Chapter 258: Seed Of Resentment

Years ago—

The Kingdom of Thesmeris was just as prosperous as it was today.

Its streets were filled with merchants, traders, nobles, and endless chatter. Marketplaces stretched for blocks, packed with exotic goods from every corner of the world. Tall merchant buildings lined the roads, while the Merchant Association tower stood proudly in the center of the city.

This was the true kingdom of commerce.

A kingdom through which nearly every other nation traded.

Outside, the city was lively.

Inside the royal castle—

The atmosphere was heavy.

Dark.

Tense.

In one of the private chambers, the sound of a woman crying out in pain echoed through the halls.

Standing outside the room was a beautiful woman dressed in royal clothing.

Long blonde hair.

Violet eyes.

A graceful face and elegant figure.

Queen Rona Isolde.

She paced back and forth anxiously, her face filled with worry as she waited.

The cries from inside continued for a while.

Then—

They stopped.

A moment later, the cry of a baby filled the room.

The doors opened.

A maid stepped out.

But instead of looking happy—

She looked upset.

“Your Majesty…”

The maid lowered her head.

“It’s a girl.”

For a moment, Queen Rona’s face lit up.

“That’s wonderful news.”

But the maid remained silent.

Then she spoke again.

“…We couldn’t save the Second Queen.”

Queen Rona froze.

The happiness vanished from her face.

“…Why?”

The maid lowered her head even further.

“It was because of the child.”

“She was born with extremely strong wind mana.”

“The Second Queen couldn’t endure it.”

Queen Rona went silent.

Then the maid hesitated before speaking again.

“What should we do with the child?”

Her expression was uneasy.

“She may be a bad omen…”

Queen Rona’s eyes sharpened immediately.

“Give her to me.”

The maid hesitated.

“But Your Majesty—”

“Silence!”

The maid flinched.

Queen Rona took a breath, then spoke more calmly.

“Inform my husband.”

“He is still sick, so do not force him to come here.”

The maid bowed immediately.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She quickly left.

A few moments later, another maid approached carrying the baby.

Queen Rona took the child into her arms.

Then looked down at her.

A small baby girl.

Cute and tiny.

Looking at Rona with curiosity.

She had soft golden-brown hair just like her father.

And glowing dusk-pink eyes just like her mother.

Even now, the sharp wind mana inside her could already be felt.

Queen Rona’s expression softened.

“Such a beautiful child…”

She gently brushed the baby’s cheek.

And the baby girl smile and laugh.

“Your mother may no longer be in this world…”

“But from now on…”

“You are my daughter too.”

“Alongside your sister Maya.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

“And from today onward…”

“You will be Princess Lia Isolde.”

Nearby, a small girl stood quietly and watched everything.

She looked around six years old.

She had dull blonde hair with pink tips and pink-purple eyes, just like her mother.

Maya.

She looked at the newborn in Queen Rona’s arms and muttered softly,

“So I’m a big sister now…”

Then she remembered something.

The Second Queen had originally been a commoner.

Which meant this little girl was only half royal by blood.

For a brief moment, Maya’s expression shifted slightly.

But only for a moment.

She quickly forgot about it and ran toward her mother with childish excitement.

“Mother!”

Queen Rona looked down in surprise and smiled.

“Oh?”

“What a surprise, Maya.”

Then she gently showed the baby to her.

“Look.”

“This is your new sister.”

“Her name is Lia.”

Maya stared at the small baby in fascination.

“She’s so tiny…”

“And cute…”

The baby Lia looked toward Maya.

Then suddenly smiled.

Maya’s eyes widened.

“Mother!”

“I think she likes me!”

Queen Rona laughed softly.

Maya leaned closer and spoke excitedly to the baby.

“Lia…”

“Look at me.”

“I’m Maya.”

“Your big sister.”

Baby Lia reached out with her tiny hand and grabbed Maya’s finger.

Maya’s face lit up immediately.

“She’s so cute!”

Queen Rona looked at Maya warmly.

“You’re a big sister now.”

“You have to protect your little sister.”

Maya nodded instantly.

“Yes, Mother!”

—

Time passed.

Five years passed since Lia’s birth.

Maya was now eleven years old.

Inside one of the study rooms of the palace, she sat at a desk while a mage instructor stood in front of a blackboard filled with magic formulas and diagrams.

“And that,” the mage said while putting down the chalk, “is the essence of second-circle magic.”

He turned toward her.

“Did you understand, Your Highness?”

Maya nodded.

“Yes, teacher.”

Then she smiled brightly.

“Can I leave now?”

The mage gave a small laugh. “And where does Your Highness want to go so quickly?”

Maya stood up immediately.

“Where else?”

“To meet my sister.”

She didn’t wait any longer and quickly ran out of the room.

—

At the training ground—

Lia, now five years old, stood in the middle of the field with a wooden sword in hand.

Around her were several training dummies, each filled with arrows.

An instructor stood nearby.

“Always remain aware of your surroundings,” he said while slowly walking around her. “A swordsman should never focus only on what is in front of them.”

The instructor glanced toward a group of mages standing nearby and nodded.

The next moment—

An arrow shot toward Lia from behind.

She reacted instantly, turning and dodging it.

Then another came from the side.

She swung her sword and knocked it away.

More arrows followed.

One from the left.

Two from above.

Another from behind.

Lia moved quickly, her small body weaving through them as she dodged some and broke others with her sword.

Her movements were clumsy in places, but incredibly sharp for her age.

Finally—

The last arrow came straight toward her chest.

Lia slashed upward.

The arrow split in half.

“Phew…”

She lowered her sword slightly.

The instructor nodded with clear approval.

“Very good, Your Highness.”

“You learned mana strengthening at such a young age.”

“You are a prodigy.”

Lia’s face lit up immediately at the praise.

The instructor smiled.

“You may even be more talented than the first princ—”

Clap. Clap.

Lia turned immediately.

Maya stood near the edge of the training ground, clapping lightly.

Lia’s entire face brightened.

“Sister!!”

She ran toward Maya without hesitation and hugged her tightly.

Maya laughed softly.

“Calm down, calm down. I’m not going anywhere.”

Lia looked up at her with sparkling eyes.

“Did you watch me, Sister?”

“How was I?”

Maya smiled warmly and nodded.

“You were amazing.”

“At such a young age, you already learned mana strengthening.”

Then she grinned slightly.

“When I become queen, you’ll be my knight.”

Lia’s eyes widened in excitement.

“Really?!”

Then she nodded quickly.

“Yay! I’ll become Big Sister’s knight!”

Maya smiled.

“Good.”

“Now I have to go.”

Lia’s face fell immediately.

“Huh?”

“Sister, won’t you play with me?”

Maya looked slightly troubled.

“But I need to meet Mother.”

Lia puffed her cheeks slightly.

“But I want to play with you…”

Maya thought for a second.

Then she smiled.

“Alright.”

“You go get changed and wait in your room.”

“I’ll meet Mother first, then I’ll come play with you.”

Lia brightened instantly.

“Okay, Sister!”

She quickly ran off.

Maya turned and headed toward Queen Rona’s office.

As she neared the room, she heard voices from inside.

The head instructor was there.

Maya stopped near the door.

Inside, the head instructor knelt respectfully before Queen Rona.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “the First Princess has successfully learned second-circle magic. Her magical progress is steady, and her swordsmanship is also improving well.”

“She is close to reaching two-star warrior rank.”

“She is truly gifted.”

Queen Rona smiled and nodded.

Then the instructor continued.

“And the Second Princess…”

“She is progressing even faster.”

“She may truly be a prodigy.”

Queen Rona looked slightly surprised.

The instructor lowered his head further.

“She has already reached one-star warrior rank…”

“And she is only five years old.”

“Her talent with the sword surpasses even the First Princess, who reached one-star at eight.”

“At this rate, the Second Princess may become a two-star warrior before she even turns eight.”

“She is also learning literature, commerce, and merchant knowledge at an incredible pace.”

Queen Rona was silent for a moment.

Then she smiled.

Outside the room—

Maya heard everything.

And something inside her felt strange.

She was the First Princess.

The talented one.

The one everyone praised.

Yet now—

They were talking about Lia.

While part of her felt happy for her sister…

Another part felt something else.

Something uncomfortable.

A moment later, Maya entered the room.

Queen Rona looked up and smiled warmly.

“Maya, my dear.”

“Mother.”

Queen Rona looked at her for a moment.

“You heard the conversation, didn’t you?”

Maya nodded quietly.

Queen Rona smiled.

“And what do you think?”

It was a test.

Maya thought for a moment before answering.

“Lia’s talent and fast growth will provide a strong foundation for our kingdom to compete with the younger generation of other kingdoms.”

“She is very talented…”

“Even though the Second Queen was just a commoner.”

“Maya!”

Queen Rona’s voice rose sharply.

Maya froze in shock.

She had never expected her mother to raise her voice like that.

Queen Rona quickly came over and lowered herself onto one knee in front of Maya.

Then she spoke gently.

“Maya…”

“You should not say things like that.”

“Yes, the Second Queen was a commoner…”

“But your sister is not.”

“And you made it sound as if commoners cannot be strong.”

Queen Rona placed a hand gently on Maya’s shoulder.

“Do not look down on commoners.”

“They are the backbone of a kingdom.”

Maya lowered her head slightly.

“…I understand, Mother.”

Then after a moment, she quietly said,

“I should leave now.”

Queen Rona nodded.

Maya turned and left the room.

But as she walked away, a thought remained in her mind.

I didn’t say anything wrong…

Lia is half commoner.

That is the truth.

I don’t hate Lia for that…

But Mother acted like I said something terrible…

—

Back to the present—

Inside her room, Maya sat in front of a large mirror while several maids worked around her.

Some adjusted her hair.

Some prepared jewelry.

Others carefully applied makeup to enhance her already beautiful features.

She remained quiet, watching her reflection in the mirror.

Behind her, Hans stood with his usual foxy smile.

“What happened, Your Highness?”

“What are you thinking about?”

Maya’s eyes remained on the mirror.

“…Nothing.”

Then her expression shifted slightly, a faint disgust appearing on her face.

“Just an old memory resurfacing.”

Hans smiled faintly.

But didn’t ask further.

—

Meanwhile—

At the rear side of the Glimmereach royal palace—

The platform finally reached the top.

Maera, Selene, and Drevin, still disguised as knights, stepped off quickly.

The moment they did, they realized the security here was even tighter than below.

More guards.

More mages.

More patrols.

Every corridor had people moving through it.

Maera lowered her voice and said through her disguise,

“Let’s go save Lia and Ron.”

Selene and Drevin nodded.

Then the three of them walked into the castle, blending in with the other guards.

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