{TRIGGER WARNING: The scenes in this chapter may depict sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, physical violence, and identity-based discrimination and harassment. Please read at your own RISK!!!}
"Seraphina, Lady Antoinette is looking for you."
I turned to look at Dina holding an empty tray; she just came from the lady's room.
"Okay. Thank you for letting me know, Dina," I said and smiled; she nodded back before continuing what she was about to do.
Lady Antoinette Thornfell was the wife of Lord Jacquess Thornfell, the one who bought me on the auction house a year ago, and I've become one of their servants. The Thornfell household was a known merchant family in Thalvarad. They are not kind nor bad people; just don't provoke them, or you might see what you're looking for.
They don't have a clue about my origin; they didn't ask, and I didn't tell anyone as well. No one was able to notice that I came from a noble family; back then I got depressed and lost weight. I almost died if it wasn't for that day. Lucky for me, Lord Thorne took pity on me and bought me.
'Thinking back, I really wanted to die. I believed that if I did, I'd be back to earth. But I guess now thinking it back, all I can say is, I was so stupid. I don't even know if I die here, will I be able to go back?'
That's why I decided to live and find another way to go back home. Starting here in Thalvarad.
Thalvarad is a town in the Eldrithis Kingdom. It is a small kingdom far from the Dravenhart Empire. While staying here, I learned a lot of details that were not mentioned in the book. For example, Dravenhart is a small empire in the west, compared to the Vaelthorne Empire of the north (which is the biggest empire of all). Compared to the Dravenhart Empire, where there are almost no mages there except a few, Vaelthorne's population was 99% mages and wizards. But the Dravenhart's citizen has some special skill that I forgot to mention; they are actually a beast tamer.
'That's why in the book there was no mention of a successful invasion, as the Dravenhart's military prowess is a force to be reckoned with. Well... except when Seraphina was the one who almost destroyed the empire."
The Eldrithis Kingdom was a small kingdom compared to the other two empires. There were no mage residents here, aside from those merchants who were traveling across the world. The people here were a bit more normal; it's just that they don't have ordinary strength. One person's strength can equal those of five people with normal strength.
'So, I guess... They're still not normal.'
Geographically speaking, the Dravenhart Empire is located in the west of the world map, full of grasses, trees, mountains, and greenery. The Vaelthorne Empire in the north was partly covered in snow while the other half remains warm. The closer they are to the north, the more snow there is. While the Elthidris Kingdom was located on the east side of the map, along with the other small nations. The lands here are rather dry, more like a desert with civilization.
'If you compare it in Earth's history, they are like those Egyptian civilizations in the past,' I thought to myself.
The south part of the world was inhabitable... Well, that's what they said. It's been an abandoned land for a long time. They said it's the place where the Great Battle that took place thousands of years ago started and ended. And they said it's full of monsters; some are known and some are yet to be discovered. But no one really dared to explore that area well, since the whole south is flooded by monsters and unknown creatures, and they don't know the level of threat it currently holds. Though from time to time, every nation sends forces that try to exterminate them from its border. This is to prevent them from rampaging over the land and causing destruction.
'Though, I'm confused as to why the author didn't include such an important event in the past and some important details as well. It's like she only focused it on the Dravenhart empire, when in fact, this is a vast world.'
'And what's with this Great Battle they keep mentioning about? I've been hearing it a lot lately, and I don't have any idea what it is. I guess I need to research it too. Will it be important to me?'
I'm not sure if it will give me any clue of how I will be able to go back. Will it not be a waste of time? I guess I'll find that out later as well.
"Greetings, my lady! You called for me?"
"Ahh... yes! I need you to buy something for me in the market."
Lady Antoinette was holding their sleeping 1-year-old baby boy in her arms. When I entered, she slowly put him down on his crib and turned to me. She approached the desk on the side of the bed and picked up the paper on top of it. I guess it was the list that she wanted me to buy.
I immediately confirmed my guess when she handed it to me.
"Here's the list of items I want you to buy, and here are the gold coins. Make sure you get every item on the lists, as I need it for tomorrow." She handed me the pouch containing the gold coins, and I gladly took it.
"Yes, my lady. Will that be all you need?" I politely asked.
"Yes, you can go now. It's almost time for lunch; make sure you eat first before you go."
She then waved her hand dismissively, motioning me to go.
"Yes, my lady," I answered and bid my goodbye.
Even if she treats me coldly sometimes, I was still grateful for their family. Lady Antoinette helped me when I first came here. She helped me adjust in this place; she taught me their culture and tradition. She also helped me slowly get over my trauma and helped me think clearly. She treated me like her younger sister.
Well, according to Dina...
"She had a younger sister who loved to travel around the world. She would occasionally visit or send letters, but one day she didn't arrive on the expected day of her return and didn't send any letters since then. We don't know what happened to her, and she hasn't come back ever since then either. The other believes that she might have met an unfortunate incident and may have died; that's why she wasn't able to return. But the lady still believed that she is alive and she is just somewhere far, where it's hard to send letters and go home."
'I guess that's why she's so overprotective with me sometimes, especially with men. Well, that's okay for me; at least I don't feel very alone in this world now.'
~~~~~~
[The Vaelthorne Empire]
The meeting room was rather noisy because of the councilors arguing over the changes they wanted to implement. Emperor Zephyrion was bored sitting in his chair watching the fools arguing over stupid things. His legs are crossed, and his left hand rests on his armchair. Standing at his right side is his second-in-command, Lord Kaelith, who was watching as well.
Emperor Zephyrion Vaelthorne was the current emperor of the Vaelthorne Empire. He was the son of the late Emperor Sylvaris Vaelthorne and Empress Valeriana Vaelthorne. He became the emperor when he was 20 after his father decided to step down on a whim because he wanted to spend his remaining years with the empress (according to his father). His parents decided to live in the northern parts of the empire because the empress loves seeing the snow.
He was known as the cold and ruthless emperor of the empire but was also known as the greatest mage of his age. He was intelligent and strong both physically and mentally and spiritually and was also good in swordsmanship. He was both respected and feared by his people, most especially his enemies in battles.
Kaelith Varyn, also known as Lord Kaelith, was the son of the Grand Duke Hadrian Varyn and Grand Duchess Solmara Varyn. He was a certified womanizer of all time. He was second to the emperor in terms of magic and fourth when it comes to swordsmanship. The reason why he was second in command was because the Emperor trusted him more than other people.
"My lord, as we have mentioned, now that we have the book in our hand, it's time that we show the world of our greatness!" Lord Alric said, which the others agreed to.
"I agree with Lord Alric, my lord. Especially the kingdoms in the east! We have to conquer the small nations there before the empire in the west conquers it." Lord Eldorion seconded.
"We worked so hard detaching the word Dark in our name for the past decades; why should we use the book again? It'll bring back the past that we buried for a long time!" Lord Callum objected; he was a member of the opposing party.
"I agree with Lord Callum, my lord! We should not attack other nations without a reason, especially using forbidden magic! We'll be branded as the dark, evil magicians again." Lord Skylar seconded.
And they started bickering with each other again. The emperor was running out of patience as he listened to them. If he let them be, they wouldn't stop quarreling till this meeting is adjourned. Before they wasted more time, he interrupted them, which made the room fall completely silent.
"The nations in the east were involved in human trafficking, slavery, and other illegal activities. They also tried to smuggle illegal mana stones from our mine, which breached the treaty we had with them. So tell me, are they still not worth it?"
And with that, the fate of the other nations was decided.
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