becoming a duchess

¦1¦Prologue

...

'run'

I was, I was running as quickly I could. Little bit of stumbles and trips but got up and ran, ran and ran.

The grass felt cold while the sun above me was hotter than blue blazes. Maybe it was because I was running for a long time without stopping I could feel my body wearing down and I couldn't distinguish whether the liquid running down my cheeks was sweat or tears all I knew is that I had to run.

*THUMP*

At last my stamina went below zero as I clashed down on the grass

*huff* *huff*

Have I gotten far enough?

I wondered as I looked up in the sky, I could see crows flying far away. The sky was clear, only a few unnoticeable clouds here and there.

And that's how my journey began.

I wasn't willing to give up in in the slightest. I felt prepared for the challenges this new life of the duchess may offer.

¦six years after¦

"So she is the one?" a low voice echoed in the huge glimmering hall.

"yes she is your majesty" even with trying the best to keep my self together you could sound the tirness in my tone.

We had been searching everywhere for her to the very ends of the empire and finally, her she is.

I glance at the girl sitting on the ground bowing. We told her she could stand up but she did not seem to like it though I wouldn't really know since she hadn't said anything just on rare occasions, light nods or shakes.

She had white hair and emerald green eyes which were currently hid while bowing continously.

"So she is the mage..., I really did not expect her to be so young."
The red hair swift a little by the blowing wind, upon a gold throne sat the man in charge of the empire, the descendant of the royal bloodline, Felix the eight of the Ellenbird kingdom

"she's qualified enough to earn the title 'mage of the tower'
Though that would be too much of an environmental change for her"

"yes your majesty you are absolutely correct ," I start speaking,giving my opinion. "but mages are hard to find I hope you consider that as well especially one with the amount of magic and mana like her, if we were to leave her be now we might never be able to get in contact with her ever again. So I suggest you reconsider. "

He seemed to be in thought then he spoke up after moment of silence,"then I suppose we might offer her one more title to go with 'the mage of the tower' "

I nodded my head in response and asked, "very well your majesty what title should we offer?" I knew his majesty was making the right choice but for some reason........

Why do I feel uneasy?

"we should give her the title of the dutchess"

I guess I was getting paranoid over nothing.

"I agree your maj........ Dutchess?"

"Are you in you right mind your majesty!?" I couldn't help but louden my voice.

I knew he didn't take things so seriously, but giving a child the title of a dutchess? I felt like I was sitting next to a person who thew conscience out the window.

Even when I was definitely looking like I was about to commit bloody murder, he just smiled peacefully.

What's is wrong with this man???? I can even see flowers and sparkles around him at this point.

" you majesty, may I ask you to reconsid-" my pouts were cut off which literally hit the last nerve in my body. "-you may raise you head." he commanded the girl

Her fairy-like green eyes became visible once again when her head raised.

She's a beauty and I'm sure she will be even more when she grows up.

The conversation between them was quite awkward if I may say

"what's you name? "

"Estella"

"such a pretty name for a pretty lady"

"... "

"and how old are you? "

"... "

"it's fine if you do r remember exactly. "

"fourteen"

"do you know who a dutchess is? "

"... "

*nod*

"then may I offer something? "

"... "

*nod*

"would you take the title of a dutchess? "

"..."

*nod*

"very well then I trust you, but remember greatness comes with great responsibility and I'm only giving you the title but I think you can do it"

It was against law but then again who makes the law.....

The position couldn't had been given right away, she was first taught the life of the noble the two years later when she was ready, a bit unfair but at the age of sixteen, she received the title of dutchess and the new dutchy of shore was was known on land even outside the kingdom.

The Dutchy of 'shore' or the 'shore dutchy' where the tower mage resides.

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" dutchess Estella"

"..."

"A letter from the king just arrived."

"..."

"since you never go in public nor build a relationship with anyone, the king asks to arrange a banquet in the imperial palace for your coming-of-age, dutchess."