In Time And Memories

Chapter Fourty-Eight

Duke Laurenze and my relationship was something I never expected to reconcile, it has been damaged already. However, seeing him lying on a casket, lifeless, still hurts.

It hurts and yet, there are no tears rolling down on my cheeks.

"Are you alright?" Prince Urus asked me. I only nods and kept my mouth shut. But when I saw his worried expression, I sighed and held his hand.

I smiled faintly. "I'm fine," I assured him. "Thank you for worrying about me."

"Laine..." My brother called. He cocked his head to the side, gesturing me to come with him. I let go of Prince Urus' hand and told him that I'll be back. He patted my head first before letting me go.

I followed my brother and went to his room. As soon as we get in, he locked the door.

"Celestia will be the successor of Laurenze dukedom." I looked at him in the eye.

"Is that what you want or is it the content of his last will?"

My brother sighed. "It's in father's last will," he answered. That confirms it. I scoffed which later on became a wicked laugh. So that's it? That's how she'll play?

"Laine, what happened to you and father?"

"Ask Celestia." I titled my head. "I know she knows better than me. The truth of what happened, I mean."

Duke Laurenze's death only confirms that it was Celestia all along. My speculation is right, however, I still don't know how she did that. Only one theory is plausible and that is she hid her ability; she's not a hollow to begin with.

What's her power? Manipulation? Mind control? Brainwash? No matter what it is, she definitely used her ability and manipulated her way to the duchy.

Duke Laurenze's funeral lasted for only five days, it's enough time for the dukedom to mourn for him and for his relatives to bid their goodbyes. Although someone who didn't even showed her face, not even a shadow. I only found out that people thought the duchess of house Laurenze is dead since they haven't seen her for over a decade.

Maybe that is why she hid in the garden to meet me.

"Your highness..." Fiona trailed off. "I have found Rina's house. It turns out that she lives with her parents," she whispered.

I stared at the tomb. There is no need to deny that he is my father, I am his own flesh and blood. I may have not mourned for him but I will take down Celestia to avenge hin.

Good bye, father.

We immediately left the manor and went to Rina's place. It was in the outskirt of Azeroth and it's hard to find. No wonder it took them two weeks before they found her house.

I heaved a sigh before knocking on the door. An elderly woman appeared behind the door and as soon as she saw me, she bursts into tears. I was perplexed becaused of her reaction and I didn't know how to comfort her.

"Your highness..." She called as she weep. I waited for her to stop crying before we went inside the house. It's small and yet cozy.

I gave the woman a glass of water. "Do you feel better?" She nods her head after drinking the water. My eyes went to Fiona and she simply nodded at me as a sign to starting askinf the woman.

"Are you Rina's mother?"

"Indeed, I am, Your highness." Her voice is hoarse and filled with pain, however, she still tried to smile at me.

"Where is she?"

"My daughter is long gone, Your highness," she answered.

Fiona gasps while my mind can't process what she said. It's like a thunder that has struck in me. I am close to knowing the truth; I know Rina has the answer but now, she's gone. The truth is like a dust on my palm that is blown by the wind.

"Three years ago, she came home; depressed and anxious. She told us that she was banished from the Laurenze dukedom." Tears started to roll on her cheeks again.

"She said that she wanted to protect you so Rina tried to sneak inside the manor again but after that..." The elder woman heaved a sigh before continuing her words. "Rina never came back."

My heart clenched. I never thought that Celestia can do all of this. She's crazier than I thought. How could she kill innocent lives?

Rina's mother fished something inside her pockets; it's an envelop. She handed it to me and I gladly accepted it.

"I found that in Rina's room. The letter is addressed to you, Your highness. I kept it with me, hoping that I could meet you someday but I never had a chance."

My eyes went on the yellowish envelop. Three years have passed and the paper has already discolorated. "Thank you," I uttered. I will read this letter later. There's something I have to do first.

After that, Fiona and I went back to the imperial palace. As much as I want to get angry for Rina's and the duke's death, all I could do now is accept it. My anger will do no good if I let it drive my emotion. What I have to do is a plan to avenge them and crush Celestia into pieces.

I am on my way to confront Celestia but I met her on the hallways. She gave me a smug smile while I only looked at her blankly.

"So it's you." Those are the words that came out of my mouth.

She laughed, she didn't even made an effort to deny it. "I never wished for father's death, it's the aftermath for trying to break my ability." My eyebrow twitched. The duke tried to break from her control? Just how strong is her ability that breaking from it can cost a life.

"You are not a shallow."

"Oh, sister. I never was a shallow. I am born with a power to brainwash people and make them do whatever I want." Celestia stepped closer to me but I didn't budge. I am not afraid of her and I never will.

"Everything in the manor was under my control except for your older brother and you..." She pointed her finger at me.

"Why did my ability didn't affect you?"

I am not surprised to know that she even tried to brainwash me. However, what surprised me is her question.

She wickedly smiled. "You can have your title as the crown princess. Guard it well." She copied what I said to her before. "Because I will have the Laurenze dukedom and I know that you are fully aware what will happen if I supported Prince Pierre under the authority of the duchy."

I gritted my teeth. "That will never happen."

"Oh, it will." She giggled then her faced suddenly darkened. "I will take everything what you have, sister."

Damn you, Celestia!

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i hope it's okay huhu