Chapter 2: Goodbye

"Morning dad!"

Their daughter's shout immediately brought the two back to reality.

"Morning princess. How was your night?" Raymond replied acting natural. Tracy who was finally at the bottom of the staircase froze at the question and her thoughts drifted to the demonic voice which talked to her the previous night.

Hearing no response from the girl, Ray turned to look at the princess who stood in a daze. Ray could feel his breath hitch upon sensing the aura that came from his daughter.

He froze. Lee,as if sensing the abnormality in the atmosphere,looked at her daughter and saw ....red ... She who stood frozen under the staircase was totally unaware of the changes that were visibly talking place. A lock of hair on her head rapidly turned purple while another lock over her right ear turned a deep and abnormally shiny gold.

Her silver eyes flashed, each changing colors, one purple, one gold. No one know when her feet left the ground and started levitating in midair while her knee length hair seemed to have a mind of its own and danced in the air as if submerged in water.

 "Shit!" The couple cursed aloud and immediately took action. They both stood up as abruptly, pairs of white wings emerging from their backs as they immediately took off to catch Tracy, who was in a trance,midair...

 The empress quickly formed a hand symbol making a small sigil appear in front of her. She began uttering chants in unknown language and the sigil visibly struck and went straight into Tracy's heart. After a few breaths, Tray returned to normal and was knocked out by her father. Ray carried her in her arms and landed back onto the marble floor. They placed her on a chair and waited for her to come around.

Around 20 minutes passed and she was finally beginning to wake up. "Mom? Dad? How did I get here? What is it?" Why are you looking at me like that?"

Raymond cleared his throat and made a serious face. "Princess, take care of yourself when you are at the academy. Crystal dukedom is far away from the capital, hence you will be all alone but I trust that you will be ok...and don't faint like you did some time before... I believe that you will make us all proud."

Tracy looked at her dear father who put on a serious face on the front but actually cared for her. She smiled and responded," I am aware dad. Thank you. And don't worry too much. Your princess is a fighting machine after all."

She grinned wickedly which scared the two adults. "Good," they both responded.

After silently having their meal, the butler, Ross, timely came in and bowed. " The carriage is ready your Majesties."

The family of three stood up and looked at each other. Ross understood and silently left after bowing and gave the Royals a moment of privacy.

Lena: *sigh*" I love you my child…you are much more than you could even imagine. Please, don't get into trouble... My Empress..." tears welled up as she spoke.

The maids who were in hiding behind the pillars also started to tear up.

Tracy could feel her eyes sting as she felt a sense of longing. " Goodbye mom. Goodbye dad. I love the both of you very much. I promise to make you proud "

The Emperor strode from his seat to his daughter and enveloped her in a big hug.

Tracy: * hugging him back* she whispered " keep mom safe for me. Sing her songs like I did ..ok?"

Raymond broke the hug and composed himself. " Let's go."

The trio walked out of the palace hand in hand to find all the servants lined in two single files. Tray looked at all the servants who had teary eyes and quickly walked towards Ella, and hugged her. "" My lady you shouldn't do that! I'm dirty!"" Ella quickly said.

" No Ella " Tray mumbled under her breath. " Take care of everyone when I'm gone….ok?"

Ella nodded softly as Tracy broke the hug.

She looked at the palace for the last time in a long time and sighed. " I'll miss you all when I'm gone. Thank you very much for everything.i hope you will take care of my parents when I'm gone....along with yourselves. I'll see you on my semesters break..ok?"

Everyone nodded and waved goodbye to the father and daughter duo who were heading to the carriage.

Unknown place*

" is it time yet?"

A deep voice which would send shivers down anyone's spine resounded in the room.

A shadow guard appeared and bowed to the man who was seated on a throne.

Shadow guard:" Yes. She has left the palace and is off to Crystal Academy in Its dukedom."

The man on the throne chuckled softly and spoke. "Keep an eye on Laura and make sure she doesn't get carried away."

The shadow guard, whose name was Kyle, bowed and disappeared into a dark mist.

In the silence of the dark room, only the faint breathing of a beast, and a glowing pair of red eyes could be seen.

Back to earth*

Tracy looked out of the carriage while her father observed her quietly from the side. He kept thinking about how his daughter would cope outside the palace....alone on top of that too.

Flashback*

" Papa!!! Raymond looked behind to see seven-year-old Tracy running to him holding her dress.

" Papa!!" she whined cutely. " Mommy won't teach me how to swim!!" she complained.

He chuckled." Would you want Papa to teach you how to swim?" he asked while looking at their reflections in the man-made lake.

Tracy: *squealing and clinging to him* " Yes please papa!!"

Raymond: * picked her up by the waist and put her above his shoulder* "Are you ready?" he asked.

Tracy: "yes!"

Tracy looked at Raymond with such innocent eyes and trust he somehow started feeling guilty.

Raymond:" do you trust your father? ''

Tracy:" of course I trust you Papa! You are the best! "

Raymond felt as if his heart was being squeezed. He swallowed the guilt back and sighed. ' You made me do this,' he thought silently.

Upon taking a deep breath, he sighed once more and.....threw his daughter into the lake. A loud splash followed suit and the girl paddled desperately trying to breathe. The girl was basically fighting for her life at this point. The emperor saw his wife running towards them and immediately felt his original guilt multiplying.

...

Tracy did not even look at Raymond for the rest of the day while his wife gave him glares from time to time.

' You brought this upon yourself, ' Leena sneered internally.

End of flashback *

Ray stared intently at his daughter as if he would drill a hole into her and couldn't help but sigh out loud.

Here we are....

This is the Empire of Lavon, ruled by the Laroy monarch.

Lavon is relatively the biggest empire in the continent. The current Emperor, Raymond Augustus Kelvin Laroy and his wife, Empress Leena Silvia Richmond, sister to the duke of the Crystal duchy birthed their daughter, Tracy Navier Estia Laroy. Tracy is the only princess of their empire, therefore, the thrones only rightful successor.

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