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nNadia, who was deep in her sleep, had been dreaming all this time.

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nIt was a fine day. The sun was high up in the sky but it wasn't as hot as imagined. This rare moment made the trip to the north that had been planned be pushed through. A little girl in a frilly lavender dress could be seen hiding behind a bush, talking to someone, or to be more specific, something. If one would look closer, they would think that she's talking to herself because there is no one else around except for her.

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"Mom said we will stay there for a week so I won't see you for that long. But don't worry, we will come back soon!

" Her cheery voice echoed in the garden as she squatted on the ground, the hem of her dress kissed the cobblestones, collecting dust.

nA little black animal whined in answer while the little girl pats its head gently, trying to appease it. It nuzzled her palms which made the little girl smile sweetly.

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"Nadia?

" Someone called.

nThe little girl whips her head behind her after hearing her mother's voice calling out to her. She then turned back to the fluffy black animal before whispering.

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"We're leaving now. Bye-bye ~ Let's play when we return!

" There was an expectant promise in her voice but the furry thing just got more restless because of this and the little girl didn't notice.

nAfter bidding her goodbye, she then scurried out of the garden to where her mother and the others were waiting for her. Her short curly silver hair wildly flew behind her as she ran and immediately smiled innocently to the disproving gazes of people as soon as she reached them.

nA man with an aristocratic face frowned.

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"I told you not to run. What if you fall again?

"

nThough his face was scrunched up, there is warmth in his pale red eyes that glitter like expensive rubies.

nShe met the same set of eyes as hers and pouted, feeling wronged.

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"But I didn't~

"

nThe man became helpless, gazing at his daughter as his worries strengthened. After all, his little girl is growing yet it seems like she's getting more and more unruly. She doesn't even try to act like a proper lady of her age.

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"Come now. We have to leave before dusk. Did you say goodbye to your brother?

" A woman with the same silver hair as her asked. She was like the exact copy of Nadia if she's older and more mature, except for the bright blue eyes that gaze at the world with gentleness.

nNadia flinched and retracted her eyes, looking at the side before shaking her head hesitantly.

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"I forgot…

"

nHelen sighed in response.

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"It's okay but he will surely get mad at you.

"

nNathan was at the palace that time, taking lessons with their cousin Ezekiel. He didn't know that they were going to leave that day and so he wasn't there to send them off. Being reminded, Nadia looked even more guilty.

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"I'll send him a letter!

" She quickly exclaimed.

nThe maids had finished loading their things in the carriage and had now fussed over Nadia, making sure that her coat looked presentable.

nLeon looks at his wife. For some reason, he felt rather uncomfortable in his heart but he didn't understand why he felt that way. He began to add more escorts for them and this made Helen amused.

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"Do you really have to go today?

" He couldn't help but ask for the nth time.

nHelen smiled at her anxious husband.

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"We should have left a long time ago. If we didn't go there now then it would be too late.

"

nLeon let out a sigh and yielded. Helen held the side of his face with her palm.

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"We'll be back soon.

"

nHis ruby eyes bored on the woman's azure ones, grasped the hand on his cheek, and kissed it.

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"Let's go,

" the woman says to Nadia who was then ushered to climb inside the carriage.

nHelen looked at her husband one more time. She hesitated for a moment which was unnoticed by him. She wanted to tell him something before she went but her heart and mind warred. As decided, she offered him a sweet smile instead and bid her goodbye. No one knew that this was the last time they would meet each other and the clock of destiny had started counting down.

nLeon watched the carriage grow smaller and smaller from his sight and the sinking in his stomach deepened. He got agitated and for a second, he wanted to chase them down. It was silly of him to feel anxious with their parting. He blamed it on the fact that this was the first time his wife and daughter left their manor without him.

nHe stared at the empty road ahead and then walked back to the mansion to distract his mind. Back to his study, Leon can't focus on the documents in his hands at all, his eyes turbulent. He wanted to ignore the anxiety in his heart but years and years of experience honed his instincts. He never doubted his intuition and believed in what his guts told him. Leon doesn't want to think of the worst so he acted first.

nHe ordered George to call a knight. A younger man in white armor with the symbol of a roaring lion engraved on its breastplate answered his call. He was the first in command in the younger generation of Herman Knights.

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"Gather more men and tail after the marchioness,

" he ordered in a resolute voice.

nThe man left without question to comply with his demand and gathered his troops, and set off as soon as possible. At this time, the carriage was already miles away so they hurried. Leon wanted to calm down but he was still not at peace.

nOn the other hand, Helen glanced outside the window of the carriage, looking at the green scenery with unfathomable eyes. Nadia was feeling bored and sleepy due to the long and silent journey. She had been turning over and over on her seat, trying to find a comfortable spot and relieve her boredom at the same time.

nHelen looked at her restless daughter who was already lying sideways on the cushion.

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"Are you okay?

"

nNadia gazed at her mother and whined.

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"Mother, I'm bored.

"

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"Silly girl, we're not even halfway there yet and you're already exhausted,

" she snickered and stretched out her arm to grab the little girl to her side.

nNadia didn't refuse and eagerly went to her mother's embrace. Side by side, Helen looked down at her daughter and smiled helplessly.

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"Then how about practicing?

" She whispered in her ear.

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