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Thank you for buying this book. I hope you enjoy your reading.
NS Raveneir
Chapter 1
In the hushed stillness of Lucy's room, a solitary table lamp cast a feeble glow, its light painting gentle shadows across the chamber's expanse. As night draped the world in obscurity, an unsettled unrest pervaded Lucy's thoughts, the knowledge of her distant return to the human realm slipping through her fingers like grains of sand. A cruel twist of fate had robbed her of her pendant, leaving her ensnared in the enigmatic realm of Magiaplana. Theodora's quest to apprehend the thief who had snatched her pendant had turned into her purpose, leaving Lucy adrift in the uncharted waters of the unfamiliar Crescent district. Her lonesome journey found solace in the generous gesture of Duke Raynce Silvernight, the venerable patriarch of the Silvernight clan, who extended his benevolent hand, offering her refuge within their ancestral halls as she labored to regain her stolen pendant. And yet, the comfort she sought remained elusive, her days within Crescent marked by the shadow of an incident that had transpired upon Narccle Mountain.
The echelons of the Silvernight clan convened in repeated meetings, their summons directed toward Lucy. Inquiry followed inquiry, each a reminder of her pivotal role in exposing an act of treason committed within their clan. While skepticism initially greeted her testimony, her steadfast account of the events atop Narccle Mountain kindled belief. Ferrent Silvernight stood indicted; his fate was sealed upon his return to the embrace of the Silvernight clan. But destiny pivoted unpredictably as Ferrent vanished into obscurity, leaving only an enigmatic void in his wake. Much like her pendant, news from Theodora remained a distant echo, weeks melting into uncertainty. Despair gnawed at the edges of her composure, her tether to sanity fraying with every passing moment within Magiaplana.
Her gaze settled upon the bracelet gracing her wrist, a symbol of her waning magical prowess, shackled in the pendant's absence. Still, her heart yearned to bridge the divide and reach Rhine, her closest confidante. With unwavering determination, Lucy removed the bracelet, her hands intertwining in fervent plea, channeling the very essence of her inner magic, her thoughts threading across the astral plane.
"Rhine, can you hear me?" Lucy's voice, a soft murmur, rode upon ethereal currents.
Eyelids fluttered shut, veiling her sight in darkness as she wove her essence into the call. Silence echoed, Lucy's hope dangling by a thin thread, until a sapphire spark materialized, a distant shadow slowly crystallizing into Rhine's form.
Rhine enfolded Lucy in a tight embrace, a tremor of concern resonating in her voice. "Where were you? We are so worried."
"I'm sorry." Lucy's response held a note of regret, her grip upon Rhine's hands unyielding. "There was no opportunity to inform anyone."
Rhine's eyes brimmed with unease. "Your magic feels diminished. What's happening, Lucy?"
Lucy's gaze locked with Rhine's, a sea of desperation swelling within her eyes. "My pendant is lost. The path back is uncertain."
Rhine's disbelief hung palpable in the air. "But how?"
"Please, take care of them for me," Lucy beseeched, her strength waning as her magic neared its ebb. Exhaustion gripped her, the toll of her endeavor exacting its price. Rhine's unspoken words sought to bridge the gap between them, yet Lucy's consciousness teetered on the precipice. As Rhine began to dissolve into the ether, Lucy's eyelids fluttered open, her body trembled, and consciousness slipped away as she succumbed to the embrace of unconsciousness.
***
Once again, the sun's light crept into Lucy's room, and the sounds of maids entering roused her from sleep. They tidied up and brought her breakfast. Lucy was still tired from using her magic to talk to Rhine. Her body felt weak, and her head spun as she tried to get out of bed. She almost fell, but a maid caught her just in time.
"Are you okay, my lady?" the maid asked.
Lucy nodded weakly. "Can you help me to the chair over there?"
"Of course!"
The maid assisted Lucy to a chair near the window. Lucy noticed something odd about the maid's fair skin, but it wasn't until the maid turned around that she realized the truth—it was a Faeln.
"Could you ask the others to leave?" Lucy requested.
The maid seemed puzzled. "Sure, if that's what you want, my lady."
The maid conveyed Lucy's request, and the other maids left the room, unsure but obedient.
"Not you!" Lucy exclaimed. "I want you to stay."
The maid looked confused. "Have I done something wrong, my lady?"
Lucy shook her head and motioned for the maid to come closer. Something was amiss, and Lucy suspected that this Faeln was not where she belonged.
"Tell me, how did you end up here?" Lucy inquired.
"I came here willingly," the maid replied.
Lucy found it hard to believe. Someone might have forced her to say that.
"I'm Lucy, and you are?" Lucy asked.
"My name is Clover, my lady."
Lucy could sense Clover's hesitation. There seemed to be more to the story. Lucy reached out and took Clover's hand, thinking of her Faeln friends back in the human realm. She noticed that Clover was not wearing her pendant.
"Did you lose your pendant, Clover?"
"No, my lady, I took it off," Clover admitted, pulling her hand away. "I hid it."
Lucy was surprised by Clover's confession, but before she could inquire further, a knock interrupted them. Clover hurriedly opened the door, revealing the head maid of the Silvernight House clan. Clover's reaction seemed exaggerated, as she closed the door forcefully, creating a loud bang. Lucy stifled a laugh, amused by the head maid's surprise. She covered her mouth with her hands, hiding her amusement.
The head maid, in contrast, appeared solemn as she turned her attention to Lucy. With a composed demeanor, she conveyed an important message.
"Good morning, my lady," the head maid said.
Lucy nodded politely. "Good morning."
"I have important news to share," the head maid continued. "Your father, Basil Silvermoon, the ruler of the Serenite region, has come to visit."
Lucy's joy evaporated. Her father was the last person she wanted to see. Worrisome thoughts flooded her mind. The prospect of being taken away by her father was her worst nightmare. As the reality of his arrival at the Silvernight House clan sank in, Lucy's anxiety surged. She could not escape him, and her unease deepened.
Chapter 2
The head maid guided Lucy as they made their way to the main hall. Standing by the door, the head maid opened it and waited for Lucy to enter. The weight of the impending encounter with her father was unbearable, causing Lucy's heart to race. Yet she knew that running away was not an option this time. With each step on the red tapestry carpet, her movements were measured and tense.
In the center of the main hall, Basil Silvermoon engaged in conversation with Duke Raynce Silvernight. As Lucy approached, she offered a respectful bow to both men. Duke Raynce Silvernight acknowledged her presence with a nod before leaving the room, leaving Lucy alone with her father. The atmosphere between father and daughter was strained, unable to conceal the underlying tension.
Taking in her father's appearance, Lucy noticed the visible signs of aging. His face seemed weathered, with lines of gray hair framing his forehead and his once vibrant red hair now faded and devoid of its former color. His once firm and sharp green eyes now displayed restlessness. Lucy could not help but recognize the toll that time had taken on her father, his chiseled chin now adorned with wrinkles and weariness. With a mixture of anxiety and determination, Lucy steeled herself to initiate a conversation with her father.
"Greetings, Father." Lucy nodded respectfully, acknowledging Basil Silvermoon's presence.
"I can see that you are in good health," Basil Silvermoon attempted to engage in casual conversation. "How have you been feeling?"
Lucy was taken aback by her father's seemingly friendly gesture, but she composed herself quickly. "I am doing well."
"I heard from Duke Raynce Silvernight that you have lost your pendant," Basil Silvermoon stated, his tone serious.
"Yes, it was due to my own carelessness," Lucy admitted, feeling a pang of guilt.
"It will be found soon," Basil Silvermoon assured her, his gaze steady. "In the meantime, you must exercise patience and remain here."
"I will also make efforts to search for it," Lucy responded earnestly.
"Maintain your composure and avoid causing any disruptions," Basil Silvermoon emphasized, his words carrying a weight of authority.
Lucy had hoped for a more understanding and compassionate response from her father during this challenging time. However, as always, his expectations weighed heavily on her, leaving her unable to meet his gaze throughout their conversation. Her father's statements had weight, ordering that she not take any action. Deep inside, Lucy felt a strong urge to escape from this situation.
As the conversation drew to a close, Lucy found herself uttering the words her father desired to hear. "I will do as you wish," she reluctantly agreed, her voice tinged with resignation. With that, Basil Silvermoon prepared to depart, holding back whatever he had initially intended to say to Lucy. The weight of the encounter became too much for Lucy to bear, and she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face.
***
Lucy found herself wandering alone in the garden, consumed by regret for her decision to return to Magiaplana. She wished she had never come back, realizing that it was too late to reverse her fate. Against her will, she had been held captive in this realm. Despite her father's assurances that her pendant would somehow find its way back to her, Lucy was certain that he would never allow her to return to the human realm. The weight of these thoughts burdened her, causing her head to throb with pain and her balance to falter.
Seeking respite, Lucy aimed to find solace on a nearby bench. However, her fatigue and distress caused her to trip and stumble. Fortunately, a maid happened to witness her fall and rushed to her aid.
"Are you alright, my lady?" the maid inquired, displaying concern.
Lucy turned her head, recognizing the familiar voice. "Clover?"
Clover nodded and gently assisted Lucy in taking a seat on the bench. "You look pale as chalk," she remarked, worry evident in her voice.
Letting out a weary sigh, Lucy confessed, "I have been under a lot of stress." She gestured for Clover to join her on the bench. "Could you please keep me company for a while?"
Clover obliged, settling down beside Lucy. "Is there anything you need, my lady?"
Shaking her head, Lucy pleaded, "Please just call me Lucy. That formal way you address me only makes my headache worse."
Clover agreed with a nod, and she delicately retrieved a handkerchief from her pocket. Gently, she wiped away the sweat on Lucy's forehead. A grateful smile formed on Lucy's face, though she could not find the words to express her gratitude. Her body felt weak, and Clover keenly observed this, patiently waiting by her side without uttering a single word. They remained seated together on the bench, enveloped in silence, until Lucy began to feel somewhat better.
Sensing the improvement in Lucy's condition, Clover stood up and offered her assistance in getting up from the bench. "You should rest in your room," she suggested.
Lucy heeded Clover's advice, appreciating her concern. With Clover's help, she made her way back to her room. In this unfamiliar and solitary world of magic, Lucy considered herself fortunate to have crossed paths with Clover. She believed that she could trust and rely on her. After all, even a simple conversation with a companion would provide some comfort on this solitary journey.
Clover helped Lucy settle onto the bed as they reached the designated room. Despite still experiencing a lingering headache, Lucy felt a sense of relief. Clover, too, was relieved that she could assist Lucy and take care of her in her time of need. She believed that Lucy required a remedy for her headache and made up her mind to fetch one. However, before Clover could excuse herself, Lucy had something to say.
"I need to speak to the head maid," Lucy requested of Clover, her voice filled with determination. "There's something I need to discuss."
"O-of course," Clover stammered, feeling a bit uneasy. She left the room with an uncomfortable expression, leaving Lucy to rest on the bed, her head heavy with thoughts. It was not long before the head maid arrived, her demeanor as rigid as ever.
"Clover informed me that you wished to see me," the head maid stated in a formal tone. "Is there something you require, my lady?"
Lucy's gaze fixed upon the head maid as she spoke with directness and clarity. "Could you designate Clover as my private assistant?" she inquired. "Furthermore, considering my unfamiliarity with this place, I trust no one else."
The head maid hesitated and made her own suggestion. "I would suggest a person who is considered more suitable for the role."
However, Lucy immediately rejected the suggestion; her determination was unyielding. "No, I insist on Clover," Lucy declared. "I believe her abilities to
Impressum
Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
Texte: NS Raveneir
Cover: XN
Lektorat: NS Raveneir
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 19.07.2022
ISBN: 978-3-7554-1736-1
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