. I'll find her...

Soriya stared at the setting Sun, her complexion sickly pale as she observed the lights in her room come to life.

[Father hasn't come back to check on me yet, my legs are starting to feel numb and I can't see any of the servants around, did father ask them not to come?], she shifted to a more comfortable position.

[I guess I will not be able to do much right now].

She looked outside the window as she watched the sun vanish from the sky and slowly replace itself with the moon,"Ahahah!".

[I don't know why this funny thought always comes across my mind].

She laid on her back as she stared at the mural on the ceiling that had bright day clouds and little cute birds flying.

[How wonderful it would be if I did had a sister].

She nestles herself in her blanket of clouds as she finally drifts off to sleep.

[Would she be everything I hoped she would be?]

~~~~~~~~~~

[How did I ever get myself into this?].

Selene found herself sitting across her father from the other side of the table as he stared at her, seemly suspicious of something.

"Your brother said you were unwell...".

[I guess brother is the head of all snitches].

"... so I just came to check if you were ok".

"Thank you father, I am fairing well".

" That I can see", he breath a sigh of relief and became more visibly relaxed, " So how have your studies been going so far?", he inquired.

"My studies have been going well father, I have completed my course on music, philosophy, advanced social etiquette and A.I".

His body stiffened, shock visibly written on his face, his emerald green eyes seemed to almost fall out of his eye sockets.

[I know I gave her free reign over the castles finances since she's a reliable person but...].

"A.I!? Child! Do not joke around!", he jumped to his feet putting his palm over her forehead as a strong floral scent penetrated his nose.

[She seems to be speaking the truth because this fragrance...].

[Originally Selene did this course in secret hoping to avert future dangers but it was all in vain].

[The reason he is so worked up A.I is an assassin class course, short for assassin Intelligence training. It is vigorous and unforgiving, many who failed this course are rewarded with death].

"Father, I speak only the truth", she said, fear evident in her eyes as she put up a futile attempt of bravery.

[My plan is to first plant doubt in father's mind of his subordinates and trusted advisors], she closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

[I will do it slowly but not too slow because we are approaching the start of the novel].

She averted her gaze and only looked at her unfinished vanilla cake.

"Child! Your fever! It has not gone down. I shall call for the Physician tomorrow".

[That's enough time for me], she smiled inwardly while maintaining her mask of indifference.

[My children are acting so strange today, this old man is going through a lot], the king sighed.

"I should leave you to rest for today, I will also send Larisa your way", he said quickly masking the panicked expression on his face.

[Father is a smart man, he should be able to know there is a problem].

"As you wish father", she said bowing respectfully.

He walked out through the silver door to find Bastian passing by, "Father, what is the matter, your complexion is so pale, you look as though you have seen a gho...".

" I don't know Bastian, do not worry I shall get some rest", he walked through the hallway his hands massaged his temple as he tried to stop the headache that brewed.

" Ask Larissa to attend to Selene and even stay the night if necessary".

" Yes father", Bastian took off in the other direction.

[I will have to discover the reason behind Selene's fear, I have a feeling that something big is about to happen but it's dangerous for me not to know about it at this point]

~~~~~~~~~~

In the garden outside the castle

The roses grew wildly and more fragrant than usual as a young woman emerged from the shadows of the rose bushes.

She stepped into the pale moonlight as her crimson hair moved with the wind, her pale white skin and lavender eyes were stunning, "Eheheh! Isn't it fun how much gossip one could get from the roses in this garden", her eyes gleamed with excitement.

A subtle Vanilla fragrance permeated the air mixing with the fragrance of the rose garden, "It seems this kingdom may soon fall to ruins", a males voice came from behind a tree, it was as smooth as honey yet distant and cold.

"Brother, are we waiting for chaos before we conquer this kingdom or perhaps when the new power will take over?", the woman asked curiously.

" Let us wait till the sand settles, after all we can take them on anytime", a smirk appeared on his face as he stepped into view.

His long raven black hair that was weaved into a braid danced in the wind and the moonlight reflected in his lavender eyes.

"Brother are you going back to the empire? Your visit is always so short", she pouted as she looked up at the him upset.

He patted her head, "My dear Benardette, your brother is quite busy but don't worry as long as you are able to complete this mission and return home, we will spend more time together", he stares at his younger sister affectionately.

"Promise brother?", she stares at him expectantly.

" Yes, I promise", he turns around the leave.

"Brother I forgot to inform you, the king and prince keep talking about a certain lady named Selene but I have not seen anyone like that in or around the castle", she crushed a rose petal in-between her fingers.

"And no one else seemed to know of such a person, I think it's really suspicious given that the king and prince hold her in high regard", she voiced out.

"Oh really?", he paused his steps as a shadow of a smile played on his lips, "Just forget about it, let's concentrate on the main plan for now", his expression returned to normal.

"Yes brother", she disappeared into the rose bushes.

A magical purple mist surrounded him as he stared at the full moon, " That name that always appears in my dreams at night...".

He smiled to himself his hand on his chest as his lavender eyes became dreamy.

"Could it be the same person?", he murmured, a fond expression bloomed on his face before he could stop it.

[I mustn't get distracted, I'll find her later], he mumbled with no trace of his previous emotion on his face.

The purple mist rose around him and vanished suddenly, leaving the garden empty.