The last thing Lena remembered is the crying faces of her beloved students in the distance. As Lean slipped into darkness, Lena finally understood her Dad's and Uncles feelings as they watched her leave in order to live. The feeling of loss, joy, fear, sadness and lastly that of hope.
A loud cough rudely snaps Lena out of her daze causing Lena to almost choke in surprise. Lena warily turns to face her attacker as Holly emotionlessly says, "If my Lady is done, I would like to clean the study room, now."
"Oh, yes," Lena hurriedly said and swiftly scrambles away. Lena walks down the richly carpeted, illuminated hallway as maids and manservants go about their various duties to only pause and curtsy before Lena, before continuing on their way. With great relief, Lena finally arrives at her luxurious bedroom and lazily kick off her boots. No doubt, Holly would yell at her later, but it was well worth it. Lean lazily falls onto her fluffy soft bed to take a long nap. As Lena drifts away, she sincerely hopes, Holly won't come back until it's time for dinner.
* Prologue 1.2- ~ POV of Holly (Lena's Maid) ~
Holly rather crossly finishes tidying the study. The open window curtains flutter gently in the breeze catching her attention. And for a moment Holly can see the melancholy figure of her, Lady Lena staring into the distance. Holly's heart plummets as she bitterly sighs to herself. It's just that she can't stand the sight of her energetic Lady being idle. Even as children Lady Lena would always be found moving about, whether fishing for fish in the pond, climbing trees on the grounds, or running barefoot across the lawn.
Holly had always cherished how Lady Lena never treated her differently, because of the circumstances of her birth or her lowly rank as that of a maid. Holly knew that to Lady Lena, Holly was no mere maid, but a precious childhood friend.
Sighing rather loudly, Holly fails to notice, the handsome older gentlemen with glistening white hair in an immaculate butler's suit. A polite cough interrupts Holly's musing as her heart pounds rather loudly in fright. With a small gasp, Holly hastily curtsies apologetically to Sebastian, the Head Butler.
Sebastian's emotionless face twitches slightly into a faint smile. "Holly, where is Lady Lena?" Sebastian imperturbably said.
Holly's head droops forward as she shamefully replies, "I didn't mean to be curt, Sebastian," Holly apologized as she raises her glistening eyes, "But Milady, did nothing wrong and yet Lady Lena was falsely accused and imprisoned! And worst of all, Lady Lena has had that melancholic expression on her face for these last two years as she wastes away! I merely wish for Lady Lena to return to the way she was."
Sebastian in an uncharacteristic act gingerly pats Holly on the head. "I know and understand your wishes, Holly. We all wish for the return of our Lady, but it shan't be so easy," Sebastian lightly said.
Holly sniffs as she accepts a handkerchief from Sebastian. Sebastian glances down at a golden pocket watch, before snapping it shut. Sebastian promptly says, "Holly, you are behind schedule. Please proceed to your next destination, we mustn't neglect our duties."
With a click of his heels, Sebastian elegantly exits the room as Holly finishes collecting herself. Holly swiftly finishes her errands before quietly entering her Lady's room. To her surprise, Holly finds her lady tossing and turning in her sleep.
Holly hears the Lady mutter faintly in her sleep, "Sorry." Holly's heart plummets in her chest as she firmly decides to allow her Lady to continue to rest, before silently leaving. With determined steps, Holly's skirt flounces as she marches to the kitchen to inform that her Lady would not be dining tonight.
To Lena's profound sadness, Holly did not awaken Lena for dinner. After breakfast, Lena wanders back to the study in her usual fashion. Yesterday was rather unproductive since Lena had still failed to tackle her current problem. Without intending too, Lena's mind resumes from where it left.
Suddenly, from the darkness, a white light surrounded Lena as she desperately reached for the source. Through blurry eyes, Lena saw gigantic figures cooing at her in an unknown language. Lena tried to communicate with the giants, but all that came out was a cry. As a result, the figures spoke even louder hurting Lena's ears as she protested in vain.
Suddenly, a giantess placed Lena into the warm embrace of a giant woman. Without being able to see, the giantess placed something soft in Lena's mouth as her body instinctively began to drink. Too tired from her recent battle with the Demon King, Lena didn't realize exactly what was in her mouth until much later to her vast horror.
Months later, Lena finally accepted the fact that she was an infant. From listening to the chatter of the maids, Lena discovered her current name was Lena Bartholomew of Fallujah, the only daughter of the Duchess Anna Marie Bartholomew of Medici and of Duke Rudolph Bartholomew of Fallujah. The Duchy of Falluja resided in the Kingdom of Alyssum in the world named Gardenia, (which should have really sounded an alarm in Lena's mind).
To keep herself sane, while in her crib, Lena would regularly play strategic games against herself or with past opponents as the other players in her mind. After so much visualization training a familiar feeling erupted in her soul. Lena's hero title had re-awakened, but could not grant access to any abilities until her body was old enough.
A year later, Lena was finally introduced to her biological father, Duke Bartholomew. As the Prime Minster of Alyssum, Duke Bartholomew mostly resided in the capital. Lena may have drooled a bit at their first meeting due to handsome appearance. Duke Bartholomew had shiny silver hair and aquamarine eyes with a mature air that was exactly her type.
Afterwards, Lena would berate herself that she was merely feeling shocked, definitely not was lusting after her own father! Though Lena would be forced to admit, she had a weakness for strong looking men. In the world of Gemini, Lena had seen far too many men rivaling a woman's beauty. She frankly preferred more rugged faces.
Lena's mother, the Duchess happily took Lena from Emma, the pregnant nursemaid, (who was already pregnant with Holly). The Duchess Anna Marie was an astounding curved beauty that could easily make men drool over her figure. The Duchess had rich red hair, red seductive lips, and large honey-colored eyed.
Lena could easily see why her father; the Duke had married Anna Marie despite their 13-year age gap. At seeing Lena's happy expression and cooing, Lean's mother happily introduced the parent and child, "My little Lena, this is your father."
Lena happily reached out to her father, who gently embraced Lena and kissed her forehead in an all too familiar way that caused Lena's eyes to become moist. With a soft sigh, Lena happily nuzzled in the warm embrace. Against herself, Lena finally accepted her new family and saw it a benevolent second chance to live out her dream as a retiree. Lena happily rubs her face against the silky softness of her father's chest and vows to protect this precious new chance God had given her. And with that, Lena's fate was sealed as she began to throw herself into living as a noble's daughter.
Being a noble's daughter was a lot harder than it initially seemed, because as Lena grew older, she was taught etiquette. It wasn't a problem as long as Lena kept her mouth shut. But it didn't help that Lena hated injustice and therefore was never polite to the arrogant nobles or most especially when cheeky little brats dared to touch the cute fairy daughter of her nursemaid, Emma. Emma being a single mother and unwed was scandalous to say the least. The maids and town children would often merciless tease her child, Holly for being a child born out of wedlock. Being a single woman of the 21st century, how could Lena allow such a travesty to happen under her watch?
Lena would always politely ask the town children to apologize. But they never did until Lena would roll up her sleeves to educate them under her tender, loving care. As a former educator, Lena was merely performing her duty as a responsible adult in teaching children lifelong lessons. Thus, Lena gained a rather unique reputation for being ruthless and cruel throughout the kingdom. (Which really should have been another clue for Lena.)
To her dismay, Lena realized there were fearsome obstacles in her path as a retiree. Wearing pants and exercising with the manor's guards and knights was simply out of the question. Though female knights and female guards existed such a past time was not suitable for a lady of Lena's standing.
Now Lena may be a retired hero/mercenary, but she wasn't about to give up her physical activities. Lena still had her pride as a summoned hero and mercenary to consider after all. So, Lena just opted to make sure no one saw her doing so. But in a large manor filled with servants that should have been impossible! However, thanks to the aid and approval of the ever dutiful, Head Butler, Sebastian, it was possible. And such a compromise was made on both sides, Lena would practice in secret and Sebastian wouldn't speak a word of it to the masters of the manor.
The older Lena the more tutors were brought in to teach common subjects: math, history, foreign languages, etc. Acing these subjects wasn't difficult, but what baffled her teachers is that she never did well on her tests. But that might have had something to do with the fact that Lena always fell asleep halfway through the exams.
Magical Tutors were brought in as magic in this world followed the same rules as the previous summoned world Lena had been a hero in. Even with the best tutor's money could buy, Lena never made it past the beginner spells. Not that Lena could have given her previous summoned hero's constitution.
It didn't help that there was no great need for Lena's modern-day knowledge since the world had, had plenty of summoned heroes who affected the following areas: toilets/hygiene, fashion industry, music, entertainment, books, food, society, etc. Even though this new world didn't use machines, but who needed a car, when an enchanted carriage could provide the same function? Or a plane, when a flying Wyverns could carry passengers just like a jet carrier?
As for a Demon King? Lena was out of luck as the Demon King had been killed 350 years ago. Co-Existing with other species? The previous heroes took care of that situation as humans co-existed with other species including that of demons. Of course, that doesn't mean there weren't wars on the world, but only between same species kingdoms.
The only subject left was the usual bigotry, female gender role or class distinction. But most women in this world didn't think there was anything wrong with gender roles, so Lean just gave up. As for class distinction, the view that a commoner can't marry a noble or someone of low nobility rank marrying someone of greater standing. That issue, time solves that all on its own. And as for bigotry, bigot's will always be idiots.
Speaking of marriage upon turning 8 years old, Lena was notified of her existing engagement to the crown prince of the kingdom, Alexander Sorrell. Lena did not take the news very well. But for her family's sake, Lena would comport herself like a Lady. It's not like she couldn't break the engagement or run away.
Lena met the stiff prince on a few formal occasions, but they never spoke past small talk. At social events, Lena would either escape through the garden or remain silent the entire event. Not because, she was shy, but because if Lena opened her mouth, she would certainly call someone an idiot to their face. And that would be a terrible social pas faux on her part. So once more without even trying to or intending too, Lena gained the reputation of being an icy, arrogant woman deeming everyone beneath her.
Upon turning fourteen years old and being rather terrible at magic, Lena rather than being sent to the kingdom's finest magical institute, the Amaranth Institute of Magic was told to stay home. Which was perfectly fine with Lena, what would she have done without Holly? The terrible, cruel horror to be subjected to a world without fluff.
However, as Lena's fifteen birthday drew near while attending a ball, Lena found a sweet pet that had been hiding in the garden as well. The cute rabbit had wavy brown hair, large purple eyes and a heart-shaped face that was as sweet and cute as that of a kitten. Lena happily petted the rabbit on the head as the innocent bunny introduced herself as Delilah Elm, the daughter of Baron von Elm. Strangely enough, through being different in every way possible, the two women immediately bonded.
Lena happily promised to invite the cute rabbit to her birthday party to become better acquainted. Delilah happily accepted the invitation from her new friend as they sadly departed, but looked forward to their next meeting. But a week later, the day before Lena's fifteen birthday the crown prince arrived accompanied by three familiar looking strangers. Lena was flabbergasted as the crown prince slapped her in front of everyone and coldly stated, that their engagement was over. The wonderful statement was followed by a royal proclamation, that Lena was banished from the capital for two years and was not allowed to leave the Duchy of Fallujah.
Lena suddenly sneezes as dust gathers in the air. With a sigh, Lena gazes up at the crystal chandelier. In just two days, her imprisonment would end, a just a day short of her seventeenth birthday.
For some reason after her initial imprisonment, Lena was wracked with fevers. In and out of dreams, Lena remembered playing an otome game with her students called, "The Garden of Flowers." And just as swiftly as her fever came it disappeared as Lena realized that world of Gardenia was a parallel world to that game.
The Garden of Flowers was a typical otome game. The heroine, Delilah Elm, was the improvised daughter of Baron von Elm. Upon Delilah's fourteenth birthday, it is discovered that she possesses both light and healing magic. Delilah is immediately sent to attend the illustrious Amaranth Institute of Magic, where the four male love candidates reside.
Flint Alcott, a 16-year-old knight in training and the son of the Captain of the guards. A dark-haired young man with green eyes, he is a bright, cheerful young man full of boyish charms. Will you be able to have him see you as the woman that you are?
Giles Praxis, a genius mage at the age of 17. The blue haired young man with black eyes comes from wealth and been acclaimed by all his peers. Can you be the one to melt his heart?
Lance Valeria, the playboy magic professor known throughout the school. The 23-year-old violet haired professor with golden eyes, who vowed to never love gain. Can you mend his heart?
Alexander Sorrell, the crown prince of the Kingdom of Alyssum. The golden-haired and silver-eyed 16-year-old prince is tired of the old and familiar. Can your love conquer all obstacles?
Not only is the heroine bullied by her new classmates, but by the prince's fiancé, Lena Bartholomew, who acts coldly towards her. Whichever path the heroine takes, Delilah will always end up with her chosen love candidate and live happily ever after. Now Lena Bartholomew is a minor side character in most of the game except for when the heroine walks down the path of the prince. At which point and at every turn Lena Bartholomew is an obstacle to the path of true love and even resorts to kidnapping the heroine. In the end, the villainess gets what she deserves by being banished from the kingdom.
The good news was that Lena wasn't banished, but that may have had something to do with the fact that she did not attend the magic institute. Therefore, the natural conclusion is that this may be a parallel world to the otome game, but in the end choices affected the outcome. Now, Lena was quite happy to remain forgotten except there was a sequel to the game, "The Orchard of Flowers." In the sequel, the heroine is now sixteen years old and about to graduate from the magic academy. Depending on the Heroines choices, the heroine gains the unwanted attention of another country's prince.
There are 6 new potential new love candidates:
Xerxes Reinhart, the crown prince to the Demon Throne. Silver hair and demonic red eyes, the demon prince desires to possess you. Will you be able to tame his affections?
Gray Ashford, the crown prince of the Cat Beast-men Tribe. The auburn prince with cat ears and golden eyes is enchanted with thy smell. Will you be able to gain his trust and love?
Ciel Eckhart, the shunned crown prince of the Elf Kingdom. The prince is a rare dark elf with dark hair and eyes. Will you be able to pierce through his pain to see the loving man within?
Oasis Rameses, the crown prince of a desert nation. With dark violet hair, tan skin and bright emerald eyes, he falls for a woman that he can't have. Will you surrender to his fiery passion?
Alastair Florentine, the famous saint, and healer of the Church of Light. With light green hair and blue eyes, the holy saint feels something new. Will you walk the path of the world with him?
Khan Zinnia, the crown prince of the Dragon Kingdom. The dark-haired prince with dark eyes has spotted a treasure. Will you merely end up as a new-found treasure or as something more?
There are three paths for the Heroine to take:
The heroine remains with her current love candidate. The kingdom is attacked by a love interest and war ensues between both kingdoms. On the brink of annihilation, the Heroine offers herself to save her country. At seeing her devotion, the love interest is moved and ceases all attacks. The L.I. (love interest) grants his blessings and the heroine is finally able to wed her true love as they live happily ever after.
The kingdom is attacked by a neighboring greedy kingdom and war ensues between both kingdoms. On the brink of annihilation, the heroine seeks out the L.I. she turned down and offers herself up in exchange to save her country. The L.I. accepts and saves her kingdom. Afterwards the L.I. takes the heroine as his concubine and after many struggles, the heroine eventually falls for her captor and they live happily ever after.
The kingdom is attacked by a foreign kingdom and is annihilated. The heroine is made a slave and bought by the L.I. she turned down. The heroine is forced to endure many trials, before regaining the heart of the L.I. The L.I. re-establishes the destroyed kingdom as the heroine and L.I. become the new rulers, and live happily ever after.
The problem is that in every single instance the Kingdom of Alyssum is always attacked and always on the brink of annihilation if not destroyed. The story doesn't go into much detail about the outcome of the kingdom's people. But Lena's father is a Duke and Prime Minster, it is far more likely he perished on the battlefield and for Lena and her mother to be made slaves. Sadly, Lena only played through ¾'s of the game before being summoned. But even then, Lena still knew most of the choices and endings because of her student's spoilers.
Over the last two years, Lena wanted to warn her beloved father, but being in an exile even a single letter written to her father could endanger his position as Prime Minster. And even if Lena's father had believed her, to prepare by secretly gathering troop is rebellion. Lena had considered the possibility of proclaiming herself as a seer, but it was widely known fact about her lack of magic. For two years, other than training to relieve her stress, Lena had not found a solution. In the end, Lena was simple a general, nothing more and nothing less.
Lena stiffens with embarrassment as she sits up. She had been looking for complicated solutions to prevent the situation from happening, but the correct answer had always been staring her in the face. Lena couldn't prevent the war, but she could surely win it.
"Sebastian!" Lena calls out as a few moments later an out of breath Holly and Sebastian, cool and collected as always arrives. "Sebastian, when is the formal engagement party of the crown prince to be?" Lena inquired as she rises to her feet.
Sebastian aloofly says, "Milady the event will take place two months from now."
Without glancing at Sebastian, Lena walks over to the open window. "Arrange for an invitation, Sebastian. As the daughter of Duke Bartholomew, how can I possibly be so rude as to not attend?" Lena boldly declared as Sebastian as usual soundlessly departs without a moment's hesitation. "Holly, shall we go to town? I need to order some gowns for the capital," Lena firmly added over her shoulders. Holly's eyes glisten with unshed tears as she happily nods her head in agreement and set's out purposefully in Lean's wake.
Sebastian hides his joyful feelings as he eagerly rushes to write to the Duke and Duchess of the glad news and tidings. As a small child, Milady Lena was a handful and utterly unruly. When he had first discovered Milady Lena physically training in secret, Sebastian was utterly appalled. How could a young Lady train as a male would? But despite his best efforts to dissuade her, the young Milady continued to train.
All Sebastian could do was solemnly watch over the young Lady of the household. And to his surprise, Milady was quite the gifted warrior. Had Milady been a man she would have joyfully been accepted into the ranks of knights. And even as a woman, she would have been able to enter the ranks of knighthood, but tragically as a noble woman, Milady was forbidden from entering their ranks.
Sebastian recalled the look of despair in her eyes when he informed Milady of her impossibility of joining the kingdom's knight forces. The second time was when Milady is innocently sentenced to that cruel exile from the capital. The crown prince's royal proclamation left Sebastian and everyone in the duchy utterly stunned. If the prince had charged milady with being violent or unruly, they would have surely believed it.
The Duke and Duchess were crushed and enraged. But even they could not openly act against the crown prince's proclamation. They could only hold their heads high and wait for the exile to end.
With sadness in all their hearts, the staff could only watch Milady train like a mad woman or remain listless in the master's study. Sebastian hastens his steps to send out the prospective letters to ensure Milady's safety. He would ensure that there would be no such repeat ever again.