Chapter 56

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕴𝖛𝖞 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

"......so we hope you'd come to the noble's dark night a week after today within the specified time and date written on the back of the seal of this envelope..."

My hands felt the softness of the enveloped and continued to caress it until they halted enough to almost crumple the remaining strength it held before it got burned and turned to ashes swayed by these penetrating icy breezes.

So these people had already moved their pawns.

When the gentlest rays of the sun came to descend on my skin, I leaned back to my seat but when I knew that it was already causing pain, that's when I felt alive.

No matter how I look at it, even when the sun hits the envelope, the color will always be dark, just like the first night when I was invited to that ball, a ball where no one must know of the noble's identity.

It was a nightlife for the nobles' tastes and I knew for sure that these people who sent this letter to me knew exactly who I was.

In the past, I came, because I heard from Blake that even the crown prince would be coming. I did everything to know everything about his attire and masks, and when it was time to look for him in that place, all that I saw was a shattered vision of what I wanted to have.

From within his arms, it was always Liana. That's the time that I vowed to be better than the lady but I never thought that it would also be the start of my family's ruins.

Ironically, I should throw this to the trash, since I've learned in the past that it wasn't only for nobles' pleasures but there's also some underground exchange of information. From the said place, the nobles who had these ulterior motives would come together and plan for their next move.

Some of the nobles would cheat on their wives or husbands while others would come and find a romantic partner for the night.

But what stood amongst them was a scholar on that night would be willing to lend any information he or she had in exchange for a favor.

No one knows about the favor that scholars wanted but it was never prohibited for scholars to attend the nobles' nightlife, not when it was also required of them to attend and do these kinds of work.

Upon knowing of these, I knew that I wouldn't be able not to come especially when I would seek any information regarding the upcoming war or even my tradition's family.

Since I couldn't find any information about my family's traditions within my household, as early as possible, I needed to get that information to whoever it became available.

Because I knew that even if I gathered enough information from the war, the curiosity about my family would be enough to eat me alive.

I couldn't help but feel that something would feel off or something would be right, not when my father wasn't able to say about the doors underground of our household, he wasn't even able to give me the information I needed from the small orphanage within the Austuria.

I knew that it took him a while to give them to me, but I would always have the doubt now, not when Gludius told me about my family's tradition even not knowing who I was.

Or did he? I shook my head and continued to sigh as my gaze was fixed on the almost crumpled envelope. My fingers that gripped the stamp while my eyes narrowed their gazes upon seeing the address made my teeth grit.

It was at the same time, and place but different year. This was the first time I received this kind of envelope earlier than expected than with my previous life.

Since I would be able to find some information there, I wouldn't deny this event, not when I wouldn't be sure about Gludius' motives to my households. Until I knew where he would be able to use it, then I would be willing to tell him.

I just needed Crane in that event, if he wouldn't be there, then it didn't matter, as long as I could find the scholar, they claimed to say any information when asked for.

My mind was awry of the past, but in the depths of my chest, I had finally come up with my decisions.

Since the sun's rays would set soon, the corners of my lips curled upward until my hand claimed the envelope to my lips as if there was a kiss of death noted in that very same black paper.

"Then I'll await for the time..."

"Vestia, I think we should----" I put my hand in front of the young man and closed my eyes for a second before gathering enough air in my body.

After opening my eyes and fixing my gaze on him, his eyes kept on lingering my face despite my hand being in front of his face.

"Lexus, I know you're worried but there's nothing to be worried about, okay? Just wait here, and I'll talk to Father. Afterward, we would come to the market. Oh, and remember, you should stay behind the shadows because I just have a plan..." I didn't wait for Lexus' words.

Right after saying those, I immediately entered Father's office. The aroma was the same, it was indeed deep and I could see how Father's eyes focused on me especially since his eyebrows were raised when I came into his office wearing a coat instead of my normal dress.

"I see that you have come up with another plan of yours, Vestia..." Father put his pen down as well as set aside the paper he had been writing.

He looked at me up and down, but his eyebrows remained raised.

I could see how he narrowed his eyes and sighed after a few while before hearing my words.

"Since this would be the first time I would say these words to you, then I guess I might just take the courage," I paused and inhaled some of the air within this closed-up office.

"Father, I have been formulating some medicines. I knew it would shock you but I planned to open a clinic soon within the empire. The only twist to that is, I wouldn't use my real name," I could see how Father's mouth opened and his eyes widened.

But then I continued to say my words.

"That's why I would like to come out every night, to pass some of my medicines within the market or people---"

"That would be dangerous, Vesita. You're doing too much----"

"Hear me out this time, Father, please? Besides, I knew that Lexus wouldn't be able to leave me. He would protect me at all cost"

"But he's still a begin----"

"He's not a beginner anymore when I saw that black badge on his chest, father. I knew what that meant and it was only given to the top performer, a shadow assassin that is ready to kill anyone," I saw how Father's mouth closed as he inhaled a few deep breaths before finally settling them out of his body.

"Then, what do you want to do, Vestia? Do you plan to do just what you said?"

"Yes, Father, I wanted to do that, especially in these times, because of I happen to do these things in the future, I think I might not be able to have any alias name. especially when I don't want to contribute my real name to the society because all of the credits would come to the imperial family," I knew Father would understand the words I said.

He knew I didn't want to be the crown princess but here I am, I became one despite my opposition and want to be the heir of this household as well as a doctor.

This time, I would be able to do what I wanted and help the people of the empire, without having to give credit to the one who was currently holding my name.

Just when I thought I knew that everything would go according to my plans, I could see Father narrowing his eyes again.

"All right, but then I do have a condition to make with you young lady, and that's when the time comes, I would tell you the words..."

I sighed but then nodded firmly as my eyes landed on his soul.

"Then off we go, father. Please wish this best of luck"

"Then go on. Just remember how to come back safely... you know that your mother tends to be frightened easily"

"I wouldn't let her feel frightened..." I heard Father chuckle before finally seeing how his hand waved and I also chuckled as I closed the door.

I looked beside it and I knew the young man had his eyes closed, while his arms were crossed over each other. His back was leaning on the wall. It must have taken a few minutes to see him like this.

As I was about to poke him, I didn't even see his hands grabbing mine as if it was fast as lightning speed.

My eyes widened when I looked at him but the smirk on his face never left mine.

"This time, I would hold your hands whenever you wanted it, Vestia. Just promise me that you'll live and smile to the fullest and I will do my duties for you..."