The Augustus family hadn’t always been so prominent.
At a ti following the end of the Dark Age and the subsequent fall of the Night Kindred from their position as overlords of Ra’as, the kingdoms of n were left almost devoid of any real power, causing them to rely solely on the Great Families for support.
At that ti, the Augustus family was but a group of humble farrs who knew nothing but how to till the earth and serve the soil.
That was until he ca.
That great figure changed their lives, turning them into scions of a great entity known now as Zion Empire.
They held unimaginable power, seconded only by the Crown and the Great Families.
But their power ca at a cost and that was endless servitude to he who made them.
Of course, this wasn’t a big deal for them and instead, was in line with what they wished for... an opportunity to serve him and him alone.
This was why as Adelia sat in bed, her face planted between her raised legs, she found herself in a deluge of conflicting emotions.
On one hand, she was excited that soon she would be given the opportunity to serve that great being, the chance to prove herself worthy.
Ever since her birth, it was designated her birthright to lead those who served the Crown both in spirit and in truth.
But then, this great privilege ca at the cost of losing her mother.
The golden rays of the Lightbringer signaled the start of a new day and also heralded what was to be the handing-over ceremony.
She bit her lips as she raised her head to glance at the floor-to-roof window, her gaze trained on the beautiful blue sky.
Just as she prepared to rise, a knock was heard at the door to her room, rousing her from her reverie.
"Who’s there?" She asked in a silky soft tone with a response quickly coming.
"It’s , Ezra."
Adelia’s breathing froze for a mont before she got to her feet, crossing the distance from her bed to the door in a few steps before opening it to reveal the figure standing outside.
Donning a white shirt with a leather jacket and khaki trousers with boots and a sword strapped to his waist, he looked every bit a refined gentleman.
"Brother, you’re here?"
Ezra spotted an amiable smile as he replied. "I ca to check on you. I was worried that you may not be able to attend the ceremony."
"... I." Adelia began, pausing to consider her words before slowly continuing. "I don’t know how to feel. It wasn’t too long ago when..."
"Hey..." Ezra quickly said, catching her before she delved into unsavory mories.
"She would want you to be happy. Our family lives to serve His Imperial Majesty as we owe him all that we have. It would honor her mory if you do this."
Adelia bit down on her lower lip, her breathing noticeably calming as her elder brother’s words served to quell the remainder of what caused her emotional confusion.
"That’s more like it. Now quickly get ready, I would like us to hold our ceremonies together. You know that after today, we won’t be able to et again as siblings."
Adelia nodded, managing a soft smile before proceeding to get ready for what was to be the turning point in her otherwise mundane life so far.
She’d grown up like every other noble lady but was also forced to train herself, preparing for the day she would fulfill her duties as a mber of the Augustus family.
Perhaps in a way, she felt like it had co too early and that it couldn’t have co at a better ti.
Once she was done bathing, she changed into a beautiful white dress with a black hood placed over her head.
Walking with her brother through the Augustus family courtyard, Adelia couldn’t help but reminisce about old tis, her golden hair glowing in tandem with the beautiful rays of the Lightbringer.
The hall they stepped into was filled to the brim with personages from around the empire but that didn’t an that all nobles were invited.
No, these people were the ones who had proven themselves as ardent supporters of the Empire.
They all believed that the Empire was destined to rule the world one day and why shouldn’t they, when they would surely benefit from such a state?
Adelia felt stifled when gazed upon by so many but Ezra’s presence beside her gave her courage to move on, arriving before the hall center where two glass coffins were laid side by side.
One of the coffins contained their mother, her peaceful appearance painting a sowhat picturesque scene amidst the otherwise silent backdrop.
The other coffin contained their father.
Just like Adelia, Ezra was also destined to take up the mantle of his father.
This was the truth of the Augustus family.
The children will continue from where their parents left off, serving the Crown all the days of their lives.
Of course, to ensure the Augustus family would always remain even after their deaths, Ezra had already fathered a few children with a few relatives active as well and so there was no need to worry about losing their special position.
In any case, standing before their parent’s coffin, Ezra and Adelia paid their respects with the others in attendance doing the sa as well.
Watching the nobles leave their seats to give their farewells to her parents, Adelia found herself barely able to control the excitent welling up within.
To distract herself, she surveyed the faces of those who ca, noticing both friends and those that would be better defined as acquaintances.
However, just then, a sudden sense of Deja Vu struck her, leaving her listless and unsure of what to make of the feeling.
"Is everything okay?" Ezra inquired, noting his sister’s expression.
Adelia hesitated at first before ultimately shaking her head. "No."
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