Chapter six: Finally, I belonged here..

30 years ago, the Entero Continent was once peaceful land, up until the demons and magical beasts invade the areas, especially in the western region which brought destruction and chaos. Colossus Empire, one of the mainlands where non-human races currently reside, is also the place near the wasteland, one of the other continents where the magical beasts originate from.

Colossus was almost at the brink of extinction when the 3 allied empires went on full-out war and helped defend the land, it took like a few months just to completely clear out. One of the hardest and most challenging fights they have was that they tried to beat the Demon commander, which they are having a tough time dealing with it. Lots of people died trying to defeat it, when the hope is almost out, one man stood out and fought with it until it was defeated, of course, with the help of his team support, this was an easy peasy for them.

They were called the War Heroes of the Continent, one of them was my Grandfather, the Archduke today. He was the leader of that team who defeated the demon commander, despite many successes and failures before reaching that point, at least they brought peace to the land and ended the Beast war.

Up until now, the continent is at peace as it seems, but mostly some parts of the area were still having magical beasts lurking and hiding around, probably keeping out of sight since their ancestors were survived the previous war.

Archduke Felis Archon Valente, a war hero, a retired Head commander of the Adamante Empire and is currently living as one of the Senior advisors of the Emperor, with the appearance the same as my mother, a red hair, fine characteristics, unselfish and has a great responsibility to his people in his area.

When he was about to retire from the Royal Army, the emperor bestowed him a departure gift, in which he gave him the land from the east, now called the Gardari Empire, one of the extensions of the North.

I forgot to mention that my Grandfather is a wind attribute user, and my mother is one of the geniuses in her era since she has 2 auras, I think she got both of these from her parents since my Grandmother is good at controlling water after all.

At first, the area was filled with different levels of magical beasts, but of course, it is easy for the young war hero to wipe them out and developed land to live on with his people. Up until now, the place was almost at peace but until they didn't expect to discover one of the breeding grounds by accident while on a training expedition of the knights in which it was hidden for a long time, plus the place was very cold, the knights of the easts are having a hard time dealing with them mostly.

Now that we cleared out some of them while traveling, the place is at peace and quiet for a while. Reports or Intel's telling us that there are a few of them left, we just need to wipe em' out after a few days or so, for now, we just need to rest for a bit because we came from a long journey.

After a while, we arrived at the VIP guest lounge where we had our tea and snack time, this is exactly fine as we were tired and hungry because of the fights we had after all these months of traveling. While sipping the warm tea, Grandfather was waiting for the right moment to ask some questions, of course, why would I be here despite my young age? Who are these people that I accompanied with? What happened to those years of no communication?

I signaled the two to leave and take a rest, Grandfather instruct the chief butler to assist both of them to their respective guest rooms, as the people are gone, I took down the cup and stared at him, the area was changed somehow intimidating and serious from before, it seems that the Archduke wants a full detail and story behind these years.

"Grandfather, you know that I don't have the authority and permission to leave the room for 2 years, despite me writing you a letter all the time? I wonder what happen to the letter?"

Yes, I was sending him letters many times before, but the Duke won't allow it for some reason, I think he was trying to cut off the ties between both of them due to what happened in the past. Before when mother was alive, my Grandfather was my closest family member ever since I was a baby, he took care of me together with the Duchess. I know for sure that he loved me, but he didn't accept that the Duke did all of this just because he didn't accept the death of the woman he once had.

"I wouldn't think of you doing that, my dear. Actually, I have been observing you all since before. I have my ways of dealing with it without the Duke knowing." Grandfather said while sipping. Hmm, fascinating and amazing the fact that he has many connections within the empire despite his age.

"Hmm, I have dealt with them already, that is why I'm here now, not a Bloodhound anymore it seems the case" I shrugged.

-*chuckles*-

"I already know that, my Cadyssa. I still can't forgive them for stressing you out. Not so-called a father, Naomi must be very disappointed in them both over there"

"...."

"Actually, I have received letters coming from them over the past few months, the contents are much more like asking of your whereabouts. Looks shocker to them now that you and your maid are missing in the middle of the night without informing them."

"So, are there any other details mentioned?"

"No, I didn't continue reading and just burned the letter over the fireplace because it is getting annoying, I'll instruct the butler to dispose of it if they send it again," Grandfather said as he glanced at the fireplace filled with some burned papers.

"Now that I mentioned escaping, how did you manage to break the barrier?"

"It's a secret, Grandfather, I'll show it to you one of these days when you're free." I showed him my 'hush gesture' sign.

"Well then, please take a rest now, one of the maids will show you your room from now on, come to me after lunch tomorrow, we have some matters to discuss." He stood up as he signals the maid to assist me.

"Yes, Grandfather, goodnight" I stood up as well and kissed him on the cheeks.

I walked towards the door to the hallway, I stopped for a second to turn around to face him and bowed down to show him respect. As I went out to the door, Rebecca was there and waited for me, the maid leads the way towards the 2nd floor of the castle, to where my room is from now on.

As I take a peek at the room, wow, it seems that it is well-maintained and polished, the difference is, it's twice bigger than in my old room. So, Grandfather prepared this in case I visit, I admired his sincerity and love.

"Princess, this is your room from now on, as instructed by the Archduke, please do inform us if there is anything you need," The maid said.

"....."

"I will inform you ahead, miss maid, apologies, it seems my lady is tired and requires to rest for the night. I'll prepare her bath now" Rebecca interrupted knowing that I don't converse much with other people aside from my closest ones.

"Right away, Miss Rebecca, have a great night" The maid bowed and then left the room.

"My lady? Have you not recovered from being unable to speak? You can't just rely on us to pass words to other people" She asked, she knows very well.

"I am still not okay from my trauma, Rebecca, even my emotions are affected as well"

"Bu-but my—"

"Stop Rebecca, there's nothing you can do with this even if you are trying to help, prepare the bath, I'm getting tired and want to lie down" I interrupted her before she says anything so dumb.

"Yes, my lady. Apologies" She went to the washroom and prepared a warm bath for me.

I don't know why, ever since we left the mansion, I kept dreaming myself from my previous life, those traumas I had ever since, I still remember them all, and usually got nightmares from the past, that is why I had a hard time sleeping mostly. I instruct Rebecca to smoke up some Amore fine grass, a type of plant that induces sleep, it makes my mind feels relaxed and calm, I am using this in case I have a bad dream every now and then.

I get out of my bath after a few minutes of staying, my head hurts from thinking randomly again after what Rebecca said to me. I went straight to bed even though my hair was still wet, I didn't want to disturb Rebecca anymore because I already dismissed her to rest for the night.

After a few hours, I still can't sleep, it seems the Amore fine grass is out already. I get off my bed and went straight to the balcony to get some cold air in case this will help me get sleepy, as I dazed at the view around the castle, I still remember the times when I was in my original body, this is some trying to forget all the past memories I had, those bad things happened to me, those final moments before I died, the pain still lingers, ugh, my head, I should stroll around in a bit and drink some water.

I went out of the room and looked around thinking if there are some guards and maids lurking, the hallway was somehow dark, but there is a little bit of light around the walls because of the magic lamps. As I walked along to the kitchen, I took a view of the portraits of our ancestors, man, the Valente family surely has a good bloodline, there are some familiar faces here which they are well-known throughout history because of their talents in magic and swords.

The Valente family is known for geniuses in the Empire, that includes my mother, former Duchess Naomi, one of the greatest ever to use magic because she has two auras, best of all the best in using water and wind, she got the job as a professor in the Royal Academy until I was born.

As I continue walking, when I reached the main stairs of the castle, I stopped at the moment because of one portrait, I saw the most beautiful woman of all, my mother. Her smile was the best and the most charming one I have ever seen, the portrait of her when she was very young, more about like in her teenage years. No wonder men around her age felt for her ever since and offered marriage proposals before.

"Mother….."

"I really looked like her after all, huh…."

Even though I didn't meet her before she died, the past memories of the original Cadyssa were still inside me, her loneliness and grief I still feel after all those years. I took a final glance and proceed on walking to the kitchen, gladly no one was around and I just continue with what I am doing.

I got relieved that I drank a lot of cold water, and returned to my room, as I was getting near, I saw Rebecca at the front door, what the heck is she doing here in the middle of the night.

"Rebecca, aren't you supposed to be sleeping, it is getting late."

"My lady, I was just about to check on you before I rest." She replied.

"I was just thirsty, that's all,"

"You should have woken me up, my lady"

"No, I'm good, plus I want to stroll around the place, the cold air helps me relieved somehow."

"Are you out of the Amore fine grass again? I'll fetch some more, hold on" She left before I was about to say something, oh well.

After a few minutes, Rebecca went in and lit up the fine grass, I guess this will really help me sleep throughout the night now. I instruct her to wake me up before lunch since Grandfather asks me for some important things, Rebecca didn't agree at first but when she realized my situation, she finally agrees, I think she was worried about me not eating breaking or so, whatever it seems.

She bowed down and left the room, as the Amore fine grass smoked around the room, I yawned and before I went to sleep, I didn't realize that I mumbled something, or is it mumbling? I don't remember it after all of that because the effect of the fine grass is working somehow.

"Mother…. I missed you…"

The morning passed, Rebecca woke up me as instructed, ugh, I didn't want to move after late-night sleep, as I turned on the side and hugged the pillow, she instantly opened the curtain near me, of course, I felt the sunlight rays into my eyes, I can also hear Rebecca's nagging again.

"My lady, wake up, it is almost lunchtime, have you forgotten the meeting with your Grandfather?"

"Ughhh, no, give me more time, Rebecca, please," I said while rubbing my eyes because it hurts so much.

"No way, wake up and head straight to the washroom, I already prepared a bath" She chuckled while trying to remove my blanket.

"Fine, fine. Where is Leika at this time?"

"He is at the study next room, as usual, a book freak"

"Okay, tell him to wait for me after this, we have to discuss our plans soon"

"Yes, my lady."

Times passed, and as I left the room, I greeted the butler that was waiting for me all this time. He guided us to where Grandfather is, as we are walking, the butler is also touring us around to make us familiarized with the castle since this will be my home starting today. After a few minutes, we are at the biggest door at the end of the hallway, far right of the Valente castle, this is where Grandfather's office is, huh.

The butler knocked on the door to inform them that I have arrived for the meeting, I heard his voice saying that we are allowed to get inside. Once inside, I saw him standing at the window, behind his desk, holding his teacup, seems like he enjoyed the view outside, the butler offered me to sit down on the sofa in front of Grandfather's desk, I instruct Rebecca to wait on the other room, which was the guest room and rest.

Grandfather told the butler to prepare some food inside since it is lunchtime after all, when the butler left the room, the Archduke stopped drinking his tea and put it aside then went straight to the sofa in front of me.

"Have you got a goodnight's rest, Cadyssa?" He said.

"Yes, Grandfather, although I'm having insomnia beforehand, at least the bed is comfy and soft."

"I see, that's unfortunate, would you like me to summon the Physician?"

"No need, Grandfather, I'm fine since we are traveling before, of course, you can't just sleep peacefully when there is a monster around you."

"Oh ho, so you are the one who cleared up those monsters, no wonder I didn't get many reports from my intels."

"Yes, Grandfather, apologies, I got some information from my sources that you guys having a hard time dealing with them since you are focusing on the North."

"Oh dear, that seems true, those Northers are getting annoying these past few months, I think it is regarding the—"

"The Crown Princess Selection and the Crown Prince's coming of age ceremony, isn't it?" I interrupted, I already know all of these, makes sense as to why Grandfather is stressed all this time.

The Crown Prince's coming of age ceremony, so it seems they will be announced it sooner huh, Grandfather was the Emperor's advisor, after all, the selection for the Crown Prince, it must be that annoying boy, Albert Noir Adamante, the oldest son, as the story will be progressed in the later future.

Emperor and Empress Adamante have 3 children, Albert being the oldest, and the two princesses namely, Shaina Chelsea and Sharina Chestesse, the twin sisters. I will meet them soon at the Royal Academy, no choice, I'll just avoid them as usual, I hate to be a part of their circle, to prevent my death flag.

"HAHAHAHAHAH! Oh my, your sources are good, I must say."

"I have my own ways, Grandfather, that is why I'm helping you in regards to these matters in the East. Most of the breeding grounds are already dealt with. The other problem is that the high-tiered ones are left, somehow their intelligence is higher compared to the lower ones."

"Hmm, that seems to be the case. We'll get to that soon, there is no need to rush"

"Yes, Grandfather"

Moments later, the butler, together with the maids, went inside the room, knowing that it was a food trolley they have brought in, I can hear my stomach grumbling, oh yeah, I didn't eat breakfast after all. As we started eating, we discussed some other matters regarding my stay in the castle.

"So, now that you are here, I have some paperwork for you to sign up, I'll handle the rest."

"Hmm, what is it, Grandfather?"

"I'll tell you later after lunch, we have a long day, no worries."

"Yes"

After eating, Grandfather called me out and went outside the room, he instructs me to follow him to the Library, where we discussed some important things. I glanced around the library and saw some books that were filled with history and records from the past war, it seems that some of them are not yet fully released or are rare copies, I'll check on them later then.

"Cadyssa, sit down," Grandfather said and then told the butler to prepare some tea and snacks while we were at it.

"You are not part of the Bloodhound anymore, I recommend you to be part of the Valente household instead, in short, I'm adopting you, my dear"

"That's fine for me since this was my plan all along."

"Very well, please sign here then" Grandfather pointed out where I should sign, the contents were like the adoption papers, I read them thoroughly and write my name in the end.

"Thank you, Grandfather"

"From now on, you are the sole heir of the Valente family, Cadyssa Von Valente, my only granddaughter and the daughter of the former genius of the empire, Naomi Sandra Valente."

"I will never let you down, Grandfather"