Chapter 44

5 months later...

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The duchy was silent. The duchy was really silent. The duchy was too silent. That means, there is something wrong. During the past few weeks, many incidents kept occurring one after the other with no mercy. For instance, occasional garden warehouses would blow up with no warning.

We always concluded that it was Lily's unbalance of her light attribute. We called many physicians and other attribute specialists but there was no cure.

Anyone would have believed that Lily was doing everything on purpose though her angelic face couldn't represent that sentiment.

But, I was too tired to overthink and I was jealous of Richard! The man got to speak with Rose while I couldn't. It may be my fault that I put my crystal in a keep safe but still Rose is my sister too.

I had always wondered how Rose would look like when she finally finds out the truth. Will she be happy? Will she be shocked? Will she hate it? Will she feel uncomfortable to live with us? But, I didn't go so as far to wonder into those worlds. I can find out when Rose gets back.

Today was also rather normal. Our Archduke, baby Alvin was also training with us. Crown Prince Lewis had his nose to the grindstone with work so Alvin offered to manage half of the troops and do the physical works.

"Turn right!" I heard Alvin shouting to correct some newbies. Ever since Alvin was given the duties of the Archduke, things have run smoothly as ever. Many successful upcoming events and economical growth rates reached sky high as he came into authority. The man knows what he's doing.

The training for the day ended pretty slowly. I packed out my things to get back home. There was only my lunchbox and my trusty-sword. I straddled my horse and got ready to head out of the Training Centre. It was already evening, and the sun was in its last steps to sink.

I got on my horse and swiftly grazed through the evening chilly winds. The winds in my face healed my glum mood. In about three minutes, I saw the familiar gates of the duchy and decelerated.

I spotted something strange and my eyes auto-adjusted to grab a visual into my brain. A huge black lump inside the gates made me gulp, uncannily.

Gasp!

What is that giant-lizard? Wait. Is that a dragon?!

How did we even get a dragon? Or, is it here to ambush us?

I increased speed and halted at the entrance. The dragon was the legendary beast that was never to be found since the last century. My mouth fell agape. The gatekeeper was nowhere to be found.

Did the dragon gobble up everyone? Am I the only Eskater left?

A blue mist morphed near the gate's entrance. It's Richard! I stared at him a little and he glanced over and I pointed towards the disastrous image of the dragon.

Just as he took form and ended the teleportation, his eyes fell straight in line with the dragon. Richard stumbled backwards. It was also in such a dorky way, I could have mocked him but my body was stopped in shock.

The Dragon looked at me and growled. Ok, that's scary. I took some steps back, just in case.

"Oh, guess you found my dragon before me. Hmm?" A very familiar voice and silhouette stood behind Richard.

"Rose!" Richard reacted first. Rose gave him a hand and brought him back to his feet. She checked out Richard and his new robe as he became the Mage leader.

"Is it just me or does this guy seem more like a girl now?" She teased him. Richard got super mad and his face went all red. I started to laugh breaking from the shock. Rose's natural way of making others comfortable around her melted all my worries away.

We all went up to a family hug.

>

"We missed you!" Robert told me and Richard nodded.

I felt bad for teasing Richard on my first time back at the duchy but a joke could never hurt anyone.

I felt Cad staring at me. I coughed a little and walked towards my dragon.

"Everyone, meet my dragon, Cad! Cad, meet my older brothers Richard and Robert." I introduced.

Their mouth were agape and I revelled in their reactions. Cad grudgingly nodded and lowered his head only about 3 inches. Cad left himself muted. Look at this haughty little bat!

"I like your new look." Robert said after examining my hair. I gave him a over-discreet bow.

"How's the duchy? I hope nothing too big happened while I was gone?" I asked with a hopeful glint. Of course, I'm betting at least some parts should be in shackles. After all, I and Carlisa  literally changed the whole story!

But, I admit that I don't regret it at all. Why? Because I'm free to do what I want. And right now, I want to meet my family, give them the great news and stuff myself with delish foods and get a good nap. I'm such a glutton and sloth.

"Umm...well. Things happened. Anyway, you have to meet Lily." Robert grazed his chin and I felt his urge in changing the topic.

"Alright! Stop this hogwash and spit it out!" I called him out on his crap.

"Father will tell you. Lets just go inside now." Richard calmed the situation like how he always does.

I shrugged and went inside with my brothers. I had to leave Cad behind so I whispered in his ear to fly out to the lake so that Medi could take care of him.

The corridors still hadn't changed. The same curtains and the same lamps stood, confidently. I guess Mum changed their colors from yellow to blue now.

I looked around and I saw some young maids running around in a rush. One of them saw us and the stack of plates on her hands fell to the ground in shock.

"M-miss....Miss R-Rose----" She stammered with tears along with buckled knees. I couldn't tell if she was happy or scared of me. But, I did make sure to keep my aura down for the time being.

Nidas warned me that most people will feel intimidated if I just strolled along with my dark aura on full display so I learned a technique from him to hide it.

And I have to mention that the dude kept my nose to the grindstone. In the future, I'll definitely be making him pay for all the misery of training I had to go through alone. He even bossed me around during morning training.

I smirked remembering all the good times I've gone through along with this journey.

A part of me questioned: Can I actually live a happy life here? Will I be able to unite this family and be my own great person?

Then my heart screamed, 'Why question?'

I can just show myself. Take that!

I took a deep breath and breathed out and pumped myself with motivation.

The timid maid started running around like a panicked rabbit and was she fast!

Robert started snickering behind me. I elbowed him, hard and I heard a gasping squeak. Ok, maybe I hit him a little too hard.

I heard a herd of thumping footsteps coming from behind us. Gisella and the head butler along with my own maids came running up to me.

"Miss Rose! It's really you." They looked flabbergasted. Well, I wouldn't really blame them.

"Of course, it's me. It's nice to see you all." I replied, calmly. A flood of tears started to flow out. What's more amazing was that it was the head butler crying? I mean how is that even possible?!

"I'm so sorry. I should have stopped you. The duchy was a wreck since you've been gone, milady. Even the knights were worried. And Miss Rose, I also have the dark attribute. I should have told you--"

Wait! This guy was a dark user. I didn't feel his aura at all. Was I that careless here?

"How come I've never---" I started to question when he continued.

"My powers are dormant, miss. That is why no one accepted me but I'm really grateful for the Eskater duchy to accept me." He kept on glorifying the duchy for another few minutes and I got bored.

Robert was already half-asleep and Richard was crossing off a paper which I assumed was his checklist. I saw Gisella kicking the butler's shin which made him stop, abruptly. Gisella with a pleased eye bowed and greeted me. I greeted back with joy.

"Where's our father and mother?"

Hello readers,

How was today's chapter? What a perfect reunion! Almost too perfect! What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments and feel free to vote. Happy reading!!