On the year when his engagement was announced, another big moment that took place was Lyon's Aunt, Lavina's marriage to the Duke of Milia, Vincent Wornhart. Everyone could tell that her brother didn't cut off any expense for this marriage. The grandest celebration anyone would ever see in their lifetime. But only a soul knew about a young boy crying secretly over his aunt marrying someone else.
It has been 2 days already, stop crying now for god sake, you damn aunt-con, yelled the soul but it was still inaudible to the sad guy with sad music playing in his mind.
Time passed and Lyon turned 5. This was the year the engagement between Lyon and Elaine took place. People were surprised to see the celebration that lavish for only an engagement. This also cemented within them the prosperity of the Dutchy where the DUke was able to flow his personal money without any second thought which certainly was a matter of envy from the invited local and foreign nobles of any ranks.
But there is a saying that you cannot have all the brightness without shadow coming with it and just like that tragedy struck this wonderful family.
Lyon's mother, Merian Purgarian fell ill some months after Lyon's engagement. Her illness deteriorated every passing day. A lot of expert Herbalists, Priests who use light natured magic to heal, from all over the dutchy, neighboring dutchy and even the neighboring countries were called but her health grew worse. A lot of high-grade potions made by the Alchemists were also used but even they failed. After numerous trials, they were able to find the cause, Herb of death aka Helliciferinn. The Duchess had somehow ingested this herb. It apart from being extremely rare and hard to harvest is also a slow-acting poison which only reveals itself after the person has its poison circulating through the whole body.
Lyon lost his mother before he turned 6. The whole of Saluda mourned for days, missing their gentle Duchess. I saw it, the despair felt by Lyon. The helplessness he felt, unable to do anything apart from watching her slowly reach her death. I know that Lyon gave his best, a bookworm who searched through a couple of hundred books on Helliciferinn, written by countless herbalist, ancient or modern, trying to find its cure to no avail. To me, it looked like he lost half a heart that day.
His father Leviet was enraged beyond belief, all the people who made food daily or on the celebrations or someone else must have given it to her, he investigated everything, interrogated thousands for months to no avail, he stopped. He has a lot in his shoulder as a Duke so he can't postpone his duties any longer.
When Lyon turned 6, Leviet started teaching him about Swordsmanship along with Mark who continued Lyon's bow handling. This year was also followed by Lyon being introduced to the Elite Squad. The squad that will be protecting him over their life. Bruce, the Destroyer, the latter is the title earned by him with absolute crushing attacks, along with his partner, Lizen, the Fortress, with absolute defense. The duo is famous and known by millions of people in and around Saluda.
Marvic, who holds the title Dragon Slayer, along with Lyon's father. They were on the same adventuring party and were the only members who survived against an evil dragon and even managed to slay it with their remaining strength. he is also the squad's leader.
Ethen, Rising Warrior, Marvic's son and a prodigy of the highest level. Youngest to reach an A-rank as an adventure.
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Greish, Grand Mage, One of the strongest Mage of Sovern kingdom. Also researches magic.
Kyra, Little sage, daughter of Griesh, a magician prodigy.
And Alissa, Hunter Mark's daughter who will join at the end of Lyon's 6th year. Newest member and acknowledged as Snipe Killer.
Lyon life never returned to the normal track after his mother's death. At age 8, the war with Valha, a neighboring kingdom was inevitable. Lyon's father joined the war just days after Lyon turned 9. I heard his father's parting word and saw his encouraging smile as he marched out.
"Don't worry Lyon. Your father is the strongest after all. But if anything happens to me, I know that Lyon can take care of my Dutchy properly as the Duke. If the worst comes, I will have faith in you, my child. But it's only if worst happens. For now, hold your head high and see me depart towards glory." Those words are still ringing in my ears as it was said just now.
The World is harsh. I have known this from my previous life but it was much harsher to this child who has been praying for his father's safe return everyday for over a year. But when Sovern won the war, Saluda lost. Losing the Duke and the Duchess was no small deal. I heard Lyon's remaining heart, breaking piece by piece.
Lyon with his father's loyal retainers support, took over as the Duke at the age of 12 with Marvic, his father's closest friend appointed as his guardian. He will properly inherit the title with a ceremony when he turns 15. Age 15 is considered an adult in this world.
After that I witness Lyon immersed in Political study every day. He read about how to treat his retainers, the relationship between Noble and Commoners, how to not overspend his dutchy's treasury and a lot more.
One interesting event happened on his 1st month after he turned 13. When he was visited by a retainer, Viscount Allen Belfrost. The one who accompanied him was his daughter, Lia Belfrost and I could totally describe what he saw.
An angelic voice with light blue silky hairs, shining light blue eyes, thin lips and beautiful milky skin. In a decorated yellow dress all the way as a skirt down to her knees. (Author note: Sorry that I'm bad at describing things but a one-piece type for little girls which ends as a skirt yada yada)
And Lyon asked for her, as his 2nd wife when she turns 15.
In around his 3rd month after turning 13, his aunt, Lavina Wornhart, dropped in and stayed for a while. She brought Lyon a rare type of tea leaves only found in some villages of her Dutchy. According to Lyon, it tastes exquisite. And on her last day here, she made tea for both of them herself and as Lyon was immersed in his book he couldn't see it but through the corner of his right eye, I saw her pouring something on the tea leaves container and closing it, she brought the tea to Lyon. And I know perfectly what was going to happen. But I had no control so I could just watch.
Lyon drank the tea again only the next day after his Aunt left. It was right before his bedtime and one of the maids made it for him. She served the tea and left. Lyon sipped on it as he read. And after sometime, he went to sleep and it happened then.
As I can't feel the pain in this memory dream, I could only imagine his pain which looked unbearable. He was trying to shout but he couldn't, he was clutching his throat and rolling on the bed with hands and legs flailing everywhere. Hard to breathe, almost boiling chest and at the end, he laid still. The vision darkening little by little as seconds passed by. I could feel a hot liquid through the throat and seeping from the corner of my mouth, certainly he also bled.
The last thoughts of Lyon were of his loving mother, his crush on his aunt, his bow training with Mark, his first adventure with Elaine, Lia. the new girl he came to like and his father,
If the worst comes, I will have faith in you, my child. Those words played in his minds as the retainers and the common people of his Dutchy flashed, before his eyes slowly dimmed out.
I was immune to his pain in this dream but not his emotion, I received it all, his frustration, helplessness, heartbreak, disappointment over himself and his will to live for his deceased parents.
I prayed and made a vow to his departing soul silently that I will accomplish them for us, as I live as him.
Slowly the dark world began to brighten up indicating the end of this memory dream.