CHAPTER 59: Marquess Erisen Morvain.

A tiring day has come to an end. Me and my family learned a lot of things about the past and my curse. So annoying. I feel like the world has abandoned me yet again. But, knowing that there are people around me who are ready to help, I can't fully say that I am abandoned by the world.

Living in a fantasy world sure is difficult.

I feel like I am some female lead of a manhwa or a novel because of all these complicated things that I am experiencing. If that's true, I'll really hate the author of my story.

Haha—dang, can't I just live peacefully?

"Master, are you alright?" Eri asked, flying in front of me. I smiled at her as I nod my head, spreading my hands close to her. She landed on my palm and takes a seat there.

"You look really troubled. Are you worried about the curse, Master?" Despite being a few weeks old, Eri is an intelligent kid.

"Yes, a bit. But, I'm not alone so it should be fine. Plus, Eri's with me!" I pull back my arms and my hands close to my cheek as I snuggle the little head of the cute fairy.

"Hehe, I will protect and support Master too, of course!" She giggled and then kissed me on the cheek. I'm so glad Eri's here. A few conversation and I'm already cheered up.

Suddenly, she lay down on my hand, curled up her body and yawn.

"I'm going to sleep now, Master. Good night ~" so cute...

"Yes, good night, Eri," I mumbled and gave her a peck on top of her head.

I placed my hand above my lap and let Eri sleep on my palm as I look up to the night sky. The stars are always so comforting, and I love the gentle breeze of the wind too. Must be nice if I can hear the sound of the sea as well.

"What are you thinking?" I flinched when Asher suddenly appeared on the balustrade of the balcony where I am currently is.

"How cruel this world is to me," I spoke. I lift my feet on the couch and placed my hand on my knees, I stared at the fast-asleep Eri on my palm. I prevented to sigh and just stretched my feet towards the circle table in front of this couch and placed it on top. Asher did not answer and just stayed silent as he sit down on the balustrade.

He crossed his legs and placed his palm on the balustrade.

"I promise, we'll remove that curse and defeat that Virexon," he spoke. I decided to stay silent.

Of course, I trust the Astras and the Selene. But, it's just—there's a lot of things going on in my head. I'm worried about my future, what if it takes a long time before we can acquire a holy crystal? Are we going to consider looking for the Essence Tree that is nowhere to be found?

"Now that Athalia is unsealed, we can ask her where the portal to Azrael's Empire is located," my eyes widened as I turn my had to Asher.

He's right! He did said that there are holy crystals in Azrael's Empire!

"Really?!" I spoke, and he nod at me while smiling.

"Then, are we going to ask her tomorrow?"

"Yes. That's why you should sleep," He jumped down from the balustrade and walk towards me, offering his hand.

But I am carrying my baby fairy...

I stared at his hand for a moment and gently move Eri on my left palm before accepting his hand.

Sometimes, Asher can be a gentleman. It's just his mood swings is annoying.

He escorted me back to my room, made Eri float and placed her to the tiny bed on top of my side drawer, and tucked me on my bed. An act of someone with a little sister. He really knows his job as a big bro.

"Sleep now,"

"Are you going to sleep here? The servants already made a room for you as per my orders," I spoke.

"I won't. I'll wait until you're asleep and go back there," The room is actually just below my room. I have the entire fourth floor for myself, and Asher's on the third floor.

"Hmkay...thanks, Asher," I smiled at him and closed my eyes.

I should conserve energy again for tomorrow. I'm sure we'll have a lot of things to talk about.

***

I turned my head to my garden when I saw someone there. A red-head lady who is lying on an empty space in the middle of the field of flowers. She's napping there with her arms and legs spread wide. She looks so peaceful.

What is she doing in my garden? I mean, it's not like she's not allowed there, I'm just curious. Did Dad gave her a room in Antares Palace? Maybe they talked about it last night.

I was about to continue walking.

"Good morning, Ali," I flinched when all of a sudden, Miss Athalia appeared in front of me!

"Oh, sorry. Did I startle you? I was waiting for you to wake up so we can go to the Altair Palace together," Miss Athalia smiled at me cheerfully. I think I need to talk to Miss Athalia one of these days, personally. I want to ask her about a lot of things too.

"Yes, let's go together Miss Athalia—"

"Please just call me Lia, Your Highness," she said, offering her hand to me. I stared at her hand for a few seconds before I accepted it and smiled.

"Okay, Lia!" I replied—and right after that, the surroundings changed, and we are already in front of the door of Dad's office.

Good thing she didn't leave Themis behind.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. The Princess, the guardian, and the Selene have arrived," Themis announced after knocking on the door three times.

"Come inside," The door opened right away when Dad replied, and it looks like we're the only ones they're waiting. Everyone's here, including Sir Kiernan and Sir Abel.

Looks like we got more people in the team.

"Good morning, Ali. Greetings to the Selene as well," Dad greeted. I smiled widely at him as I run towards his direction. Brother Heli's beside him as well.

"Good morning, Daddy! And to everyone here!" I waved at my brothers, Ziel, Sir Abel, and Sir Kiernan as I pass by them, and then throw myself to my Dad's arms. He chuckled and then ruffles my hair. Lia went to sit beside Brother Dae, since there's a space there.

Dad carried me and placed me on his lap carefully. I roamed my eyes to check on everyone—

Oh wait...someone's missing.

"Where's Asher?" I asked. He's not here, I thought this meeting will be about their departure towards the Hecate Kingdom?

"He's in the Magic Tower, Your Highness. He's looking for a certain book that he misplaced," Sir Abel answered, he's sitting beside Ziel. So, Ziel is between of an Astra and a Priest, and he looks stiffed between them. I mean, those two are famous and respectable people. Even I would feel nervous between them.

And wait—did Sir Abel said that Asher misplaced something? That guy who can alter and peek at other people's memory can't even peek at his own to remember where he placed a thing?

"So, while Asher is not here. Let's talk about the people we caught first. I will propose to the other nobles to strip off those three's titles and confiscate their possessions. As for the execution date, it hasn't been decided but I wish for them to disappear as soon as possible," Dad spoke. Execution, huh...? Will they be executed under a guillotine? I bet they will. That's really scary.

"Oh, wait, Dad...can you not strip off their titles and confiscate their possessions?" I asked. The room fell into silence, and none of them tried to ask me why. It looks like they're waiting for me to explain further.

"I-I know I shouldn't be meddling with affairs like this but...they're the ones who committed a betrayal, not their family. If they are executed and you still strip off their titles and get their possessions, the one who will suffer the punishment are their families who were not aware of the situation..." I explained, and once again, there's no response from any of them.

I can feel their gazes, though. Maybe they are having a second thought if they'll follow the little princess' idea or not?

"Right. I agree," I turned to the direction where a familiar voice spoke. And it's Asher!

My favorite Astra! That's right, you should side with me.

"You strip off their titles and take away their possessions, but the main punishment is execution. Then, this means that the ones who will suffer the punishment for all their lives are the families of those criminals. Based on my investigation, only the head of the houses were the ones colluding with the Duke, their families are unaware of these," Asher threw some papers on the table between the two couches where my brothers and the others are sitting.

Based on his investigation? He went to investigate something? But, he's also carrying a book, so he really searched for a book he misplaced, huh?

"And their children are still young. Among all the children combined, only three of them can be considered as teenagers," Sir Abel spoke, reaching for the papers on the table. I nod my head and then turned to my father.

"Hmm, that's right. You make a fair point. Punishing them with execution is not a heavy punishment. Then, I shall spare their lives, take off their titles and give it to those who are worthy within their family, and remove their surnames," Execution is not a heavy punishment...?

Isn't that the heaviest of them all? And if it's within the Family...the first son of the Viscount is only 12?! Hm, the first daughter of Count Hernon is 14 years old, while the son of Count Morris is 16 years old. I heard Sir Carlix is already eighteen, so he's someone who can already become an official heir to their house. But..the others? Especially, the son of Viscount Elois!? He's only 12, hello?!

Oh wait, his mother—no, his mother has a chronic disease. Goodness gracious, I should visit those houses in the future and see what they are doing.

Still, Noble Head at the age of 14 and 16 are probably acceptable in this world.

"Ali is amazing. You take empathy for their families," Brother Heli spoke, then he ruffled my hair. I saw my other two bothers nodding their heads and clapping their hands to agree. I giggled.

"I just thought it was unfair. So, living as a commoner will be a greater punishment for those arrogant nobles!" I spoke. I heard Dad chuckles.

"Ali is becoming more and more similar to her brothers as she grow up,"

"What do you mean by that, Dad?" Brother Dae refused to agree.

"Right. Shouldn't you say she's becoming more and more similar to you, Dad? You're our root," Brother Aeli added. I can't believe they are acting like this in front of the guests here.

"Hmph..." Dad mumbled.

"Now then, perhaps it is time we commence our discussion regarding the departure to the Hecate Kingdom. Does the Astra have suggestions on where you ought to begin your journey?" Dad asked. He leaned on his chair, wrap his left hand on my waist to support me, and his right hand placed on top of his table.

"Indeed, I have given it some thought. There are still much information I wish to know concerning about the past. I believe three days shall suffice. We shall depart on the third day hence. In the meantine, the young lime should make preparations as well," All of a sudden, why so polite? He stayed standing in the distance across where Dad and I are sitting. I wonder what that book is all about.

"Understood, Your Divine Highness. This young lime shall not fail you," It's always so entertaining to see Ziel talking back to Asher with such tone. It's like he wants to tease him or whatever.

"Good to hear. Once we arrived, I shall send a report every week, so look forward to it. Additionally, if we confirmed that the kingdom is cooperating with the dukedom, I plan to dig deeper to it without the permission and awareness of His Majesty, be aware about that and don't think too much if we took many years there. I plan to find out as well if the dragon really is sealed within the dukedom," Asher explained. Seems like he really have thought this through. He already have a plan for everything.

"Dragon? You mean, Dea—" Lia couldn't finish his word because all of a sudden, a strange golden ball appeared on her mouth. He glared at Sir Abel and the latter just smiled.

"That name affects the Princess. Never utter that name again," Asher spoke, narrowing his eyes down to his sister! What the heck—

'You don't look at your sister like that!' Asher's gaze went back to normal as he turn his head to me.

'Sorry,'

"Heh ~" I turned to Lia, but she's suppressing a laugh? I saw Asher glaring at her as if he's annoyed by her reaction.

"Alright. Since my brother still have many questions, I shall hear him out," Wow, her provocative tone...

Are they okay?

"I wish to talk about it in private. As of now, let's focus on the problem at hand," Which one? We actually have many problems.

"I heard that the Baron died of poison? So...who was the person that dared to approach Her Highness during her recent visit in the Imperial Library?" Asher asked. He looks mad. Is he mad that an enemy talked to me? Wow, I'm touched.

"Yes. The Baron died after speaking his name. It turned out he's a Marquess," Brother Heli started. I apologize for lying to you, Baron Florian. I hope you don't haunt me.

And a Marquess, quite a high position I would say. I thought he's of low status.

"There's...only one Marquess in Western Dukedom," Brother Aeli spoke.

Wait, what? There's only one?! Shouldn't there be many nobles in our Empire?! That means they are being treated specially there, no?

"Yes, Marquess Erisen Morvain," Brother Dae stated.

That guy had the audacity to enter our library without permission, and then ask me about having a vacation to the Western Dukedom? How funny...

"Wow, he's so dumb. Instead of saying 'The one and only Marquess in the Western Dukedom', he stated his full name and died," my third brother added. He even called him dumb...

I mean, he does make a point. If he didn't want to die so bad, he should've just said it like that. Or did he trusted my words to actually say his name? Dang, now I feel a bit bad.

"Right," Brother Aeli agreed, shaking his head. It's not like you'll spare him if he stayed alive.

"Hmm. I'll send letters to Brother Ran and the other Dukes—"

"I already did," Asher declared, and all of a sudden three small envelopes with different seals appeared on Dad's table.

"Those are their response," Wow, Asher's been doing his job well these past few days! That's why I hardly see him free. I can only see him when he comes and visit me before I sleep.

"Thanks for these. We shall invite them to one of our meetings,"

Things have become really challenging now. I'm only seven but I feel like I'm already fighting like an 18 years old. I mean, I am 20...but with this body, it's a disadvantage!

I deserve a long rest after all these.

***