"It seemed that you had to fall in line." Sora said as he looked at the crowd of people in front of them.
"Yeah, I know," Minerva nodded her head. As soon as she got closer, she looked around the line.
"Now, where should I line?" She made a muttered remark.
Thankfully, there was a man who seemed in his early twenties who stepped up and assisted her.
"Your Highness, you could fall in line wherever you want." He carefully said. Minerva subtly observed the young man who looked nervous. His clothes were the same as those of the youths who hung out with the proctors in front. She guessed that they were the students that were funded by the academy.
"I see. Thank you. " Minerva smiled at the young man, which made him startled. He looked like he was in a daze before his face started to heat up.
"A-ah, um... Y-you're welcome, Y-Your Highness... " He muttered
"Hey.""Ah!"Minerva immediately covered her mouth. She looked behind her and saw Nathan, who had a funny look on his face."You surprised me!" She said as she held her chest. Nathan just arched his brow and looked at the ongoing commotion."Don't follow Uncle Lorenzo's footsteps." He suddenly said that made her heart jump."What were you talking about?" She asked, as she feigned ignorance. But deep inside, she felt guilty."Sure." He grunted. Obviously, he didn't believe her at all.Nathan looked at Minerva from head to toe before she asked, "Nathan, where were you going?" His attire wasn't the academy's uniform, but he had the brooch of the academy's insignia on his navy blue cape."Ah, we were about to go to a mission.""Mission? But the academic term hadn't started yet." Why were they on the mission now?"Yeah, but so
"Finally, I'm done." Minerva muttered as she was done checking her paper if she had not answered any. It's a good thing she'd answered everything.What Zinnia said was correct. The exam was more like a review of what she had learned from her tutors. It was a good thing that what she had learned appeared in the exam. Hence, she was a bit confident.Aside from that, Minerva also learned from Zinnia that the jeweled eye wielders were exempted from checking their mana due to it being different from the rest. So since she was done, she could leave now. What she had to do was wait for the letter to see if she was accepted or not.Minerva went outside the room, and there she found the male student who had led her here earlier."I'd pass this on to you, right?""Ah, yes, Your Highness."She passed the paper to him before she headed out.'Where were y
"Her state wasn't any different from before. She was far from danger, so you don't need to worry." Her father comforted her. However, Minerva couldn't keep still. She was still restless about the sudden change in her mother's state."But the giant tree had said that mom would be awake for seven days a year."Santi patted her head and smiled gently. "This was what Winter and I talked about. Since the giant tree said so, your mother would certainly wake up sooner. Maybe the pattern of her waking up is different now. Although the time that we were with her had lessened, at least we wouldn't wait a bit longer to see her again, right?"Minerva couldn't help but release a smile. She knew that her father just wanted to appease her. Although it was saddening that her mother had fallen asleep too soon, she wouldn't mind it now as long as her mother was safe.Though it was
"Your Highness, a letter from the Bexerth Academy has arrived." Julia said upon entering her room. Minerva, who was being dressed up by Cassie, Shirley, and Elise, nodded her head."I thought it'd take two weeks for the results to come in. It was sooner than I expected." Minerva said in surprise."Your Highness, the Bexerth Academy was always efficient. The admins would try to finish the selection as soon as possible." Shirley replied."Mm. I see." She said so and took the mail from Julia. Honestly, Minerva was kind of nervous. What if she didn't pass?As if she knew her troubles, Cassie held her hand that had the mail."Your Highness, I know that you did your best. Please believe in yourself. "Minerva couldn't help but smile. Cassie had grown on her for years. Before, their relationship was based on being employer and employee. She did her job wel
Hold on, why did her thoughts fly there? Wasn't the topic about Cassie?Minerva inwardly scratched her head. Anyway, what she had wanted to say was that Cassie had broken the Marquis of Santcliment's clutches. She removed her name from the Santcliment's registry after a few years of resisting. And as one of the favors that she had given to Emperor Logan and Empress Dowager Janeth, Cassie was adopted into Alvin's family. Alvin, who was the estate's head butler, became the sister in the name of Cassie. Cassie no longer had any relationship with the Marquis of Santcliment as a result of this.Actually, Santi had planned to give Cassie her freedom back. If she wanted to, she could ask Emperor Logan to run away and live in the suburbs just like she planned. Even Empress Dowager Janeth has raised this. However, Cassie politely refused. She said that she wanted to remain on Minerva's
"Why were you telling me these now?" Minerva asked.However, Sora just nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I was honestly curious. So you should, too."With his words, Minerva felt that something had snapped inside her. This brute!"Hmp." She didn't want to see talk to him anymore!"Hey, weren't you also curious about it? How about you'd go and ask around about the beast tide? Preferrably the red haired Great Swordmaster that you had met. He surely knew the answer!" Sora insisted. He even rose up from lying on the couch to sit closer to her. Minerva couldn't help but scowl at him."Were you for real? Didn't you hear about what Dad had said? He didn't want me to associate with him."Sora sneered and recline himself to the backrest of the seat, "And you believed him? Master had also said the same thing about Percival and Khalil. But didn't you still have a goo
"Did you prepare everything you needed?" Santi asked as soon as he wiped his mouth with a table napkin."Yes, dad. I already did." Minerva answered.Santi nodded his head. "Just tell me if you still need anything. Also, check your things again to make sure that you won't forget anything.""Yes, dad, I will." She said, helplessly. But deep inside, Minerva knew that her father was just worried about her. After all, this would be the first time that she'd be away from him. She'd stay in the academy for months and would only return for a short vacation.Frankly, Even she, herself, couldn't believe that this day would finally come. Minerva became so used to being with her father that the idea of her living away from him made her sad. But of course, she didn't show it. If she did, her fathe
"Be careful over there okay? If there was someone who displeased you, tell me immediately. If you don't want to go to school anymore, that's also fine. I could work it out." Santi said with seriousness as he stood in front of her. They were in front of the Bexerth Academy and her father went with her to personally escort her to the academy.They were just fine a while ago when they were inside the carriage. However, as soon as she was about to bid her goodbye, he suddenly started to nag.Minerva stifled a laughter and smiled helplessly at her father. "Don't worry, dad. I'd make sure to take care of myself."Santi had a conflicted look on his face. Minerva pursed her lips and stepped forward to hug him."You should also take care of yourself, dad. I'll have Alvin and Cassie look for you. If you were bored, you could call Uncle Lorenzo to keep you company.""Now it was you who were nag
"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