"W-what...?"
Minerva trembled as she stared at the seat she had previously occupied. She clutched her father's clothes tightly, her stomach churning at the possibility of being almost devoured by the explosion.
Who... who was it that was after her? Was this the same person who almost kidnapped her?
Giovanni was already a few steps away, holding the terrified little girl in his arms, she noticed as she looked around.
"These bastards," Minerva overheard her father say.
When she looked up, she noticed her father's expression was so dark that even Minerva was terrified.
As each second passed, her father's expression became more ferocious. It got so bad that everyone, except Minerva, couldn't breathe properly.
"Sora." Her father called Harika in a murderous voice.
"If you can't give me the pathetic lives of those who did this, then I don't need you anymore."
"D-dad–"
Minerva couldn't finish what she was about to
A blue light shone inside the chamber, revealing Minerva and her father. Despite being inside the chamber in the Toen's Imperial Palace, she felt fear in her heart.When Minerva sensed her father was about to place her on the bed, she hugged his neck even tighter and refused to let go.Her father sighed and patted her on the back. "I need to speak with your Uncle Khalil about what happened, baby. If you don't want to be alone, why don't you stay with Uncle Lorenzo for the time being?"Minerva remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement. Both of them were engulfed in blue light in the blink of an eye. When the light faded, they found themselves in an unfamiliar location."It was a great honor for the esteemed Blue Saint Archmage to pay a visit to my humble abode. What brought the illustrious and powerful Duke of Ivrea here?"Minerva cast a glance at her Uncle Lorenzo, who appeared lethargic and domesticated in his home clothes. When the
Minerva cast a sidelong glance at Marcus when he sighed as soon as Uncle Lorenzo left the saloon. She sat across him as she buried herself in the tiger plushie in her arms."I'm sorry about my father." He helplessly said. He sat upright with both of his hands on his lap. Minerva snuck a glance at him and slowly nodded her head. She suddenly felt awkward when Marcus smiled at her."My father said that you were a lively child but were just shy when faced with unfamiliar people."Minerva pursed her lips. Seriously, Uncle Lorenzo was too gossipy! She even became their topic of conversation!But seriously though, she didn't expect that Marcus would talk to her. After all, they had met occasionally before and this was the first time that they talked formally. Of course, it excluded the time when they first met."I... heard from your father about your circumstanc
Marcus smiled when he saw that Minerva was too immersed as he unconsciously told her about his life as Leno.He didn't expect that he would share his experiences to someone other than his father. Maybe someday, he'd tell his mother about what happened. But to others except for his family? He didn't think so.But with Minerva, he unknowingly spilled the past that he deeply hidden on his heart. Perhaps the reason for this was that she, herself, was also reborn just like him? Therefore, although he didn't know her past, he could somehow feel a connection with her.Just like the connection that he felt when he first met his father, Lorenzo.××××"Your Excellency!" Marcus greeted in surprise when he saw the first ever Saint Archmage. He stayed in Santi's estate for a while yet he never glimpse even the shadow of Lorenzo.It was we
"Have you decided?"Marcus glanced at Princess Kristina's reflection in the mirror as she brushed his long hair and braided it like she used to do.He remained silent and Princess Kristina did not speak any further. After a few seconds, he opened his mouth to ask."If I leave, what would happen to the child in the mother's womb?"Princess Kristina showed a surprise expression and halted braiding his hair. Afterward, she smiled softly at him and patted his head."Were you worried about your sibling?""I... just thought that the child would be lonely if I left."Princess Kristina sighed helplessly at him. Marcus was taken aback when he was suddenly enveloped in her warm embrace as she gently patted his back."You're such a good child. I don't know why the emperor and Janeth could not see it."Marcus drooped his eyes. Before his th
"Wow, you two looked serious. I just left for a while, and yet your expressions have become this solemn. Were you that sad to be left by me?"Minerva snapped her head to the direction of the door when she heard her Uncle Lorenzo's voice. She pursed her lips as she was left speechless by him.Solemn? Why did he think that their expressions were solemn? The two of them looked calm and peaceful, especially Marcus. As if he hadn't shared his sad and tragic life with her back then when he was Leno."Little Minnie, if you were that sad, how about you'd call Cassie and let her come here to accompany you? You could also call for Shirley, Elise, and especially Julia." Uncle Lorenzo said this with a gentle smile on his face.However, Minerva knew deep inside that he was just scheming.Uncle Lorenzo was too good. He used the pretext of her being sad and her father no
"Your Highness! We missed you! The estate felt lonely without you." Shirley said upon seeing her.Minerva forced a smile on her face and sighed. She glared at her Uncle Lorenzo, whose smile stretched across his face. His eyes twinkled in delight as his eyes focused on the woman in the back."Hmp!" She snorted and crossed her arms.She refused to admit that she had lost to her uncle Lorenzo's persistence. Despite her attempts to block Uncle Lorenzo, it was all in vain as he was always three steps ahead of her.Uncle Lorenzo must've felt her mood wasn't good when he glanced at her direction. He chuckled and patted her head before he returned his gaze at the four maids in front."Welcome to my humble abode. Forgive me if I invited you here for such a short time. Santi had left Little Minnie in my care for a while since he had an emergency. But as much a
"Uncle! I want to stay with you!" Minerva shouted firmly and grabbed his arm. He schemed against her so Julia could come here? She wouldn't make it easy for him then! Minerva was disappointed with Uncle Lorenzo's laughter at her actions, which made Minerva angry. She wanted to see him disappointed that he was unable to be with Julia, but contrary to her expectations, it seemed that he had seen it coming. "Well, then. I'd be glad to do so!" However, before Uncle Lorenzo could carry her, a blue light suddenly shone and her father appeared. "Daddy!" Minerva exclaimed in surprise. Her father smiled faintly at her and gathered her in his arms
Minerva was in the good mood all day long. Although Uncle Lorenzo was persistent and even though her father would sometimes back him, she still hindered his plan to get close to Julia.Unfortunately, Marcus somehow backed Uncle Lorenzo, hence she threw him out. And now, it was only her and Julia inside this chamber. Julia was combing Minerva's hair as she would sneak a glance at her through the reflection of the mirror."Julia?""Yes, Your Highness?" She asked with a smile on her face.Minerva stared at her. Of all her four maids, Julia was the one who she could feel the sincerity of the most.She knew that Cassie only saw her as someone she needed to take care of. As her father paid for her services, she also did her best to do her job well.Despite this, Minerva did not harbor any dislike or disappointment towards Cassie. After all, she was truly