I began looking through the private archive, gathering some books where I could find a partial response to some of my doubts.

Let's see...

I flip through the pages of the book containing the origins of Vinéyard and the powers of the gem.

'House Vinéyard is one of the families that played a major role in founding Empire Cairon alongside the other four houses, its powers date back to the apparitions of the Souls of Devil, monstrous creatures that fed on human lives. Different people reunited to protect others while exterminating these monsters. The families that destroyed the most powerful Souls of Devil found lying on the ground a black stone, as after their death their entire body disintegrated into dust.'

Then technically I have the power of an ancient demon.

'Those who found these stones went to the temple, praying that these jewels do not cause further chaos through the world, their prayers were heard and the stones purified, which also changed their colors, the highest-ranking stones are the ones that can control the natural world because they are the nearest to what God can do.'

Interesting, the gem is a gift from God given to the heir of each generation as a reward for the ancestors' courage and continuation of their mission: to protect everyone, it's a purified piece of the Devil's Heart, some were destroyed in the process of the Souls of Devil dying because they weren't strong enough.

The awakening of a gem, essentially the completion of absorption, is possible for all heirs but depends on the 'space' that they can provide for its powers to flow within the body, which is basically how powerful the person is physically and mentally.

Plus there is very little documentation on female heirs, most of them are male as expected.

It just says that I have to build endurance, there isn't any specific method listed.

This is nerve-wracking, I thought there might be a faster way, I just have two years, two years!

"My Lady, it's time for dinner" Lydia calls me, from the entrance.

Dinner? Time went by pretty fast, I mean who would be looking at the time with a situation of life and death in front of them?

"Yes, let us go then" I followed Lydia, still immersed in my thoughts about the discoveries of the origin, but it's not something useful at this point, this bothers me more and more.

I've been here for I don't know how many hours and nothing.

"My daughter, I heard you went to the library"

I saw the Marquis, sitting down at the head of a ridiculously long table full of different dishes.

"Father you didn't have to prepare so many dishes"

"You were unconscious for three days, it's the least I could do"

It warms me up knowing that there is a person that cares so much for me, although I feel guilty because I'm not the Laura this consideration is intended for.

"There is an important thing I would like to discuss with you" the Marquis' face suddenly darkens at this statement.

"What is it, father?"

He slowly hands me a letter, without making eye contact, keeping his gaze low.

I open the mysterious envelope that was the cause of much distress to the Marquis.

'I am delighted to invite Marquis and Lady Vinéyard to attend the official debut of Crown Prince Alastor'.

"I'm thinking to request an audience from His Majesty, Emperor Ditrian, to explain your current situation but before I do this I wanted to let you know"

An Imperial Ball huh? This is great! I may not be prepared to the fullest but at this early stage, I can at least try to please the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

"Father, it's okay. You don't have to do that. I'll attend the debut."

His eyes shrank with compassion as he looked at me lovingly.

"Are you sure, Laura?"

I gently place my hand over his trembling one, I can't imagine how hard it must have been for him to be in a situation where you could lose someone valuable to you. In the novel, it said that her mother died giving birth, and I thought she grew up in a bad environment because of this, I misunderstood the Marquis in so many ways, but mostly I'm disappointed with how Laura turned out to be now that I know I that the Marquis is different, she became pure evil, knowing that such a kind soul grew her up as a single parent with such devotion makes me red from anger.

"Yes, I'm sure father. I'll go"

"I apologize in advance, I can't escort you to choose a dress, I'll send some knights and Lydia instead. I hope you have a good time"

"Thanks, father, I will. Don't worry about anything, I know you are very busy"

...

After a long day picking dresses, we return to the mansion and I notice Lydia's unsatisfied stare, holding the dress I bought for her.

"My Lady! You didn't have to buy this for me! I am an unworthy maid-"

"Lydia, I said this before. I wanted to get you a gift, I see all the hard work you are putting in as my maid and the head maid praised you for helping her" she was a caring character that helped Laura until her death even if she was wrong, I felt bad for her.

I stare out the window again, wondering how the Ball will go. A troubled sigh leaves my lips.

The stars start to appear in the sky, the same stars that Ophelia and Alastor admired together.

It still feels like a long nightmare, dressed as a dream. Anticipation ate me alive as I slowly fell into Morpheus' arms.

A kind voice called me with affection.

"Laura..."