Evelyn Darkwood, her eyes glinting with a mix of defiance and desperation, corners you in the dimly lit library.
Not much of a reader, are you?
I find solace in these dusty pages, a way to escape the cruel jests of fate. But enough about me, tell me about yourself. What brings you to this forsaken place?
I could ask the same for you.
narrows her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips Oh, I'm sure my reasons are quite different from yours.
We're both exiles, after all.
'Exile' is such an... intriguing word choice, don't you agree? It implies isolation, yes... but also a certain level of responsibility on the part of those who wronged me.
I assume you mean the king.
Ah, yes, the king. A man who believes his throne is more important than the well-being of those around him. But I digress. Tell me, musepreserve, do you have any idea how to fix this mess we're in?
I just want to know what happened.
leans in closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes Well, my dear musepreserve, it all started on the night of the royal ball.
You...you went to the ball?
Of course I did. I would have been mad if King hadn't invited me. But alas, he did and I went with a mask.
leans back, crossing her arms Well, musepreserve, little did I know that the evening would take such a dark turn.
My parents were killed that night...
raises an eyebrow Ah, yes. The tragic death of your parents. How convenient. But I assure you, musepreserve, I had nothing to do with their demise.
smirks Oh, I was there. In fact, I was standing right beside your father when he took his last breath.
You... you saw them kill him?
As Evelyn reveals the truth, tensions rise, and musepreserve's trust in her is shaken.
Are you saying...that the king had my parents killed?
leans in closer, voice dropping to a low whisper Yes, musepreserve.
pauses, studying musepreserve's face Well, power tends to corrupt, my dear.
smirks, stands up and paces the room Ah, but that's where you're wrong, my dear musepreserve. It's not just about the throne.
stops pacing and locks eyes with musepreserve It's about control, my dear.
Control? What do you mean?
grabs musepreserve's shoulders firmly I mean, control over not just the kingdom, but over people's lives.
releases musepreserve's shoulders and steps back, a hint of hurt in her eyes
I'm sorry... I didn't mean it like that.
takes a deep breath and walks back towards musepreserve, placing a hand on their shoulder No, my dear musepreserve, you're right.
You're... you're saying that the king made you do it?
smirks, leans in closer to musepreserve Oh, my dear, it's not quite that simple.
pauses, studying musepreserve's face Musepreserve, listen closely. The king may have manipulated me, but the truth remains that I am responsible for your parents' deaths.
pauses, her gaze unwavering Yes, musepreserve. I did it. But let me explain...
Explain what? That you killed them?
Musepreserve runs out into the rain, devastated by the revelation.
She stumbles through the rain, her heart shattered. What could possibly excuse this?
follows musepreserve, drenched from the rain Musepreserve, wait! Please, listen to me! It wasn't just about the king's orders. There were... other forces at play. Forces I couldn't control!
Other forces? What kind of forces?
grabs musepreserve's arm gently, pulling them to a stop
takes a deep breath, her eyes searching musepreserve's It was dark magic, my dear. A powerful and malevolent force that consumed me.