The Binding Fates SEASON 1: The Past

Chapter 45: The Rahania Empire: the Mansion of Hildegarde

(Elyse's Point of View)

Penelope's footsteps echo in the hallways as we both walk by side while she tours me inside the mansion, we both stayed in. It has been on my mind lately. How intricate and elegant the designs of the mansion are, as if every single detail in the corners of the walls – in the mansion is planned very carefully.

"I've been meaning to ask," I spoke breaking the silence between us. Penelope turned around and gazes up at me. I couldn't help but feel weird from her stare as if she was emotionless.

"Whose mansion is this?" I ask and she stared at me.

"It's from the Hildegarde." She answered and starts walking again.

"Hildegarde?" Penelope pauses and turned to look at me once more, now staring at me clearly with her piercing eyes. I stand straight and match her eyes as she stares me down right inside of my soul.

"You..." Penelope pointed her finger towards me and said, "... have two in there." She continues and I look at the clothes I am wearing. Two? What two?

"What do you mean?" I ask but she turned around again and continues her walk.

"The Hildegarde is a family of warriors. Legend says that the 1st Hildegarde was blessed by The God of War himself and so, they inherit special abilities as other people do." Penelope said as if she didn't say anything earlier. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. What did she mean by 'two' earlier?

"Do you know Lewis and Hethan?" She continued to talk and I came back to the present from thinking too much. "The brothers of Tina?" She nodded her head at my answer as she stopped in her tracks. It turns out we're already in front of a painting after the long and fast walk we both have earlier, we arrived at a place in the mansion where we can see the family members of Hildegarde.

I was dumbfounded to see Dain's Ancestor – Hethan in the painting because of their similar appearance. Dark hair and dark eyes yet with a small hint of purple and yellow mixing together. He looked like Dain because of the aura he was giving as if he was watching carefully every step you'll thread.

"Lewis and Hethan inherited their mother's special abilities. Lewis soon became the heir for The Hildegarde while Hethan became the heir for The Zues Family, and this is their mother." Penelope then pointed her hands towards the painting in front of me – a painting of a woman with long black hair and sunset-like golden eyes beside a whole family painting.

"Her eyes... are beautiful," I mumbled but it was enough for Penelope to hear.

"It is. Those were the eyes of The God of War, that's what the book says." She spoke.

"Then what about her? If the Hildegarde is a family warrior, is she also a warrior too?" Penelope didn't say anything and just silently gazed up at the painting.

"Lady Isabela Hildegarde was never meant to be a warrior. She became a tool for the family's greed. Lady Isabela didn't like the idea of getting married to someone she doesn't love or like. She doesn't like the idea of getting sold off to someone older than her. To solve her family's problem, she came to Duke Zues who was planning a coup d'état inside of his family. There, Lady Isabela married Duke Zues and became officially known as Duke Zues after he killed all his family members." Penelope explained while staring at the painting.

"Duke Zues? Isn't he Tina's stepfather?" I asked.

"Duke Zues is not her stepfather — it's her biological father." I looked at her shocked at the news I heard. I blink once and twice, staring at her.

"Duke Zues found it late when Tina had already gone rampage and killed everyone. No one can really stop her. There was no other person powerful enough to stop The Lady of Prophecy from wreaking havoc." She continues to speak as I watch her telling the stories of Lady Hildegarde and Duke Zues.