“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
Sebastian helped his mother walk to the front door. He used a little magic for assistance, smiling the entire way. Getting to the door, they could hear the enhanced voice of the messenger. Their jaws dropped, unsure if they heard what they actually heard. Vivia left Sebastian's hand and stumbled forward, trying to reach the gate. Before she collapsed, Sebastian held her, nodding at her. Together, they walked to the gate. "What do you mean by that?! We had a deal! She cannot just take them away!""These were the Dame's words. I am simply a messenger loyal to the Hazel family. Respectfully, my lord, we will like our young mistress back."While Vivia and Sebastian approached the gate, the scout troops of the Hazel family arrived. They were armed to the teeth, commanded by the Head Knight of the Hazel family. The man looked past the Marquis, smiling when he saw Vivia. "We have come to take you back home, my lady." Marquis Adamantine turned around and saw them, surprise in his eyes. Viv
“Don’t be rude, Natalia! What do you mean by that?”“Exactly what I said. What? Are you going to hit me like father did?”Sebastian’s anger slipped away. He didn’t realize he had already raised his hand and the others were looking at him with shock. He lowered his hand shamefully, walking out of the room. He had also forgotten it wasn’t his home and would get lost within a few minutes of walking. “Don’t worry about it, Vivia. I’ll send a servant to lead him,” Dame Violet said to reassure her daughter. A servant was immediately send to aid him and another to bring more food for the additional guest.“Since we’re here, won’t it cause trouble for the head knight and the troops?”“Ah, you’re right. I’ll send a messanger to tell them to come back home since you’re here. It’s not good to leave the Hazel Estate unprotected.”“If you need to send a letter quickly, I can help you send it now, grandmother,” Natalia suddenly said, placing her tea cup down. Vivia didn’t remember teaching her dau
“He’s less impressive than you make him out to be, Natalia.”“I don’t know what you were expecting from a child. I knew he was younger than me but who knew it was this much younger. I feel weird.”“Yes, he is a bit tinier than you. So, that’s the man you fell in love with? I see. I’ll make sure to raise him properly,” Madaline said with fire in her eyes. “There’s no need to go that far. He’ll grow up to be a splendid person if you leave him alone. Although, I wonder. If we didn’t save each other, would we have ended up together? I’m curious.”“I think, no matter what, a human’s nature is determined from the moment they are born. Regardless of circumstances, they will stay true to themselves. If he was a good person when he’s grown up, I’m sure he will grow up to be the same. So, no matter what, I think…” Madaline abruptly stopped, both of them watching Amaika approach. Since the werephoenixes never aged or died, it was the same as the one in Natalia’s memories. They knelt in front of
Alighting from the carriage, they followed Natalia on her tour of the place. The barony of Grayson wasn’t that interesting as regards landmark or anything worth of note. Disappointed, Natalia kept walking, trying to feel out Adelie. She was trying to confirm if she existed and two, if she still had memories of a past life. At a time like this, she had not yet contracted Madaline or even been picked up by the Grayson family. “I’ve never been to a place so unremarkable in my life,” Sebastian commented. Vivia agreed with him with a nod of her head. Natalia agreed it was boring but she needed to see Adelie with her own eyes. As they walked around the town, they caught the eyes of many, especially the begging children. If there was one thing that stood out in the Barony, it was that the number of begging children was exponentially large. Because of the war happening in close proximity to the Barony, it was likely that their parents had been conscripted as foot soldiers in the war. The Ba
“It’s here! It’s finally here! I’m free! I’m free!” Vivia yelled, screaming happily around Natalia’s room. They watched her dance around the room and smiled, as her happiness was contagious. Even though she was confused, Adelie watched quietly. When Vivia realized the children were watching her, she finally stopped and turned around, coughing to hide her embarrassment. “Ahem! This young lady has gone from being Lady Adamantine to Lady Hazel. To me, that is wonderful news. But to you children, it might be a little more difficult. So, whatever you choose to do, I will abide by your decision.”“We’ll stay with you mother. You have the power to choose our spouses and I’m sure you won’t make the wrong decisions concerning our lives.”“Of course, my dear daughter. As you are my adopted daughter, Adelie, you are my daughter as well. Whatever your decision is, mother will help you.”“Thank…you…” Adelie mumbled in reply. Being the adopted daughter of Vivia meant she had access to a private t