Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

After some time, Madeline returned inside the castle to assist with the preparations for the royal ball. As she made her way inside, she encountered the head servant, who directed her to help in the kitchen. With a nod of acknowledgment, Madeline headed towards the bustling kitchen, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders.

Upon entering the kitchen, she found her mother busily slicing fruits on the counter. The familiar sight brought a pang of sadness to Madeline's heart as she recalled her mother's stern instructions, which she had failed to follow. Despite her mother's repeated warnings, she couldn't resist the allure of meeting the prince. Each encounter with him felt like a rebellion against her mother's wishes, a bittersweet mix of defiance and longing that left her torn between duty and friendship.

The kitchen was a hive of activity, filled with the clatter of pots and pans and the sharp, commanding voice of the head cook, Miss Mary, echoing through the room. Every servant was on edge, moving swiftly to keep up with the numerous tasks. Maids bustled back and forth, adding to the chaotic energy. The air was thick with the fragrant aroma of various dishes being prepared, and wisps of smoke curled around the room, creating an almost tangible sense of urgency.

"What are you doing standing there?" Miss Mary roared, her gaze fixed on Madeline, causing her to flinch. The sudden outburst caught the attention of Theresa, who shot Madeline a wide-eyed look and urgently beckoned her to assist. Madeline quickly made her way to her mother's side, mumbling an apology to the head cook before diving into the work that awaited her.

"Did you deliver the food to the stable servants?" Theresa asked, glancing at Madeline with a hint of concern. "Yes, Auntie," Madeline replied promptly. She then climbed onto a chair, grabbed a small knife, and began peeling potatoes with careful precision. "Be careful," her mother whispered softly beside her. Madeline nodded in acknowledgment, concentrating on her task.

Suddenly, Emily burst in through the back door, her face flushed with urgency. "Hey, Madeline, would you help me with the garments?" she asked, her tone almost pleading. Madeline looked over at Miss Mary, the head cook, who was still barking orders at the other servants. "Miss Mary might be angry if I don't help in the kitchen," Madeline responded, torn between her desire to assist Emily and her fear of incurring Miss Mary's wrath.

Emily approached the head cook and made her request; her voice steady yet urgent. "Alright, you kid! Go help her, you're not needed here anyway," the head cook replied brusquely, waving her hand dismissively. "You heard her, let's go!" Emily exclaimed, clutching Madeline's hand and swiftly leading her out of the bustling kitchen.

As they hurried away, Theresa could only shake her head, watching them go. Her expression was a mix of resignation and understanding, knowing all too well the whims of the kitchen's demanding environment and the relentless pull of other duties.

"You must thank me, Madie," Emily said, smile on her face. "Why?" Madeline asked confused. "I help you, to get away on that hell of a kitchen. Come on, who wants to go near Miss Mary, or should I say bloody Mary?" Emily sardonically commented while laughing. Madeline laughs in return. Emily is an eighteen-year-old girl, she was also a low-level servant like her. She is a lively and determined young woman, often seen with a spark of mischief in her eyes. She has a slender build and a light, quick step that mirrors her energetic personality. Her chestnut hair, usually tied back in a practical braid, frames a face that radiates warmth and friendliness.

Emily is known for her resourcefulness and willingness to lend a hand wherever needed, always eager to assist others with a cheerful smile and a kind word. Her curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious, making her a beloved figure among the castle's servants especially to Madeline. Emily became Madeline's friend in the castle aside from the prince, playing with her sometimes, and telling her stories. 

The two girls made their way to the back of the castle, each carrying a basket brimming with wet clothes and garments. Their task was to dry the clothes under the bright sunlight. They methodically hung the damp items on the lines strung up outside the palace, grateful for the clear skies. "Thank God it's sunny today. Yesterday was so rainy," Emily remarked, her mood noticeably lighter. "By the way, I heard you went to the Helios Festival?" she added, looking at Madeline with curiosity.

Madeline smiled warmly in response. "Yes, it was beautiful," she replied. Emily's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm happy for you. Can you describe it for me?" she asked eagerly. Madeline then recounted her brief visit to Perstone City, painting vivid pictures of the festival's splendor while carefully omitting the part about her time with the prince.

A group of soldiers conducting their daily training exercises marched by the back of the castle. One of the soldiers broke away from the group and approached Madeline. "Maddie, how are you? I haven't seen you practicing your bow and arrow lately," he said with a friendly smile. This was Russel Pearson, a nineteen-year-old lower-ranked soldier of the Carthage Empire. Athletic and quite muscular, Russel was known for his dedication to his training.

Madeline returned his smile and replied, "Sir Russel, I'm fine, how about you?" Russel nodded, "I'm good," he said, his gaze briefly flickering to Emily. Noticing this, Madeline quickly added, "This is my friend Emily." Emily gave Russel a warm smile before returning to her task of hanging the clothes, her hands moving deftly as she worked.

Russel looked momentarily confused by Emily's quick return to her task, unsure if she disliked his presence or if she was merely shy. "I've been quite busy with the preparations for the royal ball. Maybe after the ball, I'll get back to practicing with my bow and arrow," Madeline explained.

Russel's expression brightened at her words. "Let me help you then, if I'm free," he offered generously. "Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Madeline replied with a smile. "Good luck with your task," Russel said, giving a friendly nod before rejoining his comrades. As he walked away, Madeline felt a sense of relief, grateful for the brief but pleasant exchange. Emily glanced at her, a knowing look in her eyes, and they both continued their work, the momentary interruption adding a bit of lightness to their day.

After Russel left, Emily turned to Madeline with a hint of surprise. "I didn't realize you knew him," she remarked, curiosity evident in her voice. Madeline smiled softly, replying, "Yes, he's quite kind. He helps me out from time to time."

Emily's eyes widened, and she rolled them playfully. "Oh, Maddie, you seem to think everyone is good-natured," she said, a touch of exasperation in her tone. "And what kind of help are we talking about? With weapons?" Emily's voice took on a note of concern. Madeline quickly placed a finger over her lips, signaling her friend to keep quiet. "Shhhh," she whispered. "It's a bit of a secret, but yes, Sir Russel has been helping me with my archery skills." She added with a triumphant grin, "He's been a great teacher."

"It's not appropriate for a girl to handle weapons, especially someone as young as you," Emily said, crouching down to meet Madeline's eyes directly. Her tone was serious, carrying a hint of concern. "But—" Madeline began to protest.

Emily interrupted, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And, I've heard that many soldiers aren't the best company. They're just dogs of the royals. You'll understand more as you grow older," she cautioned, her words tinged with a subtle urgency. Madeline noticed a trace of sadness in Emily's eyes, but at her young age, she couldn't grasp the deeper meaning behind the warning or the sadness. To her, it seemed as though everyone was just trying to prevent her from pursuing what she enjoyed.

"You sound just like my mother," Madeline murmured, a hint of frustration in her voice as she turned and ran back towards the castle. "What?" Emily called out, looking at Madeline's retreating figure. A sigh escaped her lips, filled with a mixture of resignation and concern as she watched her friend disappear from view.

After completing her task, Emily entered the castle, balancing a heap of baskets in her hands. As she approached the corner of the hallway, she stopped abruptly, her ears catching the low murmurs of a conversation. The voices seemed to be coming from one of the nearby rooms. Curious, she continued on her way and turned the corner, noticing that one of the castle rooms had its door ajar.

"Someone may see us," a female voice whispered urgently. "Let them see. We're not doing anything wrong," a male voice responded calmly. "But you have a fiancée, and you're one of the royals. Of course, this is wrong," the girl insisted. Emily's eyes narrowed with suspicion. 'Well, this is interesting,' she thought, the intrigue sparking her curiosity even further.