Foretold Ambush or Accident

Six months have passed and yet another year was spent with so much things.

First of all, I am three years old now. Because of that, I am taller now, which means I can reach the door handles without the assistance of the beast maids.

My body is now capable of running and walking properly, so no more toddling around.

And finally, I quit baby talking and I start speaking with full sentence to my family without sounding out of place. With all things considered, I could say I am old enough to roam around the mansion on my own.

Secondly, my magic training session was progressing smoothly. I learned pretty much the most of the intermediate rank magic spells in the book. Since these spells were more destructive than the beginner rank magic, I had no choice but to practice them somewhere that is open area but still hidden from my family.

It's a good thing that none of the servants and maids noticed the flashy of these intermediate spells. Even when they do notice the magic, they weren't so bright to know was me who did it.

As for the magic reserve, I am confident to say that I have increased it sufficiently. So much so that I have no problem casting stone cannon to make anime figurines just like in the novel. Although, I couldn't create detailed figurines yet, but I am still practicing my crafts in my spare time.

Lastly, my bonding time with my family were…. not so great. Few months prior, father and grandfather's business meetings were becoming more prominent and we were getting less bonding time together. Even if we had the chance to chat with each other, it was only for a few short days.

I even times where I beg for them to stay with me and mother at home. However, to no avail, they sadly decline and told us that they had no choice but to comply to the meeting.

This made me feel frustrated, not because of father and grandfather, but rather to the man I hate the most, Darius. He made my childhood miserable because of that god forsaken meeting he had implemented.

How do I know about this? Simple, I asked father about this since day one of their so-called meeting. He told me that him and grandfather were called by Darius to meet with the lords and mayors of the other region in order to report their economic progress.

Hearing that information from father, I can already tell it is absolute bullshit and Darius was just doing this on purpose in order to take revenge on me. It is quite a pathetic move to make me suffer in loneliness and honestly, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm already used to be alone in my previous life and I think it was not a big of a deal.

That being said, his plan to break my sanity is just a big waste for him. How loathsome.

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One fateful evening, me and my mother were currently eating dinner together.

It was always been like this every night. I rarely enjoy dinner with the whole family ever since the father and grandfather started going out to the capital city.

Because of that, I have to endure the melancholy atmosphere permeating within the dining area.

"What's wrong, Bellona. You look sad" I can hear my mother's concerned voice calling out to me, asking me the reason for the downcast expression plastered to my face.

"I miss eating dinner with papa and grampa"

"It's alright, my dear. We will have a dinner with your father and grandfather someday"

I gave my honest answer to mother's question, which saddens her. So, she reassured me and patted my head to soothe this gloomy feeling.

It's a good thing that mother was here to accompany me and would always chat with me whenever I feel lonely. Her presence gives me a peace of mind and I am thankful for that.

"Madam Hilda! Lady Bellona! There was an emergency!"

Suddenly, the tender moment with my mother was interrupted by the panicked voice of a servant who was rushing towards the dining area. He promptly informed us that there were explosions outside the citadel and father's horse carriage was caught by the crossfire.

"What?!"

Mother was shocked by the abrupt news. She immediately stood up from her chair and walks towards the servant, prompting him to explain the situation.

"Is my husband safe?! How about the lord, is he okay as well?! Hey, tell me!"

"Calm down, madam Hilda. The two of them were recovered safely from the disaster, along with several survivors from other horse carriages"

survivors? I wonder who could they be….

"Tell me about the identity of these survivors"

"We're not sure about their name, but it was said the survivors were children"

Children, huh. I guess I pity them from the predicament they have experienced. More importantly, I hope father and grandfather were okay.

"Hmm… Take me to where my husband was recuperating, now!"

"Right, this way, madam"

The servant then guides where father and grandfather were recovering. Seeing them leaving the dining area, I quickly climb down the chair and followed mother from behind.

Once we arrived at our destination, we entered the room and saw father and grandfather were laying down on the bed while being treated by the doctors.

"Papa! Grampa!"

I rushed towards my two injured family members and it seems that they were conscious enough to hear my calls.

"Oh my, Bellona, Hilda. I see that you came"

"It's good to see my granddaughter still lively as ever"

Reacting lively to my concerned screams, father and grandfather are happy to see me. Mother then steps forward with an anxious look on her face.

"Darling, Are you okay? How are your injuries?"

"I'm fine, honey. The injuries I received were not that fatal"

"Hmph, we only got those injuries because you have the audacity to save some random children from that armored swordsman"

An armored swordsman? Could it be the culprit of the sudden attack? Also, what happened to the children that father saved? Where are they now?

"Where are the children, papa? Are they okay?"

"The children are recovering at the other room"

'Ah, I see, that was a relief' After being reassured, I asked father for the whole story on what happened earlier. Father seriously complied and told us everything.

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[Philip POV]

-Few hours ago-

Today's business meeting was really exhausting. Not only I have to report about the Fittoa's current economic development, I also have to deal with the constant argument between father and the aristocratic nobles, namely the Lawrence clan.

The Lawrence clan were one of the first prince's highest supporter in the faction. They were quite condescending and narcissistic as if the other nobles were beneath them. Honestly, it is quite troublesome working with them.

After the meeting ended, father and I readied ourselves to go back to the citadel via horse carriage. However, when I approach the carriage, I sense a mysterious presence behind me. I turned around to check and was surprised to see a person wearing hooded robe and a full-face mask.

"Um, how can I help you?"

"Be careful of the road on your way home"

The stranger told me something unsettling.

"What?"

"Also, if possible, please save the children"

"What children are you talking about? Hey, explain yourself"

I asked the mysterious stranger to explain their statement, but instead of answering my question, the stranger turned around and left without elaborating their words.

"Hey! what are you standing over there?! Come on and let's leave already!"

My attention was then shifted when father calls for me with an annoyed tone. I promptly return to the horse carriage and entered the vehicle with father waiting inside. We left the capital city as soon as everything were ready.

"Hey, who were you talking to a while ago?"

While riding the horse carriage, father asked me about the hooded stranger I talked to at the capital.

"I'm not sure, father. I didn't get the chance to ask their name before they left"

"What did that stranger tell you?"

Trying to remember the words that the stranger told me earlier, I told everything to father. Informing him about the being careful on the road and something about saving children.

"That's quite a strange prophecy"

Prophecy? I haven't realized about the context of the stranger and father was able to discern it immediately.

"Have you heard about prophecies, father?"

"I do, but I mostly never listened to them because they lack viability"

"I see, that makes sense"

Once our conversation ended, both of us return to silence as we waited inside the moving carriage. However, that silence was broken when suddenly….

*BOOM*

The sound of an explosion can be heard somewhere at the distance.

"What the heck was that?"

"I don't know, I will go check"

Looking out the window of the carriage, I search for the source of the sound. So far, I don't see anything odd at the grassland on the distance.

"Well? What do you see?"

"I see nothing unusual so fa... Incoming!!"

I frantically yell as I saw something approaching the horse carriage in an alarming speed.

*CRASH*

Unfortunately, I was too late to warn father as the object, or rather a person came crashing at our horse carriage, completely destroying it in the process.