“.....mmmmhmmmf...!”

[I’m trying to sleep..! Is that so hard? Ugh. This carriage ride is getting bumpy.]

It’s already day 6 of me running away from home and here I am, in a carriage ride, to the Kingdom of Radix, with the knights from the first order. Looking around, I notice that this carriage is quite fancy and very high class for just escorting one person.

“I should of just pretended to be weak and ran the other way when I had the chance.”

**knock knock**

“Ye-yes,” I nervously responded.

“We arrived to outskirts of the Kingdom Radix ma’am. Would you like to take a look out the window,” said one of the knights outside my carriage.

I peak over to the window from the corner of my eyes and see fields of flowers. I rush to open the windows immediately and lean out-and-over in awe, amazed of how beautiful the kingdom itself is!!

I shout whole-heartedly, “It’s beautiful here!!!”

“I’m glad you like it Miss Lele.”

I turn my head back and see Sir Liam staring at me, giving me is half-hearted-gentlemen smile. I smile back half-heartedly in response to his smile trying to not seem ‘distraught’ about his kind words.

[You can definitely tell, he is use to wooing women.]

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

Sitting back inside the carriage, I’m waiting for the ride to end but then suddenly, we came to a halt.

“Whaaaa,” I stare blankly ahead of me.

[What is happening out there..?]

I peek through the window to see what is happening outside and I spot more knights and guards rushing over to ‘this’ carriage.

[WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?!!]

I start to panic in silence as I keep peeking out the window to see what is going on.

Finally, I decided to crack the window open as I see Liam and another knight make conversation.

“Is that true,” Liam responds calmly.

I lean closer to the window, making sure no one sees me ease dropping on the conversation since there is a lot of people outside.

“Yes,” the guard exclaims, “The Vermillion Family has asked we make sure to find their daughter and have her returned at once.”

I stoped breathing for a moment when I heard what he said.

[They’re... actually looking for me like this?]

Cold sweat comes over me as I try to catch my breath slowly.

[What to do..!! I don’t want to cause a scene..!!! Should I just make a break for it?!]

“I see but no worries here. We just picked up a young lady who was about to be kidnapped. That’s all.”

[Huh..?]

“Sir Liam, May I ask to see who the lady is? We have butler here who wishes to make sure it isn’t their Lady,” says the guard.

[WHAAAAAT?!! THEY SENT SOMEONE HERE?!!]

“You doubt me,” Liam responds harshly.

[I guess being Captain isn’t for show after all.]

“No sir but,” the guard starts to sound stressed from the conversation, “the family’s request has reached His Highness and they have given us strict orders to check every carriage.”

[If that’s how ‘they want to play,’ then so be it..! LET US PLAY..!!!]

6 days ago-

It’s a sunny day and I am cooped up in the library reading books on enchanting items. It’s not like I don’t get the gist of how to do it but the library is the only place I can be to plan my escape from the dreadful house.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

I was born and raised in the Vermillion House who are powerful mages and witches. The Vermillion’s are just 1 of the 5 powerful families which have no ties to any Kingdom as they rule their own land with their own power.

There are The Tahhan Family whom descend from demons: The Secretum, who deals and owns the underground blackmarket; The Naese Family, who only serves and protect spirits in the world; The Clairé Family which have been blessed by with Holiness; and mines, The Vermillion, who descend from mages and witches.

I am the third born child out of four.

The oldest, Percy, is 28 and getting ready to wed our cousin, Maria from our father’s side who is 22. Marriage within our family is normal as each family wishes to keep their bloodline pure and righteous.

My oldest sister, Sapphire, is 20 and engaged to our other cousin from our mother side who is 24 named Kyle.

Then- there is my youngest brother, Dylan, who is only 8 and has just mastered Fire Techniques this year.

I, on the other hand, wish to not marry within my family.

6 years ago, I cast a memory spell on myself thinking I could regain memories from when I was a child but instead, I gained memories from my past life. I was once a normal kid, with normal choices, living and breathing for myself and getting to choose who I would get to fall in love with but I died young, barely 20, protecting a child from being killed by a car collision and got reborn. I don’t regret the choice I made in my pass life to save that child but I want to live a life I want this time until I am old. I want to live ‘normally.’

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

**Knock Knock**

“Who- who is it,” I responded flinching while shuffling all my papers around since they all contain my plans of escape.

“It’s Shelly Ma’am,” she says kindly, “The Madam wishes to see you right now in the garden.”

[Mother?]

I gather all my things into a neat pile and leave the library with my hands full of papers.

She’ll reaches out her hands, “Would you like me to help carry your things,” she kindly gestures.

I stare at her and then smile, “No. it’s okay,” I start walking, “I’ll put these away and then make my way to greet mother in garden.”

As I make my way into my bedroom, I lock the doors and shrink my paperwork to bite size. I go into my closet and grab my jewelry box and place all the paperwork inside.

[Magic is quite usefully when nobody suspects you doing the unspeakable.]

Then I soon change out of my casual dress and into something a little more formal.

[Since I’m meeting mother in her favorite spot, it must be something important.]

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

I come out to the back of the house and walk along the cemented path.

[Gosh, it is hot. I should of put my hair up.]

In seeing eye, I see my mother sitting there with Lady Diane, her younger sister. I start to think of all the possible outcomes that can happen since Mother rarely meets with her sisters since they all have sister rivalry over power.

As I approach them, Lady Diane stares at me.

“Oh my,” she grins with her eyes as if she is happy but not her mouth, “Lele, is that you?”

“Lady Diane,” I bow, “It has been quite some time since I last saw you,” I say in a lovely manner.

“No need to bow,” Lady Diane chuckles, “We are all just family,” grinning again with her face all twisted.

Lifting my head, I responded, “Is that so?”

[Don’t be sarcastic. Don’t be sarcastic. DON’T BE SARCASTIC...!]

“If that is the case,” smirking, “Why would anyone ever resort to kill for power,” I chuckle, “Maybe even family.”

[AND I DID IT..!!]

“Lele,” my mother shouted.

I smiled, “It was just a thought since you and father always tell me that other people always want to eliminate us for being to powerful,” responding back immediately.

My mother sighs and looks at Lady Diane, “I’m sorry Diane.” Then mother looks down and grabs her tea cup in distress.

“It’s fine Ramona,” Lady Diane replies gently, “You are right to teach her that not everyone can be trusted since we are 1 of the 5 Nobel Families which have no obligation to any Kingdom.”

“Well,” my mother closes her eyes trying to regain composure, “If you say so.”

[And this is why you don’t invite me to your little family squabbles ‘MOTHER\~.’]

“So Lele,” Lady Diane says calling for me.

“Yes?”

“Your coming-of-age ceremony is nearly here,” Lady Diane exclaims with joy, “Do you have a partner yet?”

[So this was their aim....]

“I’m afraid not Lady Diane,” I reply kindly, “It seems like I’ve been quite busy with my studies that I have not time to find one.”

Then my mother looks up at me, “Sir Jared is available,” smiling at me while bring her cup of tea to her lips.

“Oh yes,” Lady Diane joyously responds, “Jared is definitely not busy that day. Would you like him to escort you?”

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

Ray Valency, 23, 5’10, Mage.

First born son to Diane Lions and Kai Valency. He is proficient in Air and water magic. Well trained in sword fighting and hand to hand combat.

He’s not a bad choice but he is not my first choice. I actually don’t want to go with anyone to my coming-of-age ceremony if possible. It’ll just be a hassle for me if anyone was my partner because they would think they have a chance to become a part of the main family.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

I bow my head, “If I need him to escort me, I will be glad to ask him myself on my behalf,” lifting my head trying to keep calm, “If that is alright?”

“I see,” Lady Diane looks stunned from my answer. “Very well,” she replies, “It would be best too if he heard from you about being your partner that day as well,” smiling calmly.

“If you would excuse me,” bowing once again, “I have some unfinished business to attend to.”

“Is that so,” Lady Diane says.

Mother puts her cup down and stares straight at me, “Did I disrupt you studying dear?”

“Of course not Mother,” I answer nonchalantly, “you calling me out here has given me a breath of fresh air.”

“That’s great,” she responds in a happy tone.

“Well,” as I turn away, “I must be on my way.”

Walking away gives me a sense of relief but also danger knowing that these two women are trying to set me up with Sir Ray.

[Sir Ray huh... This could only mean one thing- Engaged to be Married when I become a full adult at 20.]

You only get to Debut Once to society and when Sapphire did at 18, her partner was Kyle, who was 22 at the time.

[I don’t need an escort/partner. I can walk on my own. Isn’t that why I have 2 perfectly good legs and feet?]

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

It’s night time and I am laying in my bed after having a nice warm bath.

“Awwww\~,” sighing in bliss, “that was nice..!”

I stare up at my ceiling and start to worry about how I plan to live a normal life.

[What to do, what to doooo\~...!!]

**knock knock**

[Huh..?]

“Lele, it’s me.”

“Oh,” I jump from my bed and rush to the door and swing it right open, “Sapphy?”

“Can I come in?”

“Oh, um, sure,” as I move out the way.

I close the door as she walks into my room and she sits on my lounging couch in my room.

“So,” As I walk towards her to sit beside her, “is there something wrong?”

Right before I sit, she tells me, “You should ask Ray to escort you for your ceremony.”

I don’t even sit and just stand back up.

“What..?!”