7 The Path I've Chosen

As soon as they arrived at the Enilde residence, she did not waste time and got down by herself.

Her eyes widened as she saw her father angrily walking towards her, while her m other tries to stop him. She thought she could've told the news herself but seeing that their current archmage already heard the news, the only thing she could do was await her father's scolding.

"Helena!" Her father stops infront of her, kneeling at one foot, he held his daughter's shoulder carefully. "What were you thinking?! how could you request that from the emperor!"

"I'm sorry father, the emperor said that you would be delighted if i were to wish upon it." Helena pitifully acts.

The archmage sighed in disbelief. "How could this be?" he stood up.

"See? i told you Helena wouldn't have done that in her own accord, she is just a child how could she even know how the empire works?" Her mother hurriedly hugs Helena.

"The emperor had never involved himself with me since i've always done his wishes. How could he do this?" The archmage said in frustration. "This has never happened before in the empire's history."

"Have they already approved it?" Helena asks.

"Even if they haven't yet, i'm sure they will take this as an opportunity to weaken the tower." Her father says. "You're right, she's too young to even decide those things by herself."

'So it's final then' Helena smiles to herself.

Helena thoroughly thought about this decision, taking into account that the tower didn't lend a hand when her family was killed with no proper investigation, she thought that if her family continues having ties with the tower, the events would take place all over again. Though it's not like the palace is free from suspicions, but it is better than the path of doom her family walked in the past.

Not just that, a duke is a rank that is close to the emperor. Since her father is known for being loyal and wise, it's most likely that the emperor would make use of him rather than kill him as a threat.

Days has gone by after her visit to the Palace, the words traveled so fast that the tower became hostile to the house of Enilde. Especially to Helena, she was called as a traitor to the tower. The young child became famous even in the magical academy for requesting such disrespect to one's origins. They would go so far as to send death threats to her.

Unfortunately, she is completely unfazed about the matter, making her family more worried about her. They thought of delaying her attendance to the academy, letting the rumors die down first.

The Emperor bestowed the duke title to the head of the Enilde family through a ceremony, already treating him with utmost consideration. It was no lie that the emperor was delighted to have her father work for him, thus he treated Duke Enilde with utmost respect, which is something that made Helena disturbed.

As they spent their limited time to their current residence, Lady Helena asks her mother, who was brushing her hair carefully.

"Mother, when will we move to Portcour?" Helena asks.

The Portcour Heights, is within the empire's territory. After her father was bestowed a duke title, this territory and numerous lands were gifted to the Enilde family.

"It will take a bit of time, since your father and i have to study about the imperial palace's systems and all about being a high noble." She sighs. "Your father is still frustrated for leaving the tower."

"did he regret it?"

She smiles towards Helena. "No. Recently he told me about some suspicious movements by the tower even when he became the archmage. He told me it might be better for us to side with the imperial palace after all."

"But still." Her mother adds. "I'm still worried about this sudden change in our lifestyle."

Helena hugs her mother. "It'll be fine. I promise."

As Helen stayed quietly beside her family at most times. In a blink of an eye, 6 years has passed. The Enilde territory has been well established as well as her parent's role in the Imperial City, while the duke became busy in handling the territories, as well as handling orders as a mage for the emperor. Helena took the time to secretly take William as part of the knights that protects the Enilde territory.

It was no easy task.

"William!" Helena calls him.

William is currently training with others when Helena called, William felt numerous death glare towards him.

He glared back.

"Lady Helena." William sighed. "i told you not to call my name so casually, please do add 'sir'."

Helena blankly stares. "i can't believe you still haven't made friends with the other knights."

"Who would be friends with these weaklings." he scoffs. "training with them is just a waste of time. You told me to train with them not befriend them am i right?"

Helena slaps the back of his head. "You idiot, i told you to train with them not beat them up. It's because of you keep scaring them, that they don't trust you."

William pouts. "But Lady, i have already learned the art of knighthood, isn't it about time for me to stop training with them."

"I didn't put you here just so you could become stronger, i also want you to train others. i've talked with Sir Galahad, he agreed to make you a captain of your own squadron."

"What?!" William exclaims. "But lady-"

"Hush!" Helena interrupts her. "I already know about your rivalry with sir Galahad, be thankful that he actually treated you like a talented apprentice."

"Ugh Fine." William replies solemnly. "It's been years since i got out, when will i be going on missions with you."

"Well, the people must've forgotten about your face by now, so it'll be fine assigning you to missions. So what do you say?"

William's eyes glimmered in astonishment. "What is my first mission?"

"Your first mission is." Helena smirks. "Become my first personal Knight."