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One month has passed and all her plans are going in the right direction. The first thing she did after returning back from the Green Hills was to soak all the medical herbs, that she had collected in the forest, in the spiritual water to make them more potent and vital, plus it prevents the use of spiritual water in front of anyone. However, she can bet that in this whole Varis Dynasty no medicinal herb can compare to hers.

Billy, who lived on the west side of the city, agreed to work for her so she had sent him to the imperial capital in advance to make a base of an organization for her. She even provided him some of her personally coated medicine for his legs. Though it has been half a year since his injury, it still has some possibility to get cured with the magical effect of the spiritual water.

While the last thing that made her satisfied is a week ago, The Prime was opened for the first time with a discount of 10 percent on the first hundred sales. She introduced the concept of ready-made clothes. Now people do not have to purchase cloth and then find a tailor to stitch them. The response she got from the people was pretty amazing. Even Finn and Taren were shocked after watching the increasing demand for clothes from their shop. At a point, Finn thought that it was pretty normal that people go crazy about every new thing but when the enthusiasm of people around the city does not die even after a week, he felt it special. Yes, it was special. It was his little sister's touch. On the other side, Taren's eyes shine with money. Though he was the son of the City Lord, this did not mean that he could watch so much money daily.

Siya has already asked Taren to stay here for one more month to stabilize and strengthen their foothold before turning their way to the capital. The Royal Banquet is a great opportunity for them to start their business. Every noble, either male or female, wants to look best while attending the Royal Banquet. If they can open a branch in the capital at this time, it will be the best.

"If you don't want your elder brother to accompany you, why not let me follow you instead?" Taren opens the fan that he carries today and tilts his chin up as he looks at the sky. His posture screams—quickly say yes.

Siya blinks her eyes and palms her face in embarrassment. Can she say she does not know this fellow?

"Dare you!" Finn refutes with a cold snort. "If you take my little sister out, you will definitely lead her astray."

Taren shrinks his neck and coughs uncomfortably. Even Siya's guard, Xian, glares at him from the corner of his eyes. Taren rubs his nose. Fine. He was just trying to help, wasn't he?

New Moon Fair is organized once a year in the town and it is a sight to behold. Every year she with her family used to enjoy it till the late night but this time everyone is rather busy and tired. Since they had decided to return to the capital city there are many things to be done. Alder is wrapping up his business so that it is easy to operate from the capital. Cyra is binding up everything inside the house. After living so many years in this house, she could not bear to part with anything. Finn and Taren, not to be said, are busy in the ins and outs of Prime.

"Elder brother," Siya holds Finn's hand and sways it in to and fro motion with a small pout on her lips, "This is the last time, I can play here. Please, I promise I will take care of myself. Please let me go, okay?" Finn opens his mouth but Siya doesn't give him a chance and lands all her body weight on his shoulders, acting spoilt. "Please, please, pleaseeee."

Finn sighs. He really can't do anything in front of her. "I think I had spoilt you rotten, hadn't I?" He flicks his finger at her forehead in frustration. "Take more guards with you." He castes a glance at Xian, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her be bullied."

Siya squeals. "Hey, who dares to bully me? It's alright if I don't bully others."

"Silly girl," Finn pinches the tip of her nose. "Alright, leave before I change my mind."

││ʕ'•ᴥ•'ʔ││

"How are the things going there?" Siya occupies the private room on the top floor of the restaurant and looks out at the sky as she puts away Billy's letter. "How is his leg?"

It's been many days since she last heard from him. Initially, she wants him to pick up some orphans in the capital city to create her own force. However, Billy introduced one of his comrades to her before leaving. Like him, his friend also had his own situation and was chased out of his family. This incident inspired Siya.

She instructed Billy to recruit as many retired personnel as he could—but they must be able to do the work allotted to them. Her business has just started and she knew there will be many hidden challenges waiting for her in the capital. It is not easy to take root at that place. On one side, recruiting these soldiers will provide them a stable life while on the other side it will benefit her greatly. These people had spent half of their life in barracks and battlefields so they are brave and unyielding plus they are loyal—that's what she needed the most. Bravery and loyalty.

The man in front of Siya doesn't blink as he replies, "The medicine given by Young Lady was really magical. This subordinate thanks the Young Lady from his behalf." His voice is neither high nor low. Even he is in his thirties, he has seen all the changes in society. Joining the army and fighting for the country was a glorious job but the reality after returning home is bitter. Wounds are said to be jewels of a soldier but the scar on his face became a curse for him. People like to see pretty faces and flowery appearances. So his face has become a topic to mock and ridicule by his family. They chased him out of the family saying his face will bring calamity to others. No one was there to support him and no one wanted to marry a person with a ruined face. He was desperate and useless. His life was dark until this young girl showed up. For him, she is like a spark of light amidst the darkness that gives the courage to move forward and not give up.

"That's good," Siya nods. "Tell him to be low-key. The water of the capital is deep. We are not in a situation to take that risk now. In addition, renovate the shop that he had purchased for the branch." It's still five months to the Royal Banquet. The timing is perfect to expand The Prime. She pauses for a moment then adds, "Find me some reliable people to escort us to the capital."

Although she had asked Oliver for help, however, she had never been in contact with him in the past. She only knows a handful of insignificant things about him that's all. She can't just sit and wait for his reply, right? What if no one showed on the day of their departure? Wouldn't it be too late to countermeasure the situation?

"The subordinate will arrange it," he cups his hands in greeting and takes his leave.

"Young Lady, what do you think the capital city looks like?" Ginni can't hide her excitement as soon as the room was empty.

Before Siya can reply, a firework burst, lighting the dark sky. From the top floor, the view looks magnificent and alluring. Her eyes darken and her body fills with a chill. The capital city—brightness hiding the overwhelming darkness within.

││ʕ'•ᴥ•'ʔ││

"Siya, we are getting late." Finn enters Siya's courtyard. He glances at Ginni and asks, "Have you packed everything she needs? Don't forget anything."

"Elder Brother," Siya huffs out, "this is the fifth time you have asked this. I am not a child anymore."

"Silly, girl," Finn rubs his hand over her head while she smacks it away in response before twisting her lips in annoyance. Ginni took so much time to set her hair but he ruins it every time. "You will always be my baby sister."

He loves his sister very much and is much grimaced to see her growing up so fast. His sister was already a stunning beauty before but now she had unexpectedly become an epitome of beauty. In this month, the daily bath in cascade water turned her skin had gained a new glow, her almond shaped eyes had a deep luster in them, and her lips had become rosier.

Siya rolls her eyes, and let Ginni rearrange her jade pin in her hair.

"Come, mother and father are waiting for you. The carriages have arrived."

Siya looks at Ginni. "You put everything I told you in it?"

Ginni steps forwards with her head bowed down. "Yes, Young Lady. I had placed the things in the carriage as you said."

"Hey, I saw you are taking some plants with you?" Finn speaks confused and walks with Siya outside the house. His little sister will be trouble to take care of those plants all the way. Moreover, it is not a small journey. They will take at least two months before arriving in the capital. "You just say it, elder brother will arrange everything in the capital for you."

Siya giggles but her eyes have a glint of mischievousness. "Elder brother, they are not ordinary plants. You will get to know on the way." The plants she had placed in the carriage have cooling properties. It is the middle of summer and on their journey, they have to pass through many hot places. It is inconvenient to buy ice all the way to cool down oneself. It is very uncomfortable for others too. In addition, it may increase their time of journey so she has gone through many books to find out these plants.

Siya's smile widens when she saw Alder and Cyra standing outside waiting for them. Siya has specially designed some new set of clothes for them for the journey. She runs to her father and mother, holds their hands before smiling gleefully at them, "Mother, Father, do you like the carriages that I prepare for us?" She has urged her father to let her prepare the carriages for them and as a result, she has arranged fine carriages. The carriages do not look anything special from the outside but it is made of the hardest material as well as it is well spacious fitted with long and comfortable seats covered with soft fur, a tray table attached to the wall, filled with fresh snacks and tea for the journey. Along with this, the carriage is shockproof, so that no one has to jolt or get tossed during the journey.

Alder smiles at his daughter and his eyes are full of doting. "You work so hard why won't it be good?" His daughter has become sweeter after she woke up from her unknown illness.

"Of course, I work hard," Siya boasts herself, before looking at Finn from the corner of her eyes and adds, "unlike some people who just know how to bother their sisters."

"You naughty girl," Finn taps her head with the back of his knuckle and laughs. "Now get inside we will leave the city now. It will be good if we are able to make it to any village or city before dark."

Everyone nods and heads towards their carriages. The first one is for Alder and Cyra, the middle one is for Siya while Finn takes the third one, while Xian and other guards follow them on horses. When others get inside, the smile and playfulness on Siya's lips slip down as if it never appeared before. She turns her eyes towards the man driving her parent's carriage and nods before entering inside her carriage. She is happy that Marquis Oliver does not go back on his words. He is really as she had heard about him in the past: a man of his words. He really left his people around her in order to escort her family safely to the capital.

The chase has begun. She is going to enter the capital city, the place responsible for her doom and destruction. She clenches her fist and grits her teeth. This time she will make everyone, who had hurt her loved ones in the past, pay the price. She will shield her family. However, there is still some emptiness in her heart. She can bring happiness to everyone except one. She closes her eyes and sighs in her own guilt. Her sweet-sweet son, Edwin. Whatever she does, she knows she cannot bring him to life. He can never be a part of her life. However, wherever he is, she just wants him to be at peace.

The imperial capital is a city of trouble. She just hopes that everything goes well.

││ʕ'•ᴥ•'ʔ││

Today is the twentieth day since they left the border city and everything is going very smoothly. Siya has her eyes closed and lays back in her seat while Ginni prepares some snacks for her.

"Young Lady, our journey is already very good. If we go with this speed then we will reach the capital ahead of the scheduled time," Ginni smiles. "It is going to be dark soon, the Master will find a place to stay at night otherwise we have to camp outside like other days." Her smile is innocent and pure, having a longing for the imperial capital just like other girls. It is clear that riding from the border city to the capital, she is much more excited than Siya. She thought it would be very uncomfortable for everyone to pass through the plateau in the scorching summer but because of her Miss' intelligence, no one felt any discomfort and covered the place without a stop.

Siya does not open her eyes but exhales a long breath. Ginni is younger than her and was sold to slavery when Cyra brought Ginni to their household. Since then Ginni is serving Siya and never got any chance to go outside the city. "It is too early to say this." If she does not guess wrong then tonight they will 'lose' their way and enter the Death Valley by 'mistake'.

The Death Valley is as its name. The valley consists dense population of trees and that makes it impossible to enter the sunlight into the valley, causing the entire forest to bathe in darkness. No one dares to enter the forest. However, the second household welcomes them with such great vigor.

Suddenly, the howl of wolves fills the harmonious atmosphere and Siya slowly opens her eyes with a lazy smile playing her lips. The debating noise coming from outside does not affect her.

"Wolves!" Ginni shrieks while jumping in her place. "Young Lady, that's the howling of wolves! I have heard that wild wolves are dangerous and their pack consists a large number of them."

"Ginni, I have some work for you." Siya's voice is calm as if nothing in this world can catch her attention. She takes out a pouch and whispers something in Ginni's ears.

When Ginni returns inside the carriage, she finds Siya playing with a bow. She really wants to know when her Lady learned archery but she keeps mum. She whispers in a low voice, "Young Lady, the man driving the carriage has lost their way, and now we had entered the Death Valley. Master and Young Master are very furious. They asked you to be careful."

Soon, the cracking of whip echoes in the air, and the horses speed up right away. Due to the sudden increase in speed, the ride turns bumpy and uncomfortable.

Ginni lifts the curtain and looks outside in the darkness. It is hard to decipher anything but numerous shining and bloodthirsty eyes following after their carriage, making her heart thump in her chest. She had always been serving her Young Lady and never had a chance to go on a journey. However, now she wished they would be better in the border city. She almost burst into tears.

"The horses are frightened by the wolves!" Siya does not know the person who shouts but soon the carriage comes to halt. The horses do not move a step forward.

Siya throws a quiver, filled with arrows, towards Ginni who fumbles to catch it. "Protect yourself and stay near me. It's time to lose some muscles," she mumbles before getting down. She has not practiced archery much after her rebirth and this is a perfect opportunity for her. She looks around and scans the area. They are really surrounded by the hound of wolves and she cannot guess the numbers.

"Siya, get back into the carriage! Now!" Finn shouts in panic while running towards her along with the guards.

Siya glances at the five persons left by Oliver on her side and says, "No matter what cost, protect father, mother, and elder brother at any cost."

Finn runs close to Siya and pulls her behind him. Siya protests, "Elder brother, don't worry about me. I know archery. You go and look after mother and father."

Finn knits his brows when his eyes fall on the sleek and shiny bow in her hands. He wants to ask more but the situation is not good. "No. Stay with me." Even if she knows how to fight to protect herself, it is his responsibility to take care of her. If she needed to do it herself then what's the use of him as her elder brother?

Siya frown at her elder brother but instantly stretches the bowstring and shoots the arrow just an inch away from Finn's shoulder. The arrow shreds the air and jabs the fierce mouth of the wolf that jumps from behind to take Finn off-guard. The wolf cries in pain as its blood flies in the air and his body falls down the ground. "See I can do it, can't I?"

The five people sent by Oliver are one of his best people. Due to their participation in the battle, the cries of wolves fill the air and their bodies fall on the ground one by one. Finn and Siya fight side by side while Ginni shivers behind them while holding the quiver for Siya.

They run to Xian and others who surround the first carriage. Half an hour passed but they cannot see the end of the wolves. However, the fatigue is started showing its effect on the efficiency of the guards. Everyone is covered with cuts, scratches. They are filled with bruises all over their bodies and their clean dress are soaked in blood but it is difficult to identify whether it is theirs or wolves?

"We cannot go like that!"

"The leader of the pack has not arrived yet."

Siya squints her eyes. She knows the leader must be somewhere watching the play going on but she really does not have time to think about it. If the leader does not want to show up then she will use another method to get rid of these wolves.

From the corner of her eyes, she signals Ginni who nods in response. She has already captured the people who tricked them here and stained their clothes with herbs to attract the wolves without their knowledge. Now they just have to set them free to escape. Once the smell of herbs fills the air, it will be easier for them to handle the situation. Others feel she is being heartless but she does not think the same way. She is not a pure-hearted person who forgives and forgets others when they try to harm her and her family. She will now feel pity even if that man dies or his flesh shredded out of his body bit by bit. The reason she did not kill those men before starting the journey is that she does not want her father to feel the same affection towards the second household as before. One after another, she will bring the true face of those bastards.

"The wolves are leaving! They are leaving!" The continuous cheering voices pull Siya out of her thoughts.

"Siya! Siya!" Cyra pulls her daughter in her arms and checks her from top to bottom. When she notices, Siya covered in blood while there are scratches around her arms, she pains.

"Why you come out of the carriage?" Alder feels distressed after watching his daughter fighting with vicious wolves to protect them. He is really an incompetent father.

Siya smiles at them before wiping their tears. "Am I not alright?" To be true, she is very emotional right now watching her father and mother standing in front of her without a scratch. In the past life, she failed to protect them and in order to save her, Alder was severely injured and by the time they found a physician to treat him, it was already late. Her father cannot able to make up to the imperial capital. Her heart feels giddy and wobbly. She had saved her father. Her father will live long. She will make sure he lives longer.

Finn too likes to say a set of words to his little sister but holds himself. "This place is not safe. Let's leave the forest as soon as possible and find a safe place to treat the injuries."

No one denies it. There are dead bodies and blood littering around them. It is very likely that it will invite my carnivores. Until now the entire journey, they had been running for their lives and now they are actually running to the capital.

Siya is very much looking forward to watching the twisted faces of those people in the capital when they will see them as fit as a fiddle.

3 7 0 0 W O R D S

Yepee! Siya picked up her bow!

I was out with my family for vacation, so this update was delayed.