Alban's late emperor Sampson Alastair died peacefully ten years ago at the age of eighty.
To be fair, An's father is called Ming Jun.
More than 20 years ago, Alban was at war with Willard, who was in full swing. This iron-blooded emperor relied on his own strategy and astonishing judgment to reverse the disadvantage, repelled the Willards across the board, and even expanded the country a bit in turn. During Sampson's reign, he became friendly with the current Pope Quinn, and Alban's national power grew by leaps and bounds, and the economy did not look as if it had been stagnant. Although small wars on the frontier continued, the number of refugees and criminals did drop significantly, and the standard of living of ordinary people improved more than a little.
In the impression of most of Orr himself, Sampson is nothing more than a tougher, and generally speaking, he is a real good emperor.
But he was not a good father.
Sampson Alastair has two children.
The eldest of the two princes were born to Queen Griselda, who died unexpectedly while giving birth to the second prince. A few years later, Sampson married his young lover Theodora, brought his illegitimate son into the palace, and gave birth to a pair of twin princesses with the new queen.
Prince Etram was destined to succeed Sampson after his death. In addition to being weaker by birth, Etram's personality is almost the same as that of the previous emperor - smart, stubborn, and decisive. It's a pity that I couldn't get sick a few years ago, and it was all due to the rare medicinal materials and the efforts of countless therapists.
The second prince, Abbas, has an amazing talent for magic, but his personality is too gentle and unambitious. In order to show his brother that he really had no desires or desires, he didn't even ask for a fief, and went straight to become a mercenary. After the Tin Soldier mercenary regiment became famous all over the world, he would occasionally return to the palace to have a look, and tell the eldest prince, who had not yet become an emperor, about the outside world, as well as important information that the palace could not know.
The son Theodora brought, Eldric, who was once an illegitimate child, was mediocre, but very strong. Because of his young age, the late emperor was very fond of him. Can be favored, he can only be a prince at most.
And finally the Nightingale of Alban, twin princesses Annabelle and Andrea.
This should have been a prosperous family.
It's a pity that Etram is too weak to have children. He was murdered by blood relatives in the days when therapists had just figured out a possible treatment. The young Abbas had long since died at the bottom of the abyss.
Ann's brother and mother, the ambitious Eldric, has yet to marry in order to avoid being pinned down by his wife's family. Andrea "died from illness" early, and only Annabelle has a daughter, Delia. So far, there are only two royals left, Eldric and the underage Delia.
The end of the Alastair family is ironic. The female warrior in the tavern poured herself another glass of wine and drooped the corners of her mouth.
Ann had been disappointed with her father several times.
Unlike Etram, Abbas, a top mercenary, did not exclude his half-brothers and sisters. Ever since An was sensible, what she liked most was sticking to this gentle brother. After enduring boring theological and liturgical education, Abbas would tell them a lot of outside stories. Ann likes to listen in Abbas's arms, while Annabelle usually hides timidly and listens carefully.
It was a world they could never reach.
The accident happened on an ordinary day. Ann slipped out of the classroom early and ran to the church in the castle to look for Abbas. Abbas didn't notice his sister hiding under the table, just put a stack of books on the table, and then talked to the precepts at the door.
It might be a storybook, An Xin thought, sneaking away the top one.
In order to practice theology, the princesses learned to read early, and it was not difficult for Ann to read. It's a pity that it is not a story, but a royal magic secret.
The princesses are usually only allowed to practice the exclusive spells of the Radhist religion, and are not allowed to learn other magic from the outside world. Anton became excited, and she flipped through the pages, completely unaware of Abbas, who was watching her with his arms folded.
"Is it fun?" Abbas smiled softly. "Okay, don't make trouble. Give me the book, Ann."
It was a high-level magic book, and he had the right to watch it as a little girl.
"Very good!" Young Ann raised her head, wiped her nose, and her eyes sparkled. "Brother, look-"
She opened her puerile eyes, and a ball of thunder and lightning floated above hers, hissing ominously.
A perfect spell.
Abbas's face changed: "You... just look at it?"
"Isn't it difficult?" Ann turned a few more pages, and the brilliance of thunder and lightning once again broke through the gloomy air of the dusk.
Abbas acted decisively, isolated the room with an isolation spell, and shut the door tightly. He sat down opposite Ann, put the stack of books on the floor, and pulled out one: "Try this, little pumpkin."
Ann frowned and watched for a while, and then released another spell in a proper manner.
"Here is this."
success.
"And then this."
success.
"try again… "
A string of successes.
"It's so boring." The child's patience soon ran out, and Ann began to roll on the carpet.
"The last one." Abbas's face was very complicated. "It's the last one, darling, why don't you try it? Next time my brother will bring you candy outside."
An's spirit was shocked.
"As for this spell, you have to swear to your brother that you will never use it indiscriminately until it is critical. Be obedient, okay?"
"Um."
"It's called a royal edict, but... for some reason, my brother can't teach you the whole thing. It can most directly reveal a person's magical potential. It allows others to do things for you, and the stronger your ability, the better The more powerful the command is. Remember, it can only be used on Radite clerics. Repeated use on the same person will create incredible resistance to that person, and you can think of it as a one-off."
"I swear not to use it indiscriminately!" Ann rolled her eyes, already thinking in her mind how to use this spell to make a prank.
"You." Abbas shook his head with a smile, apparently seeing through the little girl's plan. "That's why I teach you the incomplete - at most you can use it to make people dazed for a while and can't give orders."
"… cheapskate."
"Have you learned?"
"Hmm, remember."
"Felix, Felix!" Abbas removed the isolation spell and summoned the preceptor bishop who was talking to his subordinates in the corridor. "Have you finished talking over there? Come and get the information."
Ann followed Abbas's instructions and issued an incomplete royal edict when Bishop of Discipline stepped in the door - the young Bishop of Discipline froze in place, staring directly at the void. It took ten minutes to recover.
Abbas sucked in a breath, and pretended nothing had happened and sent the bishop out of the house, then grabbed Ann: "Ann, come with me. Let's go see my father."
"I don't! I want to hear the story—"
"It's very important. If your father listens, you and Belle might get a chance to hang out."
Ann didn't like her father, never did. He never touched her head or even smiled at her.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Abbas." Their father interrupted him coldly after hearing Abbas' first words. "Don't bring the mercenary stuff here."
"But father, Ann's magic talent is amazingly high, and her potential has even surpassed the current precepts bishop! Belle is definitely not far behind, as long as they are properly educated, they can definitely become outstanding-" Abbas clenched tightly The younger sister is slender and small.
"They've had the most proper education. What do you want to say? Did Alban want women to lead the war?"
"At least let them go to Clement for a normal education, please, father. Ann's talent is even better than mine, and she can do more for this country."
"They grow up obediently and marry the right person, which is the biggest contribution to the country. Of course, good talent can be one of the bargaining chips - it means they can have good children, that's all."
Sampson had absolutely no intention of caring about his daughter present, not even looking her in the eye.
Anyan stared at his tall father. Brother Abbas is shaking, his heart is cold, and even her heart is not very comfortable.
"Father... just give it a try, okay? Even bring them back when they're adults. Give them a chance to..."
"I'll call you back from the tin soldier if you still have such naive thoughts. These so-called talents are only temporary. Women are women, and when they grow up, their brains will only be full of perfume and love. Send them out? Then, wait for them to fall in love with the wrong person? Or worse - fall in love with someone who was arranged by the enemy?"
Abbas lowered his head, his long smooth brown hair hanging down his shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Ann," he said with a forced smile. "My brother can't take you out."
"It's Andrea and Annabelle, don't use unruly names like 'Ann' or 'Belle' in front of me."
"…Yes, Father."
Abbas looked very sad. Ann didn't know what happened, but she did read contempt from her father's eyes. Make her feel cold contempt.
However, Abbas did not give up, and the next day, Ann received a stack of books—a stack of sweet and lovely fairy tales on the cover, which contained well-hidden magic information, which could be eliminated by the illusion that Abbas taught her. Easy to untie.
[do not give up. And don't mess around with them until the last minute. ] Abbas left the castle as usual and continued to follow the tin soldiers. His message on the title page was very simple.
"Belle, Belle!" An happily moved the book into their bedroom, "Let's learn together."
Her trembling sister shook her head. "No... No, the instructor said that we must not be able to learn these things, we are not born to... "
"She farts! I've learned so well."
"Don't say such things." Annabelle hurriedly covered her mouth in fright. Until they parted, Annabelle hadn't read those books.
It was the first time I was disappointed with my father.
Ann Savage has been in the black chapter industry for many years, and he is excellent in combat, but not outstanding. But she always survives the disaster that kills the entire team on her own—because she would never use the advanced spells of Alban's Royal in front of anyone unless her life was threatened.
She kept this secret, and to this day, she has never broken the agreement with Abbas.
Even if Abbas is long gone.
Ann was just nine years old when she heard the bad news. Once again her brother returned from the tin soldier, bearing the title of "The Brave", lying cold in the coffin. This time her brother Abbas would never leave again, but he would never be able to tell them stories or secretly stuff her magic textbooks.
Except for a very few members, the Tin Soldier Mercenary Corps was almost wiped out at the bottom of the abyss.
Flint Lopez brought back Abbas' body, as well as the head of the Demon King. But he refused the emperor's reward and asked to retire, only to live peacefully with his wife.
Sampson readily agreed to Flint Lopez's request.
Ann slipped out of the window after the late bedtime, got into the mortuary church, and nestled herself among the pale flowers under the coffin. She waited patiently—they all said Abbas was a powerful mage, and maybe her brother was just kidding herself.
she thought desperately.
Annabelle inherited her mother's character perfectly, and the new Theodora was not arrogant, but cautious to the point of nervousness. Seeing that the emperor was not interested in the two princesses, she was also stingy with giving them the "mother's love" mentioned in the book, and her heart was devoted to the youngest son, Eldric.
Abbas was the only one who would love them as normal relatives. Alban's two nightingales are well-fed, but that's all there is to it. Maybe the almighty god doesn't like me and my sister either, Ann numbly rubbed the delicate petals with her fingers.
The sound of footsteps came, and she cautiously got into the depths of the flowers and breathed softly.
"You promised him? Flint Lopez is a talented person. His wife's nationality is unknown, it is very likely—" A voice suddenly sounded in the darkness. The voice should belong to an old nobleman, and she couldn't tell the difference.
"I know." The other voice belonged to her father. "It doesn't matter, he'll be back. Now that the Tin Soldiers are devastated, Flint has every right to find a gentleman to soothe him. His wife... well, I remember. Sonia Ramon? Just a vagabond dancer. Can a strong person and a lowly refugee like Flint Lopez survive?"
Her father continued, talking about the weather: "He was just temporarily dizzy by the woman, and it's a novelty. When our Lopez wakes up, he will know the importance of himself - the princesses are still young. , When they are adults, Flint should take care of himself. Let him pick one, and the rest will marry the Duke of Early. Look, Flint won't be too far from the capital."
"Your Majesty, in case. I mean in case Lopez really..."
"impossible."
"if it is true… "
"Well, then let Miss Ramon disappear as naturally as possible."
She should tell Uncle Flint. An Zai covered his mouth and thought in a daze.
But the next day, when the head of the Tin Soldiers mercenary regiment stopped in front of her and saluted her slightly, Ann couldn't say anything - if she did, would her father hate her even more? Maybe Flint is really just hanging out with his current wife? She's just a nine-year-old girl, will Flint believe her
She... should she really say that
She looked up at the slightly sad smile on Flint Lopez's face, and finally remained silent.
However, in less than a year, Sonia Ramon, who had become Sonia Lopez, died of a sudden illness, and she was pregnant at the time of her death. Her father was not surprised by this, and even smiled when he heard the news.
That was the second time. For the second time, Ann thought, she felt disappointed with her father... and fear.
And then for the last time—
Two years after Abbas's death, Ann managed to escape while taking advantage of the chaos surrounding the theft of the Demon King's skull. Well versed in royal stalking, she ripped off her lace-covered skirts and decorations as soon as she entered the woods, and rolled in the mud, her beautiful long chestnut hair clumped together by the foul-smelling mud.
She remembered the stories Abbas told her. Suddenly, in order to avoid tracking, she had no intention of exchanging royal jewelry for money, and simply threw them all in the woods. Leaving only a mud-stained undershirt all over her body, Ann ran out of the woods—with powerful spells in her head, she was confident enough to survive.
Eleven-year-old Ann didn't have much conception. Perhaps this escape was an extension of freedom, or some kind of punishment for her biological father.
If he still has the most basic love for her as a parent, will that ruthless father worry about her
Even if the lining is stained with mud, the delicate brilliance of the satin is still dazzling. Ann ran to a house on the edge of town, stole the linen clothes that were drying in the yard, wrapped the satin clothes with stones, and threw them into the dirty sewage river.
So far so good. But the crueler side of reality soon emerged—
The linen clothes pricked her skin, and the hard-soled shoes she had never worn made her feet covered in blood blisters. In order to avoid possible hound tracking, after shielding the positioning magic on her body with a spell, she gritted her teeth and burrowed into the smelly sewers.
The situation has since taken a turn for the worse.
Ann sat on the hard ground, and the hard rubble made her whole body aches. She had already vomited four or five times because of the terrible stench of the sewers. Her body was overwhelmed by her lack of exercise, and her tired spirit was even worse. She closed her eyes, curled up, and fell asleep in the shadow of the sewer.
She was awakened by hunger.
That was the first time in her life she learned what "hunger" was. At first, Ann thought she was suffering from a sudden illness, and was so frightened that she broke into a cold sweat. An unfamiliar pain in her stomach plagued her, making her head dizzy. It was already dark, and they must have found themselves missing. This little sense of victory propped up the little girl to stand up—
Then she screamed.
Sewer insects bit her skin as she fell asleep, the mud on her long hair started to dry, and it seemed like something was crawling on her scalp. She got up so suddenly, and there was a sharp pain that she had never experienced before from the pulled wound. Ann's tears came down suddenly, and she sobbed and wandered down the sewer until she found the abandoned half of the scissors.
She couldn't take care of that much then. The revered little princess trembled all over, she cut her hair with a metal blade that was fairly sharp with scissors, broke all the long hair with mud and reptiles, and then threw it into the turbid and sticky underground river.
Breathing the rancid, damp air of the sewers, fear began to gnaw at her toes, infiltrating blood down the wound. Adventure is not as simple as Abbas said. Yes, she knew the difference - Abbas was a grown man and she was just a child.
Want to go back? Ann shivered in thought. If she goes back, how will her father punish her
No, the priority is to get some food first. It is late at night, and these things can be thought about tomorrow. After struggling for a long distance, Ann stuck her head out of the drain and carefully pressed her short hair, which had become a mess. The roar in her stomach was like thunder, making her eyes dazzled.
This should be a slum on the edge of the capital Doru.
A trace of the aroma of food floated from a distance, followed by the smell, and the end of the smell was a half-open shabby house. There was no one in the house, and a large pot of hot, sticky soup was bubbling over the fire. To be honest, the soup was turbid in color, it was impossible to tell what ingredients were used to cook it, and the aroma was very faint. There was a thick black grease stain on the handle of the spoon next to it.
Although she felt sick to her heart, Ann couldn't help swallowing her saliva.
Just eat a little. Eat a little, she thought. Shouldn't matter, right
That was her first fatal mistake.