Being the Devil's Page.

[Dear Adele, I'm sorry for not replying sooner than I should've. Lately, there's been so much work that my men and I have spent countless of sleepless nights. The activities of the rogues are getting out of hand so I advise you be extra careful, especially at sunset. I hope the entire family is faring better than I am. I would be visiting Adeland next month and I can't wait to see you. I have something important to tell you once I return. Send my regards to everyone. Yours ever, Lionel. ] Adele smiled whilst reading the letter, her heart warmed, glad he had finally replied. She brought the paper to her nose. Lionel Richardson was her childhood friend, someone whom she had grown up with even though he wasn't from Adeland. He was the only man she was more than an acquaintance with. They were friends. That was the label he had put between them and sometimes,she wished they had something more than that but at the same time, she didn't want to be greedy as many other elite women craved for the man's presence but never got the chance to even exchange more than a few lines with him. She was in her study, with her desk facing the large window where she could get a view of the garden and the forest that stretched out of sight, beyond the castle's gates. Adele rested her chin in her palm being supported by her elbow, trying to imagine what sort of gift he would give her. Smiling sheepishly and looking at the garden below, she missed someone sneak into the room until the person three herself into the couch. This action startled her and she moved back a little in her seat. "Did he write to you again?." The person asked and Adele turned her neck, smiling. " He did." She said, feeling excited. Excited about the fact that she had someone to talk about Lionel with. Her elder sister, Mabel nodded knowingly and smiled. Unlike Adele who had silky, golden blonde hair that seemed to sparkle under light, Mabel had raven black hair with the same jade green eyes as Adele. Mabel was the only sister who had bothered herself with Adele, treating her like she was a person, not a doll nor an asset. Mabel was kind of boyish and it suited her very well. "Then I guess someone is getting married before I do." She announced, heaving her shoulders as though she was sad about not getting married early when in truth she wanted to spend the rest of her life a spinster. "Oh no, Lionel and I are far from that. Our relationship is purely platonic and I prefer it remains that way," Adele shook her head and went on with her words. "But he's a very charming and considerate man... he asked me about how you all were faring." She pushed the letter under a book. Mabel rubbed her chin like a wise old man and said, "What if he wanted to inquire about you and used us as an excuse?. I think the man is smitten by you. I heard he barely throws a second glance at other women." Adele just sighed, her eyes turning distant as if in deep thought. " He told me clearly his interest wasn't in women at the moment and he'd like to pursue his dream to be a Marquee." Adele had remembered that fateful night at Lady Freya's soiree where she had almost confessed her feelings to him but the man had unknowingly crushed her spirits when he told her about him leaving for Silvero. It hurt her, but she covered it up with a smile and brushed it away. "Such a pity," Mabel let out an exaggerated sigh and her face lit up the next minute, after thinking of what seemed to be her brightest idea "You could always join my spinster's club anytime you want." Adele smiled, like how she would when she was refusing an offer that would do her no good and was trying to be polite. "I don't think that would be necessary and Mama wouldn't be happy if she heard this, especially when she thinks you and the Earl's son are getting along pretty well." Mabel snorted. It was true that they were getting along pretty well, in their own special way where she taught him all sorts of unnecessary things like archery. The guy was poor at it and she found delight in making the pampered young master's lessons difficult. She was teaching a man how to be a man!. Adele rose from her seat and smoothened the front of her dress. Wearing her gloves, she picked up the letter that she had placed under the book and turned to Mabel. "We have to get a dress for the ball.. I heard Sister Samantha had gotten hers stitched already. She was talking about it with Mama," Adele informed, rushing to pick up her umbrella that had silver laces lined at the edges. "She said it was going to be a surprise and would outshine the rest." Her eldest sister, Samantha could sometimes be a handful even though she was the eldest. Being the first princess of Adeland, she lived to look down at people from where she stood, especially the people of the low status and threw unnecessary tantrums over things of little to no importance. Sometimes, she wished someone would pull the high table she stood upon from underneath her feet. "That's what only matters to her. I don't know why it's compulsory to attend the ball. Arcasia is a very, very, stressful long way from here." Mabel groaned and picked up her umbrella which was lemon green in colour with olive green laces also lined at the edges. She returned to the topic about Samantha "I think she wants to catch the Emperor's attention... which I doubt she could." Adele smiled at Mabel's comment and pushed the wooden door open. They walked in haste through the long corridors which were lit up by lanterns and candles. The castle was very grand with so many corridors and stairs that it would be impossible not to get missing on your first visit there. They were already done with dinner, with most of her sisters retired to their rooms. They heard the blaring music from Scarlett's piano room and stopped there,Adele looking apprehensive as Mabel pulled the door open. Scarlett was another sister who cherished her personal space like it was her life. She was the last born, the eighth princess and the last person to want to talk to, not because she wasn't nice but said very little, ignoring most of your words. A young girl with a dark shade of red, painted on her lips turned around to meet their gaze. She was in an orange silk dress which had spread on the bench. "Something you wanted?." She questioned after finishing the piece. She had the same jade green eyes with auburn hair. "We were going to get our dresses stitched and were won-." Adele was cut short. She held her hand up to stop her. "There's no need to for me to follow, I had Jenson get mine stitched with Sister Samantha's." She explained and before they could say anything again, the blaring music that reminded them of doom started and they got out from the room. Adele stood in the garden whilst Mabel instructed their butler, Wilson, to have a carriage pulled to the front for them and when the order was completed, they walked towards it, with Mabel getting in before Adele. Adele placed her palm in the foot man's and was about to get in when she heard the sickening sweet voice from behind. "Where are you going to? Sister?," The person drawled, tipping her chin up a little bit and the nose up in the air. "We decided to get our measurements taken for the annual royal ball." Adele answered as she retracted her hand from the footman's and turned to face her sister. Samantha's annoyingly sweet smile remained on her lips. "I heard the emperor is a very charming man and most handsome in all the lands. He seemed to have taken a keen interest in me when we met last year at the royal ball." " And I hope it continues that way, especially when there are more pretty women from the other lands... I'm glad that you've finally gained a man's attention." Adele smiled back sweetly and walked away, leaving Samantha to catch up with the meaning of her words. The carriage stopped at the side of the road, opposite Madam Jemima's clothing shop and they got down, walking towards it. "I hope she's not too busy with other customers... what was that about?. You and Samantha?." Mabel questioned, finally opening her umbrella that matched with her olive green dress and resting it on the side of her neck. The sound of the horse's hooves clip-clopping was heard, together with the chatter of men and women who passed by, offering a slight bow as they were ignorant about who they truly were, only thinking they were people also belonging to the high society. Adele stood to face Mabel. Her lips parted to speak but before she could voice out any words, the screams of men and women came to their ears. Most getting out of their carriages and taking to their heels.People forced themselves through the crowds, each running for their dear lives. Mabel got hold of Adele's hand and they hid in a corner where they stopped to catch their breaths. Mabel looked up, her eyes widening when she looked over Adele's shoulder. Her face became paler than it already was. She pointed. "A.. Adele, look, behind you!."