I barged the door open, tramping towards the woman adorned with nothing but a simple blue gown.

"Did you know what stupidity your people caused? They dared to sully my name! Hand them over, Mhilrim!"

My scream echoed but her expression remained neutral. She gestured the servants to leave but I did not wait for them to exit as I continued my tirade.

"I am the Goddess of War, not debauchery. Those filthy scums! If they want to see real debauchery, don't hide them from me! I'll make sure to offer their chopped hands to you with each nail taken from the fingers and sliced until the bleeding won't stop---"

"Stop with that grotesque imagery, Cannaria."

"Then you better handle your people. I cannot believe those imbecile fools! After what they did, they even tried to ask for your protection. If they don't have the guts to bear the consequence, they shouldn't have written it in the first place!"

I puffed up a breath while my sister still appeared unaffected by my outburst. That only raised my fury to another level.

"So much for worshipping the Goddess of Knowledge with how dim-witted they are. Even a child understands we're the Twin Goddesses. A person needs strength as much as he needs intelligence yet they acted like having strength is a sin and causes depravity?! I'm sure those morons won't even be alive if they don't have the knights protecting them."

"It is just a story, Cannaria. A form of entertainment." The softness of her tone grated my ears.

"Story!? What bullshit! You'll see, wait for another couple of years and it will become a twisted truth. Just because you're favored as high and mighty, you don't plan on doing action. I hope you can still sit back when they will paint you as a goddess of seduction and vulgarity."

"Cannaria!"

"Cannaria!" I mimicked and my brow arched. "What? Won't you need to use your brain to seduce someone? Have you seen the difference between a low-class whore and the flower of the brothel? The former uses their body while the latter entice men with their talents. Or perhaps, you can be the goddess of the gamblers. They used their minds pretty often with much more proficiency than---"

"Enough!" Redness flushed her cheeks but  Mhilrim still remained seated on her throne with her perfect posture.

Nevertheless, I could swear she was inwardly shaking from ire. My eyes curved and a chuckle escaped my mouth. There was nothing more gratifying than to see someone annoyed aside from me which definitely helped to lessen my anger.

"Calm down, sister. If one sees your ferocity, they might not recognize you," I said, full of mockery.

A knock rang before I could further rile her up and Mhilrim let the person enter.

"Goddesses, we have a visitor," Mhilrim's temple servant reported.

"Who is it?"

"Raegan Deliora."

***

The capital city of Linosas bustled with incomprehensible noise. The festivity was on par with the great kingdom of Deliora in the Grand West, known for its large-scale celebrations every year.

The place became more crowded than usual. Red and gold banners were hung on the streets. All the stalls' covers also used the same shades, alternating between the two colors.

I expected nothing less on such a grand occasion in the Kingdom of Linosas. The March of Gryvel was undoubtedly the most anticipated yearly event of the kingdom.

It was the celebration dedicated to the first king. A ruler everyone highly regarded, King Gryvel Linosas. When the Far East mostly consisted of small rural territories, he was the only person who had managed to prosper from an abandoned land to the flourishing kingdom it was known today and one of the few recognized ones in the Far East.

People assembled on both sides of the street as we waited for the parade to start. Most on-lookers were commoners as to be expected while the nobles would be celebrating in the evening. It was such a pity when this was much more appealing than a formal ball.

"My lady, your umbrella! It's almost noon. The sun might darken your complexion," said Leni as she shaded me from the bright rays.

On the other hand, the knights and Nora circled all over me, making sure no one could get in close proximity.

More people gathered and various instruments reverberated a moment later. A statue of the late King Gryvel Linosas was the center of the horde. Hundreds of knights surrounded the carriage, each holding a Niveus flower.

The pink petals with special white leaves and stem were a rare kind that only grew in a certain land on the Far East. Who would have thought that my only oasis in the past had transformed into this lively kingdom? It was even a coincidence that my last name was my favorite flower.

We followed the procession and we arrived at the capital's plaza. The statue on the carriage could not compare to the one situated at the center of the capital's plaza. The human-sized model was said to be the exact physique of the renowned King.

The middle-aged man had a full-covered beard with a dazzling armory but what made it outstanding was its jewel eyes. However, one eye had been stolen years ago. The rare pink gem had been gone and only the amber stone remained. A combination that reminded me of someone but dared not to assume.

After a minute or so, costumed women filled the plaza. The dancers were light on their feet and graceful as a swan. They were showered with flowers and those glowing petals of Niveus.

A falling bloom landed on top of my head and a smile tugged on my lips before I returned watching the dance. How curious...

This simple act had no way to amuse me before. I preferred the bloody duel of knights than to spend my time attending women's lofty activities yet in the past years, I never skipped watching these kinds of events.

Perhaps, those years of ignorance had changed my temperament. It was better this way.

***

From morning till afternoon, I wandered from store to store. During this kind of day, there would be some exotic exports sold and I could not let it pass.

Two of the knights already had their hands full while the other two stood on guard. We strolled further but I halted my steps.

A crowd had formed in the middle of the street. The people seemed engrossed as they huddled together. I walked nearer until his voice became clearer.

"... being covered in darkness and evil. In this land of light, the Fallen God stained their claws of destruction and made the horrors of the world. With their presence, the world was filled with madness. She induced fear in humanity all her life until one day she was stopped. The Holy Knights sealed the Fallen God with the Lost Treasures. When all twelve jewels are gathered, one person can make a wish, whatever they desire, the True God will give..."

The bard began singing the Ballad of the Lost Treasures. Before I could even think properly, I was already approaching the man.

"Stop."

All eyes went on me as I reigned my rage. I despised the Lost Treasures that sealed me but most of all, I loathed the song. Those same lyrics were the start of my tragedy. That damn bitch made sure the Holy Knights would find the Lost Treasures using the song. She proposed it to my father behind the guise of folklore that would be remembered for centuries. 

I still could not believe what a dullard Father was telling her about the location of his most prized treasures. When truth to be told, he even guarded it away from me and Mhilrim. But just one word from that human bitch was enough to loosen his mouth.

It was all part of her perfect plan. She ruined my reputation, made the Holy Knights find the treasure, and manipulated Father to imprison me in the abyss. All for the sake of taking what was mine. She did not even have to lift her fingers as she let others do her bidding. Everyone was manipulated by her scheming brain.

"My lady, what's wrong? Did he dare to offend you?" Nora asked and scowled at the man.

He immediately cowered upon hearing how I was addressed.

"You. Why have you brought folklore from the Grand West to the Far East that doesn't worship the gods?"

Although it was not punishable by law, the continents in the Grand West and the Far East never ceased their animosity. The Far East became an uncivilized pagan place while the Grand West prospered. But in fact, the whole Far East had been my territory before and was more thriving than the Grand West where my sister ruled.

If I hadn't fallen on that bastard's trick, I would have never left this place. My life would never have been ruined.

"I'm sure this elderly didn't mean offense, Miss," someone interrupted.

I turned to the owner of the voice. A youth stood tall among the onlookers but my whole focus went to the guy beside him. Black tresses were loose on his forehead and it covered the same colored eyepatch on his right side.

The dark pupil was framed by gray hues, almost silver upon the afternoon sun. Such a deep-set eye fell upon me and my heart lurched.

How can this be?

"If you're planning to play hero, I'll go ahead," he spoke.

The voice was less deep from my recollection, but that face was definitely his!

He turned around and I hurried my steps, following his back. I reached him in an instant. Both corners of my mouth twitched. He swiveled and I was face to face with those very familiar features.

"Who are you?"

"Why are you wearing an eyepatch?"

***

Note:  Hello lovelies~ Here's a random and unrelated video. Build A B is such a bop and actually has a good message y'all.

Just in case you get confused. b*tch and b*stard are two different people that Cannaria refuses to name at the moment xD