To the clouds above, soon dyed in a grayish tone, rang their bell in alarm of the incoming rain, a drenching one indeed. In no time, the only sound that exists on the land now is none other than the falling drops embracing the ground, the roof, the leaves, and the dazzling flowers, all putting on a downcast look. Yet, an enormous contrast to the calm rain is the image of the girl, as stunning as ever, racing against time in the library. She indulged in the sea of books and documents, days and nights, searching for a needle in a haystack - the clue. Yes, clues. Enough to turn the table. Enough to end the chaos. Enough to change everything, all at once. That was her goal, Evelyn, who is now yearning to make an impact in this grand scheme, giving another meaning to her life. Pages to pages, one after another, Evelyn was harnessing the power of knowledge to make the first move - releasing the invisible chains of Alderic Livius Sylvester, her brother.
After spending a whole morning searching, nothing served her purpose, nothing but useless information. Resting her head on the wooden table with piles of documents and letters surrounding it, she sighs. No matter how hard she tried, a mist seemed to block away the answer she sought. As if it had been purposely hidden away. How childish she is, wanting to help but not being able to figure out a way. She laughs to herself. The golden eyes quickly draw attention to the window. Could it be that the sky shared the same melancholy in her heart as the soothing yet gloomy sight of raindrops rolling down the glass window. Her vision became more and more blurry. Soon, she lost herself in a sound sleep.
Traversing through the realm of dreams, the image of a man resides at the end of the tunnel, drawing her attention. A few blinks from the golden eyes, she realized it was her beloved brother, Alderic. Turning his back, the black raven flipped its night-like wings onto his arms. Slowly, he steps into the darkness, ignoring the voice screaming for his name. The moment darkness captures him, the black raven flies upward, avoiding the reaches of the void. Its sharp wings cut through the darkness as a blade flew into her sight. Spreading her hands, she protects the raven in her embrace. In her hands, it exclaimed the tapping sound. A strange sound... Almost like something is tapping on the window loudly. Awoke, the sight of a large bird startled Evelyn. She approached with caution, realizing... ”Orville? Why do you look so bald?” Orville, the raven, was too stunned to even continue. Its wings furiously attacked the window. Whose fault is to blame for his stress other than her brother's? How rude that comment to make to this noble raven. “My apologies," she laughs while letting the raven in, “I’m just teasing you. You are the bravest raven I have ever seen.” Orville, though still angry, rubbed his head on her hand. “It’s great to see you safe and sound again, Orville." She smiles softly.
Then a sudden thought came to her mind. How could she not realize? Orville was the messenger for Father and Alderic. An excuse to ease the father’s fury and save the man in prison. All answers should be in the father’s study room. No wonder she couldn’t find anything. What was discussed between them has always been classified. “Go and find him. Be careful on your way, Orville.” She says, caressing its fur for the last time. The raven hesitates for a second, then flies to the hallway, hiding in the dark corners.
Cutting through lines of rooms, she stops at the golden door. Fortunately, an important matter has required Demian's attention, forcing him to go to the castle immediately. Though, oddly, no one was guarding this place, the urge burning inside blinded her from noticing this. Behind the door, the sight of an exquisite study welcomes her. Carefully, she searches through the shelves to the desk, hoping something could help them. Then, something catches her attention. A button is hidden under the desk. With a simple touch, the dusty drawer cracks open. Resting quietly under the layer of time lies a ring. An Imperial Topaz shines brightly, its golden rays sparkling sophisticatedly. Evelyn can’t help but feel something odd about this mysterious ring. Caressing its cold surface, a line filled her sight.
L.A?
The more she holds the ring, the more nostalgia she feels. Her mind, her instinct somehow telling this ring has been waiting for her… All this time. Awaiting a day of reunion. Curiously, she wears the ring, only to be interrupted by a familiar voice, “My dear Evelyn, you have been really naughty recently.” Quickly take away the ring and close the drawer, she doesn’t have to look up to know who that person is. This sweet, mischievous voice could only belong to one person, Arioch Sylvester. Slowly standing up from the desk, she faces him, “Morning brother, I don’t know if you are home.” Smiling lightly, Arioch walks to her. The gloved hand reaches out for her curls, caressing them softly. With this distance, under his emerald eyes, Evelyn can feel a shortage in her breath. Two Sylvesters, both sharing the same dazzling eyes, yet they were so different. One chained her down, one let her go. Though they shared the same blood, Evelyn couldn’t even remember when an invisible guarding wall had been built between them. Since when was she no longer an impartial girl around her own brother? But instead, feels nothing but dangerous? “What are you doing here?” He asks sweetly, “You know this isn’t a place to play, right?” His voice was so tender, with no sign of threat, almost like a harmless question. Evelyn knows… He means more than that. “I was just playing hide and seek. I got lost here.”
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If he chooses this play, then she will act along.
The emerald eyes flinch for a split second, hinting with a smile. “Little liar,” he kisses her golden curls. Her eyes are wide open in astonishment. Before she could say anything, Arioch continued, “I know you helped him. Don’t think you could hide from me, my sweet Evelyn.” How? Fear suddenly invaded her. The thin lips left her curls, but the gloved hand still lingered on her silk hair. His words, his tone don’t have a single drop of threatening, but somehow they send a chill running down her spine. How could she not know her own brother? For his pleasure is to control everything in his palm like puppets. If this same blood doesn’t flow through her, if this man doesn’t have the last rare string of conscience left, then she will be no different from countless of his victims. “My foolish Evelyn, you thought all these efforts could help him?” He shakes his head reluctantly,
“Never”
Never… simple yet destructive. A world that easily strangles all the hopes inside. So everything she does is just a drop in the ocean? In the end, she was nothing but a burden. One hand resting on her shoulder, the other adjusting her hair, revealing her graceful side. Arioch lowered to her ears, “All you should do is be a lady, beautifully, and smile.” A cold smile fell down, “Don’t do anything over your duty and over your ability. Like our loved mother.” His fingers traced down her chin, her jawline, “I would hate to hurt you." He said with a devilish smile. How simple it was to turn a once fierce girl into a lifeless doll. At this moment, words couldn’t get out of her dry throat. Not a single excuse could be made before his departure. He is right, all she does is useless.
She is nothing but a decoration for the name of Sylvester.
“My Lady, are you alright?” Gerald asks concerningly from the canvas. “I’m alright, please continue," Evelyn smiled reluctantly. So here she is, posing for the portrait as scheduled. Such mundane acts of the noble. But this place, this moment, is one of the rare ones when she could breathe freely. Though today that is not the case. Notice her changes, Gerald lets go of the brushes and asks her to take a rest on the lounge. His sincerely left her no room to refuse. Pouring a cup of tea, the soothing aroma warmed her cold hands. Neither of them says anything, quietly enjoying the scent of the tea leaves. “Don’t you curious about what happened?" she asks, while looking at the teacup melancholically. A silence fell until an answer from him put her in utter surprise, “I did” He smiled softly, “But I don’t want to force you. I will be here whenever you need me.” The choice, for the first time, was hers. Lowering her voice, the golden eyes try to hold back the tears, “Should I just smile and do nothing like they want? Lifeless like a painting?” The young artist doesn’t say anything. His eyes were dyed with an ocean of sympathy. Pulling a neat drawing from his pocket and putting it in her hand. A quick sketch of her protecting a person, sparkling with the power of immovable fierceness and confidence. A version she has long forgotten under this beautiful mask.
“This is you, and always has been you.”
Slowly, tears fell down the sketch. So all this time, this was her? Even just a doll, just a useless lady, she was once able to save someone? Unexpectedly, Gerald held her lightly while still remaining at a respectful distance. Leaning his forehead to her, he closed his eyes, “I still remember that day, when you protected a little boy from being punished.” His gentle voice eases her chaotic heart, “How bright you are, now and always. Don’t let those who envy your light, blind what belongs to you.” Throw away all the manners, Evelyn holds onto Gerald, crying out loud. Through her tears, she poured out all the suffering, all the self-blame all this time. Though surprised at first, Gerald patiently patted her back until the girl was able to calm down. “What about your painting?" she sobbed. With such teary eyes and the light blushing blooming on her cheeks, he couldn’t think straight, “Don’t worry. I promise we will look at the final result together.” “Promised?” In joy, she locks her pinky with his.
“Promised.”