"I don't know how those moments went by so quickly, but I realized that I had become reluctant to part ways with her. Not only because of the kindness and affection she had provided me with, but also because I didn't want to face the inevitable that was waiting me outside the carriage.
She saw through my thoughts and said: "You can stay here and not go out. I'll ask Benny to check out the situation inside. But I would suggest that you go witness it yourself. Whatever it might feel like for now, it will give you direction when you feel lost. It will make you realize what you need to do and not let this kind of thing from repeating itself."
I realized something from her words, or maybe I had realized it long ago. But I ultimately decided to go myself.
We disembarked and followed the butler Benny to what looked like the ruins of a once lively town. Due to its location in an open plain that was simple to assault, the bandits presumably didn't use this town as a base. They took everything of value and left behind carnage.
What I saw as we reached the town through the broken gates was a scene of despair and death. There were people there, just that they didn't have any life in them.
As I trudged forward while trying to keep things like, "Maybe they were still alive", "Maybe the bandits took them to their other bases", "Maybe they ran away in time".
Yet when reality finally smacked me in the face, for some reason, I instantly thought of the boy who was killed during the kidnapping and found him quite fortunate. Perhaps that was the easiest fate any of us could have suffered.
As I stood before what used to be my house, something prevented me from going in. I had an impulse to run away. And fortunately for me, that lady let her butler in and advised me to wait outside in case there was danger inside. Yet I was aware that she didn't want me to relate the scene with what might end up being my last recollection of my parents.
Soon, the lady came out and invited me in. When I tried to interpret her facial expression, I saw a glimmer of sadness between her brows. But, while remembering what the lady had said, I stepped inside because I wanted to face reality.
My parents' bodies were covered in a sheet, but I didn't cry when I saw them. Perhaps this is because I had already experienced grief over it while I was in the slave market. I was depressed and feeling lost, but I refrained from crying.
They both had deep worries on their faces rather than any signs of suffering, as if they hadn't ceased worrying about me even as they passed away from this world.
"I want to bury them," that was the first thing I said after a long while. The lady did as I asked and drove me behind the town, and helped me bury my parents. She never asked what I wanted to do after that.. She just took me in her arms and carried me back to the carriage.
And that's how my life in that small town ended forever."
Loreana paused for a moment to allow her mind to rest from the flood of emotions she conveyed through her words.
"She had to be a really nice person..." Crystal muttered as she wiped her eyes.
Loreana smiled, "She was… They both were." Then her expression turned downcast as she muttered in a low voice that only she and Anom could hear: "I hope she's still…"
Anom responded by gently pinching her palm. As Loreana looked at him, he motioned to Crystal, who was wiping her eyes. Loreana nodded slightly, realizing that it was best not to appear weak in front of her daughter. After all, she was going through something similar to what had happened to her. Loreana wanted Crystal to learn to be strong, so she didn't leave out any details about her past. She wanted her daughter to see her mother as a strong woman; someone she could look up to.
Loreana resumed her story after calming her thoughts. She had reached the conclusion of her story.
"I didn't come out of my thoughts until the carriage jerked to a stop as we left my former home. We had finally arrived at the home of that lady and her butler.
I was actually surprised to learn that the home of such an elegant and noble-like lady was actually a village! But that wasn't even the most surprised I was that day."
Loreana's lips curled, as if she'd imagined a funny scene.
"It was a quiet and tiny village of a little more than a hundred people." The lady who rescued me lived on the highest hill there.
When our carriage came to a halt, I was greeted by the sight of many villagers approaching to greet the lady.
The villagers were all ordinary people who had no idea how to empower themselves with energy. The lady never tried to teach them anything because she knew what it took to walk that path.
And you know what was amusing..."
Loreana burst out in giggles, as if reliving the scene she was describing.
"It was only then that I realized the butler who had been accompanying her up until that point was actually her husband." I still remember his expression when he saw my disbelief.
"Dear, I already told you to let me select an outfit for you," the lady laughed. But you won't part with your old butler's uniform. Take a look at this. This poor girl is having trouble connecting you to my gentle appearance."
Benny, her husband, could only respond grumpily. "You didn't forget to compliment yourself even as you beat down my pride."
"What did you say, you oaf?" "Are you suggesting that I'm not gentle?"
"No, No." Benny waved his hands quickly. "Which bastard dares to even think about it? I'll break his legs!"
The villagers around us all smiled as they walked away. They were obviously used to such scenes.
I had also somehow become a part of this scene at that point.
The lady never mentioned adopting me, nor did she ask if I had any other plans.
She only asked me to accompany her to her house, and as soon as I nodded, I had become a member of her family.
Lady Faustina, Uncle Benny, and I.
Just like that, I also slowly began to blend into the peaceful atmosphere of the village.
Only later did I learn that the lady belonged to a former noble family.
Lady Faustina belonged to a greater noble family in some kingdom, as to which one, she didn't mention it.
Benny was her butler when she was the young mistress of the house. He excelled in every area that required his attention, so he was appointed as her aide.
Years passed as he grew fond of his master. He wanted to tell her about it, but due to the difference in their status, he didn't dare to voice his thoughts.
Due to his predetermined mindset, what he didn't realize was that his master, Faustina, also had feelings of affection towards him.
Later, a tragedy struck their family as the reigning kingdom grew worried about the growing strength of Lady Faustina's family. As a result, fear of rebellion, which could lead to a change in monarchy, sparked a conflict between two of the kingdom's most powerful forces.
The unrest caused by this not-so-subtle battle was quickly felt by the other nearby kingdoms. But no one wanted to take the risk because they could face retaliation from both forces if they forced their hand.
However, one kingdom approached Lady Faustina's family in an ingenious way. They claimed to have come in good faith, wanting to assist them in defeating their tyrant ruler and claiming the throne.
The family's head, who was also Lady Faustina's father, was no fool. He was well aware that the opportunity before him was a two-edged sword.
To be honest, it was an unwelcome disaster. They had no intention of claiming royal power. It was simply a one-sided fear developed by the king on his own. Of course, with the help of his "well-wishing" ministers for sure.
But the family head had no choice; the current royal family's pressure was too much for them to bear.
The king could afford sacrifices because he had an army. However, the family consisted of only direct family members and a few branch families. He wasn't willing to lose even one of them.
As a result, having no other choice, the head decided to accept their offer. To the messenger's surprise, the head made it clear that he had no desire for the throne. He only desired a safe and peaceful environment for his family.
Both parties agreed, and the family gained a powerful ally.
Things happened as a matter of course later on. The reigning monarchy was eradicated down to the last direct descendent.
However, the noble family was no better. Some would consider this a pyrrhic victory. But the head knew it was a failure.
They had lost far too many members, whether from direct lineage or from branches.
But before they could even begin to mourn, the double-edged sword finally decided to swing backwards."