In Raviere

Soon after we heard a voice, a deafening shriek rang across the room. I look to my side and found a petite girl with a long, flowing, white hair and golden eyes. Shock flash heavily from her face. A throng of footsteps came rushing in after and it wasn't long before a crowd surround us.

The look on their faces vary. A large number of the crowd look astounded. Others were either enraged or amused.

The blathering idiot I was for not catching up what the whole matter was all about. I left my body ***** in sort of a display for all of these strangers to see and realized it all too late. I began to feel faint. It was probably because of exhaustion from the whole predicament I have gotten myself into.

"Seize him!" These were the last words audible to me before I passed out... again.

The next thing I know...

I woke up in a huge bed of black and full of roses. Ha... it almost seem laughable to think a literal bed of roses exist but here I am. I gave the room a quick scan. It was dimly lit by the moonlight coming from the open doors of the balcony connected to the room. The night breeze blew on the delicate, glittery blue, silky drapes. It was quite chilly but refreshing at the same time.

I slowly move to try to get off from the comforter but something feels heavy. I look to my side and notice someone sleeping peacefully at the bedside. It did not take long for me to realize that this was the screaming girl I saw earlier.

Too soon after, the memories all came back in a flash. The utter embarassment equals the pain I feel from all the bruises I have on my body. Suprisingly though, I don't feel any menstrual cramps. Which brings me back to...

I immediately checked under the sheets and saw myself dressed in a black, lacy night dress. I checked in on my undies and no signs of bloody mary coming through.

"Weird. I should still be on a red flag but... whatever." I thought this to myself.

I let out a sigh of relief and gave the room another look to see anyone else around. It's just me and the other girl.

"Where could Coal be?"

I remember the words "Seize him!" and began to worry.

I was lost in thoughts when a sudden movement interupted my contemplating. The girl, with glowing eyes of gold, stood quickly at a distance in front of me. She fell to her knees and bow down.

"Pardon my insolence, Lady Ianira. This fool had the audacity to fall asleep on her duty and wake up later than you, " the girl said in a mellow voice.

I got confused. Either this girl got my name wrong or she mistook me for someone else.

"Sorry. I'm Aria. You must have gotten my name wrong. Nice to meet you!"

I held out my hand but the girl still remained in her kneeling position.

"Yes but there is no mistaking, my lady. That is the name given to you by Mr. Drury when he brought you to the human realm.

I felt a twitch in my mouth and a brow raise.

"Human realm?"

The girl lifted her head.

"Yes. You are now in Raviere. The zeme's realm. This is where you really belong. As for your true name, it is Lady Ianira Devin of the Blood Rose clan."

"We have been waiting years for your memories and powers to return before bringing you back to our world. But with our current situation turning dire from the sudden disappearance of Mr. Drury, we had to get you back before Fillery Blair does."

"Who is this Mr. Drury may I ask?"

"Oh my lady, he is a previous king and the man you call father in the human world, " she explained.

I felt a lump in my throat.

"My father? But my father's name is–"

"Franz Keene. However, his real name is Dustin Franz Drury. A former king of Raviere."

I am completely overwhelmed with these information.

My father who was a simple foot soldier is actually a king? Or as the girl versed it... he was.

I find this so hard to believe but with all the crazy things that happened so far, I am starting to believe things are not always what they seem.

Clearly, my whole life after my lost memories were all wrapped up with lies.

And what of my father? Where could he be? Did anything happen to him?

I inhaled deeply before letting my breathe out.

"I definitely need an aweful lot of time to process and understand everything. But for now, can you do me the favor of standing and face me properly?" I asked the girl.

"I–I cannot dare to do so." the girl said in a flustered voice.

"Does it have to be an order before you can do me THIS... FAVOR?" said this in a slightly assertive tone.

She eyed me a bit and then sighed.

"I understand. I will comply."

She stood and came closer to a comfortable distance.

"That's better. Now... how may I call you accordingly?" I smiled at her.

"I am Scarlett Verity of the Red Rose clan. Our clan is subservient to yours and the elders chose me to be your lady in waiting."

"Okay? Scarlet... May I know what happened to Coal?" I popped the question.

"Ugh! That wretched man. As soon as the trial ends, he will be punished severely." Scarlett sound really annoyed.

"Wait what? Why?"

I asked in an alarmed tone.

Scarlett stared at me in disbelief at my worry.