It was a known fact that the closer one was to the center of Baldwin County, the further away from harm they were and the safer they were from the unseen threats roaming outside of its protective walls and massive defensive barrier. However, Vivia demanded that the palace at the northern edge of Baldwin County be converted into her family's manor because she liked the view there.
At that time, Arnard was so in love with her that he didn't consider saying no to her. Her choice was bad. He knew it. But he went along with her wishes.
After all, he had the money and authority to fulfill her wish and believed that he had the power to protect his wife and son. Not to mention, the very first vow he made when he married her was that he was willing to do everything to make her happy and see her smile.
Even for a noble, It wasn't easy to buy that place as it used to be a king's palace.
That palace used to be the private property of the king of Sumeria.
After the war, the king was dethroned and executed, and the Sumeria kingdom was abolished.
His family didn't face a good fate either.
Most of his sons were generals of his army.
Under their lead, the Sumerians had killed many soldiers of the Sun Kingdom.
After they lost the war, the three brothers, or more specifically, the three most bloodthirsty sons of the Sumerian King, were mercilessly executed, and their royal family was stripped of all its authority and demoted to the rank of slaves.
Those who ran away survived.
Although they survived, they were forced to become rebels because if they didn't, they would have died.
The properties and wealth of the King of Sumeria were confiscated by the Great Sun Emperor.
The other two kings who went against him and tried to destroy the Sun Kingdom faced the same fate.
They lost their lives, treasures, kingdoms, and wealth to the Great Sun Emperor.
The Great Sun Emperor didn't keep his enemies' wealth for himself. As he was the emperor who ruled over the human realm in the Far West Major World and was also the strongest human, he was not short of wealth. The amount of land he owned was simply too vast. It covered a major part of the Great Forest. Based on that alone, he was the richest man in the world, and he had no shortage of wealth.
Thus, he didn't feel troubled following the advice of his loyal officials and giving out the wealth newly added to his treasury thanks to winning the war.
He shared it with the masses affected by the war. The Sumerian people hated him because he turned the tide of the war and invaded their homes. They were already not faring well, as the Sumerian king had forced them to give up their winter grain to support his army to go against the Sun Kingdom. After losing the war and having another person occupy their land, they were afraid that they would starve to death in the upcoming winter. But the emperor surpassed their expectation. He wasn't a cruel tyrant like they had heard. He shared his wealth with them. Because of this, they were to survive that winter.
They were thankful to him. The Sumerian King had only ever looted them. The tax he had imposed on them in the time of war was ridiculous and left them penniless. The Glorious Sun, on the other hand, lowered the taxes imposed on them after becoming an emperor and also fed and clothed them, helping them survive the harsh winter. Thus, they became his followers.
The Sumerian Kingdom was now the northern region of the empire.
It wasn't just them but also many others who benefited from his selflessness.
He shared it with those people in his army who contributed the most in helping his kingdom survive the assault of the three kingdoms and usurping them.
He shared it with his close aides and those of his ministers who helped him create a reason to usurp the fourth kingdom that belonged to his friend but remained neutral during the warring era, helping neither side and watching the show from the sidelines like a human in a zoo.
The price of taking no action was being forced to integrate with the Empire and become a part of it.
To be honest, it was a better fate than what happened to the other three.
Lastly, he shared a majority of his newfound wealth with those warriors who helped him put an end to the warring era.
Arnard, whose contribution wasn't any less than his brother's in the war, just asked the emperor, and he was given the palace.
He renovated it with his wife and son and added new things to make it look more homely.
They settled in it before Damien was kidnapped.
'We wouldn't have fallen into their trap if our house was closer to Badulf's.'
Vivia regretted following her heart that year, blinded by emotions.
Actually, She was blaming herself unjustly.
The truth was quite plain.
Enticed by Chaos, the rebels, chaotic beings, and the crimson mages would have targeted Damien even if they were living under Badulf's roof.
'None of this would have happened if I had listened to him!'
Vivia's eyes teared up, and her nose turned red. Arnard grabbed her hand and told her that everything was going to be fine as they flew toward the rose garden.
…
On the day she was going to marry Arnard, Vivia had argued with the Water Celestial.
"I have already divined. You do not have a good future with him. If the two of you get married, then the one to suffer wouldn't only be you and Arnard but also the fruit of your love. Listen to me, and find someone else to love. He might be your fated, but fulfilling this destiny and getting together with him will only bring you pain. What's the use of walking this path to the end when it's only going to push you deeper into despair?"
The Water Celestial was against their marriage for a good reason.
He had peeked into the secrets of heaven and knew that their future together was going to be full of troubles.
It was better for them to split up if they wanted to live a peaceful life.
"I am not going to break his heart and kill my happiness because of something that is yet to happen and can be evaded."
That's how she had replied to him at that time.
The Water Celestial was her father.
She had always listened to him.
But for the love of her life, she was going as far as to disobey him.
"We're powerful enough."
It was just then that Arnard broke into the temple, landing beside them and saying those words.
He had heard their conversation.
The Water Celestial did shake his heart with his words.
He was known for having accurate divinations.
Arnard was afraid that what he prophecized would come true in their future.
However, after hearing the words of his lover, Arnard resolve was strengthened, and he said.
"Whatever fate throws at us, we will kick it away."
"You are being childish!"
Their stance didn't change even after the Water Celestial scolded them.
"What would you do if you were in my shoes and someone told you that you can't marry the person you love with all your heart if you want to avoid a disaster?"
This was the last question Vivia asked her father that day.
"I don't know. I have the strength to fight against fate. But not you. Going ahead with this is foolishness. You will regret it."
This was how he had answered her.
They asked for his blessing, but he turned his back on them. After a while, they walked away, seeing that he was unwilling to see them ending up together.
"If you dare leave the temple with this rogue bastard, I will take it as if I have never had a daughter!"
His warning didn't fall on deaf ears. Vivia staggered. She was in love with her Fated and was willing to disobey her father for him. But she cherished her father as much as her Arnard and wasn't willing to be disowned by him.
Arnard, however, grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
Since she wasn't strong enough to make a decision, he made it for her.
He kept on looking ahead blankly as the two lovebirds flew away.
"Love really does make one blind."
Eventually, a sigh escaped the Water Celestial's lips before he puked out a mouthful of blood.
…
Vivia regretted looking down on her father's warning and believing that she could fight against fate.
'What had happened can't be done.'
Wallowing over the past wouldn't help in this situation.
She knew that better than anyone else here.
'I need to do something.'
A thought flashed in her mind, and her eyes lit up.
'That might work!'
'I can ask him for help.'
It has been years since she last spoke with her father. He had cut off all connections with them. Even when she went to his doorstep and cried, he didn't answer her. It's like he had seriously disowned her and was never going to see her face until her death. Because this thought was too depressing, she had even fallen ill for six months. Only after half a year and getting pampered to death by her husband did she recover from her depression.
'But will he help me?'
'I need to at least try.'
When this thought appeared in her mind, her clenched jaw loosened, and her eyes closed.
Female Sirens shared a mental connection with their parents. It was hard to put into words, but it existed. Not everyone can realize that they have it. But it becomes visible to them when they meet certain conditions, even if they are totally clueless about it.
Vivia used that to communicate with him, hoping that he would have the heart to hear her out.
"I know I have been unfilial. I know you have every right to ignore me. But please help me today. Please save Damien. Chaos wants to harm him. You have ignored him since he was born. You have never done anything for him. But he is your grandson. Please keep it from harming him. I beg of you."
Vivia was born sensible and had centuries' worth of memories. She had never begged him for anything. But now that her son's life was at stake, she couldn't help but repeatedly call out to him like a beggar.
After three seconds, a warm-hearted voice rang in her mind.
"Alright, I will help. But keep this in mind. I am not doing it for you but my grandson."
It belonged to her father, the water celestial!
