Her brothers were now the Feuerlon siblings who seemed to be too comfortable with her, completely unaware of the situation. Everyone in the manor seemed to worry about her health more than she do—and she could expect nothing less of it.

Faustina now remembers what happened the past few days she woke up.

The altered memories. The king's conspiracy. The Forsaken.

Eula's death.

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She remembered her purpose—and she stood firm as she remembered her duty. What the king told her.

Although it is a lot hazier and everything is still a puzzle for her, Faustina realized that she could not go idle anymore. If she desires answers, she could do nothing but move forward. No one will hand her the answers, or baby her.

This is the reality.

"Can you trick a person, Faustina?" The king asks. "No... can you fool the people around you?"

Faustina blinked. "Fool... people?"

"From now on, I want you to learn how to deceive,"

"Why?"

The king's sapphire-blue eyes flickered.

"For survival."

**

The port of Feuer is located eastward, where the sea meets the country. The Feuerlons were one of the n.o.bles that owns several s.h.i.+ps in the harbor, with eight merchant companies working under them. Faustina was taught that the Feuerlon household were the ones next to royalty—and that makes them next to none in terms of n.o.bility.

"Social cla.s.ses are a pain in the a.r.s.e."

"Language, Lucas." Adalia Feuerlon stoicly lectures, "you should not speak like that. Your sister is listening... oh, Faustina. Must you be going, my child?"

"I have to, Mother," Faustina tirelessly answers. It has been a while ever since the d.u.c.h.ess started to ask her almost everyday in regards to Faustina's enrolment in Magierstadt. The affectionate and worried Adalia never failed to spark up her guilt—guilt from tricking this kindhearted woman.

"Addy," the duke calls, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You shouldn't disturb Faustina. She ought to study."

"But..."

"Maddie, can you escort Adalia to her chambers for a while?" The duke says, "I must talk to Faustina."

"Certainly, Sir."

"Duke."

"Faustina." The duke says. "How are you feeling?"

Faustina blushed, and then lowered her head. She realized that this person knew that she was not his daughter—he knew that she isn't a part of the family.

"I-I'm fine, Duke." She answers. "This is all thanks for your hospitality."

The duke nodded. "Come, follow."

**

THE DUKE'S STUDY

"You are aware of what situation you're in, correct?" The duke asks, as he walked towards the large window behind his desk. He peered from below as he spoke.

"Yes."

"You are aware that the king wants to end the curse." He says. "That he wants to end it for good."

"Yes..."

"You must know by now that Sheilalev is an ally of the first king," the duke says. "I know this much. But I do not know what your duty shall be, other than break the seal on your body and release a powerful magical prowess. What good will it do? Will it really sustain the king's life?"

"I... I don't know."

"The king has plans." He says. "Are you a part of it? Or are you another one?"

"Another one?" Faustina asks, tilting her head slightly.

"You will depart in a few days time to the Port of Feuerlon. The exam in Magierstadt is coming in a few days. You will stop by Feuer capital for a day."

"Feuer capital..."

"It is necessary to stop by to the Feuer Capital before getting in to the Central Harbor. The Central Harbor is the only pa.s.s to exit the country; this is where you must go. But there is a business that I want you to do in the capital, as well."

"A business?"

The duke sighed.

Faustina stared at the Duke, who got something from his pocket. It glistened in the light from the window.

A silver necklace with a round, brooch-like pendant.

"I want you to meet a person named Owen." He says. "And I want you to give him this."