Prince Sebastian stood at the top of the grand staircase; his gaze fixed on the delicate necklace resting in his palm. It was a piece of jewelry he had often seen in portraits of his late mother, draped elegantly around her neck. Ever since he discovered her paintings in the attic, he had found himself drawn there repeatedly, as if searching for remnants of the past she left behind.
The necklace felt almost weightless in his hand, its golden chain smooth and warm against his skin. The pendant was unique—an elegant transparent gemstone, encasing a floating ruby that shimmered beautifully under the light. He lifted it slightly, allowing the glow of the chandelier above the ballroom to reflect off its surface. A small smile played on his lips, but it quickly faded as his thoughts drifted back to what had transpired earlier.
The butler, Barry, had approached him with the necklace, his expression careful yet firm. "His Majesty retrieved this from your aunt," he had informed him. Sebastian's suspicion had been correct all along. His aunt had stolen it.
Now, as he stood above the lively ballroom, watching noble guests in their extravagant attire twirl across the polished floor, his jaw tightened. The irony of it all made him frown—this grand event was in honor of his aunt's birthday. He let out a slow sigh, finding no enjoyment in the sight below. His mind wandered elsewhere. 'It's getting boring… I wish Madie was here.' Just as the thought crossed his mind, a familiar voice called out, soft yet clear.
"Your Highness."
Sebastian's gaze snapped downward; his attention caught by Madeline at the base of the staircase. Dressed in a simple nightdress, she stood with her hands neatly folded, offering a respectful bow. A flicker of amusement crossed his face. A nightdress at the ball? This unexpected sight made him think the evening might hold more interest than he initially anticipated.
At the servant's quarters, Emily rushed down the corridor, her heart pounding as she flung open the door to Madeline's room. The moment her eyes landed on the empty bed; a wave of panic surged through her chest. "Where is she?" she whispered, her voice tight with worry, her brows knitting together in concern. Without a moment to lose, Emily hurried through the dimly lit hallway, her eyes darting left and right, scanning for any sign of Madeline. As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a palace guard—Russel Pearson. He wore a stern expression, his steps brisk and purposeful until the abrupt encounter halted him in his tracks.
Russel looked at her, recognizing the familiar face. "Emily?"
"Sir Russel," she said breathlessly. "Have you seen Madeline? Do you know where she is?" A flicker of hesitation crossed Russel's face before he nodded. "Madeline? Ah, yes. I saw her a while ago with Prince Sebastian. They were heading outside—probably to the palace garden." Emily's eyebrows drew together. "Are you going to tell her what happened at the ball?" Russel asked cautiously.
Emily looked up at Russel, confusion clouding her face. "I… I don't understand. I was called away from the ballroom early. What exactly happened?"
Russel's expression turned grim. He glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot before speaking. "You don't know?" he asked, surprised. When Emily shook her head, he sighed heavily. "There was an incident during the ball—a nobleman was found dead."
Russel's voice softened. "I know you're close with Theresa. And with Madeline too." He paused, then began recounting the events that had shaken the palace. Emily's eyes widened in shock. "They say it was Theresa," Russel said quietly, his jaw tightening. "She was found near the scene, and now the court is accusing her of murder. But that's not all…"
Emily's heart pounded. "There's more?" "They're calling her a witch," he added bitterly. "Some claim they saw her performing dark rituals. Others are saying the nobleman's death wasn't natural—that he was cursed. And you know how quickly rumors spread in this place… how easily fear turns into hatred."
Emily took a shaky step back, the weight of his words settling over her like a storm cloud. "But that's impossible. Theresa would never hurt anyone. And she's not a witch." "I believe you," Russel said gently. "But in this palace, the truth often doesn't matter—only the whispers people choose to believe. And when those whispers involve magic… it rarely ends well."
Meeting her gaze, he added, "I know she wouldn't. But belief means little in a place where power rules over truth."
Emily's chest tightened as memories flooded back—of fellow maids punished cruelly for the smallest mistakes, cast aside as if their lives held no value. In the palace, servants had no voice. No protection. They were seen as tools—useful until they weren't.
"Do you know where they've taken her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes. She's been locked in the dungeon," Russel replied. "But I can arrange for you to see her. I know the guard stationed there."
A surge of relief washed over Emily. Before she could speak, Russel added, "And I'll help you find Madeline. She shouldn't be alone right now." "Thank you," Emily murmured, gratitude shining in her eyes.
Outside in the palace garden, the cool night air carried the gentle scent of roses as Sebastian and Madeline strolled through the garden, away from the noise of the ballroom. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the pathways, casting golden hues upon the neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flower beds.
Madeline knelt beside a patch of white lilies, her fingers brushing against their delicate petals. "They're beautiful," she murmured, admiring their gentle sway in the breeze.
Sebastian, standing beside her, absentmindedly twirled the necklace between his fingers. "Not as beautiful as this," he said, holding it up for her to see. The ruby inside the pendant sparkled under the moonlight.
Madeline's eyes widened slightly. "What's that?".
"My mother's", Sebastian replied, his gaze lingering on the pendant. "I never really thought much about it before," he admitted. "But ever since I found her paintings, I keep thinking about it. My father took it back from my aunt… I don't know why she had it in the first place." His voice carried a hint of frustration, but he quickly masked it with a small shrug.
Madeline leaned in slightly, examining the necklace with fascination. "It's mesmerizing… almost like the ruby is floating in midair." A small chuckle escaped him. "That's what I thought too."
For a moment, silence settled between them, comfortable and peaceful. The sound of crickets and the distant hum of music from the palace filled the air.
Sebastian's laughter broke the silence. He stared at Madeline, still chuckling. Madeline looked at him curiously. "What's so funny?" she asked. "Your dress," Sebastian managed between laughs. "Why are you wearing that to the ball?" "I know I'm not supposed to be in here," Madeline admitted, "but I was curious and wanted to take a look." A thought crossed her mind. "Speaking of which, have you happened to see Theresa?" Sebastian's expression turned curious. "Theresa? You mean, the maid that you're always with?" Madeline nodded. "Yes, that's her." He shook his head. "No, I haven't. Why are you looking for her?"
Madeline hesitated, as if debating whether to say more. Before she could speak, hurried footsteps approached them. "Madeline!" They turned to see Emily, one of the palace maids and a close friend of Madeline, rushing toward them. Her expression was tense, worry evident in her eyes.
Madeline quickly stood. Emily glanced around, spotting only Madeline. She seemed unaware of Sebastian's presence, as he had instinctively stepped back into the shadows of a tall hedge.
"Something happened," Emily said, lowering her voice. "It's about Theresa… and the ball." Madeline's heart clenched. "What's going on?" Emily swallowed hard, as if unsure how to begin. Sebastian, still hidden, frowned slightly. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.