"Was there something wrong?"
Minerva snapped her head in her father's direction when she heard his voice. He was gone for a while as he talked to some noblemen around. Therefore, she was left alone with Cassie.
"No, daddy." She answered. She just looked around as she felt a bit awkward. There were few noblemen and children that glanced in her direction. She could feel their intense stare that made her awkward. Furthermore, if she glanced at them, they would quickly avoid her gaze.
But what caught her attention was the red-haired girl that she met before at her birthday party. It was Cassandra Santcliment. The sister of Cassie.
She was not alone. She was with a red-haired man that looked like Cassie. Minerva didn't need to piece by piece together to know that this was Cassie's father: the Marquis of Santcliment.
Both the Marquis and Cassandra glared in their direction. Minerva wasn't
Minerva blinked her eyes as she glanced at her father in confusion. After Julia left, she saw her Uncle Lorenzo appeared. Eh? He was also here?She was just about to ask her father when she saw up close the grin on Uncle Lorenzo's face. He looked sly and cunning which made Minerva goosebumps."Uncwur you wooked cweepy."Her Uncle Lorenzo suddenly paused and glared at her. She just giggled at him and hugged her father's neck."You can insult me however you want. But since I'm in a good mood, I would overlook everything." Her Uncle Lorenzo nonchalantly said. Afterward, he smiled brightly at her that gave her creeps.Minerva knitted her brows. He was unusually happy today. Uncle Lorenzo usually had an annoying grin on his face but now, his grin was like someone who won a hundred million dollars in the lottery."She already left." Her father said as he shook his head.
"Why was the knight polishing his dress before going for the Emperor's dinner party? Because he wanted to have a night in shining armor!""Your father argued with me regarding what to call an Azenlan soldier. It got kind of late, so we both decided to call it a knight!""The Queen was unhappy when she saw that it was pouring outside. She sighed to herself, "This could be another reigny day".""What should we call a medieval owl that is very brave and defeated many enemies? We can easily be naming him a Knight Owl!"Minerva was dumbstruck as she stared at her Uncle Lorenzo. He stood in front of her as she sat on the banister of the balustrade. Both of his hands were on her back just to make sure that she would be safe in the case that she might fall.The both of them were still on the balcony as they await her father. It was a good thing that they both didn't want to be surrounded by
Carina Borgia lived her life lavishly. As the youngest daughter of the Duke of Borgia, she got everything that she wanted. Even in high society, noblewomen tried their everything to fawn over her.Well, who wouldn't? She was, after all, the youngest and beloved daughter of a duke. Her father owned the largest mine of mana stones. Her elder sister was the first wife of the Second Prince.Beauty. Wealth. Power. She got everything on it.But one day, the lavishness that she had for years suddenly came to a halt."Goodness! I heard that the Holy Maiden gave birth to the Duke of Ivrea's child!""Oh my! Really?""Yes! I heard it was a daughter! The Duke brought the child to the estate himself."Beauty…"As the daughter of the Duke of Ivrea and the Holy Maiden, wouldn't she be truly beautiful? I wouldn't be shocked when she was go
"Carina."Carina shivered when she heard her name was uttered by a familiar voice. She closed her eyes as she clenched her fist tightly."E-elder sister…" She muttered.Her elder sister CarolIne, now named Saoirse Alba, was silent. Carina felt hot tears streamed down her face as she recalled what happened years ago.It was her and her elder sister Caroline. Her elder sister was on the ground as she knelt in front of her. Begging for her to save her. The renowned first wife of the Second Prince who was known as an elegant and classy woman now pathetically knelt as she begged for her life.Her clothes were torn, her hair was in a mess. But the worse was she had bruises all over her face and body."Carina, please… I beg you… Please help me…"That was what her elder sister said as she tried to reach out to her. But
"Oh, you're Kendrick, right? Khalil's eldest son."Kendrick bowed his head, "Yes, Your Excellency.""Hmm. Why were you here? Were you perhaps bored so you came outside to stroll around?""Uh, yes…""So you were here."Kendrick snapped his head in the direction of the voice. It was his Uncle Santi. As he saw him wore formal Azenlan attire with those round eyeglasses, he somewhat doubted at first if he was truly the Uncle Santi that he knew of. But when he saw his nonchalance and laid-back expression and posture, he already knew it himself that it was truly the Uncle Santi that he knew."Oh? You were already here, Kendrick? I thought you'd at least formally meet my Minnie tomorrow."Although his Uncle Santi spoke to him, he walked in the direction of His Excellency Lorenzo and stretched his arms."Come here, baby."
Santi already knew how the former Emperor lusted over his wife Kristina. However, he did not do anything as his death would surely become Santi's burden. He didn't have any successor yet at that time. If Santi killed the former Emperor, he would be forced to inherit the throne which he found extremely troublesome. He wanted to live a leisure life; not a life that he would be buried in that paperwork.However, just because Santi spared his life, it didn't mean that he was done with settling the debt. Therefore, from time to time, he would mess with the former Emperor without anyone's knowledge.Furthermore, it wasn't only him. Even his wife Kristina would do the same thing. After all, she was the person that the former Emperor lusted after.Who, in their right mind, wouldn't be mad if they were being lusted by someone's spouse? Of course, Kristina was beyond furious when she found out the former Emperor's disgusting sta
"Kendrick already told me about what your Uncle Khalil proposed."Minerva paused from tying her tiger plushie's ribbon. She glanced at her father who was on the couch as both his hands held some papers. He pushed his eyeglasses as he looked at her."Did you want to visit the Toen Empire?"She tilted her head to the left side when she heard her father asked for her opinion. She thought that he referred to her Uncle Khalil's suggestion to celebrate her second birthday to the Toen Empire. But it seemed that he pertained to visit the Toen Empire and the places that her mother liked.Of course, she wanted to go! Aside from the fact that she could travel from different places, she could also have an opportunity to know her mother more.However…She peeked a glance at the papers that were in the chamber. It was already nighttime yet there were still a lot of papers
"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
"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