"You want to go to the Halen Empire?"
"Yes, mommy."
Her mother, Kristina Zariah, just smiled at her before she nodded her head in agreement.
"Okay, baby."
"Right, the Halen Empire's founding festival was just around the corner. We could disguise ourselves to play around." Her father said as he fixed the pillows.
Minerva rested her head on her mother's chest as she looked at her busy father.
"Will mommy be okay?" She worriedly asked. She didn't want to complicate her mother's situation. On the other hand, she wanted to bond with her parents.
Her mother was only awake for seven days per year. Therefore, she wanted to make the most out of it.
"Why can't I? Don't worry, baby. This wouldn't hurt me at all." Her mother assured her in a gentle voice and kissed her on the top of her head.
Minerva hugged her mother and nodded
"Good morning, Your Highness." Julia greeted her as soon as she woke up. Minerva rubbed her eyes as she looked around.Last night, the three of them slept in her room, cuddling together. But as soon as she woke up, her parents were not around anymore, leaving only her.Well, it was kind of understandable on her mother's part as she did not want anyone to know that she was already awake nor to let them know that she was "alive". After all, it'd be a great controversy that the spouse of the Saint Archmage managed to survive after giving birth to a jeweled eye wielder.However, despite their resolution to make this a secret, Minerva still doubted if it'd be only her, her father, and Harika knew that her mother was now awake.How about Uncle Khalil? Uncle Khalil knew that her mother was only in a state of unconsciousness. Would they tell him that she was now awake af
"Welcome to the Halen Empire."Minerva lightly raised the hood of her robe as she glanced outside the carriage. Her blue-jeweled eyes, which had become brown due to her father's magic, shone in glee as she looked around. Her wavy silver hair that turned brown came in between the views when she raised her hood."Daddy, it was so different from Azenla and Toen." She exclaimed in surprise.Unlike the Azenla and Toen Empires, the Halen Empire was located in the far west of the continent. Hence, the vast sea could be seen as soon as they arrived on the Halen Empire's territory. As they needed to climb a mountain before they'd arrive on the Halen Empire, the twinkling vast sea could be seen in a clear view.Minerva could not help but sigh. This was too beautiful. This was the first time that Minerva saw the sea with her naked eye in both of her lives.Back then,
"You know, you are creepy." Her father said and turned around. The old lady did not say anything but looked at Minerva. Minerva felt herself stiffening and avoided her gaze."Fucking Malachi." Her father grumbled irritatedly."Shh! Someone might hear you!" Her mother hushed and looked around.Her father snorted and continued to walk. But Minerva felt that her father hugged her tightly.She could not help but be curious. Who was Malachi? And why did her mother suddenly become aware of their surroundings when her father cursed him?"Da-dad…""Later, baby. We'll talk later." Her father said this with seriousness laced in his voice.Silence ensued as they walked. Her initial excitement began to fade.Her enthusiasm continued to plummet as seconds went by until her mother spoke."Baby, come to mommy. Mommy will carry you. Your daddy m
"Daddy, Mommy, what's on the seaside on the northwest?"Both of her parents looked at Minerva when she suddenly asked that out of the blue."Before, it was only a place of ruin. I heard that there was a large fire during lowtide that devoured the houses. But it had been years since I last went there, so I wasn't sure if it was still the same as before. Why?" Her father asked after he explained.Minerva pursed her lips. She looked around them to make sure that no one was around or looking at them."No one was here, baby." Her mother assured her. "What was it?""Harika said that I should go there.""Harika?" Her mother asked in confusion.Her father faked a cough. "It's Sora.""Oh!" She exclaimed, "Did our baby come out with that name?""Yeah."Minerva squinted her eyes but she did not say anything. She just listened
The woman trembled as she tried to cover her face with the scarf. But despite her attempt, the burnt flesh on her face was still visible. She was barely even recognizable and her left eye was already closed due to a scar. Her hands that hastily took the scarf to cover her face were also burnt. Minerva opened and closed her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. "Where was that bitch?!" An annoyed roar from a man could be heard. Afterward, a rustling sound was heard. "Quick, hide her!" Minerva wrinkled her brows but still followed Harika. She looked at her mother, who was also looking at her. Then, she waved her hand and a golden array covered the four of them. "Di-divine power..." The woman shook as she stared wide-eyed at the array that her mother made. "That wench! Watch how I'd whip her when I found her!
"If we take you in, wouldn't it be troublesome for us since you had that slave belt on your neck?"The woman stiffened and unconsciously grasped her neck. That made Minerva's brows furrow. Slave belt?"Slavery was extremely prohibited in the Halen Empire. I wonder what Adira could say about this." Her mother interjected, which made the woman wince."Tsk."Minerva hid her smile when she saw her father going in the direction of the woman and holding the slave belt around her neck. The woman shivered and closed her eyes."Tsk." Her father once again clicked his tongue and stood up. The slave belt on her neck was now broken into pieces by her father.Her mother, who watched this with Minerva, smiled and reached her hand."Let's go? Those from the restaurant might notice that the slave belt on your neck was broken, so we had to leave. " Her mother
Adira shook her head helplessly."Whatever, Ysmael."She turned her attention to the woman whose face was covered with a scarf and ignored Santi."Rosemary, can you tell us what happened? I promise you with my name that I will give you the justice that you deserve. "Rosemary started to tear up when she heard the words of the monarch of the land she grew up in, Empress Dowager Adira.She closed her eyes and after a few seconds, opened them and told them everything.××××"Can't sleep?"Santi turned his attention to his wife, Kristina Zariah, before he slowly nodded his head.Kristina went into his direction and sat beside him. Santi wrapped his arms around Kristina and planted a kiss on her hair."I just did not expect that Sora would do this.""Sora was always like this. He was silent
"G-good morning, Y-your Highness...""Oh, Rosemary. Good morning to you, too."Minerva nodded her head at Rosemary, who seemed bashful."Why did you stay outside? Where's daddy?""U-uhm... I-I wanted to w-wait for Y-Your Highness...""I see." She said. "Then, let's go."The two of them went into the dining room of the guest house in Aunt Adira's palace. And as per her father's request, the maids would station outside the room where they would occupy. Of course, the main reason was to be with her mother without anyone's knowledge.As they went inside the dining room, her parents were already inside waiting for her."Good morning, Mommy. Good morning, Daddy." Minerva enthusiastically greeted and went into her mother's direction to sit on her side. Afterward, she leaned into her and gave her a peck on her cheek."Good morning, my p