The breeze blows lightly around the balcony as the warmth of the sun starts to get dim each minute, and the sun setting at the west. She heard her own giggle carried away by the wind that began to strongly blew her short blonde silky hair and the pages of the book that she's reading. She got a whiff from the strong breeze and exhaled it with a grin in her face, "What is beyond the ocean from our land? That is the true mystery of the world," she acts out a line from the book she's reading.
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Footsteps are heard running around the palace when they stop to look at an open balcony and saw who they're looking for, "Lady Agatha," the maid said. Agatha looked at them as she slowly close her book and looked at them, confused. "You all seem exhausted, did something happened?" she asked.
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"We've been looking around for you, your father and brother has safely returned from the journey at Smithold, and they're looking for you to have dinner together with them now, " the other butler said that made her eyes widen. "Is that so?" she bit the tip of her thumb and think. "Then I shall change into a formal attire for the dinner," she said and strode to get to her chamber. This is a special event for Agatha, since her father is always outside the country for business purposes and rarely got a chance to spend time with her. She is excited at his safe return.
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"We will help you get ready milady," the maid offered and she look back at her, "I supposed that I can handle to change into a dress by myself," she kindly replied.
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"But milady, your father has guests tonight and he ordered us to help you," the butler informed. She stopped walking and sighed, "Very well then, I appreciate the information John," she said and the maid got inside while the butler stays outside the door, "Inform my father that I will arrive in an hour," she whispered at the butler and closed the door.
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Her maid get to select the most wonderful corset and dress for her as she sat and waited at the corner while reading her book. The maid interrupted her reading by tapping her shoulders, "Milady, I have arranged your clothes so let us put them on, we don't want your father waiting, don't we?"
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She obeyed and stand up as the maid assisted to put her dress and corset, however she stopped when noticing that Agatha is still looking at the book. "I think that you should put the book down," Agatha glanced at her, "It might be best to not get distracted while you're doing a task," she continued.
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"It's fine Meridith, I can do multiple tasks at a situation so do not worry," she tried reassuring. But Meridith didn't continued and stared at Agatha until she got uncomfortable and put the book down at her drawer. "Thank you for listening," she said and quietly help dress her up.
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"May I ask on why you're obsessed in reading books, especially folklores?" Meridith questionedto break the silence of the room. Agatha hummed and looked at different directions before answering, "Because I found them to be very entertaining. Stories like these contain problems, sadness and hard decisions, " is her reason.
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"Hmm, didn't they say that a woman's fertility decreases when they stress about other things?" she stated.
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"I heard that rumor too, although I'm convinced that it is not statistically accurate, thus, I still read books and they entertain me," she responded.
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Are you not disturb by the contents that you can read from those books? Do you not like the peaceful and crime free world that we live in?" she questioned. "It is what I like about books such as this, it tells me about the other world that I still haven't seen," she answered.
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"I do not think that men would like their ladies to read disturbing things like that, you would not get a proper husband," Meridith qouted, to which Agatha didn't respond and remain quiet as she finished fixing her corset and petticoat, putting her stocking and boots. She overlapped them using a maroon skirt with sleeves and white pretty fringes. An hour has passed after they finished dressing her up, she puts on a gray gloves with white fur and a dark red fan with patterns of flowers.
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They heard a knock on the door, "Come in," Meridith permitted, reaveling John, "Your father awaits your arrival in the living room," he informed, then Agatha fixed herself before meeting her father and greeting him at his safe arrival with his brother, Arthur. Then John and Meridith escorted her.
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She saw the guests from the rails dressed in formal and fancy clothes, all of her dad's business partners in the factory. So she fixed her dressed once more before slowly walking down the stairs. All eyes are on her as she decends the steps, with her perfect bun and long dress stretching on the floor she looks so gorgeous. Her father look her in the eyes and smiled. When she meets the eyes of the guests her father went to her side and hugged her. "Good to see you, my lovely daughter," he greeted.
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She returned the hug and said, "Welcome home safely, father,"
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Her father broke and hug and face the guests, "My lovely daughter, Agatha has finally arrived, thus we shall now eat dinner and chat for a while," her father announced as every guests sat down on the long table where her father sat at the very front.
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Every utensils on the table are carefully scrubbed until shining as it reflects the light of the chandelier, and the tablecloths washed and scented to look appealing to the guests. Everything was done to impress the guests in the house. Agatha's brother, Arthur, sat next to her while fixing his hat.
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"Welcome home my dear brother," she greeted him with a smile. He just sighed and said, "Great display dear sister, this attitude suits you well than the careless and immature regular you,"
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She clenched her fist under the table but maintain her cool to not make a scene in front of so many people, "I see that you're back and well, I thought that the journey will change you," she replied.
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"Father showed me the vast wealth and influence that we got in Geardawn and in Smithold. I'm ecstatic that someday all those fortunes will be mine, and mine only," he said and she just giggled.
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"I thought that you want to share the company to build a business of your own, just like you always say even though the allowance father deposit in your banque begs to differ. And too bad that you're a woman and no man will ever work with you," he taunted more.
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She just smiled and place a hand on his shoulder and squeezed his collarbone down while menacingly whispering, "Oh brother, I never wanted to inherit the fame and fortune father has. You're lucky guests are here or I'll gnaw your bones and flesh out and make you drink your own blood like wine, my dear imbecile brother," He jumped from the chair in fear that took the attentions guests and looked at him.
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"Silly brother, there is just a speck of dirt in your suit that I took off, don't be startled," she made an excuse that turn the guest's heads away from them. "You're not scaring me, you even drink warm milk before going to bed," he hissed, making her giggle darkly, "Your reaction says otherwise," she taunted.
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"I will tell father about this," he threatened, "And let him know that you got scared by a mere woman? How I would like to see the reaction on father's face when he found out you're that pitiful," she retorted that made her brother suffer in silence.
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Their father made a small speech, thanking the guests for arriving in his invitation, then made a small toast with the finest champagne and got to enjoy dinner at exactly 6 in the evening.
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Guests exchange conversation with their father while Arthur is silently enjoying his meal and Agatha reading a sneak-in book-- that she had under her dress-- while chewing her meal. Arthur noticed her sneaking and decided to kick her legs that got her attention. "What is your problem?" she annoyingly asked.
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"Father will be furious if he finds out you're reading again, especially in the dinner table," he whispers. "He wouldn't find out if you wouldn't tell," she said then goes back to reading and eating.
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This goes on until a woman spoke from across the table, "Mind if I ask Mr. Campbell, I heard a rumor that a woman's fertility goes down when studying, what do you think about that?" the sentence caught Agatha's attention that made her close her book and listen to the conversation.
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Her father wipe his mouth before answering, "Oh yes Mrs. Porter, I have heard of that rumor. Since public facility schooling became a thing in Median City rumors also begun circulating. It's also the reason why I prefer my lovely daughter to stay indoors and not stress about other things she wouldn't use when she got married," he said that disappoints her so much she wanted to speak up but no one will listen to her, because she's young and also a woman. "That is true, that is why we don't want our daughter stressing about other things. She's already occupied in her sewing and cleaning classes," Mr. Porter added.
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"Only the mid-class and low-class do that to ensure the safety of their jobs, it's frankly sad to know it," Mr. Williams continued. "I say that all of those are just rumors," Mr. Smith spoke, "Many woman are beginning to learn things that men also do, it's just cold if we snatched that chance of learning away from them, right?" he explained that made Agatha watch him in awe.
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"Well Henry, it doesn't hurt you if you believe in somet things," Mr. Jackson said, agreeing to Mr. Porter's statement previously, "I respect every opinions sir, but it's all right for others to express their own personal opinion even if it's different, right," he responded as Agatha smiled and nodded in silence.
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"And it looks like even Lady Agatha agrees with me," Agatha was shocked when Mr. Smith mentioned her, she didn't know that he noticed her nodding during his statement. "Do you ever want to go to these public school facility, Lady Agatha?" he asked. Agatha was both uneasy and excited-- First, because someone finally understands her opinions and. Two, she doesn't want other aristocrats to judge her opinion and what she enjoys the most. She giggled softly before answering, "If I'm going to be honest Mr. Smith, I personally prefer to be homeschooled and read books in my own house for the sake of my own safety," she holds back and filters what she means to say because of the atmosphere of the room.
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"You also like reading books? What kind of books do you read? You can tell me," he made her chatter more, which she didn't get to hold back. "I like reading books about anything, especially folklores," she exclaimed. "Have you read many books?"
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"Yes, many! I have so many books in my room, I love reading them before bedtime and when I wake up," she told him in such details and chuckled with him together. While other guests are staring and glancing as their, especially Agatha's father as their conversation slowly unfolds and got silent. Arthur tried to knock his sister's leg so many times but she didn't notice, or choose not to.
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After their conversation ended her father also ended the dinner since it's getting too late. Every guests started to exit their palace with smiles and compliments to the house's chef. Agatha happily says goodbye to Mr. Smith after a long wonderful conversation with him. "I hope to see you again Lady Agatha," he smiled. "I look forward to our next dinner," she said. "That will be interesting, I look forward to it then," he said before leaving the house.
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When she looks back her father and brother are staring at her, "Arthur told me that you were reading while eating at the dinner table," her father started, she glared at her brother who's hiding behind their father's back, grinning. "I am so sorry father, it was a mis-"
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"But I do like how you seduce Henry in there, I saw that you really are a clever girl," her father interrupted. "Seduce?" she was confused and her brows furrowed.
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"Henry Smith is one of my newest partners in the business, we know him as a reserve and intelligent man but you made him speak to uou. How marvelous," he praised while she just giggled awkwardly, "Yes father, but it assure you I'm not seducing him, I'm just glad to make a new friend," she defended. "A woman and a man as a friend? Nonsense, they will always be more than those,"
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Her father wrapped his arms at her shoulder and tap it, "I know how girls seduce Agatha, I didn't saw the sun yesterday. You're dressed very well today in hopes of impressing and seducing, it also seems that Henry romantically likes you," he said. Agatha clasped the sleeves of her dress and tried looking at her shoulder and back. She became aware of them and got irritated.
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"Romantically? No no, it only see him as a friend,"
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"Believe me dear, I see what other boys desire with just a glance and he seems to really like you. It will be great if you two got married, it will also strengthen the relationship of The House of Smith and The House of Campbell," her father continued talking and she is lost in words about what to tell him.
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"Father... I don't know if I wanted to get wed," she said. "But it is every woman's dream Agatha, how can you not want to live comfortably in a safe zone with a strong husband?" Arthur interrupted. "Because I don't want it dear brother, I want to become an explorer searching for lost fortunes like in the book," she declared.
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"Agatha, why don't jyou just be like your cousin Joanne?" her chest tighten when she started comparing her, then he bent his knees and look at Agatha with a serious face, "When you got wed with, you will be helping our business grow and you will meet a lot of people to your husband's side of the family. It's just like being an explorer darling," he tried to convince her but she's still in doubt. "But father, I'm young I'm still 17 years old,"
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"It is only a matter of time until you get there. And you are able to help me, your father, you want that right?" he said, she smiled at him and said, "I do love you father," he smiled and pats her hair. "You will grow as an obedient and lovely wife, darling," he said before walking up the stairs.
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"It seems you got away this time sister. It will be wonderful if you just get wed already, after all that's what you girls are only made of," Arthur spat before following his father up the stairs. She just sighs and glares at her brother for what he had said.
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After the dinner with the guest, Agatha walk to her bathroom and bathe herself with the help of Meridith. "Milady, next time please don't sneak around a book during dinner it is very disrespectful," Meridith started while scrubbing her back.
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"I'm terribly sorry Meridith but I just can't help it, the anticipation of the current chapter is stressing me," she confessed with exaggeration while Meridith gasps, "Milady I told you! Reading books will stress you, stress is not good for a lady's skin and her fertility," she panicked.
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"Those are just rumors and lores Meridith," she said, "But don't you like reading books about folklores?" Meridith throw at her, leaving her baffler and stunned, "It's not that! Its-- It's-- Ah! Forget it," she said and sink her whole body in the of hot water, that easily cools her head and calms her down.
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Agatha noticed something and frantically looks around her bathing room and the tub, "I didn't notice that the tub is much bigger now, did dad renovated this?" she asked.
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"Yes, your father orders us to renovate your bathroom while you you're attending your homeschooling. It is because you're getting older and needed a better access to good hygiene. We also installed a small heater from your father's appliances to easily heat off your baths since you like them so much," she explains as she cleans her hand from the bubbles and put Agatha's clothes at the side of the tub. "So that's why," is Agatha's only reply.
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"Milady please put on your sleeping gown after bathing and go to your room, it's almost bedtime," Meridith reminded, "I will, thank you," Agatha replied, Meridith bows at her and left the room immediately. After a few minutes of soaking Agatha rise up from the tub and put on her sleeping gown, when she left the room, she saw that her bedroom is all ready for her to sleep. "Thank you John," she said then sat on her bed that is next to a large window as she looks up and saw the night sky and the shining moon through the white clouds of the city.
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She noticed that Meridith and John peeked from her door she turned to see them, "Goodnight Meridith and John," she said, "Goodnight milady," the two returns before closing her door and leaving.
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She got up from bed and locked her door, she peek from under her bed and pulled a long rope from it. She tied the rope on a stone figure and let the rope fall down until it almost touches the grass, "Yes!" she exclaims in a whisper as she put on a black hood and slowly slide down at the rope looking at her back to ensure no one notices her leave and goes at the border of the Prominent City-- where she's on-- and Median City.
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She hides her face to prevent on smelling the smoke and steam of every passing motorcade and also to avoid getting noticed. Since she's the daughter of the man who provides for the whole country, she can be familiarize everywhere she goes. She always carry a small bag and a small map where ever she goes out.
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She stops on a corner and ruffles the map she inserted in her bag, it was a simple map that Mr. Robert the librarian gave to her so she can return to the library anytime she wants to. "Okay, let's see..." She bagu n scanning her usual route, put her map back and walks. She looks around to see people in petticoats, small gowns and black suits buying in a store for food, clothing and steam engines for their household. She was walking on the local park when she saw a small white flower with tints if red in it, she hasn't see the flower before but is interested to learn about it so she plucks it ouf of the ground then inserts it to her bag.
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She walks down the public auto-walk that automatically takes her to her destination that is powered by steam engines. It can only be used to walk in certain streets that has steel machine surface, she just needs to step on one of them and control the stick beside it and it will walk for her, less energy taken. She's still learning on how to run it properly, on how to live in the world she thought to be forbidden, her father never took her out from the palace and only took her brother out. She is looking around to see others using auto-walk either it's men, women and children. She got out of the auto-walk to sneak in a street that nobody seems to walk into and sneak inside one of the small buildings. She came across a little cat with a bionic leg and a mask attached on it's left eye, cats like those are often owned by someone or collected by an animal collector. She gave it a small tuna then pat it on the head before heading out.
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She inhaled in relief and remove her black hood, "Mr. Robert are you there?" she called. Then a man with moustache in an automatic wheelchair appeared behind the shelves and smiled at her, "Good evening dear Agatha! Welcome, what book do you desire to read now?" he greeted and showed her a way to his room with an almost endless amount of books in shelves.
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"I want a little change of phase today, can you choose for me?" she requested, "That is new, you always had a book of choice and now you want me to choose what you'll read," he said and started looking around the shelves.
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"I want to feel a little thrill in my spine, when I expected something that thrill disappears. I want to feel like an explorer," she exclaimed with joy and determination in her tone then she pulls out the flower she found and tried looking around it in every angle mesmerized by it's bizarre color then Mr. Robert gasp when he saw her holding it. "That's a rare flower that you've got there, Agatha," he commented then carried some books to her. "It's a rare flower?" she asked, "It is, it's a Sjamarila Flower, it's a flower that has an in-and-out effect that suffocates someone when it's pores got attached to a human's-- or animal's skin," he explained then she slowly puts it down while whispering the word, "Fascinating," to it.
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He then places a green book in front of her, "This is the book where I read that from, I've learned many things from here," he said, she smiled then thanked him. But as she was about to start reading the book another book caught her attention, it has a light brown leathered cover carved with gold patterns on it's border with a title, "A Tale Of Eithenas's Fortune"
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"That's one if my favorite books out of every book in the library," Mr. Robert stated when he saw her picked it up. "This book is about a goddess folklore from a distant civilization, who likes fighting and gives humans knowledge and her hidden fortunes," Mr. Robert described as Agatha already caught shimmers in her eyes. "They also said that this was a piece of our history and it's real, some explorer even tried finding this treasure with no success," he continued describing the book as Agatha wipe off the dusts on it and opened the book. "This looks amazing! Thank you Mr. Robert I'll return it once it's finished," she said, he didn't said anything but pushed the book to her, "Keep it dear, I know that it will be more of a use for you than for me," he responded with a smile.
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After returning to the palace, ensuring nobody followed or seen her sneak in and out, she cleans her secret and leave no trace behind. After that, she lay down at her bed and opened the book Mr. Robert recommend for her. She read the lines that sounds cool in her ears.
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"The whole land trembles violently for the first time in a long time, grasses and plants cut by the air and mountains kneeling from the wrath of Eithenas when her people got executed in believing in a supposedly 'false' god. She had gone mad and vanished the shrine from existence never to be seen again! Although, the time will come where the shrine will appear again, when the whole land trembles, the plants withers and the mountains kneeling. But it will be a long time," she read out loud while acting everything in the book and then giggles on her actions.
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But she got disappointed when she cannot turn any pages anymore, "What? I finished the whole book in one night? That's psychotic!" she exclaimed at herself in disbelief then closed the book, put it on her chest and glance outside the window to see the moon still in the sky.
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She put the book down and stares at the blank ceiling above her, her heart still cannot call down at the thrill and joy that the book gave her and knowing that there is a possibility that it is real. She got up from her bed and lean at the window, "What if Mr. Robert was right about the treasure being true? What is I were the one that found it? Will my dad be proud of me and take me to all his journey outside?" she kept asking herself while looking above.
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