Solace in Trust

Valencia had trained for more than a few hours, but when she returned to the dukedom, she noticed that time went by more slowly. One hour in the Void Dimension was only fifteen minutes in the world.

She hopped into bed and closed her eyes, falling asleep after many failures in breaking Vrastos’s shield.

The morning sun rose over the dukedom. Kael had left the mansion and hurried away. Valencia woke up, clutching her pillow with anxiety. Tulsie entered the room.

“My Lady,” Tulsie called.

“Where’s Kael?” Valencia asked hesitantly.

Tulsie walked to her side and knelt.

“He had left… this morning. As soon as the sun rises,” Tulsie answered.

Valencia pulled the pillow closer, frowning.

“What a loser… leaving without telling me anything…” she muttered.

Tulsie jolted, her eyes widening.

“What was that, My Lady?”

“I want to stay in bed… leave…” Valencia ordered.

Tulsie nodded with a smile and left the room. She closed the door.

Valencia hopped out of bed and held her hand in the air. Breathe… and think. A void ball formed at the palm of her hand. The distorted ball quickly created a wind that circulated like an upside-down tornado—a void spear appeared. Firmly. The point stretched further and further away and… crashed against the wall in front of her.

Valencia gasped, turning her head to the door. The void spear instantly vanished before Tulsie slammed the door open.

“My Lady, what was that sound?! Are you alright?” Tulsie darted her gaze everywhere until she saw the crack in the wall. Her jaw dropped as she slowly moved her gaze to Valencia.

Valencia forced a smile, chuckling awkwardly.

“I… meant to put it down?”

Tulsie held her breath, closing her lips. She tilted her head.

“What did you throw to create a hole in the wall, My Lady?!” Tulsie exploded.

Valencia held her hands together.

“Oops…”

Valencia stayed in the waiting room while the carpenter fixed the hole in her wall. Nuredus sipped her tea casually while Ezrael read the newspaper.

“Were you upset at our son for leaving without a word?” Ezrael wondered.

“What?! No…” Valencia answered.

“Child, you don’t need to lie about that,” Nuredus said. Then she placed the tea down. “Our son could be… exquisite in his logic.”

“Yes… but that’s not why…”

“Your maid told us that you had asked where Kael had left. Is that correct?” Nuredus asked.

Valencia nodded.

“Yes… but—”

“He left to cut some bullshit from His Majesty to get the approval instantly,” Nuredus explained sternly.

Valencia froze, pondering. Bullshit? His Majesty? Approval for? Me? She looked at Nuredus.

“He did?”

“Don’t worry… he’s not a child who would try to hurt you, even though he is quite inexperienced in understanding ladies…” Nuredus ranted. She sighed heavily. “He’s just… a blockhead.”

“Blockhead?” Valencia echoed, feeling a brick falling on her head. She stood straight and chuckled with a nod. “I see… thank you for letting me know.”

Ezrael peeked over the newspaper.

“He didn’t tell you anything at all?” he asked.

Valencia looked at him, shaking her head.

“No note…”

“That idiot child… hiding things again. What did we raise?” Ezrael mumbled.

Nuredus sighed in frustration, shaking her head.

“You raised him practically…”

Ezrael slammed the newspaper down and turned to her. They argued while Valencia watched. She smiled warmly at this new, profound family structure—

“My Lady,” Detri called suddenly.

Valencia flinched and glanced at him.

“You’re… Detri?” Valencia asked.

Detri bowed respectfully and nodded.

“You had requested a designated place for just you. His Grace had sent me to lead you to that place,” Detri explained.

Valencia nodded slowly, averting her gaze. He did…? This quickly for me?

“I see.”