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In the heart of Lyondyn, the capital city of the Regalyon empire, where slab-rocked streets wind through bustling markets and towering stone structures, among the wonder structures and vast complexes such as Regalyon Academy and The grand church of Aione Cathedral, stands a magnificent structure known as the Grand Paragon Amphitheatre.
As one of the three wonders of the Regalyon empire, the former of Grand Regalia Empirium, located right next to the entertainment district, the amphitheater was one The awe-inspiring venue, with its majestic arches and towering pillars, is the epitome of artistic celebration in the Wessen realm.
An applause erupted as a beautiful young lady closed the play on the gigantic stage with a bow to the audience. There were not many people who watched as they were performing rehearsal play for Syndrilla the Queen in The Mask in the grand Paragon amphitheater.
Vila's heart pounded as she approached the edge of the immense stage, each step across the polished wooden planks seeming to echo endlessly. The gigantic platform, a breathtaking spectacle of masterfully carved embellishments and intricate designs, stood as a grand canvas awaiting its next performers.
Whether musicians, actors, orators, or dancers, the most talented and renowned artists of the land yearned to grace this hallowed space - a place where dreams took flight and legacies were cemented.
Finally reaching the front, Vila paused to gaze out over the curve of the semi-permanent wooden steps descending towards the vast amphitheater. Countless rows of seats fanned outwards in a sweeping arc, embracing the stage with a sense of majestic grandeur.
The Grand Paragon was no mere theater for entertainment. No, this iconic structure transcended such modest descriptors. It was a mecca, a sacrosanct temple where the world's brightest talents converged to have their skills put to the ultimate test before ravenous crowds. To perform here was to stand atop the pinnacle of one's craft, bathed in the potential for enduring fame and fortune.
As Vila took her first step down towards the waiting embrace of the amphitheater, she could almost feel the weight of that incredible legacy pressing down upon her slender shoulders. This was the moment she had spent her entire life working towards - a dream forged from the fires of discipline, sacrifice, and an endless wellspring of passion for her art.
"Great job Vila, you will own the Paragon with your beauty." A distinguished and well-dressed noble dignitary, middle-aged man, presented the play actress with a bouquet of beautiful flowers as a token of his admiration.
"Thank you," She was deeply moved by the gesture, and thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
The middle-aged man excused himself later his two sellsword bodyguards followed him behind. He didn't want to ruin the moment for the actress by occupying her time away from her play crews.
All the crew the director and the actors of the plays congratulated each other for the success of the rehearsal as they wrapped it up and ready for the debut show for the newcomer actress for the lead role, Syndrilla.
Vila Edelweiss, a lovely sweet young lady from a town near Arumia city-state, was appointed for portraying Syndrilla. They didn't make the mistake appointed her as she was young the same as Syndrilla was told in the story. and Vila was very talented she could stand on equal footing with the established actress such as Lenora Hathaway a stunning young well-known actress, Lady Sabrine an established beautiful actress in her prime, Lady Light the unparalleled beauty among the Aione sisters, and Irma the exotic dancer from Arumia, the same home city where Vila grew up into this lovely sweet young lady.
Vila was lovely, pure, and well-mannered. She had just turned sixteen in the light of the moon, and it seemed like all her luck had shone through. With her youth and beauty, it was as if she were born under the luckiest star in the universe. Everything was going well for her, but nothing could prepare her for being appointed as the main character Syndrilla - it was an incredibly exciting honor for her.
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Not every pretty woman and high-born lady got to play Syndrilla in the Grand Paragon. It was a very prestigious and exclusive role for aspiring actresses in the Wessen continent.
the superstition among ladies has it that whoever played as Syndrilla in the Grand Paragon Amphitheatre would have a long long-lasting career and fame and fortune and power and whatever she wished for. They were destined for greatness. Golden road and red carpet she shall only see laid before her eyes. It's not baseless superstition, there have been eleven actresses who made their dream come true.
While the crew and actors were drowned in their euphoria not knowing a danger lurked in the corner of the balcony, No one suspicious of a shady burly man watched over them, sitting alone by the corner of the balcony seat, not even Vila herself. It was very much normal for actors or in this part of the career especially actresses to have personal bodyguards.
Vila made her way back to her private sanctuary, the dressing room that served as her personal domain within these hallowed walls.
Two imposing figures stood sentry at the door, their towering frames and stern expressions a testament to the importance placed upon Vila's privacy. These muscular men could easily dwarf even the mysterious burly man, their presence a formidable deterrent to any who dared breach the sanctity of her inner sanctum. Nothing entered or exited without their knowing gaze, a silent vow to safeguard the starlet's sanctity.
As Vila stepped inside, the heady fragrance of freshly cut blooms enveloped her senses, a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances that spoke to her enduring allure. Each day brought new offerings from her countless admirers, a veritable garden of adoration that adorned every surface.
From simple bouquets crafted by common lads to extravagant arrangements commissioned by powerful lords and wealthy merchants, the gifts were a tangible manifestation of the desire she kindled in the hearts of men from every echelon of society.
Her beauty and talent had rendered her the object of affection for countless suitors, each vying for her favor with unwavering determination. Whether approached directly or through more subtle means, the entreaties poured in, a deluge of proposals from the wealthy, the noble, and the high-born, all seeking to court her as their cherished girlfriend or beloved wife.
Amidst the sea of floral tributes, one arrangement stood apart, a breathtaking display of white and reddish roses intertwined with exotic orchids. The sheer size and splendor of the bouquet hinted at the wealth and status of its giver, a silent declaration of ardor that demanded notice.
As Vila's fingers traced the velvety petals, she could not help but marvel at the lengths to which her admirers would go to capture her attention. Each bloom, each delicate stem, was a whispered promise, a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of privilege and desire that awaited should she bestow her favor upon one fortunate soul.
"Tsk," The mysterious burly man stood up from his seat, grumbling away to leave the theatre. His loose front teeth couldn't be missed, he was Ugly Don.
Ugly Don knew better not to mess with the bodyguards although he was confident he could've killed both of them in a handicapped combat. So he would wait at the back of the amphitheater where Vila usually exited the theatre to go home.
Ugly Don already set this up, he knew every corner of this massive city was connected to the sewer underground tunnel network. to access it one needs to get help from another person to open the manhole. a rat named Rat, an underground guide, to show him the way in the underground tunnel as one could easily lost without a guide in the sewer underground system.
and it was an easy task for the burly cutthroat to lift the manhole iron lid.
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Ugly Don waited in a dark alley with a manhole already opened. He was waiting for someone impatiently until a scrawny shadow figure showed up.
"How is it?" Ugly Don asked the scrawny timid figure.
"It's done, s-she was sleeping," a wiry figure with keen, observant eyes that gleamed with a mix of sadness and desperation stammered as he informed Ugly Don about his deed.
"The d-drug worked," He was timid and his nimble frame shook uncontrollably. The scrawny lad's eyes darted left and right anxiously.
"Hm, It seems like you can be one reliable rat," Ugly Don sarcastically complimented the scrawny figure he called Rat.
Rat already snuck into Vila's chamber and put a sleeper drug in her drink. Vila dropped unconscious on her dressing table with her right-hand hanging and a cup on the floor near her.
"Now it's my time to shine." Ugly Don smiled and cracked his fingers.
"W-wait, y-you got what you want, please let Rat go," Rat pleads for his Rat to be released by Ugly Don which the burly cutthroat held as hostage for Rat to do his bidding.
"you can find your critter in the creaking shack," ugly Don casually shrugged him off with a smirk on his face. "Now fuck off! get out of my sight you ugly rat."
both people parted ways.
Ugly Don quickly sneaked into Vila's room from the back window which the Rat already unlocked before. he quickly put her on the carpet and rolled her inside. a classic way to conceal and carry a dead body in the broad daylight.
his client already calculated the schedule for this crime.
and it was very normal because they are going to have the main event tomorrow and everything must be clean and neat. that includes everything in the changing room.
Ugly Don swiftly headed back to the dark alley behind the amphitheater, lit his lantern, snuck inside the sewer, and looked for the sign he already made to navigate every junction and turn in the underground sewer tunnel system thanks to Rat who showed him the way.
after he got out of the particular exit he was headed to his rendezvous point in an abandoned outpost on the outskirts of Lyondyn near the river headed to the capital city.
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