After aruging about it for 30 minutes, in the end Lady Avina’s guards turned in their weapons.  When they entered the city, they went straight to the castle.  Seth was already outside of the castle along with some servants.  

When Avina stepped down from the carriage after her maids, it was only then that Seth stepped forward to greet her.  

“Welcome, Lady Avina.”  Seth said as he bowed. “What brings you here to Ceco?”  

“I’ve come to visit my fiance.”  Avina shamelessly said.

Seth held in his anger and smiled at her.

“Fiance?”  Seth repeated.  “Who is your Ladyship's fiance and when will we be expecting him?”  

Avina’s eyes narrowed as Kestro stepped forward.  

“You know well who my Lady’s fiance is!”  Kestro snapped at Seth. “They have been engaged since birth!”  

“And you also know that Lady Avina moved mountain and parted seas to annul the engagement.  Which my Master granted. Making the engagement void. Thus marrying my Lady Emmy, who has been Lady Tomas for the past four years.”  Seth said with a smirk on his face.

Even though Lady Avina is a noble woman, they are on Ceco land.  He is the Steward of Ceco. He must not embarrass his Master or his people.

“And we all know that Lady Emmy has bewitched Master Seoras!”  Avina said as she lifted up her head. “I’ve come to make sure my fiance is not bewitched and speak to him on our engagement.”  

“We all know, those rumors all just rumors.”  Seth said defending Emmy. “As to the engagement, there is none to speak of.”  

“I will not leave until I speak to Seoras.”  Avina said as she became even more angry. “I must make sure my fiance is not under a spell!  If I am forced to leave, I will tell my Father that the witch, Emmy, has total control of Ceco and we will bring our whole army to free the people of Ceco!”  

Seth’s jaw tighten as her words.  Should the whole army of Abert invade Ceco under the guise of “saving” the people of Ceco, they could take this chance to take over Ceco.  Seth’s eye twitched as he thought carefully of his options. Before he could say any more, a soft and aulluring voice from behind him welcomed Avina and her people into the castle.  

“Let them in.”  Emmy said as she walked out of the castle.  

The moment they received word that Lady Avina was at the castle gate, Emmy quickly got ready for her role that she would be playing.  By the time Avina arrived, she finished getting ready and waited by the door and listened Seth argue with Avina.

“Lady Emmy.”  Seth said as he bowed.  His eyes hid his surprise.  

Emmy was usually in her training clothes that consisted of brown pants and a white shirt.  However today, she wore a dark ruby red dress that flowed around her as she walked. She looked majestic.  Her chestnut brown hair was wavy and flowed freely as she walked. Emmy wore emerald green and gold drop earrings that swung every time she moved her head.  She wore a thin, long, gold necklace that rested between her breast. She also wore the Tomas insignia ring on her right ring finger and and large ruby ring on her ring finger on her left hand.  

She looked alluring and yet mysterious.  Welcoming yet dangerous.

“Welcome.”  Emmy said as her full lips smiled at Avina.  It was the first time seeing Avina, she could not let Seoras lose face at all.  She had to look more beautiful and more charming than Seoras’s ex-finance. She wanted Avina to regret calling the engagement off.  She wanted Avina burning with jealousy that Seoras "married" someone more outstanding and more beautiful than Avina. Emmy wanted Avina to understand that Seoras never had Avina inside of his heart and would never hold any feelings towards her. “You must forgive Seth. He is just trying to protect me.”

Emmy looked over Avina and she knew that Avina came to Ceco to cause trouble.  Avina was still in her traveling clothes, which was still finely made, however she was not as remarkable or memorable as Emmy.  Emmy's first appearance was an image to remember, while Avina was just the background.

Avina’s blonde hair was curled loosely and framed her heart shaped face.  Her large sky blue eyes, small button nose and cute pink lips were made to be worshiped on.  Her small height along with her thin frame, made her seem fragile. It made men want to protect her against everything.  

If Avina could be considered an innocent and naive, then Emmy was sinful and deviant.  Emmy was a total opposite to Avina.

When Emmy stood in front of Avina, she was a head taller than her, causing Avina to  look up to Emmy. Seoras was a giant of a man, Emmy reached Seoras’s shoulder, which would make Avina reach his chest.

Their height difference annoyed Avina, however she put on a smile and greeted Emmy.  

“Lady Emmy.”  Avina said as she curtsy to Emmy.  The rest of Avina’s people bowed in greeting as well.  

“Don’t you mean, Witch Emmy?”  Emmy asked with a smile that was not really a smile.  “Should I enchant you now or wait until later and surprise you?”  

Avina tensed up along with everyone there, her large eyes became larger with fear as Emmy snickered and laugh lightly.  Avina and the group did not know which rumors were true and which rumors were not.  So any little thing that could happen, they prepared for it. 

“I’m just kidding.”  Emmy said as she covered her smile with the back of her hand before slowly grazing her lips with the back of her fingers, as she lightly brought her hand down.  Her movements were seductive and caused everyone to look at her. “It was a good joke while it lasted. It wouldn’t be good etiquette if we scared our guest the moment they arrive.”  

Somehow, Avina felt as if she was just a fly trapped in Emmy’s spider web.  Did she make a mistake coming here with The Serpent Moon? Whatever the case may be, it was too late.  Money was exchanged, an agreement was made, plans were in motion and now they are in Ceco, standing in front of Emmy.  Everything was too late for regrets.

“Yes.”  Avina said as she slightly took a step back.  “That was not good etiquette at all.”

“So is showing up unannounced to your ex fiance's castle, demanding to see him to ensure he wasn’t bewitched, and threatening the people of Ceco of an invasion, under the guise of saving them….”  Emmy said as her smile that was not really a smile made Avina shiver with fear. “But who am I to make such judgment on etiquette. Right Seth?”

Seth steps forward, beaming proud of Emmy.  His head raised high as he supported her.

“You have every right as Lady Tomas.”     

“Hmph.”  Avina pouted.  

“However, seeing that our unannounced guests are here, how can we turn them away.  I have the maids cleaned out a room in the east wing, bring their things to the room.” Emmy ordered.  “We must make sure our guests are well taken care of.”

“I always stay in the west wing!”  Avina said as she interjected.

“A lot of things have changed since the last time you left.”  Emmy told her. “The west wing belongs to Seoras and I. It is forbidden to have anyone else stay there.  Beggars cannot be choosers.”

Avina’s face lit up red with anger.  Emmy just called her a beggar!

“How dare you call my Lady a beggar?”  Kestro shouted.

“And how dare YOU address my Lady informally, servant!”  Seth barked back. “Come! Capture this servant and punish her for breaking servitude laws!”  

Four older maids stepped forward to take hold of Kestro and punish her, however Avina quickly cut in.  

“She is my maid.  I will punish her.”  Avina quickly said.

“You know rules, Lady Avina.”  Seth reminded Avina.

“I know.”  Avina said as her heart dropped. Their plan was not going along as they planned.  It was hard to get inside the city, but it was even harder to get inside the castle.  They still stood outside of it, after such a long time. Let alone getting Emmy alone.  Now her maid stepped out of line and now had to face the consequences. If she didn’t interfere, Kestro’s punishment would have been worst.   

“Slap her mouth.”  Avina ordered Inez.  

“My Lady!  You--” Kestro was quickly silenced as a loud smack could be heard as Inez slapped Avina’s mouth.  

Kestro’s cries were muffled each time her mouth was slapped.  In the end she was hit ten times and her mouth was bloody. Inez’s hits were not too soft, where it didn’t do any damage at all.  And not too hard, where Kestro would lose a tooth.

After ten hits, Inez stepped back and waited patiently and quietly like she did before while Kestro covered her bloody mouth with a embroidered napkin.

“Obedient, that one is.”  Emmy looked over Inez. She could tell that Inez learned some kind of fighting technique before.  Her movements were too smooth and she controlled her strength well. She was a maid and a bodyguard for Avina.  “Now that we have that over with, come inside. Rest, you must be tired from your journey. Dinner will be served on time today. It’s an informal event.  Master Seoras is not home at the moment.”

“Where is he?”  Avina asked as her eyes couldn’t hide her excitement.  If Seoras was here, there mission would be harder to achieve.   

“Out.  On business.”  Emmy told her.

“When will he be back?”  Avina asked.

“I don’t know. When ever he feels like it.”  Emmy lied to her. She didn’t want to tell Avina anything about Seoras’s whereabouts.  

Emmy turned around and walked inside of the castle and Avina quickly followed.  Her small group of maids and guards followed behind. When they reached the door, Emmy had another maid show Avina and her people to the assigned room as other servants followed behind them with Avina’s suitcases.

Once the group was long gone, Seth turned to Emmy with concerned eyes.  

“I’ll have people watch them at all times.  Do not worry, my Lady. We will ensure your safety.” Seth said as he tried to comfort Emmy.  After a while, there was silence between them, as if Emmy did not care for Seth’s comforting words.  His worried heart could not stop him from asking her a question. “My lady, are you just going to let them stay here?”  

“Of course.”  Emmy said as she smiled back at Seth.  Her plans were already set into motion.  “If they want to stay here, I’ll make sure they stay here forever.”