Author's Note: What up, my faithful readers! Last time, Luscia had just accidentally came upon Animus and was soundly defeated by him. Now, we will see what will happen to her as Animus revealed that he has done something to her. Stay tuned for the next chapter coming out later today that shows Alex exploring a new city! Enjoy!
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(We first start off in the meeting room) (Which for some reason, has no idea of the things happening just across a few doors away)
"So, how about we end our meeting here?"
"Emperor, I do have one concern though. Hasn't it already been 5 minutes since my daughter has left? Also, it seems like Firon hasn't come back to the meeting either."
"5 minutes? That is a rather short timeframe for going looking for a bathroom. Surely nothing has happened to her? Well, if it concerns you then, I'll send some of my guards to look for both her and Firon so that they can come back to the meeting. Guards, you know what to do!"
"I do hope that she is alright and that no kind of trouble has befallen her. She seems like she would become a valuable ally when she takes over. Do you want to find her personally? I mean, the meeting is practically over so, you have my permission to go around. For extra protection, I'll come with you as well."
"I thank you for your consideration. Brother..., King, I must take my leave now to find my daughter."
"Go ahead. Hopefully, it is just some sort of trivial problem keeping her from coming back. Find my niece, Greis."
"Thank you."
"So, why exactly do you want to come with me?"
"I can sort of relate. I am kind of an overprotective father as well so, I should help out a fellow father. Plus, under these circumstances, any kind of trouble or disturbance could potentially be a danger."
"... You're right."
"Captain, you find anything yet?"
"Um, Emperor, Sir, we found her and Firon already. It was actually pretty easy."
"They're okay?"
"..."
"Captain, what happened?"
"I... can't say it. Duke Roscelto, since you are her father, you have the right to see exactly what happened to her."
"What?"
"Don't worry. I can guarantee you that nothing exceptionally bad has happened to her. On the other hand, Firon is..."
"... I see. I can already hear the controversy that will be coming on the news tomorrow. 'Representative of the Democratic States of Spadagas found
"We have detected large amounts of Thunder elemental energy in the area. Though, that could be because of Duke Roscelto's daughter."
"What do you mean 'struggle'? Sir Firon surely hasn't died, right? Wait, what about my daughter!?"
"Calm down. You already heard that the Captain said that she was alright. Captain, search the entire city for the one responsible. Make sure that no one can enter or leave this city. Anyone who defies the law here, right in Capital City Retia, won't ever leave the Elysian Empire. You may also deploy 'them'. Also, call the Court Magician and listen to whatever demands he may make."
"Sir!"
"Duke Roscelto, you want to see your daughter?"
"O-Of course! I need to know what has happened to her!"
"Come with me then."
"Ah, Firon... I am so sorry for my failure."
"Luscia! Is she alright?!"
"Yes, she is, Sir. We checked all of her vital sign such as her heartbeat, her breathing, and her temperature. I doesn't seem like she is injured in any sort of way but, she is unconscious. So, until she has woken up, she will be under the care of the Court Magician."
"She is alright, Duke. We only need to wait for her to wake up. She may provide some valuable information as to whoever has done this. Since she was right here, she will be able to tell us who we should look for. Guard, have you sent other guards to ask around if they heard anything?"
"Yes, we have but, so far, they have said that they heard nothing."
"Tch! There would surely be sound so, some sort of ability? Wait, is anyone among the attendants or the staff missing?"
"Um, we haven't done that yet."
"Do it now! The person who has done all of this has most likely already fled but, that would only signify that they were the ones who did it. However, if they are still here and we wait for the Duke's daughter to wake up, they would still be revealed. That means, the one who is gone is most likely the culprit. Wait, I need to check something."
"What!? It... It's raining. The rain will get rid of their scent and will wash away any blood left on their clothes. The sound of it could have also drowned out the sound of any scuffle here. Frick! All we can do s make sure that no one leaves and that the Duke's daughter wakes up soon."
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I open my eyes.
So, what did I have to do? I remember some stuff happening...
Oh, right.
I have to go back to the meeting so that I can learn some new information. I stand up from the place I was lying down on. Wait, is this a bed? I don't remember getting on a bed. Well, maybe I fell asleep without meaning to when I just went to lay down?
"Oh, you're alright."
I see a man with green hair and glasses staring back at me. This man seems a bit familiar. I'm sure I saw him before in a book regarding famous people or something.
"Are you... Iaus Gertrald?"
"Oh, so you know my name? In any case, you should stay on the bed and lie down while I check if you are alright."
"What do you mean?"
I feel... weird somehow.
Why do I have to lie down and get checked? Did something happen to me while I was sleeping? I... can't describe what I'm feeling right now. It is almost like... I'm nothing. I don't exactly know what I mean by that but, that is the closest word I can think of right now.
As I thought about this weird thing, the man, Iaus Gertrald (who I somehow guessed the name of), started checking my body for every vital sign, or that's what I assume he is doing due to him checking my chest and putting his hand on my forehead.
"Well, it seems you are alright. Okay, I'll let you see the others but, don't do anything that might be physically demanding like running around."
"Um, okay. Thank you."
I thank the man and started heading out of the room I am in. This seems very odd for me. Why is all of this happening? I don't seem to remember anything super bad happening earlier that could have caused an injury that would make Mister Iaus check my body.
Oh well.
I walk outside while still having the weird feeling persist. I tried to pay no mind to it as I look for everyone else. After checking every hallway, I saw all of them talking to each other happily. I could see my father, the Emperor, Kai and Calli, and some other people talking with them.
This feels so... depressing, for some reason.
I say that but, I don't actually feel sad right now. I just feel unconnected to them. Like, they are people who I never met before having fun. I can definitely see their happiness as they talk but, I don't actually FEEL them at all. Almost like an invisible barrier is stopping me from being with them.
I never felt this sort of thing before. It sounds sad but, I couldn't actually tell you if I'm sad or not. I also don't feel my face changing or moving at all. Maybe something bad really did happen. I can't let anyone know this as they would get worried. I need to shoulder this weird feeling myself as it is not affecting anyone, only me.
"Hey, Luscia, you're alright!"
I see Calli running over to me with a big smile. I need to at least act a bit normal. That should be easy though. I can act exactly how I used to, with the only difference being this sort of feeling.
"Hi, Calli. It's nice to see you again."
"Yeah! So, are you feeling alright?"
"Well, I feel okay so, I think I am."
"Are... you really sure?"
"Of course, Kai."
"I'm glad to see that you are alright, Luscia von Roscelto."
"I am honored that even the Emperor was concerned about my health."
Even though I have no idea what would be the thing that is causing everyone to be concerned about my health.
"Luscia, I'm so happy you are alright."
I then see father coming towards me with tears in his eyes. He looks so relieved that it kind of makes me feel guilty for pretending to be alright. Well, I think I feel guilty? I don't actually know anymore. But, as I said, that will only hurt me.
I can NEVER, EVER, bring myself to wipe the happy faces off of the people who care about me. I will keep this to myself to keep everyone happy. Even if it sacrifices my own happiness.
...
Oh, hey.
I didn't cry this time when I thought about that. Maybe I finally accepted this way of thinking. My nice nap must have truly enlightened me. From now on, this will be my mask that I wear in the public.
My persona.