Chapter 6: Mother's Remnants

'HE IS crazy, very crazy!'

A ruby emerald is one of the rarest and most exquisite jewels known to mankind.

It has a combination of both ruby and emerald whilst the color mixes with each other, creating an infusion of both colors, also considered rare because of the quality of mana that it contains.

It can even hold up to a dragon's lifeforce and can withstand all disasters, but within the early stage of its formation can it be considered as fragile.

If it reaches maturation, it can never be crushed nor broken.

'That crazy emperor! Doesn't he know how hard it is to find a ruby emerald?! That thing is the rarest of them all! What's worse, he wants to put it on my head?!'

Alesteria knew what the ruby emerald can do. It was, after all, her own creation.

The ruby emerald was just an accidental jewel created when she was beginning to control her powers centuries ago. It was a combination of her raw mana and the mana of a dragon, her friend.

That is the reason why it can hold a dragon's lifeforce, but also why it is fragile in its early stages.

It can only be found in the mountains of where she once lived, growing exponentially in number as it is hidden away from the world.

She knew that the ruby emerald is known to the people, as much as she wants to hide it, and knowing that the emperor wants her tiara to be adorned by her past mistake is something she strongly disagrees with.

'No! He can't! That thing will automatically put a bounty on my head, literally!'

Alesteria knew that she has to prevent the emperor from putting the jewels on the tiara.

She knows what will happen if she didn't.

"B-Bella! Bella!"

A distressed voice echoed inside the room making Alesteria stopped drinking her milk as a maid rushed inside, her hair is a mess and her clothes are unkempt.

Bella stopped folding the princess' blankets and turned to the maid, her forehead slightly knotted as she looked at her.

"What is it? Why are you shouting your lungs off?"

The maid paused for a moment to catch her breath, her chest rising up and down rapidly as her mouth was agape to breathe in the air quickly.

"T-The Duke! Duke Lidloch is here!"

Alesteria raised an eyebrow.

'Lidloch? Who is that?'

"D-Duke L-Lidloch?!"

The maid nodded.

"Yes! And she wants to meet the princess!"

Bella's eyes widened at this statement as she immediately placed all the folded blankets on one cabinet then went to Alesteria's side

"Princess, pardon me but we have to get you ready."

Alesteria frowned, her mealtime has been cut short by the visitor.

'Great. Another disturbance.’

Bella, the nanny, didn't notice the frown on her face and continued to dressing her up and preparing her for the guest.

She clothed Alesteria in a lovely pink frock with a pink bonnet that was adorned with a ribbon and white stockings.

Alesteria saw herself briefly and did a double-take on the mirror, smirking at how cute she was. Her silver-blonde hair pokes out from behind the cap as her plump legs dangle from Bella's arms, her arms tight to her chest.

'I look cute today.' She commented as the blue eyes staring back at her sparkled.

She was busy staring at herself and complimenting her appearance that she didn't notice a brown-haired woman entering the room.

She was tall, taller than the ladies in the room, and as she walks in her lapis-colored eyes landed on the baby looking at her reflection intently.

Morgaine paused for a moment and stared at the baby, seeing the resemblance between Alana and Xerxes on her.

'She mostly got her looks from Alana. That's a relief.' She whispered in her mind as she walked even further.

Alesteria didn't notice her at first but when she felt enormous mana present in the room, she tore her eyes away from the mirror to look at the source of the mana.

From there, she saw a brown-haired woman with lapis-colored eyes, a tall figure clothed in pants, and a sleeved top that looked like what female knights wear.

'Is she a captain? A commander of the knights?' Alesteria asked herself, still looking straight at the unfamiliar woman.

'Hmm, she looks strong too.'

Morgaine, who was unaware of Alesteria's thoughts, smiled a little at the baby. She is making sure that she lessened her mana as to not scare the baby while cautiously minding her actions.

She knew her, and her mana can be a bit rough sometimes.

"Hello, baby." Her voice was soft but there is a bit of roughness to it.

Alesteria tilted her head and read Morgaine's mana, seeing if she has bad intentions towards her. 

Morgaine was concerned that the infant was being impacted by her mana when she didn't respond to Morgaine's welcome, so she decided to reduce it even more than she typically does.

Alesteria saw what she was doing and mentally nodded, concluding that this woman has good intentions.

"Obwuavhu!" (Hello!)

Morgaine looked surprised at Alesteria's babbling but she immediately smiled at the baby and went close to her.

Bella smiled at the sight of Morgaine and subtly bowed to her before placing Alesteria in her arms.

Morgaine welcomed her gently and even slowly rocked back and forth.

"Hi, baby. I'm Morgaine, your mother's friend." Morgaine introduced herself as Alesteria reaches her hand out.

'My mother?'

"Your highness, she is Duke Morgaine Lidloch. She used to be your mother, the late empress', superior."

'Oh, so that's why I thought she is a commander.'

Alesteria knew Alana, she heard stories about her knighthood days even in the mountains because the fairies love to gossip about everything.

She just happens to overhear this particular gossip but it became handy.

'Those fairies did well this time.'

"She is also the previous empress before Empress Alana."

'Ahh, she is the emperor's first wife...WAIT, WHAT?!'

Alesteria turned her head sharply at Morgaine, who was just staring lovingly at her, as Alesteria's mind was shocked at this fact.

'Then, does that mean...'

The one who is holding Alesteria is the mother of Aldrich and Aimilios.

'I retract what I said! This woman might have some bad motives!'

Alesteria raises her guard again and is wary of Morgaine, believing she came here to get rid of her or something now that Alana is gone.

'She could take the seat as the empress if she wants to.' She thought, feeling suspicious at Morgaine.

'Wait, maybe she is here to see if she can take me down? I am still the great witch of the mountains, no matter what my body looks like! I can take her out with a single flick of my finger!'

The woman in question had other plans in mind though.

She was thinking of talking to her sons and telling them to protect Alesteria, to keep her away from nobles who want to take advantage of her, and to never let her get hurt.

After all, Alesteria is her dearest friend's only precious child.

Alesteria tried to move away from Morgaine's arms as she doesn't trust her much but she was suddenly hit with a feeling of serenity in Morgaine's arms.

The type of mana Morgaine was exuding is peace and tranquility, which made Alesteria quite ticklish.

"Kyaaaaa~"

The mana feels like a delicate feather brushing over her skin, caressing and tickling her. Morgaine didn't appear to be the type to have this kind of mana, so she was surprised to feel it.

Morgaine appeared rigid and harsh, with a commanding presence that made you feel afraid.

'How nice. This feels nostalgic.' Alesteria thought.

'Wait, no! I don't trust this woman---'

"You know, I have brought you something of Alana's. It's not much, but it's all I have left of her belongings." Morgaine spoke, breaking Alesteria's thoughts as her eyes drifted to the gift she brought along.

'Huh? A gift?'

Bella responded quickly and took the gift from the bag, causing Alesteria to relax once again as her gaze was drawn to the gift.

It was a black velvet box that is plain on the outside but as soon as it was opened, little diamonds are embedded on the top and side part of the box.

Inside the box was a brooch of Painite, a rare type of gem that can hold a huge amount of mana depending on the size.

From the looks of it, the Painite is big enough to hold at least half of a person's mana.

'That belongs to mother?!'

Alesteria knew what a Painite is, of course, but she has never seen one in person as it can only be seen in controlled environments. More so, it is a rare item to have.

'Why am I surrounded by so many rare gems?! What is this kingdom?!'

"It was a gift of your father to your mother when they were still dating. I think your mother forgot that she had this and left it in my care, but now that you are here, I will be giving it to you."

Alesteria's amazement suddenly vanished from the mere mention of the emperor.

'Of course, the emperor will give this to mother. What is up with the emperor giving away rare gems?!'

Alesteria mentally shook her head and almost rolled her eyes at her thought but held it in, eyes still glued to the gem.

'Well, I once wished to see a Painite so I guess dreams do come true.'

Alesteria just accepted it just like that.

Bella then closed the box and smiled at Alesteria, noting how intrigued she was with it since she recognized it as Alana's brooch. When in reality, Alesteria just really likes the gem.

"I will place with the rest of your jewels, duke." Bella informed Morgaine.

Morgaine nodded.

"Please do so. That is Alana's gift to the baby."

Morgaine then looked at the clock and sighed in dismay, her time spending with Alesteria is coming to an end.

She gave Alesteria back to Bella as she caressed her face, which made Alesteria giggled.

"I'm sad that our time is short, but I'll try to visit you again."

Alesteria understands what Morgaine is saying, so she looked her in the eyes and appraised her; nevertheless, seeing that she was good and provided a wonderful present, she declared that she liked Morgaine.

Alesteria gave her a sincere smile.

'Hmm, okay fine. You're good in my book. Come back soon with another gift.'

Alesteria is also easily persuaded with gifts this rare.

Morgaine was shocked, her feet frozen in her tracks as Alesteria's smiling face overlapped with Alana's.

It is the same smile.

The same crinkling at the corner of the eyes, the wide grin that would always make her shine, and the softness of her eyes.

Morgaine laughed a little, shaking her head and sighing in sadness.

She suddenly remembered Alana.

"Be well, little baby."

She then stared at Alesteria again and reached her hand out to Alesteria as she slowly touched her head.

'Be well, Alana's daughter.'