Prologue (Part 1)
In the year 1000 the day of the 29th of December whence a blessed celebration of the Soledad Empire had commenced, the gigantic and most sacred tree that span of a thousand plus meters tall high bloomed suddenly in an ominous color of red instead of its usual glowing icy lilac complexion.
Although the whole empire was in turmoil, only a secret group of high-ranking mages and one official duchess was silently anticipating the unexpected change.
There, the newly-turned 25 years old Duchess Lilith Aurelia of the Aurelia Duchy, was smiling auspiciously, "Oh dear, it seems the massacre will finally start."
"What? What, massacre?" Regan dumbfoundedly asks.
"Yes. Massacre."
"What the hell are you reading to my children Gabe?!"
"It's a detailed explanation of the crimes of Lilith Aurelia. Fufu, They are strong children so it shouldn't mat-" BANG!
Uncle Gabe couldn't finish his monologue after mother froze his tongue. I guess I'll have to escort him back to his residence while enduring his screams.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Ngy kongue!!" With that cry, Uncle Gabe launched himself out the window and carefully landed on the carriage outside.
"I'll be escorting Uncle now. I'll come back soon Regan and Mother." Regan leaned in and kissed me on the cheek cutely. "See you later, sister."
"That damned brother dare talk about cursed tomes to my kids. He's losing his mind from all those historical adventures of his! Well anyway, Tabitha, go on
and hurry back. It's the accursed day so it be best for you to be careful." Mother guided me on the carriage where Uncle Gabe was blatantly crying with his frozen, albeit melting so slowly, tongue out.
As the carriage made its way to the Extended Family of the Obiel Clan's village, I remember once again the story of Lilith Aurelia the 29th Duchess of the Aurelia Duchy but now excommunicated with the Cromwell Family regaining its place from hundreds of years ago.
'As expected. Even though I'm to-be the heiress of the Obiel Duchy and prophesized Ruler of the Soledad Empire, I still can't wrap my head around all of this history lessons.
"You look like you're deeply troubled about something, my niece." Uncle Gabe, who just finished downing a potion of anti-freezing, said with eyes full of tease.
"Well dear Uncle, It's not something you should concern about." I sweetly replied and act cutely which made him frown instantly.
"Alright. Let's stop with the sweet Uncle and Niece conduct and continue with the topic. Ugh! You know I hate it when people choose to act as cute things at an inappropriate age." He sighed
"I'm serious though, you do seem to be troubled about a lot of things. If I'm not wrong then is it related to the matter you spoke of before? Have you even tried to consult the Patriarch about it?"
I knew that Uncle Gabe was concerned not only because it is a matter regarding the proper handlings of the Duchy heirs but also because with no-underhanded-reason-for-me to say this, I truly am his favorite niece despite being a late-bloomer of the family ability.
"I haven't talked to father yet."
He shifted on his seat uncomfortably. I understand his concern right now as I talk about this.
My father, Patriarch Paris of the Obiel Duchy, did not have a good relationship with my mother's family especially Uncle Gabe.
Uncle Gabe used to be an exception however as I grew up, I tended to talk about private matters more with Uncle thus my father had accused Uncle Gabe of stealing his daughter's love.
'Tsk tsk. What was I supposed to do when there's a big pressure just standing outside the Patriarch's office and it's the only way to speak with father in those moments?'
"It seems Paris will drill holes in my body if I listen to you right now." He snickered but then cleared his throat, "Well it doesn't matter. I'm sure you'll stop him from murdering me, after all the motive of murder will be about you." This damned old man using me as a shield.
I sighed. "Well anyway, what is it that's troubling you, Tabitha?"
"Uncle, do you sometimes feel like you're not in the position you want to be in?"
He stared at me weirdly. I guess it would sound odd if it comes from the future heiress of a Duchy name and also a prophesized ruler of the Empire in the near future, to say things as those. In the eyes of the citizens, my future is bright and I am technically loved by all yet why do I still feel conflicted? If it were those other people, they may respond 'You're already in a good position and you still want more?' or 'Does that mean you want to overthrow the current Duke now?'. But I can't expect Uncle Gabe to be like that at all because despite his goofy actions within our family, he is the top-ranked professor and historian in the whole empire.
As expected. Uncle Gabe's body language that seemed loose from earlier shifted to that of his usual appearances when talking to his students.
"Tabitha. Do you not want those positions? You can answer honestly."
"N-no... That's not what I mean."
"Really? Because it seems to me that your underlying words refer to wanting to running away from all those responsibilities."
Damn it. I couldn't help but flinch slightly at the word 'responsibilities'.
"If you are unsure about your position, there is a definite way to push away the heiress situation however it could not be the case for the throne."
"As you know, the throne had long been empty since its third ruler albeit not as distinguished as the first ruler Soledad who had become the saint of this formerly desolate lands and had purified it to become the land of our Soledad Empire of today. Until Soledad there were already signs of magic from everywhere however it used to be a rare case for humans to acquire nor produce mana. And you, Tabitha Obiel and the other direct Duchy household's bloodline, just like the first ruler Soledad, is blessed with mana at birth. People outside of the Duchy clans are only able to acquire mana at the age of five without risking ourselves of mana poisoning."
Ugh. I should've known he'll spit out facts to tie me in my seat.
'Damn you Uncle. I thought you'll be on my side.'
"Stop glaring, niece. I know you might think that I'll be on your side as always regarding various matters however not in this case." He removed his glasses and opened the window to the carriage. His common blonde hair swayed gently as he stuck out his pointing finger. Almost immediately green mana had swirled towards his hand.
"This amazing ability, despite being a common existence now, is still a wonderful thing for me. I see it as a gift. A blessing."
He took my hand and gently placed it openly by the window. Without a second to spare, the wind picked up and the carriage rattled a few more times than normal.
"Please hold on, I think there's a storm passing by! We'll get there in no time." We heard the driver yell.
The trees swung dangerously towards the carriage and pebbles have carefully gathered towards my palms even leaves started to cut themselves off from their twigs. With that, Uncle Gabe pushed the pebbles and leaves away before placing my hand back in the carriage and closing the window.
"Do I have to say anything else? As you have seen, the materials of this land which carries mana wants to stick to you. It is proof as well as a blessing that can only be seen on those who are prophesized to inherit the throne. Of course we common folks would feel lucky and excited about a smart and mature child to inherit the throne properly. But then again, if the said 'smart and mature' inheritor chooses to stay out of those matters. It will damn us all." He put his glasses back on.
"I want to tell you 'no pressure' just like always but this is a birthright that you cannot push away. As an advice to a heavy-loaded child, you can slowly raise your brother Regan or other family members to the position of the Duchy Head to lessen the burden." Very calmly he spoke and pushed the door open. It seems with arrived at his residence.
"Will you have tea or go back quickly?"
"I promised Mother I'll come back as soon as I see you off. See you next time, Uncle." I lowered my head in respect without climbing out of the carriage. Soon enough, the coachman drove back home.
'I don't think I'm someone amazing though. Me? Become the Queen? Ha.'
"Even to me, it's ridiculous."
"Why?"
I almost gasped. A sweet ominous voice flowed in the air and an almost transparent figure was sitting at the seat where Uncle Gabe had been on. I don't think I'm sleepy enough to hallucinate things nor was I particularly well-versed on spirit magic.
"Fufufu you cute child. Even if you don't try, you'll still be able to do good at any magic, you know? Spirit magic seems to be the ability that awoken me from eternal slumber." Her pitch black hair swayed with the wind from the what-I-thought-was-closed window. The dangerous sharp red eyes yet also shining golden had focused its attention to me. Her overall complexion didn't seem bad but she looked like she hadn't been sleeping properly. Of course that's not all I could say.
She was beautiful. She looked like a perfect individual sculpted with amazing technologies with no mistake. Her eyelashes were longer and alluring than normal, as well as her well-placed beauty mark under her right upper cheek. Despite being very thin, she looked full. In other words, she looked like a porcelain doll.
"Fufufu you really are interesting. Thank you for the compliment however you should already know who I am based on your descriptions."
I was dumbfounded. She was right. Based on my descriptions, I should know who this alluring yet ominous person was. Someone from the cursed bloodline before the tragedy of year 1000. A membered of the former cursed bloodline family.
A descendant from the cursed Cromwell family of the years before 1000.