July 18th, 1871: The Day of Celebrations
The sun was fully in the sky now, flickering through the cracked windows of the vast, gloomy castle known as the Witches Keep. This place casts an eerie atmosphere over its worn-down stone floors. The ocean roared just beyond the high cliffs, a constant reminder of the tumultuous waters that surrounded this domain of dark power, which hid itself away inside. Past the white marble walls where sunlight hesitated to tread, the young maid with the golden shell necklace bustled through the castle halls. Her thick, black hair, with a single white streak, framed her delicate features, contrasting sharply with her light, almost ethereal complexion. She wore a thick, flowing head covering that draped elegantly around her shoulders, while her short-sleeved, light off-white top provided a stark but beautiful canvas for her emerald-green, full-length skirt. The skirt, richly decorated with intricate gold-coloured Celtic knot designs at the hem, swayed gently with her movements as she hurried from one task to the next. She had to make sure everything was ready for tonight's festivities. Today was the day—the celebration of the queen's reign! However, that was not the reason she was looking forward to this day; no, it was much better than that.
"Undertow Blossom!" The sound of her name stirred a sense of anticipation within the young maid as she hurried through the cold stone halls of the palace. The queen's name and power loomed ominously overhead, a heavy weight of expectations pressing down upon her, but the thrill of the upcoming event put a sparkle in her hazel eyes. Today marked not only a royal celebration but the arrival of something extraordinary—a chance to finally escape.
As she weaved through the hallways, Undertow Blossom's heart raced with excitement. The preparations for the queen's extravagant feast would usually leave her feeling drained and irritable, especially with her early start to the market that same morning, but today, she felt a crackle of energy coursing through her veins, fueled by the hush of secrets whispering just out of reach. It was not because of the queen's festivities but rather the plan that lay waiting for her at the edge of the turbulent cliffs, where the ocean sang its timeless songs. She could almost hear their laughter mingling with the ocean's roar as she moved across the vast hall, passing by suits of armour and tapestries that proudly depicted the queen's face. She quickened her pace, her flowing skirt swirling around her ankles and reminding her of the currents she longed to dive into. The golden shell at her neck warmed against her collar, thrumming with anticipation as if it sensed the magic that would soon unfold. Thanks to Maris's special polish, the surface had never looked better. Whenever she stared at it, she swore she saw the gold winking back at her.
"Undertow Blossom! Where are you?" A voice called out from a nearby chamber, pulling her from her daydream. It was Liora, her closest friend, a fellow maid with fiery red hair elegantly braided down her back. Liora dropped her tone as she took in the appearance of her longest, best friend. "You look so lovely today! But we need to hurry! We have to finish setting the tables in the great banquet hall before the queen arrives to inspect the work."
"Of course, Liora," Undertow replied, forcing a bright smile upon her lips even as her thoughts drifted toward the evening's promise. Together, they ran through the corridors like a pair of leaves caught in a gentle breeze, working efficiently to prepare the banquet hall. The lengthy tables were adorned with golden goblets, exquisite bouquets of sea flowers, and delicacies from every corner of the kingdom. The room itself was alive with the hustle and bustle of other servants, each contributing to the lavish spectacle that would soon unfold in this very room. As Undertow arranged fine linen with careful precision, her heart still danced with the thrill of the night ahead. The whispers of the ocean faded in and out of her focus, inspiring her as she worked. Any moment now, she would be able to slip away, secretive and unnoticed, to the cliffs where the land met the sea. It was a risk, but one she felt was entirely worth it. This had been planned since she was twelve, and it was happening tonight! "So, hey, Tow, I wanted to talk to you about something," Liora said suddenly, glancing around to ensure no one else was listening.
"Yes?" Undertow replied, eyebrows raised as she stared at her friend with an annoyed expression. Most of the time when Liora Coral wanted to discuss something, it often didn't end well for that person. "Hey, no, just listen for a second. I know we're going to make our escape tonight, but I was thinking, how would you feel about pushing back the time a little bit? I mean, there's going to be a big party in the grand hall! And you know I've been looking forward to dancing since the last celebration, but I had so much work to do I wasn't able to break away to attend! This time, we're actually working the celebration!" Undertow couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and irritation, but deep down, there was also a bit of intrigue. "The party? Liora, we have a plan! We can't just go to a party and—"
"Why not?" Liora interrupted, her voice rising with excitement. "The queen is expecting everyone to attend, right? It's the perfect opportunity to blend in and gather information for our big trip! I'll still keep an eye out while enjoying myself, I promise! Dancing isn't just about the fun—it's a way to bond and connect with others in the castle! How awesome would it be if we got to escape with super hot boyfriends?!" Undertow paused, weighing her friend's words. The celebration had been the talk of the castle since its announcement. Music would fill the grand hall, and laughter would echo off the stone walls—an irresistible call to bask in the warmth of human connection, something that felt increasingly rare in a place steeped in shadows. "Alright, alright, maybe we could—"
"Oh, thank you, thank you, Tow! I promise we won't be long!" Liora exclaimed, bouncing on her toes with unabashed excitement. The sparkle in her eyes was infectious, and even Undertow found herself softening at her friend's enthusiasm. "Let's enjoy this last evening here at the castle before we leave forever!"
"Alright, then. We'll enjoy the party, stay vigilant, and see what unfolds. But you have to promise to keep your head about you, or you'll have me dragging you out of another embarrassing situation."
"Deal!" Liora laughed, her carefree spirit dispelling the heaviness of the castle's oppressive atmosphere. Together, they moved toward the preparation area, eager for the festivities ahead. As they worked to finish their chores, the castle buzzed with vibrant energy in anticipation of the evening's celebration. Undertow noticed the flickering light of candles being set along the stone walls, and music drifted through the halls as servants prepared the grand hall for laughter and merriment. Even amidst the looming darkness and uncertainty, she could almost taste the sweet promise of joy in the air. Perhaps, just for one evening, she could let loose and ease the stress in her bones. Who knows? Maybe some paths would unlock for her while she was in attendance? And with Liora Coral by her side, Undertow felt the faintest glimmer of hope igniting within her, as if she was actually looking forward to it.