The first rays of the rising sun found their way through the curtains and lit up the room, announcing that a new day had begun.

  Kyra stretched zily in her bed, fighting off the desire to give herself up to its comforts for a little bit longer. She didn’t have time to waste. As usual, this part of the year made everyone in the Pace busier than ever. Considering that this time, aside from the Dawning and Princess Oriana’s birthday, there was also the wedding happening shortly after which gave everyone even more responsibilities.

  Being a personal maid for the future queen, Kyra was probably the busiest out of all of them.

  Kyra got up from her bed and began her morning routine.

  Once done, she was about to head out, when she noticed a small note on the floor that someone slid under the door.

  She picked it up and immediately recognized the neat and elegant handwriting belonging to Valeria.

  I was summoned by the King for something urgent. I will be away for most of the day. You don’t have to wait for me.P.S. I asked Felix to watch over the Princess today. He will come over around noon.

  This was one of their customs. If either of them had to leave before the other woke up, they would leave a note under their door to let the other know. It was a small, ordinary gesture, but for Kyra it always felt comforting to know that no matter how many years had passed, no matter how busy she was, Valeria always remembered about her.

  Kyra smiled as she carefully folded the note and put it in the pocket of her pin maid uniform, then left the room and headed to the kitchen.

  The Pace kitchen in the mornings was an unofficial gathering spot for the staff, who would head there at the first light of the day to get something to eat, before rushing to their duties.

  Kyra, as usual, was one of the few people who got there before everyone else.

  She took a pte from the counter and filled it with scrambled eggs and day old bread that was served to the staff, while the freshly baked ones were reserved for the royalty and the guests.

  It’s much better than having to work on an empty stomach, she thought while chewing on the dry and slightly tough roll.

  The pte in front of Kyra was almost empty, when a group of maids came to the kitchen and sat next to her. They gave the impression of being in a rather good mood as they gossiped excitedly, paying no attention to the displeased looks others sent them.

  Out of the six women who joined her, five of them Kyra knew very well, since they lived in the Pace for many years at that point. The only one she wasn’t really familiar with was a girl named Erin, who started working with them only recently. She was also the youngest in the group. Kyra recalled her mentioning that she had only just turned sixteen.

  — I ran into the Prince yesterday when I was cleaning by the offices. He’s so dreamy! He’s going to be such a handsome king! He and the Princess are such a good looking couple! — said Erin with enough enthusiasm to make one believe that she was talking about herself.

  — I don’t know… He looks a bit shady. Like there’s something dark hiding deep inside, you know? I feel like he might do something to her…

  — I wouldn’t worry too much, Hagne. I’m sure Valeria won’t let a hair fall from Her Highness’ head. — the maid patted her worried friend on the back — Isn’t that right, Kyra?

  — Fabia is right. — Kyra nodded, joining the conversation — Valeria wouldn’t let anyone hurt Her Highness.Hagne visibly rexed. She couldn’t deny that what her companions said made a lot of sense.

  Hearing Valeria’s name being mentioned, another maid suddenly became giddy.

  — Maybe I should go look for some evil prince, too, so she can protect me from him.

  — I’m sorry to break it to you, Livia, but nothing can get between Valeria and Her Highness. They are meant for each other.

  — The Princess is getting married, Pau. I can’t see how their supposed retionship is going to survive that. — a big grin rose on Livia’s face — Which means that there would be nothing to get between Valera and me~.

  Kyra ughed under her breath. She was accustomed to hearing others talk like that about her sister. There was no shortage of people looking at the Commander with longing in their eyes every time she passed by them in the Pace’s hallways.

  Pau puffed her cheeks.

  — I am sure that there will be no wedding. This whole thing is going to fall apart before it gets a chance to start. Even Hagne thinks there’s something wrong with the Prince. — the girl looked around, then gave the others a sign to get closer and spoke with a hushed voice — I heard that sometimes, he becomes enraged to the point of having no control over his actions. My cousin told me that she heard from her friend from Adler, that he killed a pace girl during one of his… episodes. On top of that — she lowered her voice even more — apparently he dabbles in the occult. Void magic.

  Silence fell upon the group as the girls were slowly processing what they just heard.

  In Karia there were different types of magic known to its inhabitants. All of them had their origins in the four Primordial Elements that created the world - Water, Earth, Fire, Air and Spirit. Depending on how closely connected to the specific Element or Elements an individual was, their magic dispyed different qualities reted to them.

  In the past, there were many schools dedicated to studying these connections where the people gifted with such abilities were able to cultivate their talents.

  Nevertheless, around two and a half thousand years before, during an event that was remembered as “the Fall of Magic”, the unique connection to the Elements was damaged and the inhabitants of Karia lost the ability to use it.There was, however, one more source of magical abilities. It didn’t rely on the Elements, but rather on something that stood in complete opposition to them.

  The Void was the most terrifying thing to every Karian.

  While the dominion of the Primordial Elements was creation, The Void ruled over destruction. It corrupted everything it touched. It warped, distorted and changed everything that stood in it’s way. Countless monstrosities were created through it, which spread all over the continent, bringing chaos and unspeakable horror everywhere they showed.

  It was a power so twisted that only a few throughout history were able to wield it on the same level as Elemental Magic. That naturally didn’t stop people from trying to possess it through different, vile means.

  To say that the Prince was dabbling in it was a serious accusation that could potentially cost someone their life.

  — I… I think that these are just baseless cims! — Erin started after hesitating for a brief moment. The perfect image of the Prince she created for herself couldn’t be so easily broken. — It’s probably nothing more than evil rumors spread by people who are jealous of him. I absolutely refuse to believe any of this.

  — Never let her go alone to the city. She’ll either be mugged or kidnapped. Or both. — Livia sent Erin a disappointed look. So young, so naive.

  — Marcia, what do you think? — Hagne turned to the only woman in the group who hadn’t said anything yet.Out of all of them in the group, Marcia had been working in the Pace the longest. She was well know among the staff, and a lot of the maids would turn to her for advice on various matters.

  — I think it’s not something we should be gossiping about in the kitchen. — The woman said with a soft but reprimanding tone.

  The maids looked down, flustered and muttered apologies.

  — But — Marcia continued — if what Pau said is true, then we should pray to the Gods that they have both Valeria and Her Highness in their care.

  DannyTheDaikon