"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
After the breakfast that they had, her mother made Rosemary promise that she wouldn’t tell a soul about the fact that she was alive and well. And Rosemary, as obedient as she was, made an oath under the name of the Goddess Larin that she wouldn’t tell anyone about her."Mommy, will you not tell Uncle Khalil about you?" Minerva could not help but ask her mother as the latter braided her hair.Her mother was silent for a moment before she answered, "Later. I’ll talk to him later."She nodded her head. At least her mother was willing to talk to Uncle Khalil. For sure, Uncle Khalil would be delighted to know that her mother was now awake after almost a decade of slumber.
"Would you like to try some?" Santi asked Kristina as he pointed at the barbeque. Kristina arched her left brow before she nodded her head."Give us two." Santi said to the young man. The young man was immediately thrilled and quickly heated up the barbeque.As they waited for the young man to heat up the barbeque, Minerva watched the young man as he skillfully spread the sauce on the meat.They did not wait for long as the young man finished heating the barbeque and handing it to Santi and Kristina. Santi paid the young man and took a look at the glistening barbeque due to its sauce before he took a bite."Hmm. It's tastier than I thought." He said and nodded his head.Kristina arched her left brow before she took a bite. She also nodded her head in approval before she placed her barbeque in front of Minerva."Baby, take a bite. The meat was tender