Adrianna Sandervile’s POV

I stared ahead at the man with the most placid expression I could muster without being rude. This man…what was his name again? Eh… whoever he is, he has decided that talking my ear off about the most random useless things was the best way to spend these last five minutes.

I gave him the most genuine fake smile I could manage. “Yes…yes…of course. If you ever find yourself in Sandervile, please do stop by,” I lied.

The man took my hand a little too aggressively and shook it. “Absolutely, Lady Sandervile. I would love nothing more than to visit your wonderful city.”

Please don’t ever come within carriage distance of my home.

I tried pulling my hand away, but the man just kept shaking it. I fear he may be taking my words the wrong way because he is delusional. I eyed one of the servers rather aggressively, and he seemingly understood the meaning behind my glare, so he walked over to me.

“Would you care for a drink, My Lady?” the server asked me.

I put on a more appreciative smile for the young man and reached for a drink. Thankfully the noble got the hint and let go of me, finally freeing me from his clutches. “Thank you again for your time, Baron. But, unfortunately, I must visit with others, or my father will be disappointed in me.”

At least I remembered his standing if only that.

I turned to make my escape, and I inadvertently made direct eye contact with another noble. The older woman raised her eyebrows at me and was about to walk over to me when I turned on my heels and avoided her. I needed a break from all these people, and I had no intention of talking to her.

I swished the pink drink around in the clear glass and admired it somewhat. The drink was very beautiful and even had a little purple flower hanging out from the top. I took a whiff of the beverage, and it smelled sweet at first, then the overpowering scent of alcohol wafted up to my nostrils.

Disgusting…

I continued to keep my eyes either low or high to avoid anyone's eyes by chance. I took in the grand ballroom of Luminar and had to admit it was stunning. The black and gray marble floor was so shiny I was afraid someone might be able to see up my dress if they looked hard enough. The columns that reached the high vaulted ceiling were also handcrafted by master artisans and had stood the test of time. Father once told me these same columns were built when the Old Empire first came to power. Even the crystal chandeliers were breathtaking.

This place looks like it was fit for gods.

Luminar’s gold and red banners bearing the symbol of a Gryphon waved with the late autumn breeze that was rolling in from the outside. Being able to look out into the pink and orange evening sky while in the middle of a party was somehow so unique and refreshing that it made my heart flutter. Luminar really is a beautiful Kingdom, and even though so much has happened to them, they are still prospering.

I wish father would take some hints and cut down on the drab military look Sandervile uses so much. Even imitating half of the place's charm would serve to bolster our reputation despite us copying this place. Only old men seem to enjoy that brutal architecture we use back home.

Maybe one day.

I traced down one of the banners by chance and caught a very interesting-looking man. He was on the balcony, tucked away in a corner, seemingly minding his own business. Of course, I couldn’t not talk to anyone, and I could only use the powder room so many times before people got curious and started unnecessary drama. Etiquette dictates that I speak to someone at all times, after all.

I put on a much more genuine smile, hoping not to scare the man away. “Good evening, sir. May I?”

“Do as you wish, My Lady,” he said in a deep toneless voice.

Huh, is he not of nobility? I swear, looking at his attire, I thought he was from Tel’an’duth and was at least a Duke or Count. The man’s white uniform was lavish, and although I couldn’t say what material it was made out of, I knew it to be expensive. I even think his white jacket was made of some type of monster silk. His pointed dress shoes were so shiny I could see my eyes in them.

He did seem young…but you could never tell with High Elves, I suppose, even more so since I couldn’t see his face. And he didn’t have the air of a noble for some odd reason. If anything, I barely even noticed this man despite his striking appearance. It was almost like he was hiding on purpose and had little to no presence.

I saw that he was holding a drink in his hand, but it looked relatively warm and lacked any of the freshness that mine had. His flower was all but wilted and had seeped into the pink liquid.

“Aren’t you going to drink that?” I asked him, trying to make small talk.

He was a tall man, far taller than me, so he was practically looking down at me. He shrugged. “I have no plans on drinking this,” he stated flatly. He looked me up and down, and I could feel his intense gaze, but it didn’t feel lecherous or disgusting at all. “I could ask you the same,” he said while seemingly looking at my glass.

I couldn’t stop the frown from forming on my face as I put the drink down on a nearby table. Hearing that question brought up painful memories. His words floated through my head. “A good friend of mine once told me that alcohol was poison for a youthful mind.”

“A wise man for sure.”

I looked up at the Elf and couldn’t help but feel that he was trying to be funny. However, he had an odd way of going about it, so I decided to tease him just a little. “Oh? When did I say it was a man? Are you assuming a woman couldn’t have given me such insight?” I said playfully.

The man grunted. “Just an assumption.”

I giggled at his curt response. Most people wouldn’t dare say that to me. This is…nice.

“You’re an odd man. You remind me of…” I couldn’t finish my sentence, and I felt a pang in my heart. It’s been almost three years, and I still think about that day often…the day that changed everything.

The man in front of me didn’t say anything, but it felt like his gaze was growing in intensity. It made me feel obligated to fill that awkward silence between us. “I…can I ask you a question?”

“Depends if you are looking for an answer or not,” he said dryly.

Isn’t that the point of a question? I… never mind…

I ignored his tone, which was borderline rude, and kept talking for some reason. “I had a friend, you see…I made a terrible mistake. One that I can probably never be forgiven for and don’t ever expect to be forgiven. I thought I was helping this friend…I really did, but I was foolish. In reality, I was the one that was hurting him the most, and I never once asked him…I guess I never really cared about him.”

“But do you care about him?” the man asked curiously.

“I do…I feel awful, and he had to do something awful because of my naivete,” I admitted.

I just hope he is okay…I’m sorry, Kali…I just want to tell you…

“Do you hold that against him? What he did?”

My mind drifted towards the brutal scene of Kali killing everyone. How, despite being a cripple, he ended multiple people’s lives with pure brutality that I never imagined coming from him. I mean, I have nightmares to this day…watching the light fade from Ester’s eyes as he stabbed her in the head. And even though I despise that fool Dillian, I can’t get the image of his bloody hand out from my brain.

Even so…it was all my fault. If I had just spoken to him, none of that would have ever happened…I could have saved everyone…including him.

“It’s hard, but I don’t blame him…I’m just so sorry that I let him down. He was…he was one of my only friends, and I failed him. It was always a one-sided relationship…he probably hated my very soul,” I croaked.

I sucked the tear back into my eye so as not to ruin my makeup. I frantically looked up at the man before me and realized I had just sullied the mood and started talking about random things. I just felt so… comfortable around this man.

He reminded me of Kali.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to toss all of this onto you, sir…I just—” I said hastily, trying to salvage my mistake.

“It’s okay, “ he said, his voice sounding a bit strained.

The High Elf sighed and looked out into the setting sun. He didn’t speak for some time and didn’t bother looking at me as he spoke. “Perhaps you two didn’t see eye to eye back then. There may have been some…miscommunication in a sense.”

“Miscommunication? I…I don’t understand?” I muttered in confusion.

He grunted again and rubbed the back of his head. His hair was to his shoulders and was a beautiful ash gray color. I thought it wasn’t typical of High Elves to have such long hair, especially men.

“If you were to meet your friend again…what would you say to him, I wonder? Maybe if you told him how you truly feel, there could be some reconciliation. There may have been a fundamental difference in your lives at that point. Now…later in the future, maybe that can change. Besides, I’m sure your friend may not regret what he had to do, but there is a chance that he regrets involving you somewhat,” the Elf said calmly.

“How can you be sure?!?” I blurted out.

I covered my mouth in embarrassment at my outburst. I hadn’t meant to say that either. Despite my best wishes, nobody has ever told me that Kaladin could be reconciled with. They said he had planned all of it from the beginning. He used me to get what he wanted, and the only reason he didn’t kill me was that it would have caused an even bigger incident for him.

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I didn’t hate Kaladin…I never did and probably never will. Instead, I hate myself for letting things get to this point. I really am a stupid and foolish girl.

I looked up at the masked Elf’s face. His mask was disfigured and looked like somebody had blasted it with fire magic, turning it into slag. I tried to picture the face behind it…the sharp High Elf features…the two colored eyes…could it be…could it be him?

“I just am,” he replied simply.

He looked above my head and beyond, deeper into the party. He wiped his hand across his pristine white and gold suit, and seemingly from nowhere, a cane matching his suit appeared in his hand. “Farewell, Lady Sandervile. I hope that you and your friend can come to an understanding one day,” he said while walking away, using his cane to support his limp.

I was left dumb-struck at everything that just happened. I was sure my mouth was agape, and an insect was threatening to enter my mouth. It was open and so vast. I just didn’t know what to say or how to say it.

Could it be? But…there is no way…this man is far too big to be Kaladin.

“There you are! Where have you been, Adria?” Lauren asked me.

I turned to face my friend, and she gave me a worried expression. Lauren wore a brilliant red and white dress with tons of frills at the bottom. Her pinkish hair was pinned up, and she looked divine.

Her cinnamon-colored skin seemed to shine with a captivating luster. Lauren was looking stunning today, like a true princess. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her in person, and she looks more like a woman than I ever will.

She was looking at the retreating man, and a sad smile spread across her pink lips. “Spoke to Voker, did you? What did he say?”

“A lot…” I muttered. “Do you know him?”

Lauren’s sad smile grew, and her green eyes darkened ever so slightly. “I do wonder about that. I thought I knew him, but…I can’t be sure anymore,” she whispered to herself more than me.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, but Lauren turned to me with a bright smile. I knew she was holding something back from me, but I think I’ve pieced things together. She called him Voker, and both Lauren and Ren have mentioned him to me in writing, albeit only a few times.

“So that’s the famous Voker,” I teased with a giggle.

Lauren gave me a complicated look. “Yeah…famous is one way to put it.” Lauren grabbed me by the arm and dragged me through the party. “I need your help to pass out the awards.”

Pass out the awards? I can’t be doing that for her. This was a massive event with nearly every major kingdom around the world attending.

Typically it was just supposed to be for Luminar and Sandervile celebrating the tournament, but with the Dragon being slain and all that’s happened here recently…ah man…

“Lauren! Stop dragging me around! And I can’t help you pass out awards! This is your kingdom, not mine!” I protested.

Lauren stopped abruptly and nodded her head. “Yeah…I guess you're right. Well, I need a pretty girl to hold all the awards, and what better way to show Sandervile’s friendship to Luminar than having you help me,” she said with a sly grin.

So…that’s really why. Lauren hasn’t changed one bit.

—

The music from the lyres and lutes continued to play softly in the background while I stood behind Lauren holding a few awards while we went down the long line of people. Lauren would give a quick thank you and very short bow to everyone she was handing awards to. On the other side, Ren was wearing a dress that was the opposite of her sister, a white version with red accents instead.

Nearly a hundred people here are getting awards of varying levels for their assistance or valor in defeating the Dragon. Some were getting medals just for surviving, while many others were being recognized for helping others escape. I also think Ren mentioned they were being compensated, but those were being handled in official matters outside of this event.

This was a ceremony, after all. The man who slew the Dragon will be getting a separate event right after this, but there were going to be some more people receiving special medals before that.

“Thank you for your bravery,” Lauren said in a kind voice as she smiled and pinned the medal to the man’s jacket.

The young man beamed a smile at Lauren as he graciously lowered his head for her. “Of course, Your Highness.”

I quickly checked the throne and found it odd that King Maxwell wasn’t present despite the queen being here. I eyed all the dignitaries sitting around on the side of the room, watching the ceremony unfold.

I saw those from Ostela and Whieland. Of course, I was here along with my brother representing Sandervile. I saw representatives from Tel’an’duth, a small party from Syn’nari, as well as multiple groups of people from The Mists. As well as a few stout, bearded Dwarves from Krunbar. However, I recognized none of them.

The only people not present are Elves from The Republic, huh? And Khiz, I suppose, but that’s pretty normal.

The only person I recognized was this ancient-looking woman wearing white surrounded by two guards in ostentatious golden and cobalt armor. If my studies were for anything, those two guards were Holy Paladins of the Order of Light in direct service to the pontifex. And if these same lessons were telling me this, then that old woman was the pontifex herself.

I never imagined I would ever see the head of the church here. She looks pretty old to be traveling such a far distance as well, even more so since she had to cross the sea. I heard she was a powerful light mage, but that was back in her prime. If I’m not mistaken, that woman is over eighty years old, and she definitely looks like it. The pontifex was nodding off in her grand high-backed chair that seemed to be made entirely of gold and magnificent gemstones.

Did they bring her in that chair? They did…didn’t they…and is she really keeping her eyes closed like that?

Ren looked at me, and although she was smiling, I could see the fatigue in her eyes. She was pinning these little medals to over forty people’s jackets. However, I was out of awards to hand her. And upon seeing that, a genuine smile crept onto her face.

“Let’s go,” she whispered while guiding me by the arm and waving to everyone.

We wrapped behind the thrones and into a small room that was supposed to be for the royals of Luminar only. One of the guards in their fancy red and gold suits of armor glared at me from behind his mask. I was getting the feeling I didn’t belong here…

Lauren flopped into a chair and let out a satisfied groan as she fixed her hair. I could see that the tips of her fingers were raw from all the delicate finger motions she was doing. “One more event, then the big one, and it’s all over,” she groaned.

“I thought the queen was handling this one?” I questioned.

“She is,” Lauren griped while giving me a tired expression. “But we are the ones handing out the medals. And I really really don’t want to do it.”

I cocked my head to the side. Lauren saying that felt… different. She wasn’t griping or complaining just to be complaining. She genuinely seems frustrated and even a little annoyed.

“Why? Is there something bad about this part?” I asked while taking a seat next to her.

Lauren puffed her cheeks out. “No…”

Oh?

I couldn’t help but smile a little as I watched Ren walk in. “What’s wrong? Are you not going to tell me, or do I have to ask Ren?”

Ren eyed her sister then an evil smile appeared on her face. “She just doesn’t want to give a medal to Sylvia.”

Lauren looked betrayed as her face turned red with frustration. “Ren!” Lauren shouted.

“Who’s Sylvia?” I asked.

I don’t remember a Sylvia being mentioned in their letters at all, and I haven’t met anyone here named that. Then again, there are a whole lot of students here, so maybe I just missed her?

“She’s the girl that saved nearly everyone’s lives during the Dragon attack,” Ren said while sitting down calmly and straightening out her dress.

“I’m not sure if I would call that raging monster a girl,” Lauren snorted. “Besides, we all know she would have never healed anyone if it weren’t for Voker nearly passing. If he were okay, she would have let everyone die,” Lauren said with a wave of her hand.

“Well…I didn’t hear about this?” I asked, confused.

I had whispers of what actually happened, but they were just that…whispers…

“It was just a way to hide the truth. That girl is actually a Vampire,” Lauren explained.

My heart sank a little in my chest. “A…a…a Vampire?” I muttered in disbelief.

A Vampire? Here? So it really was true?

I’ve only ever seen one, and he creeped me out even back then. The only reason I didn’t care to think much about him was that I was asking Kali to come to school with me. If it weren’t for that, I probably would have run.

I was always told Vampires were monsters wearing Human skin and that they couldn’t be trusted. So you were better off ignoring the bloodsuckers if you ran into one and hopping they didn’t turn those dead eyes onto you.

Ren giggled but said nothing. I looked at her, and her face was difficult to read. It was somewhere between amusement with a hint of sadness to it. “Ren?”

My friend looked at me, and her mouth was not quite forming a complete smile. “That’s not the real reason why Lauren is frustrated. She just keeps getting closer to Voker,” Ren pointed out.

Lauren scoffed. “Dear sister, I’m afraid you’ve been working too hard as your head isn’t working right.”

Ah…so Ren is somewhat right then…I see…but she can’t say that with a straight face.

Even though this is my second time being with Ren and Lauren in person, I felt like I really got to know them. Even now, I still don’t have many friends, so maybe I’m just kidding myself when I say this, but something is wrong with Ren and Lauren. Both of them seemed so conflicted, and occasionally I’ve caught them staring off into the distance with blank expressions, which is unlike them.

Even Ren right now can’t seem to deflect the conversation away from Lauren, something she tries to do often. I get that Ren feels a need to protect her sister…but from what I still don’t know. It’s not like I’m out to get them or anything. I just wish things could go back to how they used to be…when things were simpler…

Or maybe people just change? I’m not sure…

The awkward silence permeated between us for a while longer until a bell rang. The roaring applause as the medal receivers were allowed their few minutes of fame upon walking out. I imagine Lauren and Ren were supposed to be out there, cheering along with everyone or at least being present, but neither of them seemed too keen on moving right now.

It wasn’t until the second bell that Lauren shot up and painted a strained smile on her face. “Alright, let’s do this. Any chance you are interested in doing this instead, Ren?”

Ren sighed. “That would defeat the purpose of all this. Or are you so tired your brain stopped working?”

Lauren started grumbling like an old man and grabbed a wooden box. She opened it up and pointed to the large beautiful hand-crafted medals that was lying in the center. One of them was made of real gold and had tiny red gemstones surrounding the circular pattern. A Gryphon made of cut diamonds was placed in the center. Even the ribbon part was made of some fine material that was soft to the touch.

This thing must cost a small fortune. Maybe two or three large gold…

“This is for that monster,” Lauren said, pointing at the fancy medal.

“Lauren!” Ren hissed.

Lauren ignored her sister and kept smiling at me. “The other three awards are for everyone else.”

I nodded along with her words and looked at the other three awards. Although they weren’t nearly as extravagant as the other award, it didn’t detract from their value whatsoever. The award was black, and I imagine it was supposed to be made out of Mythril, but I highly doubted it was. The metal lacked that deep dark impression that seemed to suck in light that Mythril had, so it was most likely painted.

But the black and red gemstones were genuine, as were the gold and diamonds. In the center of this award was a leaf crown made out of gold, and I think it was supposed to be a rendition of the king and queen’s crowns, but I didn’t get a great look at it since Lauren shut the black box closed and handed it to me.

The box was made from some wood, and it was lacquered. It smelt like oil, and it was smooth to the touch. “Oh, and make sure you hand me the box as well as the medal,” Lauren added while walking out of the room.

This is going to go poorly…isn’t it?