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Mahogany doors burst open, shattering the lock, revealing a scene of an older, middle-aged man wielding a horsewhip over an adolescent boy crouched down on the hardwood floor.
The father glanced at the intruder with a shocked expression that quickly transformed into one of manic joy.
“You’re awake…! You’re alright…!” He cried, but his joy twisted into rage as he turned back to the quivering blonde teen. “You’re fortunate that your brother is well! If it hadn’t been for you, he wouldn’t have to catch you—!”
Before the horsewhip could strike again, Julius rushed towards the duke, stopping him in time to prevent further harm to Lucas. Then, he dragged the old man across the room, heading towards the large windows behind the desk.
“What are you doing—?! Let go of me—! No..! NO—! JULIUS—”
Glass shattered as his father screamed, plummeting three stories to the ground with a sickening thud. Startled birds scattered to the air, disturbed by the noise.
Julius glanced over the ledge, observing the pooling blood beneath the broken body of Duke Monette.
Well…that takes care of that.
“B…Brother…?”
The wide-eyed, shaking Lucas caught Julius’ attention. Although the boy appeared no older than ten, he was actually thirteen, and should have looked his age.
Julius strode right over to him, and out of fear, Lucas scooted away until his back was against the bookcase. For a moment, Julius faltered before regaining his momentum. Kneeling down, he pulled Lucas into a gentle embrace, refusing to let go even as the younger brother tried to resist.
“It’s okay, it’s okay…! Lucas, I’m so sorry! …I’m sorry I failed as an older brother,” he said to him. “I promise I’m going to do better. I’m going to take care of you, okay? No one is ever going to hurt you again. I will never hurt you again. I’m so… so sorry, Lucas…!”
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Lucas choked on his gasps, breaking into uncontrollable sobs. He clung tightly to his brother’s embrace, releasing all the pent-up suffering he had endured during their time in this household.
Julius refused to let him go, his body consumed by a mix of silent rage and guilt. Guilt for neglecting Lucas and for blaming him for their mother’s death and his family falling apart. Having experienced an abusive father before in his previous life, Julius was determined to protect Lucas from their deranged father.
Besides, one abusive parent was enough for one lifetime.
Suddenly, their old butler and two servants rushed into the office, concerned about the commotion.
“Young Masters! What happened? The Duke—” The butler tried to ask, but stopped to see the two brothers on the floor.
Julius loosened his grip on Lucas and addressed the butler. “Have someone fetch the family doctor, Charles. Quickly. Lucas is hurt.”
Lucas had quieted down upon the arrival of others, his head hung in shame, embarrassed to be discovered in such a vulnerable state. Julius kept a protective arm around Lucas, hoping it brought some comfort for now.
Charles, the old butler, instructed one servant to summon the doctor and another to bring towels and a water basin to tend to Lucas’s wounds.
Julius peered down at his youngest brother’s torn dress shirt, noting the red marks and bleeding cuts. The Duke had gotten off easy by falling out the window. Perhaps Julius should have made him suffer instead of ending his life so swiftly.
Charles approached them cautiously. “Young Master Julius. Young Master Lucas. Are you both….alright…?” His question trailed off, realizing the foolishness of his asking.
Regardless, Julius answered.
“No…. No we’re not okay… but, we will be.”
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“Have you heard the news, father?”
“Which one?”
“Duke Monette died a few days. He fell from his office window on the third floor.”
“—And his sons are witnesses to the tragedy.”
“…No wonder a missive arrived this morning, telling me to report to the palace immediately.”
An exasperated sigh escaped from the lips of an exhausted mother as she scolded them with her gaze. “Boys, how can you speak of such things over breakfast?”
“Sorry, Mother.” The brotherly twins apologized simultaneously.
“Sorry, dearest.” Even Duke Durant easily bent to his wife’s will.
“Honestly, Rowena is here. She shouldn’t be exposed to such topics,” The Duchess continued to reprimand them, prompting Rowena to intervene.
“I’m alright, mother. Really.” Rowena assured her. “By the way, I’m almost finished writing the next volume of the series.”
The entire table became ecstatic upon hearing the news, and even the nearby servants exchanged hushed excitement before the butler silenced them with a stern look.
“That’s wonderful news, Rowena!” Robert, the oldest of the twin brothers by ten minutes, praised his little sister. “Briar Rose will be starting her 4th year in Strixhaven Academy, right?”
“Yes, she will be.” Rowena nodded, acknowledging brother’s enthusiasm.
Three months ago at a social event, Rowena had been kicked in the back of her head by a horse, resulting in a sever concussion. Strangely enough, the incident had triggered the memories of her previous life to return to her, remember herself as the 30-year-old woman who enjoyed writing fan fiction as a hobby.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Armed with the knowledge of her previous life and realizing the lack of adventure-themed stories in this world, Rowena decided to write something similar to the Harry Potter series, but set in the D&D-inspired Strixhaven Academy. Her story revolved around a young woman named Briar Rose Ellesmere, who began her witchcraft education in her 3rd year when her magical abilities manifested, turning her into a sorcerer. Rowena completed the first volume, titled “Briar Rose and The Philosopher’s Stone”, a month ago. Of course, Rowena borrowed many ideas from her previous world, but who would report her for plagiarism here in this fantasy realm?
Just for fun, she used the pen name, Lady Bridgerton, to hide her true identity. After all, Rowena herself didn’t have the cleanest reputation, and if she did use her true name, not many people would buy her book, and those biased against her will unfairly critic the story. Not surprisingly, using a pen name turned out to be the best decision she made, as sales skyrocketed and her books sold out within the first week. The publisher struggled to keep up with the public demand to this day.
“Are you planning to release the next sequel soon?” Lyndon, the second brother of the twins, asked.
Rowena shook her head. “No, it’s too soon.”
“Do you think we can read it first…?” The Duke hopefully asked.
“Just like the first one, we will get copies of the book once it is published, and a day before they go on the market, so let’s be patient,” Rowena said in a way that didn’t outright reject her father, but minded him to wait when it is ready.
“She’s correct on that dear. It feels much better to hold it in a bound book,” The Duchess supported her daughter’s answer.
While she had completed the sequel, she still needed to go over it and proofread it herself. It’s not like she could use some AI to aid her in editing, unlike her previous life. Plus, her wrist was starting to hurt writing with a quill. She hoped that very soon someone was going to invent the pen—or even better, the typewriter!
Anything that’s better than the quill!
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“Have you read this book yet, Dom?”
Dominic Alvarez, third son of Marquis Alvarez, paused from his swings as he turned to acknowledge the thirteen-year-old teen, sitting on the shaded grass, holding a leather bound book that had to have a 100,000 words or so.
His eyes peered at the title cover: “Briar Rose and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
…Why did it sound like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Maybe it’s just a coincidence.
“No, I have not, Cass. What is it about?” Dominic as he resumed to his training, counting down his swings. Droplets of sweat dripped from his temple despite the cool breeze on sunny day.
Caspian grinned widely as he happily recounted the first chapter.
“It’s about a young girl named Briar Rose, who grew up in an abusive home, living with her aunt Verna, uncle Peterson, and first cousin, Dublin. Briar Rose sleeps in a small room tucked under the staircase called a spandrel in a cot where she can’t even stretch her legs. How cruel are they!”
“Very cruel.” Dominic agreed, but at the same time, he was puzzled at how the story sounded so familiar to Harry Potter, except everyone’s name had been turned to the opposite sex. Vernon to Verna, Petunia to Peterson, and Dudley to Dublin. Is this truly just a coincidence?
The young knight continued to practice his swordsmanship as his ward, the second prince Cassian of the Montzimard Kingdom, continued to regale the entire book to him. At this rate, Dominic wouldn’t be so interested in reading the book if not for the story changing to a D&D setting. While he wasn’t familiar with the rules, he recalled some of the titles that were lined up on a shelf of a bookstore. Strixhaven was one of the newer ones that had a humanoid owl creature.
Halfway through the story, Cassian paused as if remembering something important.
“Oh. By the way, I overheard the knights talking about this new restaurant that opened up near Everexia University. Something called Heroes Restaurant. Can we go?” Cassian asked.
“I go wherever you go, Your Highness, just be sure you get permission from Her Majesty, the Queen.” Dominic said.
“She’ll say yes, anyway.”
“Cass.”
“Okay, okay, I know,” the young teen relented. “You really sound like an adult now, Dom.”
That’s because I was one.
Fate was truly ironic with how his life turned out. A 42-year-old hit-man in his previous life to a personal knight and protector of the 2nd prince? It’s quite humorous. Dom wondered if this was one of those redemption arcs that criminals are supposed to get once they’ve done their time.
However, fantasy are for fools. Dominic couldn’t deny that he was acting like a fool, pretending to be someone he wasn’t, but if this was really his chance to start over.
Maybe… Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
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“Service please for Table 22!”
“Order for Table 25, one order of sticky ribs, one order of chili cheese fries, and one order of pretzels!”
“Mmmm~~! The food is so good!”
“Waiter! Can we get another round from the tap?”
“These fries are potatoes…?! Why do they taste so good?”
“This beer is so cold, but so refreshing!”
“Yeah, but it’s make me burp a lot though.”
“It’s the bubbles. Carbonated, or something like that.”
Willow observed from second floor as she overlooked the bustling first floor of Heroes Restaurant, hosting another full house for the seventh consecutive time since its opening. It was difficult to distinguish between commoners, knights, and nobles among the customers, but one thing was certain—they were all here for the excellent comfort food and drinks.
“Look at the line outside, Willow,” Baron Hale pointed down at the entrance and the crowded waiting room, where people sat and stood with little space. Through the windows, more people could be seen waiting outside for a chance to be seated.
“It was a brilliant idea for you to suggest the ‘take out’ concept,” the 17-year-old brunette, older brother praised his sister’s ingenious idea. “More sales, and then there are tips. Parties of 8 or more are required to tip 15% of the bill. How generous of you to the staff.”
“It’s only natural to be compensated for an excellent service,” Willow responded as she sipped her orange juice.
Baron Hale perused the colorful menu. “You even have a kids menu and a vegan-friendly section?”
“Those who won’t eat meat. We do have elf customers, occasionally, and most of them are vegetarians.”
“I can’t believe my sister is an entrepreneur genius,” Her brother, Griffin Hale, said as he reached over to pat his little sister’s head. “And you’re only 11-years-old.”
Willow smiled brightly at that, but the truth is she’s actually a 32-year-old woman and graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, who used to own two bar restaurants that had won local county awards for best meals. Now, she was the owner of a future Michelin restaurant. However, she didn’t accomplish all this on her own. She had the support of her father and her brother, who helped her construct this building over the early spring so that it would be ready for business in the summer.
And boy, was it busy.
Another little girl at their table was happily sipping on a wafer-straw of a cookies and cream milkshake, before chiming in, “Willow is the best!”
“Thank you, Ivy,” Willow smiled at her. How adorable! Even though they were the same age, Willow was mentally older.
“Willow, I’m still quite astounded by all this. A-and this beer!” Baron Hale said as he raised the pristine glass filled of bubbly lager. “It’s so cold and the taste is crisp! My, it elevates the lager! Where ever did you get the idea of producing carbonated drinks?”
“I just thought having bubbles would be fun! I’m glad you like it, daddy!” Willow answered in the most childlike way she could. After all, she was still just eleven…
An eleven-year-old who opened a bar restaurant.
It’s not like carbonated drinks were a requirement to a successful culinary business, but my, they certainly helped. Willow was only lucky that she found a daughter of a merchant count family who was an absolute genius. When she sent out a commission form to create a tank filled with carbon dioxide, she wasn’t sure if anyone was going to take on the assignment. But luckily for her, someone did—Angelica Steele.
Still, Willow couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. Angelica Steele is the older sister of Benedict Steele, and she’s supposed to be dead. According to a tragic history, Angelica Steele died before Benedict’s 13th birthday, because she building him an invention as a gift, but something went wrong. The device exploded, killing her instantly. That’s the story.
However, Benedict’s birthday had already passed, and Angelica Steele was still alive.
Willow found it odd because she was stuck in an otome game with Benedict Steele as one of the love interests, and the death of his sister was a tragic story for him to share with the Heroine. The heroine of course is Clarissa Ivy.
“This Oreo and cream shake is so tasty, Willow!” Ivy chimed.
“Thank you, Ivy. Now finish it slowly, or you’ll get a brain freeze.”
Ivy is Clarissa’s middle name, because she’s born a commoner, she doesn’t have her own surname, but Willow’s father will soon become a sponsor for Clarissa when she comes of age to attend Everexia Academy.
How does Willow know all this? Because she is Willow Hale, the best friend and supporting character of the heroine in Courtly Thorny Roses.
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