She is back

[Music Recommendations: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Taylor Ash]

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A soft, cosy blue nightgown hugged Elestria's thin frame as she lay on the bed, her hands resting on her stomach beneath the blanket.

In the moonlight filtering through the window, her serene face glowed, highlighting her silver hair as it fell restlessly over the pillow beneath her head.

A shadow loomed over her sleeping form, hands tucked firmly in pockets, his red eyes fixated on her features. With each passing second, she seemed to make him restless. "Agatha did a good job keeping her hidden from me so far," he hummed, a smirk playing on his lips.

Glancing at her one last time, Zephyr Blackwell, the crown prince, walked out of the room, the door clicking closed behind him.

His footsteps echoed in the lonely corridors, the sound sharp and distinct with each step. His gaze shifted to the moonlight streaming through the windows, signalling that it was well past midnight.

As he stared out of the window, lost in thought, the butler approached him, concern etched on his face. "Young master, Zephyr," he began, bowing respectfully and waiting for his master's acknowledgment.

Zephyr let out a low hum in response, his gaze fixed on the night sky beyond.

"What should we do about the guard?" the butler inquired, his tone laced with worry.

"The decision is yours, Walter," Zephyr replied, his voice carrying a hint of detachment. "There's something I need to attend to. You may take your leave and send Matilda to attend Elestria when she wakes up." With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving the butler alone in the corridor.

----

He reappeared seamlessly within his chamber, the darkness of the night enveloping the room around him.

"Hello, brother," a male voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber as soon as he sensed Crown Prince Zephyr's presence.

"What are you doing here, Marcellus?" Zephyr said as he walked towards the cushion where his blood-related brother was sitting, his hands holding a paper casually in his left hand.

Zephyr had teleported himself to his chamber when he sensed someone's presence. He knew who it was; there was only one person who had the courage to enter his room without permission.

Marcellus Blackwell, Zephyr's younger brother, smiled politely. "Did you use your power, brother?" His voice was filled with curiosity.

Zephyr, instead of responding, sat down on the cushion beside Marcellus and questioned, "What's the matter?" His voice was laced with seriousness.

Instead of answering, Marcellus countered, his eyes filled with questions. "Before I answer that, what is that girl doing in your wing?" His curiosity was apparent, as he knew his older brother wasn't usually one to engage in any sort of relationship, let alone allow someone to live in his area of the palace.

"There must be something more to this," Marcellus hummed to himself, his eyes boring into Zephyr, searching for answers.

Zephyr casually dismissed his brother's questioning gaze, implying that "some things don't need a reason." His voice sounded flat, leaving Marcellus with more questions than answers.

Smiling widely, Marcellus responded, "I see. Where's it going"

His face turned serious as he raised his hands towards Zephyr and said, "There's some trouble regarding Crestwood City. The ruler is defying the rules formed by our kingdom and causing harm to its people, possibly through excessive blood drinking."

"Hmm, so?" Zephyr questioned, his eyes fixed on the paper in his hand.

"Father wants you to handle this situation." Marcellus voiced his thoughts, his eyes waiting for his brother's next response.

"I see. You can leave now," Zephyr said as he walked towards the table where wine was kept.

Marcellus's eyes scrutinised the way Zephyr carried himself, as if he had achieved something significant.

"Did you kill someone, Zeph?" Marcellus questioned, the thought immediately crossing his mind given the nature of his older brother. Standing up from his sitting position, he walked towards the table counter.

"Quite the opposite," Zephyr replied, his face twisted in concern as he picked up a glass and drank its contents in one gulp. He then turned to Marcellus and posed a question "Marcellus, I would appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her in my absence."

"And why would I do that, brother?" Marcellus pressed on, his curiosity evident in his tone.

"You'll know for yourself," Zephyr replied with a knowing smile playing on his lips, leaving Marcellus perplexed.

-----

Far away from Crown prince Zephyr's wing, a young maid made her way through the dark corridors. With the windows tightly shut and the curtains drawn, the darkness seemed to engulf her, making it difficult to discern her surroundings.

Her eyes darted from side to side, scanning the deserted corridors for any signs of movement. Each step she took echoed softly in the quiet hallway, her heart pounding in her chest.

Approaching the imposing gate, she knocked on it gently, mindful not to make too much noise and draw attention from the guards stationed nearby.

The door creaked open slightly, granting her entry into the room.

"Close the door behind you," a gentle woman's voice pierced the silence.

"Yes, my lady," the young maid replied with a respectful bow, ensuring the door shut quietly behind her.

The woman sat on the edge of the bed, her dress slightly lifted as her hands deftly applied thin layers of rosewater.

"Speak," she urged, her tone firm yet composed.

"My lady, that girl has returned to the palace," the maid responded, her eyes fixed on the ground. Her heart raced in her chest as she awaited her mistress's response.

"Was it the crown prince again?" the woman questioned, her tone revealing a sense of frustration, as if she already knew the answer.

The maid nodded silently, her fear evident in the way she avoided saying anything more than necessary.

"Leave!" the woman screamed, her eyes blazing with anger. He was always ruining her plans. In her rage, she hurled the bowl she was holding at the maid.

The bowl struck the maid's forehead, drawing blood from the impact. With a yelp of pain, the maid turned on her heels and sprinted away as fast as she could.