Chapter 5

The cold, hard ground beneath me felt strangely familiar as I stirred awake. Disoriented and groggy, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. The dim light cast eerie shadows on the dungeon walls, triggering a vague sense of déjà vu.

As my vision cleared, the realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. This was the labyrinth's dungeon—the very place Noah and I had faced the time demon. But something was different. A message, glowing faintly in the air, caught my attention.

My eyes widened as I read the inscription suspended before me. The words seemed to dance with an ethereal glow, casting an otherworldly light on the damp stones of the dungeon. The message was clear, concise, and filled with both hope and uncertainty.

"You have returned to a year in the past. You have 24 hours before your present catches up with you. Face the time demon again to reshape your fate."

The weight of those words sank deep into my core. A mix of emotions surged within me—confusion, apprehension, and a flicker of determination. The labyrinth, it seemed, was not just a maze of physical challenges but a complex tapestry woven with the threads of time.

As I rose to my feet, the air crackled with residual temporal energy. The familiar twists and turns of the labyrinth beckoned, but this time, they held a promise—a chance to alter the course of destiny. The message hung in the air, a silent reminder of the limited time granted to rewrite our story.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for the challenges that lay ahead. The seconds ticked away, a constant reminder of the temporal constraints we faced. Noah, standing beside me, mirrored a mix of determination and uncertainty.

"Twenty-four hours," I murmured, my voice barely audible in the dungeon's silence. "Let's make every moment count."

The labyrinth, now a realm of temporal possibilities, awaited our return. The inscription, a guiding light in the temporal darkness, spurred us forward. As we ventured out of the labyrinth, the echoes of our footsteps seemed to synchronize with the ticking of time, a rhythmic march toward a destiny we aimed to reshape.

We decided to go to the market to buy a few supplements to increase our powers during the battle. We are underage so it's not possible for us to buy these things. We will have to give the vendors extra for them to give us the stuff as well as stay quiet about it.

The market bustled with activity, merchants hawking their wares, and the aroma of various foods wafting through the air. Noah and I navigated through the lively crowd, our eyes scanning the stalls for potions or supplements that could enhance our strength. The weight of the impending confrontation with the time demon lingered in the back of our minds, urging us to prepare as much as we could.

As we perused the market's offerings, we unexpectedly stumbled upon Luka, my cousin. He was engaged in animated conversation with a vendor, examining some trinkets on display. The sight of him brought an unexpected mix of emotions, and my eyes flickered with a brief hesitation before I approached him. However, I turned around trying to hide from him. It won't be good to meet him here.

"Amy!" he called out, a forced cheerfulness in his voice.

I turned, a sheepish smile taking over my face. "Amaryllis! What brings you here?" He asked, his gaze flickering momentarily to Noah. My secret of being a noble is in danger. It was also more so because he was just there with the escorts and not hiding his identity like me. The moment he called me out, I knew the cat was out of the hat. The whole market place turned to look at me as Luka approached.

"Wh-Who's Amaryllis? I am Amy," I desperately tried to hide my identity.

Noah and I exchanged a quick glance, recognizing the complexity of the situation at that moment. It was evident that he knew exactly who I was. Also, I was scared if I would be able to go to the labyrinth at all now. How will this even impact my relationship with Noah? Will he treat me like some rich lady now? Will the casualness between us… disperse?

Luka, oblivious to the undercurrents, gestured towards the vendor's display. "In your dream world." He chuckled and added, "Check these out. They're authentic relics from ancient civilizations. Fascinating, aren't they?"

We approached the display, I mustered a polite smile. "Yeah, fascinating," my eyes flitted between the artefacts and Noah.

Luka's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he shared tidbits about the historical significance of each item. The conversation flowed, but beneath the surface, I was wrestling with conflicting emotions. The market visit had taken an unexpected turn, and the weight of unspoken family dynamics hung in the air.

Luka, always the playful tease, nudged me suddenly and said with a mischievous grin, "Sneaking out for a date, huh? You're getting adventurous!"

I rolled my eyes. Why does he even have to talk about something like this right now? I am worried about the battle. I can't focus on this right now. "It's not a date, Luka." I replied, annoyed. "Just stocking up on supplies."

Luka chuckled, his tone teasing. "Whatever you say, cousin. Just be careful out there."

The banter continued, blending the complexities of familial bonds with the impending challenges the labyrinth presented. Noah, always attuned to my cues, maintained a supportive presence by her side. As we continued exploring the market, the preparations for our impending battle with the time demon took a temporary backseat to the complex tapestry of family relationships.

After a lot of convincing, he agreed to help us buy supplies and not say anything about it. We ended up buying some potions to increase our magical ability and stamina. Luka then asked us to go home and eat something. We denied because we were in a hurry but at the end, he forced me to come saying that he will complain to Uncle about my little sneak out journey. Noah said that I should go while he took care of other things but Luka dragged Noah too. Noah looked uncomfortable but didn't say anything. He's changing… He's changing because of my noble status. What will happen when I am with him again while fighting?

The atmosphere at the Raven household shifted as we stepped through the door. I saw my mother… It's almost been a year since she left home… I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. The familiar scent of home clashed with the unspoken tension that lingered in the air. She was engrossed in a book when we came in.

"Luka, my dear, how wonderful to see you," she greeted with a warm smile, rising to her feet to embrace him. The genuine affection in her tone was impossible to ignore.

"Duchess Violin," Luka replied, returning the embrace but casting a quick, almost apologetic glance in my direction.

I stood there, feeling the weight of my mother's indifference, the sting of disappointment welling up within me. It had been so long since I'd seen her, and I had hoped for a connection, a moment of acknowledgment. Instead, her attention was reserved for Luka, leaving me on the periphery of her world. But it made sense, for her, she never left until now, however, it was me who came from the future. For her, I have been seeing her everyday but Luka was the guest.

Noah, sensing the palpable discomfort, shot me a sympathetic look. I tried to hide the hurt behind a thin veil of composure and be understanding but the ache in my chest was undeniable.

"And who would this gentleman be?" My mother glanced over at Noah.

"Duchess, this is Noah, a friend from the village," Luka said, introducing Noah with a forced smile.

My mother spared him a cursory glance, offering a polite nod. "Noah, a pleasure," she acknowledged before turning her attention back to Luka. Her voice suddenly turned cold, "But the last time I checked, villagers didn't wear gold ornaments and silken robes." She looked up and down at him. Noah paused for a moment. He seemed taken aback.

But what she said was true. Noah always wore gold ornaments like a gold headband and bracelets. Along with diamond rings and silver anklets. Also the silken robes he wore and his veil was so light when it fell back then… It's not something that a commoner can afford. It seemed to be the highest quality silk available. Even his eating manners are not like commoners. He definitely is something more than he let on for others.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he flashed a courteous smile at her and remarked, "I encountered Sir Luka in the village. That doesn't imply my allegiance lies with the village. Besides, the last time I checked," his gaze transformed, the warmth replaced by an icy demeanour, "mothers typically didn't ignore their daughters."

And now my mother has pissed off Noah. The answer left my mother shocked and she decided to not continue this conversation further and shifted her attention to Luka and said, "Now, tell me about your recent endeavors, Luka."

Luka, caught in the crossfire of familial dynamics, stuttered through an account of his experiences and adventures. I observed the exchange, the disparity in treatment between Luka and me becoming increasingly evident. At the end, he stood quite and couldn't say anything.

Noah, sensing the discomfort in the room, decided to interject, attempting to shift the focus. "We were just at the market, Duchess. Amy and Luka were catching up on family matters." He answered in Luka's stead.

My mother glanced briefly in my direction, her gaze cool and detached. "How delightful. Family is, indeed, important."

The sting of her words cut deep, and I found myself yearning for a connection that seemed elusive. Luka, sensing the awkwardness, tried to steer the conversation towards a safer territory. However, the underlying tension lingered beneath the surface of our family gathering.

As conversation continued, the subtle moments of interaction between my mother and me were marked by an unsettling silence. Luka, in an attempt to diffuse the discomfort, engaged in small talk, but the air remained heavy with unspoken words.

Noah, ever the observant friend, shot me a supportive glance, silently acknowledging the emotional turmoil I was experiencing. The contrast between the warmth bestowed upon Luka and the cold indifference directed at me left wounds that went deeper than the labyrinth's challenges.

It went on for quite a while. I couldn't even leave. I didn't dare to. I thought the Amaryllis from a year ago would be punished. The time was running out. Noah was also trapped in this mess. I felt powerless. It was quite weird that Amy, who could kill hundreds of monsters, felt weak in front of her mother because she was not paying attention to her. Who knew I could be hurt by something like this. I thought I had become stronger…

At the end, I thought it was a waste and gave up on the last hope left. I sighed thinking of how useless I actually am. But, I don't wish to be like this. I need to speak up and leave. I can't waste time like this.

"Mother," I began tentatively, my voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I—"

Before I could finish, Noah took the lead, stepping forward with a quiet assertiveness. "We'll be taking our leave now," he announced, his tone holding an edge of finality.

My mother finally directed her gaze toward us, her eyes flitting over Noah as if he were an inconsequential presence. Luka, caught in the awkward tension, observed the scene with a mix of confusion and concern.

Noah's hand found its way back to my shoulder, a subtle gesture of support. "She has better places to be," he continued, his words carrying a weight that demanded acknowledgment.

My mother's response was a dismissive glance, her attention swiftly returning to her conversation with Luka. The atmosphere in the room grew more strained by the second.

Noah guided me toward the door, the threshold between a stifling past and an uncertain future. As we stepped into the fading daylight, leaving the indifference behind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation. Noah's presence, steadfast and unwavering, offered a glimmer of hope amid the shadows of familial discord.

The door closed behind us, shutting out the dissonance of a home that had ceased to provide solace. In that moment, as we walked away from the echoes of indifference, I found strength in the camaraderie forged in the labyrinth of life—a friendship that transcended the barriers of blood and kinship.

"It was not my intention to hurt you," he said, sincerity coloring his voice in the quiet rented room of the inn. "I observed you on the verge of speaking up for yourself, a determination and unease in your demeanor. But, she is your mother, and there might be a chance to mend your relationship with her. On the other hand, it seemed apparent to me that she had already formed a negative opinion of me. In such cases, people tend to stick to their initial impressions, regardless of subsequent actions. I believed it would be more acceptable for me to embrace the role of the one she dislikes, sparing you from falling further in her eyes. I am sorry if this approach hurt you back then."

Even the way he speaks is very formal. Just who is he?

However, I accepted his sincere apology. There will come a time when we will talk about our true identities. However, that time is not now. For now, I have other things to do. Other important things…