Unknown Rivalry

The Eyes

House of Vespera

I woke up feeling dizzy as my head aches. I get it, drinking alcohol is not the best of me. It always leads me to turmoil. I remember I passed out last night. Who brings me here? And where is this place anyway?

“Youre awake? Feeling any better?” I look at the young lady.

Oh right! The most beautiful yet deceiving lady I have ever laid my eyes on.

“Why did you brought me here?”I asked her sounding a little off.

“My darling, you better get used to it.” She said and smile sweetly. I frowned.

“Stop pretending Lady Yara.” I uttered making sure it sounded more annoyed than I ever was. Her eyes met mine,but I look away.

“This is my secret chamber, don’t worry” she said as she left.

I look at the food she set on the table. She shouldn’t be doing all of this. I shake my head in disbelief. I ate it anyway as I don’t want her to think im being disrespectful. I go out once im finish and saw sitting on his chair enveloped with water circulating and floating aboved the floor.

“You can now leave, I asked someone to clear the way so no one will see you came here” she said without looking at me. Un fazed, I sit on the chairs without the enchantment she made.

“Whoelse know that im here? I ask as soon as I sit down. My question left hanging. I roam my eyes on her secret room. Almost everthing was begginning to look icy already. It irritates me.

“I saw the letter with the Imperial Family’s sign and sigil at the House of Elowen. What do you think of it?”

“Nothing.” I said but my mi nd goes back to what happen yesterday. Something is definitely wrong. What heir is the letter talking about? Clearly, the crown prince is in the palace today. The House of Elowen only have daughters. Not even a one son.

“I think the region needs a reform. In anycase I will support that if it happens.”

I look at her in disbelief. Not that it doesn’t make sense, but I think she knows it.

“You should divert your concern from that matter. Like Caius is not binded with anyone for now.”

A dagger passed by my near my hand, cutting it deeply. I just shrug it off. Well im just statin g whats beneficial to her.

“Leave now, Loric!” I didn’t answer and just leave through the back dooor. My wound will not not heal fast, im not a fire elemental. Woman, really.

House of Stormvein

“Where did you sleep last night?” said the voice from the balcony of my room.

“In the house of your beloved. And why are you here again?”

“Stop being sucha baby, Loric. You will loose her if you keep doing that.” I raised my brows. Really?

He enter my room with those silver hair. I almost laughed.

“What are you playing again, Caius?”

“I got an information. The heir of the house of Elowen is in the village of ordinary people. Someone brings her there. My armies didn’t caught up yesterday. She left already when they get there.”

Inka Village

“My name is Erwan, my lady.” The guy with the same purple eyes like Heather accompany me to explore their village. Heather says that if I want to pretend im an ordinary person from this village, I need to know ever little things from here. The village is very big as their population tells. They are abundant in the gifts of nature. Life in the village is very simple. No fights, everyone is in harmony, and everyone seems so happy and contented.

“My lady I think the poison affected you. Especially your eyes.” Heather said to me as soon as we got back to the house. I immediately run infront of the mirror. Half of both my eyes are turning purple. When I asked what poison was used to me, the villagers don’t know it. I guess it’s a poison made with one of the members of the High Society and not just some isolated person in that room that was kept away from the society? Then who owns that room?

“But don’t you think this is better, Heather? I mean once I enter the palace no o ne will doubt my identity, right? I can just say the red parts of my eyes were caused by a certain illness.” She was stop for a while.

“That’s a good idea, my lady” she happily said. I smile at her. I got to plan the things I will do once I enter the palace.

House of Frostwarden

I think I can get to know where the heir of the House of Elowen if I aske d the villagers there. I just need them to not be afraid of me. Or I can send someone for me to infiltrate the village without alarming the Inka village. I ruffled my hair in frustration as I stare back at nothingness. Tomorrow I will officially be at the palace to work for the Imperial Family and I will surely have less time to find that heiress.

I looked at the paper again my people send me. I should've train them to catch and kill people and not just good in in investigating!

She was at the Inka Village, but why? Is she finding someone there? Or does she find something that can help her there? Shes on the run for almost fifteen years already and not at once that someone knows where she is. Shes good in hiding and disguising herself so no one can recognize her. Why is she doing all of that when she can easily go back tot heir house and be the head of the House of Elowen. I sighed and disguised myself. I must go the Inka Village myself.

I travel for hours before reaching the village. People here are kind and welcoming but they really hide away once they know you are a member of the High Society. I left my horse from a distance and cover myself with some villagers stuff nearby. I disguised myself as a merchant and enters the village. They greeted me warmly.

“I think the armies of the House of Frostwarden are not going back here anymore. The heir of the House of Elowen is not here anyway.”

“Yes. Members of the High Society really just do what they want to us ordinary people,they have no shame.”

I look at the group of villagers talking. So that is what they think about us? I walk continuously and pretends to look for goods I can buy. They all talking about my armies nonstop. Some group of girls caught my attention- no! The two girls that is with them. I look at them carefully. Fair skin, flawless, a beauty and simple but elegant. Ordinary people have this looks too?

Damn! I need to focus. As I continue to walk a young lady bumps at me.

“Forgive me, my lord” she said and look at me. Two colored eyes?

“What happened to your eyes?” she immediately look away.

“Aria let's go, mother is already looking for us.” These were the two beautiful ladies I saw just now. I watch them walk away. Should I follow them? They seem strange, and whats with her eyes?

I secretly follow them. I saw them enter a big wooden house. That can't be her. Shes no ordinary person. An heir to the House of Elowen cant have a purple eyes.

“What did the armies of the House of Frostwarden here exactly?” I ask one of the villagers that is sitting alone in his place.

“Theyre searching for someone. The villagers said the heir of the House of Elowen was here so they went here, but they saw nothing. Besides an heiress is impossible to come here. She's a member of the High Society. This will be the last place she will come to.”

Am I wrong all along?