Oriana Franzer

Chapter 13: Oriana Franzer

"I cannot believe I would see this city burn…."

― Lucian Franzer (LS 1215)

---------------------------------------------------------

"No Celine there are no nature spirit here. But yes these walls were once blessed long ago by the spirits. And from my assumptions the walls are over a century old but only looks a bit ragged." Lucian added to the conversation.

"Well it doesn't matter. We will stay here for the night and tomorrow we will be on our way."

As they prepared to go inside the town they didn't notice some people paying attention to them. Or did they….

Year 1212, 22nd day of the 4th month- The Hayton Long Pass~

----------------------------------------------------------

Celine's POV~

'Hehehe, It's one fine day today. YEAH!' Lucian didn't let any of us play at all in the two towns we visited. He is such a party pooper. I couldn't help but pout looking at him.

I really like him and all but he needs to relax sometimes. I liked him better when he wasn't all seriously back at the academy.

'Booo to you Lucian. A BIG FAT BOOOO' I glared at him and he looked back instantly and smiled. 'Gah why does he always smile…' I turned my head away.

'I still haven't unlocked my aura. That thing is too hard. But I did notice I am stronger than before. Muuuuch stronger.

That stinky Axel got strong too. And he stopped using that long sharp stick he used to use. I still don't understand why he used that heavy stick though. But now he uses a sword just like me.

Gramps is being really hard on us though. He trains us all day and we still can't get an advantage on him. STUPID GRAMPS….

We woke early today and started our journey and Lucian said the journey wouldn't be that long as we are really close to Hayton which is the biggest city in the east. The north doesn't have many big cities and the people there are more scary. I did miss my mother a bit. Just a bit, she trains me harder than gramps for sure. She is really scary too...

As we closed on the pass, the guards looked suspiciously at us. Back at the Green town I thought they would recognize Lucian but he said he cast an illusion rune around our clothes that makes people see us as different people. GAHHH... I don't understand what he means but I think they see me as someone else other than Celine.

I never liked the magicky stuff but Lucian can do cool things with it. But even the hat guy said Lucian was a freak even from a Wizard's point of view.

I did notice that when he sits under a tree and does his medi something... all the birdies and squirrels go near him and look at him. It looks fun, but when I want to pet any of them, they just run away. Am I that scary?'

The guards didn't see anything alarming in our cargo as it only had the rations and clothes and other necessities we brought. Among us only the new horse boy seemed nervous but he calmed down when gramps patted his back.

I like the horse boy, he can cook and he does our laundry too so less work.

Our carriages started moving and we entered a long straight road surrounded by tall mountainous walls. Hat guy said the road was carved on mountains and the whole Hayton city is built high on a mountain base. I don't understand but it looked cool.

It took us fifteen minutes before we reached the city gate. There we showed our clearance papers and they inspected the carriages once again and let us in.

"FINALLY!!" I was getting annoyed by the formalities. 'Grrr…' I don't do well with formalities.

Stinky just looked at me because of my shouting but didn't say anything. He stopped cursing at me for some time now. And he doesn't get annoyed as usual. Which is good but I feel bad for some reason. 'Is this the feeling of being ignored? Can't say I am a fan of this feeling.'

I kept pouting as we entered the city. Our destination is one of the branch stores of 'Yearning'. Even Lucian seemed surprised when The boss lady told him he had a few shops around the whole kingdom. But he seemed happy to know that the people he saved are getting jobs.

How to say… Lucian is different than other people. He gets happy for weird things.

But I don't want to see him sad… or angry… He is scary when angry even more scary than mother.

We finally arrived and a pretty lady welcomed us and was about to kneel to Lucian. But he stopped her and told us to go inside.

It's the same kind of shop and it felt good to be here.

-----------------------------------------------------

Mavis's POV~

We are finally in Hayton and I see way too many people in the city. Most of them moving about going towards the north exit. They probably had the same plan as us.

'Go to Altumia and then pass to Haranhaul. Heh a prophecy can make so much movement. It sure will be chaotic in Haranhaul.'

'I still think My king is hiding something from us. I just don't know what.'

I did not doubt the person I swore to serve but just felt a bit heartache that I wasn't trusted enough to know all his plans. But that was also good. It meant the lord wasn't a gullible child who would trust anyone.

I kept looking out the window as I see the sea of people moving about. I then look at the giant castle up on the upper district. 'Tsk the Franzers sure like tall things.' Yes, the Castle of Alvarez house was renovated to be taller when Lady Oriana Franzer became the Lady of the Eastigar.

I met her a few times when she was younger. She was a way better candidate to rule than Orion. Much better…

Now I and the kids can only wait as my liege visit his aunt. Hope things turn for the better. 'Hope the crazy Franzer would not burn down her own brother in the future.' I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. I sure met some crazy women in this kingdom.

------------------------------------------------------

Master's Chamber- Alvarez Castle~

Oriana Franzer's POV~

I couldn't help but be sad looking at my poor little boy. He looked so… skinny. Did he not eat properly all these times? What has been my idiotic brother doing the past few years?

But he was still smiling at me sitting beside my bed holding my hand. Tears poured down my eyes as I imagined how horrible it was for my poor Luce the past few weeks.

"You really are sick my dear aunt." Luce wiped the tears as he said with worry in his eyes.

"Luce, I am fine but what about you… You lost too much too soon. And that idiotic brother of min-"

"It's okay dear aunt, I am fine and even though father has his flaws he didn't have much choice." Luce stopped me and kept smiling.

"If he didn't fall in the honey trap the damn Brendenrods lured him in, none of this would have happened. You would have a wonderful childhood. And-"

I was interrupted again as Luce said, "I did have a wonderful childhood. I had you, Uncle Leon, Lily, Axel, Master. I was never alone you know, so it is fine… And I don't think father has too much time on his hand.

The Queen doesn't really have any feelings for my father I can see it in her eyes. She just wants her son to be the king and rule the whole kingdom as the Queen mother and legal guardian of the new king.

While she too will be controlled by her father such irony."

"If you think I will let Beth get away after pulling all these stunt then you are damn wrong boy."

"Hehehe, Trust me aunt Oriana I have seen how you make the Giant of Rorengar whimper like a kitten." Luce chuckled.

"You damn brat." I felt embarrassed hearing my nephew saying such corny things.

"So, my brother doesn't have much time huh? Can he be saved?"

"A rebellion, broken kingdom, attacked from three sides and a giant favor to the elves can save my old man. I know people call me kind but even I wouldn't risk that many lives for my father. Sigh!

I don't know if me being rational is an indication of me being a psychopath or not. Most people will look at me as if I can kill my own father for my purposes. I feel… terrible yet I don't feel guilt for some reason.

Dear Aunt I might really be a monster." Luce looked at me with broken eyes that I have never seen before so I hugged him tight.

"You are not a monster Luce, you never were. And as I promised you before I will keep protecting you."

"Thank you." He hugged me tight, I could feel him shivering. The boy who always smiled was shivering. 'This is the second time I see him like this. No matter what he says I know how he really is…'

"But Auntie, you are still sick… Did the physician say what might be the illness?" He asked me to which I could only sigh and shake my head.

"I am going to the elven forest soon. I will get you something with natures blessing so you will be alright. I promise." He smiled at me and said.

I could only smile and feel bitter inside.

'How times had changed… The little boy I raised now is worrying about me. Sigh.'

He is even willing to go to the elven kingdom which is an act of humiliation towards him for the blessing. This boy…

"Luce I will be alright you don't need to worry too much. And you can stay in the castle and I will make sure no one ever touches you again! No one will find out that you are here and even if they did what can they do?" I snorted.

I wanted him to be safe and I could keep him safe here. All the people in this castle are trusted.

But,

He just shook his head and smiled.

"Why?"

"I have some questions of my own and you did hear the new prophecy coming to light soon. I want to see how I can impact the future prophecy. And going to the elven forest might help me understand a lot of things.

Besides, if the prophecy is the same as any other then we might need to summon a hero again. I wonder how that will happen."

I just stared at him and it didn't seem he was lying but I was very sure he wasn't telling me the whole truth. It just was a gut feeling. A mother's instinct you might say.

I wasn't his birth mother but I saw him grow for six years when I stayed in the capital.

I stroked his soft hair.

"You will do wonderfully I know it."

-----------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in the Capital- Queen's Chambers~

"USELESS! ALL OF YOU ARE USELESS!!!" The queen shouted at the kneeling men.

"Almost a month and no news of the bastard. If all of you aren't useless then what ELSE?!"

"Mother? Why are you shouting?? Did something happen??" Little Geovan came in running hearing her mother shout.

The Queen changed into a kind smile and looked at her son, "Oh vanny you came see your mother. And no nothing's wrong I was just scolding the servants for not doing their jobs right." She then glared at the men who found new life in them and bowed to the prince and left hurriedly.

"Mother did you find any news of brother?" He asked with his innocent eyes.

The Queen just replied, "Don't worry dear your brother is fine. He is strong remember. If I hear something I will let you know. You should get back to your classes. And you need to be ready because in two weeks you will meet your fiancé."

"….. Yes mother." The prince replied dispiritedly and left.

"Tsk, that bastard has some influence on my baby. I will have to erase that with the Altumia girl as soon as possible." The Queen thought out loud.

'Mother really hates brother doesn't she…' The little prince was still in hearing range as he heard his mother.

'Brother…. Be safe."