Brother Nicholas personality may be barbaric and impulsive but his penmanship is the neatest I have ever seen in my life, both the previous and the current I am in. That is why it was easy for me to figure out it was his writing.
And in the letter, with his writing says that he became the duke of the Emond duchy officially. I was happy. But it was too soon for father to give him the seat.
But then, in the latter half of the letter states why he became the duke of Emond. Both mother and father passed away after being attacked by bandits on their way to one of the Emond estates in the east side city near the capital.
It was barely two months that we have been together. That I have live with them.
Despite being together for barely two months, I was able to make more memorable and happy memories with them compared to the family I had in my previous life for more than twenty years.
"...!"
It can't be, is this the so called 'fate' that was mentioned in the board yesterday?
The thought of me being the reason behind their death made me fall to my knees.
"Ha, haha!"
I was laughing like a maniac.
Pang!
"My lady!"
Sir Aiden forcefully took away the small metal container I used to hit myself with.
They must have thought I broke mentally upon knowing my parents died, but no. I hit myself to regain my composure. I doubt slapping myself would be enough to bring me back to reality.
"Please get me some water"
Sir Aiden ran downstairs to get me some water while Samuel and Almas were comforting me.
Samuel who almost lost his foster father countless times knew how much it would hurt for your parents to die, and it happened to the very lady he was serving.
Naturally, he wasn't able to say anything but instead kept patting my back gently.
-Master, are you okay?
'No. Someone killed my parents. I am sure of it'
-Shall I kill them for you?
'Can you?'
-With time, I can.
'Then, Almas, my spirit and first servant, please investigate my parent's death with the best you can. If you find out anything, come back here and report to me'
-I will, master.
Whoosh.
The rat faded away as if he turned into mist that was blown by the wind.
Samuel was too busy comforting me that he didn't notice the rat vanishing into thin air.
"My lady... pant... her you go"
I slowly drank the water to avoid getting choked. Though I have calmed myself somehow mentally, it is not like my body can do the same.
"I'm okay now. Rather, please give me a quill and paper"
I wrote a reply back to my brother. It were comforting words that they will need. I knew better than anyone else how much they loved our parents.
I also wrote a "thank you" to them for informing me about this matter.
I also added reminders to make sure that they eat in time and to take care of themselves.
I can manage somehow but I can't even begin to imagine how much pain they are going through right now.
"Sir Aiden, please, make someone trustworthy to send this letter to one of my brothers personally as fast as they can"
He simply nodded and left to do as I said.
...
The maid from earlier came back and brought our lunch.
I was not really in the mood to eat but still force to swallow them. If I don't eat anything, I won't be able to move much later on.
"Samuel, I'm sorry for taking your time reading your letter but can you help me on something?"
"Of course. Say it and I shall do it"
"Then, come with me"
We went to the imperial library after leaving a letter for Sir Aiden to inform him that we are there. As a regular who almost who go there everyday entering was easy.
"It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it is a book regarding magic and the ancient magic kingdom bring them here on the table"
Several minutes later, he came back with books. A second wave. And another wave until the books piles up.
Hours went by and I was simply sitting on the chair reading ancient spells and incantations that can only be used by magicians.
The empress knew before that I was reading a lot of books regarding magic but never expected me to be a magician myself thanks to the doors of the imperial palace which will set an alarm once a magician passes through.
She simply thought it was a hobby mine and let it slide.
With times against me, I used all my focus to memorize more spells and incantations per hour until night falls.
"Sir Aiden"
"Yes, my lady?"
"Please tell to her majesty that I don't care about the gold anymore. I won't be able to come to the other events tomorrow or the other days that will come. I will be staying here in the imperial library for a bit"
He bowed and left without saying anything.
"Samuel"
"Yes, my lady?"
"Sleep"
"Huh?"
"I said sleep. There is no need for you to stay awake and stare at me. Get some rest"
"But-"
"That is an order"
Instead of lying down, he stood up.
"I can't my lady. You are pushing yourself, so how can I possibly sleep while knowing my lady is working so hard. I may not know why you are reading about books like these but I do know you have a reason to. That is why I cannot do as you ordered me to"
"I am telling you to sleep now so that you can be awake when I sleep later. Do you get it now?"
Upon realizing that we weren't at the emerald palace and that we were in the diamond palace where countless nobles comes in and out anytime, he realize that we were in a 'danger zone' where nobles who hate me can try to kill me or abduct me.
"I shall take a short nap then. Please wake me up if anything happens"
"Sure"