"Brother!"
Kendrick moved a few steps backward when he saw his brother, Lincoln, ran in his direction right when he arrived in the Imperial Palace. He was just about to greet his Imperial Father and Imperial Mother yet he already saw his enthusiastic brother running to him. This was the first time that he was this enthusiastic on his return.
Well, of course, he knew what made his brother enthusiastic. It was to interrogate him about their cousin, Minerva.
When Kendrick thought of her, a gentle smile swung on his lips. Minerva was truly adorable. He wished that he could spend more time with her. Unfortunately, his visit to Azenla was only for a short time.
Nevertheless, he need not worry any longer since after a month, Uncle Santi will visit the Toen Empire with Minerva. And he knew that they would stay longer as Minerva was interested to know more about her mother, Aunt Kristina.
"Br
"What was with your expressions?"Kendrick and Giovanni stiffened when they heard someone spoke behind them. When they turned around, it was none other than Emperor Khalil who donned at his formal Toen attire. His brows were arched glanced at the two of them.Behind him was a middle-aged-looking man whose looks didn't diminish despite his age. Furthermore, he looked gentle and approachable, unlike Emperor Khalil who looked strict and uptight.The middle-aged man was none other than Chancellor Percival Montmorency. He was the closest aide of Emperor Khalil from when he was just a Crown Prince until now."Greetings to the sun of Toen." Kendrick and Giovanni greeted."Greetings to Chancellor Montmorency."Chancellor Percy smiled and greeted them back. Emperor Khalil crossed his arm and glared intently at the two youths."Didn't I ask you? What w
"Your Highness, were you excited?"Although Shirley asked about excitement towards her, Minerva could see that she was more excited than anyone else.Elise shook her head helplessly as she combed Minerva's hair to tie it into a twin low ponytail."Between you and Her Highness, it was obvious that you were the more excited one," Elise commented as she tied the yellow butterfly clip on Minerva's hair. It was the same clip that her Aunt Maureen gifted her.Shirley pouted her lips but still put on Minerva's brown boots."Elise, you're teasing me. Indeed, I was excited. But not to the point of exaggeration like what you said!"Elise scowled at her but didn't say anything. After she was done tying Minerva's hair, Elise placed the turquoise necklace on her neck."Princess, you were too pretty! This servant was sure that His Majesty Khalil would take back
"Greetings to His Grace, the Duke of Ivrea and Her Highness Minerva. This one was–ehem!" Minerva just glanced at the guy coughing with pity. He seemed to choked on his saliva when he saw her father went down on the carriage with the clothes that he wore. Who wouldn't be? Her father was only on his freaking pajamas and robe! He just even wore a slipper! With the addition of his ruffled silver hair and droopy eyes, he looked like he just woke up. Look, even the maids in the Toen's Imperial Palace were blushing as they burrowed their heads on their chests. Whereas the knights tried to hide their shock with their serious faces. Minerva sighed. But soon after, she took her father's hand and also went down on the carriage. At least, she wore something that was according to the occasion they were in. Although this was what they called a "vacation", there was something political hidden
As her father and the nobles left the throne room, only Minerva, her Uncle Khalil, and her Brother Kendrick remained. "Hello, my little angel. Come to Uncle." Minerva beamed at her Uncle Khalil and ran wobbly in his direction. "Uncwur!" Her Uncle Khalil caught her in his arms and he planted a kiss on her cheek. "How were you, baby? Your Uncle missed you." "Hehe." She flushed a little as she hugged his neck. "Minnie misshed Uncwur too!" Her Uncle Khalil patted her back as she smiled softly at her. "Let's go. Your Aunt Leticia wanted to meet you so badly. Ever since I mentioned you to her, she couldn't stop babbling about how she wanted to meet you." "Weally?" "Of course!" Her Uncle Khalil reaffirmed. She smiled at him and glanced at her Brother Kendrick.
Minerva stared at her Uncle Khalil in confusion. His face showed a mix of emotions thus she was unable to think of a way to say anything to appease him. He looked guilty, helpless, sad, pissed, and vulnerable.However, before she could say anything, her Uncle Khalil sighed heavily and smiled at her."How about we'd go to your Aunt Leticia now? For sure, she was waiting for you at her palace.""Uh… Okay…"Uncle Khalil stood up and held her in his arms. Afterward, they teleported to which Minerva assumed, was her Aunt Leticia's palace.In just a blink of an eye, they were in the garden. There was a greenhouse in front of them and her Uncle Khalil started to walk in that direction.But as they ventured further, Minerva could hear the sounds of chatter inside the greenhouse. And it seemed that this wasn't a simple chatter… It more seemed to be argui
Countess Vergara? Who was that? And why did she wanted to meet her?Uncle Khalil frowned at the attendant before he answered curtly."Tell the Countess that the Princess was tired from the travel."The attendant flinched but still bowed which made Uncle Khalil unhappy."T-the Countess also said that Her Highness couldn't be tired since His Grace would surely make sure that she'd be comfortable throughout the journey."Minerva unconsciously arched her left brow. Who was this Countess Vergara that she was this audacious to speak like that? She spoke as if she was ordering Minerva to meet her and there was no room for objections.Look, she even came up with that rebuttal even without hearing Uncle Khalil's response yet."What did she take for my daughter? Someone that she could meet every time she pleased? Go and tell her word by word that since she k
On a serious note, Minerva didn't have any idea how and why the Pope was too polite with her father. And why would the Church of Larin didn't mind it?Furthermore, her father would even call the Goddess of Larin by her name only which made her believers furious. That was what Shirley told her.Seriously, she was too curious about her father! She was always with him yet there were still a lot of things that she didn't know about him.Who was Harika? Why would its name 'Sora' shouldn't be known to anyone? Minerva had read tons of books already yet she still could not find anything related to Sora."Hey, Minnie, you were spacing out again."Minerva snapped back from her thought when she heard her Uncle Khalil called her. She flushed a little when she found that everyone's eyes were on her as she spaced out."Your uncle just asked if you wanted to rest first?" Aun
"She was such an intelligent child," Khalil said as he stared at Minerva's back.Santi crossed his arms and arched his left brow, "Of course, she would be. She's my daughter after all."Khalil scoffed, "She's also Kristina's child.""I know. That's why our daughter was this adorable and intelligent. The two of us had the greatest genes after all. Unlike someone. If not for his wife's genes, his sons could've suffered. His wife carried his bloodline.""You little piece of shit. You knew my sister's genes were the best yet you insulted me?""Of course! You know, up until now, I didn't know how you were Zariah's twin. I mean, you were ugly as hell."Khalil scoffed but didn't say anything. After a minute or two, he glanced to his right with his peripheral vision and smirked."He's gone?""Yeah."Santi narrowed his ey
"Minnie?"Minerva snapped back from her thoughts as soon as she saw Marcus waving his hand in front of her. She was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that he was calling her name."Oh, you were finally back from thinking deeply. Seriously, Minnie, you were the only one I knew that would often daze even in the middle of a tense conversation. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder what was running on your mind." Marcus said as his right cheek rested on his palm and looked at him with unmasked curiosity.Minerva scoffed and smacked his arm, which she often did to him."Shut up." She rolled her eyes, "And what was that about what was running on my mind? Seriously, Marcus, if you only knew, you wouldn't have wished to know."Of course, she was only joking. But Minerva didn't want to entertain Marcus anymore with this topic hence she ended this
"Do you perhaps understand this language?" Minerva asked. Marcus raised his head to look at her."Kind of. I was still studying that language but I don't have enough time. There were words and phrases that didn't make sense for me so I decided to take that books when I return home." He answered, "But if you wanted that book, you could borrow that before me.""I see." She muttered as she caressed the book."This language was rare. How did you learn about this?""Oh, that." Marcus knitted his brows as if he was recalling, "He had books that had the same language as that on his private library. I was curious about the book hence I asked him to teach me how to read that language. Although father didn't personally teach me how, he instead gave me an old book that teach how to read that language." He paused and looked at her, "Why, did you want to learn that language?"Minerva pursed her l
"Do you perhaps understand this language?" Minerva asked. Marcus raised his head to look at her."Kind of. I was still studying that language but I don't have enough time. There were words and phrases that didn't make sense for me so I decided to take that books when I return home." He answered, "But if you wanted that book, you could borrow that before me.""I see." She muttered as she caressed the book."This language was rare. How did you learn about this?""Oh, that." Marcus knitted his brows as if he was recalling, "He had books that had the same language as that on his private library. I was curious about the book hence I asked him to teach me how to read that language. Although father didn't personally teach me how, he instead gave me an old book that teach how to read that language." He paused and looked at her, "Why, did you want to learn that language?"Minerva pursed her l
"Where did you get these books?" Minerva asked Marcus who was crouching down on the floor. Piles of books surrounded him as he reclined his back on the couch. There was a throw pillow on his lap while above it was an opened book.She didn't want to disturb Marcus. Minerva wanted to quietly sit in front of him as he looked too immerse on what he was reading. But as soon as she saw the title of the books that was piled up, words subconsciously blurted out on her mouth. And before she could react, she had already questioned him."Oh?" Marcus raised his head and looked at her, "Which of these?""Those at the back." She answered as she pointed at the four piled up thick books who obviously looked worn out."Oh. I found that inside the box at the library's storage room. It was interesting hence I took it." Marcus nonchalantly answered. As he looked at Minerva who had a complicated look at the old books, he
"Dad, I heard that the faculty wanted to talk to you." Minerva said in a small voice once she managed to connect the communication device to her father.Although he admonished her earlier and they already made up, Minerva still spoke carefully at her father in case that his mood hadn't dampen yet."I see. I'd talk to them later." Her father answered which made Minerva hummed. She didn't know what to say next and it seemed that her father had felt her discomfort as he sighed."I'll just finish my things first and I'd head there. Take care, okay?""Yes, dad. You too."Minerva watched as the light of the stone began to wane until it appeared to be a common rock. She placed the stone on the table and sighed."Chill out. Nothing would happen to your father. The faculty were obviously just followed the protocols as Master had breached it. At most, he would need to compens
Minerva was looking at the window on her bedroom. She sat on the chair and leaned her body to the desk. Her right cheek rested on her right palm as she gazed outside. However, although she looked like busy admiring the chipping birds on the tree and the clear blue sky, she was actually immersed on her thought.Her father had already left after he talked to Claire and the board of directors. Although Minerva wanted to follow, her father had forbid her to do so. He also said that she didn't need to meet the board of directors when it wasn't necessary. And if they insisted, her father would make sure that they'd understand what "no" meant.Minerva couldn't help but let out a sigh. Her father didn't reprimand her for strolling around the academy. But since Zinnia hadn't returned yet and Marcus was nowhere to be found, she decided to stay here for the meantime."Minnie?" She heard Zinnia said after three consective knocks.
Santi just got home after he talked privately with Sora. With that, he found out thoroughly what actually happened on the day that Minerva and Zinnia was attacked.He couldn't help but purse his lips. He had eyed this organization for years yet he couldn't find anything. Adira had already helped yet the results were the same. Even Winter, the Pope of the Church of Larin, secretly sent out information about this unknown organization yet they couldn't find anything at all. Worse, Sora had been unable to track those three who attacked Santi, Kristina, and Minerva while they were on the Halen Empire ten years ago.Although they hadn't found anything despite their combined efforts, Santi had a little bit of an inkling on who might behind all of these. After all, nobody in this world was capable enough on hiding away from Sora's radar unless it wasthem.If it truly wasthem just like what Santi a
Out for Santi's courtesy, Marcus excused himself so Minerva and Santi could have a time to talk. Although the tension increased as soon as Marcus left, Minerva chose to remain silent and let her father vent out. After all, it was her fault that she didn't say a word about the incident."Minerva Chrysalis, didn't I tell you to report to me immediately if something had happened to you? We talked last night before you went to sleep, right? I asked you if something happened but you just told me that you and Zinnia went outside to stroll. Nothing more. And yet just this morning, Claire had talked to me about the attempted assassination that happened yesterday? When you and Zinnia went outside?"Minerva bit the bottom of her lips and lowered her head. She knew that her father would certainly be mad about her hiding this for him. However, now that she had faced his anger, she couldn't help but feel regret on her decision."Wh
The breakfast was over and Serena, Parker, and Sancho went home. Although Serena and Parker were sent together in a mission with Vernon and Hansel, it was also the same case for Sancho. He was sent into an A rank mission. Therefore, what was left was Minerva, Zinnia, and Marcus."Lady Zinnia, a student sent a message saying that the young lady was summoned by Professor Claire." A maid said after she knocked three times on the dining room."Ah? Okay." Zinnia stood up and looked at Minerva."I'll be back. If you want, you could go with Marcus.""It's fine. I'll just wait for you here." Minerva said with a smile. Then, Zinnia left leaving Minerva and Marcus."So…" Marcus began, "Uncle Santi didn't permit you to go outside the Larin Continent?""Huh?" Minerva took a bite from the cake before she answered, "I thought you already knew?""I had a h