At least I'm Alive

Abela Ortiz

Me and Keith walk together to the carriage where Duchess Frida was waiting.

"Are you ready to go?" Duchess Frida asks

I nod and Keith suddenly said "Mom, is dad not coming?"

Duchess Frida suddenly started to get tense and nervously said "O-oh, yes! He had something to deal with."

Hm, Archdukes are really busy...

We get on the carriage, and I sit next to the Duchess, and Keith sits infront of us.

"Keith, how were your sword lessons today?" Duchess Frida asks.

"I nailed it! Mom, I don't think I need swords classes anymore, I'm too good for it!" Keith exclaimed

Sword lessons...I wonder how sword lessons go?

"Well, how about you attend sword lessons with Abela?" She says while looking at me.

"Oh! No I'm okay-" I say and get cut off

"It's a must Abela, when I became Duchess I had to learn self defense since there are alot of people who attack us." She says smiling.

Attack them?

"By attack, do you mean other Empires?" I ask.

"No, even inside this Empire, people attack the family of Ortiz, we have alot of enemies even inside the dukedom." She replies casually, like what she said was a normal thing.

Even inside the dukedom?

"I'm sorry if this will come out as rude, but even within the Dukedom? Why?" I had to ask.

"No worries, but some radical nobles, believe that the power of the spirits should remain exclusive to the Imperial family." She explains

Then how did the Archduke's ancestors receive a blessing?

"When this empire was established, the Ortiz family was serving the Emperor from the start." She said

Wait is she explaining because I looked curious?

She continues, "The Ortiz family did not have the blessing of the black bear at first, but then war broke out."

War? The first one?

"The Crimson war, the most deadliest war recorded in history. Every patch of soil was covered in blood. The crown prince at that time joined the war, and just when he was about to die, the Archduke Evan Ortiz sacrificed his life." She continued explaining

Evan Ortiz the very first Archduke of this Empire...

"He got stabbed instead of the prince, and the emperor was devistated to hear the death of his good friend." I nod as she still explained

"You see, the Imperial family was the first to get a spirit's blessing. Therefore the first Emperor was able to give blessings to any human and give them a spirit animal."

I see, this is very investing..

"So, this empire won the war because of the Archduke's sacrifice. As a token of gratitude, the emperor gave a blessing to the Duke's heir, Travis Ortiz. He was blessed, and he got to choose his spirit animal, the Black Bear" She finished off

"Then if that's the case, then that means people who are against the Ortiz family think this family is too powerful?" I suddenly say.

Surprised, I cover my mouth.

The Duchess chuckles and said "That's right."

I uncover my mouth and give a small smile.

The carriage stops