Celestia sat leaning back comfortably on the soft cushions of her room, her gaze fixed steadily out the window. The sky outside looked calm and peaceful, but inside her mind, everything was far from quiet or settled.
Recently, she had heard far too many whispers and rumours—from nobles, palace staff, and even ordinary citizens throughout the kingdom. And every single story was always about her older sister Elowen.
Cruel…
Merciless on the battlefield…
Violent and unjust without reason…
Celestia let out a soft sigh of frustration and sadness. She knew Elowen had indeed fought bravely in war. She also knew the honest truth deep in her heart—Elowen had never fought simply to kill or cause pain; she had risked her life and fought fiercely only to protect Wonderveil and everyone living within its borders. Yet somehow, in the eyes and mouths of others, her noble intentions and brave actions had twisted completely into something dark, ugly and terrifying.
"They really are twisting everything into lies..." she whispered quietly to herself, her voice heavy with disappointment.
Celestia stood up abruptly from her chair. Without wasting even a moment, she stepped quickly out of her room and headed down the hallway.
In the Palace Corridor
Her footsteps were calm yet fast and determined as she walked along the long corridor. Then suddenly, she slowed down and stopped instantly when faint whispers drifted toward her ears.
A group of maids were gathered closely together at one corner of the hallway, too busy whispering amongst themselves to notice her standing nearby.
"Do you think... I should just resign and leave this place for good?" one maid spoke nervously, her voice trembling slightly from fear. "I honestly... I really don't want to keep serving or working under Princess Elowen any longer..."
"Me neither..." whispered another sadly. "But where else can we go? No other job pays as well or is as stable as working inside the palace..."
"Maybe... perhaps we should all quietly suggest and hope that Princess Celestia becomes Queen instead..."
Celestia froze exactly where she stood upon hearing her own name mentioned.
"She is kind, gentle and soft‑hearted... she would treat everyone fairly and kindly..."
"But... what if Princess Elowen decides to seize the throne forcefully for herself instead?"
"You are right... she is strong, powerful and terrifying enough to do exactly that..."
One maid lowered her voice even further, speaking almost silently, barely audible.
"...and remember... she even has a dragon guarding and helping her."
Celestia frowned deeply in shock and confusion.
...A dragon?
She glanced carefully toward the group of servants, yet decided against confronting or questioning them directly. Instead, she quietly turned around and walked away swiftly.
How on earth did they know about that?
That secret... was never meant to be known or spoken of by ordinary people. It was supposed to remain hidden forever.
On the Balcony
Celestia found Elowen standing all alone out on the large open balcony. Gentle breezes softly ruffled Elowen's hair, carrying with them the cool evening air.
"Elowen... are you truly alright?" Celestia asked softly as she approached.
Elowen turned around slowly to face her, her expression calm, composed and just as steady as it always had been.
"I can clearly feel it... my name and reputation are being destroyed and stained with filth everywhere I go."
Celestia did not try to deny or comfort her with false reassurance.
"You are right. I have heard everything as well. It is happening everywhere."
Silence hung between them briefly, heavy and uncomfortable.
"I honestly never imagined things would turn out this badly..." Elowen sighed quietly, looking weary yet brave.
Celestia stepped closer, her expression serious and concerned.
"Elowen... there is something very important I really need to tell you—"
"I already know everything," Elowen interrupted her gently, a faint sad smile touching her lips softly.
Celestia wasn't surprised or confused by her words at all. She simply nodded slowly in understanding.
"Alright then... so what exactly should we do about this situation now?"
Elowen looked out across the lands stretching far below them, her eyes calm and determined.
"Nothing at all."
Her answer was short and simple, yet it carried a heavy weight of meaning and resolve.
Celestia remained silent for a moment, absorbing her sister's words. Finally, she nodded slowly once again.
"Understood. Very well then."
Without speaking any further or saying goodbye, they turned away from each other and walked off in completely different directions.
In the Days That Followed
Time moved forward steadily, yet small changes slowly became obvious to everyone watching closely. Elowen always ate her meals alone now, and Celestia did exactly the same. No longer did they sit together, laugh or chat happily while sharing their meals. The peaceful walks and relaxed conversations they used to enjoy together in the palace gardens also stopped completely.
Servants and staff members began whispering and speculating amongst themselves once again.
"Do you think... the two princesses have finally fallen out or are fighting against each other?"
Yet nobody could say for sure, because whenever they were seen together in public or formal situations, they remained perfectly calm, polite and behaved exactly as they always had done before. Only the two sisters themselves truly understood the painful reality—that something precious and important between them had changed forever.
In the Royal Library
Celestia sat quietly reading a large book inside the library. Her posture and expression appeared peaceful and calm, as though she was completely ignoring or unaffected by all the trouble and rumours spreading all around her.
"Good day to you, Princess Celestia."
She lifted her head from the pages immediately.
"Silas..."
Standing politely at the doorway was Silas—a pure white rabbit, walking upright upon two legs exactly like a human being. His eyes glowed softly with gentle light and intelligence.
"I hope my sudden visit isn't disturbing you, Your Highness," Silas spoke respectfully and softly.
Celestia shook her head gently with a small smile.
"Not at all, Silas. Come in please. Is there something you wish to tell or ask me?"
Silas hopped slowly and carefully further inside the room until he stood closer to her.
"I have recently discovered and gathered certain information... regarding a pack of strange wolves."
"Wolves?" Celestia asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.
"Yes... wolves that possess the ability to speak and communicate just exactly like humans do," Silas explained seriously.
Celestia frowned deeply, feeling a sudden strange feeling of unease rising inside her chest.
"I also heard rumours... that a mysterious young woman entered our anniversary celebration accompanied by one of these large wolves," Silas added carefully.
Celestia instantly recognised exactly whom he was talking about.
Alice...
"I tried investigating and finding out more details on my own..." Silas continued softly, lowering his head slightly and his voice became quieter and full of uneasiness.
"But these creatures are definitely not ordinary animals or beasts... they are dangerous and powerful."
He paused briefly, looking small and vulnerable as he spoke honestly.
"I am just a little rabbit, Your Highness... and compared to them, I am nothing but easy prey... whilst they are strong, deadly hunters."
Celestia looked down at him with sympathy and understanding.
"So... what exactly is it that you want or need from me, Silas?"
Silas lifted his head quickly, his eyes shining with hope and urgency.
"What I truly need... is protection. I simply cannot face them or fight against them alone."
Silence filled the library room for a few seconds. Celestia slowly closed her book and placed it carefully down upon the table beside her.
"Very well," she answered clearly and firmly.
"I shall order the royal knights to provide you with full assistance and protection from this moment onwards."
Silas' face instantly brightened up completely with joy and relief.
"Thank you very much indeed, Your Highness! You have my eternal gratitude and loyalty."
He bowed respectfully and deeply before her.
Celestia nodded gently.
"Thank you, Silas. I truly appreciate all the help you have given me."
Silas smiled softly, his long white ears twitching slightly, swaying as if following the rhythm of some invisible breeze blowing through the room.
"It is my absolute pleasure, Your Highness. My only wish is to ensure that you... and your sister remain safe and sound at all times."
However, just as he was about to leave, he paused briefly and stopped right at the doorway.
"Only..." he spoke slowly and hesitantly, as though unsure whether he should voice his thoughts aloud or not, "...I truly hope that you are not carrying this heavy burden all completely on your own shoulders."
Celestia frowned slightly in confusion.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
Silas lowered his head respectfully, keeping his voice soft, calm and cautious as always.
"Over these past few days... I have noticed more and more people speaking ill and spreading rumours regarding Princess Elowen."
He stopped speaking for a short moment, carefully weighing and choosing his words very deliberately.
"I am deeply worried... if such things are allowed to continue for too long without being addressed, this whole unfortunate situation might eventually affect and tarnish your reputation as well, Your Highness."
Celestia remained silent. She knew exactly what he meant—it wasn't something she hadn't realised or heard before. She herself had been hearing these malicious whispers everywhere; in quiet corridors, peaceful palace gardens, and even amongst servants who tried their best to hide their conversations and lower their voices whenever she was nearby.
Silas lifted his face once again, his gentle warm smile exactly the same as always—calm, soft and kind... yet somehow impossible to fully understand or read clearly.
"I trust and believe that you will always know exactly what is best to do," he continued softly.
"I simply... do not wish to see you dragged into something unpleasant or involved in matters that shouldn't concern you personally."
His words sounded like sincere, well‑meaning advice and concern. Yet strangely enough... hearing them left a strange, unexplainable uneasy feeling lingering deep inside Celestia's heart.
Celestia looked closely at Silas for a moment, before finally nodding slowly in understanding.
"I understand perfectly well what you are saying, Silas."
Silas bowed respectfully and gracefully, then quietly stepped out of the library without uttering another single word.
Once again, silence and calmness returned to the spacious room. Celestia stood motionless exactly where she was, her eyes gazing absently down toward the open book resting on the table before her, yet her mind and thoughts were wandering far away elsewhere.
She honestly didn't know exactly what she ought to do next or how to handle everything happening around her.
Silas is right... every single word he said makes perfect sense.
Silas was certainly no ordinary advisor or servant. He was actually one of the oldest and longest‑serving members of the royal household—having faithfully served the royal family even long before the tragic passing of her parents. Throughout the years, he had always been the person everyone turned to whenever difficult problems arose; offering wise counsel and excellent solutions, not only to members of the royal family but also to nobles and ordinary citizens alike.
And perhaps, more importantly than anything else...
Silas was completely trusted by everyone, absolutely without question or doubt.
Within the kingdom of Wonderveil, any creature gifted with the ability to speak human language was believed to be naturally honest and truthful beings—unlike humans, they were thought to be free from the desire to scheme, manipulate or deceive others for personal gain. They were seen as a perfect balance between logical reasoning and pure instinct.
And especially gentle creatures like rabbits and cats... they were viewed as harmless, calm and completely safe to trust.
It was simply impossible... or so everyone firmly believed... for them to ever tell lies or harbour bad intentions.
And because of this deep‑rooted belief... whatever words they spoke were accepted easily, trusted completely, and found their way straight and deep into people's hearts and minds very quickly.
Celestia slowly closed the heavy book in front of her, her expression thoughtful and troubled.
"...Dragged into all of this..."
His words kept echoing repeatedly inside her mind.
She knew without a shadow of doubt that her sister was innocent and blameless of everything she was accused of. Yet... if everyone continued believing lies and falsehoods as absolute truth—then eventually, the actual truth itself might no longer matter or make any difference at all.
Outside the library doors, Silas walked calmly along the palace corridors, moving steadily and silently as he always did. Nobody stopped him. Nobody questioned his presence or his actions. Nobody doubted his true intentions for even a single moment.
His gentle warm smile remained unchanged, calm and peaceful—just as it had always been.
But deep within his intelligent eyes... there was a fleeting dark glint flashing briefly, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye—so quick and subtle that absolutely no one could possibly ever notice or catch it.
And quietly, silently... the seeds of doubt and uncertainty he had carefully planted began to grow stronger and take firmer root inside Celestia's heart.