Episode 3 — Black Veins Beneath the Silk

...****************...

Nobody moved.

Nobody dared.

The grand ballroom of De Rosa Palace had transformed from a celebration into a prison within moments. Fear spread quietly among the nobles as guards sealed every golden entrance while the corpse of the servant girl remained motionless against the marble floor.

The enchanted violins had stopped playing.

Now, only silence remained.

Heavy.

Cold.

Watching.

Rodderic stood near the center of the ballroom, his silver eyes unreadable as palace physicians carefully examined the dead servant.

Black veins continued spreading beneath her pale skin.

Alive.

Moving.

Several nobles turned away in disgust.

“Your Highness…”

An elderly physician slowly rose to his feet, trembling slightly.

“It is exactly as Prince Aurelian said.”

The ballroom stiffened.

“This poison contains traces of forbidden blood magic.”

Whispers erupted instantly.

“Impossible…”

“Blood magic was destroyed decades ago.”

“Who would dare use such magic inside De Rosa Palace?”

Meanwhile, Aurelian leaned lazily beside one of the frost-crystal pillars, looking almost amused by the panic surrounding him.

His calmness only made the atmosphere worse.

Because unlike the others—

he did not look afraid.

Not even slightly.

Rodderic noticed.

Of course he noticed.

“You seem unusually comfortable,” he said coldly.

Several nobles immediately fell silent again.

Aurelian slowly lifted his gaze toward him.

“And you seem unusually suspicious.”

The tension between them sharpened instantly.

Dangerous.

Familiar.

Rodderic descended the throne platform slowly until he stood directly before the Velmorian prince once more.

“You identified the poison very quickly.”

Aurelian’s lips curved faintly.

“Should I apologize for being educated?”

A few nobles quietly inhaled.

Nobody insulted Roseria’s crown prince so casually.

Yet strangely—

Rodderic did not react with anger.

Only silence.

A silence that somehow felt heavier than rage itself.

Then—

a soft voice interrupted.

“Please stop.”

Lady Evelisse stepped between them carefully.

The ballroom immediately watched her.

Beautiful.

Gentle.

Fragile-looking beneath candlelight.

Her pale blue gown shimmered softly while concern clouded her delicate features.

“This is neither the time nor place for conflict,” she said quietly.

For a brief moment, Rodderic’s expression softened slightly.

“You should return to your chambers.”

“I won’t leave while the palace is unsafe.”

The concern in her voice sounded genuine.

Real.

Several noblewomen nearby exchanged knowing glances.

Such devotion.

Such loyalty.

Perfect future empress behavior.

Meanwhile, Aurelian observed the interaction silently.

His expression unreadable.

Then his gaze drifted toward Rodderic’s hand resting briefly against Evelisse’s shoulder.

Something cold flickered within his green eyes.

Gone instantly.

“You care greatly for Lady Evelisse,” Aurelian remarked casually.

The ballroom quieted again.

Everyone knew rumors already surrounded them.

The emperor’s future wife had a daughter.

Rodderic’s future marriage prospects remained uncertain.

And Evelisse—

beautiful, noble, beloved—

was the perfect political choice.

Rodderic answered calmly.

“She is family.”

Aurelian hummed softly.

“Family.”

Something about the way he repeated the word felt strange.

As though he found it amusing.

Before Rodderic could respond, another guard rushed into the ballroom hurriedly.

“Your Highness!”

“What now?”

The guard knelt immediately.

“We found this near the servant quarters.”

He carefully presented a small object wrapped in dark cloth.

Rodderic unfolded it slowly.

Inside rested a black rose.

The flower looked almost unnatural beneath the candlelight, its petals edged with silver dust.

Aurelian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Interesting.

Because he recognized that symbol.

And if he recognized it—

then someone else in the ballroom likely did too.

“The Black Thorn,” Aurelian murmured quietly.

Several older nobles visibly paled.

Evelisse looked confused.

“What is that?”

Nobody answered immediately.

Finally, one elderly duke spoke shakily.

“A secret organization.”

Fear filled his voice.

“They disappeared years ago.”

“Not disappeared,” Aurelian corrected softly.

“Hidden.”

The ballroom grew colder.

Rodderic’s expression darkened dangerously.

“The Black Thorn trafficked forbidden magic,” Aurelian continued calmly. “Assassinations. Blood rituals. Noble corruption.”

“And you know a suspicious amount about them,” Rodderic said sharply.

Aurelian merely smiled faintly.

“Velmoria’s libraries are more useful than Roseria’s, apparently.”

Several nobles immediately looked uncomfortable again.

The emperor himself had forbidden discussion of the Black Thorn for years.

Yet tonight—

their symbol had appeared inside the palace.

Alongside forbidden magic.

Near the crown prince.

Coincidence?

Unlikely.

Meanwhile—

near the edge of the ballroom—

Zephyr remained silent.

Watching.

Listening.

His exhausted appearance caused most nobles to ignore him completely now.

But his eyes slowly drifted toward the black rose within Rodderic’s hand.

And for the first time since arriving—

fear crossed his face.

Real fear.

Aurelian noticed immediately.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

The Velmorian prince slowly approached him.

“Have you seen that symbol before?” he asked softly.

Zephyr froze.

“No.”

Too fast.

Aurelian smiled slightly.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

Rodderic’s attention shifted instantly toward them.

Zephyr lowered his gaze quickly.

“I only wish to leave the palace, Your Highness.”

“Unfortunately,” Rodderic said coldly, “nobody leaves tonight.”

The fisherman visibly tensed.

Meanwhile, hidden among the terrified nobles—

someone quietly watched the entire scene unfold.

A woman.

Elegant.

Graceful.

Beautiful despite her age.

Lady Seraphine Valecrest.

Evelisse’s mother.

Her ruby-red gown shimmered beneath the candlelight while diamond rings glittered across her fingers.

To the empire, she appeared refined and sophisticated.

The perfect future empress.

But beneath her calm smile—

her nails dug deeply into her wine glass.

Blood magic.

Black Thorn.

Lake Noctis.

This was becoming dangerous.

Far too dangerous.

Especially after all these years.

Her gaze slowly shifted toward Rodderic.

And for the briefest moment—

something strange crossed her eyes.

Not affection.

Not warmth.

Fear.

Then—

suddenly—

the ballroom lights flickered violently.

Gasps echoed instantly.

The enchanted flames dimmed.

Once.

Twice.

Then every chandelier in the ballroom exploded into darkness.

Screams erupted.

Several nobles panicked immediately.

The entire palace fell black.

Only moonlight remained.

Cold silver moonlight pouring through the frost-crystal windows.

Then—

footsteps echoed somewhere within the darkness.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Not guards.

Not servants.

Someone else.

Rodderic immediately drew the silver dagger hidden beneath his royal coat.

“Stay where you are,” he ordered sharply.

Another scream echoed.

Closer this time.

Then—

a body collapsed from above.

Directly onto the ballroom floor.

Blood splattered across white marble.

Evelisse gasped in horror.

Several nobles nearly fainted.

The chandeliers suddenly reignited all at once.

And there—

lying dead before the entire royal court—

was one of the emperor’s personal guards.

A black rose had been shoved violently into his mouth.

And carved across his throat in fresh blood were three words.

THE THORN REMEMBERS.

...****************...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***