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Ting Ting.
I closed my eyes, forcing my breathing to slow. Inhale… exhale. Focusing on the fragments of the memories that came up.
Just like last time Lexi…don’t think too much let them flow…
The blood and filth of the cave around me faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
Goddamn, those are my memories! Why is it so hard to remember…
Ting Ting.
The faint, rhythmic chime echoed through the storm in my head, pulling me closer to something tangible. Taking one more deep breath to calm the chaos of my thoughts.
Easy Lexi… deep breath and focus
I reached deeper, clawing through the murky haze. Reaching the memory as the scene changed…
.
.
Ting Ting.
I jolted awake, heart pounding, the remnants of a nightmare still clinging to the edges of my mind. For a brief moment, I was back there—amidst the smoke and ash, that day when Dad… The weight of it pressed down on me, suffocating, until reality slowly bled back in.
Ting Ting.
The sound of my alarm clock blared in the background, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. My body felt heavy, worn down from all the training and practice. I shut my eyes, willing the dream away, trying to slip back into the oblivion of sleep.
Knock.
Just as I was about to fall back, a soft knock echoed through my bedroom door.
“Master, are you awake?” a shy voice called out to me. “Your alarm has been going off for a while now. May I come in?”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes, please,” I mumbled groggily, my voice thick with sleep.
I watched as the door creaked open, and a wild redhead appeared—first a cautious glance, then the petite figure slipped inside, tiptoeing carefully. She noticed I was awake and smiled softly, making her way over with a steaming cup of coffee in hand.
Layla’s cute and shy demeanor was enough to make me forget about my morning grogginess. Although it was a daily occurrence, I couldn’t help but get used to it.
“Good morning, Layla,” I said with a grin.
She handed me the cup of coffee, and I took a sip, savoring the warmth and flavor.
“You know, Layla,” I continued, “you don’t have to ask permission. We’ve known each other since childhood.”
As I spoke, I noticed her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “I know, sir,” she replied softly, “but I can’t help it. You’re just too kind to me.”
“Well, no ‘sir,’ Layla.”
I chuckled and patted her head gently. “You’re too cute for me to resist teasing you a little,” I said playfully. She smiled shyly and looked away, but I could tell she enjoyed our banter as much as I did.
Layla is a shy and timid girl of about sixteen, with long, dark reddish hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Her big, doe-like eyes are a warm chocolate brown that seems to sparkle whenever she smiles. She is petite and slender, with delicate features.
Her shy demeanor only adds to her cute and innocent appearance, but beneath her timid exterior lies a heart of gold and a quiet strength that belies her delicate frame.
It’s no wonder that I find myself drawn to her kindness and gentle nature and that she has become such an important part of my life. She is the daughter of Aunt Nora, who has been in my mother’s service for as long as I can remember, and they are practically family.
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“Come on, Master,” Layla said, her impatience showing through her usually timid demeanor. “Your mother has been waiting for you to join her for breakfast. You need to get freshened up and ready.”
She had a cute pout on her face, and her foot tapped softly, impatiently. “I made your favorite pancakes this morning, and they’re getting cold. You don’t want to disappoint your mother, do you?”
Despite her impatience, there was still a hint of shyness in her voice and a gentle concern for my well-being.
I couldn’t help but smile at her, feeling grateful for her care and attention.
“Alright, alright,” I said, giving in to her coaxing. “I’ll get freshened up and be down in a minute. But you have to promise to save me some pancakes, okay?”
She grinned and nodded, happy to have gotten her way. “Of course, Master. You can always count on me.”
I reluctantly got up from the bed, giving Layla a small smile before heading to the bathroom.
.
As I passed by the mirror, I caught a glimpse of my appearance. Dark circles had formed under my pale blue eyes with faint purple sparks in them, making them look tired and haggard. My dark hair was a mess, sticking out in all directions. Despite my sharp features, my disheveled appearance made me look more like a wild ruffian than royalty.
What are you doing, Lexi? Gotta keep up appearances, man. You are a Prince of god’s sake.
I sighed, realizing I had been working too hard lately, neglecting my health and well-being. But that was necessary – if I didn’t improve my techniques, Mom would beat the hell out of me again.
“Ugh,” I sighed.
“Ahem.”
“Master, hurry up!”
I decided to take Layla’s advice and moved on from all the dilly-dallying to freshen up, hoping it would make me feel better and more presentable.
.
I made my way down to the dining hall, feeling more refreshed after my quick shower. My sister was already there, sitting quietly with a book in her hands. She looked up and gave me a small smile as I entered, her platinum blonde hair falling in soft waves around her cute round face.
Despite her reserved nature, I could see the affection for her family shining in her big, blue eyes.
Uncle Sebastian, the family butler, was busy preparing breakfast dishes on the table. Despite his age, which was in his fifties, he looked as fit and athletic as someone in their thirties, with his silver hair slicked back neatly.
“Good morning, Young Master,” he greeted me with a nod.
“Good morning, Sebastian,” I replied with a smile, taking a seat at the table.
My sister looked up from her book and greeted me as well, her voice soft and gentle. “Good morning, big brother.”
It was good to be surrounded by my family, even if it was just for a short while.
Bro, why am I being so melodramatic? The nightmares, probably…
As we sat down to breakfast, the grand doors to the dining hall opened, and in walked a woman who commanded respect and attention.
It was my mother, Artoria Aurae Drakesier, the current ruler of Europa. She was tall and athletic, with a fit, toned figure that spoke of her battle-hardened past.
Her cold and distant nature was well-known to those outside the family, but to us, she was a stern but loving mother. With her long platinum-blonde hair and pale blue eyes, she exuded a beauty befitting of an Empress.
Walking beside her was Aunt Nora, her closest confidant and aide. Noralyne Heart, the House Saintess and Advisor of the Darksire Royal family was a sweet, motherly figure who loved to spoil my sister and me like her own children.
Aunt Nora’s long, dark crimson hair fell in curls around her bespectacled face, and her fit figure spoke of a life spent serving our family.
Together, they took their seats at the table, joining Layla and Sebastian in our morning ritual.
.
The world as we knew it had been forever altered fifty years ago when World War III erupted. Almost every country resorted to nuclear warfare, leaving the world in ruins.
The fallout caused uncontrollable mutations in all living beings, particularly animals. Then came the voice, resounding in every being’s mind as cosmic energies flooded the world, leading to a cataclysmic event.
The sky turned dark, and space itself tore open, birthing rifts that housed countless monsters. What had once been a prosperous world turned into a desolate battleground, ravaged by fate and time.
This was the Darkest Night.
.
“Good morning, Mom!”
“Good morning, Aunt Nora!”
Both my sister and I spoke at the same time.
“Good morning!” Mom said with a warm smile.
As we began to eat, the conversation turned to our plans for the day. Mom informed us she had a meeting with foreign dignitaries and would be away from the castle after my training.
“Ugh,” I groaned, knowing escape was impossible.
Sensing the mood, Aunt Nora promised to take us to the market to buy clothes for the World Gala. My sister, engrossed in her book, perked up and asked if she could come along.
Aunt Nora smiled. “Of course, my dear. We’ll make it a little one’s day out!”
Sebastian added his usual witty banter, making us all laugh, and Layla nervously suggested lemon tarts for dessert.
We all agreed it was a wonderful idea, turning the conversation to our favorite flavors.
It was a simple, warm family moment we all cherished.
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