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Chapter 7.1: City of Hope
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“I want to go with you,” Duke Hugo demanded, his voice steady yet cold. Then, more firmly, he stated, “I will go.”
Duchess Constance’s response was curt. “No.”
Before the Duke could retort, Colin and Cecil chimed in unison, “But we want to go too!”
The Duke’s voice unexpectedly shifted, almost pleading as he added. “Let us come with you! Please!”
Duchess Constance arched a brow, her tone laced with sharpness. “Why are you begging? You’re a duke, for goodness’ sake! Act like one.”
Cecil, not missing a beat, pointed at her brother. “Mom, Colin said he wants to go. I think he’s about to cry.”
Colin’s eyes widened, gleaming with a carefully crafted innocence that almost looked genuine, his lower lip trembling slightly.
Constance glanced at her son, her face betraying no emotion, then after a while, she sighed heavily. “Fine,” she relented, though her tone carried an edge. “But get your own carriage.”
Without another word, she turned sharply, linking her arm with Adira’s and turning towards the carriage.
As they started to walk away, Colin suddenly sniffled, his voice trembling as though on the verge of tears. “But… sniff… we want… we want to ride in that carriage.” He pointed desperately at the carriage that Adira and the Duchess would use to travel to the city.
Duchess Constance stopped in her tracks, her gaze turning sharp as a blade. “No,” she said with icy firmness. “This is a ladies-only carriage. Only Cecil will join us. Colin, you and your father may request another carriage from the stablemaster.”
Cecil pouted. "But, Mom!" she protested. "I have to be with Colin!"
Cecil immediately pouted, crossing her arms. “But, Mom!” she protested, her voice rising in frustration. “I have to be with Colin!”
A vein pulsed visibly on Duchess Constance’s temple, but she maintained her composure. However, to the twins, her glare was enough to reduce them to meek little chicks, their lips puckered tightly as if sealing away any sound that might escape and provoke her further.
The Duchess’ tone, however, dropped to an unnerving chill as she warned. “If any of you dares to leave so much as a single mark on the hem of our dresses…” She trailed off, but the unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. “ You know what will happen.”
Duke Hugo, seizing the opportunity with a rare glimmer of enthusiasm, quickly ushered the children toward the carriage before the moment slipped away. “Let’s go, kids!” he said, his voice unusually chipper as he hurried them along.
“Yeah!” Colin and Cecil cheered in unison, their enthusiasm lighting up the moment.
Adira chuckled at the sight, though a lingering sense of foreboding gnawed at the back of her mind, a shadow in the corner of an otherwise fleeting lightness.
“Adira?” Duchess Constance’s voice called, soft but carrying its usual commanding undertone. She extended her hand gracefully, her gaze expectant. “Shall we go?”
Adira nodded, a fleeting sense of calm settling over her as she reached for her mother’s hand. She followed closely, her steps measured and steady, as they approached the carriage.
Duke Hugo stood at the carriage door, a rare eagerness in his movements as he extended his arm to assist. With deliberate care, he lifted the hems of their dresses, ensuring not a thread brushed against the ground. His attentiveness seemed almost exaggerated, as if trying to earn invisible brownie points in the Duchess’s eyes.
Once everyone was seated, the carriage set off, wheels creaking softly against the cobblestone as it began its journey toward the destination planned by Adira and her mother.
Though the carriage was generously spacious, with five people inside, it felt uncomfortably cramped.
Colin and Cecil, ever restless, occupied themselves with a word game that quickly grew animated. Their laughter and bickering filled the small space, echoing off the walls.
Duchess Constance’s irritation grew with each passing moment. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she cast a sharp glance at the children, her patience wearing thin.
Unable to bear the noise any longer, the Duchess opened the window with a quick motion, letting the cool morning air stream in. Looking outside she hoped that the passing scenery might offer some reprieve, but her mind remained occupied, she could already hear the noble etiquette rules the twins were breaking, their behavior grating on her nerves.
William wasn’t with them, having already departed to return to the Academy. He had left earlier that morning, promising to visit again during his next break. Before leaving, he had repeatedly pressed Adira about her core, but her answers had been vague and unhelpful.
When Adira had fainted for two days, William had extended his leave to stay by her side. et, once she recovered, he left in a hurry, muttering something about a particularly strict teacher who would surely ensure his failure if he tarried any longer. His departure had been swift, and it hadn''t taken much to convince him to stop prying into the matter of her core.
As Adira glanced at the people in front of her, her mind wandered back to the conversation she had shared with her family during lunch yesterday, following the surprisingly heartwarming "I love you" that morning.
Watching the Duke so carefree, laughing with the twins, almost made her believe that every impending tragedy was nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.
But it was foolish to think this way. Her mind wandered to how the events had unfolded, as she tried to recall every detail as best as she could.
One thing was certain: her father, as he had in the past, had most likely received an invitation to the grand event that was soon to take place across the empire.
A month from now, the empire would celebrate its founding. The event, held at the close of spring, was known throughout the land as "The Dragon’s Dawn."
It was a festive and joyous occasion when commoners, nobles, and royalty came together in celebration.
Unusual as it was, this hadn’t been the case during previous reigns. The Emperor had arranged this intentionally for the entire Empire to unite in commemorating the strength of its people through times of hardship.
The birth of Aragon had come to be only because of the heartbeat of its people—their strength, unity, and resilience.
That was what the Emperor of this empire believed, and it was a truth known to all his people.
This event was truly special, for the Golden Palace would be opened only once a year, allowing every citizen of the Empire to enter on this rare occasion.
An extravagant event, mountains of food would be placed outside the Golden Palace, offering the gods the fruits of their blessings. Maximum security would be enforced, and countless eyes would be watching—whether those of aristocrats or commoners alike.
The event would shift from nobles and aristocrats to the gentry, and eventually to the peasants who could afford the ticket for the teleportation array.
It would be an opportunity to display wealth, forge alliances, and mingle with one another. Some would seize the chance to arrange marriages, parading their children in their finest attire, while others... would use it as an opportunity for a secret elopement.
On the eve before the event begins, thousands of lanterns would light up the sky, carrying the people’s prayers to the four gods above.
It was a custom for every family to participate, lighting lanterns once or twice a year. After all, who wouldn’t want to seize the chance to be heard and blessed by the four gods?
It was meant to be a joyous time. However, for Adira, it marked the beginning of her nightmare.
In her past life, just a week before the excitement for the event had stirred within her, her father had convinced her to attend an academic program for seven months—a period of educational preparation before her admission to the academy—promising she would return by the end of the year.
A promise that was never kept.
Though she had been naive and spoiled back then, her father had convinced her with something that excited her more than the event itself.
Now, however, Adira couldn’t help but feel a bit incredulous at how foolish she had been. In exchange for her compliance, she had agreed to something she no longer remembered—something so trivial that it was easy to forget.
The only memory that remained etched in her mind was receiving a black envelope. What made it unforgettable, however, was the seal—an intricate design of a woman with a flower in her mouth, stamped in gold.
That moment marked the beginning of her father''s strange behavior. After receiving that letter, he had become distant, locking himself away in his office, even turning down the Duchess’s invitations to dine.
The seal itself haunted Adira’s thoughts, not just for its beauty, but for the dark omen it represented. It was as if a harbinger of the darkness to come, drawing her further into hell with every encounter, a descent from which there was no escape.
Her ears rang sharply, and her thoughts tangled together, struggling to find a solution—or at least some form of preparation.
“Adira?” Duke Hugo called out.
Adira had been staring at her father''s hands without realizing it. He stood outside the carriage, waiting to assist her, while the Duchess was already outside speaking with some of the knights assigned to guard them.
It seemed they had arrived before she even noticed, and in her distracted state, she had absentmindedly moved to step out of the carriage.
"Thank you, Dad," Adira said softly, taking his hand as she stepped out of the carriage with ease.
Duke Hugo''s expression softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Of course, Anything for you Milady."
Adira couldn’t shake the guilt that lingered, as though she were wasting time in leisure when she should be preparing for the future, however, despite the impending problems that loomed, she couldn''t shake the desire to experience such peace that exists in the present.
The contrasting thoughts tormented her mind.
Cecil piped up from behind Adira inside the carriage. “Am I not a lady too?” She stretched out her arm in an exaggeratedly ladylike manner.
The Duke scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You''re a handful, aren''t you? Off you go, little troublemaker." He lifted her by the armpit, effortlessly hoisting her into the air before gently setting her down on the ground.
Cecil kicked his leg playfully, her laughter ringing out. She placed her hands on her hips, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, I’ll show you just how bratly I can be!"
Colin pointed at her as the duke did the same for him, his face twisted as if he were purposely mocking her. “''Bratly'' isn’t even a word, stupid! Bratly! Bratly! Bratly! Bratly!”
“Ohhh—he just called you stupid, Cecil,” Adira teased, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips as she leaned in closer.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"YOU!" Cecil shot Adira a murderous glare, then whirled on Colin. "SHUT UP—"
Sensing that the two were about to fight, Duke Hugo leaned in toward his wife and whispered, “Constance…”
The Duchess turned in their direction, her eyes sharpening as she exclaimed, “Children!” Her voice was icy with reprimand. “Do you wish for me to discipline you here?”
Instantly, both Colin and Cecil fell silent, their mouths snapping shut as if they had been silenced by some invisible force.
Adira''s lips curled into a faint smile at the sight of their swift compliance, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
The twins, chastened, huddled behind their father''s imposing figure, glancing nervously over their shoulders. Despite their playful banter, they were still children of the Laskaris family—subject to the Duchess''s firm authority.
As Duchess Constance lectured them in a hushed tone, Adira seized the chance to once again study the architecture of their domain—or duchy, as it was called.
Above the carriage, she caught sight of a large wooden arch, its graceful curve resembling a rainbow, bearing the city’s name:
City of Hope - Lirosa.
One of the empire''s three largest capitals, Lirosa was a haven for renowned artists, writers, luxury brands, and the latest fashion trends. And, of course, it was famed for its sweet, flavorful handmade pastries.
The only city with cafes and tea-party venues tailored specifically to the tastes of aristocrats and the like.
A peaceful and flourishing city, indeed. One might even call it the most prosperous of the three.
Despite the city''s extravagant details, Adira was repulsed by the sight, her fist tightening in disgust.
This city, these people, would be the ones to bring about the death of her family.
"It''s the Duke!"
"Your Grace, the Duke of Laskaris!"
The people bowed deeply to the Duke and his family, displaying an almost absurd level of reverence. Joy radiated from their faces, as if they were witnessing the presence of the heavens themselves for the first and final time.
They scattered, but maintained their distance as the knight stood as a barrier, hurrying as if this might be the last time they would ever see the family of Laskaris.
"The Duchess and the children of Laskaris have come to visit! Hurry!" a woman urged, pushing her child forward.
The child, struggling with her tiny steps, made her way toward Adira. Once before her, the child presented a basket of apples. “It’s from Mama’s tree. Please like it, so Mama will be happy.”
Adira stared at the basket, her vision flickering between the frightened face of a grotesque, limbless child and an old man with a faint smile, handing her an apple.
Adira took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts, before gently accepting the fruit. She then softly patted the child''s head, offering a faint, reassuring smile. "Thank you,"
Once the little girl had fulfilled her task, she strode over to her mother, a wide smile spreading across her face. The mother, kneeling down, opened her arms to receive her child, a look of warmth and pride in her eyes.
Adira couldn’t tear her gaze away from the mother, and as she watched the embrace, a surge of conflicting thoughts flooded her mind, as though her head were being struck.
Adira unconsciously clenched her teeth, the flood of emotion threatening to overwhelm her. Yet, for the child''s sake, she forced a smile, hiding the storm brewing inside.
The sight of the crowd was enough to make her blood boil. If anything, being blind would be better than witnessing them gathered like a flock of seagulls—loud and insufferable.
For a moment she thought that It would have been better if they had stayed silent on the ground.
She knew that anyone with awareness and a will can make a decision. For them to kill her family without mercy, despite the numerous support the Duke and Duchess had given this city, speaks volumes.
All these people behave with such admiration only because it benefits them. Yet, that admiration quickly turns to scorn the moment their minds are clouded by dissatisfaction. They have not an ounce of gratitude.
After everything she had endured, she now believed—no, it had become ingrained in her—that anyone fully capable of committing such a heinous act, in a state of full consciousness, could never justify it as an accident, an emotional outburst, or even brainwashing.
There is no justification for what was done with a clear mind; they were fully aware, yet they carried their own self-implemented execution out without hesitation, banding together in a massive mob to strike down a family, with children who couldn’t even defend themselves.
The worst crime these people had committed was robbing her siblings of their future, all because they shared the same blood. If the roles had been reversed, they wouldn’t have agreed to such injustice.
Yet it wasn''t enough to haunt their consciences, therefore it only meant one thing: They killed because they wanted to. Simple as that.
Adira could believe this with conviction, for the same applied to her. After all, she was the Witch that annihilated this city down to its children.
"Sis?" Cecil called out, her expression palpable, her eyes wide.
Adira turned to Cecil, whose expression was undeniably hard to read, as if she were searching deeper into Adira''s eyes. Yet, for some reason, fear seemed to linger.
Worried, Adira asked, "What''s wrong?"
Cecil’s palm was outstretched, as though waiting for something. She repeated, "I said, give it to me. I''m hungry."
Adira followed her gaze, realizing she hadn’t fully heard Cecil had said earlier, her thoughts consumed by other matters. It seemed Cecil was asking for the basket of apples. Adira stared at the basket before speaking up. “No. This is…” She swallowed her contempt. “Dirty. I''ll get you something else later.”
Cecil was perplexed, she asked "Huh? What do you mean, dirty? They wouldn’t give it to us nobles if it were dirty. I’m sure they’ve already washed it." Cecil reached for the basket, but Adira pulled it away, causing her to furrowed her brows in annoyance.
"I''ll buy you cheesecake." Adira flashed a cheeky grin and waggled her brows, adding the tempting offer, "A whole box?"
Cecil snorted. "What? You could’ve just given me the apple. You’re so weird, but fine! You’d better not forget what you just promised."
Colin’s ears perked up, and he asked, pointing to himself, "Cheesecake? What about me?"
Cecil rolled her eyes. "What makes you think you''re included?"
Colin’s brow furrowed in mock indignation. "BIG SIS, WHAT ABOUT ME?"
Adira pursed her lips and gestured toward Cecil. "I don''t know. Ask her."
Cecil only scoffed.
Colin''s face flushed with frustration, his tears threatening to spill, when—
"Colin! Cecil!" The Duchess''s voice rang out, low yet terrifyingly stern, “ Come here!”
Colin’s tears seemed to vanish in an instant, and he obediently closed his mouth, as did Cecil. A brief lecture of the Duchess followed.
Adira scanned the crowd for her father and spotted him in conversation with a refined older man in the distance. It took only a few minutes for the exchange to finish, and once it did, they resumed their way to their original destination.
Adira walked behind the Duke and the Duchess, her gaze unwavering, not sparing a glance at the people who greeted them as they passed the shops.
Because Duchess Constance stopped to chat with several shop owners along the way, their walk stretched longer than expected.
In the background, Adira could only force a smile whenever her mother included her in the conversation.
Finally, they arrived at a clothing boutique, its storefront adorned with a display of elegant dresses. The familiar chime of the door as it opened stirred warm memories—such a sound had once filled her with great excitement, for she knew it heralded the latest fashion trends she would soon get to wear.
Now, she could only relish the memory and relieve the feeling not being able to truly experience it.
Led by her mother, Adira followed a woman who appeared to be the shop owner into the store. Behind them, the Duke walked with the twins, while the knights assigned to guard them remained stationed outside.
The Duchess did most of the talking while the staff quickly set up dividers for each of them. They began measuring Adira’s body, their eyes focused on her, and the sudden touch made her feel flustered and uncomfortable.
Though Adira had grown used to this process when she was younger, there was something else now that unsettled her.
Adira glanced at her reflection in the mirror, only to realize that the terrible scars she once had were now gone.
Right... She''s in the past now. It shouldn’t be here anymore.
After a while, they began asking Adira about the color and design of the gown she wanted. Unsure of what to choose, Adira simply picked something at random—something that had caught her eye from the displays outside and around her.
The expression on the staff’s face who measured her shifted slightly—just for a moment. But, of course, the staff maintained their professionalism, and their smile remained.
Adira discreetly described the gown she desired, but to no avail-- In fact, the lady’s reaction seemed to worsen—just a little.
How does one communicate their preference for a gown when they have none at all?
It wasn’t as though Adira could say anything. Both of them knew that voicing “anything” would only make things more difficult—for her and for the seamstress.
The store wanted to cover its reputation in case the customer disliked the gown, claiming they had only followed the given description. So, of course, they asked, but Adira truly had no preferences.
Describing an imagined one was even harder, especially when her taste in clothing was so poor that even beggars would dress better.
Never in her life had she imagined that creating a gown from scratch would be so challenging. What could she do when she liked so many options, yet could never settle on just one?
Dresses and fashion were certainly not her area of interest… She wondered how she had become so obsessed with them before.
Seeing her mother and father select designs for the twins'' clothes, Adira decided to call her father over, as her mother seemed more occupied than him.
As the Duke neared, the staff lined up to the side, bowing slightly in respect and greeting in unison, “Your Grace.”
The Duke gave a gesture that eased their tension before turning to Adira. “What is it?”
Adira chuckled nervously. “Can you help me… with my gown? I can’t seem to think of any design that would suit me this year.”
The Duke’s eyes brightened, a smile spreading across his face. “Ah, about time you ask me for advice, my dear daughter!”
The Duke quickly turned to the staff, his voice brimming with confidence. “Pink is always the best choice for young ladies. It will make my dear daughter shine! I’ve done my research well!”
Adira raised an eyebrow, amused by the energy he exuded. “Pink?”
The Duke chuckled, but there was a hint of unease in his expression. “I know, I know. But it truly brings out your beauty, doesn’t it? Though I remember last year, you gave me quite the lecture on my lack of taste. But this time, you’re asking me so I will not be taking any further complaints from you.”
The Duke raised a palm, almost blocking off anything she might say, as he continued to converse with the staff. Together, they brainstormed ideas, occasionally glancing at Adira, their voices muffled as they exchanged suggestions.
Adira couldn’t help but laughed, though her intention for asking that question was purely out of curiosity, the fourteen year old Adira must’ve been too enthusiastic for her own dress that she ended up criticizing her dad.
Once they finished, Adira left the store, savoring the fresh air outside. But it seems she’s not alone-- Adira, Colin, Cecil, and Duke Hugo— the four of them stepped into the open, letting out a collective sigh. All four were equally exhausted.
Realizing that they had done so in unison, they exchanged knowing glances before bursting into laughter, the tension of the day momentarily forgotten as their amusement echoed down the street.
Duchess Constance emerged from the store, her face glowing with delight in contrast to the others. With a gentle smile, she asked, “What are you laughing at?”
As she asked she handed the papers she had signed back to the seamstress, who received them with the same pleased smile.
The Duke, with a bemused expression, replied, "Uh... the bird."
Colin chimed in, "Dad."
"This old man." Cecil remarked, pointing at the Duke.
Adira, shaking her head, muttered, "Dad."
Duke Hugo raised an eyebrow in disbelief, casting a glance at his children. He opened his mouth to respond, but Duchess Constance’s voice rang out, sharp yet gentle. "Enough of this nonsense. It is time to return."
Cecil’s eyes widened in protest. "WHAT!?"
Before she could say another word, Duke Hugo swiftly covered her mouth, while Colin shrank back slowly, clearly uneasy.
Duchess Constance’s bright demeanor slowly shifted, her gaze darkening as veins began to throb at her temples.
Cecil, now much quieter, averted her gaze. "I mean... whaaat... cheesecake...?"
Cecil turned to Adira, her eyes wide, silently pleading for something.
“Oh, right!” Adira exclaimed, as though the thought had only just occurred to her. She turned to her mother and said. “ Mom, I’ll be right back. Can you wait for me at the carriage? There’s something I wanted to buy. I promise it won’t take long.”
Duchess Constance fixed her with a sharp look, her gaze intense for a fleeting moment before it softened. She sighed and asked. “Why, where, and what could you possibly need to buy that requires you to go yourself? We could easily have one of our knights or maid fetch it for you.”
“Uh… I wanted to buy something for Colin and Cecil,” Adira said quickly. “I’m getting them a cheesecake, but I wanted it to be a surprise, so I thought I’d go to the pastry shop and choose the flavor myself.”
Duchess Constance studied her for a moment, her gaze piercing, as though weighing each of Adira’s words carefully. Then, her attention shifted to the basket of apples in Adira’s hands.
Noticing this, Adira subtly shifted the basket, partially hiding it with her dress while at the same time trying to take the Duchess'' attention by probing, “Mom...?”
After a moment, the Duchess sighed in compliance. "Very well, but do be careful," Duchess Constance said, her gaze firm. She gestured lightly. "Take a few knights with you."
“No, no. There’s no need.” Adira replied quickly. “I can manage on my own. Besides, who would dare harm the daughter of the Duke and Duchess within their own territory?” Her tone was more mocking than usual, with a playful edge to her words.
Duchess Constance spoke firmly, “ It’s not safe to go alone, especially now that Judith is not by your side to assist you.”
Adira sighed. “Mom, isn’t it better for me to do what normal people do? I’m fifteen now, already capable. It’s time I start learning to do things on my own, so I’m not dependent on others when I grow up…”
Cecil grinned as she whispered, “She’s rebell—Mmf!”
Fortunately, her father’s reflexes were quick.
The Duchess seemed momentarily taken aback, her hesitation evident in her reluctant expression. Yet, her actions spoke differently as she finally gestured for Adira to go, she said“ Fine. But make sure to be careful, and return quickly.”
Adira smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. “ Thanks mom. I’ll be back before you even realize it.”
Adira hurried off, practically skipping along with the basket of apples in her hand.