...The legend of ‘The Witch and The King’ is a tale constantly being recited by generations of the people in the southern province specifically in the empire of Mebluysia, the most prosperous and vast empire....
...The legend that took place roughly a century in the past taking place in the empire of Mebluysia which before used to be a region named Mabel....
...Once upon a time, there lives a female witch who lived alone deep in the woods without other's company ever since her adulthood days. Being alone by herself had been a daily pattern of her life brewing potions....
...One day, a lost gentleman came knocking on her door despite learning well of the rumoured old wicked witch who resides in her dwellings deep into the tricky forest....
...Knock, knock, knock....
...His knuckled gently knocked on the witch's antic wooden door, anticipating for a response from the supposed inhabitant in that old dwelling. His first knock remained unanswered as so he knocked on the door for the second time....
...Knock, knock, knock....
...Yet again, the other side of the door kept complete silence as if no living beings had ever set their foot on the territory. Instead of getting furious, he kept his composure and knocked for the third time....
...Knock, knock, knock....
...Eventually, the witch unlocked the door of the house, inviting him into the old cottage of which astonished the awestruck man to catch a glimpse of a young lady instead of a haggard witch greeting him....
...The man without hesitation asked a question upon sitting on the chair, “Excuse me, are you the owner of this dwelling, milady?”...
...The witch nodded her head as she added, “I've been abiding this cottage all my life. For what would you be here in the heart of the forest for, my prince?”...
...For the second time, he was awestruck and with an unsettled expression that pictured his feelings perfectly he questioned her;...
...“How were you able to identify me?”...
...The witch chuckled amusedly before retorting, “One born of the noble blood, forever remain a noble blood. Dressed in the fancy royal insignia make an obvious hint.” The man flushed as the outfit he wore was decorated with a bunch of the royal emblem....
...“My lord, I certainly could help you find your way out of here. However, in return, would you show up, here again, a week after?” The witch assembled her requirement, simple yet intriguing....
...“I merely stumble upon the cottage by coincidence, so I'm not certain which way lead me here, milady.”...
...“Fret not, my lord as your instinct shall guide you to my abode. I am able to sate your every curiosity of the world, milord.”...
...“... I supposed its appropriate.” As if lured by her smile, the prince agreed to her conditions as he himself find comfort being with the witch whose identity remained unknown....
...The witch grinned of satisfaction as she courtesy before the prince confessing, “Then, I shall introduce myself. You may call me Nadine, my lord.”...
...The witch and the prince break the ice well, getting along like a long lost best friend whose meeting was a given. The witch escorted the prince properly as a guide heading out of the forest....
...“I'm glad to come upon you, Nadine. I've never been so buoyant all my life talking to someone.” The prince acclaimed her highly despite meeting for the very first time....
...The witch simply grinned radiantly as a response....
...“Nadine, I'm looking forward to our next meeting.”...
...“I shall be waiting for your arrival, milord. Be sure to knock three times before entering the cottage.”...
...They separated their ways at the border of the thick woodland with appeased smiles....
...Days passed days, nights passed nights and a week passed by briefly after. The uncommon pair confronted again in a week as promised....
...The prince, as noted by the witch arrived specifically in front of the cottage simply by his instinct....
...As instructed, he patiently knocked three times as he did previously before the witch welcomed him with a smile. Both days were spent on exchanging chatters from individual pasts story to the appetising breakfast early in the morning....
...According to him, as the ninth prince of the kingdom, he was used to being neglected by his father, the old king and was constantly receiving ridicule from his stepfamily members mainly by the older princes....
...Certainly like others, he desired to rule the kingdom but being worthless and powerless rendered it inconceivable to....
...Entranced by his devoted craving and pitiable background, the witch struck him with a deal, a significant contract with her. In return of aiding him ascending to the throne, he shall never betray her trust and make her his only queen....
...The man wasn't fully convinced of her vows still, he completed his pledge under the waning moon. Thereupon that day, the witch requested that the prince brought her to the castle of the royal palace....
...Upon her stays, the young witch utilised her aptitudes in both her robust capabilities and profound proficiency to the threshold to benefit the ninth prince to be acknowledged....
...Her feet had footed almost in every single continent just to please the king in the name of the ninth prince. That included every month striving on surviving the battleground, attaining only triumph in her hand....
...Complacent and satisfied with the recent performance of his ninth prince, the king penned his will of that the ninth prince shall be named his successor....
...In the subsequent months, the old king passed away from an illness, thus crowning the ninth prince as the new king of their kingdom. The older princes were obviously discontented by the outcome and covetousness illuminated in their heart....
...The witch accordingly greeted the new king and soon claimed the compensation of her hard works rewriting his tasteless fate. That is, being appointed and wedded as his queen...
...The strong faith the current king stored for her determined him on granting her petition. However, his loyal vassals created a huge uproar and protested the king's unruly judgment....
...In spite of that, the king insisted on it and had a fascinating and delightful marriage with the witch, making her his queen officially....
...The enraged step-princes and the insatiable vassals enacted to dethrone their impotent king, nevertheless, to accomplish that, they had to dig into his vulnerable spot and his most productive aids....
...Later on, they sought the newly wedded queen, the witch that supposedly might be the king's shortcoming....
...Gratefully, their efforts went down the drain against the dominant witch, only to decide that sparking a fight between the two is much sufficient....
...The closest vassals loomed their king, whispering bad rumours regarding her queen nonexistent infidelities each day, slowly jamming the false story in him....
...The king's compassion eventually tampered after listening to the worst rumours spread of her....
...He was smudged with outrageousness, imbecility, egocentric and feeling of superiority to that his judgement was clouded with the whispers of the devils lurking in the shadow....
...He agreed on tying the knot with a princess from the neighbouring kingdom, taking her in as the second queen....
...The witch plainly contemplated over her husband's second nuptials as her heart was shattered with no terms relayed....
...The king is coaxed into renouncing and removing his first lowly queen, the witch from her position with rationale such as the queen was impetuous with her chore and keep seducing others despite being the mother of the kingdom....
...The witch had foreseen her future, inferring that her life was at stake by her husband, the king who'd been blinded by his conceitedness. She sighs in sorrows before she rested on the mattress while lingering for her death....
...Knock, knock, knock....
...There was a knock on the door but the witch remained silence. Suddenly, the door was barged open by force and stood the frantic king with a rapier on his hand....
...Forcefully, he hauled the witch and executed her with a slash of the sword....
...Without a sound made, the queen was slaughtered to death by her own king. Each of the passing labourers of the palace gasped in utters terrors upon the bloody spectacles they witnessed....
...Blood splatters everyplace on the white sheets of the bedding....
...Out of the blue, the witch's eyes opened, creating a straight out of horror film scenes. The sword marks garnished with the blood slowly being stitched together seamlessly. The blood traces slowly fading away and everything reverted back to normal....
...The foolish king dropped his bloodstained swords, trembling all over before kneeling on the floor. The screams far from ending. Sorcery, she's a witch, the queen is a witch!!! They screamed their lung in horror....
...“My king, my husband. I wallow in sorrows of you mortals outlandish doings, be it the king, the vassals or the people....
...Milord, you pledged me for that if I made you the king, you shalln't betray my trusts and made me your only queen. However, you broke those vows on your own accord by committing the demise of me and espousing with another queen....
...I'm disappointed how humans never learnt from the past, how their greeds and grudges will slowly engulf them into the wicked path.”...
...“N-Nadine...y-you are a witch?”...
...[HEED TO MY WORDS, LIVINGS OF THIS LUDICROUS LAND! I CURSED THAT THE KING NASTY BLOODLINE SHALL BE ROTTEN ALONG WITH HIS VICIOUS VASSALS AND THE MORTALS BEINGS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD SHALL BECOME THE ARCHENEMY OF US WITCHES!!]...
...“Us witches shall annihilate this nauseating kingdom of yours that you treasured so much to that it crumbled into mere dust.”...
...“NADINE, MY QUEEN, NO!!! Forgive me!!!! I'll do anything you want me to, so please!!!!”...
...“How sickening... The scents of remorse out of selfishness.”...
...“Nadine!!!”...
...After that day, the king was always on his sickbed while his stepbrothers passed away from an unknown and incurable disease....
...The vassals too are suffering from types of obstacles and slowly, the Kingdom of Mabel was ruined under the rulings of the king who broke his pledge towards the witch....
...The end of the story......
“Mother, mother!” The seven years old younger twin, Celestia excitedly called for her mother right after the storytelling session ended.
Today's tale is a legend that originated in the empire of Mebluysia.
“Yes?”
“Is it because of this tale that humans despise us?” Celestia wandered her words. But why?
“Hmm...no. Actually, there's another altered version of this tale of which human read. That version has tampered heavily to that the witch appeared evil, as an antagonist.” Celeste thoroughly explained.
There are two versions of the legend The Witch and The King and the one she enlightened her children were the original one which she was told by her grandmother and mother too.
“Eh, human really did that?”
“They are livings of who's souls can be both kind and evil like us too. That's why it is dangerous to expose our identity and blending in with them will help us live peacefully as long as both sides inflicted no harms.”
If the witches who are of scarce quantity in comparison to the human decided to wage wars, it'll simply sacrifice a lot of their magical powers and was exhausting.
Still, the chances are they would still win as the witches strongest clan was deemed immortal and to mortal humans, fighting would be effortless.
However, to avoid bloodsheds, some decided to blend in with normal humans as a typical mortal.
“Mother, why does the witch wait for the third knock instead of just opening her door after hearing the first one?” Celestine raised his concerns which seemed to pique his interest the most.
“That's a good question, Celes. Like I said, a human can be both evil and good, correct?”
“Yeah.”
“Only an imperturbable and patient person would tenderly knock the door three times in total as knocking thrice is a hassle to those who are impatient.
As you could notice, in the beginning, the king properly knocks three times before entering the witch's cottage. However, as greed devoured him, he was unable to patiently knocked three times and wait for the witch to open the door for him.”
The witch never opened her door to those who didn't slowly knock thrice. That was truly a brilliant move for her who despised those black-hearted folks.
“Then, does the witch deliberately did that, learning all the results?” Celestine concluded his understanding.
“Indeed, she did. The witch knows for a fact that she is able to guess the compassion of each person who knocked on her door.”
“Mother, is this based on I true story or merely legend?” Celestia questioned her mother.
“It is a true story, this version I read you of course. Why so?”
“The witch's called Nadine, isn't that our great-grandmother's given name, mother?”
“Haha, how sharp. Yes, it is your great-grandmother, mother's grandmother, Nadine Felicius Diane Cassandra, the great witch.” Celeste chuckled as her hands gentle patted on Celestia's head.
“Umm... are they actually in love?”
“No, my dear as the marriage between the two was solely a commitment made on spur of the moment. Nonetheless, she was heartbroken when the king broke their pledges and distrust her.”
Celeste still remembers that the witch was simply listless of her ordinary life and the king's presence added a special particle playing the role of a friend to her life.
“Then, how about great-grandfather?” Celestine was intrigued by Celestia's topic regarding the sentiments they held close to the heart
“Your great-grandfather is also a witch. I heavily doubt that they weren't in love, I ensured. Rather, they were madly in love with each other.”
The pair of a lovebird whose ages are nearing hundreds of decades now still falling in love with each other every second. Showcasing their love is part of the couple speciality every time the family gathered.
“Where are they now, mother?”
“Hmm... I think on the eastern continent? Travelling is a habit of theirs, so it's almost impossible to see them in recent decades.”
“What about our grandparents?”
“They are still residing in the southern province but in another region. They use to stop by when you both are still so small, I'm not sure if you'd recall that.”
“Mother what about... father?”
“Your father... he, he is a gentleman who's soul is incredibly tender and heart is extraordinarily beautiful. I'm glad that those aspects of him live inside both of you, my precious children.”
Celeste hugged the two small physiques, holding back her grimness when the father issue was touched.
“It’s late now, shall we headed to the resting chamber?”
“YOU EVIL WRETCHED WITCH DESERVE TO BE TORTURED TO DEATH!”
The ignited torches were held high in the air along with the pointed tip of the iron spears, lasting yearnings thirstily executed the one that was keenly tied to the wooden cross pole.
“DIE, YOU WITCH! YOU CAUSED MY SON TO DIE!!”
How laughable it was when bunches of rotten mouth spewed out curses off their mouth towards the master of all curses. Ah, humans, they truly never learned after all these decades...
She remained immobilized with her mouth sealed shut and her face tilting downwards. It's not like she didn't foresee all of this, still, beholding the sight of it was greatly disappointing.
“BURN THE WITCH TO DEATH!”
The clamoured was frivolity but more tormenting on her mentality, they're ravaged that even a witch might be unable to restore it.
“KILL HER!!!” “YOU WICKED BEING RESERVED THE HELL!!!”
The approaching creaking shoe steps halted the uproars of exclamations, mainly of death threats without doubts.
As the shoe steps approached her that was tightly restrained to the cross by the sacred chains, she lingered still for her death to come.
The sole thing she desired that very moment.
“Anastasia Estelle Celeste. What will you commit at this point?”
His hand draped in white gloves grab hold of her right scrawny arm that was frail as if unfed. Unhesitatingly, he removed the gem ring on her bony finger.
Magic wise, her unnatural crimson red eyes retreated to its original tones, a lustrous sole of prospered white rose with crystal-like gleam golden enclosing it.
The proof of the witches strongest clan obvious hand-down from their ancestors, a beautiful pair of coloured jewelled eyes with white rose on the centre.
“HAHAHAHA...”
Her garish laughter had the folks chatters silenced with complexions awfully appalled that was for certain. The unnerving part was that her eyes appeared lifeless while her mouth cackling brilliantly.
“Finally, Prince Caleb Lucius Carlisle de Mebluysia. You are willing to disclose your real self.” She asserted with her lips motionless that had sent some of the whiny inhabitants running.
If before her lips flashed a vibrant smile, presently her face was painted with no emotion whatsoever as if there's no other facial expression resided in her.
“Anastasia... since when?”
His mumbling voice colour appeased to the changing rhythm of his wavering heartbeats. The overlapping of fears and dismays clouded his judgements.
“You can't speak of untruth in front of witches, Your Highness.”
A mere mortal like him couldn't possibly have any idea of that, considering how their hearts spoke the opposite of their flattering lips.
“From the beginning? Wh-why don't you run away then? You could just run away, couldn't you?”
Aggrieved by realisation, he instinctively shook the fragile pale body back and forth. What had he done, the query revised in his mind, relishing the inanity of his doings.
“And for what would that be, Your Highness? It's meaningless to live any longer... Just do me a last favour in return, Caleb.”
Her bounded hands taunt with his tightly, feeling at ease never is the question. Immediately, her golden eyes fixed on the sharp sword in his hand.
“What... is it?”
Hesitation was apparent in his words, anxiously awaiting for her orders. His left hand of which carrying a sword was trembling unconsciously as he sweats cold.
“Gift me with death, Your Highness. By your own hand.” The gentle smiles those dry lips shaped contradicted her bitter utterances.
Rather than being burned at stake or decapitated by the guillotine, won't dying by his hands served a more fulfilling end?
“What? You're being ridiculous...”
He frowned with dismal expressions as he mumbled his conflicted mind that was oblivious to what he's deemed to do.
“You're telling an untruth, right...?” Without countering his words, she smiled again before yanking her hands from the binding restrictions with ease despite being supposedly tightly fastened.
Taking advantage of his awe, she briskly tugged his hand wielding the sword and stabbing herself precisely in the heart.
In the brief of an instant, red blood gushed out of her gaping mouth, painting her torn and ragged clothing with a bloody shade.
“How I wonder...” She whispered to his ears with blood dripping out endlessly.
Her hands that clasped his bloodstained hands with the sword shuddered in excruciating pain before slumping down with loosened grips.
“A-Anastasia? ....Answer me, Anastasia!” He released the chain that constrained her, embracing the slumped witch that was out of vigour that's sucked away from enduring the pain inflicted by herself.
Amidst panicking, only did he realised he was powerless and was unable to act out from stopping it from happening. He could only grieve as his people cheered on the death of his beloved that passed away by his swords.
The bloodstained quivering hands of her gently stroked his despairing face, smearing the adored white face with her red blood, treating him very delicately.
“Farewell, Caleb and thank you... May you live happily again...I'm glad that I...fall in love---with you.”
Her soft whispers became the last words to be uttered before her life terminated its journey of the world in the embrace of the grieving prince.
Her last genuine smiles shattered his heart, as it only arose after her death. He teared up with remorses while holding the lifeless corpse of her in his arms.
Out of the blue, a dazzling golden light glistened upon her body, slowly fading away with her body. As if erasing her trace of living, not even a single drop of her blood was spared.
“No, no...” He grasped for the body that was vanishing out in the thin air with desperate hoping to be able to grab her before frantically tearing up his dreary anguish.
“The time in between of us ceased, Caleb... I'm at wrong for being attached too much to the human world. Please, live the fated happy life without me.” The lady lurked away with a black robe draping her body and fled from the place.
Unwillingly ditching all of those bittersweets memories filled with him.
***
“Duchess!” Evelyn cried out her master's name while rushing to the head's main office in her maid attire, throwing away the refinement she usually in.
“Is something wrong, Eve?” Celeste serenely going over all the substantial documents and papers she required to finalized by the day as the head of the house.
“Duchess, did you recall the invitation from the palace? They are holding a ball for the crown princess selection in a week!” Evelyn heartily notifying the young duchess who bottled zero interest in it.
“And so?” Celeste had not the subtlest appeal of the royal ball held inside the palace for the aristocrats, targeting the unmarried young lady.
“Aren't you attending, Duchess Celeste? You're still a young and well-sought bachelorette. Wouldn't you want to?”
Evelyn pointed out the bitter tangibility as the duchess had supposedly entered adulthood a few years ago and was appointed as the head of the exclusive prominent dukedom.
“I have children already and it's not a necessity for me to go so I won't.” She was still unearthing a way of getaway from that social gathering she scorned.
“Sigh... the duchess truly is trapped inside the mansion often.” Evelyn guessed what was entangled inside her master's mind.
The catastrophe from before that tormented everyone particularly her that underwent the most...
“Celestine, Celestia, won't you come and greet mother?” Celeste bailed out the two that was lurking behind the door, eavesdropped to their conversation.
“Mother! You noticed us!” Celestia Isabelle Anastasya Ester Florence, the youngest lady of the Florence duchy. The optimistic and cutesy act of a small girl is her usual persona.
“Mother, I'm only dragged along here by someone.” Celestine Isaac Anastasius Ester Florence, the eldest son of Duchess Florence and was frankly matured inside out.
“My Celestine and Celestia. The week after is your long-awaited tenth birthday, would you want something as a present from me?” Celeste's proposal was annually replayed every time the twins' birthdate was approaching.
“Mother, we had agreed on our present this year. Do you remember the ‘three wishes granted’ tale you used to tell us?” Celestia reminisced one of the bedtime story tales their mother used to read them to bed.
The inspiration she gained from fairy tales certainly is out of the question but it is important to gently approach their mother with a question they want answers to.
It's supposed to be a surprise, a pleasant one or not, it's up to her to decide. Worst possible case scenario, they would be put on months of probations and sweets prohibition.
“Of course, the eternal three wishes but what about it, sweetheart?” Celeste addressed their words.
“We each will ask you three questions as our extraordinary present this year, is that alright with you, mother?”
“Haha, that sure sounds delightful. If you wish so then, I shall consent of it.”
“Great!!! Mommy's best!”
“Next week, I'll clear my schedules for that momentous day. We should celebrate the days only with those close to us, if you want. There's no need to hold a grand birthday party just to please others.”
“That would certainly be great!”
“Mother, I thought that the palace hosted a crown princes selection ball on that day too? Won't you be attending?”
“Umm... The ball commenced when the moon arises but I didn't see the need to attend such a pointless thing.”
“That reminds me! I promised to teach you more of spirit guardians!”
“Ah, that's true! Can you instruct us further about spirits?”
“Spirits are a supernatural being, different than human by their form and were varied from one element so is species from each other. They wander the world, some with purposes but some just living their daily life.
In the great empire of Mebluysia, where the people believed in spirits, some spirits even became the guardian of a special person they took fancy of.
For that reason, most of the chosen people who live with spirits could use the power of the spirit. For example, the wind spirits could lend their power to their owner and they could use the wind spirit power up to their knowledge of. Quick question?”
“I want to know about the element of the spirit!”
“There's basic spirits element on which is air, water, fire and earth. Like any other living creature, they acquired their leader called the holy spirit kings that varied from each element.
That included the two holy spirit king balancer that is of light and darkness and the holy spirit king of magic. They were the strongest out of any other spirits and was also rumoured that the empire was to fall into ruin without them.
It's safe to say that it won't happen as the chance of it to actually happened is low cause the two was busy with their livelihood. The royal family of Mebluysia was under the protection of the holy spirit king of magic, Allure.
There's four holy spirit king of main elements;
Fable --- the holy spirit king of earth, Mistral --- the holy spirit king of air, Ignatius --- the holy spirit king of fire, Glacius --- the holy spirit king of water.
And there's three holy spirit king of the balancers;
Allure --- the holy spirit king of magic, Aurora --- the holy spirit king of light, Orpheus --- the holy spirit king of darkness.”
“Mother, do you possess a guardian spirit?”
“I do. Present yourself before my sweethearts, Aurora, Orpheus.”
“We shall abide by your orders, master.”
“Whaa---? Amazing!!! T-Two holy spirit king guardians? How come?!”
“Introduce yourself.”
“We shall abide by your orders, master.”
“Young master, missus, I am the holy spirit king guardian of the master, given name, Aurora, the holy spirit king of light.”
“I gave my greetings to the young master and young mistress. I am the holy spirit king of darkness, Orpheus serving under the command of our master as the holy spirit king guardian.”
“Waaaah!! The two infamous holy spirit kings!”
“But mother, is it possible to possessed two holy spirit guardian and both are holy spirit king on top of that?”
“Unfortunately, mother also is unable to solve the mystery. It is quite complicated, you see...”
“Usually, us witches aren't gifted with the spirit guardian. For example, our head maid, Eve wasn't given a spirit guardian despite amassing a powerful magical power which usually attracted a lot of spirits.
She also declined to have one, actually.”
“Duchess!!!”
“Speak of the devil. Eve...what is it you're scurrying for?”
“You're bestowed with a private letter directly from the imperial palace just a while ago.”
“My words, not again...”
*crunch *
“I truly do expect no less of Her Majesty...”
“Are you by chance close to the empress, mother?”
“I once served as Her Imperial Majesty's nanny when she's still in the cradle. By a certain fluke, she recognised me at first glance and persist in bothering me with this and that...”
“My darlings, I'm obligated to be present while contributing impractical stuff again, huhu... I'm so sorry.”
“It's alright since we would keep you occupied during the day, we're gratified. Did the empress decreed you so, mother?”
“That big immature troublemaker seriously giving me headache...”
“Your Majesty, may I ask of what you might be tittering at?”
“Celeste Isabel Anastasia Esther Florence. She truly did a decent job at selecting names.”
“Duchess Celeste of Florence?”
“Who knows? Crown prince, would you tell me the name of your treasured one?”
“That one with no doubt would be Your Imperial Majesties.”
“I'm flattered but you surely understand my implication, crown prince. Don't you have anyone you fancy or like?”
“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty, but unfortunately, I don't.”
“That expressions aren't one who belonged to those without a sweetheart, my prince.”
“I... did have one.”
“Who would be that lucky lady who had stolen the crown prince's heart, I wonder?”
“It is no one special. Your Majesty. I've received a new sample of aromatic was from the south region. Would you like to have a sip of it?”
“Of course!”
***
“Celestine, Celestia, are you prepared? Shall we head to the town?”
Celeste's voice echoed inside the huge mansion, heeded to all the staff residing peacefully with a smile decorating their face upon the elated demeanour of their masters.
“Yes, mother!” Delighted with their excursion, both had an enthusiastic expression with the mind thinking about their agenda for the exclusive outing with their mother.
The morning ride went on smoothly with long chatters and laughter from the family of three. It's a relaxing ride accompanied by the sunny breeze of the day.
Within a flash, the carriage arrived at the centre of the empire town square, Deliah, that is bustling with the inhabitants of the place.
“Sweethearts, does anything caught your eyes?”
Celeste beamed a smile at the sight of her dear child wandering their eyes around at the stall products.
“Mother, can I have these candies? Also some delicacies? They look super good~”
The youngest made her choice, picking on her main interest, sugary sweet things! It's undeniable that the
“It's your birthday today, so better choose everything you want before you couldn't, Celestia,” Celeste said, permitting her to. She had two undercover knights to escort her children for safety reasons.
“Really?! Thank you, mother!” She left with a trusted knight by her side, off looking for her sweets.
“Celestine, do you have anything you like too?” Celeste went to her eldest son, he was at a bookstore, searching for something that he still wasn't able to find.
“Mother, I don't think I can find any other translations of this copy anywhere. Would you have any other recommendations?” Celestine explained his situations.
It's the famous book, the White Roses which came in lots of translation and some even had a slightly different storyline.
“The White Roses? I have it at the estate, sweetheart. For now, picks something else that you would like.” Celeste recalled the book that had been long sitting on the shelf hers.
“But I don't think I have something that I like,” Celestine said as he wasn't interested in something boring.
He also likes sword fighting but there's no need to buy a sword there, is it? There's only another trick left for her tsundere boy.
“Those chocolate filled pastries look pleasant, don't you think so, Celestine? Would you do me a favour and buy some pastries for me?” Celeste pointed at the bakery shop nearby, directly hitting his centre favourite which js none other than sweets.
He is just the same as Celestia but is a little shy at showing it as eating chocolates is not something a mature person would do.
“P-Pastries? What kind, mother?” He called for that that had Celeste chuckled in joy, enjoying his reaction.
“Everything that you would like, Celestine. I want something that you think would taste good. Could you do it?” Celeste asked, thinking that might take him some time inside.
“Of course, mother.” He answered before slowly entering the bakery.
“Hehe, so cute...”
“Ah!!! Help! A thief!” A young ladies wrapped in his black coal coat screamed before she was able to attract any attention, Celeste immediately moves not to cause a big mess out of those already messed up scenes.
“This should be fine, right...?” She tossed a dart from one of the stall rights on his baldy's head and he immediately drops, unable to lift any muscle anymore. Of course, the dart is just a normal dart, she just paralyzed his nerve using magic, and the dart? A mere illusion...
“Here, young lady... Please be more careful and pay attention to your surrounding.” Celeste quickly picked up the purse before handing it to her.
“So cool!!” She endlessly gasped from amazement.
“Please forgive us, duchess. We almost let him cause a disturb here.” The knights said, was nearly begging as letting anything posing a threat to their master is forbidden stuff as a knight.
“It's fine. Some things just come unexpected, carry on with your duty.” Celeste replied don't want to fire the loyal and sincere knight just because of something like this.
“Thank you, duchess!” They said, almost crying out of gratitude for her grace.
“Please wait, you are Duchess Florence, arent you?” The young lady approached Celeste, still was stunned by all of her jaws dropping moves.
“I am. Is something wrong?” Celeste asked she was actually trying to just leave immediately when she realised her actual identity.
“Mother, this lady looks similar to Princess Allegria, doesn't she?” Celestine who came by her side pointed out something immediately. He really can be super sharp sometimes.
“It's because she is. You're truly sharp, Celestine.” Celeste said, stroking his hairs, smiling too.
The one that was almost being a victim of the thief is Princess Allegria Beatrice Giselle de Mebluysia. Honestly, her temperament is just similar to that of the empress when she was small. Constantly sneaking out of the palace to tour around the town.
“Then, Your Highness, I would appreciate it if you would not sneak out anymore, it would be such a pity if the treasure of Mebluysia was injured. Please excuse us first.” Celeste hurried to leave her even more now that she knows her identity.
“Celestine, Celestia, if you're finished here, let's go home, shall we?” Celeste asked as Princess Allegria was frozen with amazement also mixed shock. Perhaps, her mind can't process too much stuff at once.
“Yes, mother!” They said, already riding their carriage, was performed to leave the princess that still hasn't move, processing her information.
“Your Highness, are you all right? I'm so shocked when you screamed earlier!!” Her lady-in-waiting who was dragged with her along said, was out of breath from running, no, more like racing to her.
“The duchess is so cool...”
In the end, the duchy of Francesca was filled with lots of sweet sugary stuff from pastries, sweets, chocolates, cakes, pies, cookies, and more.
Meanwhile,
“Where did you sneak out to, Allegria? It's not appropriate for a princess to casually sneak outside. What if something happened to you?” Clyde interrogated his little sister after realising her missing from her palace. Having a heart attack of her gone.
“I met a thief.... but a duchess saves me!” She accidentally blurted out the actual incident in front of her raging brother.
“What?! A duchess? Duchess of what?” He questioned, can't even calm himself down after having to search around the big palace.
“Duchess of... Francesca! She was so cool when she got my purse back!” Allegria said, was expressing something that had him a little shocked.
“Remember that you still have to repent before will be able to get out if the room.” He said before leaving the room, not mad anymore hearing the name of the one who saved her.
“No, older brother!!” Allegria shouted endlessly.
‘Duchess Florence? Her names sure were popular lately, wasn't she?’
“Duchess!” Evelyn cried out for her name.
“Is something wrong, Eve,” Celeste was calmly going over all the substantial documents and papers she required to finalized.
“Duchess, did you remember the invitation from the palace? They are holding a ball for the crown princess selection tomorrow!” Evelyn heartily notified the duchess that had zero interest in it.
“And so?” Celeste amassed not the subtlest appeal of the ball that was held officially inside the palace for the aristocrats, especially unmarried young lady.
“Aren't you going, Duchess Celeste? You're still young and not even married. Don't you want to?” Evelyn proposed deemed the truth as the duchess had just reached adulthood a few months ago.
“I have children and it's not a necessity for me to go so I won't.” She was still unearthing a way of avoidance from that social gathering she disliked.
“Sigh... the duchess has trapped inside the mansion always,” Evelyn reckoned what had entangled inside her master's mind. The catastrophe from before that tormented everyone specifically her that underwent the most...
“Celestine, Celestia, come out already.” Celeste bailed out the two that was lurking behind the door, heeded to their conversation.
“Mother! You noticed us!” Celestia Isabella Freya, the youngest daughter of Duchess Celeste of Freya. The optimistic and cutest little girl as her guise.
“Mother. I'm only dragged here by someone.” Celestine Isaac Freya, the eldest son of Duchess Celeste of Freya and was openly much more matured inside out.
“My darling Celestine and Celestia. Tomorrow is your tenth birthday, would you like anything?”
“Mother, we had decided before that we both want to learn from you about our ancestors! The witches stories especially!” Celestial answered just as the two had it slated from before as foreseen.
“I guess that flows in your blood. If you wish so then, I'll grant it. You are mothers greatest treasure.”
“Yippie!”
“Thank you, mother.”
“Tomorrow, should we hold a birthday party for you? Just with us inside the mansion.”
“It's fine even if you don't, mother.”
“Then, let me tell you something about us.”
“Us, witches were detested by the humans for the reason that they are far inferior to us. Its nature orders. As so, we had to blend in with the normal human no matter what...do not risk our life and lives amicably amongst the human.”
“Can I ask a question, mother?”
“Go on.”
“Why should we lie low when we are stronger? Can't we just had them below us?”
“No, dear. If we wanted to live peacefully, blending in is better rather than being chased for our whole life. Never to disrupt this peace we had.”
“Understood.”
“Our eyes are different from a normal human, this single white rose is the emblem of mother's lineage, our clan, the resurrection clan, the most powerful clan of witches known for their immortality. A lot of other witches are mortals, in fact.
When you grew up, the pure white petals will deviate into red periodically. This ring, never take it off dear, it will guise your eyes but not your powers.”
“Mother, what do you mean by occasionally changing?”
“Good question, Celes. The petals mirrored its master's feelings, high exhilarations, extreme grieving, infinite agitation and insanities. Basically saying, it will change when there's a sudden emotional outburst or extreme feelings.”
“Then, why only when I am an adult?”
“Because there's no way that I'm going to let the two of you ever experienced this kind of things while I'm here with you. Yes, some might be a good sign but some not when it changes. It could even give death to a witch.”
“Ouch... scary...”
“Certainly, there is good witches but also bad witches. As you might have known, this two is my holy spirit guardian, Orpheus, the holy spirit king of darkness and Aurora, the holy spirit king of light.”
“Young master and young miss are so cute!”
“Just be quiet for once, please? Both of them is flawless, not simply cute!”
‘What are you even discussing about...?’
“Show yourself to them, Orpheus, Aurora.”
“Yes, master!”
“Wow! It really is the infamous spirit kings!”
“But mother, why do you have two holy spirit guardian? And both are holy spirit kings?”
“I don't know about that... Quite complicated, you see...”
“Moving on, everyone inside the duchy of Freya is not a normal human, perhaps you would know that already...including, Evelyne Blythe, our head maid and my lady-in-waiting.”
“Duchess!!!”
“Speak of the devil...”
“Eve... What was it?”
“There was a letter directly from the empress!”
“Not again...”
“Are you close to the empress, mother?”
“The empress... I once was her tutor when she's little... I even taught her few things about witches, even still recognised me and, keep disturbing me with this and that...”
*crunch *
“I really do expect no less of Her Majesty...”
“Dears, I am forced to got to the ball again~”
“Did the empress ordered you, Duchess?”
“She really is a big troublemaker...”
“Royal Mother, what you might be tittering at?”
“Celeste Esther Amaryllis Freya. She really did a good job of choosing names.”
“Duchess Celeste of Freya?”
“Correct. My son, tell me, don't you have anyone you like?”
“I apologise, Your Majesty, but I don't.”
“Answer me truthfully, son.”
“I did have one.”
“Who is it that had stolen my dear son's heart?”
“Its no one special. Your Majesty, I've brought some new teas from the south country. Would you like to taste it?
“Of course.”
***
“Celestine, Celestia, are you prepared? Let's go to town.” Celeste checked on her dearest sweethearts that are ready to go for a tour and also shopping in the town.
“Yes, mother.” They answered, was excited as tomorrow would be their birthday if only their mother could stay even at night. But still, it's such a great blessing.
After a moment of the ride, they arrived at the town that is bustling with every type of person.
“Dears, would you like anything? Or does something caught your eyes?” Celeste asked as the two had their eyes wandering around at the stall products.
“Mother, can I have these candies? Also some delicacies? They look so good~” Celestia said, already picking on her main interest, sugary sweet things!
“It's your birthday today, so better choose everything you want before you couldn't, Celestia,” Celeste said, permitting her to. She had two knights to guard her children for safety reasons.
“Really?! Thank you, mother!” She left with a trusted knight by her side, off looking for her sweets.
“Celestine, do you have anything you like too?” Celeste went to her eldest son, he was at a bookstore, searching for something that he still wasn't able to find.
“Mother, I don't think I can find any other translations of this copy anywhere. Would you have any other recommendations?” Celestine explained his situations, it's the famous book the White Roses which came in lots of translation and some even had a slightly different storyline.
“The White Roses? I have it at home, dear. For now, pick something else that you would like.” Celeste recalled the book that had been long sitting on the shelf hers.
“But I don't think I have something that I like,” Celestine said as he wasn't interested in something boring.
He also likes sword fighting but there's no need to buy a sword there, is it? There's only another trick left for her tsundere boy.
“Those chocolate filled pastries look pleasant, don't you think so, Celestine? Would you do me a favor and buy some pastries for me?” Celeste pointed at the bakery shop nearby, directly hitting his centre favourite which js none other than sweets.
He is just the same as Celestia but is a little shy at showing it as eating chocolates is not something a mature person would do.
“P-Pastries? What kind, mother?” He obviously called for that that had Celeste chuckled in joy, enjoying his reaction.
“Everything that you would like, Celestine. I want something that you think would taste good. Could you do it?” Celeste asked, thinking that might take him some time inside.
“Of course, mother.” He answered before slowly entering the bakery.
“Hehe, so cute...”
“Ah, no!!! Help! A thief!” A young ladies wrapped in his black coal coat screamed before she was able to attract any attention, Celeste immediately moves not to cause a big mess out of those already messed up scenes.
“This should be fine, right...?” She tossed a dart from one of the stall rights on his baldy's head and he immediately drops, unable to lift any muscle anymore. Of course, the dart is just a normal dart, she just paralyzed his nerve using magic, and the dart? A mere illusion...
“Here, young lady... Please be more careful and pay attention to your surrounding.” Celeste quickly picked up the purse before handing it to her.
“So cool!!” She endlessly gasped from amazement.
“Please forgive us, duchess. We almost let him cause a disturb here.” The knights said, was nearly begging as letting anything posing a threat to their master is forbidden stuff as a knight.
“It's fine. Some things just come unexpected, carry on with your duty.” Celeste replied Don't want to fire the loyal and sincere knight just because of something like this.
“Thank you, duchess!” They said, almost crying out of gratitude for her grace.
“Please wait, you are Duchess Freya, arent you?” The young lady approached Celeste, still was stunned by all of her jaws dropping moves.
“I am. Is something wrong?” Celeste asked she was actually trying to just leave immediately when she realised her actual identity.
“Mother, this lady looks similar to Princess Allegria, doesn't she?” Celestine who came by her side pointed out something immediately. He really can be super sharp sometimes.
“It's because she is. You're truly sharp, Celestine.” Celeste said, stroking his hairs, smiling too.
The one that was almost being a victim of the thief is Princess Allegria Beatrice Giselle de Raestraena. Honestly, her temperament is just similar to that of the empress when she was small. Constantly sneaking out of the palace to tour around the town.
“Then, Your Highness, I would appreciate it if you would not sneak out anymore, it would be such a pity that the treasure of Raestraena was hurt. Please excuse us first.” Celeste hurried to leave her even more now that she knows her identity.
“Celestine, Celestia, if you're finished here, let's go home, shall we?” Celeste asked as Princess Allegria was frozen with amazement also mixed shock. Perhaps, her mind can't process too much stuff at once.
“Yes, mother!” They said, already riding their carriage, was performed to leave the princess that still hasn't move, processing her information.
“Your Highness, are you all right? I'm so shocked when you screamed earlier!!” Her lady-in-waiting who was dragged with her along said, was out of breath from running, no, more like racing to her.
“The duchess is so cool...”
In the end, the duchy of Freya was filled with lots of sweet sugary stuff from pastries, sweets, chocolates, cakes, pies, cookies, and more.
Meanwhile,
“Where did you sneak out to, Allegria? It's not appropriate for a princess to casually sneak outside. What if something happened to you?” Clyde interrogated his little sister after realising her missing from her palace. Having a heart attack of her gone.
“Actually I met a thief.... but a duchess saves me!” She actually accidentally blurted out the actual incident in front of her raging brother.
“What?! A duchess? Duchess of what?” He questioned, can't even calm himself down after having to search around the big palace.
“Duchess of... Freya! She was so cool when she got my purse back!” Allegria said, was expressing something that had him a little shocked.
“Remember that you still have to repent before will be able to get out if the room.” He said before leaving the room, not mad anymore hearing the name of the one who saved her.
“No, older brother!!” Allegria shouted endlessly.
‘Duchess Freya? Her names sure were popular lately, wasn't she?’
***
“Anastasia! Here!” His warms hands caught her small hands, bringing her somewhere as a surprise despite her knowing everything.
“Clyde, how come are you here?”
She is an adopted daughter to a couple of old farmers who wasn't blessed with a child. Meanwhile, he is a mere worker who works as a footman inside a luxurious mansion across the town. Seeing him early in the morning is not a usual routine as both have their own chore to be done.
“To see you, Stasia.” Smiles formed on his radiant bright face, excited for the incoming secrets he kept from her.
“Eh?” Simply stepping to where she was roped to, following him from the back as he hyperedly stepping under the sunny sun.
“Come here, I'll bring you to somewhere beautiful.”
“Wah! It's really gorgeous... thank you, Clyde, it's truly a blessing to be at such a gorgeous scenery with you, on my birthday.”
Anastasia replied, was smiling radiantly too, with the boy shyness appealing especially on the two ears and not so chubby cheeks. The calming winds were peaceful and it's really a lenient day in short.
“Stasia, why are you wearing those often? Was it something important to you?”
“It is... extremely important... This amethyst pendant was the only treasure that my mother left for me. And this ring... was my only beloved possession.” Her eyes reflected much love but also longings towards someone unreachable.
“You told me that your mother is gone before, is she still alive, Stasia?” Clyde asked, not realising that such a question might break her heart, just slid out of his mouth obliviously.
“She's killed by those she planted trust in the most but I know that she realizes of the aftermath... just as I did...”
Her tiny fingers fiddled the pendants, indeed, it's been long since she last saw her mother, like really long and it's understandable in her case as so, it's bearable.
“Oh! I'm sorry asking such a sensitive question, Stasia...” His face shows worries, admits his carelessness in speaking, almost blundering nonsense.
“Its nothing to be sorry about and I'm perfectly fine. I've also calculated the consequences... what are you here for?” Swiftly changing the topic, diverting his attention somewhere else not to attract much attention to that specific story.
“Anastasia Estelle Celeste, would you be mine, only mine till death had us apart?” The word death had us apart meant nothing to her but still, she is touched by his surprises that don't really become a surprise when she acknowledges it already.
“Clyde...”
‘Thank you, Clyde...’ Her minds thought, before he kneeled onto the ground with a round ring in his hands, shoving it to her.
“I love you, Anastasia, will you forever be mine?”
“Yes...!” She accepted, presently both of them had inexplicable and mixed emotions between wants and needs.
“...promise me something, Clyde...” Anastasia intruded the blissful moments, saying the things he really needs to.
“...what is it, Stasia?” Clyde seemed to pay attention to her wants.
“One day, would you grant my conclusive wish?”
By the conclusive, she meant her last wish before everything between them ended, the fake relationship, the affections, the memories and sentiments ended.
“Anything for you, my princess.” He took her hands and kissed the back, acting like a sir kissing his lady's hands. How cliché is that...
“Where did you learn to say all of those sweet words, Clyde?” Distracting his worried face for a while, not to shock him too much, it must be a normal unbothered reaction or he will know it immediately.
“...I didn't...” He slightly tilted his face the right side, covering his red scorching face from his own shyness.
“Hehe... your face is red again, Clyde!” She chuckled, the teasing project of Clyde is done almost every day in order to see those cute shy faces.
“Clyde, even if anything happened in the future, you need to continue to move forward, alright? Looking back basically salting an open wound.”
She uttered her wishes, last wish for his happiness, he must take a step back to continue his life happily. He sure would be able to do that, at least.
“What would you mean, Anastasia? Move forward from what? Don't tell me that you're going somewhere else?” His shy faces faded away, replaced with a concerned, worried face. Is it for his task here or his actual feelings she wondered?
“Still, made me a promise, would you?” Anastasia evaded the question, taking the root again but he never managed to promise her at all.
“Anastasia...”
“I'm just saying, Clyde. You look so serious just now!”
Anastasia chuckled ‘happily’, pretending into making to a joke, watching his sad face, her heart really wishes to ask him, is it for his task that he make that dejected face or true feelings?
***
“Clyde... Clyde!!! You're up?”
Cyrus Emmet Cielo, the closest cousin of him and is currently working for the crown prince, becoming his close aides, not in fighting but instead, brain fighting or debating and thinking.
“I am. It's just a shuteye.” Clyde swiftly opened his eyes when he was obviously fallen asleep, even had a dream about his past... a dream about her.
“Yeah, sure it is.”
He pressed the word sure, expressing his disagreement that he clearly is lying about and he knows for the fact that he just had a dream, about the past.
Why? Because his aura just went berserk for a moment in his sleep.
“You have to be carefully prepared for your matchmaking ball soon. How could you look so uninterested when it's your own ball?” Cyrus sneered, if it's him, what a blessing it would be when a young beautiful ladies were waiting in line for him.
“It's not like I really wanted to. It's just a measly old tradition of Raestraena on which is continued for generations.” Clyde countered, there's no reason to when he had to trouble his brain to pick someone to dance with.
“Don't tell me that you still haven't moved on from Anas...” Cyrus almost blurting out something that had been basically banned from the mouth of everyone.
“Drop it. Don't you dare mention her name here!” Clyde was oddly agitated from hearing those names, he doesn't even know why he's too angry when that name was uttered when he really missed her...
“Relax, man...I won't, alright. Why are you getting so worked up over a joke?” Cyrus was regretting his foul mouth, causing such trouble, bringing death to his face, misspoken with the crown prince of a big empire. Though, he is his cousin...
“...” Clyde was taken back, realising what he had just done over her name, it's just her name!
“Clyde, do you know about Duchess Celeste of Freya?” Cyrus brought back the things he really wanted to ask her.
“Not really, why...?” He asked, was back to his normal, cool and collected self.
“It appeared that she just had her debut recently and became the young duchess but everyone was super pleased with her as if she's work for over decades.”
“She just had her social debut recently? That's really young...” In Raestraena, when the young ladies reach the age of sixteen, they were to celebrate their coming of age ceremony at the palace with the girls her age.
Different from the girl, the young lad would be celebrating their coming of age ceremony at the age of eighteen years old when they just reach the proper age of becoming adult as a coming of age ceremony is to celebrate these who had become an adult.
“What's more, she has two children, but, some said that she adopted them to not to get espoused to or chased by suitors. Well, she sure does stand out in the crowd so it's might be true.”
Cyrus had once met the Duchess of Freya, or her real name, Duchess Celeste Esther Amarillys Freya and undoubtedly, her face alone stands out, not counting in her gorgeous hair and that perfect figure.
“Her Majesty seemed to be close to the duchess even when they didn't meet each other in the palace.”
“The empress who doesn't really like social gathering is the one you're talking about?” Yup, Her Majesty, the empress dislike being in public except for the official task as the empress.
“They might become friends before she became the empress but sounds a little impossible...”
It is impossible as when the empress young, the duchess would be even younger and might not even be able to meet each other without the possibility of her not being your typical human.
“Regardless, don't forget about the ball tomorrow night, alright?”
“I won't, so stop pestering me and instead finish this.”
Clyde edged on the mountain of paperwork at the right side for Cyrus who had enough time to be chatting with him. Actually, it's so that he won't make it to the ball, or it would be chaos with him there.
“You're kidding. All of this?” His eyeballs almost dropped out of its sockets, bigger than normal.
“Do I really have to repeat twice, Cyrus?” Clyde continues doing his task shares as the crown prince of the empire who was tasked with lots of works.
“Yes, Your Highness the bossy crown prince. See ya, I'm going to finish this before tomorrow night.” He brought those bunch of papers to his own office, slowly stepping not to drop all of those burdens.
“Heh... As if you could.”
‘That reminded me of you again... Anastasia Estelle Celeste... what do I do now?’ He rubbed his temples lightly, relieving all of his stored feelings...
***
“Duchess, you don't look even delighted to the slightest,” Evelyn commented on her duchess dissatisfied face, it's really grumpy that even the maids were afraid to face her.
“How can I when I have to go because of a royal decree? I seriously am going to go mad if this happens again.” Celeste said, earlier this morning, she remembered seeing in the cup of tea of someone dancing around with mixed feelings and was forced too and it seems to be her.
This is called precognition through scrying which is seeing the future in multiple ways.
Based on the position which is the centre of the crowd, only the crown prince and his chosen lady were to dance there. Oh God, that is a bad omen for sure.
“Mother, please be back safely,” Celestine said, was doubtful because of the uneasy face she made earlier.
“Of course, Celestine, mother will,” Celeste reassured her children.
“Mother, is something wrong? Your eyebrows were furrowed for a few whiles already...” Celestia asked, also is concerned about her. The sweetest children ever and also are the sharpest.
“I'll be fine, dear, as long as I survived this ball,” Celeste replied, hopefully, she would calmly survive the calamity which would happen soon in Clyde, no... the crown prince ball...
For some reason, her heart was throbbing so painfully, as if it was stabbed with a stake, like a vampire story, nah?
“Then, have a good night ball, mother!” Celestia waved goodbye to her mother, despite being small, she actually is quite mature, not leaving out her eldest brother, who is much more mature as an adult supposed to.
“Yup, let's just have some calm good night ball...”
***
“Duchess Freya, looked so gorgeous tonight, wouldn't you agreed, Count Venice?” Count Abraham said, was praising her too much that it makes her uncomfortable, like really uncomfortable.
This is the reason she really hates social gathering but there's another reason why she really really dislike it which will be soon happened.
Look, she could definitely predict the future but it might not be really true and even if it's cause it mostly is, she won't be able to change it cause future can't be changed whatever you did.
You won't be able to simply pick up an eraser and erased it so that you won't fall into a tragedy, no, it's something fated to happen.
“Indeed, the duchess shined even more than the ladies here tonight.” Count Venice replied which had her past her uncomfortable zones. How did she even get caught up with these guys that had children and wives to look after at home.
“I'm flattered by your praises, gentlemen but I must apologise as I would need to step back a little.” Celeste began running her way out of those old geezers sight.
Honestly, not gonna lie but they're mostly old and had kids and wives with triples ‘sss’ waiting for them back at home when here they are flirting to the uncomforting state.
“Celeste!” A voice called from behind of her which saved her immediately from all those staring eyes that are waiting to be approaching her.
“Countess?” Celeste uttered upon laying her eyes on the childlike figure, I mean teenage-like figure lady who is still in her honeymoon switch, Countess of Doris, Countess Isabella Bernadette Doris, a best friend of her.
“Celeste, I thought you weren't going to come to the ball?” Isabella asked, well it's quite understandable of her question as she had once asked her regarding the ball with an answer stating no and suddenly her making her entrance out of nowhere.
“I actually don't want to until I had to. But now I had to.”
Celeste answered, doesn't really want to reveal that she is basically threatened by someone she wished not to meet the most but what to do, she is only under the authority of the monarch.
“Is that so? Aren't you questioned who is going to be the next crown princess?”
Isabella asked as her eyes wandered to the bunch of ladies with their well-done hair, frilly dresses, shiny jewels and colourful shoes but there's someone who stands out lady out of them all with shiny bright light around her, attracting like that of a chandelier hanging on the ceilings.
No, just joking but her shines were no kid.
“Won't it be Lady Arlene Elisabeth Asnil, the eldest daughter of Earl of Asnil? They had perfect chemistry together, don't they?” The one they were talking about is the living chandelier.
She had extra well-made polished hair grabbed out of a doll, extra frillies pink dress, extra blinding shiny jewels and extra hone shoes. Everything about her seriously is extra that it became quite disturbing and extremely eyes catching.
“You think so too? Though, her attitude won't make her pass with that chemistry. That ruffles dress gonna cost the pitiful earl with thousands of pounds...”
Yup, the poor earl was having a financial crisis added with those works, which would make the old earl passed out from the price alone.
Moreover, she isn't your typical kind fairy tale princess, she had an extremely rude, arrogant and a habit of constantly showing off.
“Its a pity for the earl that is in debt, then. After all, it's not really is our problem, is it?” Celeste could even think of the early that is laid in his bed from those huge debts he's going to have.
“Celeste, I am married but you aren't.”
Isabella draw her line, it is true that she is a duchess with children but she isn't married, still is available and have a lot of suitors but all of them were bluntly rejected with the straight cruel word.
Still, it's doesn't seem to be working considering those eyes that latched on her.
“But I do have children, my own children... and I didn't wish to be in relationships.” She shrugged off her thoughts of being in a relationship, well, what do they expect from her who was ‘killed’ by her loved one?
“Can you bring them again? Please, I really want to see those cuties!” Isabella totally forgot about that when she remembered those images of those cute twins but they were still little when she last visit them.
“Nope, if you want to then go to my manor yourself.”
Celeste refused firmly, her children, she does bring them out sometimes but not every day as they too don't seem hyper with those sunlights outside and would rather be home with books.
“Just you wait, Celeste until I gave birth to twins! No, triplets!” Isabella said, already deciding her way to impress her.
“Can your small body handled the weight, tho?”
Celeste teased her a little like the difference if their height is quite a lot when Celeste is not even that long as Isabella is really short. Like, really short.
Moreover, Bella is slightly older than the duchess with two years ahead of her supposed age.
“It could for sure...?” Even she herself doubted her words as she glanced down her flat tummy which was covered with garments.
“Well then, good luck with your triplets.” Celeste chuckled, was eased by her nature if making others happy before an announcement was made which had most people were excited, the entrance of the royal family.
“Announcing, the arrival of the royal family! His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Clementine Julius Caesar de Raestraena!!
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Adelaide Sylvia Ursula de Raestraena!!
His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Clyde Ernest Carlisle de Raestraena and Her Royal Highness, Princess Allegria Beatrice Giselle de Raestraena!!!”
“MAY THE ROYAL FAMILY BE IN HAPPINESS AND RAESTRAENA BE IN GLORY AND PROSPERITY ALWAYS!!!!” Without other words spout, all of them began bowing to their current leader, monarch of Raestraena.
For a moment, just a moment, Celeste could feel the gaze from the crown prince as their eyes meet before she gazes down the floor, diverting the focus.
“Let the ball begin!”
“Celeste, can I took away Bella for the dance?” The one who is asking for the needless permission is Count of Doris, Bella's legal husband, Count Florence Delius Doris.
He constantly tagged along during their meeting but she doesn't really felt bothered by his presence and got along quite well with him that the three of them basically became best friends.
“Sure is, make sure not to return her back,” Celeste replied without even a second thought, considering that the two had even begun exchanging those glances filled with affections.
This is the problem with couples, they could even bear to be separated for a split second, they should just be stuck together but still, it quite amusing to watch them every day.
“Hey, that's harsh.” She sulked, showing her big gun, that puppy eyes with her sad face, sadly screaming give me attention!
“Don't sulk, dear Bel, just kidding. Have fun and make sure not to step on his shoes again, Bella.” Celeste could just have her friendly message, which was from a friend to another slipped by, isn't satisfied letting her go without any teases.
“And you, make sure not to run away.” Bella reminded her as once immediately when the ball start, Celeste was nowhere to be founded except her cosy bed.
“Can I have the honour to have a dance with you, my lady?” Florence who just acted like a background from before making his appearances alife again showing his hands for her to accept.
“Sure, gentleman.” Bella takes his hands, already growing in the river of her love life, nearly forgetting about her lone besties.
“I've to escape this quick...” Celeste muttered before making her way out of the stuffy ball before she was caught by someone unwanted but how wrong is she to think that she would be able to escape for the clutch of the trickster.
“Duchess, I am afraid to disappoint you but...” As expected, she already was caught before even was able to escape.
“Her Majesty called for me again?” She guessed, was even feeling Deja vu from the same event that happened almost every event she attends.
Judith Abriel, the empress lady-in-waiting and close aids. For some reason, she helped Her Majesty with basically everything.
“Correct, Duchess Freya. Please, this way.” Judith slightly bowed her body and showed the way with her hands.
“Judith, can't you just tell Her Majesty that I'm gone?” Celeste said, from all the events, she was quite used to the empress close aid and so is Judith.
“I apologise but no, duchess. I also wished to begone at this very moment.” Judith expressed her mixed feelings but her unchanging facial expression is truly remarkable.
“It's fine, I can feel you, Judith,” Celeste said, becoming the target if the empress boredom going to be a heavy troublesome.
“Thank you, duchess,” Judith thanked her before she finally faced to face confronted the empress of this whole empire.
“I gave my greetings to the moon of Raestraena, Empress Adelaide Sylvia Ursula de Raestraena and the royal family of Raestraena. May the Raestraena Empire be in glories and serenity always.” Celeste greeted the empress that is pleased with her appearance with her head bowed to her.
Alongside Her Majesty, there is His Majesty the emperor, His Highness the crown prince and Her Highness the princess. The gap makes her feel so tiny, became the centre of their focus as the guests were enjoying the ball calmly.
“Rise, Duchess Celeste of Freya... I'm so glad that you managed to come here today. Did you feel the same?” Empress Adelaide asked, her grinning face almost couldn't hold her laughter seeing the forced smile from the duchess.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am delighted when I received your letter. I truly am.” Celeste said, with her eyebrows furrowed, trying to make an honest sincere smile.
“Haha... Is that so? Duchess, why aren't you joining the ball before?” She seriously pretended not to understand her meaning when Celeste is desperate enough to leave the ball with the gazes on her.
“Please pardon me, Your Majesty but I were loaded with works at times and weren't able to be present on various occasions.” Celeste made an excuse when the truth is that the reason was mist caused by her dislikes of going out of her duchy to interact. It easily drained her energy out.
“I believe that being a duchess at such a young age must be quite tough.” Empress Adelaide commented, she still hasn't started her actual reason of suddenly calling her over and was chitchatting to not be so suspicious.
“I thanked Your Majesty for your concerns but I'm afraid that I must not waste any more of your precious time, Your Majesty.”
Celeste said was trying to place an ending to their conversation but the mischievous empress had another plan in her mind.
“It's fine, Duchess Celeste, it's such a joy conversing with you. What do you think of this crown princess exploration ball, duchess? I really am interested in your own opinion.”
That one sounds attractive but also sudden questions she had, an opinion...of what point exactly? Him?
“In my belief, this long-held tradition ball on which purpose was to search for the crown princess, the next reigning monarch spouse might be good news to the unmarried ladies, dressing up as the best is their so-called potent but won't this only created heavy tension and battles between the ladies?
Additionally, this will place the heaviest pressure on the crown prince whose job is to choose an appropriate partner that is going to live with him forever. I really do respect the law of Raestraena on which to have one love in a lifetime as it would avoid most royal lineages havoc in throne battles.
Also, some ladies might be forced by their family to be here as gaining the royal family backing is something that everyone wished for.
In anyways, this isn't actually that bad as it would give young ladies some chance to shine also, the crown prince got to chose his partner, by himself but of course, by the guide of the imperial family. In short, this aged tradition doesn't give much positive or even negative impact.”
Celeste explained one per one, going through every detailed when she simply blurting out the truth but keeping it in an appropriate way as she's currently talking with someone who had a high hierarchy in the empire, the second highest one.
“I could really see now the reason why the duchy of Freya is having a big improvement in such a short time.” The emperor of Raestraena, Emperor Clementine made his remarks, amazed by those wide viewpoints in clear sentences and a short conclusion.
Even he is interested in her now, not in that way.
“I really am flattered by Your Majesty praises though, it's only my humble opinions on this ball. I hope that I didn't offend anyone in the process.” Celeste apologised humbly, even apologising for something that had no fault in it.
“This is why I like you so much, Duchess Freya. So humble yet reasonable and sensible. So perfect!” Empress Adelaide said, was feeling so proud with her when she's technically the one taking care of.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, may I say something?” Princess of Raestraena, Princess Allegria Beatrice Giselle de Raestraena was asking for permission with her bubbly eyes.
“Go on, Allegria.” The emperor gave her permit to something more troublesome.
“She is the one who saved me yesterday! Duchess is so cool~” Princess Allegria said, she was really fascinated by how she took care of the pervert.
“Ah, what a coincident this is. Is it true, Duchess Freya?” Empress Adelaide spoke, even excited now that another one was known even by everyone.
“It's just a simple help that I gave Her Highness, Your Majesty and I am glad that Your Highness was able to be back unwounded,” Celeste said, even thinking on how to escape from the ballroom.
Though the ball had started a while ago and the prince needs to choose someone to dance with when they're in the halfway of the dance.
“Kya! The duchess is so collected and calm!” Princess Allegria said, still fawning over her, it's cute but also embarrassing to be praised endlessly like that.
“Isn't she?” Empress Adelaide added.
“Then, let us grant you something in return for your help, duchess. Might you have something in mind?” Emperor Clementine spoke, remember of her heroic act which was actually done unconsciously.
“I'm afraid not, Your Majesty and as I said before, it's only a simple help that anyone would be able to do, Your Majesty so I don't really wish for a compensation,” Celeste said as she doesn't really need anything in return for simply getting rid of something, it's not that hard to.
“I will respect your request as you wish then.”
“Duchess Celeste is so awesome and beautiful! You look really similar to a doll! Its a praise!” Princes Allegria hasn't ended her fawning still.
“I'm flattered, Your Highness,” Celeste said, doing her best not to show those red blushes on her cheek.
“I'm curious about the reason that you're still not married, would it be because you aren't interested?” Princess Allegria asked, how could this question actually blurt out? So long and endless...
“Replying to Your Highness's queries, indeed, Your Highness, I not really am interested in being in a relationship. Besides, I have my own children. ”
“That would be a big disappointment to all of the unmarried man waiting for you, Duchess Freya.” Empress Adelaide commented that had her wondering her reasoning for such a statement.
“I don't really know about that...”
“Duchess, I heard that you're really talented at dancing, arent you? We all have been excited about your dance but you don't even participate in any balls. Could you do it, Duchess Freya?” She proceeded with her plan, the plan of making the most perfect couple to dance together!
“I'm afraid that my dancing is not as wonderful as Your Majesty described. Please forgive me for my ashaming flaws.” Celeste countered it perfectly, was nervous now that her precognition early in the morning is reaching.
Still, trying to not to make it worse to the least.
“What are you saying, Duchess Freya. Likewise, I am also interested in the dance that the fussy empress actually fancied. Could you perform it for us?” Emperor Clementine seems to be waiting patiently too.
“I'm a little troubled as I don't have any partner, Your Majesty. The dance was danced by a pair and it seemed like the gentlemen were engaged with their dance.”
Celeste had her another solution before realising how idiot she is when she just gave the empress a way to pair her up.
“Then, our crown prince seemed a little troubled at choosing his partner. Or, do you perhaps have chosen your partner, Crown Prince Clyde?”
“I still haven't, Your Majesty.”
“Perfect! Then, Duchess Freya, would you do the honour and dance with the crown prince? This way, it would benefit both of you.” Empress Adelaide skilled meaningfully beside the emperor which mean no moves left for her.
“Could you please, duchess?” Princess Allegria tagged along in trying to make her give in and dance.
“But...”
“Duchess Freya, may I have the honour of dancing with you?” Crown Prince Clyde held out his hands for her to receive meaning that she does accept his invitation for the dance.
“...sure...” She hesitated before agreeing and both of the walk with hands holding each other, no just he holds her hand before stepping down the stairs to join the crowd dancing.
“Oh my God! Is that the Duchess of Freya? And the crown prince?!” Some were excited about their dance, some were jealous and some were not that happy.
“My beloved duchess! So gorgeous!!”
“Today's ball certainly is the most interesting one without a doubt, don't you think so, Your Majesty?” Empress Adelaide said after just crushing the hope of Celeste. Yet, she is really feel relieved seeing her participating...
“It certainly is.” Emperor Clementine said, he already acknowledged that the empress really wants the two to be together for what reason, that is a secret.
Celeste gave him a graceful curtsy as he bowed respectfully before began dancing, being the lead in the ballroom. Each of their moves was on point, gracefully moving their every limb to the tune in a flawless harmonization.
Their moves are going faster and faster following the beat to never miss it. It's honestly tiring to continue dancing like that.
After some tiring dance, it ended and they once again exchange curtsy as the initial step before dancing.
“Please excuse me first, Your Royal Highness,” Celeste said, trying to run away before anything weird was detected, he mustn't... really mustn't know that it's she the one he ‘killed’ before.
“...” Clyde's eyes just follow her that is hurrying badly to leave the ball before was called again by the empress. His heart somehow felt weird...
Meanwhile...
“Duchess, aren't you going to wait until the ball ended?” Isabella who managed to catch up to her that is already riding her carriage asked.
“I won't Bella. Just look at what had happened. The longer I stay in here, the madder it's gonna get. Don't worry about me and enjoy your night, alright?” Celeste said, was hurrying as her heart was shaking madly. Seems like a witch still has her own emotions like a normal human...
“Be safe, Celeste.”
***
“Your Majesty, may I asked you something?” Judith whos hand is brushing and combing the hair of the empress asked.
“What is it, Judith? It's rare for you to make such a request if it's not for the ball.” Empress Adelaide guessed it's predictable after all.
“Why did you push the pitiful duchess so much? Quite obvious it is that she is uncomfortable.”
“Because I really wish that my teacher would one day find her true happiness. She is too kind to be true, more specifically, she won't make a move that would affect anyone or showcase herself. Reasonably, it's understandable as what she had gone through before which is even part of my fault.” She explained to Judith.
Before when she was a normal duke daughter who had nothing appealing to her, a powerful witch called Anastasia helped her to accomplished her goals and even helped her to learn about magic a few bits.
However, these friendships lead to known of the witch being caught especially by her own son... who have to in order to convince all the aristocrats and even normal civilians of his rights to the throne.
Start of a flashback...
“Anastasia, you are a witch, aren't you? Why don't you just go somewhere that no one was to dislikes you and even help me with all of this?”
Adelaide was twelve years old when she was visited by an unusual tutor who claimed to be the one who will help her to reach her goals. And that unusual tutor is a powerful witch and they got along pretty well despite all of that.
“Well, pretty cause I'm bored and normal humans are far more interesting than that of concoction. There's something called precognition of where I help a little girl to rose to the throne and you're the chosen one.” Anastasia who was hanging by the window said, was calm yet there's another thing else in that calmness.
“Precognition?”
“Yup. A glimpse of the future through any kind of medium like dreams or even this cup of tea. This empire was lucky to have you, Adelaide so you must do your best and never to do anything against nature alright?”
“I will, but Anastasia, won't you get caught if you keep doing all of this?” Adelaide said, was worried about her teacher also is grateful for all of her teachings on which brought her good lucks every time.
“Once, I've had precognition about the future, far after you being the empress. I will be killed again, after being capture by someone close to me.”
For the very first time, she had seen her teachers eyes were so dispirited like that, its cold and soulless, no more of her warm self. But later, it returns back which had her thinking lots of her ‘again’.
“You will be killed?! How come??!! You aren't immortal?” Adelaide freaked out, was worried sincerely about her.
“I am immortal, Adelaide but remember that being killed don't really mean a complete death. Indeed, I will be stabbed with blood spurting out till I was sucked dry but I'm cursed with this endless life. After that, I'll be living again, and again without truly dying.”
She explained, laidback and all but why... she's going to be killed! Even by someones shes closed to but why doesn't she look casual...?
“Anastasia, how could you even live like that? Tell me, what could I've done to avoid it!”
“Adelaide, don't cry, it's destined to. Yes, we can change something but another one will be changed too. Its no use avoiding bad luck. Be a good person, Adelaide and live your life to the fullest, that's all I wished for.”
“Uwaah!!! Anastasia!!!” That chilly noon wrapped up with her crying of the fate of her teacher that she wonders why didn't she avoids it?
End of the flashback...
“The duchess does have that unique yet comforting aura near her but she didn't seem to make much close friend, except for the Countess of Doris,” Judith said, realised that the empress mind had wandered one else.
“Yea, but even the countess struggle to befriended her before which were really gleeful. I dislike it when she prioritised others more than herself.”
“Your Majesty sure know her well.”
“I do, so does it is with you, Judith.”
“I appreciate that but please don't.”
“Hahaha... same as always...”
There's much more, really much more that was hidden behind that gentle duchess whose now act so different after that day which is called Cursed Dusk.
Its happened roughly eight years ago when the empire was in huge trouble when they learned that a witch is living among them.
The aristocracy dared the young eleven years old prince to hunt the witch and kill her in order to get their approval of him being the crown prince. It's ridiculous as he was still small at the moment but they still agreed to it for the better of all of them.
He's quick-witted despite his young age and set a journey to where the witch is supposed to be and the target. He was tasked to confirm either the target is indeed a witch or not and make her build trust in him enough before killing the witch.
Not knowing what to do, he just went along and decided to befriend with her before both fallen for each other.
They got together happily but the aristocracy was sure not to let her get away and urged him to quickly caught her after collecting the evidence of the witch.
She was momentarily thrown into the dungeon before was executed. The young prince who was in love with her then tried to convince her to flee but she refused, ended up being stabbed by his own sword that she pulled into her chest.
To the villagers and aristocracy, it's like a curse being lifted but to him, it's like being pierced with unremovable regrets and griefs and guilt into his heart but his last-minute realisation couldn't change the fact that he was seen as a hero who killed the wicked witch in all eyes.
He was depressed for months from that and grew distant. The greedy nobles also agreed with him being crowned at last. It ended up torturing two hearts, which ended up in pain... that's the actual truth but others just don't acknowledge it.
***
Clyde paced out around the old house, searching for Anastasia that is nowhere to be found. His worried face worn out, tired from running but still, he continues searching for her.
‘Where did she goes to? It's getting dark so and it's raining heavily...’ He searched every corner of the room but she's not there.
‘Is she inside already...? But there's no sign of her there...’ He thought, thinking about something before hearing a soft humming from the outside of the house, it's her voice!
“Anastasia! What are you doing in the rain?!” He spotted her, standing alone in the rain, smiling in her soaked wet clothes and wet hair.
Clyde rushed to her side, covered her with his clothes, doesn't care anymore if it were to be wet, she is much more important right now.
“Clyde, you know, I used to really hate rains,” Anastasia uttered out of sudden, it startled Clyde but still, he just listen to her.
“Anastasia?”
“Well, pretty cause it just expressed a gloomy mood and the cloud were just shielding the bright sunlight away.” She proceeds with her words, explaining those heavy rains.
“You don't dislike it anymore? Why so?” Clyde asked, is a but interested of the reason she would suddenly sound so serious different to her usual cheery self.
“It's a secret.” She replied, not giving out the answer easily.
“Huh...? You made me super curious now, won't you tell me?” Clyde asked, changing the sad mood around them.
“I won't. I will tell you about it when the right time comes.” She chuckled but her voice is hoarse, like not really laughing.
“You're so playful.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
***
“Anastasia!” Clyde woke up, he was sweating when the dream is nothing but a memory of him from years ago, somehow it was as if it keeps haunting his dream.
“...a dream... again...” He rubbed his face with his own hands in disbelief that he had a dream of her again. Perhaps, what Cyrus told him was right, he still wasn't able to let go of her.
*bump*
His hands hit something placed on the table, it's a paper...? A letter actually.
“What's this? A... letter?” Clyde mumbled before opening and reading the content of the unknown letter. It looked aged, though.
Towards,
Clyde.
Clyde, do you remember that one time when I told you that I like rain? The right timing has come much faster than I expected, but I will still tell you.
I love being in the rains because when I do, no one can hear the pain, feeling glad. After all, I'm no longer crying alone.
They might sound glamorous and loud to all of you but to me, it's like an exclusive lullaby sung only for me, getting attention like that is assuring during a blue day.
I'm only telling you this or I would feel some kind of obligated to you, ‘live your life to the fullest’, that's my only wish for you now.
Farewell,
Anastasia Estelle Celeste.
“Anastasia... how did you even smile knowing that you would... die?” His hands were trembling as he read each content, the regrets were only growing bigger even if she asked him to move on.
It hurts...
***
“What are you doing, Anastasia?” Clyde slid in, he was bummed seeing of how Anastasia's eyes were damped with tears.
“Ah! C-Clyde, its nothing, the novel is just too touching...” Anastasia making excuse, smiling awkwardly also wiping her eyes as fast as she could.
“Will you be doing alright, Anastasia? You don't look good...”
“I will be fine. It's just this sentimental story that is moved me to the tears. Be back safely, Clyde.”
“I will.”
*sobs*
“Should I just kill him, after all?”
“Anastasia!”
“What is it?”
“Clyde got into an accident! He's badly injured!!”
“C-Clyde is injured?!”
“Aurora! Orpheus! Bring me to him!”
“Oh my goodness... he is fatally injured...”
“Forbidden technique, Absolute Healing!”
“Anastasia! Don't use that! You know the consequences!”
“I know about that... don't worry, it's nothing compared to life... he hasn't lived long enough compared to me and I am the undead. I will be fine.”
“Urgh...”
“Aurora, brought Clyde somewhere safe and please take care of him properly.”
“But, Anastasia...”
“Just go. Orpheus, brought me back home...”
“Orpheus...?”
“Abide Anastasia's rules, Misty.”
“Yes, master.”
“Drink this, Anastasia, it's the concoction for you from the south.”
“How is he?”
“Clyde is doing fine. Really fine, so you don't need to worry about him, rather care for yourself a little. Why did you even care about a mere human?”
“I don't even know... Some kind of empathy...? He's different but with the same goals...”
“Anastasia, Clyde is coming here!”
“Go and distract him. Don't let him enter this room!”
“How did he even find her?”
“Clyde! What are you doing here?”
“Lizzy? Do you know where did Anastasia go? I've searched for him everywhere but I can't seem to find her.”
“Anastasia? She had a girl problem monthly, so its better that you don't disturb her. Her mood must be berserk right now, so no need to disturb her even more if you don't want her to be sad, alright?”
“What a genius but also embarrassing bluffs.”
“Is that so...? Then, could you at least give this to her? I got this from the town.”
“Sure, sure. See you later then, Clyde!”
“See you.”
“Fuh, what a hassle...”
“Anastasia, here, his gift for you.”
“Earrings?”
“It has a tracking spell inside...”
“It's fine... I'm used to this.”
“Anastasia, why won't you just dump him somewhere else?”
“Aurora, Orpheus, how long has it been since you two served me?”
“If it's since your birth...then, about a few decades?”
“Its been roughly three centuries, six decades, nine years, two months, twenty-one days, eight hours, two minutes and thirty-three seconds.”
“Then, there's no need for your roughly, you know...”
“Correct. Its been so long that I could hardly remember the old times. Living as an immortal is kind of tiring but inevitable and I have no ways to die. Won't it be nice to rest after these times?”
“Anastasia...”
“But, an immortal can't die, won't it just be a pain to get ‘killed’ without actually dying?”
“Indeed, I couldn't die, but my heart did, my memory with him from the day on will just be buried as mere moments. I will be reborn as a new person after mentally ‘dying’.”
“It would simply hurt you, Anastasia, your feelings are fragile, they aren't immortal. For the first time ever in those centuries, I've seen you got attached to a boy who was trying to dig you a grave for his own benefit.”
“I really want to slap that idiotic brat if it isn't for you, Anastasia.”
“It wasn't really is his fault, this is the path that I chose, so there's no need to worry as I've had the consequences in my mind.”
“After all, both of us are giving each other something very meaningful but also taking away another thing as the payment...”
***
Spirits are a supernatural being, different than human by their form and were varied from one element so is species from each other. They wander the world, some with purposes but some just living their daily life.
In the great empire of Raestraena, where his people believed in spirits, some spirits even became the guardian of a special person they took fancy of.
For that reason, most of the chosen people who live with the spirits could use the power of the spirit, for example, the wind spirits could lend their power to their owner and they could use the wind spirit power up to their knowledge of.
There's basic spirits element on which is air, water, fire, the earth also spirit itself. Like any other living creature, they possessed their own leader which is called holy spirit kings that varied from each element added in with the two king balancer that is light and darkness.
They were the strongest out of any other spirits and was also rumoured that the empire was to fall into ruin without them but it's safe to say that it won't happen, the chance of it to actually happened is low because the two was busy with their own business.
The royal family of Raestraena was in the protection of the holy spirit king of spirit or magic. The nature one who was known as Allure. The rest? It's an uncovered secret.
“Celestine, Celestia, today we are going to practice some of the abilities that we witches are able to do, and of course that is with enough practice.”
“Firstly, you must understand that without a proper guide and control on your power, they could go out of control, got you addicted which will inflict into a more serious problem. That is why witches must easily trying from a high level, they need to take step by step but some witches we're just gifted with strong willpower, gifting them a good control over their power.”
“Mother, what are we going to do today?”
“Clairvoyance, the ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses.
I wanted my dearest child to find where did I dropped my tarot cards. Of course, since seventy-eight cards are too much, you will only need to find twenty-two major arcana card.”
“Don't worry, Orpheus and Aurora will be escorting you during your treasure hunt, so good luck dear children.”
“Focus, feel your surrounding and search for it. Calm yourself deeply before using clairvoyance. Also, feel free to try any other magic skills that I have taught you, dears.”
“I will get going first, mother.”
“Sure. Orpheus!”
“Yes, master.”
“Me too, mother.”
“Be careful! Aurora, your turn.”
“Gladly, master!”
“Let's just hope that they would be okay...”
“Don't worry much, duchess. They sure would be okay, besides they were escorted by the most powerful holy spirit king, aren't they?”
“I guess... Eve, had that thing arrived?”
“It had, would you like some now, duchess?”
“Yes, with green tea if you could.”
“Of course.”
‘How is the two progressing?’
[0- The ****Fool****]
‘The Major Arcan cards, the fool!’
“Young master, watch your step.”
“Thank you.”
[1- The Magician]
“There's so many magicians here... which one was it?”
“Would you need my help, young lady?”
“It's fine. I've got it!”
“Good for you.”
[2- The High Priestess]
“Solve this first...”
“Eh? Weird... I thought it was here?”
“Here it is. What a fool I am.”
[3- The Empress]
“Celes should have collected his second one...”
“Why is everything hidden so high?”
“Eh? Give me that, silly birdie!”
“I found it first!”
“Come on, please... I really need it.”
“Then, find me a worm and I will give it back.”
“Here!! Take it, quick!”
“Delicious!”
[4- The Emperor]
“Here... yup, magic helps.”
*bam*
“Young master sure is good at magic.”
[5- The Hierophant]
“This is supposed to be the sixth one... the hierophant...”
“Inside a church, huh?”
[6- The Lovers]
“Oh my goodness... you are so cute, dear.”
“What would you like? Here, this frappe is on the house.”
“...thank you...?”
“Kyaa!! But he looks somewhat familiar...”
“...and handsome!!!”
[7- The Chariot]
“What are you looking at kiddo?”
“Oh my God!! Is that a flying diamond?!”
“Where?!”
“Nowhere.”
[8- Strength]
“Whatcha doin'?”
“Good...?”
‘Who the heck is that?’
[9- The Hermit]
“Aunty, could you give me something? I'm so hungry but I forgot my money...”
“Oh my! You are so cute!!! Here, take everything!”
“Dear!”
“Just a little is fine.”
“This is fine, right?”
[10- The Wheel of Fortune]
“Dear mother, how did you even able to drop something to that extent?”
“What a wheel of fortune this is...”
“Master sure is serious...”
[11- Justice]
“What's this? It was on a thief?”
“Telekinesis.”
“Yup, done.”
[12- The Hanged Man]
“It is hanged, weirdly but fine...”
“Its upside down...”
[13- Death]
“Mother... what does this even mean?”
“Crossing a bridge?”
“In my opinion, the master means a new beginning. Entering a new phase.’
“Odd but logical.”
[14- Temperance]
“Orpheus, this is the lake of serene, right?”
“Correct, young master. The lake of serene has a plant with deadly tentacles under the calm water which will be activated with a single tap.”
“I don't understand why it's even called serene.”
[15- The Devil]
“Aurora, this one bad omen card, isn't it?”
“Yeap, the devil represents materialism, vice and addiction and most horribly, it's a voluntary work.”
“This too had no difference, I guess?”
[16- The Tower]
“Do I to really have to climb this tower?”
“Yes, young master. The master wishes you to understand the meaning behind tower which is the catastrophe.”
“Let's hope for the best...”
[17- The Star]
“For goodness sake, why is it the lady I'm seeing?”
“Young lady, please look closer, it's the pendant on which the card was safely stored in.”
“Its true... mother sure is tricky, storing it at some hidden place...”
[18- The Moon]
“Why...? Just why...?”
“Please brace yourself, young master. It's a normal living being too and harmless.”
“But its a worm and an insect... a worm... a worm... a worm...”
“Young master?”
[19- The Sun]
“There is a wedding... no, don't tell me... it's a ring the bride is wearing...”
“I'm sorry to disappoint you but it is, young lady.”
“Mother, this feels so cruel...”
[20- Judgment]
“The forest of silence. Really, who named all of these places, they don't even make any sense.”
“Young master, here, you will be the judge, handing your own judgment whether it would lead for goodness or bad.”
“My own judgment?”
[21- The World]
“Where is this card placed...?”
“Tia!”
“Celes? Did you finish collecting the rest?”
“I did. Did you?”
“I can't find the last one, major arcana card number twenty-one, the world.”
Meanwhile...
“Duchess, how does the newest cake taste?”
“It tastes better than before for sure. I can taste balanced sweets, neither excessive nor insufficient. The hazelnuts provided a crunchy taste beside this soft fluffy texture of the chocolate.
However, this chocolate cake is better off with something more sweets and a little tap of sour, like strawberries as the blueberries don't fit in much.”
“Duchess sure knows your way inside the world of delicacies.”
“I have to or our sweet store wouldn't become so famous. I would say that we have to add new recipes aside from this cake. Also, the dressing should be promising but low on budget to keep our currency in check.”
“Then, I will ask for them to hand in the record by dawn.”
“It should be fine. Eve tried this too.”
“Oh, it's so good!!”
Back to their task...
“Concentrate, Tia. It's on a spirit...not a normal one, the holy spirit king of spirit/magic. His attribute is neutral magic and worst, he belonged to the royalties or verbatim protected them.”
“Did mother planned this?”
“Doesn't really look like that... That aside, shes eating the latest cake. Super busy.”
“Young master, young lady, I suggest that you try to sneak into the palace, don't worry, we will be protecting you if anything happened. You might learn something new from this last lesson.”
“That's odd when the mister fussy actually gave them permission to?”
“Then, shall we, Tia?”
“Yes.”
“The eyes beheld its visions, was unable when it fastens, conserve the views of existences, from us beings off limitations.”
“That spell sure is power draining...”
“That is understandable as its the recent invisibility spell that master had created, it's far stronger than before also surpass any potions.”
“Mother is really the most powerful witches, isn't she?”
“She is.”
“Young master, and young lady, please be aware of your surrounding as indeed that most humans were unable to detect you thanked the spell but, some people are just way powerful that they might be able to easily detect you. However, on the contrary, they must be extremely powerful to be able to.”
“Then, someone like that might be in here, the palace where only the best was to stay.”
“Yup. This palace too set a lot of traps, anti robber, I think. That would be super dangerous.“
“Your Royal Highness, the east town had a lot of water supply shortage. As usual?”
“Mmm... be sure to check their water source thoroughly.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Clyde!”
“Clyde! Give me attention for once, can't you?!”
“Don't you have any works to do?”
“Nope! Everything is finished!”
“Then, let's add more...”
“Wait, wait... before that, look at what Allure have!“
“What's that?”
“Looks like some kind of card.”
“It's one piece of the tarot card, the manor arcana number twenty one, the twenty-two's card, the world.”
“Clyde... how did you even know about that?”
“Correct, Your Highness. It's the world from a tarot card decks.”
“It is?”
“It is.”
“I wonder who it is if it wasn't our holy spirit kings, Orpheus and Aurora. Its been long since we met, I believe, comrades.”
“Allure, don't waste our time any more and hand in the card you're holding earlier.”
“Oh my. Look likes our grumpy king doesn't change from grumpy, no? I'm afraid that I must refuse to as its no longer in my reach.”
“Allure, cant you really help us? Our master is waiting for the young master and the young lady back at the duchy.”
“My apologies, Aurora but it's already in the hand of his highness, totally far from my reach.”
“Anyways, it's been long since I've last saw you two. I believe you're still serving under the same master, right? She's quite incredible, I would say.”
“Right back at you.”
“Allure, how long has it been since you serve the royal family?”
“I've been serving them since their alignment... about thirty decades?”
“Whos there?”
“Should we show ourself, Celes?”
“Yeah, do as usual.”
“Uwaaaaahh!!”
“Huh?”
“Father, where are you?!”
“Father? Are you my father?”
“Little kid, how did you even get here?“
“Uwaaaaaah!!! That bad uncle looks so scary!!!!”
“Are you lost, little girl?”
“Hmmm...? Father?! Is that you, father?”
“Whatta...?”
“Girl, this ain't your father.”
“Uwwaaaahh!!!! Bad man!!!”
“Hush... calm down...”
“How old are you?”
“I am ten years old this year and my birthday is yesterday, father!”
“Are you my father?”
“Umm....yes....”
“But...”
“But...?”
“Mother said that my father is gone...he is dead, no?”
“Then, why did you call him father, little girl?”
“Just caused he look the same as my brother!”
“Your brother? Where is he?”
“He's here.”
“Pardon my intrusion but would you care to give my little sister back.”
“Celes!”
“Let's go back, Tia. Time's up.”
“Are you two twins?”
“You assumed? Regardless, please pardon my sister's behaviour. She's too rude in front of Your Highness. I hope Your Highness won't resent us for this mere stuff.”
“Please hold it for a moment. How did you enter the palace?”
“I reported for my sister's disappearance and they informed me that she is here but is not courageous enough to bother you with such a minor thing, Your Highness.”
“Is that so... Where are you from? I'll have people to see you back safely.”
“Worry not, Your Highness as we will be able to return safely simply by ourselves. I'm grateful for your help, Your Highness but it will simply create a bigger rumour to both of us.”
“Then, please return safely, also, make sure not to get lost again.”
“We thank Your Highness grace and bid goodbye to the Crown Prince of Raestraena and Lord Cyrus Emmet Cielo. May the empire of Raestraena be in peace and glory always.”
“Tell me, Clyde, did you have a secret lover out there?”
“No! I don't!”
“Then, how come does that kid have the exact same face as you do?”
“I...don't know... Who is that kids?”
“I just notice it... they have the crest on their garments.”
“Which house is that?”
“The house of Freya, if I remember it correctly. They are from the duchy of Freya and it matched well now that the duchess did have children.”
“Don't you notice that, Cyrus?”
“Notice what?”
“They didn't come alone...”
“What?! You mean there's ghost?!”
“No, idiot. They have a spirit guardian with them. A special one, I would say.”
“A spirit guardian? Weird... I can't detect anything...even though I am a spirit sensor.”
“Allure, would you perhaps know something?”
“Yes, Your Highness but I'm afraid that if I were too bleak the secret, I would immediately be banished from here.”
“Be banished? Is that another spirit much powerful than you?”
“Yes, my lord. However, I can guarantee you that the spirit serves under someone else instead of the two cuties. That aside, I'm unable to tell you.”
“It's rare to see that the holy spirit king to keep a secret from us.”
“In any way, I believe that Your Highness perhaps had figured out that spirit, and yes, it is not one but two spirits.”
“Two serve under one person, is it?”
“Correct, Your Highness and that one person is not your typical someone you could see every day. Shes special on any basis.”
“Duchess Celeste of Freya... do you think she had something to do with this?”
“I...don't even know now...”
“Allure, where did you get that card from?”
“It's hanging right in front of the palace entrance, Your Highness.”
“They are here for that card, correct?”
“Indeed, Your Highness.”
“Golden eyes are extremely rare. That child... how did he---”
“...look the same as me? No comments.”
“Don't give me that answer, seriously. The little girl does share some traits as the duchess and the duchess... she looks like...”
“Her...”
***
“Mother, we're back!”
“Celestine, Celestia! Welcome back. You surely had completed your assignment, judging from that tired face.”
“Yeap, mother. We encounter a lot of people today too.”
“Is that so? Good job today, Celestine, Celestia. You should rest now, today must be a tiring day for you two.”
“Mmm...”
“Aurora, Orpheus, you two too had done a very good job guarding them today. You deserve some rest too, and this is my gift for you.”
“Master! I really really love you!!”
“Heh, so do I. Both of you had been by my side the longest and I am very thankful to have you two with me.”
“Thank you so much, master. I could pass away peacefully with just this.”
“You're much welcome. Just make sure not to leave me alone by dying.”
“Yes, master!!”
“Haha, he looks like he would cry at any moment.”
***
“I greeted the sun and the moon of the Raestraena. May the Sophronia be in peace and glory always.”
“Drop the formality, Clyde. Have you choose someone?”
“Choose someone for what, Royal Father?”
“Your future spouse, son. Have you forgotten? I've sent the list of suitable ladies to you, haven't I?”
“Ah... yes... you did...”
“Clyde, don't you find anyone interesting, no?”
“Yes... I don't think so...”
“Furthermore, might I ask of the reason you are searching for information about the house of Freya, dearest son?”
“Ah-- that, it's just for something... just some works stuff, Royal Mother.”
“Then, you could ask me about anything you're questioned a bit of it's the Freya we're talking about.”
“My deepest gratitude for your offer, Royal Mother but for now I think I don't need to.”
“Dear, have you heard about the news from the Freesia Royal Academy? Lucks had been weighing on our side lately, don't you think so?”
“It is. Regarding the newest and youngest genius of the Raestraena history that shocked every single person.”
“What would you be talking about, Royal Father, Mother?”
“Don't you know, Clyde? The royal academy was happily celebrating their youngest graduate student, which happened to be the oldest son from the house of Freya.”
“Graduating? How old is he, actually...?”
“He is ten years old, much younger than you when you graduated, dear, still, he is undoubtedly hers no matter what others say...”
“Ten years old...? Is that even possible to graduate as such a young age, Royal Father?”
“The chance is highly no but the boy showed much potential more than our grown-up man. Tomorrow, the house of Freya will be visiting the palace, having a conference on regard to this.”
“The house of Freya?”
“Yes, finally after a long time, we'll be meeting officially with them.”
“However, why the whole house, Royal Mother?”
“Because the younger daughter of the house too was to be graduating in about a month later. Its such good news, isn't it?”
“Both child?”
“Indeed. The house of Freya was improving so fast even much more than before which was undeniably spectacular. The new duchess was doing great especially of the newest issues of the trading and also overusing power.”
“As expected of her...”
The empire of Raestraena had possibly four strongest fractions which had been the strongest ground for the empire for such a long time. The capital of the empire is placed right in the middle, surrounded by the four strongest fractions.
Starting from the west side, the formidable duchy of Raestraena which is known for being able to balance in intelligence, magical ability and fighting of their people. They basically had the strongest power, next to the imperial family. The current head is Duchess Celeste Esther Amaryllis Freya.
Moving on to the east side, the house of Cassius which is more focused on their strength and was often called the strength of the imperial family. Their current head is the Marquess Aurelius Caius Cassius.
The south side, is under the house of Astley which is much more normal compared to the other fraction. They are more leaned back in anything and was on the lead in harvesting and cultivating life. Currently under the rule of Earl Robert Estimone Celo Astley.
And lastly, the north side, the house of Synthia. They are more depending on their trade with overseas country every year. Would say that there's a lot of shops and was basically a shopping district side with abundant of interesting stuff. Currently under the Marchioness Lianne Synthia.
In the empire of Raestraena, there's only a house which became the duchy for their royalty to the imperial family and the reason that their house is mostly where the empress was born from. That's is no more or less, the duchy of Freya.
***
“Clyde!!!”
“What?”
“Did you know that tomorrow---”
“Yes, I know.”
“Then, won't it mean of seeing the two mischievous kids again?”
“Exactly.”
“Don't people usually graduated around the age of sixteen to twenty from the academy?”
“Kind of. Odd when it came out of the mouth of someone who graduated at the age of twelve.”
“Is it that odd?”
“Mayhap. Anyways, lucky
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