In the past, the Monument Border north of the Country of Jian plays an indispensable role protecting the empire from the barbarian tribes from the North. Countless soldiers had lost their lives protecting this very border, shedding blood to ensure no enemy would breach the wall.
Yes, those who survived might have earned merits and medals. They might have gained fame and wealth. The thing was, all sacrifices, both of the survivors and of those who perished, were initially made in order to allow their families and friends to be happy and free.
However, circumstances change with the flow of time. In the current times, it not necessarily has any great significance, especially since trade has been opened up between each and every country in the continent.
The tribes in the north had been subdued by a warrior king and formed the nation of Tundra. The time of warfare had ended close to four decades ago. The continent had entered a new age. The Monument Border, where the First, Second and Third Divisions of the army were situated, became more of a training base and tourist attraction than an actual war post encampment.
Sadly, most of the younger generation had forgotten the blood enmity that their ancestors had forged with the North.
Just a league away, Enqeton was a city formed by the trade alliance between the two countries. Though the liveliness and flourish of businesses there continued to increase with time and showed no signs of deteriorating soon, the two countries, most especially the veterans of the army stationed in Enqeton, remained especially wary.
As of this moment, a pretty girl sixteen years of age walked towards a military branch office beside the train station. Her clothes were wrinkled, her hair tied up in a messy bun, but she had grace in her movements. This made those around her know that she had superior upbringing than most common people.
On her sides, there was an ordinary-looking boy with features too thin to become a guard and a slightly plump girl who looked too young to be a proper maid.
"Don't lose sight of me," Cass warned the two. They were standing outside of the military branch office, eying the crude-looking two-story building.
"Yes, milady," Nnah curtsied.
"Yes, milady," Kala crisply saluted.
A while back, Cass had chanced upon one of the rules of the curse. It happened when she went to the other train car to use the restroom. Upon returning, she found the two youths arguing about why they left their initial seats.
It turned out that people forget her the moment they stop seeing her. Any memory related to her was then erased.
Kala and Nnah knew that they were hired, but had no inkling of who hired them. Both also remembered that they were commissioned to work, but the exact type of services to be rendered, those too were fuzzy in their memories.
"We getting hired, is it just a waking dream?" Cass remembered Nnah muttering with red-rimmed eyes.
Since then, Cass had to reintroduce herself two more times because the youths would take their eyes off her and forget her. Good thing that they were simple folks and easy to persuade.
It made Cass flat-out tired though.
Upon arriving at Enqeton half an hour later, Kala and Nnah rejoiced. On the other hand, Cass hesitated. There was a growing fear inside of her.
What if no one here remembered her too?
How could she bear it if neither of her brothers recognizes her?
How was she… supposed to live on?
She did not want to know. She was afraid to know the answer.
Still, she had to try, right? For peace of mind?
With her in the lead, the three of them entered the military branch office. The sight of a middle-aged officer greeted them at the front desk. He looked up, and when he saw three youths with no adult to accompany them, he returned to fixing the documents in front of him.
"How can I help 'ya, kids?" he asked in a bored tone.
"I need to see General Alejandro Vega," the oldest girl stated calmly.
He raised a brow. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Do 'ya wanna sell yourself to him or something?"
"He's my uncle."
The middle-aged officer was stunned. Upon checking closer at her face, he laughed so loud it sounds like he's farting through his mouth.
"Best prank to start the day!" He even slapped the desk while laughing. "Okay. Now, go to school, kids. I bet 'yar morning classes are about to start in an hour. Save 'yar jokes for 'yar teachers, got it?"
Cass only calmly stared at him.
"Are you a local of Enqeton?" she asked quietly.
"Nah, I'm from Northsville." He grinned. "Why, you wanna claim to be my niece too?"
Cass took a deep breath. Without saying another word, she turned around and left. Kala did not forget to give the officer a flying finger. Angry Nnah stuck her tongue out.
"Lady Cass, where would we be staying?" Kala asked as he jogged behind her. Cass was walking fast, and it took him and Nnah all their energies just to keep up. "Do you want me to look around and search for a nearby inn or hotel?"
His eyes were wide as he took in the sight of the massive and lively city, but he did not linger far from his employer. He might be simple, but he's one who knew that if he wants to keep his job, he has to follow orders.
"There's no need."
Cass did not want to send Kala out by himself, only to have him forget why he set out in the first place. That would be a massive headache.
"Ah, I heard that your Vega family have an estate here in Enqeton?" Kala felt excited at the thought of working with a big family wealthy enough to buy a piece of land in this city. Nnah could only giggle at how her older cousin is acting. "Do we give inform them to fetch you, milady?"
Cass offered the simple young man a wry smile. She appreciated his adorably frank personality. In fact, she found it refreshing.
"We have one, but I'll never get to go back there, I guess."
Nnah was startled. Being the more sensitive one between the two Urdujas, she had long felt there was something wrong with their new employer. Coupled with what happened earlier inside with the soldier, Nnah could see that their employer had her own troubles she did not want to share.
It was as if every air she breathed out exudes sadness.
"Milady, are you feeling unwell?" she tentatively asked.
Cass shook her head. "My family simply does not welcome me. I guess, well, I guess I do not want to see them either."
"But that is unfilial!" Kala gasped with indignation.
"I'm not being unfilial." Cass had given up hope. There wasn't even one in the first place. She just wanted to escape reality. "I'm just doing what I know is best."
"What did you do to them, Milady, for you to be treated like this? Even if they hate you or if you've done something wrong, family is family! Besides, milady, you are still not of age!"
"I am not welcomed there, Kala. Just drop it."
"Don't you have loved ones there?"
The naughty faces of Aleyk and Alistair flashed through her mind. "I have but..."
"But you not returning," Kala continued, "is it the right thing?"
She laughed, a sound so brittle it broke the moment it came out.
To not go back even though her loved ones are there might not be the right thing, but since they don't remember her...
"Does it matter?