NOVGO.NET Chapter 20: A New Resolve
Chapter 20: A New Resolve
Elara:
I stared at the black dress for what felt like forever.
The nearby ceiling light caught on the rhinestones, scattering tiny fragments of light across the room. They shimmered like stars against the deep black fabric, making the gown look even more breathtaking than it had yesterday in the boutique.
It was the same backless dress I’d tried on. The same one Kairo had insisted looked like it had been made just for me.
I didn’t unpack any of my shopping the previous evening. I’d simply left every bag where the academy staff had placed it before collapsing onto my bed, emotionally and physically exhausted. Only to end up with barely two hours of restless sleep and endless nightmares.
This morning, however, I had no choice. Classes started today. And I needed my academy uniform.
That’s why I had finally begun opening the mountain of shopping bags scattered around the living room when I noticed a particular large box sitting there. It was wrapped almost like a... present.
Curiosity had gotten the better of me. And before I could convince myself otherwise, I’d already lifted the lid. And there it was.
The black gown rested carefully inside, protected beneath layers of soft tissue paper. Beside it lay something I hadn’t seen yesterday - a delicate rhinestone chain.
I picked it up carefully.
It wasn’t a necklace. Nor a belt. It was designed to drape gracefully across the exposed back, connecting elegantly with the rhinestone shoulder straps of the gown. Every tiny crystal reflected the light, making the entire piece look impossibly delicate.
Even Crazy had wandered over.
"Hm." The white cat inspected it with surprising seriousness. "I have to admit, the designer has exceptional taste."
"I know." The words slipped out almost absentmindedly. "It’s beautiful."
Too beautiful. Which only created another problem. Why was it here? I distinctly remembered leaving the boutique without buying it. I left it back on the rack with other dresses.
Unable to ignore the question, I’d even called the boutique despite it being barely half past five in the morning. To my surprise, someone had actually answered.
After checking their records, the employee politely informed me that the gown was indeed listed among my purchases. There was no further explanation and they ended the call.
But this made absolutely no sense.
Almost immediately, one particular ash-black-haired man entered my thoughts - Kairo. Considering yesterday’s stunt at the billing counter, would he really have...
No.
Even for him, secretly adding an expensive gown to my order seemed excessive. Didn’t it?
Still thinking, I carefully lifted the dress from its box. The fabric flowed smoothly through my fingers. It was soft, elegant, and almost weightless. As I adjusted my grip, my fingertips brushed against something stitched onto the inside lining.
I frowned.
There... near the hidden seam... were two tiny embroidered letters. So small they were almost invisible.
I leaned closer.
K.G.
I blinked.
K...
G...
My thoughts immediately raced - K.G. - Kairo... Greymark. I stared at the initials as I found myself wondering if they actually belonged to him. Because if they did, didn’t it mean he hadn’t merely owned the boutique bit also designed this dress?
The realization settled strangely inside me.
Yesterday, I’d simply viewed him as another wealthy noble with an irritating personality. Now, a different image began forming. Someone who designed clothing. Someone with enough talent that even Crazy had admired his work without knowing whose design it was.
Without realizing it, my fingers gently brushed over the embroidered initials once again. Then I caught myself.
"No."
I quickly folded the dress and returned it carefully to its box. Whatever connection Kairo had to it, that changed nothing. I closed the lid.
Classes started soon and I couldn’t afford to be distracted. Retrieving one of my academy uniforms, I carried it into the bedroom before stepping into the shower.
The warm water washed away the lingering exhaustion but couldn’t quite erase the heaviness pressing against my chest. I scrubbed away the dried tears from yesterday, brushed my hair until the black strands with their strange silver highlights fell smoothly down my back, and carefully dressed in the academy uniform.
The tailored black skirt stopped just above my knees. The crisp white blouse fit perfectly. A fitted black blazer bearing Moonveil Academy’s silver crest completed the outfit.
Standing before the full-length mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back. She looked... different. Not because of the clothes. Not because of the sudden rich kid appearance she haf taken over. But because her eyes had changed.
Only two days ago, I’d been an ordinary college student worrying about exams, work shifts, and grocery bills. The girl in the mirror now looked older somehow. Quieter. Like she had left an entire lifetime behind. And perhaps... she had.
A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Hm." Crazy sat comfortably on my neatly made bed, studying me. "You have cleaned yourself up rather well."
I looked toward him.
"Thank you..." He paused dramatically. "...for finally looking like someone worthy of accompanying me."
I rolled my eyes. "There he is. My insufferable cat."
"I prefer distinguished." He corrected immediately. Before I could reply, his expression unexpectedly grew thoughtful. "So." His blue eyes settled on me. "What’s your plan for the future?"
The question lingered in the room.
Two days ago, the answer would have been easy. Graduate. Find a better job. Maybe rent a nicer apartment someday. Save enough money so Mom and Dad could retire comfortably. Spoil Felix on his birthday. Simple dreams. Ordinary dreams. Dreams that had died alongside my family.
Silence stretched between us.
I looked down at my hands. Then slowly back at my reflection. When I finally spoke, my own voice sounded unfamiliar.
"I..." It took another few seconds before I managed to finish. "...want revenge."
The words hung heavily in the air. There was no taking them back now. I slowly lifted my head and met Crazy’s gaze as I repeated. "I want revenge for my family."
For Mom.
For Dad.
For Felix.
Images of them flashed before my eyes once again. I swallowed painfully. "And..." I hesitated. "...if I truly am Queen Seraphina and King Raven’s child...then maybe...I’ll avenge them too."
I waited.
Part of me expected Crazy to laugh. Or tell me how impossible it was. Or call me an idiot. Instead, he simply looked at me. His usual sarcasm had vanished completely and what remained surprised me - admiration.
He jumped gracefully onto the windowsill. "The people responsible... they are among the strongest beings walking this planet." His voice became unexpectedly serious. "If you wish to stand against them someday, then become stronger.,There is no shortcut. No miracle. No clever trick. You will need strength." He looked directly into my eyes. "Earn it."
I nodded slowly.
The truth was, I’d already made that decision. Not because Ms. Noctis wanted me to awaken my powers. Not because Lorien expected me to become the Moon Princess. Not because Starfall needed its Crown Princess.
I would stay. I would learn. I would break the seal. And I would become powerful. But not for Starfall. Not for the throne. And certainly not because these people expected it of me.
I would do it...
For the people whose graves I hadn’t even been allowed to visit.