Twilight draped the sky of Tianxian City in golden orange hues as Aveline sat beneath an old plum tree, trying to unravel the unease that bound her chest. The mysterious letter she had found that morning among the old books in her inn room had thrown her thoughts into disarray.
The delicate writing in classic script mentioned her family name, Avenshier.
"How could... this be here?" she murmured softly, gazing at the cinnamon-scented paper, worn by time.
Soon, light footsteps approached. Yanzhi arrived carrying two cups of tea. "You seem troubled, is something bothering you today?"
Aveline turned quickly, as if caught in the act. She hesitated for a moment, but then handed the letter to Yanzhi. "I... found this."
Yanzhi read it silently, her face turning serious, her gaze lingering on the last character in the letter.
"This is the seal of an old noble family...," she said softly, but with emphasis. "Do you know what this means, Aveline?"
The girl nodded weakly. "I'm not an ordinary commoner, Yanzhi. I'm... from the Avenshier family."
Yanzhi looked at her deeply, her heart catching, but not because of Aveline's secret, but because she too held one of her own.
"I also have something I've never told you," Yanzhi said slowly.
Aveline raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
But before Yanzhi could answer, an old man in simple clothes emerged from the shadows of the tree, his gaze sharp, and his voice calm but firm.
"You both must be more careful, the ears of the palace hear more than you think."
Aveline stood up in surprise. "Who are you?"
The old man smiled faintly. "Someone who knows that your destinies are intertwined, but these secrets... are not all ready to be revealed."