The chandeliers of Therasus always seemed to shine brightest on nights of gathering. In parlors and grand halls alike, noblewomen flitted between conversations, their laughter mingling with the soft chime of crystal. To the untrained eye, it was a spectacle of elegance; to those born into it, it was the heart of the empire's power - where whispers could be worth more than gold, and a smile could mask the sharpest dagger.

Sterlla had always attended such evenings with quiet grace, but unlike most, her eyes rarely hunted for advantage. Instead, they sought only one familiar face.

"I swear, if you make me sit through another banquet without you, I'll wither away from boredom," Lionella Zywan had once teased, looping her arm through Sterlla's during a gala.

Sterlla had laughed, the sound light and unguarded. "And if I leave you unattended, you'll cause some scandal that my name will end up attached to."

"Better that than you letting half the court steal you away for political talk," Lionella had countered, eyes glinting.

Those evenings had been theirs - a refuge of shared glances and whispered jokes amidst a sea of calculation.

But that was before.

Now, Sterlla sat propped against silk cushions, a silver tray untouched at her side. Her hand trembled when she tried to lift the fork. She set it down with a quiet sigh.

Lionella, seated near the bed, reached over without hesitation, cutting a piece and offering it. "You'll come back to them soon enough. They'll be lost without you."

Sterlla managed a faint smile. "Lost? Or relieved I'm not there to ruin their perfect little intrigues?"

"They're vultures, Sterlla," Lionella said softly. "But you've always been the only one who didn't peck at the feast."

The words lingered in the quiet chamber. Outside, the world of Therasus still glittered and schemed. Inside, Sterlla's world had grown smaller - no ballrooms, no candlelit corridors, just the steady presence of the one friend who refused to let her face it alone.

EPISODE TEN
THE TEA PARTY

In Therasus, the right to host a tea party was more than an indulgence - it was a crown in itself. Only Queens, noble Princesses and Crown Princesses could extend such invitations, and to decline one without dire cause was to invite the ruin of one's reputation. Whispers here moved faster than the wind, and a single slight could take root and grow poisonous before the day was done.

Name: Liora Devin

Age: 45
Role: Crystal Palace (Sterlla's wing) Headmaid
Residence: Xiones Castle, City of Therasus, Wemont Empire
Lineage: Noble, daughter of Devin family, an elite family that has been producing headmaids for the royal family for decades
Magic: -nil-

The head maid, Liora, worked in steady silence, fastening the final ties of Sterlla's gown while two younger maids busied themselves at the study desk.

"Careful with those papers," Liora warned without looking up.

"Yes, Head Maid," one murmured - but then paused. "Oh..."

Her fellow maid glanced over. "What is it?"

From beneath a stack of neatly bound reports, the girl drew out a small pile of unopened envelopes, their wax seals stamped with crests both ancient and formidable.

They exchanged a nervous look as they whispered. "These are from House Valcarre... and the Duke of Mareth..."

Liora's hands stilled on the gown's ribbon at their nervous looks. She stepped away from Sterlla with a respectful bow, approaching the study desk. "Show me."

When she saw the seals, her lips tightened. "Not here." she whispered.

Within moments, the maids were hurrying down the marbled corridor to the royal advisor's chamber. Shane, seated at a long table strewn with scrolls, looked up as they entered.

"Letters, sir," Liora said, placing the pile before him. "They were buried in Crown Princess Sterlla's study. All unopened."

Shane broke the first seal, scanning the contents. His expression grew grim. "Some of these are weeks old."

"She has been too ill to tend to her desk," Liora defended. "We only-"

He raised a hand to quiet her. "I know. But in Therasus, an unanswered letter can be mistaken for an insult. These must be dealt with at once."

With that, Liora bowed and dismissed herself.

Back in Sterlla's chamber, Liora resumed her work, adjusting the folds of the gown until they fell in perfect grace.

"Was something amiss?" Sterlla asked, catching the faint tension in her maid's movements.

"Only some correspondence we had overlooked, my lady. Sir Shane is seeing to it."

Sterlla exhaled softly. "I can imagine the faces in court already. Well, if anyone can untangle that web, it's him." Her gaze drifted toward the window. "I would rather be the one offering tea than sending excuses for neglect."

Liora's tone softened. "There will be time for that again."

Sterlla smiled faintly, though her eyes betrayed her longing. "Yes. But time moves quickly in Therasus, and I would hate to find I've been forgotten."

"Not while I'm here," Liora said firmly.

In the world beyond the silken walls, Shane worked swiftly, sealing replies before the whispers could begin.

Name: Shane Xiones (uses the family name and naming system because they are his foster family)
Age: 21
Role: Royal advisor of the Xiones family
Residence: Xiones Castle, City of Therasus, Wemont Empire
Lineage: noble, son of Hanfred family, the house of intelligence
Magic: Weilder of neon blue light - power of intellect (note: he is naturally smart)

A hurried knock rattled the door to Shane's study.

He looked up from the envelops scattered across his desk. "Enter," he called.

The door flew open and a cluster of maids spilled inside yet again, skirts swishing, cheeks flushed. Without a word, they marched up to his desk and set down a stack of sealed envelopes with a thump.

Shane blinked at their urgency but his gaze had already fixed on the crests stamped in wax. Liora had already entrusted him with some. What were a few more?

"Sir Shane," one began, catching her breath, "I'm not sure if these are urgent, but they belong to Crown Princess Sterlla. We... thought you should see them."

In the quiet months since the household's activities had slowed, letters had been trickling in from across the empire. Knowing Sterlla's bright nature, people were used to seeing her at the markets or among the gardens - her absence had clearly stirred concern.

Shane gestured to the sofa beside his desk. "Sit. I'll have a look."

The maids obeyed without hesitation. These were letters they found in the drawers of the desk, and they wondered, how many more would they find? They still found it strange that the royal advisor spoke to them as equals, yet that very courtesy had won their loyalty.

Shane broke the seals with practiced care, reading each letter in turn. The sound of paper shifting was the only thing breaking the silence. When he finished, he slid each sheet back into its envelope with tidy precision.

"Well?" one of the younger maids asked, leaning forward.

"These are nothing alarming either," Shane replied. "They're all inquiries after the Crown Princess's health."

The tension left the room in a collective sigh. "Thank you, Sir Shane," they said in near unison, rising to their feet.

As they stepped into the corridor, their chatter carried ahead of them - until they spotted Liora standing outside Sterlla's chambers, arms crossed.

"What was all that about?" she asked sharply, her tone laced with worry. "Was it serious?"

One of the younger maids shook her head with a smile. "No, madame. Everything's fine. We found more letters than we assumed and hence hurried to sir Shane."

Liora's shoulders eased, though her eyes still lingered on them as they passed. Somewhere behind the closed doors, the Crown Princess remained unaware that her people had been worrying, and that Shane's quiet diligence had just kept those worries from becoming whispers in the court.

The afternoon heat pressed against the palace walls, heavy and unmoving. Sterlla pushed the sheets from her small frame, her gaze fixed on the open window where the curtains swayed lazily in the warm breeze. Her personal maids were away - some running errands, others taking their midday meal - leaving the room in rare quiet.

On the side table, a silver tray gleamed with delicacies, each arranged with care: sugared fruits, soft pastries, a pot of fragrant tea. She didn't so much as glance at it.

A gentle knock broke the stillness.

"You may come in," she said softly, her voice barely carrying across the room.

The door opened to admit Shane. He stepped inside with deliberate care, closing it soundlessly before approaching her bed. He did not speak, simply waited with his hands folded, eyes steady, as though granting her the right to set the tone.

"How may I be of help, Sir Shane?" she asked at last.

He met her gaze. "Crown Princess, a letter has arrived."

"I know," she replied faintly. "Many have."

"This one is... different from the rest."

Her brows lifted. "What does it say?"

"The Duchess of the Castle of Vinford has extended an invitation-"

"-to a tea party," Sterlla finished, her lips curling into the faintest smile.

"Yes, my princess. How would you like the reply to be worded?"

She tilted her head. "Why didn't you give this to my maids?"

"They would have made too much of it," Shane said simply. "And I intend to respond on your behalf. It is better I speak with you directly."

Understanding dawned in her eyes. She knew his nature well enough - this was his way of sparing her needless fuss, of delivering news in a manner that would not trouble her spirit.

"That is true, Sir Shane," she said, her tone warming. "Then... will you write the reply exactly as I say?"

"Of course, my princess."

Sterlla descended the grand staircase slowly, the sweep of her shimmering blue gown trailing behind like a river of starlight. Two maids moved with her, lifting the many folds of the skirt so it would not catch. Her hair, gathered into a graceful bun, gleamed under the chandelier's light, a scattering of jeweled pins catching every flicker. Even her nails glistened with an elegant polish, her lips curved in a soft pink gloss that shimmered as she breathed.

From below, all eyes followed her. Some were struck silent; others exchanged knowing glances, a trace of amusement in their smiles.

"Beautiful as always," Simore murmured under his breath, his hand brushing across his mouth as if to hide his words. "Ah... my dear sister is an angel in disguise."

Sterlla caught his gaze as she reached the last steps and tilted her head ever so slightly. "You are speaking to yourself again, Brother," she said, her voice warm with quiet mirth.

"Only the truth," he replied, offering his arm.

A short distance away, Sigel's lips curved into a smile as well, though her thoughts were anything but tender. She folded her hands, masking the flicker of disdain behind her eyes.

"How radiant she appears today," Sigel said aloud, her tone smooth as glass.

"Radiance suits her," Simore answered without looking at her, his focus still on Sterlla.

Sigel's smile deepened, though in her mind the words she wished to speak were far sharper.

Year 374...

Vinford Castle...
Therasus...

The hum of conversation filled the hall, yet wherever Sterlla moved, the air seemed to shift with her. Sigel lingered close to Simore, her presence a quiet shadow, while Lionella darted through the crowd with a playful energy.

"Ster!" Lionella called, jogging the last few steps toward her. "You seem well."

"Of course I am," Sterlla replied, lifting one brow in a teasing arc.

Lionella burst into laughter at the jest, looping her arm through Sterlla's as they made their way to the long table laden with delicacies. The crystal of their glasses chimed softly as they toasted. Lionella tipped hers back in one gulp, but when she looked to Sterlla, she found her friend staring at the drink in her hand, her smile faint but unsure.

Sterlla had not trusted tea since the incident. At home, she would not so much as touch a cup, but here-at the Vinford Castle-refusal could be seen as an insult. To embarrass their hosts would be to risk a rift between Xiones and Vinford.

She exhaled quietly, masking her reluctance with a courteous smile, and raised the glass toward her lips.

Before it could touch them, a hand swept in and took it from her.

She turned, startled, to see Linone standing beside her. "You're certain you can take this?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with warning.

Her lips parted in mild protest, then closed again. "...You're right," she admitted softly. "I can't. I can't drink that."

"Brother!" Lionella whispered, her tone a mix of shock and reprimand.

Linone only shrugged and set the glass down on the table.

"No, Lionella," Sterlla said gently. "He is right. I cannot bring myself to drink tea anymore. I suppose I've grown... far too skeptical."

"Sterlla..." Lionella's voice softened, but the weight in her eyes said more than words could carry.