Chapter 71: The Sun (Part 1)
Northern part of the Imperial Capital.
The weather was fairly clear, and the streets were still bustling with many pedestrians as usual.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split through the clouds, a dazzling brilliance bursting across the sky.
For a moment, everyone looked up at the sky.
At that instant, the sky turned into a dark, oppressive mass.
“Drip.”
A single raindrop landed on the ground, making a crisp sound.
The next second, the world turned into a blur of white as countless raindrops poured down all at once. A howling wind surged, and a torrential rain drenched all of Kaslania.
Pedestrians started fleeing, merchants began packing up, and the sudden downpour ruined what had been a beautiful day.
Yet beside a mansion that embodied both romance and solemnity, numerous guards still stood as usual, braving the storm without the slightest intention of taking shelter.
Inside a room within the Elfreid mansion, what one saw at a glance was an extravagantly luxurious hall, with ornate lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling and walls adorned with oil paintings of human figures.
But at this moment, the room was quiet. Isana sat with her head down on the sofa, and opposite her sat a man who appeared to be around fifty.
The man was none other than the head of the Elfreid family, Duke of Daylight: Clarence Elfreid.
Right now, the Duke of Daylight wore a stern expression as his sharp gaze swept across the oil paintings on the wall. Despite the room being filled with lavish decor, it could not hide the cold and lifeless air.
“Isana, even if you like to play, there has to be a limit.”
He spoke in a low voice to Isana, pointing at the oil paintings on the wall. “Look at what you’ve been painting?
I know you have your own interests and hobbies, but a girl your age shouldn’t be interested in things like these.”
Scolded, Isana kept her head lowered, hands obediently resting on her knees. Her silver hair veiled her face, making it impossible to see her expression.
“I’m talking to you. Did you hear me?”
“Mm…”
“You really ought to reflect on yourself.
Do you know how many people have come to our door lately because of your hobby?
Even if you are my daughter, I won’t allow you to abuse your position to force other girls to pose as models for your oil paintings.”
“I didn’t…” Isana said in an extremely soft voice.
“You didn’t?”
The Duke of Daylight frowned. “Just a few days ago, I heard from the guards that you brought a girl about your age into your room, and you were even chasing each other inside the mansion.”
Hearing this, Isana realized her father was referring to Erika, so she lifted her head slightly. “I’ve already apologized to her. She forgave me. We even became best friends.”
“This isn’t a matter that can be settled with just an apology!”
He slammed the table and continued scolding, “Forcing girls to pose for oil paintings is not a hobby a noble should have. I want you to give up this bad habit.”
“This is not a bad habit.”
“Isana, I won’t talk about your behavior anymore. After your mother passed away, I failed to raise you properly—that’s my fault. But I truly hope you can learn from your sister, Otilia.”
Hearing the Duke mention Otilia, Isana bit her lip and peeked out her face from behind her hair.
“Why should I learn from her?!”
“Do you even need to ask? You’re terrible right now.
Your sister Otilia became the Queen of Snow of our southern region at a young age. She always maintains the Elfreid family’s decorum and never indulges in strange hobbies like you do.”
“My hobby is not strange!”
Isana retorted, “What you said just now was the Otilia of the past!”
“Your sister is always the role model you should look up to!”
“I don’t want to learn from her! I can do even better than her!”
The more she spoke, the more agitated Isana became. “Now she’s just a pitiful person who likes to lock herself in her room! She’s nothing but a coward!”
“Smack!”
As soon as the words fell, the Duke of Daylight slapped Isana across the face.
The once noisy room suddenly went quiet.
Looking at his daughter standing motionless, the Duke of Daylight closed his eyes and sighed.
“You are not allowed to slander your family.”
“Ah… not allowed to slander family…”
Murmuring those words, Isana once again buried her head deep, her voice trembling, and her body quivering slightly.
“But you just now clearly slandered me… and my art… In your eyes, am I… not family?”
“I wasn’t slandering you. I was educating you.”
“Educating… educating…”
Muttering those two words repeatedly, Isana looked up again. This time her eyes were red, and tears had soaked her cheeks.
“You’re educating the wrong person! It’s that coward Otilia you should be teaching!
Why is it that my hobby is considered strange?
I’ve worked so hard too!
I hate Otilia! I hate you!”
As she spoke, Isana stood up and ran out.
“Isana!”
Watching his crying daughter flee, the Duke of Daylight realized he may have been too harsh. He reached out, wanting to pull her back.
Unfortunately, Isana didn’t listen. With tears at the corners of her eyes, she ran out the door, wearing only a thin white camisole dress, fleeing the mansion.
...
On the northern avenue of the Imperial Capital, the rain poured down heavily. The rain formed threads in the air, and with the constant “whoosh” of falling water, it felt like the sky was about to collapse.
It was the rainy season of summer.
Soldiers on patrol still held their posts dutifully.
Pedestrians raised their umbrellas, turning their heads and whispering about the silver-haired girl walking in a thin dress down the street.
So cold…
Ignoring the stares, Isana walked down the street in a depressive mood.
The harsh weather forced her to rub her shoulders with her small hands. The friction brought a bit of warmth to her skin.
The rain in the sky grew heavier, washing over Isana’s entire body. She had become a miserable drenched figure, soaked through.
As if she had experienced the highs and lows of life in an instant, she wandered aimlessly through the streets until her eyes landed on a small snack shop.
Entering the shop, Isana, with her damp dress, found a seat by the window in a corner. She didn’t order anything, as she hadn’t brought any money. She was only here because the snack shop had a stove, offering some warmth.
Gazing out the window with melancholic eyes, her mind echoed with her father’s scolding.
...
“Isana, I won’t talk about your behavior anymore. After your mother passed away, I failed to raise you properly—that’s my fault. But I truly hope you can learn from your sister, Otilia.”
“Why should I learn from her!”
“Do you even need to ask? You’re terrible right now.
Your sister Otilia became the Valkyrie of our southern region at a young age. She always maintains the Elfreid family’s decorum and never indulges in strange hobbies like you do!”
...
The words seemed to ring constantly in her ears. Isana suddenly covered her ears with both hands and curled herself into a ball in the seat.
Her strange behavior attracted many stares from those nearby.
“Look at that little girl. Whose child is she, going out dressed like that?”
“Probably ran away from home.”
“Looks like she’s rebelling—argued with her parents. Look at her dress. Definitely from a rich family.”
“Sigh, kids these days…”
...
There was gossip, but no one actually approached the little girl.
Similarly, the snack shop owner just shook his head and didn’t say anything or drive her out.
It was still raining outside. Letting a little girl stay inside didn’t really affect business.
“Thump.”
Just as Isana was curled up, a kraft paper package was placed in front of her. Steam rose from the food inside.
The warm breath brushed past her damp hair.
“Ah… I didn’t order this…”
Feeling the heat on her face, Isana looked up slightly.
“It’s free, hehe.”
A soft voice rang out.
She saw a silver-gray-haired girl with a big meat bun in her mouth, tilting her head and smiling cheerfully in front of her.
Those clear crimson eyes radiated a gentle warmth. The curve of her lips was as perfect as a crescent moon, and two adorable little fangs bounced as she laughed.
It was that smile—an angelic smile that could drive away all darkness.