The stark whiteness of the hallway, with its marble floors and pristine walls, stood in stark contrast to the trio’s vibrant attire. Herius, adorned in gold and blue velvet, moved with the elegance of a river coursing through a snowy landscape. Kinder, in his lively green, resembled the resilient sprouts of spring breaking through winter’s retreat. Elara, her skin a rich, deep black, and her golden dress shone like the first rays of dawn after a long night, her presence a divine contrast against the marble backdrop.

They paused at the T-junction, enveloped in silence, each absorbed in the hallway’s enigmatic charm. Kinder, ever observant, scanned every detail with a sharp eye.

“Could it be—” Kinder began, but his words faltered as he looked up. Above them hung a chandelier, opulent with pearls and diamonds, seemingly out of place in the sterile corridor. “That wasn’t there before,” he noted with certainty.

Elara followed his gaze, her eyes tracing the chandelier’s elaborate design. “Are you sure? It seems like it’s always been there,” she mused.

Herius, his brows knitted in thought, glanced up briefly. “Whether it was or wasn’t,” he said, brushing aside the mystery, “we need to decide our next move.”

Elara started, “We could head back to the other side or return to the powder—”

But Kinder interjected with urgency, “And just leave without finding Katarina?” His voice held a blend of resolve and concern, echoing in the quiet corridor.

In the midst of their labyrinthine surroundings, Elara’s voice was a calm anchor. She glanced over her shoulder, eyeing the corridor that delved deeper into the mysterious expanse. “Regardless, we must inform Aurelius,” she stated, her tone a steady beacon in their sea of uncertainty.

“Miss Elara—” Herius began, only to be cut off.

“We’re far from the ballroom, Herius,” Elara reminded him, her gaze unwavering.

“If this is indeed a part of the palace,” Herius reasoned, “then it’s possible Katarina is here. We need to…”

“Find the right passage!” Kinder interjected, his enthusiasm shining through.

“Exactly,” Herius agreed, nodding towards Kinder.

Elara’s silence was thoughtful, her eyes resting on Kinder with a maternal concern. She was reluctant to involve him further, conscious of the burdens already weighing on his young shoulders. Their eyes locked in a silent exchange, a nonverbal dance of concern and determination, reminiscent of a chess match between a seasoned player and a bold novice.

“You—” Elara began, but Kinder cut her short.

“I won’t leave without Katarina,” he declared firmly, his youthful resolve echoing Aurelius’s own steadfast demeanor.

Surprise flickered across Elara’s features as she glanced at Herius, then back at Kinder. Her expression spoke volumes, and Herius understood immediately, silently aligning with their shared resolve.

“Alright,” Elara conceded, gracefully bending to Kinder’s level, her gown flowing around her like a silken river. “Remember, if there’s danger, run out immediately.”

Kinder nodded earnestly.

Elara held up a finger, ensuring his full attention. “And if I say run, you don’t hesitate. This goes for you too, Herius,” she added, her gaze shifting to Herius, who was trying to mask his amusement. “If anything unusual catches your eye, let us know, alright?”

Kinder’s smile widened as he nodded again, watching Elara rise to her full, commanding height. In that moment, she seemed to embody the majesty of a deity, a powerful presence that Kinder couldn’t help but feel awed by.

They ventured down the hallway, its stark white walls creating an increasingly unsettling atmosphere. Herius followed close behind Kinder, vigilant and protective. Elara led the way with a regal stride, the sound of her heels echoing off the marble, a rhythm that resonated with authority. Kinder, sandwiched between them, remained ever curious, his eyes wandering over the plain walls and intricately frescoed ceilings.

“Do people usually have places like this in their homes?” Kinder mused aloud. “Not this grand, but… to escape?” His voice trailed off.

“Some do,” Herius responded, his voice a comforting presence like a warm fire on a chilly night.

“Does Aurelius have something similar?” Kinder asked, glancing back at Herius.

“I doubt it,” Herius chuckled. “If he did, we’d likely know about it. But then, he’s a vampire. He doesn’t need hidden passages.”

Kinder’s imagination took flight. “Right! He can just turn into mist and vanish!” he exclaimed, playfully mimicking the dispersal of fog with his hands.

Herius affectionately ruffled Kinder’s auburn hair, letting out a gentle chuckle. “Indeed, he could.”

In the wake of their light-hearted banter, a profound silence enveloped them, the distant echoes of the ballroom now a memory. Elara moved with a deliberate focus, her eyes scanning every detail of their path, ensuring they didn’t lose their way in this seemingly straightforward corridor.

Kinder, ever curious and observant, was mesmerized by the ornate chandeliers above, their value immeasurable. Suddenly, a shiver crept down his spine, halting him so abruptly that Herius nearly collided with him.

“Kinder?” Herius asked, concern lacing his tone. Elara turned to see Kinder fixated on an unremarkable white wall, his gaze intense, almost trance-like.

Touching the wall, Herius felt an unexpected warmth radiating from it, not the ferocity of a wildfire, but the gentle embrace of a hearth. “This wall is warm,” he noted.

Elara reached out, her hand confirming his observation. “Indeed, it is.”

Kinder’s focus finally broke as he blinked rapidly, rubbing his eyes. “Behind this wall… I feel like there’s a kitchen,” he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

“A kitchen?” Elara and Herius echoed, puzzled.

Herius’s surprise deepened as he regarded Kinder. “But how could you possibly know that?” he asked, his voice a mixture of shock and concern.

Kinder’s response was filled with wonder and confusion. “I don’t know, it’s like I can see everything and yet nothing at all.”

“Could this be some form of magic?” Elara asked, her eyes meeting Herius’s, both sharing a look of bewilderment. If it was magic, it was of a kind neither had encountered, suggesting the presence of a powerful entity within the palace, guarding its secrets from prying eyes.

Gently, Elara reached for Kinder’s hand, her grip both protective and encouraging. “Can you guide us to that room?” she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Kinder’s response was a bright, enthusiastic smile, lighting up the corridor as if he himself were a source of warmth and light. Both Herius and Elara couldn’t help but chuckle softly, drawn into his infectious optimism as they followed him.

As they proceeded, Kinder’s eyes moved with an uncanny perception, as though he had an innate map of the labyrinthine passages in his mind. It was as if the corridors themselves were responding to his presence, his unwavering smile a beacon leading them onward. They encountered various passageways that initially seemed inconsequential, but as they crossed these unseen thresholds, each passage revealed new, uncharted mazes, deepening the mystery of their journey.

After navigating the maze-like corridors, their journey led them to a peculiar door, nestled against a wall. It was crafted from wood so deeply dark and seemingly charred that it appeared to have been born from ashes. In the pristine whiteness of the palace, this door stood as a stark, enigmatic contrast.

Elara’s heart was heavy with concern as they halted before it. The absence of Katarina, or any other sign of life, weighed on her mind. They were isolated in this labyrinth of luxury and mystery.

Herius, drawing a deep breath, stepped forward, his eyes briefly meeting Kinder’s before focusing on the door. He felt his heart thundering, a tempest of apprehension and anticipation within him. With a determined push, the door creaked open, revealing its secrets.

Inside was a kitchen, but not just any kitchen. It was devoid of people but rich in elegance and practicality. The high ceilings boasted intricate frescoes, colored in serene blues and illuminated by the stained-glass windows’ soft light. The walls, adorned in pastel-hued plasterwork with gold leaf accents, added to the room’s opulence.

The cabinetry, dark and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, featured carvings that brought nature indoors. Marble countertops with mosaic-like patterns, brass pots and pans over a grand cooking range, and a large, ornate island at the center of the room completed the majestic ensemble. Above it, a chandelier of wrought iron and crystal cast a luxurious glow.

As Elara followed Kinder into the kitchen, the click of her heels echoed through the grand space, amplifying its grandiosity. Montblanc’s extravagant style was unmistakable in every detail. Even Elara, accustomed to luxury, found it overwhelming.

As Herius closed the door behind them, sealing them in this splendid isolation, the room’s beauty was undeniable, but it was overshadowed by an unsettling quiet. Kinder, looking around in bewilderment, voiced the question that hung in the air, “Where is everyone?” The silence that followed was as profound as the mystery surrounding them.

Elara’s eyes scanned the room, her voice beginning to ease, “It’s good they’re not here—” She abruptly halted, her gaze fixated on a single, pristine knife resting on the central island. With swift steps, her heels echoed on the floor, her flowing gown trailing behind her. Kinder and Herius, puzzled, quickly followed her lead.

“This is Katarina’s,” Elara announced, lifting the knife delicately. It shone brilliantly under the chandelier’s light, its polished surface reflecting the room’s grandeur.

Herius, momentarily dazzled by the reflected light, asked, “How can you be sure?”

Elara pointed to the handle where an intricately engraved letter ‘A’, cradled by two olive branches, was visible. “This mark,” she explained, “belongs to Little Anne’s Inn, owned by Katarina’s mother.” Her voice was a mix of relief and renewed concern, a clue in their search yet a reminder of their deepening mystery.

Kinder’s initial burst of excitement at the discovery quickly ebbed into a quiet concern. “She was here,” he murmured, the realization dawning that Katarina had been in this very room and left behind something so essential. His gaze drifted to the walls, adorned with elegant backdrops, as he absorbed the gravity of their find.

Herius moved closer to Elara, who was still examining the knife. “She never goes anywhere without this,” he observed, his voice low.

“She has more than one, doesn’t she?” Elara questioned, her voice tinged with worry.

“Yes, but this…” Herius trailed off, understanding the significance.

“I think we should inform Aurelius now,” Herius interjected, rubbing his temple as if trying to soothe a headache.

Elara hesitated, “But without concrete evidence…”

“We’d risk making him appear foolish,” Herius finished her thought, his voice solemn.

A heavy silence enveloped the room, thick with tension and unanswered questions. Elara’s eyes briefly met the emblem on the knife again, a symbol of a mystery deepening by the moment. She then looked up at Herius, finding his usually expressive face masked in stoicism. For a moment, the typically jovial man seemed more somber, more human, as he leaned on the island, exhaling a resigned sigh.

Kinder’s voice, tinged with urgency and confusion, broke the heavy air. “Herius!” he exclaimed, “You’re much smarter, what does that mean?” He pointed fervently towards a section of the wall.

Herius and Elara, following his gesture, saw nothing but the same unadorned wall that had been their constant companion in the corridor.

“Kinder, it’s just a plain wall,” Herius responded, his voice laced with puzzlement as he stepped closer to inspect.

“But how can you not see it? There’s clearly something there,” Kinder insisted, his confusion deepening.

Herius, trying to make sense of Kinder’s vision, asked gently, “Can you describe what you’re seeing?”

Kinder’s eyes remained fixed on the wall, “It’s a shield, flanked by two lions, with a rose nestled right in the middle.”

Elara and Herius exchanged a look of bewilderment. The details Kinder described were invisible to them, yet he saw them with convincing clarity. This mysterious vision, whether a trick of the light or something more arcane, added another layer of intrigue to their already puzzling surroundings.

Herius, his expression a mix of concern and intrigue, tried to process Kinder’s adamant claim. “Kinder, are you absolutely certain—”

“I’m not making this up, Herius!” Kinder insisted, his eyes reflecting a conviction as deep as the ocean.

Herius’s eyes swept over the kitchen again, each detail suddenly taking on new significance. The emblem Kinder described matched the one on Lady Montblanc’s carriage. His gaze shifted to Elara, whose eyes were clouded with thoughts, suggesting she was holding back pieces of a larger puzzle.

“Elara?” he asked gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, bringing her back from her thoughts.

Startled, Elara refocused, her eyes briefly meeting Herius’s before shifting away. “I was just thinking,” she said, her sigh a mix of weariness and feigned relief. “That emblem… it was on the carriage. And I saw it in a book once.”

“A book?” Kinder and Herius echoed, their curiosity piqued.

“When I… recovered,” Elara continued, her voice trailing off as if wandering through a distant memory, “I spent a lot of time in Aurelius’ library.” A wistful note crept into her voice, betraying a longing for those quieter moments. “There was a diary there with the same emblem.”

“A diary?” Herius pressed, his interest deepening.

Kinder’s enthusiasm was palpable, “Was it Aurelius’? What did it say?”

Elara hesitated, as if weighing how much to reveal, her eyes reflecting a battle between discretion and the urge to share a secret long kept. Elara’s eyes met Herius’s briefly, a silent exchange passing between them before she turned to face Kinder, his face alight with eager curiosity about Aurelius’s past.

Hesitating, Elara took a deep breath before revealing, “It’s about how Aurelius became a vampire. The story is… it’s far grimmer than you might imagine.”

Kinder’s response was a subdued, “Oh.”

Herius, understanding the gravity of what Elara implied, chose not to delve further. The tone of her voice alone indicated that this was a chapter of Aurelius’s life marked by pain and sorrow - some stories, he knew, were better left untold, their weight too heavy to bear.

Kinder, drawn back to the mysterious emblem on the wall, could feel his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He tentatively extended his hand towards the wall where he had seen the shield and lions. As his fingers brushed the surface, they were met with an unexpected warmth, reminiscent of a gentle fire’s embrace. This inexplicable sensation, both comforting and mystifying, seemed to connect him to the wall in a way that was almost tangible.
In that kitchen, enveloped by an almost tangible stillness, the quiet seemed to stretch and fill the space with its presence, creating an atmosphere that felt almost sacred. It was the type of hush that seemed alive, a living entity demanding recognition, a silence so profound it seemed to echo through the vast expanse of the palace.

Elara, turning to Kinder, experienced a fleeting glimpse of the same emblem he had described - La Rose Voilée, a symbol she remembered all too well from the diary. For a moment, she was transfixed, her breath catching in her throat as if trapped, her heart pounding against its constraints. When she finally spoke, her voice was laced with disbelief and resignation. “I saw it.”

“Saw what?” came the puzzled response.

“The emblem, it’s real,” Elara conceded, her tone reflecting the weariness of a warrior acknowledging an unexpected truth. “This doesn’t make sense, we-”

“Let’s stay focused, we’re close to finding Katarina,” Herius interjected, offering a reassuring smile that masked his own uncertainties.

Kinder, absorbing the weight of their discovery, quietly withdrew his hand from the wall. As he turned around, there was an indescribable aura about him, a sensation of both fire and ice, an invisible shield of protection felt by all yet seen by none. In that moment, the mystery deepened, binding them together in their quest for answers.

In the stillness of the kitchen, Herius addressed Kinder with a voice as soothing as the dawn’s first light.

“There’s an entire labyrinth beneath the palace,” Kinder stated, his tone distant, almost detached. He gestured towards the door leading back to the stark white hallways. “Those corridors connect to the main levels, but to reach the underground labyrinth, we need to go through there,” he said, pointing to the main kitchen doors.

Elara’s concern escalated. “A labyrinth? How do you know this, Kinder?”

“I saw it,” he asserted simply.

“You saw it?” Herius echoed, a mix of skepticism and intrigue in his voice.

“Yes, and I saw Aurelius, dancing with Lady Montblanc,” Kinder continued, his voice trailing off momentarily. “He’s searching for us.”

“How could you possibly know that?” Herius pressed.

“I don’t know how, but it’s incredible!” Kinder’s excitement bubbled over, momentarily returning to his youthful exuberance as he bounced around the room. He then enveloped Elara in a spontaneous hug. “I can finally be useful!”

Elara, taken aback, hugged him back briefly before crouching to meet his eyes. “Kinder, you’ve never been a burden to us.”

“But I can’t do much,” Kinder countered, his voice tinged with self-doubt. “I’m not a vampire like Aurelius, or a half-vampire like Herius. I’m not as smart or strong as you or Katarina.”

Herius couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Kinder, Aurelius once told me that if he found me useless, he would have killed me.”

Kinder’s eyes widened in shock at Herius’s candid revelation.

“He doesn’t keep useless people around,” Herius added, giving Kinder a reassuring wink.

Elara frowned slightly. “That’s not something to tell a child…”

Herius shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “He’s grown enough to understand.” In that moment, despite the underlying tension of their situation, a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect filled the room.

Elara rose gracefully, her gaze settling on Kinder with a mixture of pride and wonder. “Do we have an encantore among us?” she mused, her voice carrying a note of admiration as she looked at Kinder.

Herius, however, seemed hesitant to embrace such a title. “That might not be exactly the right term,” he cautioned, weighing his words carefully.

Elara countered, a playful edge in her tone, “You just suggested Aurelius would dispose of him if he were useless, but I can’t call him an encantore?”

Caught off guard, Herius faltered for a moment, searching for a response.

Kinder, his face lit up with a grin, chimed in, “She does have a point.” With that, he wrapped Herius in a heartfelt hug, bringing a rare, gentle smile to Herius’s usually reserved demeanor as he returned the embrace. In that moment, their bond seemed to strengthen, united by the mysteries they were unraveling together.

“What now?” Kinder’s question hung in the air, echoing the uncertainty they all felt.

Elara let out a sigh, her frustration evident. “We’re at a loss about her whereabouts, aren’t we?”

“Not entirely,” Kinder interjected confidently. “She’s in the labyrinth somewhere.”

At his assertion, both Herius and Elara turned to him, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief.

“You knew this and didn’t mention it earlier?” Herius asked, a hint of incredulity in his voice.

Kinder shrugged, “I thought it was obvious. Why else would I talk about the labyrinth?”

His matter-of-fact tone momentarily silenced Herius and Elara. They exchanged looks, a shared understanding dawning between them. The tension in the room was palpable, like the calm before a storm.

Breaking the silence, Elara spoke with a sense of finality. “We can’t continue this alone. We need to inform Aurelius.” Her decision, though reluctant, was rooted in prudence, acknowledging the complexity of the situation they found themselves in.

The simplicity of Herius’s plan hung in the air, a beacon of clarity amidst the uncertainty. “Find Aurelius, find Katarina, get out of here,” he affirmed.

Kinder and Elara echoed his words, their voices intermingling yet distinctly different – one tinged with youthful optimism, the other with a hint of skepticism. Despite their doubts, the urgency of their mission to find Katarina left no room for hesitation.

As Herius led the way towards the doors, with Kinder and Elara close behind, an unexpected chill permeated the room, transforming the once warm ambiance into a cold, unwelcoming environment. It was as if they had stepped into a different realm entirely, a stark contrast to the warmth they had just left behind.

The sudden drop in temperature halted their progress, a palpable sense of unease spreading among them. Then, slicing through the icy silence, a woman’s voice resonated from behind, “Leaving so soon?” The unexpected intrusion, laced with an unsettling calm, added a new layer of tension, hinting at the unseen complexities and hidden players in the intricate game they found themselves a part of.