Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

Emily released a deep breath, her mind drifting to the hallway decorations she was meant to help with. As she continued walking, the door to a room swung open abruptly. A man emerged; his attention focused straight ahead. Without a glance back, he disappeared from view. Emily's heart pounded as she recognized him. Following closely behind the man was Julia, a fellow low-level maid. Their eyes met in shock. Neither of them could believe what they had just witnessed. As maids of humble status, they were acutely aware of the vast chasm between their position and that of the royal household.

Julia looks around and went to Emily. She clutched her hand and brought her at one of the corners in the hallway. "What do you want?" Emily asked, feeling irritated for the interruption of her works. "I am busy," she added. "What do you see?" Julia narrowing her eyes asked. "I see nothing," Emily exclaimed. 

"Don't lie to me!" Julia retorted; her voice edged with disbelief."Alright, alright!" Emily conceded, her tone placating. "That man you were with is Lord Oscar, a noble and a courtier," she revealed.Julia's eyes darted away, confirming Emily's suspicions. "Yes, he is," she admitted quietly."You're having an affair with him?" Emily asked, her voice rising with incredulity.A small, defiant smile crept onto Julia's face. "It's not an affair. He loves me," she insisted.Emily's expression hardened. "Don't feed me that nonsense! He has a wife and a daughter. What do you think you're doing?"Grasping Julia's hand firmly, Emily met her gaze directly. "He's just playing with you, like he does with so many others. We're maids, Julia, servants. Know your place!"

Julia narrowed her eyes and snatched her hand away from Emily. "Don't you dare tell me what to do! You don't understand. Everyone's doing it, but no one gets caught. Even Rose is doing it, so why can't I? And I love him too," she declared, her voice trembling with emotion. "His relationship with his wife is just for convenience. It's a noble problem. He promised me that he will leave his wife," Julia exclaimed, emphasizing each word.

Emily stood in stunned silence, trying to process Julia's outburst. The intensity of Julia's feelings was undeniable, and the conviction in her voice left no room for doubt. Emily could see the conflict in Julia's eyes, torn between love and societal expectations. Despite the scandalous nature of the affair, Julia's determination was unshakable, driven by a profound belief in her love and the promises made to her.

"You're an idiot, Julia!" Emily exclaimed, disbelief coloring her voice. "Do you really think he'd leave his noble life for someone like us?" Julia's face contorted with anger. With a sharp slap, her hand connected with Emily's cheek. "Enough, Emily," she snapped, her voice laced with venom. "I never knew you could be so cruel. Maybe you're jealous because you don't have anyone. "Emily cradled her stinging cheek, her eyes narrowing. "Don't twist my words," she retorted. "I'm trying to be realistic. And I'm saying this for your sake. You might not see it now, but the consequences of defying palace rules are severe." Julia's grip tightened around her secret. "I know the risks," she hissed. "But I won't let you expose me. You'll regret it if you do."Emily reached out to grab Julia's arm, her tone pleading. "I won't say anything, but please, stop this madness." Julia wrenched her arm free, her defiance unwavering. "That's final, Emily. And don't try to dictate my life. Oscar has promised to help me rise in rank." A bitter laugh escaped Emily's lips. "Is that all this is about? A higher rank? Even if you achieve it, you'll still be a servant at heart. That will never change." Julia's eyes flashed with determination. "I will be more than a servant, Emily. I will be a lady."

Emily shook her head in response. "If," she added, emphasizing the uncertainty. "He will," Julia retorted confidently. "And here's a piece of advice: you can find a decent man for yourself too, a noble, so you don't get jealous," she added with a smirk before turning to leave.

Emily watched her go, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. "All royal men and nobles are the same, Julia. They'll just toy with you and discard you in the end. They're like dogs when it comes to women, thinking highly of themselves and looking down on others," Emily called after her, making Julia stop in her tracks. "We're even," Julia shot back. "If you tell my secret, I'll expose what you said too. Badmouthing royals is a grave sin, right?"

Emily was taken aback by her words, realizing the precariousness of their situation. 'It's not my place to intervene,' she thought, feeling a sense of helplessness. Emily stood alone in the hallway, staring at the spot where Julia had just been. A whirlwind of conflicting emotions surged through her, the intensity of their confrontation still echoing in her mind. The hallway seemed eerily quiet now, a stark contrast to the heated words exchanged moments ago.

Emily slightly shakes her head and take a deep breath, she bent down to pick up the baskets scattered on the ground, trying to steady her trembling hands. "That was intense," a voice commented from behind her, breaking the silence. Startled, Emily clutched her chest and spun around, her eyes widening as she saw a man emerge from the shadows.

"Duke William?" she stammered, her heart racing. Quickly regaining her composure, she bowed her head in a gesture of respect. 'Did he hear me? I'm doomed,' she thought, her anxiety mounting as she avoided the duke's piercing gaze. The fear of the possible consequences of her words weighed heavily on her, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Duke William Lamberg, King Alex's nephew, stood before Emily, a striking figure at 20 years old. His tall, athletic frame was complemented by his jet-black hair and piercing dark eyes that seemed to see through everything. His presence exuded a quiet confidence and authority, traits that were unmistakably noble. Dressed in finely tailored attire that highlighted his status, William carried himself with a regal air that demanded respect. Despite his youth, there was a depth in his gaze that hinted at wisdom and experiences beyond his years, making him a figure both intimidating and captivating.

In Aurelia, a longstanding tradition dictated that all the king's brothers be killed to eliminate threats to the throne. King Alex was no exception to this ruthless practice. He had two younger brothers and one sister, and in adherence to tradition, he executed his brothers, sparing only his sister, Princess Vivienne. The youngest brother was merely eighteen years old at the time of his death and had no children. The other brother, however, had one son, William, who was just four years old when his father was killed. Tragically, King Alex also took the life of William's mother, further solidifying his grip on power.

The consequences of King Alex's actions cast a long shadow over the royal family. Princess Vivienne, the sole surviving sibling, bore the weight of these brutal decisions. Young William, orphaned by his uncle's decree, grew up under the shadow of his family's violent history. Despite his youth, William's presence in the court served as a constant reminder of the lengths to which King Alex would go to secure his throne. The bloodshed left a mark on the kingdom, and the people of Aurelia whispered of the king's mercilessness, while William grew into a man with the heavy legacy of his family's past weighing on his shoulders.

King Alex spared young William and raised him in the castle, though everyone in the kingdom knew the grim fate of his parents. As Emily looked down at the floor, she noticed a pair of expensive leather shoes. She slowly raised her head and met the duke's eyes. "Your Grace, I'm—" she began, but the duke interrupted her. "Sorry? Never mind. You're right, after all," he said curtly. "But—" he started. Emily looks at him, waiting for him to continue.

The duke's expression was stern as he spoke. "It's not just the royals or the nobles at fault here. Much of the blame falls on the maids. They know the rules but choose to disobey for love. They let themselves be fooled around, so they deserve whatever consequences they face," he finished.

Emily paled at his words, her heart sinking. 'He heard us; we're doomed, Julia and I,' she thought in despair. The duke turned and began to walk away, but paused to add, "Don't worry, I will not tell anyone what happened here. You owe me," he said, leaving Emily with a mix of relief and anxiety.