Manipulated. Brainwashed.
This was what Raphael experienced in his early years. But thanks to his comrades, his eyes opened and he learned the truth that was hidden from him.
When he recalled the dreadful past that he had, he would unconsciously harden his decision to make sure that his daughter wouldn't experience the same nightmare that he had. That she'd had the freedom that they denied at him.
"Daddy…" His daughter, Zinnia, weakly said.
"Yes, baby. Daddy's here." Raphael softly said as he caressed her hair.
He felt immense pain when he saw her pale face. She just talked to Minerva for a bit yet it already took a toll on her.
"Daddy… I would celebrate my fifth birthday, right?"
"What were you saying? Of course, you would celebrate it. Endure this for a moment, okay? Afterward, daddy would throw the grandest fifth birthday for you."
"Welcome, Young Lady Minerva de Ivrea." The shop owner smilingly greeted as she bowed her head together with the other staff. Minerva just awkwardly hugged Harika who was with her.She was currently in the most distinguished shopping district in the Capital. Her father wanted to accompany her to not only pick a present for Zinnia but also to look for some stuff that she might like. Unfortunately, he was summoned by the Crown Prince inside the palace. So, she went outside together with Cassie and Julia. Of course, Kevin, the head knight was also included. He had fourteen other best knights with him as they surrounded her.And of course, she couldn't go outside without Harika. The knights were just surface-level "bodyguards" of her; it was entirely Harika who was her real protector.Going back, Minerva wanted to look around the toy store. She wanted to see if she could somehow find a gift that was suited for Zinnia. So w
"Hello,Your Majesty," Santi greeted with a smirk, "How about we reminisce on the time when you tried to assassinate my daughter?"Santi dangerously looked down on the Emperor who lied pathetically on the ground. He shivered like a pathetic little thing that he was as he stared at him in caution."Heh, so you finally knew how to be afraid? Weren't you too brazen enough to fight against me?" Santi sarcastically remarked."Did you think you and your son's worthless antics could escape my grasp? Every little thing that you planned, I knew all of them.All of them." He said. His voice dangerously went down. Everyone in the room could feel the anger in his voice."I knew that you wanted my wife. But I restrained myself as Leno was too young at that time. If I killed you, the nobles would certainly disapprove of Leno to become the next emperor. Wouldn't I be the only one to inher
The continent was thrown into chaos. The Second Prince of the Azenla Empire killed the Emperor together with his in-law, Duke of Borgia. It was already spread out that the late Emperor now greatly favored the Crown Prince. However, it didn't taste good in the Second Prince's mouth as the relationship of the Crown Prince and the Emperor turned into better, his position became shaky. Thus, his desperation to kill the Emperor and tried to frame it on the Crown Prince.It was a good thing that Chancellor Robert, the Emperor's most trusted aide, was immediately notified by the Emperor's sudden passing. He activated the divine tool on His Majesty's clothes and he saw the Second Prince and the Duke of Borgia used the three high-grade mana stones of the empire and did a spell to trap the Emperor.But if they looked at it on the palace's security, they would find out that it was the First Empress and the Crown Prince.However,
"What's wrong?"Minerva snapped her head in her father's direction the moment she heard his voice. She saw him walked in her direction and planted a kiss on her forehead."Daddy…" She called him as she clutched on his clothes."Hmm?""Would Juwia weave if she mawwied Uncwur Rolenjo?"Her father showed a surprised expression when he heard what she said. Then, he smiled and gathered her in his arms. He rested his chin on top of her head as he hugged her."If Julia wanted to, then we had no choice but to let her." Her father answered calmly."We couldn't keep her here if she wanted to leave, right?"Minerva just lowered her head but did not say anything. She knew that what her father said was true. But she couldn't help but felt sad with just a thought that Julia might leave.She knew that Cassie and the othe
Days passed by and Zinnia's birthday celebration that was moved had arrived. Minerva wore a blue dress paired with white shoes. Her silver hair was loose while a flower crown sat atop. She held on to her father's hand as they rode a carriage."Woah." She couldn't help but gasp in amazement as she glanced outside the carriage she was in. As the location would be in the Forest of Ziel, of course, they would be surrounded by faunas and floras.Minerva exhaled in satisfaction. She wanted to live in this kind of environment. That was one of her bucket lists."Did you like the place?" Her father, who was in the same carriage as her, asked as he cocked his head to the side and stared at her."Yesh, daddy!" She nodded her head in delight. He smiled at her and also looked outside.They both enjoyed the magnificent view until they arrived at the residence of her Uncle Raphael.
"Hey, why did you all accused me like I started this ordeal? I just wanted to greet Minnie but the two of them started to fight!" Hansel immediately defended himself when he saw the accusation in Nathaniel's eyes.Marcus, who was beside Nathan, also had the same look like him.Nathan sighed in defeat and just shook his head. Then, he raised his hand and the two children that were fighting on the ground were instantly separated."We were at Uncle Raphael's place and today's Zinnia's fifth birthday celebration. Could you, at least, give some decency to the occasion?" Nathan lectured Serena and Sancho who was now being restrained by him.Minerva peeked a glance at him. He was seriously too handsome with that stern face of his! Moreover, he looked very much like a big brother that scolded his younger siblings."Serena, you insisted that you were older than Sancho and thus matured. But wa
Emperor Khalil Zachary Ventimiglia. He was hailed as the youngest Great Archmage in history. Ever since he was a child, the potential that he had was already shown to the continent. Unfortunately, he took too much of the limelight that his twin sister, Princess Kristina Zariah Ventimiglia, hadn't got a chance to have any.The attention, care, and resources poured down to Khalil while his twin sister was thrown at the back. Because unlike him, Kristina had a below-average talent in magic and no affinity with sword energy. It was like the twins were made to be polar opposite with each other.As Khalil garnered respect and adoration from the Imperial Family, Kristina became a laughingstock and subject of ridicule. Although everyone knew that Khalil was fond of his twin sister and would defend her from unsightly rumors or anyone that dared to bully her, there would still be some naysayers lurking to whisper some ridicule to Kristina.
Minerva stayed with her Uncle Khalil throughout the party. There would be some who would approach her Uncle Khalil and thus would talk to her from time to time. Although her Uncle Khalil already told her that she didn't need to talk to them if she didn't want to, she would still greet them if they greeted her as she didn't want some unsightly rumors about her Uncle and her father. After all, most of these nobles just wanted to fawn at those who were in power. But if they managed to pick even the slightest dirt, they would relentlessly grasp on it and gossip behind their backs.She knew that her father didn't care about those baseless rumors. However, she didn't want to tarnish her father's reputation. Furthermore, she was also her mother's daughter. Whether she liked it or not, her mother might also get drag on this mess. She didn't want to be a burden to them hence she tried her best to mingle with them.After long and tedious chatter