"Daddy?"
Santi turned around to face his daughter, who was walking in his direction with the tiger plushie in her arms. Behind her was Kendrick, who had an odd expression on his face.
He just swept a glance at Kendrick and looked at his daughter.
"I thought you were with Uncle Khalil and mommy."
When they arrived at the Toen Empire, Khalil just greeted the family of three before he dragged Kristina somewhere.
Santi scooped Minerva up in his arms and let her lie on his chest.
"Nah. Your uncle and mother might have something to talk about for themselves, so I gave them some privacy."
"Oh."
He caressed Minerva's soft silver hair before he looked at Kendrick, who was just standing on the side. His left brow arched as if to ask what he was doing.
Kendrick furrowed his brows before he mouthed at him. Obviously, he didn't want Minerva
Minerva sighed. She had tried to appease thoroughly her father. However, the more that she tried to pacify him, the angrier he became. Thus, she decided to stay silent and let him vent.Fortunately, her mother and Uncle Khalil went into the garden where they were. As rational as she was, her mother managed to calm her father down.She smiled bitterly. She felt embarrassed by what happened. What if Marcus was just playing with her? What if she just took his words seriously when in fact he was just teasing her? She would definitely bury herself to the ground and never appear before Uncle Lorenzo and Marcus ever again!Why would Marcus say such ambigous words in the first place? Look, she became too flustered! This was the first time that she treated as such on both of her lifetimes. She did not know how to handle such situation. Who knew that it would result into th
"Why didn't you go and spend your time with your mother?" Sora asked as he leaned comfortably on the couch. He was now on his own as he leisurely ate the fruit inside the bedroom.Minerva remained silent and just blinked her eyes as she stared at the ceiling. Although it was a bit late now and she had been awake for a while, she still continued to lie on the bed and refused to get up.Apparently, Minerva had a lot of thoughts running through her mind. She was so distracted that she didn't notice that Sora was now in his human form and was just staring at her perplexedly.She was thinking about how to save her mother from her circumstances. But how? How could she help if she didn't know anything?"Hey, did you hear me?""Ah!"Minerva jolted in shock and woke up from a trance when Sora blocked her view of her ceiling and stared at her with his brow ar
Minerva sat on the bed and leaned her body over the tiger plushie as she stared at Sora, who sat on the edge of her bed."I was grateful that Mommy could wake up seven days a year. But honestly, it wasn't enough." She muttered, "What I wanted was to spend every single moment of my life with my parents. That's why I wanted to find a cure for Mommy."Sora looked at her for a bit. Tremors spread throughout his eyes as he stared at the little girl in front of him."I didn't know anything, nor had I a clue about mommy and daddy. I wanted to help, but I didn't know what to do. There were times that I wanted to ask them so I'd know. Being in the dark about Mommy's condition wasn't pleasant at all. Every day, countless scenarios kept on popping into my head. But I guess I had a fau
"Ah, Minnie, you're awake. I thought you were still asleep." Kristina gasped in surprise when she saw her daughter sitting on the bed while leaning her body against the tiger plushie. She looked so sulking that she couldn't help but worry."What's wrong?" She worriedly asked.Minerva's eyes jumped in bewilderment when she noticed that the door to the room she stayed in suddenly swung open. There she saw her mother, who had had an excited expression earlier, but now had changed into a worried one. Behind her was Santi, who looked perplexed as he looked at her.She immediately dashed in Minerva's direction and sat on the edge of her bed, gently grasping both of her cheeks as she scrutinized her from head to toe."Was there a problem?" She worriedly asked. Minerva pursed her lips and looked at Sora in her peripheral vision, who had now transformed into a puppy. She
"Your Highness!""Mm. What...?"Minerva asked groggily as she rubbed her eyes.Cassie pulled the curtains on the side so the sunlight would hit her face. Minerva couldn't help but groan and bury herself in the sheets. Unfortunately, Cassie was faster. She quickly pulled her blanket up."Cassie, it's too early." She whined."Your Highness, today's your fifteenth birthday. I had already given you fifteen minutes to sleep, but we couldn't be delayed any longer. Please get up so we can get prepared."Minerva grumbled, but nonetheless stood up. She yawned once again and stretched her arms. However, before she could stretch her arms further, she felt a hand grab her and lead her to the bathroom."Go get those...""Where were the...""Put those..."Just by hearing the panicked voices around her, Minerva felt she was dizzy and would have
"What's with the frown?"Minerva glanced in the direction of the voice and saw Zinnia, who was taking a walk with Serena. They both had their cute umbrellas that matched their outfits, which corresponded to the color of their jeweled eyes."It's nothing. Just Marcus being annoying again." She said.Serena scoffed, "Since when did Marcus not had been annoying? He truly lived up his name as Uncle Lorenzo's son.""Anyway, let's not talk about him anymore. Right, can I ask the two of you? How was the life at the academy?""Hmm. Minnie it'd be a bit long talk so how about we'd sit first?" Zinnia suggested. Minerva nodded her head.The three of them walked into the other side of the garden until they arrived at the pond. They turned into the left as they headed towards the pavilion that stood at the leftmost with white tulle curtains surrounded the
A loud gasp was heard in the room when Quetura arrived, together with the former Holy Maiden, Her Highness Princess Kristina. Everyone didn't expect that the two of them would appear and celebrate Minerva's fifteenth birthday.Five years ago, the Church of Larin declared Quetura Rileigh Ilwyd, the daughter of the Gray Saint Archmage Allanis Brianna Ilwyd, as the new Church of Larin's Holy Maiden. Many had speculated that the next Holy Maiden would be Minerva. But who would've thought that it'd be Quetura instead?Despite the whispers and murmurs around, the fact that Quetura was hailed and chosen by the Goddess of Larin to be the next Holy Maiden could not be ignored. Furthermore, it gave affirmation that anyone could be chosen as the next Holy Maiden. Whether they were a mage or not, a noble or not, or a jeweled eye wielder or not.When Quetura was hailed as t
The day passed by, and Minerva celebrated her birthday a little differently than before, as this was the first time that her mother would celebrate her birthday. She could not describe how happy she was as she celebrated her fifteenth birthday with the important people around her."Were you happy?" Kristina asked Minerva as she combed her hair.Minerva nodded her head vehemently as her face shone with a smile. "Yes, mom! After all, this was the first time that you celebrated my birthday with me."Kristina smiled and continued to comb her hair. "Alright, then you should go and rest first. We'll just talk tomorrow, okay? I wanted to hear your stories. ""Yes, mom." Minerva beamed."Good night, baby." She said and planted a kiss on her hair."Good night to you, too, mom."Kristina smiled and went outside her room. As soon as she left, the smile
"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