Chapter 73 Birthday Gift (Part 2)

Soft confetti-like snow gently danced and settled down Aillenne's feet as she witnessed the scene unfold.

The world began to turn white as the first snow of the year befall. The world seems to shed cold tear with her but the flames continued to hover around the place. People come and go leaving footprints that were again covered by a new batch of snow.

It was cold but Aillenne's heart is much colder. All of the things she kept and own like the plants, her friends' and brother's gift... they were all engulfed to flames turning to dark crisps.

"W-why?"

She couldn't help but mutter helplessly at the sight.

It may be for a small amount of time, but the memories she spent in the place is so precious. In a single moment... all of it vanished along the black smoke.

The crackling sound of wood seem to not go off her ears as they continued to tease her into remembering what had transpired.

Aillenne stumbled with her jelly-like legs when she again saw the flames engulfing the room. Memories of the past hovered her head and the screams of people can be heard.

Her mind blanked at the sight.

"Mia!!!!"

"Sierra! Please help!!!"

"Water! Get the water from the fountain!"

"We ran out of water! Fetch some in the river!"

Shrills and shouts resounded as her head pounded when the image overlapped with the scene.

"My leg is stuck!"

"Wait for a while Mia, I'll come back after asking for help."

"Yes... huhu... it's painful. Please come back, Sierra... ahhh!"

"God-damned this! All of my assets were burned down!"

"When will the fire fighters come?"

"Water!!!"

"Sister Sierra, help us!"

"Sister--- ahhhh!"

'It's haunting me again... Is this real... no, where's Mia? No... I must ask for help!'

"Miaa!!!!!"

Aillenne shouted making the the servants pause and look at her disorganized state.

"Why? Why?"

"My lady?"

Daisy stared at her uncomfortably as Aillenne haven't blinked for a while and just stared blankly at the room while kept on muttering, "why?" and "no" while repeatedly saying a name.

Her eyes were out of focus and her lips trembled turning violet from the cold winter wind.

"Lilian... where's Sandra? My lady's body is cold already but the coat still haven't arrived."

"Wait... I'll look for her."

Lilian said and dashed off towards Adele's wing to borrow a coat since Aillenne's were burned down.

Some knights came to rescue and helped in putting off the flames. Sir Oscar had been trying to move Allienne away from the flames but her adamant attitude made him fixed to his place and just sympathize with her.

The Commander of the knights hurriedly reported the issue to Klaude and sent the fastest pigeon to the Imperial palace.

"Your Majesty, there's an emergency at the estate. I need to go home."

The Emperor saw Klaude's agitated expression and he concluded that the situation is indeed dire.

"Alright. But what emergency is this? We are amidst the military tribunal--"

"I apologize, Your Majesty. However, my daughter's room at the estate was burned down."

For a short moment, Fritzgerald asked himself if it is possible. An estate of water ability users was burned down. If anyone thought of it, they will surely ask if it's possible and just laugh it off. But seeing the Lord of the estate become like this, it may indeed be true.

"Then, let's wrap this meeting off. We must make haste Klaude."

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"Of course, I'll come with you."

"Oh, no need for that. I'll just excuse myself quietly. You do not have to put your concern in this matter."

After a long scuffle, the Emperor sighed resigned at Klaude's words and let him go off.

Klaude on the other hand, sighed in relief when the Emperor didn't push through his whims.

Riding off the carriage towards his estate, he couldn't help but ask if it is indeed possible that his daughter's room will be burned down when the servants and his family were in there.

"Drive faster!"

"Yes, Your Grace!"

Neigh!!!

The horse stomped off its legs and ran hurriedly towards the estate.

Meanwhile.

"Sister! What in the world happened?!"

Her sister Adele shouted in an exaggerated voice followed by a lot of footsteps coming from her maids.

Aillenne tensed just by hearing her voice. She darted her gaze towards Adele who seem to have run a mile just to see her face.

"Why is my sister out here on the cold?! Do you value your life?!"

The servants couldn't counter and just bowed their head while fixing some property that can be recovered.

"Here sister, wear this coat for a while. I owned this two years ago, but it still looks larger than your frame. Anyway, let's warm you up in the salon."

"..."

Aillenne stared at her sister's gaze blankly her mind has been going in an out of her past memory.

"...is that alright with you, sister?"

"Yes."

"My Lady, we have recovered this. Where shall we put it?"

Aillenne immediately darted her gaze to a maid carrying an average sized box. It wasn't burned down whole as it's made of metal. Collin gifted her this and it is similar to a safe box in the previous world. Only the outer part was burned.

"Give me that!"

She unknowingly shouted and excitedly looked at the surface.

'Thank the heavens... the contents were indeed safe.'

Adele watched her sister's situation and couldn't help but sigh. She's pitiful.

Crackling sounds of firewood can be heard and Aillenne, after washing up and donning dry clothes from Adele's wardrobe, was drinking hot chocolate and sat side by side her sister in front of the fireplace.

"I'm going to lend you some my old dresses. I'm sure father will provide and buy you some more looking that yours were burned down."

"Yes. Thank you for your generosity. I'm very happy."

"Yes. So while you do not have a room to stay with, where will you be sleeping tonight? I hope it's not in the servant's quarters or in the stables?"

"I hope not."

"Hnggg... you're so boring."

"I'm sorry."

"Anyway, where did you get that necklace?"

Adele said pertaining to the necklace Derrick gave her.

"From brother."

Aillenne answered as she reminisce the time spent with her brother.

"I missed brother."

"I sure you do."

Adele answered a little bit harsher but Aillenne didn't mind as she's full of thoughts at the moment.

Knock! Knock!

"My Ladies, the Master of the house, Marquis Klaude is going---"

"No need for that. Adele, Aillenne may I come in?"

"Yes, father."

Adele answered excitedly. After Klaude opened the door, Adele hurriedly jumped and hugged their father and showered him with welcoming kiss on the cheek.

"How are you father?"

"I'm fine, Adele. How's your day?"

"All's fine. Same as yesterday and the days before. I should be the one asking you that. Why did you come earlier than---

"Right. I almost forgot."

Klaude glanced the room and his eyes spotted Aillenne who is standing and preparing to give her greetings.

"I see the Marquis---"

"No need for that. How are you feeling, my daughter."

"Father! I'm your daughter too. That's way too general."

Klaude chuckled at his lovely daughter's words then inquired again while changing his words.

"I'm fine, father. Sister Adele let me lend her things for the time being."

"You did that, my daughter? Father is proud."

Aillenne silently looked at the scene while waiting for his next words. But it didn't come for a while. The hot drink became cold before Klaude finally give his attention to Aillenne.

"Ah... I have let the servants prepare the west house. Since you came there a while ago, I think you will be more comfortable in there. I'll also be sending you clothes and just anything you needed. If you want or need something, do not hesitate to call your father, alright?"

Klaude asked still hugging Adele.

'So I'm going back to the west house. Alright. It's not like I'm not used to it.'

Aillenne smiled brightly and said her thanks. She immediately left leaving the father and daughter in their own world.