After a month, there are some changes in the duchy. One of them was when my brother, he came home earlier than expected. Then mother was enraged the moment she saw Caesar. However... Caesar casually told Mom that the headmaster let him go for an early vacation since he finished his remaining school works for the year. A character with such buffed characteristics does have many advantages.
Another thing happening inside the Mansion is that it is always in chaos. If my brother has come back... it is obvious that the two devils will be also. It's like they are in a complete package except the fact that we can't ship them back because even the Academy are wishing them return to us. Though, they also want them to be at the academy since it boosts their reputation.
Jemina on the other hand was punished, but not so severe like her limbs were cut off. Mom's punishment to her was a deducted salary for six months and her workload doubled. The reason she was being punished is simple. It's because of negligence towards me. I talked to my mother that day and told her the reason why I am by the lake. She scolded me of course for more than half an hour.
Eventually I also received punishment. Mom made me read three thick books each day and write a reflection at the before class's end.
Oh, we have a new servant in the Duchy and he's young. The boy who saved me was graciously rewarded with money. The weird thing is that he refused on the spot and instead he requested to follow us to the north asking Mother for permission to let him work for the Duchy. Aunt Mavis heard this and persuaded Mom to accept him.
Well, he did have a job. That is to assist Noland in his work. Doing chores everywhere and being the errand boy of the Duke and Duchess. Nonetheless, he was happy to follow the Vacarella head.
When I asked the kid, Erwin, why he decided to follow us here in the north, he enthusiastically answered me, "Why are you asking that my lady? It is simply on a whim since I am curious about the duke."
at that time I couldn't ask for more and left him. There is really nothing to be curious about my Father since he doesn't do anything except purge some threats around and sign paperwork or flirt with mom.
anyway, the empire is also in a busy state. The reason is, this month is the 3rd prince's 5th birthday celebration. There are invitations sent on every household. Why do I know? It's because I overheard some nobles in a tailor shop talking about it and bragging that they received it earlier.
When my brother and I were studying at the library he warned me, "You can't come to the ball, understood?"
Even if he hadn't told me that, I will not go. Why? Because I really, really don't want to see him and he does too! Our last meeting ends up angering me. Besides that, I think he has another reason to hate me.
I heard that because of my bold confession to the prince, many nobles are trying to introduce their daughters to the princes'. Please do not try to ask the 1st prince to marry their daughters and as for Prince Zairon you deserved it! I hope more letters come to annoy him.
"Why does Wren have a weak body?"
I smirked under the cup. I can guess why she came barging here. It must be because of the upcoming celebration. She's excited about it because she can wear a new dress while I already them that I can't come because I'm sick.
However, it is an odd pair to see. Aria and Yessenia both came and one of them is pouting and glancing at me. She can go with the other kids and I will stay here, reading. A slight knock at my door took our attention and I glanced over at the boy, "Erwin, see who it is."
I noticed Erwin let the maid in with a tray of letters. There goes my heart beating wildly as soon as I saw the emblem on the sealed wax. I had thought that heaven heard my wish.
"A letter from the Imperial Family addressed directly to the Young Miss."
I stared at it with my thumping heart. On my peripheral view I saw Aria staring at me, a kind of stare like she was observing a specimen and it is visible on Yessenia's eyes that she's been expecting this and her imagination is running wild.
"What if Prince Zairon..."
"Yessenia you can keep it to yourself."
Wait, it can't be that he's inviting me to his birthday banquet. No, no, no! I don't want to go to the banquet! I have many reasons and most of it involves Zairon.
I suppose I should still read it...
'To Young Miss Wren,
Good day Young Miss, How are you these past few days? I hope you are doing fine. I'm terribly sorry I cannot visit you...'
What kind of bullsh*t he wrote? I mean, did he actually write this? What's with the first sentence sending sunshine energy? and actually, I'm delighted that he can't come at all. By the way, something bothers me...
what is it?
'... two weeks from now my 5th birthday banquet will be held at the Imperial palace. Since the young miss like me so much, I hope you come and be my partner...'
That's it. I crumpled the paper and threw it onto the fire which I failed. I feel like my life span decreased and that very part I unconsciously read it out loud, It made Yessenia look foolish as she grinned. This is what annoys me the most.
Another thing is that the last part is very annoying because it looked like he was ordering me. Do I have no choice on this?! For f*cks sake, we're only 5.
"You are expected to attend the banquet and can't refuse and if you are thinking of faking an illness and such, you can't. YOU.MUST.ATTEND. Oh, what color will you wear? Since we are going together we coordinate, don't you think? or maybe I can send you a dress."
I can't imagine Zairon writing this and his handwriting is... very messy.
"I heard the 3rd prince sent you a letter. What does it say?" news travels fast indeed.
"Nothing..."
Yesssenia pushed me away and excitedly ran towards Caesar and she told everything which made him frown as he spotted the paper on the floor. I thought Erwin burned it, but looking at him I can say he did not. Caesar picked up the paper and read it. Slowly a dark aura emitting from his body and he's smiling.
All of the sudden the letter in his hand burned to crisp. Now, he's laughing menacingly.
"The third prince didn't write this."
"How can you say so brother?"
"This awful and uncouth writing is not Prince Zairon's writing... rather, it's the 1st prince."
the 1st prince of the empire as well as Zairon's oldest half-brother and my most like character in the book. In the empire we have 3 princes' and 1 princess.
I don't think that Princess Alisa has ever been mentioned in the novel. The 1st Prince was mentioned, but as an Extra; he was known for his great skills in magic that he was on par with the archmage. Sadly, It was revealed he died underground.
Which made me like him since his battle underground is written! He was so cool...
Then, there is the 2nd prince, who was given the title of crown prince. He also died in the novel by poison.
"That prince is hiring me to work for him. What a..." my eyes lit up.
If he works for the 1st prince instead of Zairon, my brother can avoid his death early. Besides I can see my idol at the palace because of my brother. It's a win-win for me.
"Brother, accept it." even though my brother grimaced at me. I still try my best to persuade him all day that he gave up. He told me he will think about it.
Oh, brother, I hope you work for the 1st prince.
My brother is so smart and capable that everyone will try to hire him. I can see that the 1st prince saw Caesar's talent before Prince Zairon does.
'good, good'
I was playing with my dolls alongside Astreia when Jemina laid a handful of golden envelopes in front of me. I stared at it with wide eyes and asked, "What is this?"
Though I know what this is, I still asked. Another mistake obviously because Jemina opened one and read it loudly for me. My ears you can cut it already! Thank you!
The 1st Prince of Beauvior Empire must be nuts! How could he send me letters with the same content and only revise a certain part? Is this some kind of torture just because I chose not to send a reply?
Even if I liked his character... I couldn't just go to the banquet!
"Young miss... at the end he said 'If Young Miss Wren didn't send me a reply with an affirmation of you coming to my banquet within today... you will see a huge stack of gifts sent in your estate by tomorrow morning.' are you going to send a reply now Young Miss?"
Does he not feel tired? He's been doing this for almost three days already and I started to memorize everything written in the letter. I chase out Jemina to think for a while, however I got unexpected visitors here.
"Why don't go Wren? For sure Uncle will come with you." I glared at Lexus. This cousin of mine wants to have another sort of entertainment.
They were eating fruit besides the window and trying to take a mess inside the parlor. After Caesar visited me earlier, they came and dragged Caesar away and only Lexus came back.
"I thought you were going to have a spar with my brother?"
Lexus points himself with a tired look and says, "Do I look like a fighter type to you?"
Uh... right. He specializes in magic rather than physical fighting. Him and Laxus are very different to each other despite being twins.
Swords clashing and sparks from the metals collision. Fast movement between my brother and Laxus. I didn't know that Caesar is also good with swordmanship. How talented. Laxus isn't falling behind my brother's movements.
and for a sparring... they're using real swords. It's expected given the household they're in.
"They have been like that for 30 minutes."
Now that I look at it, none of them are backing off... Hmm? Caesar hands... A loud crunch distracted me as he moved forward with his sword raised.
"Hmmm... Smart. Using that magic." Huh?
I looked at Lexus but he did not elaborate more, "H-Hey! Caesar this ain't part of our rules!"
Heh, Laxus seems to be having a hard time since Brother Caesar is pushing him off against the training ground.
Caesar is easily evading Laxus's thrust and attacks. As soon as Laxus swings his sword he thrusts himself. Both have good reflexes and mobility.
Lexus did not answer me which made me only frown. Conversing with this guy is hard. Anyway, this is just light sparring yet those two are terrifying way beyond. The knights who are with them are in awe while watching them.
"I'm still weak." I heard Lexus mumbled which made me look at him.
Even though the hood covers his face, I can still see his eyes gazing at his brother with such worry and sadness. He and Aria were kind of alike in terms of being aloof. Lexus noticed me staring at him intently as to why he put his hand on my head and made me look below.
"Kid, the show's below. Your brother is winning."
His hands then ruffle my head, "I know my brother is winning."
Really, he was quiet but he didn't get his hand off on my head.
Finally, A loud clank of sword on the ground signals that we have a winner from the spar. Laxus is on the ground kneeling and thumping with his fists. He was frustrated, I can see that. Both of them are too good for their age.
A long and lonely sigh escaped from Lexus' mouth and whispered, "I haven't changed."
I didn't catch what he said but he doesn't sound fine, "Lexus are you..."
Before I could finish he vanished leaving me behind with his sad look.
"What's with him, huh?" I mumbled and left the room to go towards the training ground.
---------------------------------------------------
"I almost let myself be swept away in front of that kid..."
A faint smile crept across Lexus face as he stared down. He was sitting on the edge of the roof. Staring at the people below as they came close to the two people.
His gaze followed Wren's direction as his lips pursed.
"You were very different from before. It will be troublesome it seems."
He laid himself and stared at the sky, his left arm outstretched and acted like he wanted to pluck out the sun from the sky then squeeze it to remove the light and let darkness devour the world like night time. Where he could be truly at peace.
He sighs as he turns over, closing his eyes. "I can't let that happen."