My Fiance In Disguise

Chapter 4

The afternoon sun, a molten orb sinking towards the horizon, cast long shadows across the manicured gardens of the Empress's palace. Inside, Lady Ariana, her face etched with a gentle weariness masked by a loving smile, shared tea with her daughter, Camellia.

Arthur, her husband, had been summoned by the Empress, leaving a subtle undercurrent of unease in the air, but the quiet intimacy of their shared moment offered a balm to their anxieties.

The palace, usually a vibrant hub of activity, felt unusually still, the silence punctuated only by the gentle clinking of their porcelain teacups and the distant chirping of unseen birds.

"Jasmine, my dear," Ariana began, her voice a soft melody, barely disturbing the tranquil atmosphere, "we shall journey to the village today. There are a few things I wish to procure for you."

Camellia, her eyes the color of a summer sky, nodded gracefully. Her movements were fluid and elegant, a testament to the refined upbringing she'd received within the palace walls.

The lavender dress she wore, a gift from her mother, perfectly complemented her radiant beauty. Her hair, the shade of spun gold, cascaded down her back, framing a face of exquisite features.

Even the slight tremor in her hand as she reached for her teacup couldn't diminish her inherent grace. The unspoken anxiety about her father's summons hung between them, a delicate thread woven into the fabric of their quiet conversation.

As they prepared to leave, the maids, their faces a mixture of awe and concern, watched Camellia with hushed reverence. Their whispers, though barely audible, carried a sense of protective admiration.

"Our young miss is a vision," one maid whispered to another, her voice barely a breath.

"Indeed," the other replied, her eyes wide with admiration. "Every eligible nobleman in the kingdom would be vying for her hand."

Ariana, observing her daughter from the doorway, felt a familiar pang of protective love. The thought of her daughter's beauty attracting unwanted attention filled her with a quiet apprehension.

"You are exquisite, my dear," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Let us go, and I shall shower you with gifts."

"Thank you, Mother," Camellia replied, her voice a gentle chime. "It seems our family's appreciation for beauty is a legacy."

Ariana smiled, taking her daughter's hand and leading her to the waiting carriage. She handed Camellia a delicate veil and a hand-painted fan.

"Discretion is paramount, my love. These will help us avoid unwanted attention." The veil, a sheer silk the color of moonlight, would partially obscure Camellia’s face, offering a measure of protection from prying eyes.

The fan, a work of art depicting scenes from ancient legends, would serve as both a stylish accessory and a subtle way to shield her face when necessary.

The carriage, drawn by two powerful steeds, glided smoothly towards Leo Land, a village nestled within the Kingdom of Zodiac Sign.

Even veiled, Camellia's beauty was undeniable. Their first stop was a renowned clothing boutique, its shelves laden with silks and satins from faraway lands.

The shop owner, a portly man with a keen eye for fashion, greeted them effusively. "Madame Ariana! What an honor! And this… this radiant young lady is...?"

Ariana, her hand resting reassuringly on Camellia's, introduced her daughter. "This is my daughter, Jasmine." She used the alias again, a small act of protection in a world that felt increasingly uncertain. "I seek suitable garments for her."

The owner's eyes widened as he assessed Camellia. "I possess many fine clothes, Madame, but I fear none would truly capture her ethereal beauty."

Ariana, with a knowing smile, left Camellia in the owner's care, retiring to a comfortable lounge chair while her daughter tried on various outfits.

They purchased a collection of exquisite gowns, each more stunning than the last, a testament to Camellia's innate grace and the shop owner's discerning eye.

Next, they visited a renowned jeweler's workshop, its air thick with the scent of precious metals and polished stones.

Camellia, with an inherited flair for elegance, selected a necklace featuring an amethyst pearl and moonstone pendant.

The craftsman, a wizened old man with nimble fingers, was captivated by her choice.

"Lady Jasmine," he said, his voice filled with admiration, "you possess your mother's discerning eye. Such exquisite taste… a true family legacy."

Ariana chuckled, a warm, melodic sound. "She has simply inherited my genes."

Their shopping concluded, they returned to the carriage, the setting sun painting the sky in vibrant hues.

As they journeyed home, Camellia noticed something unsettling.

As dusk deepened into night, the village remained eerily dark, devoid of the usual warm glow of lamplight.

"Mother," Camellia asked, her voice laced with concern, "why are all the shops and houses closed so early? It is still quite early."

Ariana's smile vanished, replaced by a look of profound sadness. She took Camellia's hand, her grip firm and reassuring.

"My dear," she began, her voice low and heavy with unspoken grief, "thirteen years ago, you were kidn*pped by demons who breached our realm. They shattered parts of the protective barrier, and over time, the barrier has crumbled. It is perilous at night, as the demons often attack. We must be vigilant. I cannot bear the thought of losing you again."

Tears welled in Camellia's eyes. She remembered fragments of that terrifying night, the fear, the darkness, the desperate struggle for survival. The memory of her maid who is the real daughter, Ela, who had been kidn*pped and perished at the age of five, brought a fresh wave of sorrow. The unspoken grief hung heavy in the air, a silent testament to their shared trauma.

"I understand, Mother," Camellia whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I will be careful." She leaned against her mother, finding solace in the warmth of her embrace. The journey home, once filled with the excitement of shopping, now held a deeper meaning, a shared understanding of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of their love.

The darkness outside mirrored the shadow of the past, but the unwavering bond between mother and daughter illuminated their path, offering hope and resilience in the face of lingering danger.

The veil and fan, once symbols of discretion, now represented a shared determination to navigate the treacherous path ahead, together.