Chapter 3
"Countesss!''
Sylvanna lifted her gaze as a voice called out to her just as she stepped down from the carriage. It was such a hectic day in the capital of Fealann kingdom but nothing was more stressful when she was suddenly summoned to the palace.
Her eyes landed on a familiar figure approaching a middle-aged woman. It was none other than Marquise Bernice, smiling warmly as she made her way forward.
Sylvanna still found it hard to believe that someone influential within the palace was an acquaintance of hers. She was just a simple noblewoman from the countryside, someone who had shown kindness to the woman without thinking much of it.
She had no idea that the Marquise that she befriended was actually the Empress's lady-in-waiting. It felt almost absurd now where they are standing.
"Countess Abel! Oh! my.. At last we met again. I was beginning to think the year would end before I saw your face," Marquise Bernice exclaimed, pulling Sylvanna into an affectionate hug.
Sylvanna couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, returning the gesture. "Marquise! You haven't changed a bit. Still just as lovely and radiant as the last time we saw each other."
The Marquise let out a light, melodic laugh making Sylvanna laugh. The marquise was still weak about compliments.
"Shhh... Oh, you and your words, Countess. Truly, you never fail to make me glee. Tell me, was your travel uncomfortable? Did anything happen along the way?"
Sylvanna shook her head gently. "No, nothing of the sort, Marquise. The journey was wonderful, actually. I am still in disbelief at being sent such an amazing carriage.. Please don't tell me this is from the palace''
The Marquise gave Sylvanna's hand a gentle squeeze. "Shh.. you don't have to worry about that. And please drop the formalities. It's not as if we're strangers. Call me as you used to."
Sylvanna's lips curved in a soft smile, shaking her head. The Marquise hadn't forgotten her, even after all these months.
"If that's what Lady Adele wishes… then please, call me Sylvanna as well. Lovely to see you once again my lady."
The marquise plastered her a sweet smile. She clapped her hands lightly, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, You must be tired after such a long journey." She turned towards the waiting valet nearby. "See to it that Countess Abel's belongings are taken good care of at once."
The valet bowed deeply before taking Sylvanna's belongings and heading into the palace. It was only a small item she had brought back, nothing big or heavy.
"Let's head inside," the Marquise said hastily. She seems thrilled on how Sylvanna sees it. "I shall have some refreshments prepared for you. It must be hard traveling these days with such hot weather. Besides, the Empress is looking forward to meeting you."
Sylvanna couldn't help but let out a nervous smile at the mention of the Empress.
Quickly, she hid it, trying to calm the flutter rising in her chest. Whatever Lady Adele might have felt, Sylvanna's heart was quite the opposite.
With that, Sylvanna followed the Marquise into the massive palace.
..
The moment they stepped through the doors, her eyes widened in awe.
The place looked like something out of the Victorian documentary she had only ever seen on television. Marble floors stretched out before her, gleaming like mirrors beneath the chandeliers, polished so perfectly she could see her own reflection staring back at her.
The high ceilings and walls were dressed in gold trim and patterned wallpaper. Everything was elegant and precise. Expected from the powerful kingdom of Faelann kingdom. It felt like she's inside of Buckingham palace but bigger and richer.
It had been a time since she last walked these halls.. a decade, to be exact. And in that time, the palace seemed to have only grown more flourishing, more beautiful. Which surprised her.
Sylvanna's 16th debut in society had been held here in the capital, ten years ago now.
The memory suddenly flashes through her mind, making her smile. Coming back to such a familiar place brings so many memories.
As they walked, Sylvanna tried to focus on what the lady Adele was saying as she led the way, but her thoughts kept drifting. It felt like only yesterday that she'd received the letter and an official summons to the capital. Everything since had moved too quickly for her to fully process anything..
Sylvanna much as she wanted to refuse, how could she ignore royal decree? Right? Refusing would have been seen as an act of treason. She doesn't want to be labeled as an ignorant fool who refuses a royal invitation just because she didn't want to. There wasn't a flattering thing about it.
Imagine to her surprise when she heard that the Marquise had been telling about her to the Empress, she felt her knees go weak.
She almost wanted to faint. Why would the marquise do such a thing? First she didn't want anything to do with the Empress or any member of the royal family.
She had heard of the close relationship between the Empress and the Marquise. After all, how could the Empress ever ignore her most trusted lady-in-waiting? The thought made Sylvanna's stomach churn.
Even though she held the title of countess, Sylvanna had no real influence among the nobility. Her long absence from court had made sure of that. She has been avoiding social media ever since she debuted.
To be exact, she was a lone goat. She doesn't have any friends but it didn't bother her at all. She was barely familiar with the capital's trends and etiquette anymore—understandable, since she had never planned to return.
So, of course, there had been no reason for her to keep up with fashion or politics. She was more worried about how her carrots would grow than any of this.
Now, she was starting to regret that decision. She might even embarrass herself. All of this felt like stepping back into a world she had long abandoned.
Sylvanna knew she was supposed to feel grateful. Most ladies would have been thrilled, perhaps even jealous, for the chance to be summoned personally by the Empress.
Many would work tirelessly for such an honor, though most failed, since the Empress was known never to bother with private stuff.
But based on everything Sylvanna had heard about her majesty, this invitation didn't do well for someone like her.
Sylvanna's plan had always been simple.
To spend the rest of her life far away from the capital, to be in her quiet estate, tending to her garden and reading in peace. She never wanted the attention. It was the number one thing she had been avoiding.
Yet here she was, being pulled into the palace. And she heard things are not looking good in the capital these days.
''C-countess?''
Sylvanna blinked rapidly as her thoughts came back to reality. She turned to see the Marquise beside her, as if waiting for her to respond.