Ch:70 – Corvina

Year 5018 after the system, day 1 of the flowering season.

"My baby is so grown-up."

Despite now being 18 years old, my mother's words still made me blush.

I looked at her fatigued smile and round belly. She had gotten pregnant for a while now. Dad always dreamed of having a strong boy. Not that he was unhappy with me.

"I've come a long way."

"You sure have." Her hand passed kindly on my cheek. We were now looking eyes on eyes. Finally, I had caught up with my tall mom.

I turned to the mirror, looking at myself in a pale green long dress. The silhouette made my sexy body stand out, displaying the beauty of being young and fit, but also, fortunate for the good genes of my mother. The number of candidates that tried to ask me out had risen. Especially, adventurers.

"Shall we?" She extended her hand my way, which I embraced with the warmth of my own. I felt safe with my mother next to me despite not being far from surpassing her.

I was now level 10 and a E rank at the guild. Though, adventuring hadn't been where I spent the most time during these past three years. I had been learning from Vincent. Thankfully, free of charge.

I had dedicated part of time to completing some achievements and improving my farmer job.

In the mirror world, I had taken some progression, spending mana everyday. I had accumulated a total of a hundred thousand mana. This amount was half the amount to buy a home from the lord of the territory.

Outside of our house we sat at a wooden table that I built. There, I placed the teapot that was quite hot.

Dad had brought some rare tea leaves from the capital, a gift from his highness.

We were now nobles, part of Prince Julius faction. The family name had been chosen by Aurora. 

"Corvina. Such an elegant name." 

I smiled at her comment.

"Rosaline Corvina."

"Iris Corvina."

We traded glances and laughed.

"We really cannot escape certain fates." She lifted the cup and took a sip.

"Dad had tried to escape nobility for quite a while."

"Yes. The nobles. They play dangerous games."

I looked in the direction of Astia village, then east to the mountains, and finally, south to the border with the beasts. This whole area was now ours. 

Not that anything changed.

We didn't allow nobility power to raise to our heads.

People in the village no longer treated us with the usual ambiguity or loathed our hair color.

They had come to respect us, mainly dad who looked like them.

Still, tribute was still paid to the head of the red rose family. As a new noble family, we had to follow his guidance, for most of the southern territory belonged to him.

We hadn't seen Aurora for three years now. She had enlisted in the military academia. If she managed to do well and gain some prestige, there would be a chance, our family would rank up among the other 800 noble families.

However, it was extremely unlikely that we would ever reach the influence of the 8 rose families.

"A wagon approaches," I extended a finger in its direction. 

My mom eyes quickly caught its trail. "Might be from the capital."

From the inside, a man in a black suit, white gloves, approached us delicately. 

"Good morning, my ladies." He bowed lightly full of elegance. 

"Good morning." We retribued with words, remaining in our seats.

"I've brought a letter of utmost importance from his highness to Corvina family."

At those words, my mother arm stretched his way receiving an envelope. "Thank you for coming all the way."

"It is my pleasure." He waited there instead of turning around and leaving.

'Is he waiting for an answer?' My eyebrow raised in suspicion. 

My mother's hands quickly made way with the letter, inspecting its contents.

"Are you aware of the contents of this letter?" She looked with a sharp gaze at the man.

"Sadly, yes. Ma'am."

At this unusual answer her gaze became defenseless. He sounded genuinely sad. 

I could tell my mother's heart raced a bit faster. Her expression, slightly scared.

Could have something happened to our benefactor, the prince himself? Or even to Aurora?

She started reading its contents out loud.

Dear Luke, I hope this letter finds you well.

The king has died.

The succession to the throne has been declared by the queen. 

Each successor will form an army and lead a different way in the southern part of the kingdom.

The king will be decided after 3 years have passed.

The Saintess has declared the goblin king will move soon.

The southern territory is no longer safe.

The goddess Aria summoning will begin in a few days. Her light will spread through the entire kingdom as it has before. 

It has been decided the hero will be by the Saintess side until the contest for successorship ends. As soon as the summoning ceremony happens. A flash of light through our kingdom will mark this special event.

If you are willing to relocate, we will host you and your wife in the capital.

Sincerely, Julius Lumen.

It was the first time I saw my mother's hands shake. Our home had been a little dangerous in rare occasions. 

We had been protected by the Saintess relics.

But they wouldn't keep such an enemy away for long.

We didn't know a thing about the goblin king. I only knew of weak goblins and of those a little stronger.

"Take it to your father right away!" Her voice came out a little loud.

I took it, knowing she didn't mean to shout.

I moved fast towards the village leaving them behind.

My fingers pressured the letter to some extent, smashing its perfect form.

"Did I do wrong?" I began doubting these last three years of studying, wondering if I shouldn't have worked on getting stronger instead. 

But now, it was too late.

The gears of war were starting and everyone would soon be forced to be part of it.