Chapter 7.3: A Father’s Secret_The Witch's Path to Redemption

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 Chapter 7.3: A Father’s Secret

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 The walk to the carriage was quiet with Adira’s light mood lingering in the air. The negotiation with Jessie had gone far more smoothly than expected, with no issues or complications, and she had even secured the cheesecake her sibling wanted.

 While walking, Adira couldn’t help but glance back at Cain. A twinge of guilt pricked at her—she worried the trip might have bored him. Still, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for the quiet companionship he had provided.

 Adira slowed her pace to match Cain’s stride. With a warm smile, she said, “Thank you for helping me today, Sir Cain.”

 Cain glanced at her briefly, his expression as composed as ever, and gave a curt nod in reply.

 Already accustomed to his reserved demeanor, Adira merely shrugged it off. She began to whistle softly, letting the silence between them settle comfortably. Her gaze wandered to the street artists nearby, easels set up as they painted with deep focus of the people that commissioned them.

 "The Misty Mountain is a dangerous place." Cain said suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence.

 "So I’ve heard," Adira replied with a nod of agreement, her tone light.

 For a moment, Cain said nothing more. Adira glanced at him curiously, catching a faint flicker of hesitation in his usually composed demeanor.

 As the silence stretched, she wondered what had happened today to unsettle him so visibly?

 "Are you planning to go?" Cain finally asked, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of concern.

 Adira stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. It seems Cain had paused a few steps behind her. She studied him carefully, her lighthearted mood shifting into something more contemplative.

 Cain’s face remained as blank and inscrutable as ever, and Adira couldn’t help but find it amusing how little he seemed to change, despite being the younger version of himself.

 Pondering the matter, Adira did resolve to go—if, and only if, Jessie brought the information she sought.

 After contemplating for a bit, Adira replied casually, "Yes, well—eventually."

 Cain’s tone turned serious. "It’s dangerous."

 Adira offered a faint smile. "I know."

 There it was again—that look on his face. Though difficult to read, his expression carried a genuine conflict that he struggled to conceal. Adira found the sight rather amusing; the young Cain, usually so composed, seemed to wear his emotions more openly than he realized.

 "All the more reason not to go," Cain pressed, his voice steady but firm.

 Adira shrugged lightly. "Aside from that, I don’t see any other reason why not?"

 Cain didn’t reply immediately, though his brow furrowed ever so slightly, his internal debate written plainly on his features.

 Amused by his reaction, Adira let out a soft chuckle, her eyes glinting with mischief. "If it’s so dangerous… then will you accompany me, Sir Cain?" she teased, her tone light but laced with curiosity.

 Cain’s gaze shifted to her, his expression steady yet unreadable. For a moment, it seemed as though he might refuse, but he merely studied her in silence, the weight of her question lingering between them.

 Adira knew that her powers had come back. It seemed that the ''wish'' had been fulfilled, as the words: ‘Powers back’ and the cub representing it had vanished which in turn made her core mature instantly, meaning her ability which is her threads were also restored.

 But it did not mean she possessed the same strength as before. Adira’s abilities were back, yet she still needed time to adjust to movement, and her stamina was as weak as that of a child.

 Having lived a life of luxury, Adira at this age had never needed to concern herself with survival.

 Adira could also not rely on her sword skills the same way as before. With her current frail body, it was simply not an option. She could not swing a sword with these weak arms—they would snap under the weight.

 Even if Adira somehow could, the effort required for a single strike would drain her of all strength.

 For trips that required her to be physically present, it left her with one choice: hiring mercenaries. But if Cain were to join her—well, a man like him was worth the strength of a hundred soldiers. Any mercenary she hires would seem like little more than a pawn in comparison.

 Cain was more than capable of handling anything they might encounter on their journey. Not only would it save her money, but she wouldn''t have to worry about strength.

 To top it off, Cain could serve as a pedestal. Adira knew Cain well enough to know that his loyalty to the church and his role as the darling of the gods meant he would always follow the righteous path. That alone assured her that Cain’s presence would provide the balance she needed if she ever acted impulsively.

 After all, helping had always been his ''hobby'' in the past.

 So, while everything had been unexpected, Adira couldn’t help but feel a twinge of shame for deliberately letting Cain overhear their exchange, as though it had been an intentional, coy move.

 The bait was accidentally thrown, and well, he was just conventionally there.

 Now, it was up to Cain whether he would bite or not. Though Adira had a good idea of what his answer would be, she still wished to confirm it.

 As the silence stretched, Adira became somewhat unsure, so she embarrassingly tried to offer, " Of course, I’ll pay you handsomely… if you want?"

 Cain simply stared at her, his gaze unwavering and unflinching. Adira, determined not to back down, held his stare, though a flicker of confusion tugged at the edges of her mind. Why was he looking at her like that?

 After a long pause, Cain finally spoke, his voice low and measured as he asked, "Why?"

 Adira’s response was steady, tinged with resolve. "I have to uncover something. But I don’t have the strength to do it alone."

 Cain’s brow furrowed, he asked, "Is it that important that you’d disregard your safety for it?"

 Adira hesitated. She hadn’t yet acquired the information she sought, so its importance was still uncertain, so her tone came out a bit unsure. "Yes..."

 Cain''s expression remained unreadable, his gaze as steady as ever. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "I will go with you."

 Adira blinked in surprise. "You will?" Her grin widened, and her tone brightened with excitement. "Wha—Really!? How generous of you, Sir Cain! Name your price, and I’ll pay it."

 Cain remained silent.

 "No need to be shy, Sir Cain!" Adira chirped, her voice light and teasing. "I can give you whatever you want, as long as I can provide it."

 Still, Cain didn''t respond, and Adira''s confusion deepened. "What do you think?" she pressed eagerly. "Do you want something... or nothing, hahaha…?"

 "...”

 Perhaps the twins'' mischievous nature had rubbed off on Adira, for a playful thought crossed her mind. A coy smile spread across her face as her voice took on a teasing edge. "Do you desire..." She paused, gesturing toward herself with a playful grin. "Me?"

 Cain exhaled sharply through his nose, his gaze hardening slightly with unmistakable displeasure. He gestured behind her before turning on his heel, striding away without uttering another word.

 Adira was momentarily stunned, as if frozen in place by a sudden wave of shame! Cain''s figure grew smaller as he walked ahead, and Adira quickly called out, "Ah—wait! Wait! Sir Cain!"

 Cain halted, turning his head only slightly in response, his eyes still sharp.

 The sudden, loud shout from a well-dressed lady in the midst of the street drew the gaze of passing strangers. Adira smiled awkwardly—she, of course, was the lady in question.

 Adira then quickly stated,"The meeting place is Luminara. Go to the first inn you find by the teleportation array. Do not concern yourself with the payment," she reassured him. " I intend to depart tomorrow as soon as we are finished. I will await your arrival."

 Good heavens, Adira couldn’t believe she made all these arrangements on the spot! She hadn’t even been certain of leaving earlier! But it no longer mattered. She could simply meet him then and clarify whether the journey would continue based on what she’d hear tomorrow.

 Cain nodded in reply, then he took a step forward, resuming his walk while raising the hood of his cloak.

 Adira watched him depart, a strange feeling settling in her chest. She couldn’t help but think how nice it was to see someone who had been kind to her in the past, back when they had been younger.

 It felt as though she were witnessing a side of him she had never seen before—one untouched by the battles that always seemed to chase after the two of them, offering a fleeting glimpse of the person he once was.

 " See you tomorrow, Sir Cain!" Adira called out, waving her hand in the air.

 Moments later, with only a few steps left to take, Adira arrived at the carriage that had been waiting for her. Duke Hugo, accompanied by the knights outside, stood beside the golden-lined wooden carriage.

 Upon noticing her, Duke Hugo gave a knock on the door, which in turn swiftly opened to reveal Duchess Constance.

 "What took you so long, Adira? I was about to dispatch the knights to search for you!" Duchess Constance remarked while adjusting her dress as she ascended into the carriage.

 Adira spoke softly, her voice tinged with apology, "Sorry… I encountered an old acquaintance along the way and lost track of time."

 Duchess Constance raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing her with a knowing gaze. Adira, quick to cover, smiled brightly and replied, "Just a friend, Mother. Nothing to dwell upon, hahaha."

 Duchess Constance echoed, "Nothing to dwell upon?" Her tone was still laced with skepticism.

 Adira replied sheepishly, "Yes…"

 Duchess Constance’s brow remained arched, and after a moment''s pondering, she finally spoke. "Very well… You should invite this friend of yours for tea. I would like to make her acquaintance."

 "Of course… perhaps in the coming days?" Adira replied, a smile still lingering on her lips. Perhaps, in time, she would clarify that the friend was, in fact, a he, should the opportunity present itself.

 The conversation came to an end as the carriage began to move once more, its wheels turning toward the Duke’s manor.

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 The journey passed in peaceful silence.

 Adira’s gaze lingered on her father, who was once again playfully engaging with the twins. Whenever the three of them were together, they transformed a quiet room into a raucous symphony.

 Their words never seemed to cease. This was likely why Duchess Constance never allowed them to sit together during visits to the church. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

 The twins were loud enough on their own, but together, they were an even greater cacophony—probably a trait inherited from Duke Hugo who had no doubt "trained" them in the art of noisiness.

 The tranquility of the ride allowed Adira to slip into her own thoughts.

 Even though Adira didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but recall the events of the past. Only by reflecting on those painful memories could she understand what approach to take for the future.

 As she reflected, only one person stood out the most—someone who could influence the course of her future drastically.

 Lucien. The very embodiment of a demon in human form. The man who had taught her the art of the sword—not for self-defense, but for the ruthless craft of killing.

 It all began with him. The moment Lucien revealed the information that had kept both Adira and Duke Hugo bound in chains, her father was swiftly branded a traitor.

 The news struck like lightning, and with it, everything they ever had came crashing down. The people, filled with rage, had cursed Duke Hugo as a murderer, their cries echoing as her father was led to his execution.

 Adira had stood amidst the crowd—lost in a sea of crimson—watching from afar as her father’s life was executed. From that moment, everything fell apart, and all her efforts crumbled into nothingness.

 Even now, a small part of her pondered the secret her father had kept hidden—the one that Lucien used to bend his will and the one that had brought about his downfall. The same secret that had kept Adira far from the Empire, a hostage under Lucien’s control, wielded against Duke Hugo.

 But the relentless waves of tragedy had dulled Adira’s desire for the truth. She had become numb, worn down by the constant trauma and losses.

 However, there was one thing Lucien had always mentioned, a truth wrapped in warning, something that whispered of consequences, both for Adira and those around her, should she stray too far from the path he had set for her.

 “The flame your father kindled will return, twice as fierce, engulfing everything he ever built in a sea of flames. Chasing after it, nor running away from it, will only make the blaze grow larger, bolder, and more aggressive.”

 Adira had heard the words countless times, each repetition designed to keep her in line, to prevent her from running away.

 Like a leash around Adira’s neck, her father''s secret kept her from contacting anyone in search of the truth—one she herself is unaware of, but had come to accept that he is guilty of, as he exchanged her for this very secret.

 The thought gnawed at her, fueling her doubts and the unanswered questions that lingered in the back of her mind.

 "Your father will be condemned," Lucien’s voice echoed in her thoughts. "The people will choose not to forgive him for what he did. After all, his brother received the brunt of his stupidity. It opened a golden opportunity to break the foundation of the empire—not if you allow them to find out the truth."

 But what was the truth?

 Adira had always believed her father’s execution was the defining moment of his legacy. Yet, in the quiet gaps of her thoughts, something felt amiss.

 If Duke Hugo was truly guilty, why had Lucien kept the secret buried for so many years? What drove him to torment the children of those nobles he held captive, forcing them to endure his cruel and twisted games?

 Now, with a clearer mind, Adira could reflect on Lucien''s actions and behavior with greater depth, replaying the memories she had of him with newfound scrutiny.

 Lucien had always harbored a deep hatred for nobility, and that was one thing Adira knew for certain. Lying on his behalf was out of the question; he held them hostage with the truth.

 Yet, it seems as if there is more beyond his cruelty. There was something deeper, something hidden beneath the surface of his games.

 Whatever the reason, Adira despised him too much to even consider his motives. The reason he started gathering the noble children—none of it mattered to her. What mattered to her was the outcome, nothing more.

 From what Adira could remember, once her own blackmail had been exposed, it led to her father’s execution almost immediately, and her entire family being hunted down without mercy.

 Lucien was cruel, yes, but his intellect was unnervingly sharp. He spoke with the kind of wisdom that could easily twist into a knife, every word he spoke felt like a calculated move, always with a purpose—whether to manipulate, control, or simply to make others feel small.

 Chaos and disarray were never his style; it was precisely why he had trained them all to be assassins, which made what happened in the past feel profoundly out of character.

 But if her father truly had done something so horrific, why were the details always vague? Why was the truth so fiercely guarded in the past?

 No, the most pressing question was—Just what had he done to bring everything into disarray the moment his secret was exposed?

 Pondering this felt almost as if Lucien had been protecting them the longer he toyed with the secret. But the idea of that made her stomach turn. Protect her? No. The very thought was revolting. He had instigated all forms of torture and torment, all just to amuse himself at her expense.

 Or, perhaps, was there something darker at play, some hidden agenda she couldn’t yet comprehend?

 But then again, could she truly trust her own instincts and the fragmented truths she had pieced together from the few memories of her father, relying only on what Lucien had told her in her previous life?

 Or had Lucien been right to warn her, keeping her anchored to a version of the truth that, in a twisted way, protected both her and her father''s legacy?

 The weight of it all seemed unbearable. What step could she even take now?

 Then, as if something clicked inside her, Jessie’s voice echoed in her mind. One detail, in particular, seemed eerily connected—something Jessie had mentioned earlier, and something Lucien used to say—that lingered in her thoughts: the third sworn brother.

 Looking back, when Adira only knew of the Emperor being the only sworn brother, she had always found it strange that Lucien keeps implying that the Emperor had received the brunt of her father’s mistakes when, in fact, nothing drastic seemed to have directly affected or involved the Emperor in major issues, as far as she could remember.

 Adira couldn’t shake the feeling that something about it didn’t add up. It felt off, out of place, but at the time, she had little knowledge to question it further.

 Now, in the present, Adira couldn''t ignore the growing sense that something was linked to that third sworn brother—a connection she couldn’t quite place.

 After all, he was the only one missing, almost forgotten in both this life and the last. The things Lucien kept saying seemed to fit him far more than they did the Emperor.

 It seemed best to ask the one who likely held the missing pieces to this tangled puzzle—the person who knew the most, starting with the plague Jessie had mentioned.

 Adira turned to her father, a soft smile on her lips. "Father?"

 "Hm?" Duke Hugo responded, still caught up in his play with the twins.

 "Do you remember the Black Plague that swept through Firenze?" Adira asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

 Duke Hugo paused, his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. "Ah, yes. I do."

 "I don’t quite remember what happened back then," Adira said, inching closer as if eager to hear. "Could you tell me about it?"

 Duke Hugo chuckled, though there was a glint of sadness in his eyes. "Of course, you wouldn’t remember. Your mother and I were still planning to start a family back then. It was a long time ago. I remember the plague hitting right after the Emperor’s coronation. Back then, I was still his trusted right hand—‘The mighty General who led the Luceat Royal Knights at the River of Azarath—the land of no return!’"

 Colin, eyes wide with disbelief, cut in. "No way! You don’t look like a general!"

 Cecil, skeptical, raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t the River of Azarath to the west? Firenze is somewhere in the east! Dad’s lying! Fake! Fake!"

 "Hey! All of you were still inside me at the time—how could you know?" Duke Hugo shot back, a laugh escaping him. "And I never said I led the knights to Firenze!"

 The twins exchanged confused glances. "Inside you?" they asked in unison.

 "Never mind," Duke Hugo muttered, He cleared his throat before continuing, "Anyway... I don’t remember the exact timing, but I visited the town of Firenze to meet an old friend. You know Jin Qiu, right?”

 Adira couldn’t hide her surprise; she hadn’t expected such an unfamiliar name to be mentioned so suddenly. With feigned innocence, she asked, “Who?”

 Duke Hugo seemed momentarily taken aback, his eyes flickering for the briefest of moments before his grin returned. His voice filled with pride as he spoke, “The Emperor Augustus, Hugo, and Jin Qiu— the three sworn brothers. Always together.” His eyes sparkled at the memory, and a warm laugh followed. “Ah, those were the days.”

 Cecil narrowed her eyes, skeptical. " You were really that close to the Emperor?"

 Colin, still uncertain, echoed her doubts. "You’re not making this up, are you?"

 Duchess Constance, hearing enough, waved a hand to silence the twins.

 Duke Hugo chuckled, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Around the time whispers of the plague started spreading, the Revolutionary War had already ended, and Jin Qiu had risen to become the Lord of Firenze, governing all the Southeast territories and standing as the representative of the South, despite coming from the East Orient. They held him in high regard."

 Adira, intrigued by this unexpected turn, couldn’t help but wonder how someone from the East had managed to become a representative of the South. It is very unusual, she asked, “Why? Who is he?”

 Duchess Constance answered this time, her tone thoughtful. “Jin Qiu''s birth parents hail from the East, yet he was raised and adopted by a noble from the South, who, rather coincidentally, resides in the East. His background has always been a source of intrigue and occasional amusement, though he never truly grew up in the South.”

 Intrigued, Adira inquired once more, “How was he selected to represent the South in the Empire?”

 Duchess Constance answered, “Well, first, he is a close friend of the Emperor, and second his noble background certainly made it easier for him. But more than that, he has always been a man of integrity and strong connections. That is why the clan leaders of the South hold him in such high regard—he is seen as crucial to their prosperity. It was only natural for them to choose him.”

 The Duke laughed,“But I recall the challenges he faced in ruling the Southeast, with a culture so vastly different from the one he grew up in. Yet, despite the obstacles, he did his best to adapt, learning the ways of the people and immersing himself in their lifestyle as much as he could.”

 Duchess Constance smiled, a soft laugh escaping her. " Well what I remember is him crying in frustration after he asked me to borrow books from the Royal Library. How naive of him to expect that the records in those volumes would be updated to reflect current trends,”

 Duchess Constance smirked, her eyes twinkling with the faintest hint of a memory. “And the influence of the East Orient remained only in its capital city; the rest of the territories, however, had developed their own distinct cultures. Even the names, terms, and language had evolved entirely. In the end, all he managed to learn was history.”

 Duke Hugo shook his head with a chuckle, his voice warm and filled with fondness. "Well, at least he tried. Though, he''s always been a bit of a crybaby—very sensitive, but with a heart as big as a bear."

 Adira smiled, sensing the warmth in the air as Duke Hugo and Duchess Constance drifted into a nostalgic reverie. “Lord Jin Qiu seems like a very good person! I’m surprised I never heard of him before… where is he now?”

 Duke Hugo seemed to freeze for a moment, his eyes flickering with something unreadable before he sighed, as though a painful memory had resurfaced. “ A terrible plague swept through his town—a disease carried by rats.” His gaze grew distant, as if he were lost in thought, before he continued softly, “We didn’t know what to do.”

 Duke Hugo cleared his throat, but when his eyes met Adira’s, he allowed a faint smile to cross his lips before pressing on. “ We secured the town, doing everything we could to stop the disease from spreading to nearby villages, especially Changbei, the capital of the South. If it had spread further, countless lives would have been affected. Anyone who had been infected—or even in contact with the infected—was isolated, as a precautionary measure against the disease.”

 The Duke''s eyes appeared distant, his expression unreadable as he spoke in a near monotone. “But Jin Qiu, who had been out hunting when he first heard the news, refused to abandon his people. I believe it was the pressure from those around him that led him to lock the gates of the town... from the inside.”

 Duke Hugo paused, his expression heavy with the weight of memory. He sighed deeply before continuing, his voice tinged with sorrow. "In time, the Lord of Changbei sent men to monitor the area around Firenze, to assess how far the devastation had spread. That was when we learned the grim truth—everyone within the town of Firenze had perished. A riot had broken out, and amidst the chaos, a fire erupted, spreading uncontrollably. By the time we reached the gates, the town was already engulfed in flames. We could no longer see Firenze—only the blinding, merciless glow of the fire.”

 He paused, his gaze falling upon the twins, who had grown solemn. " In the end, all we were left with was ashes... We never saw Jin Qiu again."

 Duke Hugo inhaled deeply, his expression clouded with sorrow. "After the events in Firenze, I requested His Imperial Majesty relieve me of my title as General. I yearned for a peaceful life—with your mother, a modest home, children, and simple joys. But the Emperor insisted on keeping me close. Many titles among the peerage had become vacant, so he bestowed upon me the title of Duke, believing that managing a Duchy would help me forget the tragedy in Firenze."

 Duke Hugo managed a faint smile, though his eyes were distant. "Now, all I have left is regret."

 "Ah… but that was long ago." he added, trying to shift the mood. "Now, I have my beloved Constance and four rather... unattractive children, HAHAHA!"

 The twins, who had been listening intently, perked up at this. Then they scoffed.

 "If we’re ugly, then what does that make you?" Cecil shot back.

 Colin rolled his eyes. "You’re an ogre."

 Duke Hugo laughed heartily. "That''s fine. Spread the ugliness, my little ones! But, of course—you, my dear wife, are beautiful."

 The Duchess merely smirked at him before turning her gaze back out the window.

 Duke Hugo then began singing dramatically—a song about courting—much to the eager participation of the twins.

 Adira could only smile at the sight of them, so full of life and energy once more, as though the somber conversation earlier had merely been a fleeting shadow.

 As the carriage rolled on, they finally arrived at the grand gates of the manor. The guards, recognizing the family crest, opened them without hesitation.

 Duke Hugo assisted Duchess Constance and Adira from the carriage with a gentleman’s grace, while servants quickly appeared to attend to them.

 Feeling the weight of the day, Adira excused herself, heading toward her room to rest.

 As Adira walked down the hallway, each step felt heavier, her pace slowing with the weight of her thoughts. The maids, who usually greeted her with polite smiles, remained bowed as she passed, their expressions cautious, sensing that something was amiss.

 Adira opened the door to her chamber, finding it just as she had left it.

 The candles were already lit—likely Judith’s doing, preparing the room before their arrival, as dusk was fast approaching.

 Before coming to her room, when they had just arrived, Adira had instructed the maids not to expect her for a bath or dinner, asking not to be disturbed until morning.

 The atmosphere grew heavier, an almost suffocating weight settling over the room as Adira opened her dimensional pocket. From its depths, she drew out a piece of paper, her eyes tracing the three foxes drawn upon it.

 Then, without warning, Adira noticed the paper trembling. No... it wasn’t the paper—it was her hand.

 Adira raised her left hand to grip her right wrist, a futile attempt to steady herself and still the trembling that refused to subside.

 But no matter how tightly Adira held it, the tremors only grew stronger. Then, without warning, fine threads shot from her fingertips, burrowing into the wall—nearly invisible to the eye.

 Adira released her grip , letting the paper slip from her trembling fingers. It fluttered gently to the floor, miraculously unscathed. The foxes depicted on it seemed to come alive for a fleeting moment, their inked eyes widening, their expressions almost mirroring worry, as if they, too, felt the weight of the moment.

 Adira tried to retract the threads, but they refused to obey her. Desperation surged within her as she clenched her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. The threads seemed to defy her will, their light intensifying, glowing brighter with each passing moment.

 With a trembling voice, Adira whispered to no one but herself, “Why… Why are you lying? Father…”

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Chapter 7.3: A Father’s Secret