Amber walked down to the west wing of the house and passed by her father's study. He was sitting there as rigid as ever and looking at a piece of paper with complexity in his eyes.
She pushed the door open and walked in. "Father," she called. The man didn't look up.
"What is it?" He asked in a gruff voice. Duke Torin King was a stern old man around his late fifties. He made his decisions with an iron heart and anything he says goes. He is the least partial and caring for his children.
He had short black hair with clear streaks of grey and black deep set eyes that seemed to pierce through your soul. His gaze was stern and his voice was commanding. He was the closest person to the King of Emerald City who was a stern man just like him.
Amber flinched when she heard his voice, but quickly regained her composure. "The physician declared Evelyn dead."
"So?"
"We want to commence the funeral. Father, Evelyn—"
"What about her?" He had raised his head to look at her. She felt so small and scared under his gaze and unconsciously took a step back.
"She…" what she wanted to say…..??
"She is still your elder sister. The first daughter of the Kings and whether you like it or not, you have to respect her," he said and returned his attention to the paper.
"But, she's now dead," Amber replied pridefully.
"I know. You should call her Lady Evelyn," he said.
"But…!" She exclaimed.
"This is my decision and my decision here is law!" He slammed his fist on the table and she gasped. "Get out."
She scurried out like a little rat and her heart beat like it was about to burst out her rib cage.
Oh God! It's like standing before a hungry and aggressive lion, she thought as she clutched her dress.
She walked to her room and breathed a sigh of relief as the scent of lavender hit her nostrils.
"Lady Amber," a short little girl not more than ten called with her head bowed. The girl was wearing a black and white made uniform and her hair was tied in a bun at the back of her head.
"What's the matter?" Amber asked.
"I have informed everyone of the funeral and the elders have agreed the date," she respectfully replied.
"Oh. That's good news. When is it?" She asked as she walked to the window.
"Tomorrow," the girl replied. "I shall take my leave," then she walked out.
The cold night breeze washed over Evelyn as she stood between the sea of flowers. It was already midnight and the whole house was asleep, so she could walk out and get some fresh air.
She could feel a cold tingling sensation crawling up her neck, but she knew there was nothing and she was just worried about something.
(What's the matter?) Bell asked as she too had noticed something was off.
The apocalypse is in seventy-two hours. What's my survival rate? She asked worriedly.
Bell was silent for a while as if contemplating on whether to tell her or not. (Twenty percent,) She declared.
"What?!!!" Evelyn exclaimed a little too loud.
(I was afraid that would happen.) Bell said and sighed.
How do I increase my survival rate? She asked hopefully.
(Err… Well… you could try dream walking. Like you do in your dream.)
That's dangerous, meathead. How did you even get here? I mean you're a game I play in my dream! Evelyn asked curiously.
(That's not what we should be worrying about. Another way to increase your survival rate is… perhaps learning how to battle the apocalypse?) Bell herself wasn't sure how to survive an apocalypse.
You're an advanced system for the love of Neptune. Can't you figure something out?! Evelyn was already losing her cool.
(Well! I fail to see why you can't handle the apocalypse yourself!) Bell exclaimed.
You're insufferable! Evelyn exclaimed and sighed heavily. How did I survive this in my past life?
The both of them were silent for a while until Bell broke the serenity.
(I have a brilliant idea!) She exclaimed and kept screaming like a fan girl.
Evelyn said nothing and just looked at the tall walls enclosing the mansion. Tomorrow was her funeral and she couldn't wait to give Amber a heart attack.
(We go gather some supplies, and we fully prepare for the apocalypse. I made a review of your current stats and here's what I found.
Name: Evelyn King
Age: 19
Race: ??
Attributes
Strength: 32/1000
Agility: 28/1000
Perception: 46/1000
Speed: 10/1000
Intelligence: 100/ 1000
HP: 45
Stamina: 13/ 1000
Class: Level 1 dream weaver
Exceptional abilities: none
Weapons: none
Daily quests: none
Merit accumulated: 1
Skills
Innate skills: none
Survival skills: ??
Passive skills: none
Active skills: ??
That's all. Now do you see why I think you can't survive the apocalypse?) Bell said solemnly.
Evelyn nodded in understanding. "Why is my race unknown?"
(Humans can't be dream weavers) Bell flatly replied.
I have to survive though. I died once, y'know?
Bell was silent and Evelyn's words hung in the air.
The Next Morning….
The mansion was bustling with people. Servants decorated the hall, maids dressed the members of the family, guards tightened the security round the house, and delicious food was being prepared by talented chefs in the kitchen.
They were all preparing Evelyn's funeral. They had the night before placed Evelyn's body in a coffin, but now she was sitting on her dresser and combing her hair with a malicious smirk on her face.
The guests trooped in. Nobles from all over the land were there. Dukes and duchesses, noble ladies and the esteemed fiancees, and lots more. Even the queen of Emerald city was present.
Everyone was dressed in black as they settled in their seats and listened to Duke King talk.
"We bid our beloved daughter farewell as she goes to join our ancestors," he said calmly.
The hall was quiet. No one moved or said anything for they were mourning Evelyn's death. Suddenly, a rhythmic clink could be heard.
The large doors swung open and in walked Evelyn adorned in a plain white dress and white shoes. Her long white hair cascaded down her back in waves and her face was filled with curiosity.
Murmurs filled the room as she walked. Each noble lady whispering to her partner behind her fan. Amber's face who h originally was all smiles was now filled with anger and vexation.
She gently waved a white fan with gloved hands and walked to her father.
"Duke King," she called. "May I ask who died?"
The hall fell into a hush. Duke King looked at Evelyn with surprise on his stern face. "Why are you not dead?"
(What kind of question is that?) Bell asked Evelyn with astonishment in her voice.
Evelyn didn't know how to answer the question, so she decided to go around it. "Duke, Could you please tell me who died? I am the first and legitimate daughter of the family and I don't get to know who died," she said in a sad tone then turned to Amber who was shocked to see Evelyn. "Or do I?"
Amber was furious. Why couldn't Evelyn just die, but had to come back to ruin her plans.
Amber walked to Duke King and Evelyn. She immediately hugged Evelyn with a mask of tears on her face. "Oh E—"
"Cut the crap," Evelyn whispered into her sister's ear.
Amber didn't pull away, but just stood there with a smile plastered onto her face. The people seated felt pity for Amber who was busy playing the victim.
"Lady Amber is really saddened about this issue, but Evelyn doesn't even care. What an ungrateful daughter!" A noble lady said, for she was unaware of the storm boiling under the surface.
"Evelyn!" Duke King called angrily. "You don't joke with things like this. You're not dead, yet you wasted everyone's time to attend the funeral of a coffin. I am deeply disappointed in you. Do you think life is a game?!"
"No," Evelyn flatly replied. "If this were a game, I wouldn't be here."