Two Separate Lives: Ashen Series I

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO:
REBORN

[Erisian 25th, 3rd Year of the 7th Sildiran Emperor, 2:65MT]

[Location: Lightborn Duchy Manor, Acheian Sildira]

At the peak of moonlight, the Manor of the Lightborns were ready to start their evening routine. The maids were finishing up the last of their duties, whether it be cleaning or washing the clothes. The butlers were helping the maids out with heavy lifting if necessary, or just plain helping out. The cooks were busy preparing everyone's dinner. What was the dinner to be prepared? 2 beautifully roasted chicken, a large serving of stir-fry potatoes and carrots, and wine for the Master and Mistress. Did the Master and Mistress eat that much? Well, the maids and butlers would say no, as everyone dines with the Master and Mistress. That kind of treatment is rare in Sildiran Nobles. Where are the heads of the manor, though? Well, Duke Alvin Lightborn is currently looking over some documents in his study, lit up by a white, glowing crystal up in the ceiling. He's massaging his forehead, quill between his fingers, likely stressed out.

"What's the problem, dear...?" Asked Yllafaye Lightborn, who was inside the study reading books when she saw Alvin massage his forehead. "The harvests have been quite slow recently... There's less potato, carrots, and even beetroot harvests suffered, among other crops. We already paid the farmers for a job well done and they gave us some of their harvests, of course, the good-hearted men and women they are... But it was roughly 20% less than last month's harvest. My heart hurts as well as my head..."

Yllafaye stood up and approached her husband, going to his back. She placed her arms on his shoulders and placed her chin on the top of his head. She knew what his current problem was. Overthinking, again, as always. "My dear, this happens, like, once in a year, maybe even once in two years. And the entire duchy won't starve because of it. You don't have to be so stressed about it. You're a good duke. Is anyone even complaining about the harvest?"

Alvin held her right hand with his left with a gentle smile. "No one, really. They just treated me as usual. Thanks, 'Lafaye. You really know how to pull my mind away from the gutter."

Yllafaye hummed with pride. Smug pride. Or was it mischievous...? "I know that hum, 'La... Don't start...", Alvin warned with a mock-threatening voice. "Whaaat?" she whined. "I wasn't going to start anything."

"Last time I heard that hum, you pelted me with a water ball. In the face, dearest. Seriously... everyone in the house has been a victim to one of your water pranks..." Ylla giggled. She wasn't concerned in the slightest. "I'm sorry, alright...? I get bored and the maids don't let me do anything so I goof around with a bit of my magic... Plus, it was fun running around, getting chased by other maids and butlers."

Alvin Lightborn. He's a duke who owns a territory at Acheian Sildira. It wasn't small, and it wasn't big either. Just right. He had black hair, clean, shaven face, black eyes, and an otherwise healthy body at the age of 31. He's kind and treats his people well, even going as far to helping out sometimes. Especially farming. Sadly, he didn't have the affinity for magic and couldn't manifest a Spirit Gear. It was fine, however. Not everyone in the world has magic affinity, and not everyone could manifest a Spirit Gear.

Yllafaye Lightborn, however, had an affinity for Water Magic, but no Spirit Gear. She's 32 but has the face of a 29-year old. Her hair is brown and she has blue eyes. A beautiful combination. She is very mischievous and performs harmless but annoying pranks on everyone around the house. Maids, butlers, and even Alvin himself were, and still are, her targets. She especially likes to run around avoiding her targets that she successfully targeted with her water pranks. However, she isn't hated. She's mostly very kind and engaging to the workers around the house, even helping out at times when she gets bored. So, they never hated her even once, they just hated her annoying pranks that pushed their duties back quite a bit.