For some reason, even if they had a trade agreement, there was friction between the kingdom of Ducroft and the Empire of Illumine. It happened when an old man was trying to cross the border into the Empire and he was shoved to the ground by the guard. The citizens of Ducroft caused a huge riot and it had to be settled by the special forces of Ducroft. Because of the treaty, war couldn’t carelessly start but it was on everyone’s lips. While this was going around, people started to hear about the modern town being built in Polivia. It was the first of its kind but it promised to be a completely industrialized town. It prompted some people to travel to Polivia just to discover what industrial meant. “I have lived a long life but I haven’t met a conniving person like you.”“Should I take that as a compliment, Grandmother?”“Perhaps,” the old woman replied, chuckling. They were having tea on the balcony of the huge mansion, looking down at the servants unloading the carriage filled with
“Duchess Natalia, can…we talk?”Natalia stopped and turned to face Princess Temara. She had a troubled expression on her face and Natalia could almost instantly tell it was her fault. Out of all the people there, Natalia found Princess Temara the most difficult to deal with. She felt a bit guilty towards her but more than that, she was always swept up in the princess’s pace because she didn’t know what to do about her. “Of course, your highness. Please lead the way.”The two walked along quietly, one visible anxious and the other so accustomed to hiding her emotions, set her pace as she walked. She wished so dearly that she was in Marvis’s company but the werewolf had become busier than she was. They finally reached the balcony where they could chat uninterrupted. “I am naturally not a fan of rumors but recently, there have been very…troubling rumors that defame you. I just wanted…”“I will make a vow to you now on my soul that I will not steal the throne of your mothers neither wil
“MOTHER!”“You made the right choice, your majesty, you can rest in peace,” Natalia said, picking up the decapitated head. She cradled it to a chest, closing her eyes. Temara continued to scream, held closely by Sebastian. Fury burned in Madaline’s eyes but no one moved. “You’re a hard mortal to persuade. Maybe next time, I will go for that one,” Thiton said, pointing at Sebastian. Natalia’s blood ran cold. She lifted her head and glared at him. Thiton felt his entire body tremble feeling her glare on him. “Leave.”The gods left just as quietly as they arrived, the headless body finally falling to the floor. Madaline snapped her fingers and the body was wrapped up. Natalia stood with blood on her gown, staring into space. Temara lunged at her, wanting to tear at her but stopped when she heard her tiny voice. “Madaline, did I…make the wrong choice?”Madaline sighed, conjuring up a handkerchief to clean her bloody hands. “I don’t know. Whatever they’re up to, they won’t give up unti
"What…did you say?""I had a hunch but Madaline confirmed it. Do you even know what a Divine Bird is?""You better explain it to me properly.""Fine. A Divine Bird is one of the direct descendants of the goddess Nataroth and as such, they can control time and space. This is obvious in the way they cannot age or die. At some point in history, the Divine Birds became the Werephoenix and started to live like mortals. If the Divine Birds were ever killed, just like Destiny, time and space will be fixed in place. If this happens, then world order will be rewritten easily and magic may cease to exist completely.""But you said they cannot die.""They are not supposed to. However the original god of Nature Egerth can kill things that are supposed to be immortal since being immortal is innately against Nature." "Will it really be a problem if Magic ceases to exist? Polivia doesn't have a lot of magic and we are doing fine.""You're wrong. Polivia's economy almost completely depends on Mythri
The grand halls of the Church of Ducroft were silent and solemn. The inner halls were particularly off limits to visitors, home to several rooms that the Saintess carried out various rituals. The room was tightly guarded by several guards and several attendants stood by the door. All of them seemed to ignore the peculiar noises and light flashing beneath the door. The noises abruptly stopped and the door opened. Adelie walked out, covered in sweat, making the white gown she wore transparent. The side of her lips down to her gown was dripping with a suspicious red liquid. None of the guards dared to look in her direction as she wasn’t wearing anything under the gown. She turned to the attendants by the door. “Clean the mess up,” she commanded, accepting the blue cloak they held. Without saying a word, they filed into the room while she walked in the opposite direction. Two guards flanked her, one handing her a scroll. “A summons from his majesty, huh? Well, I guess some things never
“Marvis…Amaika…I have to find them…”She surprised herself with the childish voice that came out of her throat. Although she grew healthily, she didn’t remember looking so malnourished and small. She was 9 years old and yet, she looked like she was just 5. The puddle not too far from where she was chained confirmed that. It was also where she drank water from. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Exhaling, a visible puff of breath came out, turning dark. It solidified and hit the ground. She smiled, channeling her mana through the chains that held her small body to the ground. They broke, disintegrating. In the past, she had to use her newly gained enchantment magic to break out of them, bleeding and losing her senses in the process. Now, she was glad that it was a few days before she got her magic. Even better, it was during that time where the Empire was invading at Beldania. This meant the Grand Duke was still alive. Natalia smiled eerily, standing up. Where she was imprisoned was f
“The journey will be hard. Can you make it?”“I can. I’m still recovering my magic but quarter is enough to teleport.”“I’m stil worried. You’re so tiny, you may fall apart.”“I am fine, Madaline. If you’re so worried, send a fairy with me, preferrably Cheese. I know she’ll love my hair.”“It still surprises me how much you know about my fairies. Cheese sleeps a lot and cannot control her strength when she activates it. Is that fine?”“Yes, it is. I can handle it.”Madaline summoned the fairy and it appeared in her hair almost immediately. Natalia chuckled while Madaline just watched, mildly surprised. She didn’t understand the fairy’s fascination with her hair but it wasn’t like it bothered her. The clothes Madaline gave her were comfortable, made from materials she was sure existed only in ancient times. Natalia snapped her fingers and teleported. She appeared in front of huge gates she saw the last time she visited the manor of the Hazel Family. She was stopped by the guards and o
Waking up, Natalia found that her small body didn’t have any more pain from moving around in the bed. She didn’t know what Madaline gave her but it made her able to sleep properly. What’s more, when she woke up, there were several servants waiting to attend to her needs. They also prepared a dress for her which was a little too big. However, it was new and so were the oversized shoes. “My lady, the Head Butler is just outside the door. Shall we let him in?” One of the maids who was attending to her asked. She swallowed the fruit in her mouth and replied to her. The door opened and the Head Butler walked in.“Good morning, Lady Natalia. I am so sorry for disturbing your breakfast. Dame Violet asked me to inform you that the knights have set out to pick your mother up. The Dame also said she has assigned these servants to take care of your daily needs and that if you wish for anything, they are authorized to come to her directly if necessary. If you have any requests for me as well, yo