Twilight Initiator(S), Zed, Son of Shadows, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 4, Day 10
City of Valenwood, north of the Imperial Territory
A large office was located at the top of the house; more than an office, it looked like a library. Entering carefully to avoid making any noise, the reason was simple: Cristina was reading a book on one of the sofas. She had square glasses, her hair falling over her ears, occasionally pushing it back with her fingers. She wore a white shirt and blue pants, and was so engrossed that she didn't notice my presence. The nobleman gave me a look, clearly asking for silence. Seeing how he respected his daughter's reading, I couldn't help but be surprised; this man really loves his daughter. Our steps became silent as we reached his desk. He sat in his chair and I sat in front of him, and we remained in silence.
Don't tell me we're going to wait for her… And so it was; we stayed in complete silence for about twenty minutes. The good side was that I was already clean... I would be completely exhausted if I hadn't washed just now. An hour passed until the sound of the door opening… behind it, Cristina entered, still wearing her glasses, looking at us carefully.
- Sorry for the delay.
- Don't worry, my dear.
I do worry, seriously, making us wait for more than an hour, isn't that disrespectful?
- You're very late.
She looked me straight in the eyes.
- Forgive me.
At least she apologized, I suppose that's fine for now.
- Alright.
The nobleman widened his eyes for a few seconds, apparently surprised by what had just happened.
On her part, Cristina walked calmly, took off her glasses and left them on the desk, sitting elegantly with a straight back, waiting for her father to start talking.
The nobleman snapped out of his daze and coughed a bit, embarrassed, adjusting his vocal cords and putting on his serious expression once again.
- As you both know, my daughter Cristina's recovery was a secret kept in this house.
It was true, Cristina's condition was known to the masses as critical, on the brink of death. The nobleman wanted it that way, a cover story. He didn't want the information that his daughter was safe and sound to leave the city and reach the empire or other cities. He guarded it jealously, but not because he didn't want the world to know about his daughter's condition, but to protect her from that noble child of the empire. He had planned it from the beginning: to save his daughter or at least try, but all accomplices should be dead. A perfect plan, though it all worked out with my help. Otherwise, Cristina would already be six feet under.
- But it failed; it turns out that the interior of the Riverland mountains lost the darkness that frightened adventurers so much. This caused a large number of adventurers to go see it with their own eyes, also driven by ambition.
- The soul fragment?
Cristina asked while drinking a glass of water.
- No.
The nobleman looked me straight in the eyes.
- It's about the dragon orb.
So that's what it was…
- Naturally, they found nothing. They even searched for the plant but didn't find it either. It was only a matter of time before they discovered that the plant or whatever was in my possession, and if they figure that out, they will also know that Cristina's condition is stable and healthy.
- Sigh, what a problem... I didn't want anyone to find out until you entered the academy.
I had a suspicion that turned out to be correct; it was the dragon orb creating that darkness, so it was real…
- But the problem itself is not that…
- That bastard?
- Yes, when he found out you were healthy, he sent an invitation to the house a few days ago.
- What kind of invitation?
- A party to celebrate his marriage to another girl. The letter also mentions that he wants you to be his wife.
- How disgusting.
From what I understand, in this world, this is well-regarded, in fact, it's a sign of power. Naturally, women from great noble houses are more desirable; the more women a man has, the stronger he is politically. That's how marriage works in this world.
- Hmmm.
Cristina was lost in thought for a while. Her eyes were deep at that moment. Now that I think about it, the nobleman called me to talk, but he's really talking to his daughter. What am I doing here... wait...
Cristina snapped out of her thoughts and looked me directly in the eyes. They were different kinds of eyes now, serene yet also frightening, as if she were looking into my soul. Naturally, I looked her in the eyes as well, having an idea of what she was about to say.
- No lies.
- Yes.
- Are you a demon?
- No.
- You really don't remember anything?
- I have vague memories of a little girl who looks like me, I suppose it's my sister, but I don't remember well after that.
- So you do remember someone.
- You could say they're gaps.
- What was your purpose in helping my father?
- Mainly for money, I wanted to go find what seems to be my sister.
- And after that?
- If I found her, I planned to enter one of the great academies until your father told me that I could never enter without a last name.
Cristina shot a sharp look at her father; he shrugged with an awkward smile.
- So you were planning to court me, huh?
- That was the plan, but I have no experience in this matter.
- Yes, you were terrible at courting women.
- I suppose so.
- What are your goals?
- Survive for now.
- Someone wants to kill you?
- I think so…
Here we go…
- Do you believe in a god?
- No.
- Who do you believe in?
- A dead god, I suppose.
- Dead god... there are seven living gods, and two dead ones. Which one?
Looking into her eyes, I was silent, not sure if I should tell her. I could see in her eyes that she was serious; this was no simple curiosity. She wanted to know, she could read the situation. She was willing to marry me right now as long as that imperial child didn't touch her. She made sacrifices, but I could also see in her eyes that if I didn't answer honestly, she was willing to become that imperial child's woman. What a problematic woman… seriously, who understands them…
- The god of shadows.
I have no other chance like this, no turning back. I've been researching the academy, you can only enter if you're 15 years old. It's a unique opportunity; if you're 16, you'll never be able to do it, and you'll have no choice but to settle for a basic one.