Prologue

Hurried steps echo through the opulent and elaborately decorated halls of Imperial Palace’s West Wing as a group of eight maids rapidly make their way to the magenta carpeted grand staircase. Gretchen Shinal’s, the head maid, wrinkled brow furrows in anger as she angrily mutters under her breath, “Blasted child, where could she have gone!? Her room? Empty!” 

 “How can she do this to her own mother!? After everything, she has done for her! Even designing that uniform for her!” Gretchen exclaims, startling her group in the process. Gretchen stops suddenly at the top of the first flight of stairs, slowly readjusting her black long sleeved maid’s dress and her tight bun of silvered hair before looking at the doorway to their right.

“Gretchen, have you been able to give my daughter her uniform for her sendoff tomorrow?” A calm, alluring voice echoes throughout the hall from the top of the final staircase. Gretchen’s eyes widen in surprise as she turns to see Vivian Fyhana Wysteria, Empress of the Wysterian Empire.

The Empress gracefully steps towards a wide eyed Gretchen and her sweating squadron of maids. Her slightly curled jet-black hair rests on the shoulders of her hunter green chiffon gown. Her dark, freckled complexion glows with a celestial presence in the early autumn morning light. Gretchen feels herself being drawn in by the Empress’ umber and gold flaked eyes. 

“Your Grace, how wonderful it is to see you so early.” Gretchen curtsies low, trying to avoid Empress Vivian’s eyeline and the maids quickly follow suit. “How are you this exquisite morning?”

“I am excited for the day, my dear friend. However, you seem to be dodging my question.” Empress Vivian tilts her head slightly, giving a slightly pursed smile. Slowly, Gretchen and the maids rise as the Empress approaches. The Empress places a hand on Gretchen’s lapel straightening her sapphire brooch, the same brooch Empress Vivian gifted her for her sixtieth birthday. A shiver rolls up Gretchen’s spine as her eyes dart to the maid in the back of their group holding the full uniform bag.

“Preparations for Princess Adelaide’s sendoff have been mostly been taken care of, but we haven’t been able to find her to give her unifo--”

CRASH!

The double set of red mahogany doors at the end of the left most hallway fling open and a young tan skinned woman emerges from the doorway. This young woman's wavy chestnut colored hair curls just above the end of her neck. Her emerald green eyes scan the open hall and her attention snaps to the maids, Gretchen, and Empress Vivian. The young woman’s gloved hand waves to the group. As she approaches the group, her fitted Victoria colored uniform, the navy blue sash around her waist, and the golden trim at the wrist seem to shimmer with an arcane light. 

“Hello!” The young woman smiles. “It’s nice to see everyone up bright and early!”

“Adelaide, darling, what are you doing awake this early? Come here so I can see you better, my love.” Empress Vivian says with a loving smile. She raises a hand towards the grinning princess, motioning her closer. Princess Adelaide happily skips towards the group.

Gretchen glances at the approaching Adelaide and her clothing. A confused look creeps onto her face and turns to face the maid holding the clothing bag. Gretchen says pointedly towards Princess Adelaide as she steps towards the Empress. “Child, where did you get those clothes?”

Adelaide, without skipping a beat, responds, “Oh Gretchen, don’t you remember? You gave it to me last night when you visited my room!” Adelaide’s eyes dart back to the Empress’ confused face and she gives a bright smile. 

“You are mistaken, child. I was attending Her Grace for the entire evening in preparation for the reception today.” Gretchen steps in between the Princess and the Empress. “Only I knew where your uniform was being kept yesterday. We have it here in the bag, child.” 

Gretchen’s face turns into rigid stone as she reaches out for Adelaide. The Princess swiftly dodges out of the way.

“Gretchen, what are you trying to do? Rumple my uniform?” Adelaide snarkily says as she teeters back and forth in place. “That’s not very ladylike!”

Empress Vivian’s eyes narrow and in her regal tone commands, “Adelaide, stop moving now. You will have three seconds to explain this to us or else, by the Three Sisters’ guidance, I swear that you will be punished.”

Adelaide’s snarky smile fades and she slowly stops moving in place. She gazes up at her mother with sorrow in her eyes, but not saying anything. Adelaide’s form starts to shimmer with arcane symbols beginning to unravel around her. With a low moan Adelaide’s form burst into blue mystic light, vanishing into thin air.

The Empress screams out in surprise watching her only child burst into arcane light. Her eyes begin to flutter as she begins to fall backward. The group of the maids are startled  Gretchen catches her Empress and screams, “Guards! The Princess is missing! Go now and find her!”

From up on the balcony of the West Wing, a solitary half-elven woman stands hidden stirring a cup of tea. Her bronze skin was only marked with a black dot on the left side of her half-moon glasses, her flaming red hair subtly marked with golden highlights, and her royal blue robes emblazoned with three shooting stars and a branch of wisteria. She says under her breath, “Well, shit, I tried my best.”

She sips from her teacup and begins to walk down the hall. The half-elven woman’s hands, covered in rings, begin to glow with golden light and she draws an arcane symbol in the air. “My little owl, they are aware of your disappearance. Go now and have fun today! I love you, darling.”