Episode 7

Esmeralda smiled as she left her father's office, closing the door behind her. Her mind was consumed by an uncomfortable feeling she couldn't shake. Something peculiar was going on, and both her father and Ezra seemed to be acting secretive. She was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Quietly sneaking upstairs, she entered her father's room after the maid had finished cleaning and left. Esmeralda had to be cautious not to be caught by any of the servants. Her father's bedroom appeared larger than she remembered from her previous visits. As she approached the closet, she was surprised to find her mother's belongings still there, as if she were still alive. Esmeralda's legs felt weak, and her eyes welled up with tears. Her mother's favorite green robe, once worn with grace as the queen of the wolves, caught her attention. She remembered how her mother would glide through the mansion, exuding elegance. Esmeralda reached out and touched the robe, feeling its fabric and inhaling her mother's familiar scent. The expensive perfume still lingered on the fabric, carrying memories of a lost time. Quietly weeping, Esmeralda reminisced about the countless nights she had spent wondering how her life would be different if her mother were still alive. There were so many questions she longed to ask her, about womanhood and life.

Her attention was suddenly drawn to a section of the wall behind the clothes. It appeared as though there was a hidden door. Pushing the garments aside, Esmeralda revealed the concealed entrance. She cast a wary glance behind her, ensuring no one would enter the room, and cautiously opened the hidden door. Inside, she discovered small tubes containing strange liquids lined up in several containers. Intrigued, she picked up one of the tubes and read the inscription: "Compound V." The words escaped her lips as she mouthed them silently. As she examined the contents, her superhuman hearing picked up the sound of footsteps approaching from the stairs. Reacting swiftly, she moved with lightning speed, leaving her father's room and positioning herself on the opposite side of the hallway. From there, she observed the maid entering her father's room. Clutching the tube she had retrieved, Esmeralda made her way back to her own room, her mind filled with questions and a determination to uncover the truth.

***

Esmeralda woke up early the next day, knowing that she had to choose a gown for her father's ball that evening. She hoped to run into Ezra and discuss the mysterious substance she had found in her father's bedroom. After finalizing her outfit selection, she embarked on a search for Ezra. Inquiring with the security guard Eric, who happened to be Ezra's friend, yielded no information about his whereabouts. The entire compound was bustling with activity as decorations were being set up for the ball, and the servants hurried around to ensure everything was in order. Esmeralda dreaded the upcoming event, but as the future queen, she understood the importance of getting to know her subjects.

The afternoon was spent indulging in her passion for painting in her boudoir. When she finished, she returned to her room to research the substance she had discovered, "Compound V." Her maid entered the room and interrupted her, announcing the arrival of the guests and the need to prepare Esmeralda for the ball. Esmeralda reluctantly closed her laptop and rose from her bed, making her way to the vanity mirror. Her vibrant red curls were disheveled, and remnants of paint adorned her skin. The maid's expression mirrored her dismay.

"I will run you a bath," the maid offered.

"Never mind. I will prepare myself for the ball. I am not helpless. I can bathe and dress myself, thank you," Esmeralda replied with determination.

The maid bowed and left the room. Esmeralda took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. She yearned for her mother's presence, imagining how wonderful it would be to have her by her side at the ball. Thoughts of Ezra crept into her mind, and she quickly shook them off. Entering the bathroom, she turned on the tap, undressed, and reached for a scrunchie to tie her afro into a bun. Submerging herself in the warm water-filled bathtub, Ezra's image resurfaced in her thoughts. He had transformed from the annoying boy she once knew into a tall, handsome man with captivating dark brown skin. Esmeralda found herself enchanted by his appearance, considering him a walking poem and a prince from a romantic novel. The way he smiled with confidence, his lips curving sharply, stirred intense feelings within her. Ezra's hazel eyes bore into her soul, causing her heart to flutter. He had a powerful effect on her, igniting a fire within her core and tempting her with the notion of his kiss. However, his serious and stoic demeanor often made it challenging for her to connect with him. Esmeralda wondered if he experienced the same captivating emotions she did. Yet, her musings were interrupted by the unsettling issues surrounding her father and Ezra, the ambiguity surrounding Ezra's role and the mysterious substance she had discovered in her father's room. Shaking off her contemplations, she emerged from the tub, dried herself with a towel, and focused on getting ready.

Her red dress hung elegantly in the closet, accompanied by crystal high heels. She retrieved them and proceeded to apply her makeup, opting for a subtle look with a bold red lipstick to make a statement. Slipping into her dress, she could hear the increasing commotion outside her room. Suddenly, there was a knock at her door.

"Just a moment," Esmeralda called out, struggling to zip up her dress.

"Are you alright, Princess?" Ezra's voice reached her, causing her throat to tighten.

"Come in," Esmeralda replied, her heart racing in anticipation.