03. Starlight.
Where did you go? I should know, but it's cold and I don't wanna be lonely, so show me the way home, I can't lose another life. — ilomilo, billie eilish.
Seeing her sister dancing on top of the ballet shoes, Elizabeth realized that she seemed lighter than the air. She found Eden's ability to dance so incredible, although Elizabeth always tried to look naturally feminine, it seemed difficult for Lizzy, compared to her older sister, femininity seemed a simply part of Eden's personality.
For Lizzy, her older sister was an inspiration.
The Midford family were all knights of the Queen, thanks to their skill with fencing, Lizzy was her mother's rare jewel. For the younger Midford, her status as genius did not serve if her mother would always compare them — Elizabeth and Eden — to that aspect.
Lizzy had never seen her sister get angry or question their mother, even with unfair comparison, Eden always congratulated Elizabeth on her victories.
Her sister was the most beautiful sugar fairy that Lizzy ever had seen.
She was very pround of her older sister, Eden is gentle and humble, a kind person and Lizzy adored her for all the precious moments that they shared.
Palms stormed the hall after Eden's solo spectacle, and Lizzy stood up to grace her sister appropriately.
Eden might not be so good at fencing, but she was so talented at other things, Lizzy just wanted her mother to see it one day.
Eden was terrible with a sword in her hands, she knew that. The real problem was being born in a family where everyone was particularly very good with fencing and undergoing pressure for not being as good as her younger sister.
Elizabeth was incredibly talented, and Eden was proud of her. But particularly, Eden was also not interested in being good at fencing, she had other purposes in mind.
Currently, her search for knowledge was leading her to the scandalous paths of politics.
Eden was naturally good at gathering information, people felt comfortable near of her and guiding the subject of conversation strategically, getting valuable information in a few minutes.
"I'm glad to see you in this humble amateur spectacle, Sir Phipps."
The pale young man with white hair and stoic expression kept his face severe.
"I appreciate, Lady Midford, but it was only my duty as a servant of your majesty."
Eden nodded, the fun didn't leave her bright green eyes.
"I'm still grateful, even though it's an obligation. Did you like the spectacle?"
Charles Phipps wed his gaze, almost shy standing in front of the girl.
"You looked great, my lady."
Eden smiled at him.
"I'm happy to hear it, my lord," She said, her seductive tone of voice hovered between the conversation. "Forgive me if it are just rumors, but I heard that you and Charles Grey were being evaluated by your majesty."
"I'm afraid so, lady Midford."
"Your family must be proud."
"Certainly."
"I feel like you're performing well, Mr. Phipps. You always seemed to me an honorable gentleman," Eden sighed with false disappointment. "I'd really like to know what it's like to work with you one day."
She dropped her eyelids, opening her rosy lips, a blush appeared on her cheeks. Charles Phipps widened his eyes watching the girl's reactions and then returned to maintaining his stoic expression.
He wiped his throat.
"I appreciate your trust, My lady."
A little satisfied smile took Eden's lips watching the young man walk away.
A week later, she received a letter from Queen Victoria herself seeking to meet her.
Eden held the cup handle with her thin fingers.
"Charles was really anxious about your presence, I'm afraid you won a suitor, my girl." The Queen Victoria said with a smile, Eden hid her lips with the cup and gradually lowered it.
"I do not doubt my lord's kindness, but I must address that my visit is more focused on a possible service coming from your Majesty."
Eden knew that there were not many ways to grow up before the nobility, seducing Charles Phipps' heart was not something she could be proud of, but as much as her morals didn't agree, Eden had a notion of her talent for influencing people.
Her mother probably wouldn't agree with her methods, but Eden had managed to have a meeting with the queen herself because of them.
"I understand. You're not really interested in Charles."
"Forgive me for wasting your time, Your Majesty."
The queen shook her hand in the air.
"It wasn't a waste, dear. I don't tell everyone about this, but I can really admire a woman who can use her femininity as a weapon."
The two shared a smile.
Eden realized that the woman could understand perfectly about her situation just by Queen Victoria understanding look.
At the age of fourteen, Eden became active for the kingdom of England.
Her tasks were simple at first, visitsome ladies, take letters from the Queen to them and observe, get information through futile conversations and that if there was not enough attention, could go through only rumors.
Rumors had their real background, so Eden always started with them.
Passing information to the Queen through letters became a constant task, there were rotten apples among the nobles who thought their social position made them untouchable — and by some way, it did, it was Eden's duty to ensure the information necessary for the Queen get close to the guilty.
She would soon be a debutant, at the age of fifteen, her work was being done impeccably and this gave her the possibility of a fixed position.
Eden, however, became seriously ill jumping three weeks for the day of the ball on which she would debut.
"Is she going to be fine?" Francis questioned by looking at her sleeping daughter's face, she would appear to be in a state of deep sleep and her fever didn't cease.
"It's exhaustion, probably. She was working tirelessly trying to maintain her position with the Queen." Angelina touched her niece's hair. "I'm going to spend the night here in case it gets more serious."
"You better go rest too, Angelina. You're pregnant, you shouldn't get tired."
The scarlet-haired woman passed her hand over her belly.
"It's fine. I'm fine. I like to take care of my niece."
In Morpheus's arms, Eden's dreams were so lived that they could be confused with memories. She was in an extensive space fully illuminated, with so much clarity that she wondered how she could see.
"Desire isn't a sin."Someone said in a strange language, she had never heard before and didn't know how she understood it.
That voice was close to her, deep and rich, like Chinese silk. Although her body was different —she didn't feel material, it was like she was everywhere, as extensive as that place, she felt that being was near her, but they can't touch each other.
"The creator determined it was blasphemy, so it is." Her voice responded in the same language as being in front of her, but she was hesitant and trembling.
"Are you so devout, so loyal, hm? Is there really nothing your selfless soul desires?"
She knew the answer, she could tell.
You're the reason I'm not selfless.
She could not corrupt him, to make him fall for a forbidden feeling she cultivated, which she chose to keep and feed alone.
"I have no desires."
The sound of a soft profound sound was his laugh.
"My soul is heavy with selfishness," His voice sounded velvety."but I wouldn't get rid of my desire, I adore those moorings that pull me into the underneath of this hypocrisy." She felt the bitter in that being voice when she heard his words.
"I don't want such a fate for you. You are the most fascinating and strong archangel, the creator wouldn't make you suffer a fate like that." She whispered with her brittle voice, he had so much power over her with words only.
"It doesn't matter. I will not be dissatisfied, as long as my desire falls with me and by the way my desire lies... " She could hear the tragic fun his voice was carrying."I will look forward to our beautifully shared fate, starlight."
Eden woke up covered in sweat, her breath was panting and her emerald eyes were fixed on the ceiling above her room. She was still shaking, her heart beat hard full of anguish.
She tried to repeat the word he called her, but failed, did not naturally come out as in her dream.
Eden just couldn't repeat that language.
She at least knew what it meant.
"Starlight." murmured for no one, Eden's small hand shook the fabric of her sweater above her chest. "Who are you?"
[author's note]
Thank you to Manon, Kemi and Reo-kun for the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate you taking a little interest in the story!
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