It was a few fortnights of peace and prosperity later when the news arrived.
Prior to that, Keres suggested their parents go on a well-needed rest. A vacation in the capital. It was something their mother had been hinting at before she regressed, saying she misses the gardens of the warmer south. Now, in this timeline, Keres was the one to bring it up during one winter luncheon.
"Are you feeling alright, mother?" she asked, noticing the duchess's constant caresses on her nape.
A beautiful woman, whom they all inherited their looks from, and also the duke's third-degree cousin who chose to live a simple life as a flower shop owner before their father fell in love with her. Like her husband, their mother was also a simple-minded fellow. She was caring and gentle, like a warm summer breeze, her smile as bright as the sun. Their parents are both embodiments of light, it seems, with their positive characters.
"Well, in truth," the duchess started hesitantly, "I have been feeling quite under the weather."
"It's the harsh cold, I believe," said Carmilla. "Mother has a rather low tolerance for the cold and I believe it's that time of the year again. The ruthless winter must be getting into you again, mother." She claimed as the other siblings nodded.
In the past, their mother could not rest in the south like she always does because of Amarantha's treachery. And due to that, their mother wilted in her room like a desolate flower. The north was ruthless to their mother.
Keres pledged she wouldn't let the same thing happen again.
"Which is why I recommend a nice vacation to the warm south, mother," she gently announced and smiled at the duchess. "I'm sure the flowers of the gardens in the capital are in full bloom. Do make sure to look at them for me."
The latter's eyes widened. She glanced questioningly at her husband, who also looked to Keres in concern.
The duchess replied, "Keres, dearest, we cannot leave the duchy at the current state of things. Amarantha is not with us anymore. You and Levi are still struggling with matters of the state and for us to go down to the south right now... it is ill-advised, dearest. I am grateful for your concern but..."
Keres softly shook her head. Ah, mother, always the worrywart. It's not like she can do much to help them handle state affairs. She can just continue being a florist and be safe in the south.
"Levi and I are perfectly fine, mother. You are what we are worried about. If you stay here any longer, the cold will get to you," her tone lowered at the last few words. "Go down south. We are old enough to handle this ourselves. Do not worry, you will still be duchess to a dukedom when you return," she promised, and to hell did she regret saying that.
Because as their convoy to venture down south left, only five nights later, Keres woke up to devastating news.
The moonlight shone on the wilted flowers on her bedside; dead, parched, and decayed pink tulips that her mother picked for her before they departed. One of its petals fell from the vase it was kept at the same time a stray tear fell from her eye.
Keres felt like the world fell on her.
She never imagined losing them a second time.
She got too arrogant. She rejoiced too early.
The voices were alive that night. They were whispering, but it felt like they were screaming with their vigorous murmurs.
Avenge father, avenge mother... Violence...Blood... They mourned with her.
They fueled her anger. Keres was near to losing her sanity. She realized being immortal did not save her from pain. It only doubled it, if anything, because the worst feeling in the world was mourning for someone twice.
And in this world, she was the only one able to feel that pain.
Words fail to describe how she feels. Only one thing was clear that night: Revenge.
Keres regressed to save her family. She regressed to make the world feel her rage. She regressed to see the world burn.
And it will, now more than ever.
After what they did to the Duke and Duchess of the North. The benign and benevolent leaders that lacked intelligence but never empathy. The pillars of the Trivith family were taken too soon in their past life, and then again in this life.
Their mother and father that never made it to the warm, blooming gardens of the south.
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Notes:
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This is me experimenting with my style. I know my genre and my language, but I'm yet to know my style. So, here I offer you a 7-part fantasy YA book with an angsty immortal and her desire to burn a world that has forsaken her of her family.
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Here's a sneak peek of the next chapter while you wait:
The world was a little quieter.
Everyone's hearts were a little heavier, too.
On a gloomy morning in the blanched snowy land of the north, where the cold was more dreadful than usual, a flock of crows flew overhead the manor of the late duke and duchess. As a somber cello playing on the lounge, its melody solemn and overflowing with sadness, a stoic-faced man looked outside the window.
Levi could not freely shed tears like the others. He cannot. As the eldest, he is now the head of the house. If he breaks, who will his siblings lean onto?
However, the cello player in the same room could not fight their tears. The warm liquid streamed down endlessly on their cheeks as they mournfully weave the bow to cry a melodious song. Carmilla trusted the cello would express her feelings for her. So, she and her cello cried until sundown, together creating a heart-wrenching masterpiece that aided everyone in the manor who was suffering in silence.
YOU ARE READING
Siege
FantasiTeaser: Eventually, the malevolent voices welcomed themselves into her mind. It was anything but forceful. And as she left her sanctuary, Keres took them with her. To the outside world. Where she can finally execute her plan. A new God was born from...
