"Elen, wake up,” Lorie’s voice pierced through the haze of Elen’s consciousness, pulling her back from the clutches of a deep slumber. Her eyelids fluttered as she struggled to focus, the familiar contours of Lorie’s concerned face coming into view. “Elen, wake up or else the dean will scold you,” Lorie persisted, her voice tinged with urgency.
Groaning softly, Elen tried to shake off the remnants of sleep, her mind still clouded with confusion. “Lorie?” she muttered, her voice faint and laden with disbelief. “Is this the afterlife?” she murmured, barely audible even to herself, the weight of such a thought bearing down on her. Pinching her own arm, she recoiled at the searing pain that shot through her, grounding her firmly in the present.“What are you saying? Afterlife? Do you have a fever again?” Lorie’s worried tone cut through Elen’s thoughts, the concern evident in her eyes. “You had a high fever last night, I was scared to death,” Lorie continued, her words laced with anxiety, her hand reaching out to check Elen’s temperature.“Lorie, how old am I?” Elen’s voice wavered, her confusion palpable. “Did I really get reborn?” she muttered, the weight of her questions heavy in the air.“Did you hit your head? You’re 16 years old right now,” Lorie responded, her tone a mix of reassurance and bewilderment, as if questioning Elen’s sudden lapse in understanding. “Wash yourself and come to the dining room. Hurry up, you’re going to meet your new parents today,” Lorie urged, her words swiftly changing the course of their conversation. With a gentle pat on Elen’s shoulder, Lorie left the room, leaving Elen to grapple with her bewildering reality.As she lay in bed, Elen’s mind raced, piecing together fragments of memories from a lifetime that seemed achingly familiar yet impossibly distant. A small, incredulous laugh bubbled from her lips as she realized the opportunity that lay before her – the chance for retribution. Their sins, their cruelty, their treachery – they would pay. The Duke of Windsor, the specter of her past torment, loomed large in her thoughts, a palpable target for her fury.Elen’s mind lingered on painful memories of the past. Today marked the anniversary of when the Duke of Windsor had taken her, but she was determined not to let the same thing happen again. With grit in her eyes, she vowed to break free from the grip of her history.“This is just the beginning. I won’t let the Duke of Windsor and Addison get away with what they did,” Elen declared. “I need to gather my thoughts.”Deciding to sketch out her plan, Elen’s first step was to uncover information about fairies and her own lineage. She was eager to find other fairies and understand what had happened to them, especially why she had been abandoned.“I’m a fairy, so why has my life been so difficult? I also need to find the boy in the cell,” Elen mused.Quiet as a ghost, she slipped through the orphanage halls and made her way to the back door. As she stepped into the bustling market, a sense of freedom washed over her. But her joy was short-lived, as she collided with a familiar figure in the crowd.Face to face with the Duke of Windsor, Elen was reminded of the suffering she had endured. Despite her fierce desire for vengeance, her small stature left her feeling powerless and trapped between determination and helplessness.“Are you Elen?” the Duke of Windsor asked, his seemingly friendly tone masking its deceptiveness.“Why did you run away from the orphanage, Elen?” the dean demanded, his anger palpable as he drew closer, giving her a warning pinch. The Duke and his group closed in, intensifying the tension.“What’s the issue here?” A chilling voice cut through the air, as the Grand Duke of Adelstein and his knights approached. Elen recognized the Grand Duke, rumored to have descended into madness after the tragic deaths of his wife and young princess. Rumors hinted at a connection between their family and dragons, their blood carrying a mysterious poison.In that moment, she realized that fate had brought Adelstein into her path. This was her opportunity, her chance to manipulate their power for her own purpose. They would become her pawn in the game of vengeance, a means to reclaim what was taken from her. In this life, she vowed to bring swift and merciless retribution upon all those who had inflicted suffering upon her.“Greeting to the grand duke of Adelstein,” the dean greeted, flanked by the knights of Windsor. The contrast between Adelstein and Windsor was stark. The powerful presence of the Grand Duke of Adelstein overshadowed the insignificance of the Windsor duke.“Why are you here, grand duke?” the Duke of Windsor inquired with a smile that concealed his sinister intentions. In her past life, she had witnessed the Duke’s animosity towards Adelstein, driven by envy of their military and political power. They had plotted to destroy Adelstein, and she suspected their involvement in the deaths of the Adelstein duchess and princess.His gaze locked on her, his eyes exuding icy coldness. She didn’t look away but met his stare with a determined gaze, silently conveying, “Take me, and I can bring value to your family.” At that moment, she glimpsed a faint smirk playing on his lips.“Child, come with me,” the grand duke of Adelstein beckoned, reaching out his arm toward her. As she started to move toward him, the Duke of Windsor seized her arm.“You can’t take this child, grand duke of Adelstein. I intend to adopt her,” the Duke of Windsor declared, still gripping her arm tightly, his touch making her feel sick to her stomach. She despised it with every fiber of her being.“Do not dare test my patience, Dominic Windsor,” the grand duke hissed, his icy presence chilling the very air. The room fell silent as a bone-chilling aura engulfed all. Trembling with fear, they watched as the duke’s iron grip tightened around her, leaving her no choice but to sink her teeth into his flesh with all her might. Blood spilled and, fueled by desperation, she broke free, sprinting towards the knights of Adelstein.“Bravo, child,” the grand duke of Adelstein praised, his voice filled with praises.Pointing his furious finger at her, Dominic Windsor seethed with anger. In an instant, the knights, both Adelstein and Windsor, drew their swords, the tension between the two dukes electrifying the room.“Halt!” the duke of Windsor’s voice finally surrendered, and his knights reluctantly sheathed their weapons. “This is not over, little one. I shall bring you back,” he spat, storming off.As she watched them depart, one by one, a sinister gleam sparked within her. “Duke of Windsor, mark my words. This is merely the inception. I shall never repeat the same mistake, and your family shall endure a hundredfold of suffering,” she whispered, a vow dripping with vengeance.The grand duke of Adelstein looked at her and said, “Follow me to the carriage.” She hesitantly followed him, her heart pounding with fear. This was the first time she had met the Grand duke in person, and his presence was overwhelming. In her past life, she would have been trembling and in tears by now. They reached the carriage, and the grand duke waited for her to climb inside. But being so small, she couldn’t reach the floor. Embarrassment washed over her face. Should she ask for help? Before she could decide, to her surprise, the grand duke lifted her up. “So small,” he chuckled, while the knights laughed at the sight. Her face turned red. It wasn’t her fault she was so short. She quickly scurried inside and sat on the opposite side of the carriage. “Well, child. Speak,” the grand duke said, his eyes filled with curiosity. She took a deep breath before answering, fully aware that this was her chance to prove herself. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. “I can heal your
They reached the grand house of the duke of Adelstein at three pm. As Elen looked out of the carriage window, she saw a line of people waiting at the front door to welcome the grand duke. The butler and head maid stood at the front with eager expressions. When the duke stepped out of the carriage, instead of leaving, he opened the door and glanced at Elen. It was as if he was silently telling her to join them. Nervously, she revealed herself to the crowd, her heart racing. The onlookers, especially the old butler, appeared shocked by her presence. “Grand Duke?” the old butler called out, seemingly in disbelief. Feeling uneasy under their gazes, Elen quickly moved to stand behind the duke. “Don’t frighten the child. Mathilda, assist her to the library,” the grand duke instructed, removing his coat. “Butler, come with me.” With that, he left Elen in the midst of the others. The kind head maid approached Elen and showed her to the library. Though they h
In the hush of the evening, Elen's eyes opened slowly, the glow of the bedside clock illuminating the room. The time, nine in the evening, shocked her. With a sudden burst of energy, she sprang from the bed and raced to the door. Her small frame strained as she pushed it open and made her way down the long corridor, marveling at the grandness of the house. "This place is massive," she whispered to herself. Lost in the labyrinth of hallways, she wandered until she stumbled upon the garden."It's so beautiful," she breathed, gazing at the colorful flowers. "I wish I was just born normal. Maybe I could live peacefully."Elen strolled through the garden, touching the petals of each flower. She was captivated until her eyes fell on a striking red rose in full bloom. A prick of a thorn caused her to yelp as blood oozed from the tiny wound. She gazed at the injury, the blood slowly oozing out, and pondered, "It doesn't hurt me anymore." Her delicate fingers were stained crimson, yet she fel
Early in the morning, the gentle sound of footsteps heralded the arrival of the maids entering Elen's luxurious chamber. Upon noticing her engaged in tidying her bed and preparing for her morning ritual, they quickly rushed to her, halting her in her tracks."Lady!" Rami's voice resonated through the room, causing Elen to startle and turn to them with wide eyes, visibly taken aback by the unexpected interruption."What's wrong?" Elen’s voice held a mixture of confusion and nervousness, as she wondered if she had somehow erred in her actions."Lady, you don't need to concern yourself with tidying your room. That's our responsibility. And if you require assistance with your morning ablutions, simply summon us. We are here to serve you," Rora spoke with kindness, her warm smile radiating an air of reassurance as they efficiently assisted in setting her bed in order."But I'm not a child," Elen objected, her feeble protest lingering in the air, only to be met by the maids' laughter, their
Elen stared longingly out of her window, her desire to go outside growing stronger by the second. How could she possibly find a reason to leave? The air felt heavy with the weight of her yearning for freedom. Suddenly, Rami's suggestion to buy something for her brothers offered a glimmer of hope. Elen seized upon the idea, seeing it as the perfect excuse to step outside, knowing full well that there was something she needed to check on for her own benefit. "Yes! Let's buy something for my brothers!" Elen chimed in, a sense of relief evident in her smile. "Alright, but first we need the permission of the grand duke," Rora declared, dashing off to seek the duke's approval. As she waited for Rora's return, Elen took the opportunity to meticulously plan their purchases. She considered what gifts would bring joy to her brothers and, after much thought, settled on the idea of buying watch for them. And lastly, she needed to go to that place. Meanwhile, Ram
As the sun went down, Maxwell and Elliot got their things ready to leave the academy. They seemed serious and focused. Maxwell had silver hair and red eyes, looking determined and strong, wearing a blue cloak that made him seem mysterious and powerful. Elliot, his twin, had black hair and intense red eyes, with a strong passion for magic that showed in the energy around his fingers. They were twins, but very different. Maxwell studied warfare and was skilled in strategy, while Elliot was a prodigy in magic, obsessed with its secrets. " Hey, Max! do you think father is really serious this time?" Elliot asked while adjusting the straps on his horse. "Maybe? Maybe not" Chandler said, " You know, I'm also curious what made father adopt her" "Yes, I'm also curious about that. We knew father, he won't make a decision unless he benefits from it." Elliot said while pondering for a minute, "When will big brother come back?" "I'm not sure. Big broth
The night was calm and peaceful, with a gentle breeze brushing through the neighborhood. Most residents were winding down, their homes illuminated by soft glows from windows. However, for Lucas and his mother, the tranquility was disrupted by the frantic bustle of packing. The sound of hastily zipping suitcases and the hurried shuffling of belongings filled the air. Lucas, a 16-year-old boy with striking red hair and piercing golden eyes, neatly folded his clothes and carefully stowed away his personal items. "Lucas, let's pack up quickly," His mother's eyes betrayed an undercurrent of panic as she moved about the room, checking and double-checking that everything was ready to go. "Mom, why do we have to leave? I like living here," Lucas said while packing his stuff. Despite the urgency, the warmth of their home still lingered, and Lucas couldn't help but feel a twinge of reluctance to leave behind the familiarity of their current abode. "Lucas, you trust me, right?" his mother ask
Margaret stood frozen in the corner, a tangle of confusion and worry knotting in her chest as she watched her brother, Cain, holding hands with a stranger in a place she didn't recognize. Her throat tightened, and she found it hard to speak, but she managed to call out to him. "Brother," she said, her voice trembling with uncertainty. Cain and Elen, jumped at the sound of Margaret's voice. Cain hurried over to his sister, his eyes wide with fear and concern. He did his best to explain how they had come to be in Elen's room, hoping to ease Margaret's worries. As Cain spoke, Margaret took in the unfamiliar surroundings and tried to make sense of the situation. Her mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. With her red curly hair framing her anxious face and her piercing violet eyes searching for answers, she finally began to understand the series of events that had led them here. "Thank you so much for helping us, Sister," Margaret said, her eyes filled with admiration