The Banquet was held in the , deep within the Holy

  Land. It was where the highest members of the Church of the Arc would

  gather. From deciding Church laws to fate, its doors would open for

  the Starless. Ester had received her dress alongside Saphy, and now

  maids fastened and examined them both, making sure they fit

  perfectly.

  “Too snug?” A young maid with short black hair and oversized

  spectacles asked as she tightened the dress.

  Ester shook her head, though she could barely breathe. “It’s...fine.”

  She winced.

  The young maid smiled and loosened the lacing slightly. Then she

  stepped back, inspecting every detail with unsettling intensity. Her

  eyes traced each seam, each fold, lingering far too long.

  Ester shifted uncomfortably. “U-um…”

  The maid snapped back to focus. “Ah, forgive me milady!” She

  attempted a smile. “I just need to be sure it’s perfect.”

  Ester looked down at herself. At the dress. It looked fine to her.

  After all, she didn’t see the big deal.

  She looked back at the maid. “Why is this banquet so important?”

  The question came out earnestly but the tone made the maid wince.

  The maid’s eyes shot up, disbelief plastered across her face. She

  glanced toward the entrance, then leaned closer. “Please don’t

  say that, milady…” Her voice trembled. “His eminence...the

  Arcon will be there.”

  Ester’s mood soured. How had she not heard anyone mention that

  important detail...as if no one wanted to be reminded. The head of

  all Churches in Geneeva would be attending.”

  “Your first impression before his eminence is everything,” the

  maid continued. “Otherwise you’ll be signing your own demise.”

  First impression, she said. There was no way the Arcon didn’t know

  who she was...what she did. Even though it was thanks to Lucius that

  she’d been spared from the dungeon...or worse, how she conducted

  herself tonight would determine everything going forward. Her chest

  tightened.

  “All done.” The maid stepped back, giving Ester one final

  inspection. “Perfect!” Whether the comment was directed at Ester

  or her own handiwork was unclear. Either way, Ester was finally

  allowed a glance at a mirror.

  It took a moment to fully comprehend the person staring back at her.

  The black dress was fitted at the bodice, full at the skirt, sleeves

  reaching her wrists. Her hair had been done in a way that made her

  look so much more mature, she could hardly believe it. The same girl

  who had entered the HoS smelling like death and dirt now stood before

  that mirror with a royal radiance.

  She couldn’t help but think herself breathtaking. Something she

  hadn’t thought about herself for a while.

  “Wow…” It was the only thing she could mutter before the door

  swung open.

  Saphy appeared in the doorway, her frizzy brown hair moulded into a

  beautiful afro. Her dress was similar to Ester’s yet without the

  sleeves, and a deep shade of green, the frills of her dress melting

  into a pinkish colour. Little green decorations adorned her hair as

  well, giving her a fairy like appearance.

  When she saw Ester, her eyes widened, then narrowed in surprised

  disbelief.

  “Ester?” she whispered. “Oh...wow!”

  “You look beautiful, Saphy.” Ester grinned, unable to contain it.

  “So do you!” Saphy hurried over, clasping her hands as she

  bounced giddily. Their excitement didn’t last long before Saphy

  froze, worry spreading across her face.

  “...Are you ready?”

  The question was daunting. It didn’t matter how she felt, this was

  something they had to do. The only thing she do was

  steel herself.

  “...I am.” Ester said. “You?”

  Saphy nodded confidently, a cheeky smile spreading. “Of course! Do

  you see how I look?” She gave a quick twirl, letting the dress flow

  around her. “The Starless Banquet better be ready for me!”

  Ester gave a quick round of applause, which was immediately cut short

  by the maid’s sharp cough.

  “Ahem!” The maid straightened. “While you both look

  fantastic...I urge you to be on your utmost behaviour.” She didn’t

  need to say more. Her words carried weight. “Whenever you are

  ready, please head outside and join your fellow Starless.”

  She gave a gracious bow and exited, closing the door behind her.

  Ester stared at the door for a moment. A part of her would have liked

  it if the maid had stayed.

  “Hey, Ester!” She turned to find Saphy rummaging through the

  drawers of their dorm. “Is...this yours?”

  The thin chain glimmered an expensive shade of silver as she held it

  up. The pendant held an encrusted emerald that glittered under the

  Flo light. It was almost the same shade as Saphy’s dress.

  The officials had confiscated the necklace when Ester was arrested,

  and for some reason had given it back when she left the dungeons. She

  remembered the pudgy little official’s jealous look as he handed it

  back to her. She’d stuffed the necklace in a drawer the first

  moment she got, not wanting to hold onto it any longer. She still

  couldn’t come to terms with it. She couldn’t even provide Saphy

  with an answer. Was the necklace truly hers? Did it really belong to

  her? Denying it would mean denying what had happened, acknowledgment

  meant she did what she did… All she could do was stare at it.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  At her necklace.

  Ester nodded, eyes meeting the floor. Saphy turned back to necklace,

  noticing the change in her demeanour. “Oh…” She put the

  necklace back in the drawer. “Bad?”

  Ester nodded again. Saphy pursed her lips. “Why...don’t you throw

  it away?”

  “I...can’t…” Ester said, looking at the worried Saphy. “It’s

  my curse.”

  Saphy edged closer, yet there was a slight guard in her approach.

  “Wanna talk about it?” Ester thought about it for a moment, then

  shook her head. “If I did, it’ll just put us both in a worse mood

  for the Banquet.” Saphy let out a soft smirk, the worry in her eyes

  subsiding. “That’s true…” She turned toward the door. “Shall

  we?”

  Ester nodded. Before she opened the door, Saphy stopped. She turned

  her attention back toward the drawer that contained the necklace.

  “...It sure is beautiful,” she muttered listlessly. “…Whatever

  happened...whatever that necklace meant to you, doesn’t change the

  fact that it’s still yours.”

  She turned to face Ester. “And what a shame it’ll be if you never

  wore it again…” There was a certain fire in her eyes when she

  said this, as if she saw something special in Ester. Ester’s throat

  tightened, watching Saphy open the door. She knew Saphy meant well,

  but it didn’t make what she said any less painful. Ester took one

  last look toward where her necklace lay, then followed Saphy out of

  the room. The door closed behind them with a defiant CLICK.

  Upon exiting the Starless building, they were greeted by a few

  Starless already mingling with one another, nervous chatter spreading

  through the crowd as they showed off their outfits. Ester couldn’t

  help but stare, everyone looked distinguished.

  One figure stood out, arms crossed as he waited silently for the

  Starless to appear. Instructor Markos was dressed in an expensive

  blue suit, lined with gold. Thick black boots and a cape hung off one

  shoulder. For some reason he wore a black eyepatch over his left eye.

  Medals upon medals shone on his chest, a serious expression etched on

  his face.

  He perked up, feeling Ester’s gaze, turning his good eye toward

  her. His mouth twisting into a tight-lipped smile.

  An acknowledgement? Just how much did the

  She pondered possibilities until Saphy grabbed her arm, pointing at

  two Starless in the corner.

  “Look!” she exclaimed.

  Kris looked stunning. A grey vest and a black tie over a brown long

  sleeve shirt, rolled up at the elbows. His hands were buried in the

  pockets of grey trousers that seemed too baggy for him. It looked

  unconventional, but he pulled it off surprisingly well. His hair was

  slicked back into a small ponytail, allowing bangs to fall across his

  pale face.

  He looked annoyingly mature.

  Then Ester’s heart melted when she saw the shorter one.

  Ezekiel turned around after multiple nudges from Kris, a scowl on his

  face that dissolved when he realised who stood in front of him.

  “Oh wow…” he muttered.

  Saphy punched him, making him yelp. Then she embraced him.

  He got flustered, possibly because a girl was hugging him, but he

  accepted it nonetheless. Saphy couldn’t stop smiling. It might’ve

  looked strange to the other Starless, but it didn’t matter. They

  didn’t know what they had been through.

  He wore a grey overcoat over a wool-coloured suit. The tie was a sort

  of brownish colour, the pants the same grey as his overcoat. One

  accessory that stood out was the bandage wrapped around his head,

  replacing his headband. His hair still retaining its spikiness. In

  his own Ezekiel way, he too carried an air of distinction, maybe

  because of his heritage.

  He glanced over at Ester, the same stupid smile on his face and a

  flash of his eyebrows as if to say I know you were worried about

  me.

  It annoyed her. But she gave him a hug anyway, surprising them all.

  She didn’t know why, but she felt he’d deserved it. After all,

  Ezekiel did trying to help Lin Hua. Speaking of Lin Hua,

  Ester hoped she was okay. She asked Ezekiel her condition, he just

  pursed his lips, eyes unable to find hers.

  Before she could question him, they heard it, screaming and loud

  murmurs as a crowd began to form.

  “Ugh...so loud,” Ezekiel cursed, lifting a hand to his temple. He

  still hadn’t recovered fully, in fact, he was advised to skip the

  Banquet, but he refused.

  Ester was curious to find out what was making such a commotion. The

  others followed her.

  Getting closer, she then understood.

  A boy stood at the centre of the crowd, tall, maybe Kris’s height,

  with dark red hair that seemed to get brighter under the torch’s

  embers. His skin was slightly tanned, sun kissed in such a way that

  made him look like a deity’s son. He wore a formal black suit with

  golden accents. The tailcoat stretching behind him. A single golden

  medal rested on his chest.

  Then she noticed his face.

  Beautiful was too generous of a word. Looking at him was like staring

  into the sun. A sharp jawline, warm eyes, and a smile as if to say he

  was embarrassed by the attention but didn’t know how to make it

  stop.

  Ester glanced at Saphy, she didn’t say a word, her mouth agape and

  her eyes wide in awe. Kris looked like he was admiring, a slight

  raise in his eyebrows and Ezekiel...Ezekiel’s face was twisted in a

  way that showed he was blatantly jealous, arms crossed as he looked

  at the golden boy. Ester could barely look at him for too long

  without having to avert her eyes.

  The way he smiled, the way people looked at him as if he was someone

  sent by the gods. She had seen it before. The same way crowds would

  flock to her uncle as if he was goodness incarnate. It made her sick.

  It made her apprehensive.

  “Is that him?” she heard Ezekiel grunt behind her.

  “Arthur Ren of Leria..?” Kris said quietly. “Yeah, that’s

  him.” He pointed at the mark on his forehead.

  His eyes swept across the crowd, taking in faces that surrounded him

  with a polite smile until they did a double take on Ester.

  He paused for just a second, eyes blinking as they matched gazes. She

  looked away first. Kris noticed this, glancing at Ester, yet he said

  nothing.

  Markos took the opportunity to rein in the crowd.

  “GUYS!” he bellowed, clapping his hands together. The noise died,

  though eyes still lingered on Arthur. “As you know, we are about to

  attend a Banquet with the Arcon of Geneeva...If you know what is best

  for you, you will be on your best behaviour!”

  He let his words linger.

  “There will also be two other people attending the Banquet.” He

  laid a hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “Starless Arthur Ren of

  Leria...the Phoenix Avatar.”

  Arthur shifted his weight, a smile laid uncomfortably on his face as

  gasps, murmurs and grunts rippled through the crowd.

  “And of course...his cousin.”

  Markos and Arthur looked up, past the Starless and they did the same.

  Turning around to see a silhouette descend from the night sky,

  landing softly.

  The murmurs died instantly.

  He was a small boy, around Saphy’s height, wearing a white robe

  that pooled around his feet. A green and gold outer robe was worn

  over it, giving him an air of untouchable importance. His white hair

  cut incredibly low. The top half of his face hidden behind a red

  veil.

  Jewellery adorned almost every visible part of him. Rings on fingers,

  rings lining his left ear, a golden choker around his neck.

  He didn’t acknowledge the crowd. Didn’t turn his head. Just stood

  there, blind and silent, radiating something that made every Starless

  hold their breath.

  Even Ezekiel, who never shut up, said nothing.

  Ester’s chest tightened. This was him...The legend in the making.

  Her sole reason for freedom…

  He raised a hand, turning it sideways as a greeting.

  “Hey.”

  Silence again.

  “… Starless, meet the Markos sighed,

  gesturing toward him. “Lucius the Praised.”