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After tucking Yanyi in her bed for a nap Irene walks back out and heads towards the living room where she has many explanations to do. Even Kazuto came over after learning about the incident.
Before entering she looks down towards where most of the guards, those who aren't on guard, are swarming around in a group. Worries dancing in their face. Her feet hesitate for a quick moment.
"It can't be helped." she murmurs to herself before turning and lets out a little cough to catch all their attention. All eyes are now on her. Even the one inside the house.
There she stood before the balcony, looking like a knight honoring their duty. A duty to protect the princess. My how the role has switched for once.
Irene — "I am sure that all of us are worried and shocked as to what had happened just now. For now, I will tell you of your duty. The remaining story will be disclosed once Yanyi has woken up from her nap."
All of the guards did not cut her or show any resentment to her suddenly commanding them. They all knew how important Irene is to Yanyi and the other way is true too. With Yanyi not being the best state possible they can only turn to the one person who had stayed loyal to her throughout her life.
Irene — "All of you have one job only for the time being. Be very vigilant and aware. Make sure there are no preying eyes nor ears. No other creatures surrounding the premises. Not even a little bug is allowed to pass through any wall."
"May we ask why?" One of the guards questions. They have already had a shift routine so the sudden request for all of them to be at guard is coming off a bit odd.
Irene — "There will be discussion regarding Yanyi's private matter. One that cannot be told aside from those she herself trusted. I would not be telling this if it wasn't to explain her current condition. Whether Yanyi chooses to reveal this to you is up to her to decide."
"Can… you all do that?" There was a little hesitance to her tone. She wasn't sure how much they would listen to her. To her surprise they didn't falter to any suspicion. They saluted her and immediately followed the leader's assignment to secure the area.
"You certainly become a part of her right now." She heard Kazuto's voice from her side. Glancing to see the Young Marquess Ryuichi is leaning against the railing with a satisfied smirk.
"For them to listen to you without question. Not everyone can do that to personal house guards." He gave her a reassuring smile. Proud of what she had achieved and proud that she is taking the leading position for once.
She didn't give any comment and moved back inside. With all the guards securing the premises from even the slight breach she felt much more comfortable to tell everything. And I mean everything.
Luyao is sitting at the single armchair, eyes downcasted to the coffee table. He has yet to recover from what had happened today. Same goes to the twins, fidgeting and biting on their fingers.
"Sister Irene, what happened just now? Jie never cried like that before?" Qixiao states, clear confusion and worry tainted with anger in his voice. Considering how he had been idolising Yanyi since he was little, it's normal for him to act in such a way.
Irene — "Before I hear anymore questions, because I knew all of you had some in mind. Something needs to be made clear. Something that happened in the past."
Kazuto — "In the past?"
Irene — "Specifically, when she was 10 years old."
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10 years ago, prior to the present time, a shocking event happened that shook the high society of nobility. The sudden disappearance of Xue Lician Yanyi for 9 months.
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At the time of the incident, Ariani was surprisingly pregnant with the fourth child, this is after being told that her body cannot bear anymore child after the twins. It was a miracle that she survived and a miracle that she even got pregnant again.
At the same time, it is nearing the twin Elotion ceremony where they are receiving their own cryst for signia. To reward the two for coming so far, Xenzi decided to take them all to a vacation in the seaside villa in Ikravel.
Ecstatic as they are, it comes to a complete sunder the moment they learn that Yanyi wasn't able to come with them. "WHY?" They protested to their father.
"Your Jie will be partaking in the young warrior exam for Xue. Therefore she can't go with us to let her keep training." His tone softened a lot. Especially after seeing how attached his boys are to her.
"Does that mean Jie will be left alone here?" The young, 8 or 7 year old Lixian said.
"No, of course not. Your Jie will be spending time for the next 2 weeks over at the Averlion Palace. She'll be with Aunt and Uncle as well as Brother Lyon." Xenz said so, ruffling Lixian's hair.
"So Jie will have brother Lyon?" Xenzi nodded to Qixiao's question.
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A few days before the vacation,
Yanyi is currently in the twins' shared bedrooms helping them fold their clothes and packing their luggage. She had insisted on spending more time with them before their departure so she volunteered to help pack their stuff alone.
Can really know if it's Yanyi's request or the twin.
Regardless, Yanyi is more than happy to spend time with them. She is currently sitting on Lixian's bed and folding in his chosen clothes into his luggage. Humming to herself some tune.
That is when she noticed a wooden training sword dangling in front of her at the end of the bed. Then the voice came "Jie! Can you pack this? I want to bring it with me!" Yanyi shakes her head with an amused smile.
Yanyi — "You can't bring a training sword to a vacation, A-xiao. This is supposed to be the time for you to have fun."
"But I have fun training!" The little guy protested. Before Yanyi could say anything more she felt a load suddenly on the side of her leg. She saw a pile of books accompanied with the very pleading round eyes of her brother.
He didn't say anything to persuade her, just the look. She ruffled his head before giving the negative response as well. "No can do. You can't bring your study book with you, A-xian."
Lixian — "But I love reading!"
Yanyi — "And you have enough for the time being. Have some fun while you can."
"But we only have fun when Jie is with us!" Both of them said in unison. Clearly showing their displeasure about her not being able to come with.
Yanyi patted the empty side for Young Qixiao to come sit. He did and soon was engulf with the playful ruffling of their hair. They laugh with joy and soon collapse on the bed trying to get Yanyi to stop as she starts to tickle them.
The whole room is filled with laughter from the children. Even the servants and guards patrolling the hallway were pleased to hear the laughter. Smiling to their heart content.
At last after 5 minutes of playing around, the three of them fall backwards onto the very huge and comfortable mattress. Yanyi continues to look up while giving her own thoughts regarding their items.
Yanyi — "I love and appreciate how motivated you both are, but vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing. And~ spending time with your family."
"But Jie is family too!" Again both of them.
Yanyi — "Yes, yes. Jie is also family. But~ this is supposed to be your reward for your hard work. Jie also has my work to do. Jie knows that even if Jie is not there, both of you can still have fun. Have fun with papa and mama."
Qixiao — "But…"
Yanyi — "How about we make a promise?"
"Promise?" Two beady eyes look at her with curiosity.
Yanyi — "If you both can find a few interesting things or stories during your vacation, JIe promise that I will put aside a whole week for you both!"
Lixian — "Really?!"
Yanyi — "Really."
"Then let's continue packing!" They discard the idea of persuading her to join and even their little demand. Instead they look across the closet to find a suitable outfit to wear during the whole two weeks.
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The day before the trip,
Yanyi was scheduled to depart for the Averlion Palace a day before the family's departure. After having breakfast together they bid her farewell and off she goes to see her Rin-Sil family.
Although throughout the whole farewell, Xenzi is nowhere to be seen.
It has always been like this.
Ever since the twins were born, Xenzi was adamant on making Yanyi the next heir of the family. Even after the discovery of her being the Holy Maiden he didn't stop.
And no it's not because he hates her or anything. In fact, Xenzi loves all of his family. However it is quite a widely known fact that when it comes to work, he is very very strict. The only time he shows any form of warmth is during family time.
That is the reason that he is more strict to her than any other. He sees the training as a job.
But in the mind of a child, they wouldn't know the adult.
They take things literally.
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After tucking the twins in their bed, Ariani first went to her office and reach for the communication device. She had it linked to her dear friend's Marriane, The Empress. Soon enough the line connected.
They talk and gossip for a good 15 minutes. Before calling off the line, Ariani makes a request to speak to Yanyi. Hoping to at least hear her daughter's voice. This confused Marriane a lot.
Marriane — "Licia? I thought that she'll be departing tomorrow?"
Ariani — "Tomorrow? No. She departed today. She was supposed to arrive at least in the early afternoon."
Marriane — "Oh… Oh god! Licia didn't arrive today. I thought that she'll depart tomorrow with you all?!"
The realization that her daughter is nowhere near the safe place put Ariani in a terror panic. She quickly let go of the line and rushed to her husband's office. Slamming through the door, she shouts "YIYI IS MISSING!!!"
Even the stoic and serious Xue Xenzi was stunned. To say the least the entire guard quarters were woken up for a huge search.
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Soon enough, two hours into the search information were gathered.
They were able to find Yanyi's carriage and stated that the carriage was attacked during the trip and they were forced to take a different route. The routes into the woods.
With Yanyi there were supposed to be three attendants and four guards. Unfortunately the three attendants were dead the moment they searched the carriage and the guards were unconscious for a very long time.
Yanyi?
She was nowhere to be found. There was no trace, no struggle mark, no footprints.
It's like she disappeared,
Ariani was in a panic to say the least. Immediately without consulting the royal Xue militants, he deployed all the power he had to search the whole empire.
Unfortunately, even with the whole empire's militants behind the case, Yanyi was not able to be found. That is until one day she just appeared out of nowhere.
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Back to the present,
The twins weren't much surprised by the story. They had heard it from Ariani at one point and seeing her panic demeanor they didn't dare to bring it up again.
"But that can't be the only reason? Yanyi has gone through a lot during her childhood. A kidnapping becomes her biggest fear?" Kazuto commented. He wasn't quite convinced with this reasoning.
Irene didn't speak for a good three minutes much like Luyao who sat in his seat in silence. "That's not the only reason she went hysteric. There's more to it. It's just…"
"What is it sister Irene?" QIxiao asks with worries. The furrowed brow of Irene does not do anything to soothe the tension in the room.
Irene — "What I am about to tell you… I have absolutely no right to tell. However, under the current circumstance, it is the only reason we have. So I have a request I like to make."
All eyes are on her.
Irene — "Under no circumstances are any of you to retold this story to anyone. Not even to Aunt and Uncle Xue. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
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While the whole Volenix is being searched discreetly for the missing young lady, none attempt to look deep in the woods. They did, but not deep into the monster territories. After all, no one would survive going in without losing a limb or two.
And to carry a child with you? You must have a death wish stepping foot there.
Unfortunately, whoever is doing this is that crazy.
As water drips down from the broken roof and breaks the puddle's water surface a familiar blue hair is seen in the reflection. Her head down, hair covering her eyes.
Footsteps came closer to where she was.
The door opened and in came a man in his early thirties. A mischievous grin splattered on his face. A grin that could scare all parents.
"Did our young lady have a good night's sleep?" He sarcastically asked the little girl. Clothes are dirty, worn out, and ripped. Her hands are bound to the wall with a chain. Legs and her neck too.
The little girl didn't respond and glared at the man before her.
Her source of pain.
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For the rest of her life.
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The next part of this story is going to be gruesome and unhinged. However I will save that for later.
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-~*~-