"What's wrong?"
Minerva snapped her head in her father's direction the moment she heard his voice. She saw him walked in her direction and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Daddy…" She called him as she clutched on his clothes.
"Hmm?"
"Would Juwia weave if she mawwied Uncwur Rolenjo?"
Her father showed a surprised expression when he heard what she said. Then, he smiled and gathered her in his arms. He rested his chin on top of her head as he hugged her.
"If Julia wanted to, then we had no choice but to let her." Her father answered calmly.
"We couldn't keep her here if she wanted to leave, right?"
Minerva just lowered her head but did not say anything. She knew that what her father said was true. But she couldn't help but felt sad with just a thought that Julia might leave.
She knew that Cassie and the othe
Days passed by and Zinnia's birthday celebration that was moved had arrived. Minerva wore a blue dress paired with white shoes. Her silver hair was loose while a flower crown sat atop. She held on to her father's hand as they rode a carriage."Woah." She couldn't help but gasp in amazement as she glanced outside the carriage she was in. As the location would be in the Forest of Ziel, of course, they would be surrounded by faunas and floras.Minerva exhaled in satisfaction. She wanted to live in this kind of environment. That was one of her bucket lists."Did you like the place?" Her father, who was in the same carriage as her, asked as he cocked his head to the side and stared at her."Yesh, daddy!" She nodded her head in delight. He smiled at her and also looked outside.They both enjoyed the magnificent view until they arrived at the residence of her Uncle Raphael.
"Hey, why did you all accused me like I started this ordeal? I just wanted to greet Minnie but the two of them started to fight!" Hansel immediately defended himself when he saw the accusation in Nathaniel's eyes.Marcus, who was beside Nathan, also had the same look like him.Nathan sighed in defeat and just shook his head. Then, he raised his hand and the two children that were fighting on the ground were instantly separated."We were at Uncle Raphael's place and today's Zinnia's fifth birthday celebration. Could you, at least, give some decency to the occasion?" Nathan lectured Serena and Sancho who was now being restrained by him.Minerva peeked a glance at him. He was seriously too handsome with that stern face of his! Moreover, he looked very much like a big brother that scolded his younger siblings."Serena, you insisted that you were older than Sancho and thus matured. But wa
Emperor Khalil Zachary Ventimiglia. He was hailed as the youngest Great Archmage in history. Ever since he was a child, the potential that he had was already shown to the continent. Unfortunately, he took too much of the limelight that his twin sister, Princess Kristina Zariah Ventimiglia, hadn't got a chance to have any.The attention, care, and resources poured down to Khalil while his twin sister was thrown at the back. Because unlike him, Kristina had a below-average talent in magic and no affinity with sword energy. It was like the twins were made to be polar opposite with each other.As Khalil garnered respect and adoration from the Imperial Family, Kristina became a laughingstock and subject of ridicule. Although everyone knew that Khalil was fond of his twin sister and would defend her from unsightly rumors or anyone that dared to bully her, there would still be some naysayers lurking to whisper some ridicule to Kristina.
Minerva stayed with her Uncle Khalil throughout the party. There would be some who would approach her Uncle Khalil and thus would talk to her from time to time. Although her Uncle Khalil already told her that she didn't need to talk to them if she didn't want to, she would still greet them if they greeted her as she didn't want some unsightly rumors about her Uncle and her father. After all, most of these nobles just wanted to fawn at those who were in power. But if they managed to pick even the slightest dirt, they would relentlessly grasp on it and gossip behind their backs.She knew that her father didn't care about those baseless rumors. However, she didn't want to tarnish her father's reputation. Furthermore, she was also her mother's daughter. Whether she liked it or not, her mother might also get drag on this mess. She didn't want to be a burden to them hence she tried her best to mingle with them.After long and tedious chatter
"Goodbye, Minnie!" Zinnia enthusiastically said as she waved her hand at her."I'd tell daddy to visit you next time!" She added.Minerva smiled at Zinnia as she nodded her head. She also waved her hand at her as her left hand gripped tightly on her father's clothes."You got a friend, huh?" Her father commented when he saw her waving at Zinnia.She first glanced at Zinnia, then looked at her father. Afterward, she smiled a little and nodded. Her father smiled in satisfaction and planted a kiss on the side of her head."Congratulations, my little girl." Her father said."T-thanksh, daddy…"Her father chuckled and kissed her cheek."Why were you so adorable?" He mumbled.Minerva giggled as she felt tickled. Her father caressed her hair as he smiled softly."Why did you rarely talk? Was the
"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
"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