Tale One: Dreadful Night

The dining hall of the Azarra Duchy looks like a picture out of a fairytale as it is illuminated with four grandiose chandeliers and beautified with gold ornaments that gives its sparkles.

At the center of the hall lies a long table; decorated with vases of assorted flowers, candle sticks with flame that flickers like a star, expensive and shiny cutleries, and appetizing dishes. 

Occupying the center chair is Duke Caelan—the chivalrous ruler of the Azarra Duchy—who is entirely oblivious of his surroundings as he was all ears to his daughter, listening as she tells him stories of what she accomplished during the day. 

"And–and also father, Countess Eurika praised me for my dancing skills," said the princess with pure delight. A giggle followed. However, her expression turned sour when she remembered what her history tutor had told her. 

She looked up at her father and with a pleading expression she said, "may I replace my history tutor? I don't like Viscountess Soraion. She mocked me. Spouting words that I am not befitting to become a crown princess, for the reason that I could not memorize the kingdom's history. What's the point of learning the kingdom's history, anyway?"

Hearing his sister's words, Alpheus scoffed at the lady's ignorance. "I can see why Viscountess Soraion mocked you using such words. Knowing one's history is as significant as knowing the royal etiquette. His Majesty should reconsider you as the crown princess. I be–"

"Alpheus! That's enough." Duke Caelan dismisses his son's words with a cold tone. His attention then shifted to his daughter, who was on the verge of tearing up. "You may pick your new history teacher early in the morning."

Alpheus shakes his head at the sight of his father's pampering, before taking a short glance on the chair, located at the end of the table. He heaved a sigh and continued his meal like nobody was with him. But his ears could never avoid his sister's piercing voice throwing tantrums agaisnt him. Which eventually stops in a short while. 

"Father, before Lia forgets. Look, I have made a crown wreath out of the flowers mother had picked for me. Isn't it b–" 

"Ophelia! What did I tell you about bringing things in the dining hall? I did not permit you to bring the crown wreath. You could have waited for dinner to be over… before showing that to your father. You'll re-learn the dining etiquette tomorrow, and no one is firing Viscountess Soraion ." Duchess Eurania did not spare a glance at her own daughter and continued feeding herself.

Bringing the wreath under the table, Ophelia lowered her head and spoke in a low, yet insincere tone. "I apologize to you mother, but Lia only wanted to show father the pretty crown. Father won't mind. Right, father?"

Since her birth, the Duke of Aldridge had pampered the young princess with whatever she wanted; thus, molding her to be an overbearing brat at such a precious age.

Resting his hand on his daughter's head, Duke Caelan affectionately smiled at the young princess, "that's right. I won't mind if it's my lovely Lia", he utters before shifting his gaze on his wife whose attention is only directed at her own plate. 

"Eurania, you are too tight on our daughter. No re-learning about dining etiquette tomorrow as I am going to bring Lia to the imperial palace. His majesty wanted me to bring her, so she could play with the crown prince. And Alpheus, you will as well accompany me to meet his majesty." This time his attention was on his son who made a silent grunt. 

Ophelia's smile grew wider after hearing her father's words. "Lia couldn't wait!" She exclaimed gleefully. Her pitchy voice echoes inside the dining hall.

As the conversation between the Duke and his daughter progresses. A child—who was seated at the farthest chair of the long table—was breaking in sweat as she endured the pain slowly building on her stomach.

Naraina Azarra—the illegitimate and 2nd daughter of the Duke of Azarra Duchy—was pressing her stomach, hoping that the pain would go away as she did not want to cause such inconvenience on the people present in the dining area. Because at the tender age of four, Nariana had learned to live a life unnoticeable to others, despite her joining the Azarra' during meals. 

She lifted her head to see if anyone had taken notice of her pained expression, and was in great relief when she saw that everyone was busy minding their own business. 

Unable to endure the excruciating pain, the child let go of her cutlery. To the best of her ability she tried to not let out a sound as she stood for her chair. However, she failed to control her strength when she pushed her chair causing it to make a screeching noise.

Naraina stood frozen in her place as she looked up and saw that everyone's attention was now shifted on her. She swallowed a gulp of her own saliva as anxiety crawled inside her. She parted her lips, "I—" 

"You have not touched your food enough for you to fill your stomach," Duchess Eurania speaks as her line of sight was on the child's plate. The meat was barely touched and a small portion of the mashed potato was taken.

"I apologize for wasting the food, your highness. But I am feeling nauseous and my appetite is not cooperating with me." Naraina bows her head a little as she speaks her thoughts. Her shaky little fingers were clasped together to calm herself down. She knew the duchess had never shown anger towards her but maybe today…is an exemption.

The Duchess eyed little Nariana carefully, "you should retire for the day now, Naraina." Her gaze then landed at the man standing behind the child. "Butler, please inform the pharmacist to prepare medication for the young lady, and tell the maidservants to help her with her bath. See to it that she is taken care of."

Naraina felt relieved as the anticipated anger never came. "Thank you for your generosity, your highness." Lowering her head, she politely utters. Her small hand reached for the butler, who in return held hers with care.

She bowed her head and before anyone could notice, their footsteps faded as they exited the dining hall's premises.

As the door creaked close, it didn't take a second before Ophelia's voice rang loud, echoing inside the close area, "why do you care so much for that bastard, mother? You reprimanded me earlier while you showed her care and gentleness. She even wasted a lot of food."

"Watch your words, Ophelia. That is such an unladylike thing to say. Besides, Naraina didn't do anything wrong. While you, on the other hand, forgot your lessons and your words towards me bore no politeness at all. You should learn from that child."

Though she hated the idea of comparing her daughter, Ophelia to Naraina, Duchess Eurania couldn't help but do so. She wanted her own daughter to realize that if she did not change her behavior nor step up her game, any noble children worthy of the position of being a crown-princess could replace her. 

Even that child, Naraina, could do it. 

Hearing her being compared to her lowly bastard of a stepsister, Ophelia didn't hold her sobs and cried to her heart's content, like a five-year-old child. Muttering words of how unfair her mother is. The Duke was quick to attend to his daughter and coax her to silence, but the 1st princess' cries grew louder.

Annoyed at the bawling caused by his spoiled younger sister, Alpheus who was silently eating, lost his appetite. He let go of his cutlery and wiped his mouth using the white cloth. "I am also full, mother. May I retire to my room?" He spoke indifferently. And before his mother gave her approval, the young prince stood from his seat.

In a swift, Alpheus reaches the huge door and is assisted by a maid who opens the doors for him. 

Once he was out, he heaved a sigh of relief and gave his two ears a soft massage. Listening to his sister's bawl made his ears ache a little. Ophelia's crying voice was never pleasing to hear. It was pitchy and sharp, enough to break a thin glass.

Not wanting to go back to his chamber, Alpheus lets his feet strides along the silent hallway. And before he even realizes it, he was already standing in front of a door with no guards stationed on each side and was located at the farthest corner of the hallway.

The young prince glances upon the door. ''Naraina's room,'' he thought. Softly lifting his arm and making three gentle knocks. However, no one seemed to have heard him. 

For the second time, he knocked again and when no one came to open it, he gently pushed the door ajar and let himself peek at the insides of the room. 

The sight of three maidservants welcomed the young prince. "Your Highness!" One maidservant exclaimed the moment she saw the successor of the duchy standing at the entrance of Naraina's bed chamber.

"Is my sister almost done?" he inquires. Making his way towards the small, old-looking bed. It was his first time entering his sister's room, thus seeing how old her bed was, made Alpheus furrows. 

"The young lady is still bathing, your highness." The maidservant answered with her head hanging low.

Alpheus nodded his head and rubbed the bed with his palm, even Naraina's sheets were rough to feel under his palm. "Did mother not attend to the child's needs?" pondering as he thought at the back of his head. 

To Alpheus, he felt like his younger sister was not living as a lady of a wealthy family. With no fancy dress to wear and accessories to match, Naraina's living state is no different from that of a commoner or an estate servant.

Lost in his small thoughts, Alpheus flinched a little when a small voice spoke, "Young Master Alpheus!" Naraina calls out when she sees the future successor sitting on her grubby bedding. "Why are you sitting there?" Panic coated her words. 

"Am I not allowed to sit here?"

Young Naraina purses her lips tightly, hesitation shortly flashes in her eyes. She could see her brother's anticipating gaze as he waited for her reply. "U-uhm…you may sit there, however that is u-unclean," Naraina stutters as she lowers her head from embarrassment. 

She had never thought that this day would come. That her half-brother, the next ruler of the duchy would visit her unmaintained and filthy chamber. 

"I am not seeing any dirt," Alpheus answered casually while roaming his eyes on Naraina's bedsheet. 

"It is because my room is not well lit. The lights broke off last night and they haven't been replaced yet."

Alpheus looks up to see if his younger sister is telling the truth. And indeed, she was. His sister's room only had one dimmed chandelier working and two candlesticks. One on top of her table near her bed and the other is held by one of the servants. 

Alpheus quickly dismissed the maidservants and patted the space beside him. Naraina was quick enough to reach Alpheus and sat beside him. Having seen his sister's face closer, his forehead creased and eyes narrowed at the sight of the child's face. Even though the room is not well lit, he could see her complexion. Paler than when they were inside the dining hall. 

"Are you alright? Are you still in pain? Did the butler give you medicine?" Was the first thing he asked while patting the child's damp hair.

Naraina nods her head. She remained silent for a couple of seconds before she parts her lips. "I am alright! Thank you for asking, Young Master. And the butler has not yet returned from the physician's room. He said he would fetch him so I could be examined," Naraina explained politely. 

She didn't know how she would react towards her brother's affectionate gesture as this is the first time they converse...and in a rather close distance. 

Alpheus nods his head. A smile then escapes from his lips as he stares at Naraina adoringly. He had always wanted to speak to this other younger sister of his, however with all the lessons' he must study, his time is rather limited. And whenever he gets to have some time to spare, he usually spends it with his sister, Ophelia…as per her mother's request. 

"May I ask what are you doing here, Young Master?" Naraina's round eyes stared at Alpheus curiously. Despite her pale complexion, her big round eyes still glistens along with the golden light coming from the two lit candles. "I would have never thought of you daring to come close to my bedchamber. Because if you did, I would have done something to make my chamber look presentable." Naraina uttered truthfully. 

Alpheus stuck his index finger and thumb, and lightly flicked the child's forehead. His force was not strong enough to hurt her. "I don't care on whether your bedchamber is tidy or unpleasant to see. And how many times do I have to remind you to call me elder brother, instead of Young Master?"

"But I was told to call you Young Master. Princess Ophelia is the only person who has the right to call you brother." The innocent expression of Naraina causes the tingling sensation on Alpheus' stomach. He raised both arms and pinched the child's cheeks.

Unlike his biological sister's cheeks which were bones and meat, Naraina is different. Her cheeks were rich in baby fats that make her face look round whenever she smiles and jiggles a bit when she runs. He finds it cute. 

Too cute and tempting to not give it a pinch.

"You eat less when we dine together yet your face is still plump with baby fats." Alpheus mutters curiously as he continues pinching his sister's cheeks.

"Dat becus bwutyer seds me snacs!" Naraina mumbles, her words were not clear, but Alpheus still understands them.

He let go of the child's cheeks when he saw her eyes water a bit. "The butler sends you snacks. Every night? Does he deliver it to you personally?"

The young child shakes her head. "Not every night. He sends me snacks whenever I don't finish my dinner. Though, it's not the butler who delivers it personally to my bedchamber. It's the servant who is always with Princess Ophelia. The one with short brunette hair."

Alpheus' expression turned pale the moment his gaze landed on the red liquid slowly dripping down from his little sister's nose. He hastily got up, scoop Naraina from her bed and dash out from the child's chamber.

He couldn't care less about his image as he panickedly strides towards where his bed chamber is. Where most of the servants and guards are located. 

"Maids! Maids! Guards! Make haste and open the door of my room and call the physician! Hurry!" Alpheus yelled on top of his lungs as he quickly paced towards the door of his bedchamber.

Wrapped in his arms, he could feel his sister's shivering body. Her mouth started bubbling and the blood on her nose had no sign of stopping. Alpheus could feel the liquid dripping on his arm. Soaking his linen dress.

A maid who was on her way to Naraina's room and witnessing her young master's hysterical yelling quickly turned around to call the physician. The guards who were guarding Alpheus' bed chamber were fast enough to push the door wide enough for their young master to slide in.

Alpheus hurriedly lowered his sister down on his bed and reached for his blanket. He wiped the never-ending blood streaming out of the child's nose. His hands trembles along with the ominous thought that he might witness her passing. 

His eyes started to water when he felt the hem of his clothing getting pulled tightly by the small hand of the child in front of him. "Bro-brother!" Naraina called out. Her voice, weak and low, caused Alpheus to lean closer. "Thank you for…" she inhaled a long breath and a smile formed on her lips, "...being with me. Thank yo...auck! Thank you for conversing with me. Naraina is happy that I think I could peacefully leave without any regrets." 

Alpheus aggressively shakes his head. He firmly holds the child's head to stop the blood from getting inside her mouth and causing her to choke from it. Alphues steadied his elbow on the mattress as he could feel her weight getting heavier. "No, Naraina! You will not die. So be with me until the physician arrives, okay? Don't close your eyes. Brother will stop the bleeding." 

"WHERE IS THE PHYSICIAN!" Alpheus yelled again.

One of his guards stepped in and informed him that a maid called for the physician. Alpheus curses at the slow response of their estate's physician. His white blanket is now drenched in red liquid and his sister's face was as white as the rest of his blanket.

The Duke and Duchess who not long enough arrived at their bedchamber went out once again, after one of the maids informed them of the commotion happening in their son's room.

They rushed towards their son's room and were welcomed with the sight of Alpheus, bent knee on the floor, one hand holding a red cloth, no...it was his white blanket drenched in blood and a small child laying, pale as a sheet of paper. Her small hand was tightly gripping on Alpheus arms and eyes, trying to stay open.

Right after the Duke and Duchess's arrival, the physician came in. Alpheus quickly stood up to make room for the physician who immediately examined the child.

Naraina's eyelids felt so heavy that she couldn't help but slowly give in; however, before she completely lost consciousness, she caught sight of something that made her smile. 

Alpheus, who kept on yelling for his sister to stay with him is now drenched with his own tears as he watches her in horror as Naraina slowly drifts away from her consciousness.

He was then pulled away from his sister when the physician stepped in to examine the unconscious Naraina.

It was a dreadful night for the young master of the Azarra duchy, who, for the first time gave in to his urge of speaking with his other younger sister.