I had it easy in life. Wealth, status, Daughter of a noble, loving family—until I didn't.
I lost everything that night.
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Hmmm~~
The orchestra played a familiar tune in the background. It had become one of the standard tunes for banquets, the latest sensation. In my opinion, the tune was starting to get overplayed and after hearing it at the last 5 balls I had to attend, just from the first note it brought a scowl on my face.
Regardless lords and ladies around me danced poshly across the birth of the glossy cream tiled room. From what I picked up from my father earlier, there were 40 people in attendance: 25 nobles and the rest staff.
The music stopped and everyone began forming a crowd around the stairway. I joined them at the front.
My expression softened when the Duke and Dutchess finally made their entrance down the grand staircase in the middle. Only one word could capture them perfectly right now—regal.
She wore a gown the colour of azure when the skies were clear and shining—soft blues fading into frost cold. Layers of tulle and silk swept around her like drifting mist; each fold traced with delicate embroidery that caught the chandeliers lights as if starlight had been stitched into the fabric. The bottom gracefully sweeping the quartz stairs as she descended.
Her arms were looped through a dashing gentleman clad in blue as well—deep navy brocade jacket and trousers with accents of gold embroidery around the seams. A white silk sash worn diagonally across his left shoulder with various medallions and the Lenoxxe family crest in the centre.
Picturesque.
"Attention everyone."
The herald voiced from the base of the stairs.
"Behold the lord of the place—Duke Edward Lenoxxe and Duchess Audrey Lenoxxe."
We all bowed in respect, some lower than the others depending on their rank. I bowed deeply at a ninety degree to show my respect, my proud smile never leaving my face. Afterall they were my beloved parents.
"I would like to thank everyone for their attendance. House Lenoxxe deeply appreciates your curtesy."
My father's voice carried above from the grand landing halfway up the grandeur gold railed staircase.
"Today we have all gathered here because-"
He continued but stopped midway turning to look at his wife lovingly.
"We have an important announcement to make."
My mother's voice rang out matching the honey smile donning her face. Her wavy almond hair was in a crown atop her head with lose curls framing her face. Unlike mine which I had decided to let cascade freely to my waist.
Their announcement was something even I was kept in the dark about. No matter how much nagging I did to my father or sweet compliments I showered my mother's way their lips remained sealed. So, I could scarcely wait for them to confess what they had long concealed.
"Arthur and I are in agreement for- "
Her speech cut short at the pitch-black darkness that enveloped the room. Not even the moon light could be seen through the floor-to-ceiling arched windows on the opposite sides of the room.
Hushed whispers carried across the room inquiring about sudden loss of sight. Concern and apprehension filled the room and my heart as well. I could hear my mother ask the guards about the situation over the whispers.
"What is this madness?"
From the nasally tone of the voice, I guessed it to be lord Maurice, Count of Eastster. He was always the first one to be vocal in the parliament.
I tried to make my way up to my parents recalling the layout of the place, but the crowd had moved, and I kept bumping into them each step I took making me halt. A strange chill had filled the room.
Cool and embracing. Soft and inviting.
Thud.
The sound of multiple bodies falling to the ground. Mine joined next. My eyes drowsy and closing. Darkness replaced the darkness. However, before I completely passed out, I opened my eyes one last time as the darkness receded. Right in front of me, lady Helie lay unconscious.
My eyes meekly scanned for my parents. My memory hazily captured the sight of them being taken by metal masked men. I thrashed around and screamed in my head, but my body was numb, and no scream left my mouth. The last thing I saw was the strange symbol on their mask.
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I changed that day. Even after 5 years the memory remained as clear as day and the symbol haunted me in my nightmares.
The first year I didn't stop searching for them. The second, I was desperate searching high and low. Third was the hardest to get through since the court officially declared them deceased and I became the lady and sole Duchess of Lenoxxe. This year marked their first death anniversary and four years since their disappearance. Some part of me deep within, still believed they were alive and longed to reunite with them. Alas, it will remain a dream I can't have.