"Being a hero doesn't mean you are perfect. It means you accept people's weakness as your own and move on together as one"
-Layra Reinhardt
Sneaking out of the mansion I wandered into the streets of Viraim City under disguise. It wasn't hard to change my appearance. All I had to do was use contact lenses and wear the commoner clothes. Compared to the time when my mother was still alive, these places look ghostly to me. The city that was once filled with love and compassion no longer exists. With the duchess raising the taxes two times higher than usual many people struggle with their job. They ended up working in another territory to feed their family. As I walked through the market, my eyes landed on a few children running around the streets, helping with their parents' errands. Only a few people stop by to take a look at groceries in the market. When I stopped to buy some apples, I heard a group of elderly women talking sinisterly about the Reinhart family.
"Have you heard? The Duchess and her son brought so many gems last night! I heard it was the highest quality from the capital, can't you believe that?"
"Ah, I saw them last night! They raised our taxes and took the riches for themselves. Now, look at what they bought. Jewellery, diamond, oh my God...I barely cover my daily necessities"
"Ever since the duke brought that woman and her son, everything becomes a mess"
"What a joke, how can they take an illegitimate son as heir and abandon young master Layra? That crazy duke!"
"Sssh! Lower your voice! What if patrol guards heard you? However, I just hope a miracle comes to us all. Maybe young master Layra can still save us all"
"I wonder if he even tried to save us and this territory, let's just hope he will bring justice for us all"
I took a deep breath and ignored their voices. There is no point in thinking about that or listening to their voices. It will only ruin my mood. Besides, I don't have enough power to support my position as the heir. Other than my golden-coloured eyes that I inherited from my grandparents, I lose in political standing. The servants were no longer on my side and did whatever the duchess told them to do. Citizen's support won't be enough for me to win this fight. Did they think I'm not doing anything? I'm struggling to limit the Duchess from causing further disaster to our land. I lead my father every day for their sake, only to receive an icy glare with punishment in the end. I never thought everything would change after the wars against the Darkengard's exile. I still remember the days when we were waiting for the Duke to return. I'm truly excited to see my father again after so many years. My mother organized everything and we held a wonderful feast for him. We put 'welcome back' words on the wall, along with balloons and ribbons. However, everything collapsed when my father came in with another woman on his side along with a boy around my age. He refused to be carried by my father and pointed his finger at me. Everyone was truly shocked at that time, his declaration made my mother pass out in my arms. The cold look my father had for her, I will never forget it.
"Hey, kid! Fancy to see you here. Oh, I see you buy more apples again!" The old man's voice brought me to reality. I shook my head and turned to see Braun. "Are you sure? You look busy though, having some requests lately?" His brown curly hair looks messy like usual. Though he's fifty years old, his physical condition is still in his prime. His apron covered his shoulders, chest and extended past the abdomen to about the knees, made of heavy-weight, full-grain leather.
"Well, you know kid… working as a blacksmith has its advantage, come on now, Arista wanted to see you" he gave me a basket of apples with a huge smile on his face. "Okay, let's do it then" I walked beside him and paid attention to his mana. I didn't even realize that I walked straight to the wall. "Oww, that hurt. Why don't you tell me I'm heading straight to the wall?" I quickly get up and frown at him. Oh, so that's really funny for him. He was laughing so hard that he couldn't even answer my question. "Braun Rozengriz~" both of us turn to the source of that voice and see Artias with her murderous smile. "Oh, my dear! Hahaha, it's nothing right? My mind wanders on someone else- I mean wait nooo stop!" This time I was the one who laughed at him. Artias and Brain were like my family. After my mother died, they were the ones who reached out to me. However, I couldn't stay with them due to the duke's order. I don't understand what the Duke wants. He wants me to stay there where I get daily punishment for something I never did. I've been trying to escape a few times and ended up getting caught by Elite guards. The ending was worse than regular punishment. "Dear? Are you lost in your mind again? Come inside" she touched my forehead with a worried expression on her face. "Thank goodness you're alright, come inside now my dear" she gently hold my hands and went inside their house while Braun rubbed his red ears.
Their house looks so simple and yet, truly comfortable. There are so many weapons hanging on the wall. Braun called these weapons his masterpieces that he won't sell to anyone. The table was set for us, the smells of jasmine tea and freshly baked bread filled his nose. The three of us enjoy our breakfast peacefully without having anyone disturb us until I feel their eyes on me. "Is..something wrong?" I wondered why they would act so strange right now. They keep looking at each other and staring back at me. "It's just..you have grown up now Layra, even with your contact lens your eyes still glowing when you observed my mana, plus you need someone to teach you more about magic and swordsmanship, you might be battlemage just like your grandfather" Artias held her husband hands before he nodded at her. The situation made him more confused when he left the table "We just want the best for you and I know how much you dream of freedom. I don't think the duke will ever release you. He will put a leash on you to be with Erath. After all, you've been in the empire and your mother made a lot of connections while always mentioning your name. We will help you to leave this place tomorrow night" I accidentally spilled tea from shock. She can't be mean to do that right? What if something happened to them? Come on me, talk to them, reject them or say you had your plan! No matter how hard I think, I couldn't lie or say anything back at her. "We also want you to have this kid" Braun's voice startled me from behind. He placed long metallic spears on the table, with a unique design. The spear had the same color as his eyes, there is his name engraved on the blade. When he gripped the spear, it was rather light and he could swing it easily. The only problem is the spear is taller than him, but that doesn't matter. He loves this spear and he will take care of it preciously "This is the greatest gift I ever have! Thank You so much both of you!" I leaned the spears on the wall before I ran into their arms, hugging them tightly. The distress, overthinking and any other negative emotion disappear from my mind. Everything is replaced by their current happiness moment.
"By the way, you should go now. Make sure to be prepared for tomorrow night kiddo. Don't worry I have my own way" I see Braun's expression and feel reassured by his words. After all, he is the one who protected me everytime we went south. The duke had no choice but to listen to him. He is the only one who accepts irrational requests with cheap prices. "Alright, tonight it is" I gave them one last hug before leaving their house and sneaking into my secret passage inside the mansion. Creeping into a crack on the wall, covered by rock and bushes, I finally arrived inside the mansion. I felt relieved that no one saw me yet or they were probably too busy to care. Suddenly, I feel a hand gripped my hands harshly. Due to my instinct, I reflectively kick the unknown intruder away "Oh my, that is a nice kick. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough." My eyes widened when he block my attack. Impossible, I enhanced my physics with Mana and how did he catch it easily? "Ah relax, I'm not here to cause trouble. After all, I'm just to see what kind of person are you. I mean our leader go into such a great length to retrieve you golden eyes" He slowly step away from me and take off his hood to reveal a short white hair with a smiley mask on his face. "Wait what are you talking about, how do you know- wait a second! You are intruders!" The man laughed loudly after I said 'intruder' and shook his head. "Nope, I'm just your magnificent daily guest. You should get rid of those contact lenses or the duke might have the impression you are sneaking away, which is absolutely you do."
As much as I wanted to knock off that mask from his face, I needed to quickly take off my contact lens or it would be the end for me. Though, his words raise more questions in my mind. Who is his leader? Did he say daily guest? What is his business here? This is the first time he's ever seen him here or perhaps he always comes here but he never meets him directly? "Here let me help-" I slap his hands away and take a few steps back from him. He's suspicious. "Oh my, what rude kids. I'm not gonna harm you or anything. Well, it seems The time is up!" Before I protested he snapped his finger two times in front of my eyes. "Oh my lord! I'm really sorry for coming late! I..thought you will wait in the garden like usual- you.." my face went pale when the duke saw my eyes. He will see my eyes for sure but instead of wrath, he went to my side and pet my head. I was dumbstruck at his behavior. What the hell is happening here? "I see you've meet him, he truly like my father. They look exactly the same hahahaha. Though I'm not sure about his capabilities but he inherited my father eyes. I'm sure he will will a great person someday" I just merely standing there with clear confusion plastered on my face. Eyes? So he did something to my eyes? "Though.." the duke suddenly, change his tone. It was deeper and darker than before he gripped my shoulder tightly and looking down at me with his icy cold eyes. "I'm sure Erath will do better. If you take Erath instead of this kid, I can assure you many great things" my heart drop in instant. Although, I didn't want to go with this smiley mask person, it still hurt me to hear him like that. Saying things like that in front of other people is like digging my old wounds. It's so painful. The way he praise the other kid and look down on me made me grow frustrated. Braun is right, there is no point to stay in this toxicity. "Really? Why would I? Erath, the son of the duke Reinhardt and unknown woman during the wars against the exile, plus he is not the chosen one whom inherited your father abilities. What an unfortunate kid! Ah by the way magic surely working in mysterious ways right?" The man poked eyehole before he walked away, leaving the duke to chase after him. I was dumbstruck with what happened. There is too many things he didn't understand. Ah perhaps this is the punishment for running away to city lately. I need to go to my room and prepare now. When I turned around, I accidentally step on something. "Hmn? What is this- wait that is my contact lenses? When did he..ugh nevermind" I went inside the mansion without much care in the world whether my shoes dirty or my clothes looks like...commoner. I could hear the servants whispering about me. Ah what a traitor, they used to bow their heads to me and my mother now look at them. To gain duchess favor, they often humiliate me in front of them especially in dinner time. Sitting down on my bed, I stared at my dusty room. I can see the spider webs hanging in the ceiling, cracked walls, and broken wardrobe. I turn to my window to see what's going on outside. I watched the duke interaction with that man as they talk or probably arguing right now until I saw a messenger come with his horse and give the duke a message. He didn't know what kind of message it was but, the man with smiley mask look angry that he choke the duke suddenly. In instant all the elite guards draw their swords. I stared at them intently hoping for a battle between them. Unfortunately, lady fortuna still love the duke. The masked man let go of him and walk away from mansion before disappear so sudden into thin air. I saw the duke fall down on his knees, oh that is too much satisfying for him but it wasn't long. His son, Erath kicked the door opened and pointed his swords at me.
"How dare they choose you, come and fight me, loser! I will show you the difference between our strengths! Both of you drag him into the training ground!
I quickly stood up on my ground, I glared at the spoiled brat in front of me who resembled the duchess too much. This won't end easily, will he be able to leave this place tonight? Only God knows.