Chapter 10 - Sibling Dynamic

  -In Yuria Pace; The Queen's Room-

  Daleyza's chambers were a once-pristine sanctuary, now reduced to a chaotic mess of shattered por and scattered treasures. The ornate vase y in pieces on the floor, its delicate floral design marred by the violent impact. Daleyza stood amidst the destru, her chest heaving with each ragged breath as she surveyed the age around her. Rage burned in her eyes, a fiery iy that matched the fury of her words. "Damn them all! My own position, onshakable, now throws a vase, shattering it against the wall as it teeters on the brink of colpse! How could fate be so cruel, bestowing the Dragon Fmes upon someone who sms her fist on a table, causing dishes to crash to the floor, illegitimate brat Luxana?!" It should have been *kicks over a chair* Isabel's birthright!" With a swift motion, she smmed her fist against the polished wooden table, causing the dainty teacups to crash to the floor in a cacophony of shattering ceramic. The sound only seemed to further stoke the fmes of her anger, and she shed out, kig ilded chair with a frustrated growl. Daleyza's gaze darted around the room, nding oapestry that adorhe far wall. "And now, as if the gods themselves mock me, rumors of Isabel's trysts rip a tapestry from the wall, tearing it in half to sully our name! How *hurls a jewelry box, scattering precious gems across the floor* could she be so foolish?!" With a vicious tug, she tore the intricate fabri half, the threads unraveling as the precious artwork was desecrated. Precious gems scattered across the floor as she hurled a delicate jewelry box, the impact shattering the mirror within. "The High Society's favor shifts like sand through my fingers, and Luxana basks in their adoration as if she were *smashes a mirror with a debra* legitimate heir! How dare they even sider her worthy of the throne?! Even the King, that insufferable man, pns to hold a grand ba in her honor!" She sweeps her arm across a table, sending crystal gsses and silverware cttering to the ground. "Does he not see how this undermines Isabel's position?!" As the Queen surveyed the destru she had wrought, her expression twisted into one of bitter rese. The book she had thrown into the firepce cracked and burhe pages curling as the fmes ed them. "Now, the title of Flower Princess slips further from her grasp!" Throws a book into the firepce, the pages curling and bing as they burn. "My daughter's future is crumbling before my very eyes! This cursed turn of events shall not stand!" Stands panting amidst the destru, fists ched, "I will find a way to restore htful p this kingdom, even if I must burn it all to the ground!" she shrieked, her voice ced with a determination that bordered on madness. Amidst the chaos, Daleyza stood panting, her fists ched tightly at her sides. The Queen's chambers were a se of chaos, with the Queen's rage eg through the room. tess Lihanera entered, her voice a calm trast to the Queen's fury. "Your Majesty Please calm down," she shouted, trying to soothe the Queen's temper. The Queen's eyes bzed with fury. "WHAT DO YOU MEA HOLD OF YOURSELF? THERE MY REPUTATION IS BEING DAMAGED, AND HERE YOU'RE ASKIO CALM DOWN? HOW I..."tess Lihanera interrupted, her voice firm yet soothing. "Your Majesty, I have an idea!" The Queen's eyes narrowed, her aill palpable. "WHAT IDEA?" she demanded. The tess smiled, her pn unfolding. "How about setting a se at tonight's Royal Family Feast by extending an ued invitation to Princess Luxana? She's been mysteriously absent all day, her whereabouts unknown, and this could be the perfect stage to subtly probe into her destiivities." The Queen's eyes lit up with a wicked gleam. "Ah, yes, that's a brilliant idea!" She grabbed the tess's shoulders tightly. "I k I knew you had it in you grabs the tess's shoulders tightly You are the perfect pawn, I've ever had!" The tess's smile faltered, but she pressed on. "Moreover, whispers of Princess Isabel's covert rendezvous with an uified man have been cirg in hushed tones. You could artfully weave this into the versation, making it seem as though Princess Luxana is the source of these sdalous rumors, her as driven by a bitter jealousy of Princess Isabel's flourishing happiness." The Queen's ughter was maniacal. "I will ruin you LUXANA DE A MERA DOMINO!" she bellowed, her rage now directed at Princess Luxana.-In Emberfe Armory Shop- The onsmith's shop was a bustling hub of activity, filled with the g of metal and the hum of entments. As Luxana stepped through the doorway, the proprietreeted her with unbridled enthusiasm. "Wele! Wele! How may I help you today, Miss?" he asked excitedly. Luxana's expression was calm and posed as she stated, "We are seeking ons that are both effective and ve for self-defense purposes." The onsmith's eyes lit up with uanding. "Ah! So I believe the best option for a on is...given your need for effective and ve self-defense, I reend an ented dagger. Not only is it lightweight and easy to ceal, but the magic imbued within it provides ara yer of prote. We have several with unique entments, such as a fire dagger or a frost dagger. Would either of those i you?"Luxana sidered the options for a moment before responding, "Yes, I'd like a fire dagger please. Do you have any more reendations?" "Ihe fire dagger is an excellent choice, Miss. As for further reendations, I would suggest pairing your fire dagger with a vial of elemental oil. When applied to the bde, the oil amplifies the fire entment, granting yger increased potency against foes particurly vulnerable to heat or fme," the onsmith expined. "Oh, then I'll take one of those as well. I was actually asking for another reendation for a on," Luxana crified. "Oh, my Deepest Apologies. Another option to sider is a Runic Armband. This ented armband project powerful ruhat act as both a shield and an offeack. With a simple gesture, you unleash magical energy to repel enemies or strike them at a dista's a versatile choice that allows you to keep your hands free for other tasks, making it both effective and ve." Luxana nodded, pleased with the suggestion. "Alright, I'll buy 2 of these." "Perfect choice, Miss! I'll it up immediately," the onsmith said, quickly gathering the items. *5 mier* "Your fire dagger along with the elemental oil and runic armband is now safely sealed and ready for your use, Miss. May it serve you well in all your adventures!" He announced, handing Luxana the package.Luxana smiled graciously at the onsmith. "I am grateful for your assistan this matter. Kindly forward the invoice to the Royal Family, as they will be responsible for settling the payment. Additionally, I kindly request that you omit the specifiames of the purchased items from the invoice, and instead include only the total cost of the transa. Your discretion and cooperatireatly appreciated." "Uood, Miss," the onsmith noted, bowing slightly as Luxana turo leave the shop. -In the Carriage- The carriage ride was ing to an end, and the tensioween My and Mylo alpable. Luxana, sensing the discord, interveo prevent further arguing. Luxana said firmly, "Here, take your runic armbands." She handed out the matg accessories, and My and Mylo began to bicker over the blue one. "Hey, I want the blue one!" Mylo protested, while My insisted, "I'm talking the blue ohe quarrel escated, with each of them trying to assert their cim. Luxana had enough. "Enough!" she excimed, interrupting their versation. "My, take the green one and Mylo take the blue ohey match your eyes, that's why I chose them for you." They accepted the armbands and thanked Luxana. "You're wele!" Luxana smiled, feeling relieved that the issue was resolved. As they stepped out of the carriage, My noticed something unusual. "Huh? What's that paper underh yger, Princess?" she asked, pointing to the part. Luxana looked down, picked up the paper, and began to read. Her eyes widened in surprise as she read the message aloud. "May the Gods watch over you and guide your steps as you embark on your jourread carefully, for danger lurks in the shadows, and the path ahead may be treacherous. Yet, with wisdom and ce, may you emerge victorious, overing all obstacles that dare cross your path. Yhness, Princess Luxana." My and Mylo were shocked by the ominous message. Luxana sighed, reminding them, "Let's leave this aside for now. No good es from overpping things." Mylo added, "There's a saying: When mysteries pile high, the road ahead winds ever more treacherous." My asked, "What's that supposed to mean?" As they stepped out of the carriage, the an informed them, "We've reached the destination, Yhness." The group got out of the carriage, while My's question remained unanswered.-In Amoria Pabsp;The grand halls of Amoria Pace were a sight to behold, and Mylo couldn't tain his excitement. "WOAHHHHHHhh! The pce is sooo huge aiful. It's my first time seeing something so big! Who knew nobles were so wealthy!" he excimed, rushing in with unbridled enthusiasm. My, ever the voice of reason, chased after him. "Hey! It's called a Pace. And it doesn't belong to you! So what're you running like that for?" she questiorying to rein in his antibsp;Luxana couldn't help but giggle at their sibling dynamic. "They op, do they?" she mused, amused by their lively iion. Suddenly, a otion caught her attention as the head butler came rushing towards her. "Yhness! It's urgent!" he excimed, his voice ced with arm. Mylo, ever the observant one, whispered to My, "Who's that?""The head butler," My replied, his eyes wide with curiosity. The butler's words sent a chill down Luxana's spihe-the Queen! She's invited you to tonight's dinner with the Royal Family!" he excimed, his voice trembling. As he thought to himself - This is a bad sighe Princess doesn't seem shocked or anxious. She's truly magnifit. Luxana remained posed, her expression unreadable. "What would you like me to do, Yhness? Should I send a polite letter deing your presence or do you pn on accepting the invitation?" asked the Butler. Luxana's voice was calm and steady as she called out to her panions. "My! Mylo! e here."They rushed to her side, eager to assist their Princess. "I will gdly accept the gracious invitation that my dear step-mother must have extended with an abundance of affe and sideration. I must personally vey my appreciation for every si of her generosity and kindness, ond for all." Luxana smiled, her words dripping with sarcasm. The butler, sensing the underlying tension, quickly responded, "Uh...oh-ohh okay, Yhness. I will send an acceptater immediately." He rushed bato the pace, eager to carry out Luxana's instrus. Luxana turo My and Mylo, her expression serious. "My, Mylo. Do me a favor."They stood at attention, ready to serve their Princess. "A-anything at all, Yhness!" My excimed, her loyalty unwavering.-In Luxana's Room- Luxana's private chambers were a flurry of activity as My id eyes on the exquisite dress that had been prepared for the princess. Her eyes widened in awe as she took iricate details and the way the fabric cascaded to the floor. "! The dress looks absolutely stunning!" My excimed, her voice brimming with admiration. "The intricate detailing on the dress and the way it cascades down to the floor make it an absolute showstopper. The color really pliments your plexion, too. Yoing to be turning heads all night, Princess!" Luxana couldn't help but smile at My's gehusiasm. "Thank you, My," she replied, her expression softening. However, her tone quickly turned serious as she added, "But be careful and don't get caught." My nodded, uanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll keep that in mind. Please be careful as well, Princess," she requested, her for Luxana's well-being evident. Luxana's smile returned, and she reassured My, "Don't worry, I will!" With that, she turned and made her way towards the grand Helia Pace, the stunning dress atuating her every graceful step. As Luxaed, My couldn't help but marvel at the princess's poise and fidence, even in the face of the unknown. She khat the evening ahead would be filled with challenges, but Luxana's unwavering spirit gave her hope that the princess would navigate the treacherous waters with the same elegand determination that she carried herself with.-Helia Pace; Dining Hall- The grand dining hall of Helia Pace was filled with an air of tension as the royal family gathered for their dihe King, always the gracious host, spoke up first. "It's frantically good to have dinner with family on a while. It's all thanks to you, My Queen." The Queeually the diplomat, responded with a smile. "Haha, you ftter me, Your Majesty. And yes of course, it's a good habit we must inate in ourselves to meet up over dinner." However, the Queen's gaze soon shifted to her daughter, Isabel, who had remained silent. "Isabel, why don't you say anything?" she questioned, her tone ced with a subtle hint of coer. Isabel, sensing her mother's displeasure, stammered, "Oh, yes. Ummmh...daddy, I wanted..." The King, sistently the stern patriarch, interrupted her. "Please refrain from callih inappropriate titles ihe Helia Pace," he said, taking a sip of his wine. "Of-of course, Your Majesty. My apologies," Isabel replied, her eyes downcast as her mres bore into her. The Queeually the opportunist, tried to interject. "You-Your Majesty, you should fet about what happened yesterday. I uand that it was...." "Silehe King excimed, cutting her off. "Isabel must prove herself in order to be aowledged by me. And we shall not discuss this topiy further." The Queen's gre at her daughter was a clear indication of her displeasure. Suddenly, a knight ehe dining hall, announg, "Your Majesty! Princess Luxana is here. Should we let her in?" The King's expression shifted, his fury evident. "Is that a question to ask? If my daughter wants to see me, does she need my permissio HER IN IMMEDIATELY!" he shouted, his voice eg through the chamber.To be tinued...