The grand halls of the Solara estate were thrown into chaos. Servants whispered in hushed tones, eyes wide with fear, while armored guards rushed through the corridors. The head of the family, Duke Alastair Solara, stood at the center of it all, his emerald eyes burning with fury as he gripped the hilt of his ceremonial sword.
"She's gone?" His voice was eerily calm, but the way his fingers clenched the blade spoke volumes.
"Y-yes, my Lord," one of the knights stammered. "Princess Celestia has vanished. Her bed was untouched, and the night patrols saw nothing."
Alastair's lips curled in displeasure. "Useless. All of you!" he spat, slamming his fist against the polished oak table before him. "She was the key to our future! That marriage was essential to securing our dominance, and now she's thrown it all away?"
His wife, Lady Eleanor, placed a hand on his shoulder, though her own expression was troubled. "She was always somewhat rebellious… but to run away like this? She's not foolish. She must have planned this for a while."
Alastair exhaled sharply, regaining his composure. "She won't get far. Double the guards at the borders. Search the towns, the forests, everywhere. I want her back—alive."
The command was absolute, and the guards wasted no time, departing with swift efficiency to scour the lands for their missing princess.
High above the turmoil, on the rooftop of the grand estate, a lone figure sat cross-legged, the wind tousling his long white-and-black hair. His piercing ruby colored eyes gazed at the sky, unreadable, his fingers idly tracing the tattoo that ran down the side of his face to his neck. Two small emerald earrings glistened in the sunlight.
Solace Solara, the eldest son of the Duke, let out a quiet chuckle. "Looks like she finally had enough of this family…" he murmured, his voice lost to the howling wind. "I wonder how she's holding up."
He closed his eyes briefly before standing. "Perhaps I'll check on her in a while..." With a graceful step, he vanished into the day, unseen and unheard.
Far from the Solara estate, in the halls of another noble family, the news of Celestia's disappearance had already spread like wildfire. The candlelit chamber was filled with noblemen dressed in lavish garments, their expressions twisted with malice. At the head of the table sat Viscount Darius Venier, a man with slicked-back black hair and blue eyes.
He tapped his fingers against the table, a slow and deliberate rhythm. "The Solara's eldest daughter has vanished, and the Duke is in a frenzy searching for her… How unfortunate for them."
A cruel smirk curled his lips. "This presents us with a golden opportunity. If we eliminate the girl and find a scapegoat, the Solara family will be indebted to us. From there, we chip away at their foundation, piece by piece… until nothing remains."
The room fell silent for a moment before one of the noblemen chuckled darkly. Another joined in. Then another. Soon, the chamber was filled with cold, merciless laughter.
The dimly lit chamber of the Blackheart estate exuded an air of cold authority, its obsidian walls adorned with dark violet banners bearing the family's sigil. A heavy silence settled over the room as Duke Valen Blackheart sat upon his throne-like chair, his fingers drumming against the armrest in contemplation.
The news had reached him swiftly—Celestia Solara, the precious jewel of the rival family, had vanished into the night. A disappearance of this magnitude would send shockwaves through the noble circles, and already, schemes had begun to brew.
With a sharp exhale, he lifted his gaze toward the grand doors of the chamber. "Send for Raven," he commanded, his voice like a blade cutting through the silence.
Within just a few minutes, the grand doors of the Blackheart's throne creaked open, revealing a figure cloaked in midnight elegance. Raven Blackheart stepped forward, her presence commanding yet effortless. The candlelight flickered against her long, flowing black and slight violet hair, strands catching the deep hues of violet woven into the darkness.
Her gown, a masterpiece of black, dark purple, and silk, clung to her form with intricate embroidery of dark blossoms, each stitch shimmering faintly in the dim glow. Her eyes, a shade of dark violet. The sleeves draped gracefully from her arms. A single purple flower adorned her hair, nestled among delicate small silver colored chains that cascaded alongside her sharp, poised features.
She stopped before her father, inclining her head just slightly in acknowledgment. "You called for me, Father?" Her voice, smooth as velvet.
Duke Valen's gaze settled upon his daughter, his lips curling into a smirk that did not quite reach his eyes. "Celestia Solara has disappeared," he stated, letting the words hang in the air. "Tell me, Raven… what do you make of this?"
For a moment, Raven was silent, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curved ever so slightly. "Interesting."
Valen leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Her absence will shake the Solara family. They will be desperate to find her before rumors spread too far. This presents an opportunity for us."
Raven's smirk widened, a glint of something darker passing through her eyes. "An opportunity, indeed." She tapped a finger against her arm. "Her sudden disappearance will send ripples through the noble circles. Some will see it as a sign of weakness. Others… may seek to exploit it."
Her father nodded, his gaze sharp. "I assume you have thoughts on this matter?"
Raven inhaled slowly before exhaling slowly. "I have... many thoughts about this. What do you wish to do about this?" She said as her eyes looked up towards her father.
Valen's lips curled into a slow, calculating smile. "The Solara family will tear Blossom's Bloom apart searching for her. That kind of desperation leads to mistakes… and mistakes lead to opportunities for us to tighten our grip." He leaned forward, his voice lowering. "I want you to find her."
Raven arched a delicate brow, though there was no surprise in her gaze. "Find her?"
"You know her better than most. You were childhood rivals—"
"Well..." Raven thought but kept her face unreadable.
"—and I have no doubt that if anyone can predict where she's gone, it would be you." Valen's voice carried a knowing edge, as if he suspected Raven's connection with Celestia ran deeper than mere rivalry.
Raven's smirk returned, but this time, it was laced with something far more dangerous. "Very well," she said smoothly. "I will find Celestia."
She turned, her long gown swaying as she moved toward the door. Just before she left, she paused, glancing over her shoulder.
"But tell me, Father," she mused, her voice dripping with quiet amusement, "what would you have me do once I find her?"
Valen chuckled darkly. "That depends on where her loyalties lie."
Raven said nothing, only giving a slow nod before vanishing into the corridor.
Alone in the flickering candlelight, Duke Valen Blackheart tapped a finger against the table, a sly smirk still lingering on his lips.
"Let's see how the Solara family... handle this matter." he murmured to himself before releasing a small chuckle.
Raven Blackheart strode through the dimly lit corridors, the faint glow of enchanted lanterns casting shadows along the dark purple walls. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor until she reached her chamber. Stepping inside, she exhaled slowly before a small, knowing smile graced her lips.
"Fnally."
That was all she said before turning sharply toward the door.
"Guard."
Within moments, a knight clad in black armor entered, bowing his head.
"Pack my bags," Raven ordered, her voice cool and unwavering. "I have things to do—by order of my father. My task is to find Celestia Solara… so do not keep me waiting."
With that, she turned on her heel and strolled out, not sparing the guard another glance.
"I'll be in the carriage," she added over her shoulder, her tone final.
She made her way down the long corridors, the deep purple tapestries swaying gently as she passed. Upon reaching the grand entrance, she pushed open the heavy doors, stepping into the crisp night air.
Before her stood a pristine white carriage, its sleek frame glistening beneath the moonlight. Without hesitation, she ascended the steps and settled inside, her posture effortless and refined.
As the carriage door shut behind her, another smirk tugged at her lips.
"This… will be interesting."
After five minutes, the guard returned with two bags, carefully placing them beneath the seats as the carriage door swung open. He glanced up at Raven with a raised brow, his voice steady. "Are you ready, my lady?"
Raven gave a languid stretch, her sharp eyes glinting with impatience as she stifled a yawn. "Let's get moving," she replied, her voice laced with subtle command. "We're wasting daylight by standing around."
With that, the guard climbed into the coachman's seat, followed by two other guards who settled beside him. The horses whinnied, eager to be on their way, and with a firm crack of the reins, the carriage lurched forward. As the gates of Blackheart's estate closed silently behind them.