It was a day Elen had dreamed of for so long. Tomorrow, Prince Addison would finally claim the throne, and she could hardly contain her excitement at the thought of leaving the Duke of Windsor's house and breaking free from their suffocating manipulation. She yearned to be with her beloved prince, to finally breathe in the liberation she so desperately craved."Elen, can you make it a little faster?" Chiara said, her words laced with a mocking smile.Chiara, the Duke of Windsor's only daughter, had always been treated with favoritism. Elen had once wished for the warm embrace of a family, but instead endured their cruel taunts and insincere kindness. Yet today, her heart raced with the anticipation of a new beginning."Yes, sister," Elen responded, quickly weaving her hair into a braid. She adorned herself in a simple purple gown, the fabric whispering of her anticipation as she readied herself to celebrate the ascension of her beloved Prince Addison.Upon stepping outside her room, E
The palace was a sight to behold, gleaming with its most prized possessions displayed in every corner. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement as the grand coronation of the new emperor approached. Addison, the soon-to-be emperor, found himself in his private chambers, diligently preparing for the momentous event.Focusing on the task at hand, Addison adjusted his gloves, ensuring that every detail of his appearance was immaculate. Eager for confirmation, he turned to his aide and asked if their anticipated visitors were en route.With a respectful bow, the aide responded, assuring Addison that their guests were indeed on their way. Satisfied with the answer, Addison couldn't resist sharing his excitement with his father, who was seated on his magnificent throne."Father, today the Adelstein will die by our hands. The Adelstein's relentless pursuit of power and influence has plagued our family for far too long," Addison continued, a glint of steely determination
The atmosphere in the prison was thick with despair, the heavy air suffused with the stench of hopelessness. Lucas could feel the biting chill of the chains that bound his wrists, a constant weight dragging him down in the confines of his cell. His body ached with the wounds of battle, but it was the ache in his heart that weighed him down the most.As he surveyed the dim and damp surroundings, he saw the fear etched on the faces of his fellow prisoners. Their eyes held stories of shattered dreams and broken spirits. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the cold stone walls, creating an ominous atmosphere that seemed to reflect Lucas's own sense of foreboding.Amidst the suffocating darkness, a voice shattered the silence like a desperate plea for salvation. "I didn't poison her!" The words hung heavy in the air, infused with the raw emotion of desperation and sorrow.Lucas's menacing voice sliced through the heavy atmosphere, his words a grim declaration that echoed with an o
Lucas observed the woman from across the cell, captivated by her grace and poise. There was something familiar about her, something that stirred memories in the deepest recesses of his mind. He strained to hear her voice as she spoke, and when she turned and their eyes met, he instantly recognized her face. It was the same woman who had tended to his wounds in the forest all those years ago. Despite the passage of time, her features were etched into his memory, and he couldn't help but wonder if she had forgotten about him.After a moment of silence, Lucas cleared his throat and spoke softly to the woman. "Elen, do you want to hear a story?" She turned towards him, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the cell. "Please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper."Once, there was a little boy who lived happily with his mother," Lucas began, his tone warm with nostalgia. "They were a small family, but they were content. His mother took care of him like both a mother and a father. The
"Elen, wake up,” Lorie’s voice pierced through the haze of Elen’s consciousness, pulling her back from the clutches of a deep slumber. Her eyelids fluttered as she struggled to focus, the familiar contours of Lorie’s concerned face coming into view. “Elen, wake up or else the dean will scold you,” Lorie persisted, her voice tinged with urgency. Groaning softly, Elen tried to shake off the remnants of sleep, her mind still clouded with confusion. “Lorie?” she muttered, her voice faint and laden with disbelief. “Is this the afterlife?” she murmured, barely audible even to herself, the weight of such a thought bearing down on her. Pinching her own arm, she recoiled at the searing pain that shot through her, grounding her firmly in the present. “What are you saying? Afterlife? Do you have a fever again?” Lorie’s worried tone cut through Elen’s thoughts, the concern evident in her eyes. “You had a high fever last night, I was scared to death,” Lorie continued, her words laced with anxiet
The grand duke of Adelstein looked at her and said, “Follow me to the carriage.” She hesitantly followed him, her heart pounding with fear. This was the first time she had met the Grand duke in person, and his presence was overwhelming. In her past life, she would have been trembling and in tears by now. They reached the carriage, and the grand duke waited for her to climb inside. But being so small, she couldn’t reach the floor. Embarrassment washed over her face. Should she ask for help? Before she could decide, to her surprise, the grand duke lifted her up. “So small,” he chuckled, while the knights laughed at the sight. Her face turned red. It wasn’t her fault she was so short. She quickly scurried inside and sat on the opposite side of the carriage. “Well, child. Speak,” the grand duke said, his eyes filled with curiosity. She took a deep breath before answering, fully aware that this was her chance to prove herself. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. “I can heal your
They reached the grand house of the duke of Adelstein at three pm. As Elen looked out of the carriage window, she saw a line of people waiting at the front door to welcome the grand duke. The butler and head maid stood at the front with eager expressions. When the duke stepped out of the carriage, instead of leaving, he opened the door and glanced at Elen. It was as if he was silently telling her to join them. Nervously, she revealed herself to the crowd, her heart racing. The onlookers, especially the old butler, appeared shocked by her presence. “Grand Duke?” the old butler called out, seemingly in disbelief. Feeling uneasy under their gazes, Elen quickly moved to stand behind the duke. “Don’t frighten the child. Mathilda, assist her to the library,” the grand duke instructed, removing his coat. “Butler, come with me.” With that, he left Elen in the midst of the others. The kind head maid approached Elen and showed her to the library. Though they h
In the hush of the evening, Elen's eyes opened slowly, the glow of the bedside clock illuminating the room. The time, nine in the evening, shocked her. With a sudden burst of energy, she sprang from the bed and raced to the door. Her small frame strained as she pushed it open and made her way down the long corridor, marveling at the grandness of the house. "This place is massive," she whispered to herself. Lost in the labyrinth of hallways, she wandered until she stumbled upon the garden."It's so beautiful," she breathed, gazing at the colorful flowers. "I wish I was just born normal. Maybe I could live peacefully."Elen strolled through the garden, touching the petals of each flower. She was captivated until her eyes fell on a striking red rose in full bloom. A prick of a thorn caused her to yelp as blood oozed from the tiny wound. She gazed at the injury, the blood slowly oozing out, and pondered, "It doesn't hurt me anymore." Her delicate fingers were stained crimson, yet she fel
In the afternoon, the grand duke was engrossed in his office tasks, finalizing documents to be sent to the palace in advance. Meanwhile, the monster egg remained hidden from all, especially the imperial family. A knock interrupted his work."Who?" the grand duke called out, still signing a document."Grand duke, it's me, Elen," came the voice outside his door, seeking permission to enter."Come in," the grand duke granted, awaiting Elen's presence. "What is it?" he inquired as she entered."Can I visit the boy?" Elen asked, her gaze averted, not meeting the grand duke's eyes."Why?" the grand duke questioned, his brow furrowing in curiosity."I just want to say thank you," Elen replied softly."Your servants can convey your gratitude to him," the grand duke suggested."But I want to thank him personally," Elen insisted. "He saved me.""And?" the grand duke prodded further, wary of involving Elen with the imperial family dynamics, given Lucas's status as the emperor's illegitimate son.
Three days had passed since Elen had awoken from her deep slumber, and the next day they were due to travel back to Evreux. The air was filled with the hustle and bustle of preparation as everyone busied themselves with getting ready for the journey. Meanwhile, Elen sat on her bed, observing Rami and Rora as they carefully packed her belongings."Can I help?" Elen inquired, her eyes hopeful as she gazed at them.Rami shook her head gently, "No, my lady. The doctor advised that you need rest."Elen's expression fell, a hint of boredom evident on her face. It had been three days since she had woken up, and she was beginning to feel cooped up from the constant vigilance everyone held over her activities.Rami let out a soft chuckle at Elen's eagerness and continued with the packing, making sure everything was neatly organized. She made a mental note to include a supply of medicine for Elen, anticipating the possibility of motion sickness during their journey back to Evreux.Elen's curios
The Grand Duke left Elen's room, feeling relieved that she had woken up from her deep slumber. He made his way to his temporary office, intending to catch up on his duties."Grand Duke," Theron greeted as he entered, placing a stack of documents on the table. "The boy who helped the lady wishes to see you.""The boy?" the Grand Duke inquired, his attention divided between the papers in front of him and Theron's words."Yes, the one who came to the lady's aid," Theron clarified."Very well," the Grand Duke replied, intrigued by the idea of meeting this young man who had displayed impressive combat skills at the marketplace. While not extraordinary, the boy's potential had caught the Grand Duke's attention."I will arrange for an appointment later," Theron informed him before bowing respectfully and exiting the room, leaving the Grand Duke to ponder the upcoming meeting with the mysterious boy.The Grand Duke sat in his office, reflecting on the mysterious young man who had caught his a
As the sun began to rise in Asteria, casting its gentle light into the room where Elen lay in deep slumber, a sense of urgency gripped the hearts of those gathered around her. The doctor, beads of sweat forming on his brow, had tried everything within his power to rouse Elen from her unconscious state, but her body remained unresponsive.The tension in the room was palpable as the grand duke, a grave expression etched on his face, questioned the doctor about Elen's condition. "When will she wake up?" the grand duke inquired, his voice tinged with concern."It seems that the medicine has not taken effect on the lady's body," the doctor responded, his own anxiety evident in his voice.A heavy silence hung in the air as all eyes turned to Elen, her face pale and serene in her slumber. The implications of her continued unconsciousness weighed heavily on the doctor, knowing the gravity of the situation.The grand duke's next words sent a shiver down the doctor's spine, his tone carrying a
Elen, still feeling groggy from her deep sleep, found herself wandering aimlessly in a never-ending white hallway. The complete lack of doors or exits made her feel trapped, like she was stuck in a never-ending limbo. The silence was deafening, and the sterile white walls seemed to stretch on forever, giving her the eerie sensation of walking towards her demise."Where the heck am I?" Elen mumbled to herself, her voice barely audible, "Am I... dead?"Despite the uncertainty of her situation, Elen pushed forward, determined to find a way out of this strange place. She couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her about the well-being of Rora and Rami."I hope they made it..." Elen thought to herself, a pang of concern tugging at her heartstrings."Child," a voice echoed through the empty white hallway, startling Elen."Who's there?" Elen called out, scanning her surroundings in confusion. But there was no one in sight, just the endless expanse of white that seemed to stretch into infinity."
The Grand Duke rushed through the marketplace, battling monsters along the way as he desperately searched for Elen. Despite his efforts, he found no trace of her or the group she had been with. The Adelstein knight arrived as well, aiding in the evacuation of civilians and joining the fight against the monsters. They scoured the area, trying to locate Elen and her companions, but they remained elusive."Grand Duke," Theron reported, "this area is clear.""Hmm," the Grand Duke responded, scanning the surroundings. "Find Elen and the group."As the Grand Duke set off once more in search of Elen, he encountered Rami and some knights still locked in combat with monsters, despite their injuries and bloodied appearance. Still, Elen was nowhere to be seen. Without hesitation, the Grand Duke jumped into the fray to assist Rami and the knights in clearing out the remaining monsters.Rami's eyes widened as she spotted the Grand Duke in the midst of the chaos, a mixture of surprise and relief fl
The Grand Duke and Theron were occupied searching for the monster's egg in the mountains when a villager was spotted shouting and running in their direction. The knights immediately intervened to prevent the villagers from getting too close to the Grand Duke."Grand Duke, it's a monster attack!" the villager exclaimed, prompting the Grand Duke to signal for the villagers to approach."Details," the Grand Duke requested, his gaze fixed on the panting villager."A monster has suddenly appeared in the marketplace, and the people there are in chaos," the villager reported between gasps for air."The marketplace?" realization dawned on the Grand Duke as he remembered Elen's whereabouts. Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly departed, mounting his horse. "Theron, inform the knights and rally them at the marketplace."Racing with urgency towards the marketplace, the Grand Duke regretted not foreseeing the monster's imminent attack there. If he had known, he would have never allowed Elen
The next day, Elen felt her body was light and full of energy. She thought it was because of the good rest she had the previous night, along with the pastries the grand duke had brought for her. She planned to go to the market, eager to taste the delicious food Asteria had to offer."Good morning, lady!" Rora greeted as she entered the room."Good morning, Rora!" Elen replied with a wave."What would you like to eat, lady?" Rami asked while fixing the curtains."I'll just have the pastries today," Elen decided. "Uh, can we go to the market place?""I'm not sure, lady," Rami replied. "We should ask for permission from the grand duke.""Okay," Elen agreed, though she knew the grand duke might not allow them to visit the market.Rami quickly reheated the pastries for Elen to eat, and then they helped Elen dress herself. Considering the sunny weather in Asteria, Rami chose a light pink dress that would suit both Elen and the weather. They styled Elen's hair into two ponytails and paired i
The grand duke and Theron carefully surveyed the village, their eyes scanning every corner for any signs of danger. With Elen in their midst, safety was their top priority, especially with the looming threat of a potential monster egg hidden somewhere nearby."Grand duke," Theron reported, "my knights haven't spotted any suspicious eggs in this area."The grand duke nodded, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings as they continued their search. Hours passed with no sign of the monster's egg."Should we head back?" Theron inquired, concern evident in his voice as he observed the grand duke's thoughtful expression."Are there any bakeries nearby?" the grand duke suddenly questioned, a knowing look in his eyes as he considered Elen's well-being without directly addressing it."Huh?" Theron was caught off guard by the unexpected question."Don't make me repeat myself," the grand duke's tone was firm as he awaited an answer.