Chapter 2: The birth of a star

It was a bright, festive sunny day in the capital of the Sol Empire in which the festival of witch-hunting was held to commemorate the victorious battle of the mages against witches. People celebrate it by having theater plays, swordfights, magic showcase and a contest for young students.

Amidst the celebration, a certain Marquis House was in uproar and had no time to participate in the festival. The head of the house, Marquis Atalia, who was known for his calm and optimistic personality, is now panicking. His twin sons, Jeremy and Kaiser, kept pacing back and forth in front of a room to calm themselves. The maids can be seen running everywhere, and the knights were guarding the Marquis House, as if their lives depended on it.

"Your Grace, the child is here." The moment Arthur, the butler of the Marquis said this, the three men of Atalia rushed inside the room.

Inside the room is the beautiful and graceful Marchioness Atalia. But today, her crimson curly red hair was a mess, and her face flushed from the intense pain she experienced, and still, she was the most beautiful. Beside her is a newborn baby girl who has the same features as her mother.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her red hair compliments it well. Her facial features were the same as the Marchioness; except for one thing.

"Silver eyes...it means she will be a great person who has an important role in this world." The Marchioness smiled as she said this. The twins were mesmerized by their new sister; the only thing they can do is stare in awe. The Marquis hugged his wife and sighed in relief. He caressed her hands as he looked at their newborn daughter.

"She looks just like you, my dear." Marquis Atalia almost teared-up because of the intense emotion he had.

"What shall we name her?" Jeremy asked.

"Let's name her Curly--" Jeremy covered Kaiser's mouth before he could finsih his sentence. The two bickered as usual while all the people in the room laughed.

While everyone was celebrating the birth of the new Atalia, Arhtur hurriedly ran towards the Marquis to deliver a news.

"His Highness the Emperor is coming witht the Crown Prince, my lord."

The Marquis stood in shock, but he composed himself immediately. He kissed the Marchioness' forehead to assure her that he will handle the situation well.

"Jeremy, Kaiser, come with me. Arthur, order everyone to ready the receiving area. Prepare only the highest quality of foods and tea."

The Emperor is the most powerful person in the Sol Empire when it comes to authority, magic, and strength. The current emperor, Augustus Silvia de Sol, is a wise and good ruler, but he is wary of those who has the chance to overtake his throne. He is most wary of the Atalias because they are known to be powerful mages. From the head of the house to the maids, everyone is known to wield magic.

Magic is both inherited and taught, so everyone has the chance to become a mage. Being a mage is an honor, but the nobles only keep this power to themselves so they will not lose their authority over commoners and peasants as a rebellion may take place. That's why all the nobles, and even the emperor keeps the Atalia's in check.

Everyone gathered at the front gate of the castle of the Atalia to wait for the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Soon after, a carriage plated with gold arrived. The Emeperor and the Crown Prince came out of the carriage.

"We greet the sun of the empire, Your Majesty, the Emperor and we are honored to be in the presence of Your Highness, the Crown Prince." The Marquis, Jeremy, Kaiser and the servants all bowed and greeted in unison. They led the Emperor and the Crown Prince inside and offered them refreshments.

The men sat down, and it was quiet until the Emperor spoke.

"I heard that today is a joyous day for you because a new Atalia has been born, and it is a daughter." The Emperor said as he sipped his tea.

"That is right, Your Majesty." The Marquis was on guard because there was no way of knowing any information about the gender of his child until birth, but the Emperor knew it immediately. There was only one way of knowing this: a spy. It means that one of his people is a lackey of the Emperor.

But the Emperor coming here with the Crown Prince can only mean one thing.

Engagement.

The Marquis brushed it off at the moment as he has to focus on serving the Emperor.

"How is the Marchioness?" It was well known in the Empire that he had always had a one-sided affection towards the Marchioness.

"She is safe and well, Your Majesty. Although, she is still recovering to gain her energy back from birthing our youngest. "

"Then, may I see your youngest?" The Emperor said.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty." Marquis Atalia signaled Jeremy and Kaiser to fetch their baby sister. The twins bowed then immediately went to the other room to get their nanny to bring their sister.

While the two were gone, the Emperor looked around the reception room. It was full of the Atalia's portrait. With his two hands behind his back, he stopped and stared at the Marchioness portrait. The Crown Prince was sitting still, having a blank face while his eyes follow the Emperor.

"I remember those days in the Academia. You were such a rowdy guy, Roderick. Who would have known that you will inherit the Marquis title despite being the second child, and marry a Duke's daughter at that? And it was a fallen house, but you managed to rebuild the Atalia name." It was quite obvious what the Emperor was trying to do. He was trying to instigate the Marquis' rage. One wrong move will decide the whole fate of the Atalias.

But the Marquis wasn't fazed. Even though it was the former Emperor, the current Emperor's father was the reason why the House of Atalia fell.

"I was indeed quite rowdy. But my wife said that it is the reason why she fell for me." The Marquis chuckled. He knew that the Emperor still has feelings for the Marchioness, and the words 'my wife' can almost send him over the edge.

Before the two got into a blooded war, the twins knocked and entered the reception room with their nanny. The nanny carried the newborn child who looks exactly like the Marchioness.

The Emperor went closer to the child and started inspecting her. He looked uninterested, but when the child opened her eyes, he was thrilled.

"A child with silver eyes!" The Emperor laughed. He then shifted his gaze towards the Crown Prince and told him to come closer. The Crown Prince took a look and he was mesmerized.

"Marquis Atalia, have you given her a name yet?" The Crown Prince asked, finally uttering words after hours of silence.

"We still not have yet chosen a name for the child, Your Highness."

"Why, our dear Crown Prince, would you like to have the honor of naming your fiancèe?"

Everyone fell silent. The Marquis already knew, but there is nothing he can do about it as opposing may endanger his whole family. The Crown Prince was in shock, but he accepted it immediately.

"So this child will be the future Empress and my future wife? Then what should I name her?"

"Your highness, may I share some of my thoughts on how you can choose a name for her?" The Crown Prince looked calm but there was a hint of excitement when he nodded to the Marquis. "You can choose a name for what you want her to be in the future."

The Crown Prince paused for a moment to sort his thoughts. Then, he immediately went to the Imperial butler and asked him to write on a paper. He then read the paper aloud.

"I, Cassius Henrie von Sol IV, prince and the future ruler of the Sol Empire, shall name the youngest child of the House of Atalia and my betrothed.." he stopped for a while then continued. "She shall be named Libera."

Everyone in the room clapped and rejoiced for the birth and naming of a new Atalia. The Marquis was satisfied with the name that was granted to his daughter. He looked at his daughter and smiled.

Even though the child's destiny has already been decided, the Marquis hoped that the child will live up to her name.

Libera.

Meaning 'free'.

It is a beautiful name indeed, and everyone was happy with the name given to the young child, except for one.

Who is it, you may ask?

It is none other than the child herself, who was just named Libera. And this child is the reincarnation of Choi Jia, who somehow retained the memories of her past life.