Autumn, 5 months has passed since Zairon's birthday. In just a few weeks my new sibling will be here. I've been giving them hints that it will be a girl, which is also the hints from the author in her forum when someone asked a question; "if the duchess survived and gave birth, what would be the gender of the child?"
She replied that it would be a girl explaining that Caesar should be the one to inherit the title of Duke if such rebellion didn't happen.
Anyway, Aunt Mavis left the Duchy three months ago with her ten months old baby, Euphrasia. She didn't explain why or when they will come back in the letter. A simple and short farewell was written. The clueless Yessenia and Azi left were here with us and they are not aware that their mother left in the middle of the night with their sister. They didn't seem to care either after Jemina and Anna explained it to them.
Meanwhile Caesar, Laxus and Lexus left four months ago for a new school year at the academy. Raelle also sent us a letter informing us that Leanna also left.
Meanwhile, me and Yessenia are studying magic because of Prince Asterion. The presents that he mentioned are a couple of books about magic. Such as; History of Magic, Basic and intermediate Magics, Mana Theories, and so on.
I was surprised at first when I received them. After all the books look like the 1st Editions and they were wrapped with such care.
"Young Miss what should we do about this?" I didn't look at it at all because I knew it was the usual ones.
"Burn it as usual Jemina."
"Yes... Young Miss," The other present are small portraits of Zairon and a letter containing about engagement (that has not been approved and thankfully) which was obviously to annoy me.
I bet he does this to Zairon knowing his personality. Speaking of, after our meeting in the office room, he leeched into me and announced it to most people he knows, he even called me his sister-in-law.
["I feel sorry for you."]
Hearing it again displeases me. Maybe because Zairon is the one who said it to me after I got away from the first prince. Looking back at the books, I still don't know why he gave me these.
But, his face did exceed my imagination.
"What is it? You always have something to burn," I looked at Yessenia. I did not tell her about that gift. If she figured out what it is. She will not leave it alone. Hence burning them without her knowledge of it is the best idea.
"His grace will be gone for a month," I nod at Jemina. He left days ago for an urgent matter. So it's just in this castle.
"How's mother?" I asked Jemina who was preparing the cookies for me, "Oohh! Is the baby coming out?"
"Soon," I answered Yessenia and she let a shriek of excitement, "Another baby!"
I lowered my face and munched on a cookie. In the past months I didn't let my mother out of my sight and I even begged my father to accompany her at all times. Which was weird for him but mother brush it off by saying that I was overprotective and clingy to her since she's carrying my baby sister. Hell, yes I can't let my mother die, it would be a waste.
Thankfully my father still formed a knight to protect and guard my mother. Good thing that she rarely goes out that I can rest easy but... then I overheard my mother two days ago talking to Noland inside her working room.
(2 days ago)
"Your Grace, I beg you to reconsider staying here," It is evident on Noland's face of how worried he is for mother.
"It is dangerous for you to travel especially in your condition, your grace"
I saw my mother smile and put down her pen, "I am still the saintess of the empire. I should help whoever is in need"
That's the saintess for you. Even if i'm taking a peek through the small gap on the door.
"But, your grace, if the Duke finds..."
"No worries, no worries. I already sent a letter to my husband," Seeing my mother smile sweetly made my heart sink. Despite Noland begs my mother she is determined to travel to the East.
After that, I spent 4 days reading newspapers during my free time, looking for more information. I did everything like Chatting with the maids and servants and visiting the training ground. At first they were scared of me. I wondered what happened, though they answered me honestly and it was because of what I did to Madam Helia.
Ehem, based on what I gather from them—the empire's land is drying up and there are several areas that confirmed this. Drought entered and the ones who will be greatly affected by this are commoners. Not long the food prices will rise and people will develop illness.
Then I read a newspaper the other day. There are bandits that are actively running wild at the borders of each region. Because of this, the emperor summoned all the nobles in the empire to discuss this and find a solution. It is the urgent thing my father has to attend.
This part has not been mentioned further in the story and the reason why I do not have any ideas. I have a hunch though that mom may die one of these days.
"I heard that the eastern region was greatly affected"
"There were already dead bodies discovered"
I heard the maids talking in low voices as I walked in the hallway hand in hand with Jemina.
"It's been months since the lands dried up. If only it rains just for hours..."
The most affected region is East, mother's birthplace. Despite the East being known for great mages, they were heavily dealt with.
She is the saintess of this world after all. No wonder if she wanted to help the people of the empire. It must be the reason why she was killed in the novel. Her magic capabilities and her judgment is already a threat. Zairon is the one who crosses my mind when I think of it.
"There you are young miss!"
Feeling pumped I went to my mother's office and asked her to bring me along. If she declines, I will just sneak at the back of their carriage.
"Ok. You can come with me," my mouth opened in surprise.
"R-Really Mother?" I ask for the second time. I might have heard her wrong. There's no way she would let me join her.
She smiled brightly and said, "Yes. I think I will need help"
I was surprised at the same time, happiness swelled inside me. I stood up and went to the door when Mother spoke.
"Oh? are you leaving already Wren?" I nod at my mother and step outside when I glance back again. She is smiling while rubbing her tummy.
"don't worry mother I will make sure both of you live," I whispered and closed the door behind.
last night I remembered someone in the novel. In Vacarella estate there is someone who is strong and trained the current duke, his siblings as well as he is in charge of training the knights of Vacarella.
"Y-Young Miss... slow down"
despite his old age he still doesn't want to retire and right now he is the swordmaster of my brother. It will be reassuring to have somebody like him around.
The sound of wooden swords hits each other rings in my ears followed by a couple of groans, screeches on the floors; i felt a cold breeze on my cheeks followed by a soft whilst.
"Hup"
"Young Miss!" Before I could turn away, Jemina pulled me behind a pillar.
In my earlier spot there was the sword thrown off. If she was late second to pull me, I'm hurling in pain there.
"Is that all you got Colton?!" I peek and saw Sir Antonio training the new recruits.
I think he did not notice me because his focus is on one kid.
"N...No Sir!" He raised once again
that boy he came here a month ago after Yessenia saw him in the dark alley, eating spoiled bread. She recruited him on whim.
But... "He doesn't look like he was improving," I mumbled to myself and sigh.
I see him training under Sir Antonio everyday at this time of the day.
Colton gritted and ran towards my direction, rather to where the sword is. Seeing me behind the pillar made his eyes wide momentarily then ran back to Sir Antonio with his sword, he swung it, then thrust it, when the old knight easily deflected it with his swords' flat surface. The sword flies once again and this time, Sir Antonio knocks him out cold.
"Haiz, this kid when will he learn... oh," I smiled when he noticed me.
I ran and he crouched down to reach my level, "What brings you here, Young Miss?"
"Come with us tomorrow Sir Antonio!"
"Tomorrow? Are you going somewhere?"
I nod and answered, "Yes! I will accompany Mother to Aurea!"
"Hmm..." He fell silent for a moment before ruffling my hair
"I thought the Madam is the only one going to think that even the young miss is joining us," he grinned at me and stood up. Does it mean that he will think it over?
"Of course, young miss. Even if you didn't order me I will follow wherever my master is"
those lines... ouch, I felt pain shot through my head as if my head being pounded multiple times.
"Don't worry Young Miss. No matter what happens, Us, The Knights of Vacarella will protect you"
my head felt more pain with those last words that I left the practice area in a hurry. I think I should organize my plans for our departure.
We have arrived at the Aurea estate after a long journey. There we saw several nobles outside and one of them.
"Carina" As soon as we came out, Aunt Evelyn greeted us and closed her fan, "I told you not to come"
My mother smiled and shook her head, "Im fine, sister"
Soon, people with shabby, tattered clothes, almost skinny came close. Kneeling on the ground and lowering their heads synchronously.
"The saintess!"
"Saintess... help us"
Their pleas echo in my ears as we pass on by. My mother on the other hand stopped and clasped her hands with a woman.
"Of course. First let me give you a small blessing," the woman cries as she stares at my mother while receiving the blessing. Sir Antonio escorts me and my mother inside. Even after passing the gates, the synchronous pleas of people can be heard.
'Only to wish for a miracle brought by Saintess'
A shiver ran down on my body as I spun around. I could tell that someone was staring at us... was it my imagination?
"Galan holed himself in his office. Preparing a budget for relief goods and investigating the bandits hiding. That is why some of Aurea's Vassals are here..."
that's why many people are coming in and out outside the mansion.
Oh, Now that I realized Aunt Evelyn's husband is a vassal of Aurea. The Holton family is known for being the longest family who swear loyalty to Aurea.
"You should rest Carina. I will call you for Dinner soon"
"Then, Your Grace, I will wait outside your rooms," a knight said and stationed themselves at the door.
A sigh escaped from my lips as soon as I closed the door. We will stay here for several days, my mother plans to visit all the places that are greatly affected by drought. Outside through the window, I could see those people are not leaving, instead they increased in numbers. Once again I felt a pair of eyes on me... this is creeping me out.
My gaze instantly fell on an alley. Although the sun is setting and the skies are colored with orange and red, the shadow on that alley is not enough to hide himself.
I saw a tall man with a slender build, he has a cloak covering him, a sword on his back. His sharp eyes are staring at me. I felt that my knees weakened as his stares felt like he was holding my neck. I closed the curtains and dropped to my knees.
For an hour I read a book and tried to remember about the novel. But... "Hahh... Why does everything seem blurry?"
Just then Jemina knocked on my door. I come outside and a Knight is waiting for me.
---------------------------------------------------
As soon as the sun is up, the siblings gather in the duke's office. The quiet atmosphere soon breaks as Carina tries to cast magic.
"Brother it seems something is blocking our mana," Carina laid out her palm, a small rune appeared shortly and disappeared afterwards, "I found out last night when I cut myself..."
Another try and it disappeared once again. Evelyn, on the other sofa sigh and said.
"Ever since we noticed that the lands are drying up. We tried casting preservation magic and I even tried using my unique magic but..." She stopped in the middle and sighed in resignation
It really means that the mana flow in the Eastern Region is blocked.
"Right. I had Count Holton investigate it," Without looking at the two ladies, Galan signed more papers and sighed heavily. Slumping back at his chair.
"It was hard to trace but there was a tiny hint of anti-magic barrier around"
the two women listened to the duke and he continued while reading more papers on the table.
"though, it was still under investigation"
"Do you think it was possible that they were the ones behind this?" Carina asks that made Evelyn and Galan look at her.
Galan sat properly and answered, "Maybe..."
Silence filled the room once more, steam from tea cups rose as Evelyn drinks it. No one dares to talk with that they understood that, the enemy is not to be underestimated.
"did the emperor know about this?" Carina asked his older siblings and they replied to her with heavy sigh. She didn't inquire more.
"Anyway, what is your schedule for today?" Galan asked,
"Hmm... I will still try at the central plaza"
"You know we can't use our mana," Evelyn finally looks at Carina with cold gaze
"I know... but I should still try," she gives Evelyn a small smile.
Evelyn lets out a scoff and stands up, her siblings watch her as she closes the door.
Outside the room there was a gentleman waiting for her. His orange hair is slightly damp, his eyes lit up as soon as he sees Evelyn.
Evelyn sighs and lets out a hankerchief, "Louie are you done with your investigation?"
The gentleman is Evelyn's husband, Count Holton and one of the loyal vassals of Aurea. He is the one in-charge of investigating the anti-magic barrier that is placed in.
He shakes his head and sighs, "It's harder than I thought it would be"
There is no sound that can be heard except their heels clacking on the floor and some people working inside the mansion.
"I see that your sister is here," She did not respond to that statement and just flatly looks in front
Sensing that his wife would rather not talk about this topic pressed him to tease her.
"I suppose she is here as a Saintess then?"
"Yes. Although it is useless since our mana flow is blocked," Louie noticed the annoyance in her tone that made him look at her.
"she should go home," She added and walked faster which made Louie chuckled, "Oh dear..."