3
The courtyards of the palace glittered with early frost, the white stones rimmed with silver beneath the morning light.
A cold wind snuck through the latticed windows, rustling the velvet drapes of Evangeline’s study.
Vivian's return from Chronos had been delayed twice — first by snow blocking the mountain passes, then by a sudden illness among her retinue.
But on the fifteenth day of Rellimar, the sapphire banners of the Principality were spotted at the southern gate.
Vivian arrived in silence, not with fanfare, but under a quiet escort of white-cloaked guards.
And her face was… different.
Not weary — Vivian was too composed for that — but guarded.
Like someone who had seen something she wasn’t yet ready to speak of.
That evening, the girls reunited in Evangeline’s drawing room.
A fire crackled gently, casting long shadows along the polished floor.
They drank a winterberry cordial Amandine had brought and tried, half-heartedly, to rekindle their usual warmth.
But something hung in the air — like a veil none of them could name.
And finally, Evangeline asked —
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
How was Chronos?
Vivian held her cup for a moment, then set it down.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Different.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Even for Chronos.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
What do you mean?
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
*glances at her*
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Our spirits are restless, yes?
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Yours have gone silent.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Mine…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Aqua's still with me.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
But she's changed.
A soft swirl of blue mist shimmered behind her shoulder — Aqua, usually calm and smooth like rippling riverwater, now drifted in a fragmented, jagged pattern.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
While I was there, in the southern estates…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
There was a lake.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
An ancestral spring.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Aqua led me to it.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
I've been going there ever since I was a child.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
But this time…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
The water didn't move.
Amandine Von Edgar
*frowns* Didn't move?
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Not from wind, not from touch…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Not even from spirits…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
It was frozen, not solid but still.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Like a mirror that forgot how to reflect.
Camilla Von Edgar
What does that mean? *confused*
Aurelia Schwitzer
Vivian is a hydro spirit bearer.
Aurelia Schwitzer
She went there with Aqua, the hydro spirit itself.
Aurelia Schwitzer
It's like how Light source would shine even more when a Lux spirit is around.
Aurelia Schwitzer
Or how fireplace would feel warmer in winters when Ignis's is around.
Aurelia Schwitzer
The elements resonate with the spirit and show their cheerfulness.
Aurelia Schwitzer
The water of the pond didn't show any kind of excitement when Aqua, a hydro spirit was around.
Camilla Von Edgar
Does that mean the water of the pond is not water?
Aurelia Schwitzer
That's… not exactly what I mean.
Amandine Von Edgar
You're not the brightest one, afterall. *shakes head in disappointment*
Camilla Von Edgar
Hey! *glares at Aman*
Aurelia Schwitzer
*sigh* Anyway…
Aurelia Schwitzer
Did you try to find what happened there?
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
I don't know *shakes head*
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
The moment I stepped close, Aqua pulled me back.
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
She stopped you??
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
*nods* Yes.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
She pulled at my sleeve.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
She has never done that before.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Then she spoke.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Just once.
The spirits, they don't usually speak.
They do not speak causally.
They may whisper, stir the air, pulse with emotion — but actual words, spoken with intention, are rare and almost sacred.
When a spirit speaks, it means:
1. Something is wrong, beyond the normal rhythm of life.
2. The spirit is sensing or responding to something larger than its bond with the bearer.
3. The message may not be just for the bearer — but a warning to the world.
It's either one of these reasons, or maybe all of them.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
*whispers* She said, "That is not ours."
Even the fire seemed to hush for a moment.
Aurelia Schwitzer
What's not ours?
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
*shakes head* I don't know
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
But there was something…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
…beneath the lake.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
It didn't move, but I felt like I was being watched.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
It felt like…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
…like it didn't belong to this world.
Camilla Von Edgar
*hugs her knees to her chest*
Camilla Von Edgar
I thought the chapel incident was an accident.
Camilla Von Edgar
But now… I'm not sure.
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
These incidents are happening one after another.
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
I don't think we can call them coincidences anymore.
Amandine Von Edgar
There's definitely something wrong with the spirits.
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
And whatever it is…
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
It doesn't want to be known…
After a few moments of silence, Beatrix spoke at last.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
It's starting…
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
In my dream, water was the last thing to get burnt.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
All the rest had already gone.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
Earth, wind, fire, light…
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
But the sea… It stayed. Quiet.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
Until it didn't.
Not until Aqua, still hovering faintly near Vivian’s shoulder, let out a soft, mournful hum — like a wave retreating into a dry and forgotten shore.
Okay, let me give a quick short intro of our girls.
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
Evangeline Paraz Athelia
The main character of the story around whom the whole story revolves.
She's one of the many children of the current Emperor of Athelia. She is quick and knows how to analyse a situation and work through it.
Her only goal is to avoid the internal war of throne and to survive. That is why, even after being a spirit bearer with efficient pores for elemental circulation, she hasn't made a contract with any of the spirits.
Aurelia Schwitzer
Aurelia Schwitzer
One of the second main characters. Evangeline's childhood friend.
She's one of the top prodigal scholars of the Empire. Daughter of Marquess Schwitzer.
She has a rich knowledge, and has a hobby of gathering information about ancient artifacts and investigating ancient legends.
Spirit : Terra, a dendro/earth spirit.
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
Beatrix Paraz Athelia
One of the second main characters. Evangeline's cousin. Her Late Father is the younger brother of the current Emperor.
She likes music very much, has an exceptional talent for playing different instruments.
She likes collecting different pieces of music and information about their origins.
Spirits :
1. Tonitrus : Spirit of electro/thunder
2. Ventus : Spirit of Anemo/Wind
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
Vivian Scha'h Obiana
One of the second main characters. Evangeline's childhood friend. She's a princess from the principality of Chronos — an independent territory under the empire.
She's very calm but calculative. As a princess, she knows the weight of her words.
She speaks like a normal person — without being at alert — only when she's alone with the girls.
Spirit : Aqua, a hydro/water spirit.
Camilla Von Edgar
Camilla Von Edgar
One of the second main characters. Evangeline's childhood friend and Amandine's twin sister (not identical).
She's one of the two daughters of Grand Duke of Athelgard, Grand Duke Edgar.
She's a cheerful person who doesn't think much and speaks what her hearts says freely.
She likes flowers way too much, and usually wear floral dresses. Apparently, that's the reason why she's called "The Flower Of High Society."
Also, people say she has been blessed by Liora, the mother of spirits, because of her vibrant amber eyes.
Spirit : Lumen, spirit of lux/light.
Amandine Von Edgar
Amandine Von Edgar
One of the second main characters. Evangeline's childhood friend and Camilla's twin sister. (Not identical.)
One of the two daughters of Grand Duke Edgar.
She's one smart of a person, admired by many in the high society.
She has a sharp tongue. People usually don't dare to talk to her.
She loves swordfighting, and is a skilled swordsmaster.
Spirit : Ignis, a Pyro/Fire spirit.
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