Chapter 13: Pre-Prologue

Arisanna was still young back then and only heard the follow-ups of what happened.

News got to the Emperor safely with a few hiccups on the way. Thankfully, just like how they underestimated the forces of the Northern Territory on that expedition, everyone who went arrived safely. She wasn't sure what was discussed between them, but it was reassuring knowing the one that was going to be threatened now knew.

The Emperor then called a meeting and her parents' presence was required, shoving the work to her and her brother. Theodore, their only company, also went and they both bid him farewell. After a few weeks, Arisanna heard the run down on what was decided.

Since the church is deciding to play ignorant to all of the accusations that have been directed towards them, the Emperor personally felt that it was best to keep it down low for now and not attack until the time is right. Since the church is alerted by their actions, it was the best possible decision.

Arisanna couldn't understand when the time was right but she knew they were brewing up a scheme. Besides, there could be a massive backer behind the church but that is only speculation. They didn't know the entire story and so should wait until they provide more clues, no matter how challenging that may sound. Arisanna would imagine the church closely inspecting the followers, fearing it may be a spy from the imperial faction.

Since the Emperor saw the church playing ignorant, he will as well. There were restrictions on what to write whenever she would send letters, especially to Bridgette. This was obvious, as they wouldn't want her to discuss plans through letters just in case it gets intercepted by the church. Although it was covered up, she could tell that the letters she received sometimes had creases despite the envelope bearing none. Even if she pointed out this small fact, it would prove useless in the long run.

Since both parties are in a tense spot, both refusing to make a move, the peace soon returned. Of course, the social scene had no perception of anything happening besides the attack on the princess's debutante ball, so life went on as they all moved on to something more exciting.

Which now brings her back to reality, a reality in which she has further grown to the ripe age of twenty-one. They say although you come of age at eighteen, you don't mature until the age of twenty-one.

'That isn't an actual saying but it works for me,' she thoughted while flipping over a page of a book she started recently.

Arisanna has now officially taken over all of her parent's duties as an aide to the Grand Duke. Believe it or not, they were now getting old and would very much like to retire early. Thus, all of the paperwork she wasn't dealing with before became her responsibility. However, paperwork isn't exactly what makes this job straining, it was the errands that she has to run in order to complete a certain job. Although she values her friend Theodore, he just sometimes issues some random order and it just magically becomes her responsibility. To be fair, it was her job to do so, but she gets to complain a little bit if she gets it done.

Speaking of jobs, her brother also was promoted to Commander, which was exciting news. The old Commander retired due to old age, which is a tremendous feat seeing how he is still able to move around like a young lad and swing that sword of his.

Reynold is good at his job, even though Arisanna hates to admit it. The wound that he got from the expedition formed a large scar on his face, which makes him look a lot more aggressive. In a way, it shows his years of experience, which Arisanna still disliked the thought of it being a trophy.

Like Arisanna, Theodore stepped up as the new Grand Duke since he was of age, and helped his parents retire in a filial manner. It didn't pose as much of a challenge since they were born to fulfill this role, and so they continued to work together harmoniously like the many years they were together.

Due to her job, Arisanna spends most of her time at the Rosenvelt mansion, which makes her acquainted with several people there. She also frequently spends the night there, earning her her very own bedroom that was beautifully decorated by Theodore himself.

Life was peaceful, despite the forces behind the scenes that might charge at any point in time, but living in a delusion of a conventional life is nice.

However, peace wasn't so easily achieved, ignoring the threats looming in the shadows. Fate simply won't allow such a thing. There must be a balance in life that makes life worth living. A certain disorder disrupts the peace that can make life exciting, creating what people call a "will to live".

Although Arisanna doesn't believe in "God", she knows there is a force out there that can rip the reality she knew into pieces. Anything can be possible, the impossible is near. They had power, not over people, but the power of choice and freedom. The power to make anything happen.

It all started when she made her appearance.

***

It was raining, which didn't help much with the cold of the Northern Territory. She couldn't be more glad she took a carriage ride here despite everything that happened.

The young girl was dropped off in front of a small hotel and thankfully got a room. She was lucky to have saved some money before she left. To her credit, she diligently worked behind the scenes after all, so she had enough to live for a few months.

The young girl was able to get a room and walked with her briefcase up toward the room she was assigned. She took the room key and twisted the knob, which then opened to show a small room that was a bit dusty.

'No matter,' the girl thought.

'I wasn't her in the first place so a place like this won't bother me.'

She quickly unpacked and changed into a more comfortable wear. The girl then heavily sighed and discerned her next options and thought of her future plans.

'It will be my only choice if I want to live. Besides, she wants revenge and so this will be the most convenient way of doing so,' she mulled over her thoughts.

'The Blanchettes will be hosting a party very soon if I remember correctly. The news of my abandonment seemed to not have spread, those bastards probably want to cover it up.'

She turned to her side and slowly closed her eyes.

'I'll do what I'll have to do then…'

The young girl drifted off to sleep.

***

Arisanna was looking around at the preparations for the party that they were going to host. Since her mother was now somewhat retired, she felt bored and stole this responsibility from Arisanna. To be honest, Arisanna had no taste in fashion or design and so considered this a favor from her mother.

'One less burden from my duties…'

She then teleported outside of the grand duke's mansion using a magic circle she drew and walked towards the front gate of the mansion.

She made her way into the office, a more than familiar path, and opened the door. Theodore was meticulously working until he was startled by her entrance.

"Sorry, did I distract you?" Arisanna sympathetically asked.

"No… I needed a break anyways," he smiled in response.

"What do you mean break? I went in to work."

"How about a five-minute rest before working?"

"Don't slack off-"

Theodore stood up from the chair and walked towards the couch in the room. He sat down and then patted the seat next to him. Arisanna reluctantly sighed and took a seat while he was pouring tea for the both of them.

"Your mother took charge of the planning?"

"Yeah, she was bored these days. Work used to be her life and now she doesn't know what to do."

"Mine as well. I'm worried, will we end up like them?" he chuckled.

"Honestly speaking, probably," she spoke while sipping tea.

"By then… do you think you'll have a spouse?"

"A lover huh? It's unlikely. I don't talk to people around our age often. The only contact I have is you and the princes of the empire," she responded while thinking of that unlikely future.

"Is that so? I'm sure you'll find someone," he sipped his tea.

"Isn't that the ideal life? Find someone and then settle down. But… it just feels wrong doing so."

"How so?"

"I want a life-long connection that is built over the years and not some fleeting love. Someone I can talk to without thinking too much about whether I genuinely care for that person or not."

"One where you can focus on love and not so much your chemistry together?"

"Exactly! Wouldn't it be nice if it was someone you already knew and just happens to develop feelings for?"

"It would…" he chuckled.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Theodore firmly said.

It was one of the knights, delivering the daily mail. The knight walked towards Arisanna's desk and placed them in a neat pile on the floor, just where she like them to be.

She briefly said thank you and the knight nodded before he headed out of the room.

"I guess it's our cue to work," Arsianna said while stretching her arms. She made a little noise while doing so and then lightly walked toward the stack of letters.

"Some of them are courting letters from other men no?" Theodore asked curiously.

"I think. My parents probably sorted them out and sent them this way, which isn't surprising. I'm sure my mother got a kick reading some of them. Father is more so interested in who they are," she dazedly replied while picking the top one from the stack.

Arisanna flipped it open and read the contents.

"Greetings the Grand Duke Theodore Rosenvelt," she blankly read.

"It seems this one is not one of your suitors," he smiled.

"Maybe one of yours?" she joked.

"I am writing to inform you of a critical piece of information. It has something to do with the conflicting power of the throne, which will soon directly affect the livelihood of you and all of those who stand with you. If you wish to know more, please attend the Blanchette household's upcoming event… Sincerely, 'Unknown'."

They both looked at the other after the letter was read, both with a look of confusion and alertness.

The room was silent, as they both didn't know that this letter would change the course of a set future.