Elden chased after her young son, Viktor, pleading for him to slow down.
Since his birth, Elden and her three maids had been living in a large cottage in the mountains, away from the cold stone castle where Viktor's father ruled over the Grishan Empire. Despite being only four hours away from the kingdom, Elden was happy with their secluded lifestyle.
The three maids, one older Elven woman named Shirly Wentz and two younger humans who all went by the last name Wentz, served various duties around their two-story cabin. At 6-foot 3 inches tall, seventy-five years old, and still looking young by Elf standards, Shirly was the oldest and most experienced of the maids.
But in human terms, she would be considered quite old; for Elves, however, she was only equivalent to someone in their late twenties.
Out of the three maids, she held a higher position. She was also the only one who frequently left the household on errands for the mother and son, whether it be picking up food or clothes.
Next in line was a twenty-two-year-old Demi-human girl who made it known that she was highly valued by both Elden and her son, as well as the entire Empire. She acted as their personal bodyguard, ensuring their safety at all times. As Viktor grew older, she would be responsible for teaching him essential skills such as etiquette, swordsmanship, academics, and possibly even magic if he showed aptitude for it.
Her name was Judo Wentz and despite being quite short and unapproachable at first glance, she had proven her loyalty to the Empire and to Elden time and time again. From the top of her head to her feet, she stood at about 5 feet 3 inches tall, but her long bunny ears could extend up to 5 feet 11 inches when fully perked.
The youngest of only fifteen servants to obtain the esteemed surname of the royal family, Emeline Kirchner was a mere seven years old. Despite her young age, she held a significant position as one of the Emperor's maids due to her close relationship with his two-year-old son, Viktor. The Emperor himself bestowed this honor upon Emeline, recognizing her undying loyalty and bond with the child.
For four thousand years, only fifteen individuals outside of the royal family have been granted the privilege of bearing the Kirchner name. The ninety-fourth emperor, Werner Kirchner, struggled with the decision to bestow this honor upon a young girl of just five years.
This title would certainly make her a target among the other maids and servants, but Elden's description of their relationship ultimately convinced him to grant Emeline the prestigious title.
But his wife insisted and so it happened. Not even the maids who served his older children had gotten such a blessing.
Viktor crawled on the ground, oblivious to his surroundings and the four caretakers trying to keep up with him. He didn't care about safety or rules; he was in his own world.
"Judo, can you please get him?" Elden asked, half-frustrated and half-amused by the child's behavior.
"Of course, madam," Judo replied as she quickly scooped up the squirming child from the floor. As soon as Viktor was lifted off the ground, he let out a piercing cry of displeasure. Judo handed him over to Elden before bowing respectfully and retreating to her room to continue her studies.
"Thank you, Judo. You are always so helpful," Elden said with a smile towards the bunny girl who took great pride in being praised by her master.
Elden gently cradled Viktor in her arms, his cries piercing the stillness of the room. She walked over to a large, plush chair that she often used for reading or putting the baby to sleep. As she settled into the seat, Viktor continued to flail his small arms and cry until Elden handed him off to Emeline.
With a soothing touch and soft murmurs, Emeline quickly calmed the toddler down. A peaceful smile spread across Viktor's face as he snuggled into Emeline's arms. She gently passed him back to Elden, who began to rock him back and forth in a rhythmic motion.
Elden, a remarkably young woman with determination shining in her eyes, had been just seventeen when she gave birth to Viktor. Despite being a young mother, she held ambitious dreams of attending a prestigious magic academy in the capital city of the northern kingdom where they currently resided.
The empire of Grisha was divided into three primary regions, each with its own distinct culture and population. The first was an expansive military outpost that housed Emperor Werner's soldiers and their families. Next was the prefecture, a notable nation also under the governance of the Grishan Government. Not to mention that the dominating Grishan Empire had it's claws in every continent on the planet except for one.
And finally, there was the Homeland - where Emperor Werner and his family resided when not traveling - which also served as the largest base for any government body, including the International Magic Federation (IMF). The scent of magic lingered in the air and gave off a sense of power and intrigue within this thriving civilization.
The International Magic Federation, known as the IMF, held a formidable grip over the practice of magic and governed thirty other prestigious educational institutions across the globe. Despite its governmental status, the true power resided with the top mages known as Grand Magnus. These elite twelve individuals possessed unimaginable abilities, with some even able to wield tier-seven magic- a feat considered godlike.
Among the Magnus were five elven beings, three humans, two of dragon lineage, and the remaining two were powerful spirits. Elden longed for the day when she would join their ranks and ascend to become a Grand Magnus in her own right. Her extraordinary talent had already caught the Emperor's attention; she could effortlessly manipulate tier-four water and wind magic, surpassing all other wives in her capabilities. This often stirred envy among her peers.
With a loving smile, Elden lifted her sleeping baby into her arms and carried him upstairs to his cozy pen for a nap. Emeline followed silently, gliding up the stairs with graceful steps. As they settled down next to Viktor's bed, both parents were calmed by their son's peaceful slumber and soon dozed off themselves.
Before heading back downstairs, Elden gave both children a gentle kiss on the cheek. She then greeted Shirley, who had returned from fetching food for the family. The sun was now setting, casting beautiful hues across the sky as two bright white orbs appeared on the horizon. As the temperature dropped and the wind picked up, Elden grabbed a light coat to keep warm.
Being petite made it difficult for Elden to find clothes that fit, so most of her outfits were custom-tailored. She often felt out of place among the fancy lifestyle of the emperor, his other wives, and children. Elden had not grown up wealthy, but she was well-known in her hometown for her mastery of magic. It was this skill that caught the attention of noble men and ultimately led her to meet the Emperor.
With her striking beauty and youthful appearance, Elden exuded an undeniable charm. Rumors circulated that her son, Viktor, would inherit these traits and grow into a handsome young man himself.
Shirley greeted Elden with a bow and a warm smile.
"Welcome, Madam. Would you care to join me for some tea?" she asked, gently guiding her towards a small round table on the front deck. Two wooden chairs were set up, inviting them to sit and chat.
"Sure," Elden responded with a casual shrug. Handling children all day had left her feeling drained and less than polite.
They settled into their seats and began to slowly savor the hot tea that Shirley had carefully prepared.
"Your Highness, did you have a good rest?" inquired Shirley as she looked up from the tray of delicate tea biscuits she had laid out.
Elden's smile was warm and genuine as she looked up to meet Shirley's gaze. The soft light of the morning sun illuminated their faces, creating a peaceful atmosphere. "It was quite a wonderful experience, to be completely honest," Elden said with a small chuckle. "Both children stayed fast asleep, which certainly helped."
Shirley nodded in agreement, her own smile mirroring Elden's. "I'm glad to hear that, my Lady. I've already taken care of storing all the items from the market in the cellar."
"Thank you, Shirley. Your help is always appreciated," Elden replied gratefully. "I plan on taking Viktor and Emeline to the Castle today. Would you and Judo like to accompany us?"
Shirley knew it wasn't really a choice for them as assigned maids and servants, but it was more about asking if they had any objections or concerns about going back to the castle. She shook her head no and took one final sip of her tea before rising from her seat.
"Not at all, my Lady," Shirley said as she fixed her long skirt. With a graceful bow, she made her way back inside to begin preparations for the journey back to the castle.
As Elden let out a heavy sigh, the weight of countless thoughts consumed her. Her mind drifted to her "husband," though in truth he meant little to her. He was not outright cruel, but his indifference towards the women in his harem was palpable. To him, they were mere objects to be used in his pursuit of an heir to the throne. Werner's priorities lay solely in what his wives could offer him, rather than any concern for their well-being or happiness.
It was a somber truth to confront. Was it truly worth sacrificing one's humanity, or that of any living being for that matter, solely to attain wealth and power? It seemed so for the other women in her situation, but for Elden, it was different. She harbored dreams and aspirations that she yearned to fulfill.
Despite being the Emperor's wife first, Viktor's mother second, and a mage third, Elden still clung to the hope of living her own life and finding freedom. But as she gazed at the opulent surroundings of the palace and thought of the sacrifices she had made, she couldn't help but wonder if such desires were even possible within this world of power and politics.
Elden's heart skipped a beat at the sudden voice, unsure if it was real or just in her mind. The world around her seemed to shift into a dark purple hue, as if time itself had frozen. Birds hung motionless in the air and blades of grass stood frozen in their swaying positions.
A feminine voice spoke from somewhere, its tone both calming and eerie. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Kirchner. You're very lucky to have a hero as a son."
"That's all your fault isn't it?"
Elden's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. This was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
Finally, her gaze settled upon a woman who exuded an air of authority and power. Though they were similar in stature, Elden couldn't help but feel small in her presence.
Gathering her courage, Elden clenched her fist and took a deep breath. She was a Royal after all, and she needed to act like one.
"Wow, face to face with a God and you remain steadfast? Impressive," the woman said with admiration.
But Elden couldn't help but question the woman's claim. She appeared no older than herself, and while strong, she didn't strike Elden as a deity.
As she studied the woman's features, Elden couldn't deny the aura of strength that radiated from her. But to call herself a god? Elden couldn't wrap her head around it.
She appeared like a living masterpiece, her slender figure exuding an air of grace and athleticism. Despite her obvious youth, she possessed an unusual blend of childlike innocence and undeniable maturity. The only jarring feature was her shockingly blue hair, a stark contrast against her flawless, unblemished skin.
She was like a porcelain doll come to life - perfect in every way. But why was she here? And why did she bear such a striking resemblance to Viktor?
With a sharp snap of her fingers, the girl's power surged forth and in an instant Elden was on the ground, gasping for air as her entire body trembled. A wave of pressure crashed against her chest, squeezing out all the oxygen and causing her face to flush red with desperation. It was like drowning but without any water around. Her throat constricted and she could feel her body weakening under the force of the mysterious girl's grasp.
But the smile on the other girl's face seemed genuine and comforting.
"Well, now that you're feeling better, let's have a chat."
Next Chapter: 3-A Quick Chat