Shadows and Secrets
The Begining
The morning was crisp, the run rising over the top of the buildings.
Lyria steps out of her cardboard box of a home, yawning away her sleep.
Lyria Vale
I had the worst sleep ever. Oh well, let’s get to work I guess.
The cobbled path broken, Lyria takes it to her work by the Port, another day of selling fish, fruits and vegetables.
It was a boring and slow paying job but it allows her to get some food to survive and pay the rent
Lyria Vale
I wonder if I can get more tips today
She fiddles with her mousy brown hair, flattening it as best as she good.
It was difficult to make tips as her appearance isn’t quite… neat but working and living in this type of neighbourhood is hard to make a living.
Sometimes she wishes that she can turn back time and go back to her previous life
Lyria Vale
💭 it was so simple back then. A nice family, however lots of expectations as the family head.
Lyria Vale
I even got a boyfriend! But then I had to go and die
Walking along, she felt a tickle on the back of her neck, a sense of someone watching her
Pausing, she turns around to see no one. Shrugging she turns around…
Lyria Vale
You scared the living dead out of me!!
Hart
Hehe sorry! I saw you walking, in a daze so I thought it would be funny to scare you hehe
Lyria rolls her eyes and pinches his arm
Lyria Vale
Please don’t do that
Hart
Fineee. You going to work?
Lyria Vale
It’s ok I can go by myself
Hart steps beside Lyria walking together towards the port a smile on his face.
Hart
We should go to the Festival together this Friday
The festival she thought. Too many people. Plus no one will like us around
Lyria Vale
No thank you. I’m gonna stay home
Hart
Why? I think it will be fun!
Lyria Vale
We have no money Hart, so it won’t be fun
Hart
I have some! I worked extra this week
Lyria shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips
Lyria Vale
I’ll think about it. Doesn’t mean it’s a yes!
Hart
Fine fine! But I’ll ask you everyday till Friday!
Lyria Vale
Aren’t you working today?
He nods his head, the light expression on his face gone
Hart
I’m doing the extra late shift tonight. A very important client asked us to scope out something
Lyria Vale
Is it dangerous?
Lyria looks up at him with concern, knowing the last job was hard
Hart
It might but it might not
Lyria Vale
Please be careful. I don’t understand why you do that. Come work with me
Hart
You know I can’t, Ria
Hart
My father expects me to do these types of things as the heir of the company
Lyria Vale
What company? It’s barely holding together!
Lyria Vale
He’s just being lazy and making you do the dirty work
Hart
You’ve arrived. I’ll leave you here, I have things to do. See you at dinner tonight
He kisses the top of her head and walks away, hands in pockets. Lyria shakes her head sighing sadly
Lyria walks to the shops lined up at the sides of the port, noticing some commotion
City guards are walking around, looking and questioning people
Lyria Vale
I wonder what’s happening
Lyria whips around to the noise and notices a guard moving towards her
Lyria quickly looks down at her worn shoes, making sure to not make eye contact with him
City Guard
What is your name?
In his hand is a piece of paper, he looks at it and then at Lyria
Lyria Vale
Lyria Vale, sir
City Guard
You’re coming with me! Guards! We found her!
Lyria Vale
W-what? What’s happening?
The guard takes her arm and pulls her towards a carriage ignoring what she’s saying
Lyria Vale
Wait! P-please! I don’t understand what’s happening
Lyria is forcibly taken to the carriage and placed inside
With a thud, she falls into the cushions of the carriage seats, the door shutting behind her
Lyria Vale
I don’t understand…
The carriage starts to move and she watches as the scene outside the window changes, the Port slowly moving away in the distance
Lyria Vale
Where am I going? I didn’t do anything wrong!
Tears well up in her eyes as she begins to freak out
Soon the carriage comes out into the central part of the city, a black castle up a hill
Lyria Vale
Am I going there?? But why? Am I in trouble? I didn’t steal anything!
City Guard
Stop making noise!
The guard bangs on the side of the carriage scaring her
Lyria Vale
I don’t understand…
Soon enough the view of the castle comes into view
Lyria Vale
This is the Nocturne house
Lyria Vale
Why am I at the Duke and Duchess castle?
Standing outside the gates was in fact the Duke and Duchess of Nocturne
Their faces show no emotion
The carriage comes to a stop and the city guard opens the door, beckoning her out
Lyria, scared and unsure takes a wobbly step out, facing the Duke and Duchess
Wordlessly, Duchess Nocturne walks up to Lyria, looking into her eyes
Taking off her coat, she wraps it around Lyria
Duchess Elara
Welcome home, daughter
Lyria frowns and shakes her head
Lyria Vale
I’m sorry you have the wrong person
The cold duke looks down at her, glaring with those cold blue eyes
Duke Caelum
Your are our daughter starting today.
Without another word he clicks his fingers and a burly man standing behind him walks up
Duke Caelum
Enrich! Escort my daughter to her room and tell her maids to clean her up for lunch
Then he turned on his heel and walked away
Duchess Elara
Okay dear, go wash up. We will see you later
The Duchess too, walked away
Lyria looked at Erich, frowning
Lyria Vale
I don’t want to
Erich
Please my lady. At least have some lunch
In that moment, her stomach growled. She blushed with embarrassment
Erich smiled and leaded the way into the daunting castle.
Little Shadow
Lyria’s feet tapped against the marbled floor of the entrance of the castle, eyes wide as she takes in the place.
High ceilings, large open windows, wooden doors sized so large that it’ll fit an adult Dragon.
Erich
This is the main lobby of the castle, My Lady.
Lyria Vale
Please, call me Lyria
Erich doesn’t make a comment about the name and walks her to a large black and gold staircase which takes her to another level.
Erich
I’ll be taking you to your quarters. There you will have three maids to help you get ready for lunch with the Duke and Duchess.
Lyria nods her head, still very confused.
Lyria Vale
Can you tell me why I’m here?
Erich
You are the youngest and only daughter of the Nocturnes.
Lyria Vale
I’m not though. My parents were Mr And Mrs Vale, simple people who worked in the slums.
Erich doesn’t say a word, continuing to walk down the hall way, littered with beautiful tapestries and portraits.
Lyria sighs, getting the gist that she won’t be getting answers from this burly guard.
Lyria looks at a family portrait of the Nocturne family, frowning. She looks nothing like them. So she can’t be biologically related. So why does this family call me daughter?
The two stand in front of another tall wooden door however the door was decorated with gold flowers. Lyria frowns when she sees the name on the door.
Lyria Vale
Why is that my name?
Erich
Because this is your room My Lady.
He opens the door and Lyria almost faints with surprise.
The floor was white and gold marble with beautiful fluffy rugs, a tall large queen bed, with a small living area and two doors that lead somewhere else.
Erich walked into the room, beckoning her in.
Erich
Come. Through this door near the living area is the bathroom.
Lyria followed him, finding the bathroom just as magnificent.
Inside was a large round bathtub, a marble basin and a shower. A shelf lined with many different soaps and sponges.
Erich continued to walk through the room and took her to another door.
Erich
This is your wardrobe.
This room was filled to the brim with clothes. Dresses, suits, shoes, hats, jewellery.
Lyria Vale
Like all of it?
Lyria Vale
I can’t… this is a lot. I don’t even understand why I’m here.
Erich smiled softly and nodded, leading her to the main part of the room and clapped his hands.
Three women, walked into the room dressed in uniforms, bowing in respect.
Erich
These three will be your maids and attend to all your needs.
Erich
Adelia, please get our Lady ready for lunch
He looks down at Lyria, noticing her eyes nervously watching the three. Poor thing he thought.
Erich
My Lady, I’ll be right outside the door if you need me okay.
She watched as he left, and moved her attention to the maids. She shuffled nervously.
Adelia
My Lady, I am Adelia and these three are Femke and Janice
Janice
Greetings to the Small Shadow of Nocturne.
Femke
U-um Greetings to the Small Shadow of Nocturne.
Femke smiles shyly, bowing as well.
Adelia
We will help you bathe and get ready for lunch. Please wait on the lounge while we run your bath. Janice will provide you with some tea while you wait.
Lyria Vale
Oh no, it’s okay I don’t need tea.
Adelia
It’ll help settle those nerves, dear.
Lyria Vale
A-Alright I guess.
She took a seat at the comfy lounge, feeling awkward and worried about getting it dirty.
This was all so confusing
In front of her was a tea cup of tea that Lyria has never seen before.
Gently picking it up with two hands she took a sip, the warmth settling her shaky hands and thoughts.
Adelia
My Lady, the bath is ready.
Standing up she heads towards the bathroom, Adelia, Femke and Janice behind her.
Lyria Vale
I feel…like my skin has been scrubbed off.
During the bath, she was scrubbed head to toe with flowery soap, soft sponges and oil applied to the skin after. Her hair washed and dried throughly.
She now sits at the vanity, allowing Janice to brush and style her hair. Meanwhile Femke and Adelia prepare the outfit.
Lyria Vale
Thank you…Janice
Janice
No worries My Lady.
Lyria looks in the mirror and is stunned.
Lyria Vale
I actually look, pretty.
In the slums, mirrors were nonexistent and since becoming into this body, she never got the chance to see her appearance.
I have all my memories from my past life, she thought. But the downside to this all is that I don’t remember anything about this world and what it is and where it is.
I don’t believe that this is your typical novel reincarnation situation.
She sighs deeply, looking at herself. Brown/gold eyes, lush, brown hair, pale skin that is somewhat shrunken. Long lashes.
Adelia
My Lady, your dress is ready
She looks around and finds a beautiful dress, blue and white sleeveless.
Lyria Vale
I get to wear that?
Femke
Yes! This is your dress My Lady.
Lyria allows them to dress her, putting on the dress. It was weird at first but the dress was rather comfortable. Easy to move around.
Janice
Here are your shoes. Please put them on.
Lyria slides her feet into blue sandals, watching as her toes poke out the end. She giggles a little.
Lyria Vale
I’ve only seen my toes when they poke out of my worn out shoes.
The three frown, a sad expression on their face.
Lyria realises that her joke isn’t funny for them.
Janice
Let’s get you to lunch
They guide her to the door and Erich was waiting for her.
Erich
You look very beautiful, My Lady.
Lyria Vale
Thank you I guess.
She blushes red, avoiding eye contact.
Lyria Vale
Yes please. I would like to know what is going on.
Erich nods and leads the way, taking her down the hallway, up to another stair case.
Erich
Aha, yes My Lady. Very many stairs
Soon enough they are at the end of the hallway, Erich waiting for the okay to open the door.
Erich nods and opens the two doors, inside the Duke and Duchess waiting at the footlong table decorated with food.
Duchess Elara
Darling! Welcome!
Lyria walks in and notices that Erich stands at the door, her only safe space isn’t moving with her.
He nods his head and smiles, saying that it’s okay.
Chapter 3: Lunch
Lyria sat at the long table filled with many different dishes
A servant helps settle her into a chair, opposite the duchess, the duke sitting at the head of
Duchess Elara
My dear, you look very beautiful
Lyria Vale
Thank you… duchess
A plate of food was now served in front of her, filled with chicken, bright vegetables and some fruit
Duchess Elara
Eat darling, you look famished
Lyria began to pick up the cutlery but was unsure of the proper way to hold them in front of nobility
Duke Caelum
We will need to hire an teacher for Lyria
Duchess Elara
Yes yes, as our one and only daughter should have the best
Lyria froze at the word daughter, highly confused
Lyria Vale
I’m not sure what you mean. My parents aren’t nobles. We’re simple people
The duke cleared his throat
Duke Caelum
Your parents have passed away correct?
Lyria Vale
Lyria nods her head
Duke Caelum
Your father and I had an agreement. You would be adopted into our family when you were born. However, they ran away with you.
Duke Caelum
We only just found you, finding through sources that your parents have died. Thus we now have you here in our home
Lyria Vale
Wait… but they died ages ago. Why are you suddenly showing interest in me
Lyria Vale
And how come I didn’t know about this?
Lyria is filled with questions.
Duchess Elara
Your mother was my maid. We grew quite close you see.
The duchess had a sad smile on her face
Duchess Elara
I had learned that I was unable to bare children so we had both decided that we would have a surrogate
Duchess Elara
And your mother was the women we deemed trustworthy as well as her features matched mine the most
Duke Caelum
So i slept with your mother Ryth and eventually got pregnant with you. So Lyria, im your birth father
Lyria looks at them both, eyes wide with disbelief
Basically my life was a lie she thought
Duke Caelum
Unfortunately before we could give you our love, both your mother and that man she fell in love with, ran away
Lyria Vale
So… my father who I grew up with is… isn’t my real father
Lyria Vale
And that your my father. So… I’m have noble?
Duchess Elara
Yes my dearest. You are our daughter
Duchess Elara
I’m sorry you had to find out this way
Duke Caelum
…yes it’s a shame your parents died that way
The duke had a dark look in his eyes, something shimmering beneath those dark pits
Lyria Vale
What happens now?
Lyria Vale
Do I have to leave my whole life and live here?
Duke Caelum
You will live here as you are our daughter. You will be given the luxury you deserve
Duchess Elara
And you will take up studies and learn how to be our heir
Lyria Vale
Heir?? I’m sorry this is much more overwhelming
Lyria did not feel like eating now
Duke Caelum
You will attend lessons starting next week at the academy. Of course you will be taken in our carriage each day
Duke Caelum
But for now, you will have time to settle in
He waved his hand at the dishes in front of Lyria
Duke Caelum
Please wrap this up for later and take Lyria back to her quarters. She looks very tired
Adelia bowed her head and began clearing the table. The duke didn’t show an ounce of emotion as he watched Lyria
Duchess Elara
Go rest my daughter. You’ve had a long day
Lyria Vale
A-alright duchess…
The duchesses expression darkened, her eyebrows furrowed.
Duchess Elara
It’s mother and mum to you
Lyria looked down, shaken a little.
The angry and dark expression completely changed as soon as the word left Lyrias lips. The duchess clapped her hands happily and waved Lyria away
Duchess Elara
Off you go, Ria. Get some rest
Adelia helped Lyria and they left the dining room. Lyria felt sick
And not because she didn’t eat
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