Library:Lionsroar

King's Chronicle - A New Time

A knock sounds at the only door, breaking the silence of the room. A bed on the window side of the dimly lit bedroom dominates the scene. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to disturb you, but ..." says the person entering and, after gently closing the door, suddenly breaks off the sentence. No reaction had come from the bedroom. "Your Majesty," the entering servant tries again. "Excuse me, but ..." the voice stumbles and comes to a halt again. The person in the bed has not stirred at any of his words and shows no other reaction. Confused and frightened, the speaker steps closer. On a large four-poster bed with a woolen blanket and thick pillows lies the cold body of the current king. No heartbeat, no life.

The morning dawns, the birds chirp and the sun shines softly through the closed curtains. Tiredly, sixteen-year-old Lisa's eyes open. Her gaze roams the room, bringing her back to the present. She straightens up, nothing - absolutely nothing, except for the sounds of nature, penetrates her hearing. She frowns. This is surprising, because otherwise the servants romp through the corridors, making breakfast, talking chirpily, and giving the castle the all-important inner life.

With three quick steps, Lisa crosses the room and marches down the long hallway toward the breakfast hall. Loudly, her footsteps resound through the empty corridors, driving her faster and faster. The silence, the unknown is lurking behind her back. "Excellency," it sounds from the front. Two men stand outside the closed doors of the breakfast room, causing unease to rise in Lisa. Nobody moves to the side. "Where's Father?" she confronts the men, "At this time he's usually at breakfast! Why is it so quiet here? What happened?". Silence settles on the hallway, the expression of the person on the left, a soldier in a gold and black uniform, freezes and makes Lisa take a step back. A single tear drips from her cheek to the floor. "Your Majesty is dead, Excellency. They found him this morning. He was...", Lisa already fails to hear the rest as she turns and flees back to her room. Off to the bed to end this horrible nightmare!

As the loud knock echoed through the room, all present fell silent. Heads turned towards the large gate that had opened to admit the royal family, including Lisa. She froze, aware that many people were closely watching her every move and silently forming opinions about her competence. She knew that one mistake could ruin her life and bring shame to her family. A slight blush appeared on her face as she tried to steady her nerves.

The small procession, led by the King's Wife, began to move forward. Lisa focused her gaze on the center aisle, her black dress dragging on the floor. With a quick sideways glance to her right and a brief exchange of glances with her mother, she lifted the dress with a soft sigh. Her eyes settled on her destination, the elevation in front of her father's coffin. Her father, the king, the most powerful man of Lionsroar, taken by a banal illness! Her fists clenched, and her eyes grew wet with emotion.

"Concentrate," she scolded herself. "You have to be a role model and prove it to the people watching." Quickly, she straightened up and stretched her back, trying to project an image of strength and determination. With slow steps, the column approached the elevation.

She looked around when she reached the top of the elevation. Her gaze was met by a crowd of several hundred people. In the future, this will be her responsibility and her people. A man in a black uniform with a single gold medal in the shape of a lion's head nods encouragingly at her. She takes a small step back and nods. She stands up straight and irons her dress to remove any wrinkles. Her mother starts talking.

"We have gathered here today to bid farewell to our Royal Majesty. My husband was a great king. He led and guided our people, just as a good king should. He ruled us skilfully through crises and modernized our kingdom as a whole. We owe so much to him. Among them is the initiation of important reforms that have brought economic and cultural uplift to our glorious country and ensures this growth for our future. He was as good a king as our monarchy could ever need. Lionsroar has been a monarchy for centuries, and this will be ensured in the near future as well" She glances slightly to the side at Lisa.

"Our nation will remain a monarchy for centuries to come, we know what other forms of government have led to. It is ingrained in our DNA and ...". Lisa averted her eyes. She already knew the speech by heart; her mother had read it aloud several times for practice. It was rehearsed, the entire ceremony was rehearsed. It is merely an official farewell - Oh, how Lisa despises just that! But she directed her gaze straight ahead again, her posture suggesting humility and sadness, but she was already empty. She had cried for hours when the news appeared that her dearest father, the king, had died. And several liters more when she realized that she would now be the next queen. But as just that, one has duties to fulfill. And acting is unfortunately one of them.

"... And now we ask you to rise to pay your last respects to the deceased." The Queen Mother's speech was over, the audience rose from their chairs. It had become completely silent. Her mother nodded. It was Lisa's sign. She stepped forward, bowed on both sides of the room, turned and stepped in front of the coffin. Tears welled up in her eyes, a man, her father, lay pale and motionless before her. She lowered her head to pray. In a trembling voice she began, "Oh, our ancestors. Oh departed ones, Oh gods. A man was taken from us, but came to your realm. Receive him. He is a dead among the dead, a man among men, and a king among kings. Be so kind, and with all love, usher him into your kingdom, usher him into the great realm of the dead, and assign him a ruler's place. Regnabit enim rex inter mortuos."

"Regnabit enim rex inter mortuos" was now repeated by the entire audience. A choir began to sing dark tones, they became brighter and brighter, sorrow and woe sounded in their voices. The song of the dead has begun.

The last notes fade out, the singing voices fade away and the choir ends the song. Silence once again dominates the entire space of the church, interrupted only by soft coughing, clearing of throats, and the rustling of the song sheets being put away. Everyone looks at the elevation in the center, on which a preacher in splendid red, purple and gold clothing stands before the coffin of the deceased king. Music is heard again, but this time from the organ above. The preacher descends the steps to the center aisle and bows to the royal family. With slow steps he continues on his way, giving the waiting people at the side time to settle in. Lisa and her mother straighten up and arrange themselves in the place of honor directly behind the preacher. The rest of the family follows behind and more and more people join after a respectful bow towards the royal family. The caravan grows longer and longer until they reach the massive gate to the palace yard and stop in front of it.

After a short break, the familiar knock sounds as the preacher taps on the door with his staff. It opens slowly and reveals what lies behind. The sun beams directly into Lisa's face, forching her to blink several times to get used to the sudden brightness. A huge crowd sprawls across the palace square, gazing spellbound in the direction of the church. Flashes of lightning illuminate the day, but the cameras are the only sound to be heard. The royal guards, in their black and gold robes stamp their rifles on the ground. A man in a plain black uniform with a single gold medal in the shape of a lion's head walks past Lisa, displaces the preacher to his right and stands in front of the crowd. He raises his voice. "Bow before the rightful Queen of Lionsroar! Your Majesty, Lisa I Beatrix von Rothmund, successor to Valentin Augustus von Rothmund, ruler of the bay and the water, Supreme General of the Armed Forces, uncrowned ruler of Lionsroar." He turns and bows to Lisa. The crowd does likewise, and even her mother curtsies in her direction. Lisa is frozen, she was well prepared for the ceremonies, but somehow she could not yet fully grasp her new role. She was now queen. Ruler of Lionsroar. Bearer of a new title, which should still belong to her father. Regent of 38,6 million Lionsroarian citizens with domestic and foreign policy obligations ... obligations that are now more important than anything before.

The man, Ludwig von Verl, her new royal secretary and right-hand man, turns back to the crowd. With a slight nod, royal guardsmen rush up to form a path for the royal procession. The crowd parts and gives way towards the west wing of the palace. The procession continues on its way. An indeterminate number of faces with various expressions look at Lisa. Some cry, others look pityingly or skeptically, others freeze in respect and move their cell phones with trembling hands, but no one raises their voice, allowing Lisa to make her way undisturbed into the West Hall, into her new future.

The royal escort crosses the West Courtyard and reaches the gates of the West Hall. With a soft creak, royal guardsmen open the gate. The group stops in the hall. Large windows let in plenty of daylight, which reflects off the gold and amber ornated marble walls and illuminates the entire room. The large oil paintings above the fireplace and on the pillars of the room seem to be watching the group. According to Lisa, this is the most beautiful room in the entire palace, but today she cannot derive anything good from it. A young man with a plain black uniform and a single golden medal in the shape of a lion's head pushes himself in front of the group. Ludwig von Verl, Lisa's new royal secretary and right-hand man raises the word. "We thank you for your presence and participation in the ceremony." Lisa nods. He continues "To end today appropriately, we ask you to stay overnight as well. There are rooms available in Your Excellency's palace for those who prefer to sleep in the safety of our guards. The royal chamberlain will take care of you. Thank you." Ludwig bows to those present, who return the announcement with soft clapping. A person with a long cloak steps forward and addresses those who are interested. A servant with a silver tablet stands to the side and takes notes.

A small group of people approaches Lisa. "Your Excellency." says a woman with long black hair and a dress of the same color. "We are deeply saddened by your loss. He was a great king." Lisa's lips tighten, she thanks her with her head bowed. "We can understand your loss," says a portly man in a long coat. Such sayings now follow from all the participants, but not a single one seems to notice Lisa's inner tension and rejection towards the words. Everything is so artificial and false.

Lisa's eyes fill with tears and the inner tension increases. She lowers her head to the floor. With a quick sideways glance, Ludwig steps forward again. "We thank you and wish everyone another good day. The Queen is busy." With a bow toward Lisa, he offers her his arm. Lisa quickly grasps it and they leave the hall.

Barely out of sight, Lisa loosens her arm and runs off in a huff. Tears run down her cheeks. "Those people, I despise them so!" Ludwig runs after her. "It's all so artificial, the whole ceremony." Ludwig catches up with Lisa and nods. "That's true, but these are traditions. The ceremony, all ceremonies, have been done for centuries and are part of a queen's duties." "Then I don't want to be queen!" exclaims Lisa. She stops and looks at Ludwig. The latter returns her gaze firmly and serious. "Your Majesty, you have no choice. You are the oldest born child. Your brother is too young. We cannot have a child king." Lisa turns back around and keeps walking, knowing the truth behind these words.

With quick steps she reaches the door to her room. She turns around and bows ironically to Ludwig. "Thank you for your help, my lord." Ludwig nods gravely and looks into her face with a spark of concern. And it's gone already. "It has been an honor, your excellency. Please be on time for dinner." Lisa sighs ... obligations.

Soft footsteps sound until they stop just outside Lisa's door. The knocking sounds thudding. The room is still dark, the blinds are still down and no light is burning. It is still night in the Royal Palace in Loewenburg, the capital of Lionsroar. The first birds are already chirping quietly outside, and voices and footsteps can be heard sporadically in the palace.

There is more knocking. Ludwig's voice rings out, "Your Majesty, good morning. Get up." Lisa opens her eyes and blinks the sleep out of them. She straightens up in bed and yawns, her hand groping for the small nightlight on her right and activating it. Lisa shakes the remaining sleep from her eyes. "So early, Ludwig. Way too early." She climbs out of bed and looks around the room. She still hasn't gotten used to leaving her old room and now sleeping in her mother's former royal suite. Well, it's certainly better than getting her deceased father's old room. After a soft ringing, servants immediately rush in and undress the young woman. Lisa gets a beautiful azure dress that accentuates her figure. The blinds open, and it remains dark despite everything if it weren't for the light in her room. She opens the door.

Her secretary Ludwig von Verl is waiting outside the doorway with a few other individuals who are immediately recognized as other royal secretaries. He is dressed in the proper royal uniform, and he has a single gold medal on his chest. Lisa is the object of Ludwig's weary eyes as he bows and smiles. "Your Majesty, you look good." Lisa returns a smile. "Good afternoon, Lord Secretary. As usual, you ought to look excellent. Why do you wake me up at such an unholy time? While maintaining his focus on the tablet in his right arm, Ludwig casts a suspicious glance her way. "You must be joking. It is the day of the Spring Ball, to bid farewell to winter and the dead and welcome spring and new dawning time..." When he notices Lisa's grin, he fumbles and says, "Of course you do. Well then, you seem to have energy. There is plenty to arrange." And Ludwig was right about that. Lisa's head and feet are smoking from greeting strangers for several hours, nodding in agreement, and having to sit through countless lectures about the meticulously orchestrated ball. How draining.

"When will it finally be over?" she asked Ludwig. He looked at Lisa and noticed her exhaustion. He smiled slightly. "It's done. Your Majesty, I can handle the rest without you. You may leave." After grinning with relief, Lisa returned to her room. The dress is lovely, but with more assistance, it may be even better. The day is meant to be spectacular, after all. There are not many significant events, therefore Lisa wants to seize the opportunity to look stunning.

Lisa spends hours getting ready for the ball. In front of the mirror, Lisa is surrounded by a small group of servants who look after the queen. Lisa can finally be happy with who she is. Short arms and a sky-blue dress that reaches the floor. It draws attention to the young queen's feminine curves and is embellished with golden jewels. Her arms are adorned with two lovely bracelets, a golden necklace in the form of a lion's head hanging around her neck and two pearl-studded golden earrings from her ears. Lisa's hair is neatly pulled back into a chignon. She has two lone hair strands that hang down from her face.

There is another knock at her door, Lisa beckons a servant to open it. "Your Majesty" Ludwig enters and bows. He looks at Lisa in her new outfit. "You look beautiful!" Lisa beams at him. Her royal secretary is dressed in a stunning uniform that is all black and embellished with golden details. Two ribbons on the shoulder plates distinguish him as a general, and a single gold medal shows his position as Royal Secretary. A simplified image of the royal palace encircled by an oak wreath is emblazoned on the matching cap. "The ball can begin, Your Majesty. The first guests should be arriving soon." He says to Lisa while extending his arm. She accepts it, and the two of them head towards the southern gate.

The King's Chronicle - The Spring Ball

Lisa, the young 14-year-old Queen of Lionsroar, took up the offered arm of Ludwig von Verl, her royal secretary, and together they walked towards the southern palace entrance. Their footsteps echoed off the empty corridors, not a single person showing their face. Lisa's blue and green dress, emblematic of the beginning of spring, dragged on the floor. With a short sigh, she lifted the hem up. Ludwig took only a quick glance and continued to focus on the path. It will be exhausting hours when everything must be perfectly organized. They cross more corridors and now come to a larger hall. Old royal portraits showing various rulers of Lionsroar accompanied the couple. A clock quietly chimed three times, it is now a quarter to 7pm and in another quarter of an hour the first guests will arrive.

Ludwig cleared his throat "So, your majesty. Are you excited?" "What makes you think so, my lord?" Ludwig smiled, "I appreciate your attitude and mood, but you cannot hide everything from me. Your eyes are very restless and fluttering down the aisle, the clock in the room has made you restless and the still eyes of the portraits have also left an impression on you." He continues "Your Majesty, you are just 14 years old and already queen. There is a lot of pressure on you. The nervousness is understandable." Lisa continues and turns to Ludwig "That is true, however, I cannot afford to misbehave. I am the queen, my entrance must be perfect." "No, the appearance should be perfect. Not 'must.' But that is impossible to achieve. You can't execute everything perfectly as per the plan. Your grandfather, father, and even your mother couldn't do that. You should do the best you can, you are still a child. Don't worry too much!" Lisa looks at the floor when her father is mentioned. She nods and grins at Ludwig. "You are right. I'll do my best, but I'll also allow myself to have fun." Ludwig grins back. "And you will certainly have it".

The couple reaches a large heavy door, in front of which two soldiers of the King's Guards stand on the right and left. Like Ludwig, they wear a black uniform with medals but are not allowed to adorn themselves with a shoulder ribbon. They open the door.

The King's Chronicle - The Future

It was raining in torrents. Drops fell and fell, mingling in the air and bursting as a unified steady rain on the tiles in front of Lisa's window. She shivered, and pulled her blanket tighter around herself. Such moments are far too rare; the tasks of a queen in an absolute monarchy are endless. Even thinking about all the conferences tomorrow made her stomach tighten. A lot of responsibility on so young shoulders ... but it could have been even worse. Like when she first ascended the throne at 14. At 14, to impose such responsibility on a girl, a child, is the sad reality of the monarchy.

And now at 19, she still doesn't feel one bit better. Now she is expected to start a family, to continue the House of Rothmund and to secure the future of the monarchy through her heirs. But she doesn't want to yet. She can imagine the suspicious looks of the great noble families of Lionsroar, the whispering lips and derogatory glances towards her. But it doesn't bother her. It is her land, her duties, and surely someday it will be far enough? Maybe her brother can take over ...

Her brother is already 14 years old, mentally and also in reality strongly grown. And still it takes until he is responsible for ruling, and even then Lisa herself has to abdicate, and that is also connected with a lot of criticism. You can't give up the throne just like that, you were chosen by the fate of birth and you have to fulfill these duties. Strenuous duties, but now their duties.

There was a knock at the door. Lisa again pulled the blanket tighter and looked at the entering man. It is a high-ranking young man with a friendly smile and eyes that match. "Good morning, your majesty. What bad weather!" speaks Ludwig von Verl, her Royal Secretary and the right hand of her. He organizes everything and knows about everything. He is not a friend, but the closest thing to real family.

"Good morning, Ludwig. It is indeed exhausting weather, but I suppose the royal reception protocol will not really be affected by it tomorrow.

"No, it won't Your Majesty. We have measures in our pocket, of course, even if it is only an umbrella. In fact, I remember a story of a previous ruler. I believe Leonhardt the Fourth? ..."

"Ludwig, now please don't." Lisa groaned slightly. A history lesson is not exactly what she wants. Especially not when she is then reminded of what an incredible feat previous nobles had accomplished.

"Of course, your majesty. I will leave you alone now. The chamberlains should be arriving soon. After that, you will be ready for the day and the trial can continue." With these words, Ludwig disappears from the room.

A Song of Red and White - Red as the Blood and White as the Snow

The sun shines through the bedroom's only window and the twittering of birds from outside makes Lisa's sleepy eyelids flutter up. She sits up with a groan and has to get her bearings in her unfamiliar new sleeping environment. She is Lisa von Eisernlach, a noblewoman with northern blue blood, from House Eisernlach-Nord from the Northern Rock. She has slightly ruddy cheeks, a snub nose and long blonde hair. She is of clear northern descent, which is also noticed by the other students at the university. She is 18 years old and has been taught an upper-class political and economic education by her parents. Amidst a large crowd of other candidates, she was even accepted to the Royal University of Loewenburg for the upper class, which is rather rare for the few powerless noble houses of the north. The wealth and elevated recognition of the southwestern nobility, with its oldest and most powerful houses, poses great competition. This is why the new arrival of a northern noble house is met with great suspicion. Lisa has already experienced on her skin the dislike and arrogance towards her family.

"Lisa, good morning!" came a knock at the door. It's Beatrix, from the House of Winterburg, a black-haired beauty from the south of Lionsroar who is just too adored by the male noble houses. That's another reason why it's even more surprising that she gets on so well with Lisa. "Lisa? Hello, it's me. You look terrible!" Beatrix stands in the doorway with her mouth open. "Have you slept at all? Do you even remember who you are? Come up, we're about to have our induction, it's our first day!" Lisa groaned and got ready for the important moments ahead. Her first official day at university is about to begin and she can hardly come too late.

After a short walk of about 3 minutes, they reached the gate to the large university cafeteria. A large Gothic-style, almost cathedral-like building with ornate windows in the middle of the university campus. The campus itself extends over a large area of more than 5 hills in the western part of the city of Löwenburg-Achterhill. The site with the Great Royal University of Political Sciences of the Upper Class is the largest building. Politics, state journalism, rhetoric, history and many sub-subjects are taught there. It is the largest and most prestigious political science university in Lionsroar and is directly supported by the funds of the current King. Adjacent to the campus is the student village with the two large men's and women's dormitories, as well as many recreational opportunities, such as various sports fields, which are also used by the Löwenburg Sports Institute, and various other private locations in the student village. Lisa hopes to get a more detailed tour as the site is very large and confusing. The Men's Dorm is the west wing of the large gothic university building, although it is not directly connected. It offers space for more than 500 noble and wealthy students, who live in private rooms in this building. The women's building is located next to the university garden of the botanical facility of the LSI (Lionsroarian Scientific Institute). It also provides accommodation for 500 noble and wealthy female students.

"Quiet!", it sounds loudly through the large hall. A tall, black-haired man in military uniform, wearing a university logo badge, stands on a platform at the long end of the hall and looks around loftily. Silence falls over the assembled students. Lisa sits on a beautiful wood-carved chair next to Beatrix and looks around. Her fellow students are all between the ages of 18 and 25, one with red hair even looks to be just 16. Everyone looks up at the waiting man, rather few look around as well. A group of girls Lisa's age are still whispering excitedly among themselves, but a nudge from a waiting boy and a slight nod of the head in the direction of the flaming gaze of the previous speaker immediately silences them. The supposed group leader, with pitch-black hair and make-up, flashes the boy once more, tosses her hair over her shoulder and now turns her attention to the podium. He earns another glare from her mirror image sitting next to the group leader. The man speaks: "My name is Count von Achterthal, I am the vice-principal here and I am responsible for you today..." He raises his voice over the following murmur, "Director Duke von Achterhill unfortunately cannot be here, he is very busy." Lisa shakes her head, Beatrix has already told her a lot about the university, and the director is supposed to be incompetent. He is said to have been given this position because of his name and his political influence on the king, and like his ancestors as Duke of Achterhill, he is carrying on this tradition. Achterthal, a small valley next to Acherhill, has long been in the service of the dukes. But, shockingly, the Duke does not even come to the first festive inauguration. "It is very gratifying to see so many new people coming to our wonderful university. Over the coming months and years, they will improve and learn in a wide variety of subjects, all to improve your family name!" Chairs slide a little as several people sit up. Beatrix turns to Lisa and smiles, her smile disappearing as her gaze meets the haughty girl at the next table. "I'm sure ... you'll settle in well ..."

Blah blah blah, Beatrix doesn't stop. Lisa walks down the path to room B3-23 "History" to take part in her first lesson. She and Beatrix have been assigned to the same courses, which has been wonderful for both of them. "And have you seen our timetable yet?" Beatrix looks at her expectantly, "Yes, Beatrix. Quite cool!" ... Beatrix picks it up and only stops complaining about the new timetable and the course members when she reaches the full classroom. "So, the last ladies are here too," a woman in glasses, a little older, looks at Lisa and Beatrix. The group of girls from the table earlier giggle. Lisa sits down at the last remaining table, next to a boy with short brown hair, green eyes and a beautiful smile. While Lisa blushes slightly and scoots her chair a little to one side, Beatrix takes a much closer look. Whispers between the two of them and embarrassed grins in Lisa's direction stop immediately as the professor's high heels clunk forward. She turns around in front of the blackboard and looks expectantly around. "Nah, ladies. This is your first day, so please get to know each other. I'd like everyone to make a few introductions!" Lisa rolls her eyes; this seems to be happening more than once today.

"Hello everyone, my name is Lamarck and I'm from the south." A boy with longer brown hair stands at the front, half facing the class and half facing the professor, kneading in his hands. "I plan to continue studying history and improve the social status of my house." Everyone probably has this goal, but hardly anyone faces as great a challenge as Lisa. The houses from the north have a really hard time with the great competition from the south. "Hello everyone, I'm delighted to be here." Beatrix stands at the front and beams at the class. The group of girls to Lisa's left are whispering, but a scowl from the professor behind Beatrix's back silences them again. They have no backbone ... "I come from the house of Erwehrt from the South, the sunny land you know." She looks around expectantly, and Lisa nods back amiably. Beatrix's black hair immediately identifies her as a Southerner. The group leader with black hair and make-up has a slightly disgusted expression on her face. Although House Ehrenwert comes from the South and is one of the wealthiest families in Lionsroar, it has only held its noble status for around 50 years. "Hello, I don't think I need to introduce myself." The group leader went to the front and introduced herself in an annoying squeaky voice. The professor simply gestures for her to continue. "Well ... ahem ... I am Lublima from the House of Lowenburg. My brothers have been to this school too, of course, which is why ..." Lublima continues. Beatrix meets Lisa's ignorant stare with wide eyes. From Löwenburg, from the capital. A noble family from the capital? "I have blue blood in me, of course, and I'm even the third cousin of the princess to the throne." The class is silent, some of them have wide eyes. The group of girls start clapping loudly and giggling at their leader, Lublima. The other class members were no longer so important to Lisa. She has already forgotten the names of the group of girls around Lublima, a blonde with a mirror in her hand, a redhead with freckles and another black-haired girl who follows Lublima wherever she goes, make up the demographic of her group. The boy who nudged her earlier sits as far away as possible from Lublima's black-haired mirrored figure, near the red-haired girl. Lisa’s sitting neighbour to the right, who exchanges embarrassed glances with Lisa and often leans forward towards Beatrix, introduces himself as Peter. In his introduction, he didn't mention his noble house once but explained his interest in the subjects. The group of girls eyed him eagerly and occasionally cast angry glances at Beatrix. Three more people introduced themselves as Max, Olivia and Josefine until it was Lisa's time. She walks to the front and looks around the class. "Hello everyone, my name is Lisa and I come from the lovely Eisenach Valley in the far north of the bay." Beatrix beams in a friendly manner and the boy nods kindly. Lublima narrows her eyes and turns to her best friend to whisper. Lisa sways slightly uncertainly and looks at the professor. Clearing her throat slightly, she continues, "I was homeschooled by my family and was accepted into the university here to continue working on subjects and fulfil the common standard degree. My main interests are sports, history and rhetoric." As the girls whisper, Lisa walks back to her seat. She was the last of the 11 class members to introduce herself. "... and that's the end of it for today. Off to lunch, ladies and gentlemen!"

"Oh, sorry." Lisa is bumped into from behind. "I'm sorry about that," says Lublima with a teasing grin that doesn't reach her eyes. She is holding a powder mask in her hand, a bit of which has stuck to Lisa's bag. "Oh, would you like some powder too? I think you could do with that, darling. Or is your make-up frozen from up north?" She starts laughing shrilly and turns to her group of girls. "Do you think there are even supermarkets in the north yet?" They laugh even louder, turn their backs on Lisa and walk towards the cafeteria. "These little ..." Beatrix starts, but Peter jumps in. "Let them be, they'll fall flat on their faces." With these words, they also go into the lunch room to find their seats.

Time flies by. Lisa and Beatrix have become best friends and share everything from common interests in taste to their dislike of Lublima. The first semester is over and the first initial exams (Beatrix mockingly calls them little tests) have been completed. The second semester is approaching and contains much more content and the big "secondies", the important exams of the second semester. They are the final stage of the basic lessons, which are the same in every class, and pave the way for the coming semesters of in-depth study, depending on the subjects chosen. But that is still in the distant future. According to Lisa, the transition between the first and second semesters was very relaxed and smooth. The wet and cold spring months are over, summer is on its way and the next semester with the fall will soon be within reach. Not that cold was ever a problem for Lisa, she is still from the north and sometimes you have to deal with worse. The north of Lionsroar is mainly defined by the large - no - even largest island of Lionsroar, the Northern Rock, although the storm islands around do not shed any better light on the harsh north. The north is sparsely populated and home to larger cities, especially in the coastal areas. This vast distance from any civilization or other nation is only softened by the western coast to the mainland, though the mysterious pine forests and high mountains still add much to the tales about the North. The Erzgebirge or Or Mountains, as the name suggests, are very rich in various raw materials, especially coal and other ores, granting business to a large number of workers. Above this class are wealthy and noble families, who are often closely rooted in the traditions of the workers. This is another reason why Lisa's own house in Eisernlach-Nord is often derisively regarded as a working-class house. Never mind that Eisernlach has a centuries-old tradition and has been of incredible importance to the kingdom in the past. Oh yes ... family. Lisa misses them a little. She has spoken to her mother and father on the phone several times and seen her little brother again, but the distance of several thousand kilometres doesn't make it any easier, and the house also has to deal with the current political issues of the nobility in the north. Nevertheless, Lisa has already arranged with Beatrix to go south to experience the traditions of the "beautiful old bay". The only major negative point ... the prejudice against Lisa. Lublima and her girl group, in particular, have not once stopped to let an unused opportunity for a personal attack against Lisa pass by, but have stuck to Lisa's barbaric stereotypes and low-class rank with relentless severity. And the worst part? Peter was integrated more and more into the group by Lublima and is now regularly involved in intense conversations with her group of friends over dinner. Much to the displeasure of Beatrix and Lisa, but he hasn't completely turned away yet. Little hidden glances towards the table from both of them, which he thought would go unnoticed, occur regularly.

The vacations of the first semester are coming to an end. Two weeks of complete silence from any professors and their tasks. Also two weeks without restrictions for the students. Lisa and Beatrix regularly went to the nearby swimming lake and enjoyed the warm summer sun on the beach. Vacations, too short to visit family, but long enough to review the short introductory semester. But there were also two weeks of dark shadows in which Lisa and Beatrix, as well as the group around Lublima, engaged in fanatic power struggles. Pranks and insults from both sides outside the current semester rules were the order of the day. They clearly won the sympathy of the class, but Peter distanced himself more and more from Lisa and Beatrix. And these two weeks also left more traces than just a seething hatred for the other enemy. Lisa found it incredibly difficult to get out of bed on her first day at school. "Lisaaa," Beatrix bellowed through the door. "We're missing our lessons!" Without breakfast, Lisa races after Beatrix through the dark early-morning corridors of the university. The tall, dark Gothic columns dominate the corridors, but you soon get used to their presence. On this day, the students are once again being taught the fundamental subject for aspiring politicians and noble families, the secret arts of rhetoric. Along with aristocratic etiquette and discussion rounds, Lisa is really looking forward to the lessons. And being able to throw subtle vulgarities at Lublima from time to time ... that really trains her thinking skills. Lisa has to grin. "Today we're going to focus on the specific use of sophisticated vocabulary," says Mr. von Rechterstein, Professor of Rhetoric and member of the old disgraced House of Rechterstein, "so I'm going to ask you each to prepare a presentation in this lesson on your own and then present it." This announcement is followed by a long groan, and Lublima's group in particular seems to be getting worked up again in league with their leader. "The whole thing will be graded, of course," shouts Mr. von Rechterstein over the din of the class, looking deliberately in Lublima's direction. She just rolls her eyes.

Time passes and the sun rises higher and higher into the sky. Lisa worked hard on her presentation to achieve as many assessment units as possible. Rhetoric is her favorite subject and one of the most important for aspiring politicians and nobles. Precisely because she belongs to a smaller northern house, top marks are part of her ambitious goal ... equal respect! Beatrix's ambition, on the other hand, is rather sloppy; she often looks out of the window at the beautiful flowering meadows of the campus, or pokes forlornly at the table with her pen. Lublima, on the other hand, is in an even more exuberant mood, holding herself upright and laughing boisterously at every little joke Peter makes. "All right, time's up. I see most of you have already finished preparing, so we can get started," says the professor as the noise level swells again. "Why don't you get started, Mrs. von Lowenburg-Westerstadt?" echoes through the class. The room falls silent and everyone stares at Lublima and the professor in surprise. "You've already been talking loudly, I assume you're ready?". Lublima's eyes are wide open, her mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air - only with more make-up. Lisa laughs quietly in her corner, Beatrix gasps for air. Lublima's official name is von Lowenburg-Westerstadt, a collateral line of the current royal line, but one that has been operating separately for more than four centuries. Nevertheless, Lublima insists on her status as a higher-ranking and full-blooded noble among the normal aristocracy. A haughty attitude that is not well received even by most lower-ranking or bourgeois professors. This is particularly the case with Herr von Rechterstein, a bourgeois man of honor with the right of nobility to use the title of his birthplace. This does not imply any further right of nobility, such as land ownership. "How dare you ..." Lublima begins to hiss, but the professor intervenes. "Yes, Mrs. Lowenburg-Westerstadt, I dare. I am your professor of rhetoric here at this university, and you must accept that. I am reluctant to remind you of your clear failures in law, but I am prepared to help you out. The university's own statutes are of a higher rank on this campus than any sorry aristocratic law could convey." Lublima reddens even more and seems visibly angry. "I merely addressed you by the official family name of your noble house, as is proper for the etiquette of the nobility and the polite form of address at this university. You should know that, Lublima ..." "How dare you address me like that? I have clearly informed the rector that I should only be addressed as Lowenburg!" Lublima tones back, "Oh Lublima, is that how you want to disguise your origins? Royalty doesn't suit you..." Beatrix shouts over. Lublima's head turns a dark purple color. "Entertaining so condescendingly is a disgrace to the classroom. But what else would you expect from a degraded family?" The professor turns paler "Murder and manslaughter have no place in the nobility, a disgrace to the entire nobility you are. And you'll regret it!" and storms out of the room followed by her group. The professor swallows and has to collect himself, "You will all receive full marks for your presentations." The lesson is over.

Lisa jumps up and runs after the group. Without looking, she takes Peter by the arm and drags him away, shouting protests. Peter just waves his arm apologetically and turns to Lisa. She stands in front of him, agitated and angry: "How can you get involved with someone like that? She's absolutely awful!" Peter lowers his head. "I think everyone has good and bad, you're just pushing each other up." Lisa replies, "But Peter, aren't you listening to her? She only talks about the inferiority of the other families, that's impossible!" Fascinated, Peter looks deep into her eyes, Lisa's background is well known at the university and her resistance to the current system fascinates him. Indignant, Lisa looks straight back. Their eye contact lasts a long time until Peter finally clears his throat. "I'm sure that's not what she meant," he says with a slight grin, leaving Lisa standing there. She looks down at her feet, blushing slightly, a slight tingling sensation spreading through her stomach.

The next summer months fade into darkness and the Lionsroar autumn sets in. The maritime temperate climate of the center and the higher temperatures of the big cities are getting colder and colder. Time passes quickly, and less than half of the second semester is already over. These are also very quiet times at the university and in Lionsroar. Only small grades are made, the material flows quickly and the professors are relaxed. Even the often famous quarrels between the noble families and the drama surrounding the royal family seem to be at rest in Lionsroar. For more than a month, no rampant political movement has been brutally brought to a halt and no brutal act of violence against the government has been recorded. The economy is growing and social peace is at an all-time high. However, one can only speak of peace to a limited extent at the university. The group around Lublima as well as Lisa and Beatrix have left a deep rift in the class, with the majority naturally standing by Lisa and detesting Lublima's haughty tone. Regular pranks and arguments break up the monotonous day. Lisa, however, really blossoms despite this time. She gets up earlier to make the most of the time and get ready for lessons. Beatrix, on the other hand, has been noticeably quiet and less lively lately and often seems to be lost in deep thought. But when Lisa asks her questions, her old life returns and with a broad grin and a cheeky reply, her worries are wiped away for a short time. And Peter ... well, the serious conversation between the two of them still makes her tummy tingle even when she thinks about it. Peter in his time is still more a part of the group, but has already spoken out against Lublima several times. And even little hidden glances towards the table from both of them, which he thought would go unnoticed, occur regularly. Lisa is in seventh heaven ...

"Lisa, Lisa?" a voice sounds through Lisa's dim dream image. "Yes?" Lisa exclaims loudly and stands up from the table. The class starts laughing as Lisa gets up from her seat in the middle of a math lesson. "Oh, sorry Professor," she sits back down in her seat with a lowered gaze. The professor continues in a slightly resigned manner, Beatrix smiles at Lisa with a slightly wistful expression. But before Lisa could ask her again, there was a knock on the large door. "What is it this time? Can't you even go to your subject in peace..." he interrupts himself as the vice-principal, Count von Achterthal, marches in wearing his black uniform. With a slight nod, he begins, "Mrs. von Winterburg?" Everyone turns to Beatrix. Slightly pale in the face, she stands up and raises her trembling hand. "Your parents are on the phone, they want to speak to you," von Achterthal continues in a gentle voice. His face is soft and marked by something else ... is it pity? He gently leads the trembling Beatrix out of the room. Time passes and the hourly gong sounds. Exasperated, the professor releases the class "... we'll have to make up for all this tomorrow. And if you find Mrs. von Winterburg, let her know as well." Lisa walks through the dark corridors of the late autumn evening and is stopped by a dark figure. "Well, Lisa? Where's your only friend?" Lublima steps into the light. "What's wrong with her now? Crying in the toilet, I heard." She laughs, "Your status is falling, as it should happen to every new noble family!" "Piss off Lublima ..." and Lisa disappears behind the next bend in the corridor. She quickens her pace, what's wrong with Beatrix? She slows down, footsteps sound behind her. "Lublima, that's not funny. Back off..." she turns around and stops close to Peter. "Hi Lisa, I wanted to talk to you." Lisa's breath catches, she can't get a word out. "Do you fancy going on a date with me?" ... the floor starts to spin, the tingling in her stomach gets stronger. Lisa feels a sense of happiness that is stronger than anything she has ever experienced. Her feet rise from the ground and she finds herself in heaven. Peter clears his throat and continues to stare at her, Lisa falls back into reality. "I ... uh ... sure, I'd love to." "Wonderful!" says Peter, stepping back with one of his beautiful smiles. "In a week's time, at 9 pm in the bar. See you then!" He disappears. Lisa is shocked and at the same time feels a huge sense of happiness, which makes her completely forget her previous worries about Beatrix. She has done it, Peter has fallen for her. She has punched Lublima in the face and shown her who is better! So much for the great charming strength of the old houses. Ha! Lisa turns on the spot and runs towards the dormitories ... she has to tell Beatrix. Beatrix ... Beatrix! Her senses turn back to Beatrix, her worry grows. Where is Beatrix, what is behind the phone call? And what about Peter ... Lisa remembers how Beatrix and Peter talked to each other in the first semester. She feels a slight pang of conscience, but quickly dismisses it. It was an open competition with everyone, and Lisa won it.

"Beatrix?" Lisa calls out loudly. She is in her bedroom and stares at the wall in another dimension. Light pastel shades set the tone of her room, small comfy beanbags are scattered everywhere. As always, her desk is a mess, the only thing that makes you wonder is the large amount of tissues on the bedside table next to the bunk bed. A poster shows her absolute favorite band. "Oh, hello Lisa," says Beatrix, her eyes slightly red and deep bags under her eyes. Circles under her eyes are evidence of hard hours, her grin looks fake and can't reach her eyes like it normally does. "Beatrix, are you all right?" Lisa is worried and says so openly. "Of course ... what could be wrong?" Her voice quivers slightly and her lower lip trembles. She turns away, it is clear that she has lied. "Beatrix ... I ..." Lisa is at a loss for words. So they sit together on the edge of the bed for a while. Beatrix starts to tremble and cries again. Lisa lets her be and just strokes her back gently. After a while, Beatrix begins again in a bitter voice "Our last few years of business have always been very turbulent and with the takeover of the monarchy we have become more and more regulated. But I never thought it would be this far advanced ..." she takes a shaky breath and Lisa holds her breath. "We had to submit the documents, our lawyer has already tried to fight the decision, but to no avail ..." Lisa doesn't answer, just waits for Beatrix to continue. A long silence follows, Lisa is just about to say something when Beatrix continues. "Our debts were too high and we could no longer keep the business running. Our employees had to be made redundant, even our private secretariat. Our private secretariat!" she shouts louder and becomes almost hysterical. "We are now officially insolvent and will have to cease operations. The state will compensate for this by transferring the agents to a new company under state regulation. We've been a thorn in their side for too long ... and now they've enriched themselves with us as a result of their cruel planned economic system. We are insolvent, bankrupt. Dad had to guarantee it with his personal assets and take on the debt. We'll have to sell our villa, maybe I'll even have to leave school..." Tears start to flow again and Lisa tries to calm them down. Everything will be fine and no one can take the university away from her. So the two of them sit together in the room for a long time, talking about the whole system and their cruelties, and Beatrix calms down. But Lisa doesn't dare mention her date with Peter, the timing is just too inappropriate.

More days pass and the day of the meeting with Peter arrives. Beatrix has calmed down in the meantime, but still has dark shadows under her eyes and has withdrawn a little from public life at the university. Insolvency has been applied for and the company is bankrupt. The House of Winterburg still retains the title of nobility, but now has even less influence on the entire aristocratic system. Peter seems to be coming to life more and more, spreading positivity throughout the class. Be it with the first ice skating on the frozen lake, the joint class reunions during the fall break or simple class lessons. There are also more and more conversations with Lisa. Voices echo through the corridor. Lisa stops, puzzled. It's the fall break and it's coming to an end. The university is pretty quiet and many people have actually gone home to their noble families. "But why not?" a voice rings out shrilly through the corridor. Lisa peers around the corner and catches sight of Peter in a heated discussion with Lublima. She can no longer understand the words, but after a short time Lublima runs off in the other direction, her head slightly red and her fists clenched. Peter sighs and turns to Lisa, only now seeing her. "Oh, were you eavesdropping?" The blush rises in Lisa's face "Of course not, I just happened to be walking past here." The last thing Peter would think is that she is stalking him. But he replies calmly, "Ah, yes. It's gotten a bit out of hand now." He starts to explain: Lublima asked Peter if he would like to go to the Winter Ball with her. Traditionally, there is always a big winter ball in the third semester, the winter semester. The highlight of the school year, although there are more balls to come. Lisa looks at Peter in surprise as he has rejected Lublima's request. Peter notices Lisa's look and smiles kindly at her. "I declined because..." he swallows and looks at her more deeply. "Well, it's not that important." He turns and walks away with a friendly farewell. Still puzzled, Lisa goes to her room to get ready for the evening. The small student party is coming up, and Peter has invited her. A simple black dress, beautiful earrings and lips make Lisa stand silently in front of her mirror for several minutes. She hasn't been this dressed up for a long time and she has to admit she likes it. With Beatrix's help and materials, she has become a real beauty. Although Beatrix has often remarked that such beauty is natural and not due to the products.

It is hot. Quite hot and also relatively stuffy. Lisa stands at the edge of the party and watches the dance floor. Her class has come together to celebrate the end of the first exam period and the rapid end of the fall break. Alcohol and snatches of conversation echo through the thick fog. Lisa shakes her light wine drink. She has slightly glowing cheeks, as she has already been twirled around the dance floor by several people and has danced her heart out. The alcohol doesn't make the situation any better. She looks around, but Beatrix is nowhere to be seen. "Boo" sounds a soft voice behind her. She startles and looks around, it's Peter with his usual easy smile, seductive lips and sharp eyes, his beautiful ... Lisa stops herself when she notices his expectant look. He has asked a question. "Yeah, sure!" Lisa and Peter go together to the balcony of the back party rooms. The windows there are open and the last warmth of the summery fall is slowly subsiding. But Lisa and Peter enjoy the refreshing coolness. For several minutes, they simply remain silent next to each other, watching the flickering lights, the noise of the party and the beautiful stillness of the late night. Peter comes closer and gently touches Lisa's hand. Her heart fades and her songs flicker up to his. With an elegant movement, he pulls her along and approaches the right-hand side of the balcony. A ladder leads up to the slightly sloping roof. He wants her to climb up and together they do so. And at the top, the most beautiful feeling ever awaits Lisa. A kiss in the soft moonlight, in the beautiful summer temperatures between two people who have been looking for each other for a long time. Butterflies flutter in her stomach and she sinks into the moment. No thoughts, just an overwhelming amount of feelings. The butterflies flutter away into the night.

The snow blows gently by. Lisa has returned to the far north to Eisernlach in the Iron Mountains, to her family's country house to spend Christmas there. Peter has accompanied her in his role as Lisa's "official lover candidate", although there is little to criticize about this even from his future parents-in-law. Peter is tall, likeable and quite eloquent and had Lisa's parents wrapped around his finger in no time at all. Lisa's mother talked to him for hours on the warm sofas in the living room. They also talked freely about current aristocratic politics and the terrible manners of south-western families. Much to Peter's laughter. The snow collects on the ground and Lisa can only laugh at Peter's first reaction to the huge amount of snow after the plane has successfully landed. He really was completely surprised. Oh, Peter. Lisa fondly remembers the Winter Ball, where Lublima's wide eyes and surprised face were the perfect crowning touch to a wonderful evening. Beatrix's glittering eyes with a small indeterminable spark also meant everything to her. Under Peter's protection, she felt like she really belonged and was able to enjoy the whole evening. And now that Peter is even her fiancé, her life is approaching a beautiful climax. And hopefully the fall that follows won't be so hard ... Lisa turns around and walks back into the warmth of the living room. A large Christmas tree and lots of small presents hint at the approach of Christmas. Cheerful laughter from the kitchen, Peter helping the servants and her mother, makes Lisa grin. She sinks into a soft chair and closes her eyes.

Lisa opens her eyes and rubs the sleep from them tiredly. She is in her bedroom, no, in her study at the university. She looks at the chaos on her desk. Mountains of notes mixed with books, ink and several tears remind Lisa of the present. It is February and she has been back at university for a month. The big main exam is coming up in March and all the students have been released from lessons so that they can prepare properly for the exam. She looks to her left, where Beatrix is sitting asleep in the armchair. Her father has contracted a serious illness, but is expected to be discharged from hospital soon. But even Beatrix doubts this. Dark circles under her eyes bear witness to her difficult time, she is slightly emaciated and has almost completely lost her beautiful radiant glow. A distance has developed between the two of them and Lisa can do nothing but hope that the old days will return. She sighs, it is of course time to get back to the material. The elasticity equations of federal economic math or the rowless record of the kings of the third dynasty and their sleeping partners do not solve themselves. Time passes and everything draws to a close. The professors and teachers jump excitedly from room to room and don't manage to create a calm learning atmosphere for the students at all. Lisa closes her eyes and steadies her trembling hand. She stands in the queue outside the library to borrow a book one last time, which she hopes to read through the night between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. before tomorrow's exam day. Beatrix stands in front of her and gives a slight smile. Her color is slowly returning, but as often as she runs to the bathroom, she has not yet recovered from the recent bad news and, like Lisa, has a great deal of respect for tomorrow's exam. A tall man with several heavy books attracts Lisa's attention. "Hey, Peter!" Peter turns around and gives Lisa a friendly smile. "Hello, darling!" Beatrix smiles back just as friendly. "Pf., why don't you make room," says another female voice. "Oh, Peter," whispers Lublima when she spots Peter. She looks hatefully at Lisa and Beatrix and turns to Peter. "Are you still with her? Do we want to study together?" Lublima storms off at Peter. Peter just shakes his head in exasperation and turns away. Lisa beams and Lublima runs off in a huff. Beatrix rears up once and runs towards the nearest toilet under the gaze of the queue. With trembling hands, regular tears and shaking fits, she reads through her notes one last time. A glance at the clock quickly jumps from midnight to 9 o'clock, the exam time. Hundreds of small tables are scattered around the large auditorium. Beatrix spits one last time, Lisa looks desperately at the blurred letters, the sound of the teachers present passes through her ears, Peter smiles nervously and even Lublima is very close to nausea and looks desperately at her colleagues' notes. The hours tick by and after five hours the noise rings. Five chimes and the shouting of the teachers snaps Lisa out of her attention zone. The exam is over!

It booms deep through the large, dark hall. Bright flickering lights across the rainbow spectrum illuminate the dance floor. Tables covered with alcoholic beverages are pushed to the edge of the room, dark shadows in suits and dresses stand next to them. A large crowd is on the dance floor, engulfed in a frenzy of noise, light and alcohol. Lisa stands at the edge of the room, savoring the warm feeling of champagne through her stomach. Almost everyone in the class has made it through the exam at the first attempt, and only a few have to take the second exam for individual modules. Thus, the atmosphere is quite relaxed. The party takes place on the upper floor of the university in the professors' gilded halls. Modern music equipment and dance floors contrast with the gold and white ornaments of the walls. Security guards stand at the entrances and exits and march up and down the empty corridors. The future of the nobility of Lionsroar is in the rooms, after all, and so are things of value, as long as that is not already outweighed by human lives. Lisa feels the alcohol slowly going to her head and looks around for a comfortable place to sit. She spots an empty chair and tries to make her way to it, but is pulled into the dancing and swaying crowd by classmates in the meantime. The hours fly by and Lisa becomes more exhausted. The door swings open and an excited Peter jumps in. He holds his graduation certificate in his hand and runs happily towards Lisa with bouncy steps. They embrace and Lisa breathes in his familiar perfume. Her happiness is at its peak, but the party is slowly winding down. There are fewer and fewer in the large, medium-sized crowd and more and more people need fresh air and a short break to drink. She feels a bit dizzy. "Pfff," snorts someone from behind. She turns around and catches sight of Lublima's disgusted eyes. "So you made it too? The things that are now allowed to graduate for the shame of Lionsroar ... I can't believe it" Peter stands in front of Lisa and waves Lublima away. But she remains standing. "I still have a score to settle with you ..." she looks spitefully at Peter, "I have a score to settle. You are a blood traitor! A traitor to all noble houses for putting up with someone like that. We could have been the perfect dream couple! WE WERE MEANT TO BE! Our power and strength would have been even better, our reputation would have risen! But well," she turns away. "I'm too good for you anyway. I'll marry a rich nobleman while you freeze to death with her in the far north." She laughs and becomes even more spiteful "Or if you don't fall from grace before then, just like Beatrix ... Good thing it'll be over for her soon. All the pain ..." The name and sentences hang in the air as Lublima turns away. Lisa just looks at Peter and he nods. "We have to see Beatrix, now!"

Lisa hasn't heard from Beatrix for several hours. No answer to calls, not even the slightest status message from her mobile phone. Security guards walk down the corridor next to Lisa to the female dormitories. Even a call to the room phone or asking the other students has not yielded a decent answer. Lisa quickens her steps, a dark premonition and the dark image of Lublima's spiteful laughter make her run faster and faster. Tears begin to flow and the image becomes blurred. The corridors become longer and longer and expand. Her lungs are wheezing and yet she doesn't slow down a single step. The images blur, the darkness envelops her, the anxious chatter of the young students running along fades more and more into the background. Lisa is in tunnel vision, in almost complete darkness and teary eyes. A bird chirps softly through the window. A gentle hint of evening wafts around Lisa. Blackness. Her hand trembles as she clutches something in her gloved hand. A small object, the size of a letter ... no more than ... than a letter. A beautiful white silk letter, a rooster in front of a huge snowflake as a seal and a red pen. Red as blood, on white as skin. A final farewell letter.

The birds chirp softly, songs full of memories and sadness. Lisa is standing in the garden of Peter's house. Dedicated to a provincial duke, she has left the far north for a quick visit from her children. She is now matriarch, head of the House of Eisernlach and one of the most powerful people in northern politics. She looks at the plant at her feet. A simple white rose in front of a small block of black stone commemorates Beatrix. The letter lies burnt as ashes under the stone. The terrible event happened a few years ago and made the headlines of the entire Lionsroarian Post for weeks. But even after that, the hustle and bustle never died down: the police came and went, the State Security Service came and went, the military came and went, aristocratic families came and went. The director was replaced and his deputy, Count von Achterthal, is the new director. Really a better decision. Lublima went back to the West with her head hanging down and had to abandon her studies after several professors and Lisa testified against her. Beatrix's death left deep ripples in Lionsroar and sad memories in Lisa. Beatrix was stripped of everything, her family went bankrupt, her father died, her mother became impoverished and had to move into a widow's home for noble families. Her siblings left the family, Beatrix experienced constant hatred and finally lost the most important thing about Lisa, her true love for Peter. Fate often plays cruel games. And such small waves can turn into a tsunami.

Footsteps echo through the gilded and highly ornate corridors of the Royal Palace in the center of Loewenburg, the capital of Lionsroar. A person clad in a plain cloak with a golden brooch of a swan and a pickaxe walks towards a no less ornate large double door with two wings and engraved lion fights. The door to the throne room swings open to reveal an unlit room. It is obviously not in use at this late hour and only the golden lion-headed throne gleams from the chandeliers at the back. "Your Majesty," the attendant servant speaks and bows. "Thank you, you can leave us alone," says a powerful female voice. A person in a white dress steps out from behind a pillar. Lisa indicates a bow and looks at the royal princess, daughter of the current monarch of Lionsroar. She is of extraordinary beauty, and what tongues say of even sharper tongue. "Lisa von Eisernlach," the princess greets Lisa with a slight smile. "I like your indomitable attitude. You are strong!" Lisa just nods and looks down. A lot has happened since the events at the university. House Eisernlach continues to be one of the most powerful in the far north, and their influence continues to grow under Lisa's leadership as matriarch. She would put the past behind her, but it seems that the throne itself wants to know about the incident. Lisa bites her lip lightly without emotion, what if Lublima ...? "No, don't worry. It's not about the incident" the princess turns to the throne. She seems to have read Lisa's thoughts. "It's about something else, something bigger for me. I want you to join my court." Silence. Lisa wasn't expecting this. She has heard of the court's legendary internal squabbles behind the throne, but she never thought she would become part of them. The chandeliers flicker more menacingly, the shadows grow longer and the fire in the princess's eyes burns stronger. Lisa hadn't even noticed the red stripes on her dress, it almost looks like blood ... "Welcome to the true politics of the realm. Welcome to the palace!"