Mavie's gaze sharpened upon Theron, suspicion settling in her eyes like frost.
She let out a slow breath.
Mavie: "...Very well. If it must be spoken of, then speak."
Theron gave a quiet nod and guided her toward a chair beside his desk.
Mavie sat, her posture straight, hands resting stiffly upon her lap, yet her eyes never left him.
Theron paced the chamber for a moment, as if searching for the proper words.
Mavie: "What is it you wish to say, Your Highness? I have duties awaiting me."
Theron halted, then turned.
Theron: "It shall not take long."
Mavie's expression remained cold. She tapped her finger once against the armrest.
Theron stepped closer, his gaze drifting to the pendant at her neck.
Theron: "That necklace… who bestowed it upon you?"
Mavie instinctively reached for it. Her fingers caressed the amethyst stone, as though touching it alone gave her peace.
Only then did she look back at him.
Mavie: "My father gave it to me when I was but five years of age. He said it was a gift from my mother… before she perished." She narrowed her eyes. "Why dost thou ask?"
Theron hummed thoughtfully, then sat across from her, folding his hands.
Theron: "Interesting…"
Mavie: "Is that all? If thou hast nothing of value to say, then I shall take my leave."
Theron's lips curved into a faint smile, calm, yet uneasy.
Theron: "Patience, Lady Mavie. I merely… find it familiar."
Mavie: stiffened "Familiar?" She tilted her head slightly. "This necklace is no common trinket. Few have ever laid eyes upon it. How could you possibly know of it?"
Theron leaned forward, eyes fixed on the jewel. The amethyst gleamed softly, shaped like an oval, wrapped in delicate gold, almost regal, almost sacred.
Theron: "Because I have seen one like it before."
Mavie's eyes widened.
Mavie: "You have…?"
Theron: voice lowered. "Tell me, do you know what it truly is?"
Mavie: frowned "It is a necklace."
Theron shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving the pendant.
Theron: "Nay… it is more than that. There is power within it. A force that shields you."
Mavie's expression darkened
Mavie: "Protection?" scoffed softly. "You speak nonsense. This is nothing but a keepsake. It holds no magic."
Theron raised his hand. His skin was reddened still marked, as if burned by something unnatural.
Theron: "Then explain this."
Mavie fell silent, staring.
Theron: "When I touched you, it burned me. Not as fire would, nay... It was as though the necklace itself rejected me."
Mavie's breath caught.
Theron: "It is warding you, Lady Mavie. Not from men.. ut from something darker."
His voice dropped to a murmur.
Theron: "Something demonic."
Mavie's fingers curled into her palm.
Mavie: "I… I do not understand."
Theron leaned back, forcing a lighter tone, though his eyes remained troubled.
Theron: "Do not mistake me. Perhaps it only mistook my intent. I am not some beast from below." He gave a faint, almost tired smile. " I am mortal, as you are."
Mavie's eyes narrowed further.
Mavie: "And why should I believe such words so easily?"
Theron rested his cheek upon his fist, studying her quietly.
Theron: "Because I have no reason to lie." paused. "I am not accusing you, Lady Mavie. I am only… asking. That necklace is not ordinary, and I fear it may be tied to what now spreads within our walls."
Mavie's gaze dropped to her pendant once more. Her heart tightened. Slowly, she rose from her seat.
Mavie: "I have heard enough."
Theron blinked.
Mavie: "Whatever this necklace may be, I did not ask for it to be cursed with meaning."
She bowed stiffly.
Mavie: "I shall take my leave now, Your Highness."
Theron did not stop her.
He remained seated, watching as she turned and strode toward the door.
The moment it shut behind her, the silence in the room felt heavier than stone.
Theron lowered his gaze to his hand again. The burn had not faded.
Theron: "...Hmph." His fingers curled into a fist.
Theron: "So it is true after all…"
His eyes drifted toward the darkened window, the distant snow falling outside.
Theron: "That power still exists…"
And somewhere far beneath the kingdom, unseen and unheard, the corruption continued to crawl.
---------------------------
((THE NEXT DAY))
Aurelia sat within the grand library, quill in hand, prepared to write once more into her journal. The fire crackled softly nearby, casting warm light
She dipped her quill....
Nothing...
Aurelia blinked, then tilted the ink bottle.
Empty....
Aurelia: "...Ah."
She let out a long sigh, shutting her journal with quiet annoyance. Carefully, she slipped it into her satchel.
Aurelia rose and made her way into the castle halls, her footsteps echoing faintly through the stone corridor.
Yet as she passed the living chamber, she halted. There, seated upon the cushioned bench near the hearth, was Mavie, holding a book in her hands, eyes lowered as she read in silence.
Aurelia's brows lifted in surprise.
It was rare, almost unheard of to see Lady Mavie with a book.
Aurelia: "...Mavie?"
Her voice was soft, almost as if she feared breaking the moment.
Mavie's eyes lifted. She paused, then slowly closed the book, standing as Aurelia lingered at the doorway.
But before Mavie could speak, Aurelia hurried to explain herself.
Aurelia: "Forgive me, Lady Mavie. I did not mean to disturb thee… but might you accompany me into the kingdom? I must purchase ink. It shall not take long."
Mavie was quiet for a heartbeat. Then she sighed, calm, but weary.
Mavie: "Very well. I am free, for once… and it seems fate hath decided to make use of it."
Aurelia's lips curved into a small smile.
Aurelia: "Thank you."
Together, they made their way down the castle steps and into the snowy streets of the kingdom.
----------------------------------
Not long after, they arrived at the small merchant shop Aurelia oft visited.
The shopkeeper bowed as they entered.
Owner: "Lady Aurelia... Lady Mavie. What may I offer thee this day?"
Aurelia stepped forward.
Aurelia: "Ink. The finest thou hast, if possible."
The man's expression shifted awkward and apologetic.
Owner: "Ah… my lady, forgive me. We have none left. We ran out of stock yesterday, and the next shipment hath yet to arrive."
Aurelia's shoulders slumped slightly.
Aurelia: "...Of course." She forced herself to nod politely.
Aurelia: "Very well. Thank you, good sir."
The two left the shop, the cold air biting as the door shut behind them.
----------------------------------
Outside, Aurelia let out an irritated breath.
Aurelia: "What now? That is the only shop within these walls that sells proper ink. And I must finish my journal, this is important."
Mavie glanced at her.
Mavie: "Then use charcoal."
Aurelia looked at her as if she had just suggested drinking poison.
Aurelia: "Charcoal is messy. It smears. It stains. It ruins parchment."
Mavie only shrugged.
Mavie: "It still writes."
Aurelia groaned softly and rubbed her temples.
Aurelia: "I know of another place, but… it is far."
Mavie: "Where?"
Aurelia hesitated a moment, then spoke.
Aurelia: "Crescentveil Kingdom."
Mavie's brows raised slightly.
Aurelia: "I have been there before. Their ink is of fine quality! deep, smooth, and rich. Perfect for what I am writing."
Mavie blinked once, then nodded slowly.
Mavie: "...Very well."
Aurelia brightened a little.
Mavie: "But if we are to leave the kingdom, we must inform Theron."
Mavie: "...Very well."
Aurelia brightened a little.
Mavie: "But if we are to leave the kingdom, we must inform Theron."
Aurelia: "Aye… thou art right."
She adjusted her satchel.
Aurelia: "Then let us not waste time. If we leave before nightfall, we may return sooner."
Mavie exhaled through her nose.
Mavie: "You and thy ink… truly, it is as though thou wouldst wage war for it."
Aurelia smirked.
Aurelia: "If ink is the only thing keeping my sanity intact, then yes! perhaps I shall."
And with that, the two began walking forward through the snow-covered streets… unaware that beyond the kingdom walls, something far darker was already stirring.
((TO BE CONTINUED))