"I want to go home as early as possible. I don't want Rosé waited too long," Kylie said to her husband before the coachman announced they have arrived at Royal Hall.
"Yeah, I thought the same." Bernard nodded his head in agreement.
After they get off from the carriage, the knight welcomed and directed them to the main door. Inside the Royal Hall, so many nobles in Zetas Kingdom have arrived and start chatted each other. There was a group of people who played instruments, sweet melodies swarmed through the Hall, accompany the guests as they enjoyed the banquet.
"Today we celebrate a new year for Zetas Kingdom!" The Emperor started his speech. "During the year, so many achievements gained and that's all thanks to my counselors and generals! Now, have a toast!"
Everyone in the hall held their glass high as a symbol of toast to the Emperor. After the toast, the Emperor said again, "Today, I have something to announce about the future my Crown Princess!"
The entire hall became noisy with the Emperor's statement. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince not yet reached coming of age ceremony, for he was just 12 years old this year. Thus, the Emperor wanted to select candidate for future Crown Princess right now?
"There are several candidates from different houses. The Crown Prince will visit them when he reach coming of age ceremony. But, I will drop the final decision to the Crown Prince and I will support whoever he choose to marry. So, when the time comes, I will sent a letter and whose house received that letter will be visited by the Crown Prince."
That was all the Emperor said that night. In another words, the Emperor was implying the noble houses to not marry off their daughters before the Crown Prince reached coming of age ceremony. If they insist marrying their daughters, then it would be their loss. Who would not want their daughters become a Crown Princess? Only an ignorant person would miss this opportunity!
Meanwhile, when everyone got distracted by the Emperor's words, Roselia kept glancing at one direction. There was a boy standing beside the marble statue. His hair was amber and his eyes was like an emerald jewel. Only one family in Zetas Kingdom had that genes run down in the family. That boy was the heir of Humprey! Yes, it was none other than Thomas Humprey, Willhem's right hand man!
When the hall started busy again, the Claymores took early leave and went back to their mansion. Like Bernard had said, he wanted to head home early so their Rosé would not be lonely. Everyone was not objected his decision. At least, they could avoid the heavy stare from other nobles, because they knew in other eyes, Claymore household contributed too much and made the Emperor really pleased this time.
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Another seasons had passed, that day, Roselia and Rosé celebrated their 12th birthday in the house. Many guests from noble families came and congratulated Roselia. The celebration party was held in the mansion's backyard.
From the West Tower of the mansion, Rosé could saw many guests had gathered to congratulated Roselia and 'her'. From the beginning she was born until now, she was already get used to this things, so she barely felt nothing. She was no longer jealous or wanted to be with everyone else like before. She would rather studying magic or learned about politics or else than spent her time to anything than that.
Rosé walked down the corridor and reached her grandfather's library door. She was surprised when she saw the door already opened! It was felt like the last time, when she visited the library for the first time. With caution, she entered the library. Then, when she walked past two row of bookshelves, she caught a glimpse there was a person walked between the bookshelves!
She felt her blood rush and her heartbeat already reached her ears. With one move forward, she casted magic to cause a person fell asleep.
Thud!
The sound something dropped on hard surface could be heard.
"Who are you?" Rosé asked while she approached the person lying on the floor. She walked closer and saw a young man with jet black hair. He looked a bit older like her second brother, but he had tan skin. She paused for a second to observe the young man. Then she poked his cheek.
"Did you know trespassing is illegal activity and you could be charged by the law?" She muttered for herself. "I hope he didn't fall so hard before. It would be a pitty if there's a blue bruise on his tan skin later."
She pondered a bit then asked in her head. Could it be, it was also this young man who opened the library's door when she came here for the first time?
"I must ask someone to bring you back to backyard. You must be one of the guests down there." Rosé turned her back and started looking for Franches.
Little did she know, the jet black haired young man actually pretended to sleep from the beginning! When he sensed Rosé already walked away, he opened his eyes. Immediately, a pair of gold eyes could be seen and he was staring at the empty library.
"...she is gone." He mumbled while trying to stand up. Even if the sleeping spell didn't work on him, but he felt a little bit dizzy from it. He could tell the girl's magic was good because when he was younger, his father casted a strong shield inside his mind to protect him from any kind of mental magic that could harm him.
He touched his cheek where Rosé poked him before. He could still smell rose fragrance in the air. Looked like the girl was the rumored talented and graceful lady of the Claymore.
"Was it... Roselia Vinne Claymore...?"
Roselia... Rose fragrance. Then, he got it. Before someone came, he quickly went out by the library's window like he usually used to when he visited his Master's library.
Actually, Sullivan Claymore was not his direct Master, but he once met with him. Although he was so young back then, but the profile's of the Great Wizard still engraved deep down in his memory. He had respect Sullivan since young age, which guided him to mastering magic. His dream was to became like Sullivan, a Great Wizard.
"Ah! Your Majesty! Finally, I found you!" Another young man coming closer to the jet black haired young man. "I'm begging you to stop going somewhere without proper protection, Your Majesty! It was not like before when nobody knows your face, now it's different! A lot of people already know you and you must be careful!"
"Edward, you sounded more like my mother these days." The young man looked at his personal knight quite bit amused. "Are there any schedules today?"
Changed the topic, Edward Albernsten could only swallowed another protests he was going about to spout to the person. Well, it could be settled later. The Crown Prince assignments was already piled up when he was away. That matters were more important.
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To Be Continued