eryssa. She hurried over, two of her friends in tow.
"Noelle! How have you been?" she said warmly, pulling the girl into a hug.
"My lady, I've been well," Noelle answered, her voice bright with excitement. "And today is my lucky day—I got a sign from my favorite swordsman, Sir Veer."
Eryssa glanced at Veer, then back at Noelle. For the briefest moment, Veer caught something flicker in her expression—jealousy, wrath, or something he couldn't place.
"Well, good for you, my love!" Eryssa said with a light laugh, masking whatever emotion had crossed her face. Then she gestured to her companions. "Everyone, meet my best friends: Rachel of House Eriel and Rya of House Prakra."
The two noblewomen gave polite nods. Veer bowed slightly, the practiced gesture of respect already exhausting him. How many times will I have to do this ? he wondered bitterly.
The group began to ascend the marble steps, their voices blending into easy gossip. Veer followed at a respectful distance, but his thoughts wandered. Noelle had shifted so quickly—from giddy fan to composed companion of his lady. Was it an act? Or was he missing some context?
He glanced around. The prince and the elder uncle had already vanished deeper into the castle. Eryssa's group, meanwhile, was heading toward the right wing of the estate. From its towering windows and gilded arches, Veer guessed it was the banquet hall—a place for celebrations and festivals of the court.
A thrill of unease mixed with excitement stirred in him.
Just then he could hear tumbles of bell from further north . The bell rang five times and before he thought further on that Eryssa shouted " Oh its already the time ! Lets go quickly everyone".
So the bell tower marks the time, Veer realized.
They reached a pair of golden doors carved with intricate patterns of beasts and vines. Two guards stood before it, clad in ceremonial armor. They bowed deeply, not only to Eryssa but to him. Their movements carried an extra weight, a reverence Veer could feel.
Am I… really this famous?
When he finally stepped through the doorway, it was as if he had entered another world.
The banquet hall was enormous, its ceiling so high it disappeared into shadow. A grand chandelier—gilded, crystalline, and slowly rotating—bathed the chamber in warm, dazzling light. Three floors of balconies overlooked the central hall, each lined with nobles in fine silks and soldiers in polished armor.
Music floated through the air, graceful yet subdued, as all eyes shifted toward Eryssa's arrival. She returned every greeting with practiced grace. Suddenly he sensed a subtle yet sharp gaze but before he could find more and look around it vanished.
Veer had little interest in pleasantries. He let his gaze wander to the top to see if he could sense the gaze again and he began tracing the flowing lines of the architecture, the swirl of gowns and the glint of jewelry. His eyes finally settled on a great emblem mounted high above the dais—a woman with features eerily similar to Eryssa, bow in hand, gaze lifted toward the heavens.
He was still studying it when a voice pulled him back.
"Ah, Veer! How's it going?"
The voice was awkward, almost hesitant. Veer turned to find a young man a little shorter than himself, dressed in armor nearly identical to his own. Black hair flowed loosely around a face that looked sharper, more striking than most of the nobles scattered across the hall.
Veer said nothing. He studied the man in silence, unsure how to address him.
The pause stretched. The young knight began to fidget, his confidence cracking. Finally, he blurted out—
"I'm sorry. I couldn't follow through with my resolve. I failed to confess to her. I… lost the bet."
Veer's expression stiffened.
What bet? Confess?
His chest tightened. What was the guy talking about ? But Veer could guess the person before him was very close friend of his or his acting was just too good. Nah not better than mine. Veer wondered . His supposedly close friend murmured "By the way she is also coming here "
Veer's expression was starting to get strange as he experienced a different emotion than fear. Who is he talking about ?
The hall dimmed. Music swelled.
Spotlights of magical light focused on the grand staircase leading down from the first balcony.
A girl descended slowly, clad in a pristine white gown that trailed behind her. A crown of flowers rested upon her head, and her every step seemed to draw the hall's breath. She looked… so much like Eryssa, yet different. Softer. Older.
As she reached the final step, the hall erupted in applause.
The celebration had begun.
Two guards entered, escorting an elderly man in black formals, his hair streaked with white. The sigils on the guards' breastplates gleamed in gold—marks of seniority.
The man unrolled a scroll and read aloud, his voice booming:
"To the second princess, Alicia. My princess, congratulations on your coming of age. I, as your father and King of Drudar, heartfully wish you a life of wonder."
The scroll was rolled shut. A gift was presented: a diamond-pearl ornament meant for her hair. Alicia accepted it with grace, her voice like the song of a bird.
Veer meanwhile became engrossed in thoughts again. It seemed the king was really not an emotional one otherwise why would he not personally come to something this important. Maybe he was overthinking as a king one might have many duties.
Veer's thoughts were abruptly cut off by a figure moving through the hall and arriving towards them . She was striking beauty of white hair with deep blue eyes and calm face. Her every movement seemed graceful and she wore a knight's armour similar to the earlier guards but bearing more emblems.
Veer was so engrossed in her that he forgot to breathe. He was experiencing a strange sensation -something raw and unexplainable. It was a pull from his soul.
Who is she? He wondered
The young man beside him murmured "I told you , She really came today."