Elira wore a passable evening gown made of purple silk, its hue catching faint silver undertones in the candlelight. The neckline was gently rounded, edged with gray lace, while the sleeves were tapered at her wrists. Against her fair skin and dark hair, the color made her tired violet eyes shimmer like amethysts.
She walked down the stairs, standing in front of the dining room doors.
[Elira... be calm... be calm Elira...]
She opened the doors. No one was there.
[Oh, thank god... I'll sit down for now...]
Elira went over to two of the chairs, using her hands to gently press down on the padding. One squished and pressed down with ease. The other was rock hard. She sat down on the hard one, so that she wouldn't be sitting in someone else's seat.
The doorknob jiggled a little as Elira's head flicked towards the doors.
[Someone's coming. Elira, put on your good face...]
The door opened as a young woman walked in. The flash of golden hair and fair skin on her hand immediately registered in Elira's mind as to who it was.
[This person... is the girl I saw at the banquet. Serenya Calwyle.]
"Oh, hello there. I didn't expect anyone to be here this early," Serenya spoke up as she sat down at the seat across from Elira.
"Hello to you as well. Um... if you don't mind me asking, you're Lady Serenya Calwyle... correct?"
"Yes, that is indeed correct. You're Elira Dreyos, yes?"
[She used Dreyos's last name...]
"Y-yeah..." Elira responded, a blush creeping up her face as Serenya giggled.
"I like you. You're not like what the rumors say."
"Rumors?"
"Oh..." Serenya paused, realizing that Elira has no idea about the words spoken about her. The only thing Elira has barely touched in terms of hate were the exclamations of her being a murderer of the late Duchess Veylen. "It's alright. Don't worry about it."
The door opened once more. A man slightly shorter and leaner than Aric, though still tall came through the door.
He had auburn hair that shone in shades of copper in gold when exposed to the light and fell in front of his emerald eyes. His features were softer than his brother's, giving off a more youthful and charming appearance. His overall build was athletic, but still somewhat wiry.
"Serenya, what are you doing here alone with..." the man trailed off.
"Kaelith, why are you worrying so much? I can hold my own. Sit down!" Serenya tugged on his shirt and pulled him to his chair.
"Uh- um- Hello there. I'm Elira Dreyos," Elira said eagerly, but still nervous in front of a man that resembled her husband.
"Dreyos?" Kaelith questioned, looking at Serenya. A small smack could be heard from underneath the dining table. "O-oh yes... I forgot you married Aric. My bad... I didn't think you would get so comfortable using that last name..."
"Oh..." Elira responded, somewhat unsure of what to say next and instead deciding to look down.
The door opened once more as two elders came through. Kaelith and Serenya stood up. Elira looked at them, standing up only a mere second later.
"Hello, Duchess and Duke Dreyos," Serenya said quickly.
"Hello, Mother and Father," Kaelith said next.
"H-Hello! His Grace Duke and Her Grace Duchess Dreyos..." All eyes were suddenly on Elira as she spoke. "Um-"
"Hello to you all, please sit down sit down! We aren't old enough for you to behave like this just yet," The Duchess spoke as Kaelith and Serenya sat back down, while Elira took a moment to register it before sitting down.
The Duke and Duchess walked on the side Sereny anad Kaelith sat, both sitting on opposite ends of the table. Elira had never felt more out of place.
The door opened one final time as Aric entered.
"Greetings to you all," He said immediately as he entered and everyone else responded with a short hello. He shot daggers at Elira when she responded, and not discretely. Elira looked down at the table as the food was shortly brought out during the family's small talk which she didnt engage in.
"Girl, won't you introduce yourself to us?" Elira heard suddenly, looking up and seeing the Duchess looking at her. Elira focused her face to look happy.
"Oh well- Yes- I'm Eli-"
"No need for that. We all know who you are," The Duke said while the Duchess stared at him from across the table.
"I agree with Father. There's no need for you to start talking Wench," Aric added.
"Oh-" Elira let out softly, only to be interrupted again.
"Aric! How could you say such a thing to your wife!?" Serenya exclaimed.
"Okay, everyone just calm down. It's fine Elira- I'm sorry for asking. I caused some unecessary trouble. Please, let's just all eat," The Duchess concluded, finally getting everyone to calm down.
The rest of dinner was eaten in silence. The only redeeming part was how good the food tasted to Elira. It was much better than the stew she recieved at House Veylen.
Once everyone was dismissed, Serenya went back to her quarters. She had moved in to live full time with House Dreyos now that she had turned 18.
While walking to her room, Elira was suddenly pulled aside by a hand from around a corner. The hand wrapped around her math like a deadly snake.
"Mph!" Elira gasped and struggled.
"Shh. Shhh! Calm down!" Elira looked up, noticing the emerald eyes.
"Sir Kaeltih?" Elira said, muffled through his hand.
"Yes, it's me," He whispered as he released Elira.
"What is this for?"
Kaeltih sighs, looking at Elira cunningly.
"I'm sure you know of your husband's coldness. In fact, everyone has noticed it. But you see, your husband, my brother, is awfully interested in my fiancée, Serenya."
Elira could begin to tell where this was leading to.
"I need you to seduce your husband. Tonight, I want you to go to him wearing lingerie. Do anything you can."
Elira was shocked, nonetheless. But she knew all to well what happened when she disobeyed, courtesy of House Veylen.
"Of course. I will. Yes."
"Good. Get going then."
Elira steadily walked through the hallway, entering her room as she began to look through her luggage.
[Will he really like me if I wear this?]