My childhood in Percualiana was more than what I could've ask for.
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Everytime the maid delivers the lunch for Dame Blanche, I'm always trying to find a way to deliver it with her just to watch the knights train for the empire. Bit by bit, I familiarize myself with their stances and how they held their sword. When the night takes place in my room, I used a branch in the fallen tree of the mansion to swing it, pretending it was a sword.
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Everytime I did it, I felt a sense of joy. And before I finally close my eyes, I prayed to the Goddess to never change my way of living. I wish to be never taken away from all of what I have today.
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On the day of my 15th birthday, the weather was bad. That day was also Sir Everett's schedule to go to bookstore in the marketplace. He told me to take off with him. He greeted me in the carriage, saying it's been three years. I just nodded with a big smile on my lips. Even when we arrive at the bookstore, the smile never faded.
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There's nothing more I will ever dare to wish.
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"Roam around, I'll be back in twenty minutes." Sir Everett said, taking into another direction to visit his old friend which he told me a while ago.
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I walk through the shelves and read the titles of each side of each books, finding something that might caught my attention.
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The History of Persuavia Empire.
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I've already read The History of Persuavia Empire last time to my educator. It tells the story of a young man who has lived all of his life through the dessert. He stumbled upon the fallen cursed Goddess and fall in love, bearing them a daughter. They built a home for the two of them in the dessert, until an ebony wizard came knocking in their door one day to tell them the prophecy on Gods and Goddesses' realm. The ebony wizard says that their child will become a God, regardless of the gender, in replace of the child's fallen mother. But there's one bad thing, the child has to die in age of 10.
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The fallen Goddess didn't know what to do and cursed the heaven with all of her remaining power until it dissipated. She cursed that one day when their child dies, the 10 of the most powerful Gods will be suffering under the volcano in 900 years. It was the curse that even the 10 Gods couldn't just simply vanished under their command.
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The young man and the fallen Goddess loved their daughter very much, and when the daughter passed away at the age of 10, the cursed had taken place as the soul of their child ascend to heaven. When the evil underneath the earth has heard of the news, they have gone to occupy the mortal's realm. A prophecy which the Gods ignored above. Now with the ten of the most powerful Gods taken away, and their powers mediocre against all evils, the remaining Gods and Goddesses did was play safe.
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Years had passed, the daughter of the fallen Goddess, which is now a Goddess, tried to find a way to subdue the monsters and evils in the mortal land where her parents stays, forbidden to go below. She bestow a light and sword to one who prays to her, a young farmer in the land of mountains. She said to him, "Save the world, they're waiting for you."
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The young farmer goes down the mountain, holding his mighty sword and love for the people, conquering the evil with his own two hands blessed by the young Goddess. The people rejoiced as they just have found a man fit for a king. But the young farmer didn't want anything and came back to the mountain. In the mountain that touch the clouds and heaven, he saw the Goddess that has bestowed him with such powers. He kneel and bowed her head before her as he handed her the sword. The Goddess touch his head and kissed it. "Thank you for saving my people, but you need to go back. They're waiting for you. This is not your home anymore."
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With a confusing look, he gaze upon her, slowly understanding what she's getting into. "You're a king they're waiting for."
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The Goddess's figure faded as the young farmer held his tears. For a second time, he goes down the mountain to come back for the people, establishing a kingdom to what was now expanded into an Empire, this Empire.
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Regarding to the Empire's name, it was named after the Goddess, Persuavia.
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It's a long story that's been repeated in our class month after month, making sure it was engraved in our minds.
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For times, I asked the maids in the mansion. Why did the king had tears when the Goddess told him to go back to people? Is it because he wants to stay in the mountain but there was nothing he could do?
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The maids shook their heads. Turns out, they answered, the king have fallen in love to the Goddess. But how they could've know it? The knowledgeable people always have an answer. There was a book that has been published by the king's attendant years after his death titled 'With the Former Emperor's Fate'. It tells the story of the first emperor and the tales of his journey as the ruler of the empire and the stories he tells with his trusted attendant.
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As I scanned through the shelves, I found myself dilly-dallying about the swords and knights in the training ground.
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"Hnng...Ugh!"
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A sound of a helpless cry made me go back to the reality. I peak my way unto the next shelf, seeing a boy trying to get a book pass his height and struggling.
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I looked at the title of the book he's trying to get.
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With the Former Emperor's Fate.
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That's the book I've been thinking a while ago.
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I slowly walked and grabbed the book and gave it to him. As I'm closer to the boy now, I can clearly see his features. He has a squinty brown eyes and really pointed nose, hanging along with his bangs in an ashy hair. He wears a really long black coat that I couldn't even see his feet. He's a little small, and probably younger than me.
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As he got the book, he stared at me for a few seconds before finally saying thanks. I nodded and turned my back.
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I scanned once more in the shelves until I finally found the book that caught my attention. It was titled 'War on Poppy: The Knights and Dames'. The author was unknown.
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"Have you taken a liking to it?" I almost jumped when I heard Sir Everett's voice behind me.
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It took me a while to slowly nod my head. He spread his hands. "I guess that'll be the one I'll gift you." He said as he took the book and paid for it.
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I hugged the book inside the paper bag as we go on the carriage like it's the only thing I've ever owned.
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"What made you pick the book, Severine?" Sir Everett asked.
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I stared at the paper bag before finding my answer. "I guess...I guess I've taken a liking to fighting with swords."
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Sir Everett have come to know that I've been going to the training ground to deliver Dame Blanche's lunches everytime I got the chance. He said that he's going to gift me a wooden sword, but this time is not the right time and that I must focus on my education. For now, he'll allow me to go in and out the training ground of the knights.
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That was enough for me.
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When we got back to the mansion, the maids and servants had baked me a cake. Dame Blanche came back that evening wondering what everyone was up to. She'd come to know by Sir Everett that today is my birthday.
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"Why didn't anyone told me earlier? I could've bought something!" She pouted.
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Old Lida, the head of the maids, laughed. "You're always so busy, Madam Blanche. You only go here every night to sleep and rest. How could we tell you?"
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Dame Blanche sighed. "Well, you're right about that."
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She turned her head to me. "Sev, what do you want? I'm gonna buy it for you."
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I shook my head. "Nothing."
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Her eyes narrowed. "Really? I've seen you swinging a branch once. Didn't you want a sword or something?"
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I gasped. How does she knew it? I felt everyone's eyes on me.
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Sir Everett spoke. "Enough with it, Blanche. There's a right time with swords for the child."
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"I learn swords when I was 10---"
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"That's because you're spoiled and not listening to me." Sir Everett touch his forehead and signed me to come towards him. He was about to touch my shoulder but I flinched.
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I do not like being touch. No one had ever dared to touch me because I'm terrified. I feared being in physical contact with anyone then and now. I'm still trying to overcome it.
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As if he'd come to realize this, Sir Everett put down his hand and said, "Go back to your room, Severine. Your classes tomorrow is early."
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I nodded and bid my gratitude. "Thank you today, Sir,"
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I paced through the corridor and look back to peek. Dame Blanche was now crossing her arms while Sir Everett pointed her dirty shoes using his cane. Meanwhile, the maids had gone off to go back on their respective rooms too.
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The next day, we got the news from the newspaper. The successor of the Kervioa Estate, Sir Everett's only son and heir, are going to comeback here in Percualiana after residing in the magic tower for 4 years. It was a sudden announcement that caused an uproar for celebration in the mansion once again.
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As we set the news as we delivered Dame Blanche's lunch in the training ground, her face glowed and rejoiced.
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"So he finalized his decision, huh?" She smuggly spouted.
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Sister Hermin, the one whom I'm with everytime we deliver the lunch, laughed. "It seemed he did, Madam,"
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Dame Blanche, seeing the dumb look on my face because I didn't understand them, explained to me the details.
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"We already told you that I have an older brother, right?" I nod my head. She continued. "Well, his name is Maven. When we were kids, he really doesn't wanted to be a successor of our estate. He's always trying to pass it all to me, but you know, I'm stubborn." Dame Blanche smiled with a smug look on her face. "I trained for knighthood ever since I was a child, Mother did not stop me, just so I could avoid the burden of everything and that was what I really wanted ever since. Then, Father was enraged when Maven told him he'd rather die than manage the Estate, so he asked him what he wanted to be. You'll be surprise with his answer."
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I breathe.
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"He said he wanted to be a magician, just like Mother. So Father made a bet when Maven told him he'll now live in the magic tower with all the wizards of Persuavia Empire. He said that if he was ever going to come back in the mansion in the span of 10 years, he'll be his successor. Maven agreed, he was certain he will never be defeated. But we know him, he's always homesick." Dame Blanche smiled sadly this time.
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"But then something happened on the day of his departure...our mother died." My eyes widened in surprise as she continued. "He never got into the magic tower that day because we are to prepare a burial for Mother. After Mother was buried, Father got really sick that he almost fell into a coma. It turned into months. Our business have gone array that Maven had no choice but to handle it for six months just until Father got better. In those months, I've never seen my brother worked so much, considering that he's also suffering. Father was shocked after being sick and bed-ridden for so long because he'd come to knew how brother manages it well. But Father became different to him and asked him what he really wanted and he'll give it to him. He said that it's alright if he doesn't want to be his successor, and Father made a plan to leave the Estate to the children he took in and adopted."
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"T-Then, he's gone off to Magic Tower?" I asked.
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The Dame smiled. "Well, my brother told Father that if he give him time to think, he'll make his decision. 10 years. That's the time, just like what's on the bet. If he came back here before the tenth year, then he'll be his successor. If not, well, our Estate will be passed on."
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My lips parted in amazement as I've come to realized what was happening. "Sir Maven got back and it's only been 4 years,"
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Sister Hermin and Dame Blanche clapped and said in chorus, "Damn right! So he's gonna be the successor!"
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"Maybe he got knocked off with all the magic and stuff and started realizing his true destiny!" Dame Blanche spouted and continued to show off the skills of Sir Maven.
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When the day of the arrival of Sir Maven came, we are all there on the mansion gate to welcome him. He's the exact copy of Sir Everett when he's young, just like what I saw in the painting. His long brown hair flows of his back, dazzlinging along with his blue and gold robe. He looks not older than 20, but Dame Blanche told me he's already 27.
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Dame Blanche were teary-eyed when she jumped on him to hug him tight he almost got killed.
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"Fuck...Blanche, get off!"
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"You will not believe how much I've miss you, Maven!!!"
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"Shut up, you Satan!"
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It goes on as they rambled entering the mansion. Even Sir Everett can't stop them from bickering with each other.
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"Look, I've gain more muscles than you! Are you even working out? You're as pale as the south sea monsters we ate after killing on the war."
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Hearing it, we are all white.
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Sir Maven gave her a loud smack in the back. "You're so gross, do you know that?! Why don't you get out of my sight?! I'm not even back for an hour and you're torturing my eyes and being!!!"
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Sir Everett couldn't do anything with their loud voices and started tapping the floor with his cane.
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"Stop it, you two. Get yourselves in the kitchen and we're going to eat. I will kick you two out of the mansion if you can't keep your mouths off for an hour---Shut it, Blanche."
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The day goes on with Dame Blanche and Sir Maven bickering with each other, with sir Everett stopping them from time to time. It was a warm welcome. When the sun was setting, Sir Everett ordered his two children in the drawing room.
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"Severine, put this tea in the drawing room, alright?" Sister Hermine handed me a tray. I quickly nodded and carefully walk through the door of the drawing room before I struggled knocking on it.
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"Come in." I heard the Dame's voice.
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I slowly peek through the open slice of the door before finally coming in. I look down, avoiding their gazes.
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When I finally lifted my head, I was headed by the young heir's confusing look to me. His eyes were squinting.
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"U-Uh, your tea, Sir," I awkwardly announced.
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His eyes only narrowed more until he asked me.
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"Have i seen you before?"
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