The stars decorated the night sky, glistening bright as they accompany the moon. Everyone was back at in their homes, leaving only the creatures of the night to wondered all about.
It was dark and late, not a soul was awake as the same could be said about the Claremore Mansion.
Though a single room was still awake, as the Duke was still wide awake to finish off his paperwork before returning to his bed.
One by one, he set the finished paperwork aside until he comes across a letter with a very familiar wax seal.
"Ren? Wonder what he wants....." Duke Vincent ripped opened the letter. The dark-haired man lazily read the contents of the letter.
"I see......have a what? A new disciple? Coming here? Tomorrow?!" His eyes widen at each word. He even double-checks to see if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Seriously....and this just came today afternoon" Duke Vincent sighed rubbing his temple. Whether it was from exhaustion from staying up or the dread of his friend's shenanigans, he doesn't know.
"And you can worry about it tomorrow" Duchess Terisa hummed as she entered her husband's office. She came to check on her dear husband, concern the man will work himself to death.
"Ah sorry, my dear" the duke sighed, slumping down his chair.
"It's already late, how about you come to bed. It's no use to worry about it now with you died tired" she frowned, hugging him from behind. The duke tiredly smiled in return, "Alright, you're right"
"Aren't I always?" She just smiled knowingly. A women's intuition is not to be taken lightly.
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~ The Next Day ~
The sun has risen as a new day has started, a beautiful day.....
"Aww~ the Young Mistress look so precious when she's happily asleep" Sarah smiled along with Erina as they both entered the girl's room. Cynthia snuggling in her bed, hugging her pillow tight. The young heiress was even smiling in her sleep.
"Yes, she does. Probably dreaming about food or something" Erina hummed, which was probably true, knowing her friend well.
"True and it would be a shame to ruin that" Sarah sighed, holding her palm to her cheek before a grin replaced it. "—Let's wake her up"
"Already ahead of you~" the younger maid smiled as she had pans in each hand. Sarah grinned even wider as the younger girl have the same idea. Great minds, think alike.
""WAKE UP!!!!"" The two maids banged the pots and pans. The loud bangs, immediately awaken the sleeping heiress from her peaceful slumber....probably not how the girl wish to start her day.
"Ahh!! I'm up!!!" The blonde heiress shot straight up from the bed. Her heart beating heavily as her hair suffered from bed hair. Golden threads tangled in knots and stuck on the drools dried on the corner of her lips.
"And a good thing too! We have a guest coming today, so the Young Mistress should be getting ready!" Sarah smiled while Cynthia groaned in her palm.
"We already prepared hot water for you," Erina said as she pulled her friend from the comfort of her bed and into the bathroom. Cynthia almost tumbled over if she hasn't secured her footing in time...close call.
"We'll set up your clothes on the bed!" Erina yelled as she slammed the bathroom door shut.
"Yeah yeah..." Cynthia groaned as she tiredly took her clothes off and get into the bathtub.
"I wonder who the hell is coming. So annoying...." She sinks into the water with irritation. "—Why do you gotta ruin a girl's dream for some people coming over? Arghh I hate morning...."
~ Time Skip ~
The fully dressed heiress lazily walked down the stairs and into the dining hall. Her parents along with Damon and Orion was already there, probably waiting for her.
"Oh, good morning Thia~" her mother greeted the girl with a bright smile.
"Morning...." Cynthia yawned as she sat down beside Orion, who raised a brow at her before ignoring her to eat.
"Didn't you get a good sleep?" Her father asked in concern seeing the tired girl.
"Oh I did but...the awakening wasn't all that pleasant" the blonde girl groaned, faceplanting against the table.
"Well maybe if you weren't such a troll to wake up, you wouldn't need the rude awakening" Damon snickered, knowing just how Sarah and Erina wake the girl.
"Shut up.." Cynthia shifted her head as she glared at her brother. "Normally they would wake up later in the day but today...."
"Ah yes, our guests" Duke Vincent sighed.
"And who exactly are they, Dad?" Damon raised a brow.
"Yeah who are those scums that technically ruin my good dream?" Cynthia narrowed her eyes. Terisa narrowed her eyes at her daughter's language in warning. The blonde heiress lowered her head at the scolding.
"Well they're—"
"Milord, they're here" Nancy announced, cutting off the duke.
"And they're early....why am I not surprised?" The duke sighed and left the table to greet the timely guests.
The four other Claremore blinked as they watched the duke leaving.
"Hey, who do you think they are?" Cynthia whispered to Orion.
"How the hell should I know? Like I know many noble" the orange-haired boy grumbled. True, he only ever has interacted to limited noble being the Claremore and certain others.
"Oh right. Forgot about that" the blonde girl blinked.
"Probably just one of Dad's friends or something" Damon hummed as he took a bite of his toast.
"And how right you!" A familiar voice boomed as he entered the dining hall.
"Uncle Ren!" Cynthia squealed, leaping out from her seat. The blonde girl hugged him in joy, now her tiredness completely forgotten.
"Hey kiddo, long time no see" Ren grinned and ruffled her hair. "—I heard about your Coming of Age Ceremony. Pretty neat stuff you got, dark water and fire was it? Well I can help you with your fire element if you want"
"You'll have held on to your offer, Ren. My little princess doesn't need your help when I can easily teach all she needs to know" Vincent scowled as he followed the red-haired man close behind. He, himself have the dual-element of fire and ice.
"Cynthia, which would you prefer?" Ren ignored him, asking the blonde girl. She blinked, shifting her gaze between the two.
"Eh? Hmm....Orion!" Cynthia picked her cousin, much to the dissatisfaction of the two older men.
"He wasn't even an option!"
"Huh? Did someone say my name?" The orange-haired boy blinked as he wasn't really paying attention. Although he did felt chills when the two male adults glared at him and he didn't even know what he did wrong?!
"Good to see you Ren but didn't you have a company with you?" Terisa tilted her head in question when she noticed the absence.
"Ah I did but it seems like I lost him" the man had the decency to look embarrassed.
"You lost your own disciple? Well, I see who's the better mentor for my previous princess then" the duke smirked feeling smug though he received a hit by his wife's fan.
"Vincent! Seriously, set your priority straight. One of our guests is missing" the blonde woman scolded.
"Yes, my dear" Vincent mumbled, holding his head in pain.
Ren quietly snickered into his palm, finding it always amusing to see one of his best mates get scolded by his wife. However, his entertainment was short-lived as the woman shot him a warning look making him gulp in fear. Truly a fearsome woman when she gets mad.
"Hey, Uncle Ren" Cynthia tugged on his pants.
"A-Ah yes Thia?" The red-haired man looks down at her.
"Who is your disciple?" The blonde girl blinked cluelessly though her thoughts began to differ, 'If I remember correctly, it should be him...'
Ren was hesitant to answer, though his disciple was only a year older than the girl, he doubts his disciple would pay respect to her.
"Uncle Ren?" Cynthia blinked at him with her sapphire eyes, filled with curiosity.
"..he's quite the handful..but talented nevertheless" Ren vaguely stated.
"Handful must be an understatement. The boy practically ditched ya" Damon snickered in his palm. His mother sent the boy a warning look before looking apologetically at Ren. Though the redhead didn't mind, knowing the young heir's statement was nothing but true.
"Don't you worry. I'll have the staffs search for the boy" Terisa smiled as she quickly instructed Nancy. The head maid only nodded and immediately rushed off to fulfil her command.
"And I can help too!" Cynthia volunteered herself. The adults in the room blinked at the sudden request.
"Sweetie?" Her mother blinked at her.
"The more the merrier! I want to help too!" Cynthia was practically jumping in the spot. Vincent sighed and apologetically frowned.
"No Thia. This is best to leave to the stuff. You and your brother and cousin may return to your courters instead"
The two boys simply followed the duke's instructions while Cynthia pouted in her place.
"C'mon Thia...." Damon just threw her on his shoulders as he carries her out. He knowing better that his sister was too stubborn and he needs to have a more forceful approach.
Orion sweatdropped at the action while the adults simply dismissed it, probably because it was nothing out of the norm for them.
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"Damon! Let me go! You bakaniki!!!!" Cynthia hit her brother's back as she was carried. This was embarrassing and painful!
"Sorry no can do" Damon patted on her bum, earning an event louder groan from the girl. "—you no good brother!"
Orion only stiffed his laugh though it didn't go unheard by the blonde girl.
"Orion! You gotta help me!" She pleaded. Hell, she even hit him with the puppy eyes.
"Oh look at the time, I'm late for my lessons at the library. Sorry, gotta go" the orange-haired boy pointed to his wrist and dashed away, leaving the two siblings alone in the halls.
"You fucking liar! You weren't even wearing a watch!" She growled. Even her cousin won't help her, just great.
Damon sighed as he watched her grumbled to herself. "Sorry Thia, I know you wanna help but hey, you'll get to him when they find him, okay?"
Cynthia just continued to pout and turned away from him, which was quite hard cause he's the one holding her.
"Let's just get you to your room" Damon frowned and continued his way. His sister stayed quiet as he carried her. Probably sulking.
"Hey what's that?" She suddenly pointed out.
"Huh? What—" a sudden hit to the head, knocking out. The boy collapsed to the ground along with his sister in his hold. She immediately escaped his hold and looked down upon his collapsed figure.
"Damn that gotta hurt. Sorry about Damon but you left me no choice" Cynthia sighed, holding a metal frying pan. Where did she even get that? Yeah, its better left unanswered.
"Well, I can't leave you in the halls..." She hummed and smiled when she spotted a supply closet. A grin crawls upon her face as she heartlessly cramps her poor brother into the closet. He was leaning against a dirty mop which she didn't even pay any mind to it before she shut the door shut"—well that gotta do for now. A clean crime~" she grinned proudly.
"Now, where is that little brat hiding?" She rushed off in her own search for this mysterious guest of theirs.
~ Cynthia's P.O.V ~
Well, he's not in the kitchen, music room nor the library....which by the way Orion wasn't even there! That fucking sneaking little liar....
I'll get back at him another time. Now back to the mission at hand. Uncle Ren's disciple is missing and basically, every staff in the manor are searching for him. Though he proved to be a difficult guy to find.
This scavenge hunt is looking so well and I really wanna the one to find the brat to prove to all those naysayers. Despite the small seven years old body, I still have a twenty-something years old mind!
As I walked through the halls with newfound motivation, I couldn't help but noticed the beautiful sunny day we were having. Especially when my little eye caught sight of the gardens.
And that's when I finally come to realize my own stupidity. The bloody guy was probably wasn't even in the mansion at all! Uncle Renee did say his disciple ditched him before the man could even realize it nor any servants could have noticed it. So I can easily conclude that he's probably outside the mansion preferably in the garden! At least I hope I'm right....but I wouldn't know for sure unless I check it out.
~ The Garden ~
The birds are chirping, the sun is smiling and everything look so peaceful with the gentle breeze of cool wind......but
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
There's no one here!!!!!!! Not a fucking single soul. Heck, even the gardeners weren't here. Though they're probably have joined in the search.
But that doesn't matter! What's really important right now is where the heck is that brat hiding?! I checked the gardening shed, the fountains and even the old abandoned well. Luckily I didn't fall in cause I'm not get involved in another isekai adventure.
Through and through but my effort was pointless. He was nowhere in sight. I groaned as I sat down on a wooden bench completely worn out. My small petite body couldn't handle all the running around. Dad did say I really should work on my stamina more.
I leaned back upon the wooden surfer, under the cool shade of the old oak tree beside the bench. The perfect spot for an afternoon nap...was all I could think as my eyelids become heavy. I could barely keep them open before darkness consume my vision of sight while my conscious slowly drift off into a dream....
~ Third Person's P.O.V ~
Soft breathing filled in the air of the quiet garden. The young heiress was sleeping without a single worry in the world. She's completely worn out.
Though she had failed to realise that she wasn't completely alone. Inside the large garden, another had already claimed it as their sanctuary. A peaceful gateway from all the mayhem. However, they didn't expect a little girl to suddenly enter the garden. With her motive written clear in her face.
They couldn't help but watched in amusement as the young girl wondered all about, desperately searching for what? They could easily guess. Their sudden disappearance would bound to cause alarm.
Their clear grey eyes with a hint of tiredness quietly followed her, until she finally gave up and completely clueless, she sat down upon the wooden bench. The very bench under the old oak tree, they were taking a peaceful nap before she had suddenly made an appearance.
The same phrase, 'it's right under your nose' had a hint of irony and a soft chuckle escaped their lips. Without a single sound, they quietly climb down the tree. They only accompany the girl, sitting by her side and analysed her distinguish features.
The long golden blonde hair and the bright sapphire blue eyes. They would be an idiot if they failed to recognize her. Their self proclaim teacher couldn't stop rambling about his precious niece despite no real blood connection.
The young heiress of the Great Claremore Household, a girl to be envy. Living a life that most could only dream of and with that, most children tend to grow rotten. Probably why they never had enjoyed the company of children their own age. But looking at this sleeping girl, they could only wonder if she was the same?
I mean, could a man like their teacher cherish a girl that only cares about her own needs? And not to mention this girl was the very same girl that cause all those rumours.
A young noble heiress with dual-element and one of them being the mysterious dark water element. Fusion elements are usually uncommon but most are usually light fusion element.
Feeling curious, they softly touch her shoulder and concentrate their own magic until they could felt hers. Once upon contact, they could only feel dumbfounded and quietly pulled away from her. They felt strong magic affinity within the girl but it felt like a mess. With her strong magic, she could easily be a great mage if she wishes but could easily be a disaster in a snap.
'I wonder—' their thought was quickly interrupted by a loud presence. Not wanting to be seen, they quickly leapt back at the tree. Their magic concealing them within the tree's benches and leaves.
"CYNTHIA!" The shout didn't only displease them but also awaken the young girl from her peaceful sleep.
"What?" She groaned, glaring in both tiredness and annoyance at the culprit. '—what's with people and rudely waking me up today?!'
"Oho? Trying to playing innocent, my dear sister?" Her brother gritted his teeth at each word. His veins popping in rage growing even worse as the girl only stares at him blankly. "—need I to remind you when you're told to go to your room, you should go to your fucking room!"
Cynthia's eyes widen in shock and Damon smirked at the action, finally, his little sister knows when she's wrong—
"Onii-chan, you shouldn't curse" she only made it worse once she opened her mouth again. Immediately in complete and utter rage, he painfully grabbed her head, crushing it in his palm. "Ah, O-Oi! Stop! That hurts!"
"You don't get to lecture me!!!!" He only squeezed harder while the girl whimpered in pain. "—not to mention, you also knocked me out!"
That caught the girl's attention, her eyes widening in realisation. No wonder her big brother is mad. No one would wanna wake up to a dirty mop. "Ah. Yes, I did Onii-chan but it was an emergency!" She cried.
"Oh really?" He twitched at her trying to make excuses. His grip growing harder without mercy.
"Y-Yeah!"
"Well do tell me what was so important you gotta knock me out and stuff me in a dirty closet?" His patience was growing thin but unfortunately for his sister, she didn't realize it.
"Scavenge hunt?" She didn't even sound confident as Damon exploded at her answer. He immediately hit her head with his fist very hard and very painfully. Cynthia cried out in pain, holding her sore head. "Bakaniki!!!!"
The two siblings continue on arguing as the third party simply watched them from the tree. Their little spat was great entertainment until the siblings eventually left the garden.
The entire household was searching for the whole day and that still couldn't find their missing guest. Ren left the Claremore in disappointment because he couldn't introduce his new disciple to them. But other than that, the day ended without anything out of the norm.
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~ Bonus ~
Ren sighed as he rides back to his own place. The day didn't go as he wanted. If only his disciple wasn't so—
"Well that was something"
"You're telling me" Rent groaned into his palm.
"I told you it would end in failure"
"Yeah I should've— Oi! What the hell you're doing here?!" The red-haired knight gaped at his so-called missing disciple, who was just there, laying in front of him. "Don't tell me you just stayed hidden in the carriage the whole day?!"
"Of course not. Don't be stupid" the disciple yawned. "—I stayed hidden in the garden"
"Like that's any better!" Ren scolded while his disciple only shrugged. "Everyone search for you!"
"Meh"
"Don't 'Meh' me!" Ren scowled with his arms crossed. "You missed out in the Claremore! The Duke's like a brother to me, it was such a waste of time"
"....heh"
"Why you!" The older man could only hold back his words cause his scolding would do nothing for the unmotivated boy. Ren only sighed, leaning back to his seat.
"....but I won't call it a waste" his disciple suddenly spoke.
"Huh?" Ren blinked in surprise that the boy would even react or better yet actually express his own opinion.
"...I found something interesting" was all he said though, despite the short reply, Ren received it with an open heart.
"Really?! What is it?! Something actually caught your eye?"
"...though you wouldn't....encourage it"
"Nonsense! As a teacher, I'll also support my dear disciple's interest! A motivation is all you—"
"It's Cynthia"
"—need to....what did you just say?"
"The girl. She's....odd" his disciple yawned. 'Her magic is something else'
"Go to hell" Ren completely reject it, his fist crackling with spark of lightning. His previous joy was nowhere to be seen and was replaced with complete and utter rage.
"See I told you, you won't like it"
"Oi Raider, if you dare hurt her—"
"I think you're misunderstanding something" his disciple— Raider sighed. "....as usual"
"Eh?" Ren blinked, he didn't get it. When involved certain people, his common sense leaves the building.
"Her magic"
"Oh. You sense her magic" the talented knight was finally using his head. "Her unique magic. Shame Vincent wouldn't let me take her in"
"That sounds wrong. You'll be arrested"
"Geh?!"
"I'll call the Royal Knight on you. How low their Captain has fallen. Disgusting"
"Oi oi! Don't go spreading lies! She's like my own! A daughter!"
"And now he's delusional" Raider sighed.
"Oi!"
The carriage ride wasn't a silent one with Ren's one-sided argument, defending himself against Raider's claims.
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Author Note:
Hey hey hey!!!!! Long time so see～(^з^)-♡
I'm so sorry for not updating lately cause I got accepted to the University of my choice and my classes had started recently.
With the pandemic hovering above the shoulder, the registrations and preparations had been quite troublesome. My classes are also online and would still be that way even when I leave for Campus this August.
Though you guys still put up with this story and it just warms my heart♥(✿ฺ´∀'✿ฺ)ﾉ
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! We even get to meet another character! What do you think about him? Tell me in the comments and don't forget to vote if you wish~
Well, that's all for now and I'll see you all another day! Also, stay safe!