"It suits you so well." Rodine eyed from head to toe with satisfied looks. I sat on the couch in front of him and just smiled.
Yes, old man. Would've been fine if it weren't for this corset.
"I cannot help but mirror her image with yours." My hand that was about to reach the tea cup, stopped.
"With whom?"
He chuckled heartily, "Is that even a question? Of course, you look like Solana, your mother."
Mom, huh? I drank the tea and wondered. If it were my past life, I would've hated talking about my mother.
"That's true. Our resemblance is uncanny, it creeps me out sometimes." I put down the tea cup and look straight at his eyes, "But seeing as how you knew my mom.."
Rodine noticed the hint on my words, his eyes dropped to my neck and hands. With that gaze, I knew what he wants to see and know and yet, I pretended not to read him.
"It's unprecedented."
"What is?"
His lips raised but it didn't reach his eyes, I felt a shiver down my spine with the way he just smiled.
"To think that an imperial heirloom with so much value would be given to someone of not blood related… it's no wonder she's mad." Rodine laughed though even that laughter didn't contain any humor.
'She? Must be from the Imperial Family. Then is it the Empress or the Princess?'
I didn't say anything. I knew the value of this heirloom, I saw it from a book after all.
A golden star locket that was said to be given by the strongest and highest goddess, Goddess Asteria, the goddess of stars.
This very locket was the gift of Goddess Asteria to Ervion, the imperial family's ancestor.
"Are you.. going to take my necklace?" A hesitant voice was the only thing able to come out of my mouth.
Rodine shook his head, "Who am I to take the heirloom given to you directly by the late Prince Theodore?"
"Prince…?"
"Ah, he didn't tell you? The one who gave you that locket is the brother of Emperor. A prince."
I acted shocked and amuse at the same time but that fact was something I knew already. Lucas' father was my parents' friend outside so my brother and I grew up calling him uncle.
When our life literally flipped over, Uncle Theodore look after us like his kids. When I was twelve, he gave me this locket because he said it suited girls more and he didn't have any daughters.
'Well.. he's basically our father as well.'
I really hate to admit it but I owed this information thanks for being locked up in that damn tower.
"No one.. tell me anything about something like that. Not even the fact that how my brother ended up here.."
Rodine sipped on his cup, "You should take it slow. The duke might tell the rest of the story but your family's fate was really tragic."
The old man's purple eyes glint with a hint of sorrow. I clenched my fist and tried to put up with my act that was slipping away.
Whenever I would think about how my family ended up… I'm getting filled with different rage and misery.
I can't be like this all the time. Calm down, Zaria.
"The former Duke of Trovis, Callice.. was a wise man. An intelligent and intuitive person, I must say." The old man raised himself towards the nearby window that was slightly opened. I followed behind him, trying to figure out what he's doing.
He opened it completely and a fantastic scene appeared. It was where the trees lined up, wildflowers blooming around and the lushes of green grass swaying with the dry summer wind.
"I used to teach him. That father of yours hated it when I lied sometimes." He laughed, "Up until he married Solana, even when everyone; including the emperor objected, he was ready to give up everything."
My eyes widened at his words. Objected? What do you mean?!
It seems he read my mind when he looked back and he saw me confused. "Your parents came from a line that shouldn't even be merge. Any offspring coming out of them was thought to be unlucky."
"Unlucky? And.. my parents weren't really arranged marriage?"
Rodine tilted his head, "That's just a cover up story since they look so young when they got married, you know, to avoid unnecessary gossips."
I didn't know. I thought our lineage came from here and they moved outside to avoid these conservative norms as they're arranged marriage.
But to think dad fought against the odds to marry my mom..
"Love, huh?" I can only murmur. The old man smiled a little and shrugged.
"That's just the way things are, child. Your lineage since from the start came here and yet.. your parents and the late Prince Theodore chose to live outside for love." The old man shrugged and went back to the couch.
I looked at his back, flabbergasted. Even Uncle Theo went outside for what?! What's with these men?!
I was about to ask him what that meant but he pointed towards my right hand, "Now.. child. It's a crest, right?"
"…Yes." I showed my right hand and when he touched it, the once calmed symbol glowed immensely. Rodine traced it with amazement.
"Rather than unlucky.. their children are unique." He let go of my hand, "Two Steorras in one generation, unprecedented indeed."
"Steorras…"
"You will learn about it by time but let me tell you one thing." While pouring tea again, I sat down. He handed me again the cup, "Child, people with crest… are not always called unique in this world by most."
I know. Abilities and magic are admired by people when used accordingly and isn't deemed ominous. However… unusual abilities and magic is especially feared by normal people.
This old man in front of me is from the line that proves that monsters in humans exist, after all.
A knock and the clacking of door was heard before it finally opened. I almost dropped the tea cup in my hand the moment I saw who it was that entered.
'Holy crap! That guy is..?!'
Those jet-black hair fluttering from the wind outside, sharp features and those amethyst colored eyes that blended with his hair color and fair complexion.
This damn handsome man…
"Grandfather." The old man erupted into laughter and stood up to welcomed him with a hug.
Awkwardly, the guy just accepted it and distanced himself after a few seconds. Rodine tapped his shoulders happily and looked back at me.
"Child, come here! This is my grandson, Ashercian Lavrins! Haha!" I went in front of the man, almost trembling from excitement.
"G-Greetings.. I'm Zaria. Zaria Triel Trovis." Almost whispering, I gently bent my knees.
I can't believe I'm in front of him. The strongest ability-user ever known in the future and the future Grand Duke of Lavrins.
This man that will lead the war three years from now with my brother. The Shadow ability-user, a monster hailed from the great Lavrins!