Chapter 4: The flower that once bloomed now lies withered and rotten, a reminder of what once was and what will never be again. (2)

{As I sat down to pen the next chapter of my novel, a weight of guilt pressed down upon me. I knew that the pace had been slow, almost stagnant, and for that, I must apologize. But allow me to explain - I had recently been admitted to college, and my attention was divided between my studies and my beloved show, "Alchemy of Souls." Now that the show has come to an end, my focus has returned to my writing, and I assure you, dear reader, that I will not abandon my craft as I have before.

And, to my surprise and delight, I have received an invitation for a contract on this very novel. It is a dream come true, and I cannot express my gratitude enough. So, to all of you who have supported and encouraged me, a heartfelt thank you.}

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There are some things that are beyond explanation, some desires that we cannot let go of even when we have already found the answers. Even when we accept the truth, we continue to search for answers because the mere possibility of finding them keeps us going. These hopes give us strength during difficult times and remind us to keep living because we still have a purpose to fulfill. Despite any obstacles we may face, we remain determined to find answers. It is peculiar how humans function in this way.

Yet I am one of them, Adriana Rineheart, a vulnerable girl whose life and future are rooted in hope.

The esteemed Rineheart family has held a prominent position in society due to the impactful deeds of my esteemed ancestor, Richard Rineheart. He played a crucial role in the founding and development of Aragon's empire, as well as supporting the current royal family. However, the Rinehearts are most esteemed for their role in defeating the notorious dragon lord and safeguarding the people of the empire with the aid of the Bloodfallen family, for which they are celebrated as heroes. I, Adriana Rineheart, am the oldest daughter of Lucas Rineheart the third and a proud descendant of this noble lineage.

Although it may appear that I have been fortunate enough to be born into a well-respected and wealthy family, the reality of my life is quite the contrary. As the eldest daughter in my family, I have not excelled in the magical arts or in battle, and I am nearly incompetent in both. As a descendant of a hero, many people have high expectations for me, and the weight of these expectations often keeps me from sleeping well at night. My older brother, from my father's second wife, is a highly regarded mage in the empire and holds the rank of major in the empire's attack battalion. This puts additional pressure on me to live up to his accomplishments .

My siblings hold me in contempt and my mother is often blamed for my perceived flaws. I've been on the receiving end of constant disrespect from my father and his second wife, Naira Elena. Despite it all, I've tried to keep a brave face, putting on a smile at every social event and gaining a reputation as one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom. But I am also known as "Rineheart's Failure." I had resigned myself to a miserable existence, believing that there was nothing I could do to change my fate and just waiting for better days to come.

But then something unexpected happened, something that shook me to my very core.

The worst possible news hit me like a bolt out of the blue, my mother had chosen to take her own life. The shock, pain, and grief I felt in that moment was overwhelming and far exceeded anything I had ever experienced before. Plunging my already dark world into an even deeper darkness.

My mother, Aliza Rineheart, was a woman of remarkable generosity and skill, much like my father. She was a master of alchemy, and her spells were renowned among mages and scholars. At the young age of 22, my mother's arranged marriage to my father was intended to bring stability to both of their powerful families, but the union was far from happy.

My mother was subjected to constant abuse and mistreatment at the hands of my father and his second wife. She was even blamed for my own perceived shortcomings, as if her blood alone were responsible. To make matters worse, my father falsely accused her of infidelity. My mother deserved so much better, she did not deserve to be treated with such cruelty and disrespect.

Even after everything that had occurred, my mother remained a constant source of strength and support, always smiling through the pain. As a child, I took her unwavering presence for granted, failing to notice the sadness that lurked beneath her cheerful façade. How foolish I was, not to inquire about her well-being and offer my own shoulder to lean on. My mother carried a weight that I should have helped to bear, and for that, I am filled with regret.

A regret which is constantly eating me up and leading me to despair.

The weight of regret was a heavy burden for me to bear, as it seemed to be the only thing keeping me tethered to my tumultuous family. The idea of running away and starting anew would often cross my mind like a siren song, whispering promises of a life where I could properly mourn the loss of my beloved mother, and a place where I could simply breathe without the need to plaster on a fake smile for the sake of appearances.

But I am all too aware that there is no escape from this powerful grip. Even if I were to flee to the depths of hell, their hands would reach out to drag me back to the cage that I so despise and loathe

The acceptance of my mother's death eludes me. My heart aches with a burning desire for revenge against those who caused her harm and brought misery to my life. I long to wipe the arrogant smiles from their faces and make them feel the depths of despair that I have known. Perhaps then, the shadow that has loomed over me will finally lift and I can find peace once more. It is this hope that sustains me.

The thought of someone consoling me and promising a bright future ahead was nothing but a futile dream. My mother, the only person who offered me solace, had been taken away by cruel fate, leaving me with no shoulder to lean on.

But one day, amidst the darkness that consumed my world, a beacon of light and warmth appeared. A boy with sapphire eyes and black hair smiled at me, his bright countenance able to lift the spirits of anyone who laid eyes on him.

He looked into my eyes and I felt a glimmer of hope.

He spoke words that I would never forget, and the expression on his face as he spoke them only made them more memorable. He said, "You are in pain, aren't you?"

Perhaps this question seemed simple to him, but to me, it was like a needle that threatened to pierce my expressionless façade. Tears welled in my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back. And the trigger for this was undoubtedly him.

"You can cry, you know," he said. "You don't have to wear a mask in front of me. I assure you, I will not judge you for this."

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And so it happened, the dam within me broke, and an endless stream of tears cascaded down my face. He saw me in my vulnerability, and without hesitation, he enveloped me in his arms, pulling me close and offering me the warmth and comfort that I so desperately needed in that moment.

I had never been so intimately close to someone of the opposite gender, and I had built walls around myself to keep others at a distance. But in his presence, something shifted within me. I couldn't explain it, but I felt a warmth and a loving gaze emanating from him that reminded me of the only person who had ever truly loved me - my mother.

As my sobbing stopped I looked at his face and saw him staring at me as well.

Then he spoke something that pulled me out of my dark and gloomy world.

"There is a saying where I come from, 'Sometimes, life will kick you around, but sooner or later, you'll realize you're not just a survivor. You're a warrior, and you're stronger than anything life throws your way.' So don't lose hope. Don't give up on tomorrow. I assure you, there is something beautiful waiting for you ahead.

Call it destiny or something else, but trust me, I am here to help. And I promise, I'll lead you to the dreams you long for."

He paused and then brought something out. A red bracelet which he gently placed in my hands.

"Let's meet at the academy," he said as he walked away, leaving me with something to live for, something to look forward to.

This boy, who was unknown to me, had cleaned my vivid world.