Before I knew it half my body was submerged in the freezing muddy ground. Against my face, I could feel the heat emanating from the fiery red shrapnel protruding from the ground narrowly missing my head. I looked towards one of my fellow soldiers; dozens of shrapnel were lodged in his body, and half his face had melted from the extreme heat of the explosion.

My body numb from shock could do nothing but stare at the corpses surrounding me. That is until everything turned to smog, wisping away the gruesome scene. I found myself sitting across from a familiar yet unfamiliar face. Yurai… that was his name, but I knew not how I knew nor why I was sitting across from him engaging in a game of chess. Yurai smiled at me before he too faded into a smog, I felt as if I was drifting through a river passing from one memory to the other. This time I found myself looking at my reflection which was distorted by bubbles. I found myself banging against the glass which was muffled by the strange liquid that surrounded me. My vision slowly faded to black as a man smiled at me from the other side of the glass.

I gasped for air as I sprung up from my deep sleep; I could feel the cold beads of sweat roll down my face until they dropped to my bed sheets. I was confused, anxious, and curious about the fact I did not recognise the final two memories I saw.

**

I carefully lay down the last stroke on the canvas leaving behind a soft sakura pink for her lips. It has been around a month since I picked up this artistic hobby, I usually paint or sketch when I hit a roadblock in my magic research as I find it calming.

“Hey, Arthur.” August snaps me out of my thoughts. “When did you have the time to get this good? Hasn't it only been about a month since you started painting? Now your side of the room is littered with paintings that get increasingly better. Though, why are most of the paintings Rose reading?”

“Well, Rose usually spends most of her time in my study reading. When I draw I use Noire and use what she's doing as a reference. I mean, I’m hopeless without a reference.” Which was true, I could barely draw or paint anything if I didn't use a reference.

“Oh, this one is different! Hmm… it seems that she was attending a salon correct? With her looks, she should be quite popular.” August was correct to some extent. But, just because she had unparalleled beauty didn't mean she was respected. Because she is an illegitimate child she's ridiculed by other nobles especially the ones who pride themselves on being pure-blooded nobility. Though I swore to not let anyone off if they went too far once I got out of the academy… though it seemed I needn't worry. Rose had already built a reputation for not treating those who went too far kindly. By some, she was called The Thorned Rose because she wasn't afraid of using magic to punish anyone. It would be putting it lightly to say that using magic on other nobles would get some into trouble but even with her reputation as an illegitimate child, she is still the daughter of Duke Alastair. As long as she doesn't go too far she should be fine.

——————————————

Rose found herself once again in her elder brother's study, slowly flipping through the pages of a book. “Young Miss, would you like for me to fetch some refreshments?” Amber asked worriedly as Rose had been skipping meals as of late.

“Hmm… bring me some tea and some sweets.” She answered without taking her eyes from the coverless book with crude binding.

“Right away, young miss.” Without skipping a beat Amber headed off towards the kitchen leaving Rose on her own quietly reading. The book she was reading was the book that Noire had found, Rose immediately noticed that the book had been written by Arthur himself. The book itself was well written but the contents were beyond her academic knowledge; because of this Rose was having trouble understanding and absorbing the information.

The book itself was a culmination of Arthur's medical knowledge, this included detailed diagrams of the human body, explanations about organs, cells, genes, alleles, diseases, and more. Rose didn't know it now but this fountain of knowledge is what would cause a breakthrough in her healing magic. “Haaa… this is too hard!” Rose let out a deep sigh and closed the book in defeat.

Rose rolled back from the desk and turned towards the large and glamorous window in the centre wall. Looking past the Vermilion Crest adorning the window, Rose looked towards the central courtyard’s garden in the distance. Past the garden, Rose could barely make out the figures of Elizabeth and Charlotte having tea on one of the balconies. Before Rose could think of anything else she heard knocking against the door and shortly after Amber entered with a trolley carrying a tea set and some sweets varying from chocolates to cakes.

——————————————

“Rose De Vermilion accompanied by Beatrice Von Agnus are making their entrance!” The attendant announced our arrival as Beatrice and I entered through the towering doors leading to the ballroom. As Beatrice pushed me through the hall we were greeted by some nobles and ignored by others. Where were we you ask? Well, we are currently attending the birthday banquet of the fourth princess of the imperial family. I was sent an invitation and my friend Beatrice offered to accompany me to the event; Beatrice was one of the friends I had met while attending social salons.

As we moved through the crowd of people the double doors atop a beautiful staircase opened, everyone quieted down and looked towards the top of the stairs at the front of the hall as two figures stepped through. One of the two figures was the current emperor and the other was the fourth princess.

“I bid you all a welcome! Now, we all know why we have gathered here today so I won't keep you with a long speech!” The emperor greeted the nobles gathered in the hall with the fourth princess at his side. “This wonderful event is being held for my fourth daughter Shen De Elroyard and you are all here to congratulate her! To me, it feels like just yesterday that she graced us with her birth… but time has flown and it's already been eleven years!” He raised his wine glass before saying one last thing “I congratulate the Fourth Princess on her eleventh birthday! And now I will formally announce the beginning of the banquet!” The emperor lowered his glass, caressed the head of the third princess after saying something to her and began walking down the stairs to interact with the nobles. Though, I noticed that the princess’s face quickly showed a hint of sadness when he left.

I never really understood why people wanted extravagant celebrations for their birthdays. I would prefer a simple meal and time together with the people I love, Just mother, brother, Amber, and me! I feel that having a huge banquet similar to this would be exhausting; hey, I’m already exhausted just from attending! My friend Beatrice was from a count family known for the selling and making of magic tools, its a rather interesting subject which I hope to study one day. She had long deep blue hair accompanied by rich green eyes that when looked into, were akin to looking into a luscious forest. She was the perfect height, not too tall nor too short; Beatrice had a refined aura to her due to her impeccable etiquette, and when accompanied by her naturally good looks she was sought by hordes of suitors.

“Bea, can you take me to a balcony so I can rest, please? After that, you can mingle with the other guests leisurely.” My reputation isn't the best if I were to put it lightly. If I want my dear friend to find a good husband it would probably be better for me to distance myself in public places.

“Are you sure you don't want to enjoy the banquet a little more?” She looked down at me with her glistening eyes riddled with worry. She’s too precious! Simply cute! No! I must look away… I can't let myself be pulled in.

“Yes, I’m exhausted so I want to get away from all the people so don't worry about me and have fun!” She reluctantly took me to one of the empty balconies where I could relax with the soft night breeze brushing against me. Though the balcony was nice; even lined with gold which I think was overkill, it couldn't compare to the grand and beautiful courtyard of the royal palace.

**

“Hic…”

Hmm? The night was young so I decided to take a stroll around the stunning courtyard as it wasn't something I could see every day. But I didn't think I’d stumble upon this.

“Heuk… hic..!”

Sitting on the edge of a beautiful fountain, failing to hold back her tears was the fourth princess. The scene was quite captivating, her figure reflected in the water with her long pitch black hair that seemingly glistened. Under the radiating full moon, her porcelain pale skin produced a glow that made me think I’d witnessed an angel descending.

Drawn in by the cute and captivating princess I tried to get a closer look. But as I inched closer one of my wheels let out a screeching creak causing the princess’s head to snap in my direction. She simply stared at me without making a peep. “Um… h-hello?”

Argh!!! Rose! What was that?! I tried to recompose and then introduce myself but the princess began to giggle. “Pff..! haha!” I don't know why but I began to laugh as well.

“Hehe..! Hello, I’m Shen De Elroyard. May I know this Big Sister’s name?”

Big Sister?! Oh. My. God. SHE IS ADORABLE! Her large black eyes! Her small mouth! Her small nose! She's like a doll! “Y-Yes your highness, my name is Rose De Vermilion.”

“Oh..! Then you must be uncle Alastair's daughter!” She quickly became excited and her face become blindingly cute which was too much for me to handle..! It’s like looking into the sun! She seems so happy now, it seems she's the kind of person to wear her emotions on her sleeves. But now that I’ve spoken to her I’m curious as to what made her cry.

“Is… everything okay? It’s just… earlier you were…” Her excited face quickly turned sullen. “Ah! Did you hurt yourself?! Did you lose something? Or did someone bully you!? If someone did just tell this Big Sister and I’ll give them a good beating!” She quickly looked up at me and shook her head. “Then why are you so sad? You’re much cuter with a smile!”

“Hehe...” She let out a giggle which means I cheered her up a little, I hope anyway. “No one bullied me. It’s just the atmosphere in there.” She pointed towards the ballroom where her birthday banquet was taking place. “The nobles always talk, whisper, and gossip. Usually about mother and me…” She began to cutely fidget with her fingers. “I don't really know why I’m telling you this… but, I like you so I guess it's fine. I’m fine, I just don't like it when people talk about mother like that.”

“Hmm, that does seem like a problem. But, people will be like that, you just need to ignore them.” It’s unfortunate but she can't really do anything that would make them all change. “Well, if they really bother you so much you can always hit them, hehe. A good smack across the face will put them in their place!”

“Haha! You’re funny, but I can’t do something like that!” Hmm, why not? Well… I guess I could see the possible implications.

“I guess it's true you can’t do that. I don’t really know what your reputation is but I guess doing that would definitely lower it. Ah! I have an idea, if anyone ever bothers you enough just come to me! If you give me the names I’ll play a little prank on them for you! My reputation is already rock bottom so it doesn't matter too much, hehe.” Though I’m half joking, if this little angel wanted me to I’d do it.

The princess cutely giggled and replied “Okay, Big Sister!” ahh… too precious!

——————————————

“...”

Where am I?

I can’t move!

“..!” I can’t speak!

I’m cold… I can’t see! Okay… calm down, breathe in, breathe out- I’m not breathing? I can’t breathe!

I’m scared…

To Be Continued.