Entering the house I was greeted by the busy Grand Duke Valentine and Waren who were setting out to their respective working places, The Imperial Administration and Imperial Knight Training Center. Both of their attention turned to me watching me walking inside. Grand Duke looked at me from top to bottom and his eyes softens in remembrance of someone, I wonder who.
'' Did First Aster ask you for something?'' Warren asked me. I frowned, '' What will he ask from me?'' He shook his head a little and took his sword. He didn't even bother to ask anything and frankly speaking, I thought he would ask me something, why wasn't I at home last night? Why did I leave with Izaak? Have I been harmed anyway? I clenched my fist and hide the disappointment under the mask of my unbothered face. How foolish of me?
'' Letter from Dhakun came. You have to be there within 5 days.'' Grand Duke spoke finally. I sighed and nodded, '' I will be gone by tomorrow morning.''
Grand Duke looked at me with a little shock, '' 2 days? Why so fast?'' If I didn't know what he thinks of me I would've misunderstood his words as words out of concern. But I am too numb to think and hope that way. I replied to his question with a soulless voice,
'' I don't want to stay in a place where my existence isn't worth any longer. I hope your grace will allow this disgrace to leave your graceful mansion.'' I bowed a little out of courtesy.
Grand Duke didn't say anything for a moment but the silence didn't remain longer, '' Do Whatever you want. You aren't attending Dhakun as Casvoner anyway.''
Saying that he walked passed me and Waren followed him from behind. I said, '' Your Grace, I pray that you can finally be happy with your lovely children.''
I didn't get any reply back. I stood straight and saw Vivian standing at the corner of the staircase with Valmud standing behind her. Our eyes locked for a moment and Valmud asked, '' Are you leaving tomorrow?'' I nodded. I did predict that the letter from Dhakun will come around this time so I prepared in advance. I walked toward the staircase, and none of them utter a word to me. I blinked my eyes looking at the tall staircase in front of me and said with a small smile on my face,
'' Vivian, become a strong-willed female knight so that you won't have to bow in front of Third Aster's greed. And Valmud, All the best with the upcoming Royal Knight examination, become a member of the first order of Knights as you always talked about.''
I walked up the stairs, This might become our last conversation in upcoming years so I wanted to wish them the best for the last time. None of them replied to my wish though, but it doesn't matter.
THIRD PERSON POV
Valentine sat in the carriage. His heart was clenching so badly at the thought of Valentiara leaving. He remembered what Izaak told him last night and a bitter chuckle left from his mouth, '' Foolish prince, You have no idea what you have gotten yourself into. That child's curse is fatal and impossible to be removed unless Almighty causes some miracle.''
Valentine's heart was filled with contamination toward his daughter whose reason is yet to be revealed to the world but one thing was certain, even if it's smaller than the size of an atom Valentiara's importance in his life can't be expressed in words.
Waren ride on his horse and started galloping toward the Imperial Knight's Training place. The speed of his horse was so fast that in a blink of an eye, he passed the large area of Grand Duchy. His mind wandered over the emotionless yet bright face of Valentiara. Tears were bleaming in his eyes but he didn't let them fall because he knew he has no right to shed tears. It was his own decision to let go of Valentiara for himself and his dear siblings. But little did he know that time, a time will come when he will wish desperately that he held on to his cursed half-sister.
On the other hand, Valmud and Vivian were spearing between themselves. Vivian's face was puffed from crying and Valmud's face was hard to read. Vivian struck on Valmud using her all force but Valmud easily dodged it and hit Vivian on her knees making her fall to the ground. Vivian panted heavily as Valmud pointed his sword toward her, '' You Lost, Vivian.'' Vivian chuckled bitterly and said, '' I did Lose but not to you but to myself.'' Valmud's eyes looked gloomy which made Vivian shocked. The Valmud she knew all these years never once showed any sign of remorse except for the time their mother died. She called his name softly, '' Valmud, If you want to cry you can.'' Valmud lowered his head and said gloomily, '' What right do I have to cry?'' Vivian replied, '' Among three of us you cared for her more.'' Valmud smiled bitterly, '' That's hyperacuity Vivian. None of us ever cared for that girl if we did then we won't let her go easily.'' Vivian gulped and looked away knowing that Valmud's words were harsh but true to the point that she doesn't even have any excuse to give.
'' You remember that daDadad bought Tia here? He said that we have a younger sibling but not from same mother so we just need to treat her well enough so that the image of Casvoners doesn't get affected. It has been 4 years and a half since then. Valentiara was different from anyone we met so far. Cold from the outside but the most honest person we ever come in contact with as the Elite society is filled with selfish bastards three of us found her interesting and tried to get close to her. She kept her walls high but we never gave our 100% to win her heart. You know that right?'' Valmud stated. Vivian didn't say anything and Valmud continued, '' We were interested in her because she was different but we were never emotionally attached to her and the proof is here. Vivian, none of us have any right to shed any tears, regret, or resentment because we never thought as our real sibluse at the end it is the biggest lie if we say that we never oncneversented her because she is the result of our father choosing another woman except our mother. Valentiara isn't fully Casvoner at the end rather an illegitimate child with her mother from unknown background.''
Vivian's eyes widen, '' VALMUD! WATCH YOUR MOUTH!'' Valmud laughed mocking Vivian, '' Did I say anything wrong, Vivian? You never once thought how can an Illegemate child become our sibling. Never once did you think that she is the result of her father's unfaithfulness. If not then why did you choose yourself then and stick to her?'' Vivian clenched her fist and stood up, '' I don't talk to you right n-'' Vivian's eyes widen when she looked behind Valmud. Looking at her pale face Valmud turned around and felt a panging ins heart seeing the person he least accepted to see that time, Valentiara standing there.
'' T- Tia,'' Vivian mouthed those words. Valentiara's eyes which always held a different kind of shine-like a star within them turned soulless as if someone just broke the dreams she always cherished deep inside her heart. Valmud couldn't say anything looking at Valentiara's cold and emotionless dead-like face. Vivian took steps toward her saying, '' Tia it's a misunderstanding. Valmud is crazy you know right?''
'' Stop.''
Vivian's eyes widen hearing Valentiara's dreadful voice. Just one word but it was enough to give her goosebumps.
'' Tia, I am sorry. I was just-'' Valmud stopped in middle watching a bright golden aura surrounding Valentiara. Both of their eyes widen in shock when they realized the legendary Golden Aura which only appeared once in a century and a countable number of swordmasters could ever use it since the founding of the Empire belonged to the illegitimate daughter this time.
'' I came to give you the sword back that I borrowed a few days ago but I am glad I got to know what you guys think about me,'' Valentiara spoke. She closed her eyes and calmed herself so that her aura won't radiate anymore. Valmud and Vivian couldn't utter any words as they still had a hard time believing what they just saw.
'' Don't Worry, I won't become a threat to anyone of you three in the future because from now onward, I will be living as Valentiara for your information.'' Valentiara sounded calm as she looked at them calmly. '' What do you mean?''
'' His Grace has approved me to join Dhakun as Valentiara not as a member of Casvoners. Rest you can understand by yourself.'' Saying that she turned around. Vivian tried to run after her but the golden aura appeared once again making a clear barrier between them. Vivian stumbled against the powerful golden barriers causing her to almost fall but Valmud held her back. He looked at Vivian in shock and exclaimed, '' Have you gone crazy?'' Valentiara turned her head around a little and replied coldly, '' I am still sane that's why you two are still breathing without getting overwhelmed by my aura. I had a good time thanks to you all which I mistook for your love for me as a sibling but you guys saw me as an entertaining doll which made you amused but let me make it clear.'' She faced them and her golden aura started to become brighter than before, the wind started blowing making the sand on the training ground fly in the air messily. Valmud and Vivian coughed and covered their mouth watching Valentiara speak,
'' I am not an object, nor a doll. I am Valentiara, Just Valentiara.''
Valmud's heart was beating loudly. Never once had he felt this much pressure around him. Valentiara's pinkish eyes which always looked angelic were changed into the eyes of Demons. He couldn't utter a word as fear covered all over his face. Valentiara walked away from that place and the weather turned better just after she was gone.
Both Valmud and Vivian panted heavily. Valmud mumbled,
'' Valentiara..... She Isn't Someone Simple Person.....''
END OF THIRD-PERSON POV
I walked inside my room and closed the door behind me. I held my head as it was throbbing in pain. What happened just now? Dear God, my chest is feeling so heavy that I can't even breathe properly. Tears started rolling down from my eyes as I lay on the floor. Valmud and Vivian thought of me as an interesting toy nothing more. And I thought. Ughhh, So frustrating! But for once I felt like I wasn't myself when I talked to them like that. What was that?
No, I can't get weak. I can't fall apart due to this. I clenched on the pandent Izaak gave me and remembered his words.
A new journey is awaiting for, a life-changing step I took to die without any regret this time. Leaving behind every question and resentment I held for my family members. I had some warm moments with them after coming back in time which is enough for me in many ways. In my past life, I was the one who created a fort between us and in this life, they build up the fort. We are equal now and what is left for me is to make the rightful owner of the Silver Throne sit on it while destroying those who destroyed me.
From today, I am going to start my journey as Valentiara, Just Valentiara's illegitimate mate daughter of Grand Duke Valentine Casvoner, or trash of Casvoner. I held the pendant Izaak gave me today and smiled a little,
'' I won't regret this time Izaak. I won't chase after light this time instead become a source of light myself.''