Victoria’s POV
My life has always been miserable.
You only see people’s true faces in the hardest monts — that’s how it was for .
When my mother died and the duchy fell into decline, no one cared.
But when my father returned stronger than ever, suddenly everyone acted like nothing had happened, pretending to care for .
I first heard about a man nad Raul when I was younger.
He was strong — strong enough to do whatever he wanted.
If I had that power, I would have burned the whole world down.
But Raul was calm.
He looked like he didn’t care about anything, but that wasn’t true.
When his father threw him out, I revealed my secret to him and kept him by my side.
Keeping a man like that near you isn’t easy.
I could tell he wasn’t interested in , only in my powers.
He got along well with Bella, but the real Raul never revealed much.
That man had no purpose.
Nothing shook him.
He probably thought I didn’t know about the assassination attempts against , but I knew he had been protecting .
He was kind... but the world doesn’t forgive kind people.
I understood that about him.
He always helped , sotis as a poet, a cook, sotis as a teacher.
Or rather, he was many things.
With him, and with Bella, I could show my feelings.
Because Raul was soone who had suffered too, but he was stronger than , and he never showed it.
He knew things... things he couldn’t talk about.
Sothing was wrong.
From ti to ti, news about his deeds spread across the continent.
The remains of a man nad Hankel were found.
What Hankel had done was ignored — but the stories about Hankel and that entity, Raul, beca legends.
Even demons, elves, and dwarves had tales about him.
Sotis he’d raise his hand, and I didn’t know why, but I could feel it ant sothing important.
Then a great piece of news spread: the Chosen of the Goddess had appeared.
A young girl who survived a monster attack on her village.
The Emperor took her in.
The reports didn’t say much beyond her na: Lara Lightbringer. But what mattered was which goddess had chosen her.
She was the chosen champion of Tiamat — the goddess respected by all gods.
The Mother of Everything...
That news shook the world.
The Empire declared they wouldn’t speak further, but everyone knew: the last hero had appeared a thousand years ago, and each ti one rose, disaster followed.
It was proof that this age would fall into chaos.
Even the other races swallowed their pride and made alliances, prioritizing military training.
It was said that in the coming academic year, the education system would change to prepare for war.
And amidst all this chaos ca Raul’s marriage proposal.
When I saw that letter, I lost control and accidentally froze my entire room.
Raul imdiately restored it.
"My lady, I intend to refuse the proposal," he said, "but before that, I must tell you sothing important. Things might change after this."
His smile was gone.
For the first ti, I saw him serious.
"Tell , Raul," I said, though I already had a feeling what he would say.
"My lady, I’ll be disappearing for a while. Later, I’ll enter the academy as a student in the sa class as you. The royal family won’t dare attack there, so you’ll be safe." Raul lowered his head, mumbling sothing to himself.
I grabbed his shoulders. "What about you? What about your happiness?"
"Happiness, huh? I haven’t found an answer to that question yet. But don’t forget — the first ti, I stayed here because of your vision. Now things are getting ssy... and I’m running." Raul looked at like I was a fool — like a child who didn’t understand.
I stomped my foot. "Idiot Raul, you don’t have to do this! My father can handle it!"
"No, he can’t. The royal family will pressure him. They’ll say, ’Do you value us less than a servant?’ If that happens, Florence will fall — and I don’t want this land to burn because of ." Raul pressed a hand to his forehead.
I sighed. He was right.
I wanted to deny it, but he kept throwing the truth in my face. "Then... will you say goodbye to Bella?"
"No. She’ll just try to stop . She still hasn’t co to terms with everything. I’ll leave you a letter — it’ll be in my room. Read it and label a fugitive."
That was the best option.
Seraphine had gone too far — she’d pay for it.
Raul closed his eyes.
Five seconds later, a book appeared in his hand. "This is a special book. It contains everything about the Ice Elent up to the tenth tier. When we enter the academy, if you’re not at least at the fifth tier, prepare yourself — or you’ll face my wrath." Then he winked.
Steam almost ca out of my head — that bastard used to hit in the ass with a stick whenever I ssed up in training.
Not even Bella could stop him.
"Stupid Raul..." I muttered, but I was sure he heard .
I lowered my head.
Then my window opened, and the wind brushed my face.
But Raul was gone.
My eyes stung, and when I touched them—
Ah... I was crying.
It had been so long since the last ti I cried.
I had promised myself I would never again.
But while so many had betrayed , only Bella and Raul had stood by my side.
Raul was gone.
Bella was alone.
Fate truly is a cruel bitch.
Reviews
All reviews (0)