A soft wind drifted past the great doors, carrying the heavy scent of roses. The wind outside carried the scent of roses soft, endless, almost unreal.
It felt like the whole place was floating in air, lost between sky and dream.
Lyanna realized something the library they'd been in wasn't on the ground at all. It was above, like a secret floor of the palace, hidden from the rest of the world.
Rosielle's calm voice broke the silence.
"From here, our journey begins," she said softly. "To my palace… a place I haven't stepped into for years."
Her smile was gentle, yet there was something unreadable behind it.
Lyanna glanced down into the swirling mist below.
"But… how do we go down from here?" she asked, hesitant.
Rosielle glanced at her, amusement flickering across her face. Then she turned to Vaelith, her tone suddenly teasing.
"Your companion seems restless," she said. "No manners at all. She's too fragile for such impatience."
Her tone was sweet, but her words cut sharply, pointed straight at Lyanna.
Lyanna stayed quiet, her hands curling at her sides. Before she could speak, Vaelith stepped forward, voice low and sharp.
"Your words don't match your beauty," he said. "Maybe that's your real face belittling others to feel superior."
Rosielle laughed a sound too beautiful to be cruel, yet it was.
Before she could reply , Lyanna quickly stepped between them.
"Please, stop. I don't want any trouble… It's true, I'm weak. I can't fight or do much of anything . "
For a moment, silence filled the air again. Then Rosielle tilted her head, amused.
"Weak? No. Just honest,"
she said softly. "Do you really think I'd fight over something like that? don't worry I was only teasing."
She took Lyanna's hand lightly, her touch warm yet strange.
"You'll come with me," Rosielle added. "I'll take you myself."
Vaelith frowned.
"She came with me. I'll be the one to take her."
Rosielle smiled, eyes glinting.
"And do you even know the way to my palace? Do you even know the path, Vaelith Only I can show the way to the palace below."
She looked at Lyanna again, almost fondly.
"You're lucky, little one."
Then, with a whisper of a spell, the air shimmered and a vast cloud of rose colored mist formed before them. From it emerged a creature shaped like a drifting cloud, its scent sweet and warm like blooming roses.
She stepped onto it gracefully and turned to vaelith ..
"Well? What are you waiting for? Bring her along."
Vaelith looked at Lyanna once, then together they stepped onto the strange creature.
"This is Rrisu," Rosielle said proudly.
"My creation. The most beautiful carrier in all realms."
Lyanna smiled faintly.
"Rrisu… what an enchanting name. Was it your own choice?"
Rosielle blinked, as if surprised by the question, then nodded.
"Yes. I did."
Vaelith said nothing, but his eyes wandered the world around them was covered in living vines, glowing flowers, and a thousand shades of rose and gold.
As they descended through the air, the world below came into view
lush trees, glowing petals, and endless fields filled the horizon.
Everywhere smelled like roses.
Lyanna looked back and gasped.
The palace before them was enormous
beyond description
Its black crystal walls gleamed with veins of gold,
shining so brightly that her eyes could hardly hold its full shape.
She suddenly realized
this was the same structure where she and Vaelith had been before,
only now she could see its true form.
Beside her, Vaelith remained silent,
and Lyanna found herself wondering why.
Everything changed so suddenly, she thought.
Once, I only lived to survive each day.
Now it feels like I'm searching for a way to survive in a different world entirely.
I don't even know what's happening to my family…
Lost in thought, she didn't notice Rosielle turning to speak.
"Why are you two so quiet?" Rosielle said with a mischievous smile
"You could at least praise me. This whole place was created by my own hands.
And Lyanna, you
should be thanking me for bringing you somewhere so beautiful."
For the first time, Lyanna smiled faintly.
Both Rosielle and Vaelith turned to look at her.
"You're right," Lyanna said softly.
"I owe you my gratitude . I should've said it sooner..
Pardon me, Rosielle. And you as well, Vaelith."
Both of them stared at her in surprise.
Vaelith's gaze lingered on her for a moment, unreadable.
Feeling awkward, Lyanna looked down.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked quietly.
"I didn't mean to.."
Rosielle interrupted with a light laugh.
"No, no. You're a strange one… but I like that."
Lyanna blinked.
"Miss Rosielle, may I ask you something?"
Rosielle chuckled softly.
"Go on."
"Why are you helping us?" Lyanna asked,
"You said you wanted to learn everything about this place…
but it sounds like you've been here for years.
If you never leave, why do you care so much to know?"
Rosielle paused.
For the first time, her eyes betrayed a solemn weight
"You have a good mind for questions," she said slowly.
"But listen well . I don't want to leave.
That's… personal.
As for why I seek to know everything here…
perhaps because this place still keeps secrets from me."
Her words hung in the air, half truth and half
lie.
Rosielle smiled again, forcing lightness back into her tone.
"And yet… I love this place. It holds a strange beauty, doesn't it?
Who could resist learning every hidden corner of what they love?"
Lyanna nodded, but her gaze lingered, sharp and questioning.
A whisper crawled through her mind
No… she hides something.
Moments later, Rrisu landed softly before the grand gates of the palace.
The fragrance of countless roses surrounded them.
Rosielle stepped down first, followed by Vaelith and Lyanna.
"Welcome," Rosielle said with quiet pride. "To my palace."
Lyanna bowed her head, her voice low and reverent.
"Thank you… for granting me the honor of being here."
As she walked behind them, Lyanna's thoughts churned ,
I still can't read her… what kind of person is she, really?
But one thing's clear she craves respect.
And if she truly knows the path that lies ahead, I'll need to remain in her favor.
Rosielle turned, smiling softly.
"Come. Let me show you around."
She led them through the grand halls, explaining each corner as they went.
At one point, they stopped by a crystal waterfall that shimmered like liquid light.
"See this?" Rosielle said proudly. "The water tastes sweeter than honey,
and even its scent carries magic."
Finally, she brought them inside the heart of the palace.
It was vast radiant like heaven itself.
White and soft pink blended through marble and crystal,
forming patterns that glowed faintly in the dim light.
Lyanna looked around, mesmerized.
This place… it's like something from a dream.
Her eyes drifted to Vaelith his face calm, his gaze distant.
He didn't seem impressed.
Then Rosielle's voice echoed again.
"Vaelith, tell me
why do you still wear that mask?"
Lyanna froze.
"Mask?" she whispered.
Rosielle's eyes gleamed.
"You didn't wear it when you entered my library before.
I saw your face then...."
A frantic rhythm pulsed through her chest,
She's seen his face…? Then what does he really look like?
Rosielle's smile deepened, her tone playful yet sharp.
"What are you hiding, Vaelith?
Or… who are you hiding from?"