CHAPTER FOUR - Elegance and Embers
Elara's POV :
The sun was setting, spilling gold across the palace walls, and all I could think about was sleep.
"I need to rest," I told Elias softly, wrapping my arms around him. "I will see you at the Trials. I love you, please tell dad and take care of him."
He nodded, the warmth in his eyes mirroring my own.
I turned to leave and spotted a woman in a maid's uniform with the symbol of Eridoria stitched in gold along her sleeve.
"Excuse me?" I called gently.
Golden eyes, calm and kind, turned to look at me.
" Miss Valen, would you like me to take you to your quarters?" She asked politely with a smile on her face.
"Yes please, I'd love that." I said, grateful. The exhaustion in my bones was starting to feel heavy enough to me under. My showcase took a lot of energy from me.
She led me outside the main palace towards a towering annex of white stones, where long halls branched like rivers and staircases spiraled upward.
"Room 15 Miss," the maid said with a courteous nod, "Your belongings have already been sent up."
"Thank you," I replied as I walked towards the stairs and climbed, tracing my fingers along the cool marble rail.
The corridor was quiet save for the distant hum of the palace music. Maybe I was the only one tired of watching nobles perform and market themselves. When I found the door marked 15, I turned the brass handle and stepped inside.
The room was spacious with warm lighting. White walls trimmed with faint gold, polished marble floors that caught the candle lights. Velvet curtains frames the window and when I brushed them aside, I found a balcony overlooking the palace gardens below.
"Lucky me," I was already imagining coming out here for a breather in the evenings after each Trial.
A four poster bed sat in the middle of the room, it's sheets soft and pale, the canopy woven with threads that shimmered faintly when I moved.
Rune smithing.
A carved wardrobe stood in the corner, pained with constellations. The crystal lamp on the nightstand was filled with slow turning flames, casting gentle shadows that danced along the walls.
There was also a vanity by the window. On top of it say a vase of silver lillies, they filled the air with a smoky sweetness.
I changed out of my dress and relaxed on the bed to sleep.
"Stars, I hope I don't oversleep and miss the ball." I whispered to myself as I slowly closed my eyes.
A few hours later, I woke to the faint glow of evening spilling though curtains. The clock read seven. I'd slept for roughly three hours, just enough to rest. The ball began at nine. I still had time.
I stepped out onto the balcony. From here, I could see faint trails of magic drifting through the air, golden sparks left by fire wielders practicing in the courtyard. It was oddly soothing. They pulsed and disappeared like fireflies.
Several minutes passed before I stood to stretch. "Time to get ready," I muttered, turning back inside.
I opened my wardrobe to reveal my ball dress. It was a gift from my father. My breath caught.
"Gorgeous." I whispered.
A gentle knock sounded at my door. I carefully laid the dress across the bed and opened it to find a familiar pair of golden eyes. The same maid who led me to my quarters earlier.
"Miss Valen. I'm here to prepare you for the ball." She said with a polite bow. She held a small crate filled with glasss bottles of fragrant oils, hair serums and body butters.
I stepped aside, smiling. "Come in. And please no need for the formalities. We're going to be together for a while im sure. What's your name?"
"Carissa miss." She responded shyly.
"Just Elara," I said with a small laugh.
"I'm certain there aren't much years between us." That earned me a shy smile.
She went into the bath chamber, and moments later, steam drifted through the doorway.
"Your bath is ready." She said softly.
"Thank you Carissa, I'll handle that myself." I replied, wrapping a towel around me. She began to protest but I shook my head gently.
"You can help with my hair and dress afterward." She hesitated, then nodded and stepped back.
The bath water was warm and scented faintly of water lillies and vanilla. I sank into it, letting the heat ease the tension in my limbs.
When I stepped out, Carissa was waiting quietly with a towel. She dried and brushed my hair with care, hands steady and gentle.
"Your hair is beautiful, it even shines in the dark." She murmured and I gave her a smile through the mirror.
When I slipped into the gown, the air itself seemed to hush. The gown blazed. Layers of molten silk spilled like liquid fire, catching light and breaking it into gold. The corset gleamed with tiny flame cut rubies. The sleeves flared at my wrist, edged in gold dust that sparked faintly when I moved. The bodice shimmered like embers catching light.
The skirt was a masterpiece, crimson fading into deep ember-orange. Over my shoulders draped a sheer veil of gold lace, the threads glowing as though stitched from sunlight. The back of the dress dipped low, graceful but strong.
My hair, unbound and curling with copper light. I didn't recognize myself, I looked like fire itself.
Carissa stepped back to admire her work, then tucked a golden pin shaped like the Flame Star into my hair. She painted my lips with red.
"You look divine." She complimented.
"Thank you for tonight, I hope that's enough." I said, meeting her eyes in the mirror. She took her leave and I was alone in the room.
I took one last look at myself in the mirror before stepping out the door.
The grand doors were impossible to miss, everyone was heading there.
When I walked in, people gasped, some stared and I just kept my head high, not making eye contact with anyone.
I took a moment to admire the room. It was decorated with white ribbons with gold threads, candlelight reflecting chandeliers like tiny suns. Every representative looked stunning.
Then the prince of Eridoria stepped forward and everyone bowed.
"Good evening candidates. Welcome to your ball, as you already know, the Trials commence the day after tomorrow but do well to enjoy yourselves tonight. Congratulations once again." His voice was amplified by magic.
Applause and cheers followed, and the music swelled.
"Hi Elara." I turned to see Kai Merath, one of the twins from the house smiling as he approached.
"Hello Kai." I responded with a smile. I had met the twins often and had conversations with them, we weren't really friends but we knew each other due to family ties.
"You look breathtaking." He complimented and raised my hand to his lips, planting a small kiss.
"Thank you, you look regal as well." I responded with a smile.
We moved to a table to sit and chatted for a while, laughter threading easily between us.
"Excuse me. I need to use the restroom." I explained and left the room.
It was the best excuse I could come up with. Honestly, I just needed some air.
Outside the ballroom, the halls were quiet. I let the music fade behind me as I walked.
That's when I felt something behind me. I turned to see nothing. Just a shadow stretching long along the marble floor.
The music from the ballroom had shifted to a slow, lilting rhythm.
"May I have this dance?" A voice, smooth and low, echoed behind me.
I turned under the silver wash of moonlight.
The heir of House Dravo stood there.