I rember it like it was yesterday—the heartbreak etched upon my father’s face when he announced the news.
"Sir Vane has struck again," he’d said, his voice hollow. "He attacked our warehouse and burned everything to the ground. We have nothing left."
That was the first ti I had ever seen my father cry. Ever since I was a child, I have always envisioned myself becoming a great rchant, just like him.
I excelled in my studies, proving I was more than capable of carrying on my parents’ legacy. My father’s main trade was magic stones, shipped from the county and distributed throughout the other baronies.
Every night, I would be the last one in the counting room, staring at the ledgers. The numbers bled red. Shipnts were being destroyed, and people were slowly losing faith in the Monteli business. I couldn’t bla them.
Sir Vane had made it his life’s purpose to ensure my father never saw success again, all because he had refused to allow to marry the man.
Ridiculous. I, Seraphina Monteli, wouldn’t stoop so low as to marry soone with no integrity or sense of sha.
The man I wanted was soone with a deep sense of responsibility, soone able to push to my limits so I could, in turn, help him beco great.
That was the kind of man I desired, and so I worked hard, because I knew a man like that would never look twice at a weak woman.
As ti passed, the business dropped further. My parents, trying to be strong, decided to sell their properties to Vane, hoping to use the act as an apology.
"Mother, Father, you can’t be serious! Are you going to let this man destroy all your hard work? You have been doing this for years!" I argued, my voice filled with a desperate passion.
I knew how hard they had worked. I rembered their dream to beco the best rchants in the entirety of the Roziro county, perhaps even the Dukedom. To see them so blatantly give up pained dearly.
"It’s over, sweetie. A rchant should know when to give in," my father uttered with a pained smile. "Hopefully, one day, we will have our chance once again."
He was obviously putting up a front for . I knew that the mont he was behind closed doors, he would bawl his eyes out again.
I didn’t want that, not now, not when we had co this far. So, to give them a sliver of hope, even though I wasn’t sure of myself, I wore a mask of resolve and looked them both in the eye.
"Give a week. Just one week, and I’ll fix this."
My mother covered her mouth, trying to force back her tears as she watched her daughter once again try to carry the family’s burden on her back. I didn’t mind.
As long as it ant the Monteli family could thrive again, then I was more than willing to do whatever it took.
Looking at my father, I waited for his approval. Instead, he gave a grim look.
"This doesn’t concern you. Don’t act tougher than you actually are."
His words broke my heart. I watched as he walked away, while my mother tried to talk so sense into him.
But I knew why he said those words, why he doubted . And for that, I needed to prove him wrong.
So, the very next day, I headed to the head of our barony, Baron Teila. My words ca out in a rush as I bowed before him.
"Please, my lord, my family needs your help. We are being harassed by a rival rchant. It’s getting worse with each passing day, and many of our products are being destroyed."
For now, this was the only move I could pull. The baron is in charge of the people’s affairs; sothing like this should be easy for him to fix.
As long as I worded my sentences well and made sure the information was passed without a single hint of aggression, I should be good. I kept my head lowered, begging for the baron to ignite the little hope within my chest.
"A rchant disturbs you? That can’t be right. Your father has been one of this territory’s top suppliers. The people love him. Who would be stupid enough to wish him harm?" asked Lord Teila.
That very hope I was looking for finally lit up, a smile spreading across my face. I slowly raised my head, planning to explain everything so he could understand how grim the situation was and deliver his final judgnt on that scum, Vane.
Or so I thought.
Upon raising my head, I was shocked to see Vane himself standing right beside the baron, holding that stupid hat that should have been lted onto his head.
Different thoughts crossed my mind. Why was he with the baron? Why did he look so proud? Had he sohow spread false information? No, if he did, then the baron wouldn’t have asked —
As that thought slipped in, I caught a devious look on the baron’s face, as though he was taunting . My instincts have never betrayed ; I knew when I was being taken for a fool. Had Vane bought the baron’s loyalty?
I was enraged, my fist clenched as I looked to the ground, speechless. I was only an Amateur-ranked Alchemist. The most I could do was cast mana-enhancing spells and trackers. I would be smacked to the ground before I could even try to lift a finger against them.
"N-never mind," I said to the baron, swallowing my pride and accepting my defeat.
With my tail between my legs, I went back ho, embarrassed and rageful. I knew I had no real plan when I said those words to my parents, but to think that little hope I had would vanish in the blink of an eye.
’Stupid Sera, stupid.’
My frustration got the better of as I stood in front of my door, afraid to step foot into the house. Then I saw it. A small, familiar carriage was parked just outside my ho.
"Uncle?"
My uncle was known to be one of the biggest rchants in the kingdom, at least at face value. He and my father were close, despite the fact my uncle was always traveling and never in one place for long. If he was here, then he must have heard about my father’s current status.
A lot of people knew about the conflict; it was quite obvious, considering Vane would often send his guards to my father’s shop, demanding he shut down his business.
I clenched my fist. This was my chance. Another opportunity had presented itself to .
I steeled myself and made my way into the house.
Slowly i opened the door, my heart beating in my chance as i worry what type of face my father would make after i go in.
Than a voice ca, five seconds, after i made my way in.
"Sera. there you are; i was looking for you."
Gilbert had spotted .
...
[A/N]
Two more Chapters today; the next Chapter will be in her pov as well, or just half.
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