Asher told me about the curse. But after that, he went to leave the Alphard Palace and says that he has something to take care of. And now, I'm in the Imperial Library again, to borrow and read the book The History of Odilia.
I did read this book before, but the only one I read about was Iliana's era of being the Duchess. Turns out, she holds the title of being the Youngest Duchess, at the age of 18! Iliana's father died during the war, so it was just her mother and younger sister, Chantelle. And her mother also died because of a unique illness that has no cure yet. That's why Iliana had become the Duchess at a young age.
After making great results for their own Duchy, she earned the respects of the other nobles, and had our Crown Prince Orpheus falling in love.
"Hmm, reading your family's book, huh?" Oh. Now, what is this guy doing here? I thought he's going to be busy with something?
"What are you doing here?" I asked without looking at the guy. Asher just appeared out of nowhere, and he's sitting on the chair across my seat.
The truth is I'm with Diellzain right now, because both Helios and Aelius have a prince duty to do. Diellzain mentioned that he also have something to do, but he can always postpone it because he's his own rules. What a lazybum.
"Just checking on you? It's actually a pain in the ass to always check your overflowing mana. But I can't let your mother down, since she's my sister's bestfriend---Ley's going to kill me if I don't do this properly..." Uh-oh, looks like bruh got some trauma. So, he's got a sister, huh? And by the sound of it, it's an older sister? I wonder where she is?
If she's Iliana's friend, we could get along!
But wait, that also means she's going to figure out that it's not her bestie's daughter but a different soul, right? She might kill me! However, it could also be that Asher's sister is just a normal human being, right?
"Oh, she's also your godmother," Woah...that's amazing.
"Can I meet her?" I asked, and the guy immediately shook his head.
"She's...somewhere far away," he answered and looked away from me. Somewhere far away? Don't tell me...
"She's already..."
"No, what the heck. She's not dead, girl," I felt relieve when I heard him say that. But it was his fault! Saying she's somewhere far away and then giving me that sussy expression as if he was sad or something!
"Where is she then?" He glanced at me with those annoyed face before answering me question.
"Another world," I cocked a brow because of his answer. She's in another world? Dang it, they can go to any worlds they want? Are you for real? I wanna be a magician now too!
"Where---"
"Stop asking me questions. Aren't you going to read your family's book? And I'm also leaving now," he stood up and was about to walk away. But the guy turned to face me again and spread his hand in front of me.
Huh? What does he want?
I placed the book on his hand, and he only gave me the look of disbelief. That face is really annoying.
"No, give me your hand. I'll try to do something about that mana of yours," Ohh.
"You should've said so," I replied, placing my left hand on to his palm. I don't know what he did but my hand suddenly starts glowing gold, and I feel like a huge heaviness was lift off from my chest.
What did he do?
"It only lasts for a day. But it's fine, I'll come back tomorrow," and then after he said that, he disappeared. Wow, teleporting seems really convenient. Once I learned magic, I'll make sure to use it everyday.
"Ali? Who are you talking to?" Diellzain's here. I see...
The guy left because Alina's brother is coming. Why is he always avoiding Alina's brothers anyway? He's like a some sort of criminal who's hiding away from the princes. It's not like they're going to eat him alive, plus he's stronger than Diellzain. Duh?
"Ohh...no one brother! I was just mumbling to myself," I replied. Diellzain slowly nod his head and then sit on the chair where Asher was sitting a while ago.
"You're reading that book again? If you want to keep reading it, we can borrow it from the library," he suggested. Well, it's not like I wasn't planning to. I really came here to borrow this book, because there's a lot of things in my mind right now.
"Can we? Please, let me borrow it, brother!" He chuckled at me and then ruffled my hair before stretching his arm in front of me. I gave him the book and he closed it before he stood up from the chair.
"Stay here, 'kay? I'll go talk to the librarian," I nod my head repeatedly and giggled at him.
"Hmmkaaay!" I replied. He laughs before turning around and walks away.
I noticed that Diellzain acts soft and gentle to Alina but is always glaring and staring down at other people. As if his heart only softens when he's around his so-called little sister. That's actually so sweet, but who knows if he'll stay like that if their sister, Amara arrives? Among the three of them, he's the one who loves his dear sister preciously.
"Excuse me, may I ask you something?" I turned to the guy who's walking towards me. He's between the two large shelves and he's wearing a hood? Who is this guy? He seems suspicious.
"Yes, it's alright. What is it?" I smiled at him and turned my body to face his direction. I jumped down from my chair and held both sides of my dress as I move my right foot behind the left one and bow to him.
We have no idea about this boy after all. He could be a noble, so I should show him some courtesy. If he weren't, then it's still better that I respect him.
I stood straight and faced him. He's taller than me...maybe as tall as Ziel?
"Ohh..." suddenly, he folds his three fingers, leaving only the middle and index finger, as he place it on his left chest. He also hid his left hand behind him as he takes a bow.
Wait, what kind of gesture is that? I mean, it's different than what Alina's brother does. Is that a knight-thingy greeting? Or is this guy from another kingdom or empire?
"Greetings to the Lady of Odilia, I apologize for approaching the Lady so casually," Lady of Odilia? Oh! He might've thought that I am from the Odilia Duchy! It is known to the whole empire that people who got these eye color and designs are only those of Odilia blood.
"It's fine. Please, don't worry about it so much. Is there something bothering you, young sir?" I asked. Giving him a smile, because I need to appear nice and approachable since I'm pretending to be an Odilia Lady here. Not that I am not considered as one, since I'm still an Odilia.
"It's just...does the Lady know where I could find a book about..." He paused and stared at me. He's got ocean blue eyes, and his hair is black...
That appearance is veeery familiar. And a black hair? Is he a Ciera? Maybe our distant relative?
Black hair, ocean blue eyes... who is this character? I mean, person? He looks a bit older than me based on the height. He's also very pretty...could he really be a Ciera? Come to think of it, this is how Alina's brothers appearances were when she first saw them. A black hair and blue eyes.
And definitely, this boy is one of the characters in the novel, because he's super detailed! His eyes are like the sea! And that pale skin and handsome face...he is most absolutely one of the major characters.
"About...?" I tilt my head and looked at him. I'm sure I look confused and curious.
"About...uhh, nevermind, Lady Odilia. I shall go now," Huh? Now that leaves me sooo curious!
But is this guy really a Ciera? No way.
"Wait..." He turned to me again, and I noticed a bit part of his hair and it was red.
A red hair then? With blue eyes? Now, that's really...familiar.
"Are you really sure, Sir? I don't know if I'll be able to help you, but if you're looking for a certain book. You can ask the librarian about it," I smiled at him and he did the same before he nod his head.
"I appreciate your suggestion, Young Lady. I'll be leaving now," He gave me another bow before he turns around.
"Bye bye!"
"Ali? Who are you saying goodbye to?" Oh.
I love the timing of Diellzain. Always arriving just after those guys leaves.
"Ahm, someone asked me if I know where he could find a certain book. But it looks like he changed his mind and refused to tell me which book he's searching for. That's why I sent him to the librarian," I replied. Diellzain turn his head to where I was waving my hand a while ago, but the boy isn't there anymore.
"What does he look like?" He furrowed his brows as if he's annoyed by something.
That expression...
It's best to tell him that I didn't know.
"Hmm. I'm sorry, Brother Dae...he was wearing a hood. But it looks like he's the same age as you based on his height," I replied. His eyes narrowed as he sigh.
"Nevermind. Anyway, this is the book. You must take care of it, alright?" He bend his knees to match my height and smiled at me.
"Hihi, I will, big brother!"
***
Hii! Really thank you to those who are reading my book! I'm always happy seeing that the reads of my book increases everyday! You can save this to your collections to follow on the updates, thank you! And I appreciate the person who saved this to their collection! They were the second one, huhu, I'm really happy, thank you very much!
Right away, after we came back home. Diellzain sent me to the Alphard Palace before coming back to Albireo Palace, where him and Alina's other big brothers stays.
There are four palaces in this empire. What the heck, how wealthy are these people?
Anyway, Altair Palace is where the Emperor and Empress lives. The Antares Palace turns out to be where the concubines of the previous Emperors stayed, while the Albireo Palace is where the princes stays, and the Alphard Palace is the home of the princesses.
Okay, that's enough with that.
I ran towards the center table and placed the book on it, very carefully. Because Diellzain told me to take care of it properly. I kneel down on the floor and opened the book and navigates the table of contents. I wonder if there's something about the curse here?
Every previous Duchess and Dukes are written here, and this book has...
500 pages?! Just how many generations does this family have?! And not just that because their achievements are also written here. How many achievements do this family have?! Now I'm feeling the pressure...
"Hmm...curse, curse..." I mumbled. If only they have internet and google here I won't have a hard time searching for information about this cursed eyes thingy. Hah ~ I didn't know it was this hard to live without phone and internet. I never even visited the library in our university even once, and now I came to the Imperial Library two times in a week!
Life really can be surprising.
"Curse...curse...where you at..."
I could just ask Asher about it, but after his explanation about the cursed eyes. I decided not to. Bro's probably the one who says 'it goes fwoosh and bang' when someone asked him to teach them magic. The way he explain things is bearable though, and I still able to understand what he was trying to say, but it's a bit complicated.
"Curse..."
I wonder if I can ask Sir Abel about it? But that would require a request from Alina's father and they might get suspicious of me wanting to meet Abel all of the sudden. There's this book anyway, so maybe I should just do my best and look for the information I want.
Oh, there it is.
"The Cursed Duchess, page...two-hundred thirty four..." I mumbled and quickly turns the pages to navigate the page written on the table of contents.
The Cursed Duchess, huh? How come all the Dukes and Duchess here have their names written on it, but this certain person had her uhm, title? Written on the table of contents. Could it be that they didn't want the readers to know right away who this Duchess is? Isn't it rude to put it like that instead of her name? It's like they're humiliating her for telling everyone that there was a cursed duchess in the family of Odilia.
When I finally found the page I was looking for. I saw a picture of the Duchess...she's beautiful with wavy blonde hair and golden eyes. She have all the traits of an Odilia. As for Iliana, she got her mother's silver hair. This cursed duchess is very beautiful too, and her droopy eyes looks like she's always looking at you softly and gently. She's got an accessory on her head and it's pendant is centered on her forehead. She's absolutely stunning...I don't even know which words to use to describe her beauty.
This is the...
77th Duchess of Odilia.
Felicia Odilia, The Cursed Duchess. This is what they wrote on her first page of biography.
"Felicia Odilia..."
[ Felicia Odilia is the 77th Duchess of Odilia, and is also known as the Cursed Duchess. She was born in Cybi 23rd, in the Year 456 and died in Beryl 21st, 480 at the age of 24. The Duchess was once known as the youngest Duchess after she ascended to her position when she turns 20. ]
Wow, she was only 20 when she became the Duchess? But dang...she was so young when she died. I wonder what happened? Does it have something to do with the curse? She's called The Cursed Duchess after all.
Anyway, their months really is different from the ones we have in Earth. Cybi is November in Earth, while Beryl is March. Unlike the months we have in Earth, they have their own name of months. Jenara, Prema, Beryl, Aasta, Maj, Calinda, Suvi, Helia, Medi, Decimus, Cybi, and Neve. They are not translations of January to December, but those are the order of their months. Guess what is Helios' month out of those, haha.
Anyway, it's really already been a long time since this Duchess had died, huh? I wonder if there's another cursed duchess after Felicia? It's already in the year of 765. Wow, so it's been 285 years since...? Plus, she died at the age of 24.
Hmm, let's look for a paragraph that talks about the curse.
[ Felicia Odilia is known to be the first human to have a divine mana after the Astra's Three, and became a healer for the Empire's Knight Squads with the use of her divine power ]
Wow, she had a divine mana? That's amazing! Is divine mana different than mana? She's recorded as the first human to have a divine mana after the Astra's Three after all. That means it's quite unique, huh?
Wait, hold on a second...
Asher and his siblings already exists 285 years ago?! And this book is even implying that they've been alive even before that?!
He has the appearance of a kid, but that jerk is an old man!
Dang it, just how old is he?
Anyways, let's continue searching.
[ The Duchess became engaged to the Crown Prince Aeron Osiris de Ciera after they announced their relationship to the whole empire. The Crown Prince revealed that they've already been lovers for two years, and that he loves the Duchess dearly...]
Woah. So, an Odilia and Ciera had become fiancee's once before? But because of Felicia dying early, the connection between Odilia and Ciera was cut off, huh?
"Amazing...I'm curious about her life all of the sudden," I mumbled as I continue to turn the pages.
[ After the Black Magician revealed that she desired the Crown Prince even before the Duchess met him, was the same time that she placed a curse on the Duchess ]
There it is. The word 'curse'! But, a black magician?
I turned back the page where the very first paragraph about the Black Magician starts.
[ However, just when the people of Ciera Empire had recognized the Duchess to be their Empress. A certain magician appeared, introducing herself as the Crown Prince's first lover, though the Crown Prince denied this, and it is also confirmed that the Crown Prince never met the lady even once. The magician is named Athalia, and is also known as the first black magician in the Empire. Despite her fake rumors about her relationship with the Crown Prince, Prince Aeron was nice enough to let her go and asked her to never bother him and his beloved lover anymore. However, the Black Magician keeps bothering the Duchess. From entering her Duchy, giving her nightmares every night, poisoning her food, and more evil actions towards Duchess Felicia. Her actions reached the ears of the Astra's Three, causing their youngest twin sister, Ashley to come and take care of the Black Magician ]
Oh, so my godmother isn't Asher's older sister but his youngest twin sister? I wonder if she looks like Asher and Abel?
But, dang...what's wrong with this Black Magician? She's literally evil! So, she's the one who placed a curse on Alina's whole family?!
She's got screw loose!
"Ali? Are you awake?" Oh, that's Helios.
I glanced at the page of the paper and closed it right away. I run towards my bed and hid the book under my pillow before I jumped on the bed.
"Yes, brother Heliii!" I replied, and only when I answered that he opened the door. He entered and smiled at me right away.
"How are you? I'm sorry, we couldn't come with you earlier," Helios starts walking towards my direction. Why is he hiding his right hand behind him?
"It's fine, brother Heli! I understand that Big Brother has important duties to do! I'm glad to see Big Bro again!" I answered, with a huge smile on my face to show him how happy this Alina is.
"Ali's really understanding. As a compensation for not being able to be with my little sister, I brought her..." He slowly show me what he's hiding behind his back and it's a box of cupcakes!
"Wowww! Are those chocolate cupcakes, brother Heli?" I jumped off the bed and run towards him.
"Of course. Ali loves chocolate cupcakes after all," I stretched my arms towards him and he quickly handed me the box of chocolate cupcakes. This is the first time I'm tasting a choco cupcake from a literal store! They can bake cupcakes here so we didn't have to go outside to purchase it. But it looks like Helios went from outside the empire and bought this from a cake shop that he passed by.
"Wow...it looks really tasty ~" I mumbled after seeing the design of the cupcake. Of course, it still looks like the appearance of a cupcake. But based on the image on it's box, there's also a melted chocolate in the middle of it, and the icing is caramel flavor. There are small cherries scattered on top of the icing too and a lots of sprinkles!
Wait, how did they made these cherries to be this tiny?
"That's right. The reviews of that cake shop is high, that's why I decided to purchase a box to see if Ali would like it. If you do, then we'll ask the baker for its ingredients and procedure. Additionally, this is a limited edition of their special chocolaty cupcake," Chocolaty...? Anyways, are you saying you're going to steal their special chocolaty cupcake?
"No need for that, brother Heli! It would be unfair for them if we do that. Purchasing from their shop would help them increased their revenue," I replied as I walk towards the table in this room. I placed the box on the table and turn my head to Helios...who's looking at me with surprised expression.
"Ali's really considerate. But, you already know what revenue is?" Of course, I was a business student in my previous life, Mister.
But I'm not really sure if what I said was right. I don't like studying before after all and only memorizes things I want to memorize.
"Hm!" But there are probably a lot of terms in our world that is not used in this world, so I shouldn't be so confident about it. But revenue is the money you make by doing normal businesses.
"Ali's a genius, huh?" I only gave him a chuckle before I face the box in front of me. I'm not a genius though, if I am a genius, my previous family would never resort to violence against me.
"Do you want some, Brother Heli?" I asked, pointing to the cupcakes inside the box. He shook his head as he give me a smile. His smile's starting to become genuine as the day pass by. Before, his smile looks scary, probably because he's really not the type to smile. But now he's learning.
"I bought it just for Ali. You should enjoy it," I giggled and turned my head to the cupcakes again.
Because of him, I've forgotten my worries about the cursed eyes.
Although it is really unbelievable that Helios and the others gives me such ease now whenever I'm around them. I still can't let go of the doubts though, that's why I'm still making plans for my future.
However, it looks like I'll have to change my plans completely because of Asher's new information about my eyes.
Dang it.
***
Hii! I'm really glad that there are people reading my book! I hope that people became more interested to it as I continue with it ~ please save this to your library to get updates! Ily y'all ~
♡^▽^♡
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