Far, far north, in the mansion of Duke Jared VI Agnustio, the daughter of Duke Agnustio sat in the garden. Her white hair slid down smoothly as she watered her plants, her pure jade-like skin making her stand out even among the beautiful flowers. With her steady steps, she watered every flower as if it were her own child.She is Lunafreya Von Agnustio, and she has just finished her study of ancient magic that heals both soul and body.
At the tender age of eight, she was already being called the Saint for her knowledge of medicine and her acts of healing her people.Sheltered from war and battle, she saw the world as pure white, where every human soul was precious, and she wished to preserve even the most unknown soul in this world.Being called the Saint was not something she desired; it was her fate. Even so, with each soul she healed, she found happiness and joy in doing so.
"Young lady, the Duke wishes to speak with you," said one of the butlers who attended her father in his daily activities.
Having heard that, Lunafreya put down her watering can and turned toward the butler with a small smile."Thank you for informing me, Sir Garvish," she said, then walked toward her father's study, thanking the butler once again as she passed.
Walking toward the Duke's study room, Lunafreya was greeted by countless servants working diligently around the estate.Everyone greeted her respectfully. Her snow-white hair swayed as she walked, her hands tucked in front of her, giving her an air of elegance. Her steady and careful steps showed the dignity that represented her noble lineage.Some butlers even stole glances at her beauty. Even at the age of nine, she possessed such grace that she attracted many men. Her list of suitors had already reached three pages, and she had turned down at least twenty marriage offers from nobles of her own empire alone.
As she arrived in front of her father's study, she exhaled deeply, releasing the pressure and clearing her mind before facing her father.As the last child of the Duke's children, she knew her place. Even if many were amazed by her healing ability and called her the Future Saint, she knew she was still a candidate for a political marriage.
Garvish, noticing her nervous act, spoke gently,"My apologies for saying this, young lady, but please do not worry. The Duke favors you more, as you are the daughter of Lady Amanda. Be confident and face your father."After saying this, Garvish bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, letting Lunafreya enter without worry.
"Thank you again, Sir Garvish," she said after hearing his words. Then she knocked on the door.Another butler, her father's secretary and most trusted man, opened it. He looked at Lunafreya with a smile and bowed respectfully before letting her in.
"Lunafreya greets Lord Father," she said, giving a proper greeting like a noble lady should.
Jared, Duke of Agnustio, smiled upon seeing her bow. He knew his daughter thought little of herself, but even so, there was little he could do.Even the prince of another empire had sent an envoy requesting her hand in marriage. And now that she was almost ten, the age of betrothal, he struggled between his love for her mother and his duty as a duke, giving Lunafreya special treatment against his better judgment.
"Luna, my love, you don't need to do that. I just wanted to talk to you after hearing that you've been locking yourself away and spending your time in the garden. Tell me, love, what's wrong?" Jared asked her softly.He knew his daughter was troubled by the constant visits of young noblemen seeking her hand in marriage. She was tired of rejecting them, and more than her own discomfort, she worried about the reputation of the Agnustio Dukedom. Thus, she stayed quiet and isolated herself, afraid of offending anyone.
"It is nothing, dear Father. I felt under the weather for a while, so I locked myself in, afraid that my cold would worry the servants. But I feel fine now. You called for me, is there something wrong, Father?" she asked, sitting down on the sofa in Jared's study.
"Nothing, my child. I just wanted to see how you were doing. But, now that you've asked, there is something on my mind," said Jared with a sad smile.He did not want to ask her this question, but before being a father, he was a duke, and duty came first. The fact that the request came from the Emperor of the East made it worse.He feared that the Eastern Empire of Baiyue would do something terrible, given their reputation.
"What is it, Father? Another betrothal?" she asked with a half-smile, recognizing that look on his face.She knew it was a burden for her father to keep bringing her such news, and she always responded kindly to lessen that burden.At first, offers came from minor nobles. But as rumors of her spread, kings and emperors began to ask the same question, could they marry their princes to the Future Saint?It all gave her a small annoyance at heart.
Jared saw through her smile."Yes, it is. It's from the Baiyue Empire. The Emperor wishes to marry his fifth son to you, and to show his sincerity, he sent five platinum coins as a 'visiting gift'," said Jared with a forced smile.What the Emperor of Baiyue truly meant was simple: refuse, and those five coins would be the price of her disappearance.It was a gift laced with threat, and the Duke knew there was nothing he could do without risking war.
"I see… has the prince arrived yet? I saw some unfamiliar guards while walking here," she asked calmly.
"He has. You can meet him in the training grounds. You may get dressed first if you wish," said her father, still with sorrowful eyes and a sad smile, the expression of a father watching his beloved daughter being pushed by politics.
"It's fine, Father. I will meet him now," said Lunafreya as she stood and gave a short bow before leaving.Her father sighed as she walked out, accompanied by the butler who stood by the door.
When she arrived at the training grounds, she saw a young boy around twelve years of age.His white-ash hair swayed as he moved his sword. His yellow eyes resembled those of a predator searching for prey.His movements were precise and strong, filled with discipline and power.
Lunafreya was amazed. None of the princes she had met possessed such a masculine aura, none carried the presence of true strength. Most were spoiled brats born into comfort.But this boy, Lingxu, was different. Seeing him for the first time stirred something in her heart.
As she stood there watching him train as though his life depended on it, she noticed how even the northern cold did not faze him.When Lingxu finished his movements, he sheathed his sword with a sharp clink and turned toward Lunafreya.His eyes, sharp and golden, carried the gaze of a predator, and the intensity made Lunafreya's skin prickle.
"I have shown you such disrespectful behavior, Lady Agnustio. My name is Long Lingxu. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Agnustio," Lingxu said with respect as he cupped his hand, holding his sword with the blade facing outward, a traditional eastern greeting for men of honor.
"It is fine, Your Highness. It is my honor to witness the Sword Style of the Eastern Wind. Your performance lives up to your name as the strongest of this generation. It is truly an honor to meet you," said Lunafreya as she bowed gracefully, acknowledging his respect in kind, something that made her heart quietly happy.
"The Sword of the Eastern Wind is but one of the six sword styles of the continent. Those who wield it are seen as powerful, but that has nothing to do with me.And calling me the strongest of this generation is an honor I cannot yet accept, Lady Agnustio," Lingxu said sincerely.He had come to the Agnustio estate at his father the Emperor's command, and though reluctant, he obeyed. He was not looking forward to this meeting.
Sensing Lingxu's disinterest, Lunafreya grew curious.Usually, those who came for her hand were love-struck nobles or royals, fawning over her beauty like moths to a flame.Yet here stood Lingxu, unaffected, as though her beauty did not even register in his world.She did not know that, in Lingxu's eyes, beauty could only be earned through strength. The boy was obsessed with growing stronger, his mind bound to his sword, not love.
"You said you cannot accept the title of the strongest of our generation. I think you are undervaluing yourself, Your Highness. I have heard many rumors of prodigies, but none are said to be stronger than you. Or have you found one?" Lunafreya asked, curiosity in her tone.She had heard that the Prince of the East once visited the infamous Black Desert of the South.
"I have. He is someone I met in the South, three years younger than me, yet strong enough that I made him my sworn brother. Even now, I am proud to call him that.We sparred frequently for two years, and I haven't managed to beat him even once," said Lingxu.Even as he admitted defeat, his tone carried pride and joy, which made Lunafreya's eyes soften with intrigue.
"Is that so? You seem very close with this person.Perhaps we can talk more about him over tea, may I?"
For the first time, Lunafreya Von Agnustio invited a boy for tea, not to speak of themselves, but of the person who had fascinated Lingxu.