I lay deep in thought while staring up at the shadowed ceiling of my bedroom.
A Protector, huh? Can I really do it?
Memories of the tea banquet with the King earlier today replayed in vivid fragments.
I had assumed he would be cold and unyielding, but something softer flickered in the silence beneath his stern gaze…
Regret, perhaps? Or a longing for things beyond his control.
It almost felt as if he could foresee the inevitable clash looming between his two daughters in the future and was desperate, in his own way, to prevent it. Yet his methods, tangled with rules and neglect, were flawed beyond repair.
Sigh... it seems that Shilien is the true root of all chaos in Twilight's Chronicle! If I'm the one who will face that woman someday, I need to grow stronger!
***
"Yes! Like that!" Owen's voice cut through my thoughts as he instructed me with practiced ease. "Swing your sword as if it's an extension of your own body, Luna!"
The morning air was cool, and the sound of clashing blades echoed in the training yard. I quietly gathered my magical energy, then attempted to release it toward the man's blind spot as our swords clashed.
Boom!
A small explosion appeared as I cast a fireball at him.
Of course, he was able to block it. But my assault didn't stop there.
"Haaah!!" I leaped and thrust my blade toward his face.
Owen's eyes widened slightly as he dodged back just in time. A few strands of his hair were sliced off and fell to the ground.
"Heh! I managed to push you back ten steps! I win this match!" I grinned as I pointed at his feet.
"Well, well... Confident, aren't you, Your Highness? And here I wasn't even putting up much of a fight." Owen smirked slyly.
In a swift motion, the man swung his sword and released a burst of energy that sent me flying into the air.
"You cheater!" I yelled while regaining my footing. "You used your EMBLEM power!"
"Weren't you just doing the same just now?" Owen sheathed his sword and then chuckled. "If you thought you could take me down with such cheap tricks, you're sorely mistaken."
"Ugh! Just wait! Someday, I'll carve a scar on that smug face of yours!"
"Oh, so scary… I'm truly terrified!" Owen mocked.
"You—Uph!" I was about to retort when Anna suddenly appeared behind me, clamping her hand over my mouth before I could let loose a string of curses.
"Your Highness, please mind your temper!" Anna whispered.
Three years had passed since my training under Owen began. What had started with clumsy swings and wooden swords had progressed to wielding real steel. Not only that, but the man also taught me to harness my EMBLEM power. Despite his tough exterior, sometimes I caught a glimmer of pride in his eyes when I managed to keep up.
Of course, it wasn't easy. I endured intense training nearly every day. Many people around me praised how rapidly I'd developed, even though I was only ten years old. They even called me a genius.
Well… With the knowledge I brought from my previous life, this was a piece of cake!
But there's only one thing I still despise...
"Greetings, Mother!" I said, raising my middle finger toward Shilien as I entered her private chambers.
"Ohohoho! Come here, my dear daughter!" Shilien welcomed me with a saccharine smile stretched across her face.
Ever since I agreed to become the protector of the Kingdom and Chrisola, Shilien's demeanor had softened slightly. By that, I mean she wouldn't hit me as hard as before during our training sessions… and her remarks, though still biting, seemed almost approving.
Perhaps she thinks I've managed to gain a bit of favor from His Majesty the King, raising my value as a pawn in her games.
At least I get some satisfaction from being able to insult this foolish bitch without her noticing.
"Last week, you learned the basics of curses. Today, you'll learn about the types of curses," she said.
Perfect. I can't wait to test one on you later, Bitch!
If there's a curse that can make this wicked woman's face break out or her skin become blotchy, I'd use it right away!
"Mother, as a curse expert, your EMBLEM is DARK, right?" I asked in curiosity.
"Yes. DARK is the symbol of power in the Argenti family," she replied proudly.
"Does that mean one day I could awaken a DARK EMBLEM as well? My current EMBLEM is HEAT, and none of my fire spells are related to curses."
"Well… Awakening a second EMBLEM isn't easy, but I believe you have the potential to do it."
Really? To be honest, I'm a bit skeptical because in the original story, Luna's EMBLEM was DARK. The HEAT EMBLEM is a divergence from the book's storyline. Besides, only legendary sorcerers could awaken more than one EMBLEM within themselves.
But if I can actually pull it off, that means… I'll be one step closer to changing my fate in this world!
All of this drives me to study and train harder, mastering magic and the mystical forces in this world. I'll make every lesson as a stepping stone toward something greater, something of my own design!
***
One morning, I was rushing through the palace corridors after an early training to meet Chrisola. Then just as I was about to turn a corner, I accidentally bumped into an older man and fell.
"Luna! You shouldn't be running inside the palace!" Shilien, who was standing beside the man, immediately scolded me. She glared at me sharply before turning her attention to the man. "Please forgive my reckless daughter, Marquess Lazarro."
The man replied with a dismissive wave. "Hahaha. No need to worry, My Lady!"
I quickly bowed and offered my own apology.
Wait, Marquess Lazarro? Doesn't that mean this man is William's father?
"I heard Princess Luna is growing well and possesses incredible talent," he remarked, casting an appraising glance at me.
Shilien's pride swelled in an instant at his words, her lips curving into a pleased smile. "Ohohoho! You flatter me, Marquess!"
Yikes. Someone, please give me a basket to puke!
"It must be due to her exceptional parentage, no?" the Marquess continued. "What a pity she doesn't carry the Argenti name. If she joined the Argenti family, the Duke would be very pleased."
Ugh! I can't stand listening to all this political chatter. It's clear that they have no qualms about using me as a tool in their web of family ambition. I'd better take my leave.
"Excuse me, Marquess." Suppressing a scoff, I straightened my posture and excused myself, bowing respectfully to the Marquess before stepping away.
But even as I walked away, I could still overhear the conversation between Shilien and Marquess Lazarro.
"What about your eldest son?" Shilien asked, her voice deceptively light. "I heard that he possesses a rare magical talent."
"Ah, William…" the Marquess sighed. "That child is truly a headache."
Hearing William's name, I paused and slowed my steps out of curiosity.
"Sure, he's talented. But he's impossible to read. I can't grasp his thoughts or control his behavior at all." Marquess Lazarro's voice turned somber, his tone filled with irritation. "That autistic boy defies each of my attempts to shape him."
Wait a minute... Autistic? William?? Did I just hear that right!?