"H-hello, Your Highness."
Minerva turned her attention where the voice came from. It was a child whose age, if she guessed, was about eight years old?
"W-wow! Jeweled eyes!" She exclaimed as she gawked at her eyes with her shimmering eyes.
Minerva subconsciously touched her eyelids. Afterward, she glanced at the little girl in front of her.
She wore an unkempt clothes that looked extremely worn out. Her shoes were already too broken. Her hair was messy and looked stiff due to not showering. Overall, she looked filthy like a beggar.
How did she got in here? Minerva heard that this feast was exclusively for the knights that fought against the vicious beasts. It was located in an enclosed area and nobody could ever gatecrash unless they were invited.
Furthermore…
Minerva looked around. The knights around them didn't seem like they noticed this
"W-what...?"Minerva trembled as she stared at the seat she had previously occupied. She clutched her father's clothes tightly, her stomach churning at the possibility of being almost devoured by the explosion.Who... who was it that was after her? Was this the same person who almost kidnapped her?Giovanni was already a few steps away, holding the terrified little girl in his arms, she noticed as she looked around."These bastards," Minerva overheard her father say.When she looked up, she noticed her father's expression was so dark that even Minerva was terrified.As each second passed, her father's expression became more ferocious. It got so bad that everyone, except Minerva, couldn't breathe properly."Sora." Her father called Harika in a murderous voice."If you can't give me the pathetic lives of those who did this, then I don't need you anymore.""D-dad–"Minerva couldn't finish what she was about to
A blue light shone inside the chamber, revealing Minerva and her father. Despite being inside the chamber in the Toen's Imperial Palace, she felt fear in her heart.When Minerva sensed her father was about to place her on the bed, she hugged his neck even tighter and refused to let go.Her father sighed and patted her on the back. "I need to speak with your Uncle Khalil about what happened, baby. If you don't want to be alone, why don't you stay with Uncle Lorenzo for the time being?"Minerva remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement. Both of them were engulfed in blue light in the blink of an eye. When the light faded, they found themselves in an unfamiliar location."It was a great honor for the esteemed Blue Saint Archmage to pay a visit to my humble abode. What brought the illustrious and powerful Duke of Ivrea here?"Minerva cast a glance at her Uncle Lorenzo, who appeared lethargic and domesticated in his home clothes. When the
Minerva cast a sidelong glance at Marcus when he sighed as soon as Uncle Lorenzo left the saloon. She sat across him as she buried herself in the tiger plushie in her arms."I'm sorry about my father." He helplessly said. He sat upright with both of his hands on his lap. Minerva snuck a glance at him and slowly nodded her head. She suddenly felt awkward when Marcus smiled at her."My father said that you were a lively child but were just shy when faced with unfamiliar people."Minerva pursed her lips. Seriously, Uncle Lorenzo was too gossipy! She even became their topic of conversation!But seriously though, she didn't expect that Marcus would talk to her. After all, they had met occasionally before and this was the first time that they talked formally. Of course, it excluded the time when they first met."I... heard from your father about your circumstanc
Marcus smiled when he saw that Minerva was too immersed as he unconsciously told her about his life as Leno.He didn't expect that he would share his experiences to someone other than his father. Maybe someday, he'd tell his mother about what happened. But to others except for his family? He didn't think so.But with Minerva, he unknowingly spilled the past that he deeply hidden on his heart. Perhaps the reason for this was that she, herself, was also reborn just like him? Therefore, although he didn't know her past, he could somehow feel a connection with her.Just like the connection that he felt when he first met his father, Lorenzo.××××"Your Excellency!" Marcus greeted in surprise when he saw the first ever Saint Archmage. He stayed in Santi's estate for a while yet he never glimpse even the shadow of Lorenzo.It was we
"Have you decided?"Marcus glanced at Princess Kristina's reflection in the mirror as she brushed his long hair and braided it like she used to do.He remained silent and Princess Kristina did not speak any further. After a few seconds, he opened his mouth to ask."If I leave, what would happen to the child in the mother's womb?"Princess Kristina showed a surprise expression and halted braiding his hair. Afterward, she smiled softly at him and patted his head."Were you worried about your sibling?""I... just thought that the child would be lonely if I left."Princess Kristina sighed helplessly at him. Marcus was taken aback when he was suddenly enveloped in her warm embrace as she gently patted his back."You're such a good child. I don't know why the emperor and Janeth could not see it."Marcus drooped his eyes. Before his th
"Wow, you two looked serious. I just left for a while, and yet your expressions have become this solemn. Were you that sad to be left by me?"Minerva snapped her head to the direction of the door when she heard her Uncle Lorenzo's voice. She pursed her lips as she was left speechless by him.Solemn? Why did he think that their expressions were solemn? The two of them looked calm and peaceful, especially Marcus. As if he hadn't shared his sad and tragic life with her back then when he was Leno."Little Minnie, if you were that sad, how about you'd call Cassie and let her come here to accompany you? You could also call for Shirley, Elise, and especially Julia." Uncle Lorenzo said this with a gentle smile on his face.However, Minerva knew deep inside that he was just scheming.Uncle Lorenzo was too good. He used the pretext of her being sad and her father no
"Your Highness! We missed you! The estate felt lonely without you." Shirley said upon seeing her.Minerva forced a smile on her face and sighed. She glared at her Uncle Lorenzo, whose smile stretched across his face. His eyes twinkled in delight as his eyes focused on the woman in the back."Hmp!" She snorted and crossed her arms.She refused to admit that she had lost to her uncle Lorenzo's persistence. Despite her attempts to block Uncle Lorenzo, it was all in vain as he was always three steps ahead of her.Uncle Lorenzo must've felt her mood wasn't good when he glanced at her direction. He chuckled and patted her head before he returned his gaze at the four maids in front."Welcome to my humble abode. Forgive me if I invited you here for such a short time. Santi had left Little Minnie in my care for a while since he had an emergency. But as much a
"Uncle! I want to stay with you!" Minerva shouted firmly and grabbed his arm. He schemed against her so Julia could come here? She wouldn't make it easy for him then! Minerva was disappointed with Uncle Lorenzo's laughter at her actions, which made Minerva angry. She wanted to see him disappointed that he was unable to be with Julia, but contrary to her expectations, it seemed that he had seen it coming. "Well, then. I'd be glad to do so!" However, before Uncle Lorenzo could carry her, a blue light suddenly shone and her father appeared. "Daddy!" Minerva exclaimed in surprise. Her father smiled faintly at her and gathered her in his arms
"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