Chapter 175: Hidden Truths and Bonds
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After that rushed to his siblings room, someone was here in his room. What if they do something to harm Eli and Mira.
There he found Eli and Mira huddled together, whispering excitedly.
Their mischievous grins immediately put him on guard down. They were okay. Nothing to be worry about.
But both of them were doing something they are trying to hide it from me. Dabi think's. Then he decided to ask Eli and Mira.
"What are you two up to?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"Nothing!" Mira said quickly, though the glint in her eyes suggested otherwise.
"Nothing?" Dabi repeated skeptically.
"Well…" Eli began, unable to contain his excitement, "we might have found something cool."
"Cool how?" Dabi asked, narrowing his eyes.
Mira grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the far corner of the room. "Come on, we'll show you!"
Before Dabi could protest, they led him to a narrow passage hidden behind an ornate bookshelf. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a dimly lit staircase leading downward.
"What is this?" Dabi asked, his tone wary.
"We don't know!" Mira admitted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "We were exploring, and Eli bumped into the bookshelf, and then this opened!"
"Accidentally," Eli added quickly.
Dabi sighed, rubbing his temples. "You two really know how to find trouble, don't you?"
"Come on, Dabi," Mira urged. "Aren't you curious?"
Against his better judgment, Dabi followed his siblings into the passage.
The air grew cooler as they descended, the faint glow of torches illuminating the way.
At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a hidden archive, its walls lined with ancient tomes and scrolls.
"What is this place?" Mira whispered, her voice awed.
Dabi scanned the room, his sharp eyes picking out details.
The symbols etched into the walls were unfamiliar but radiated an unsettling energy.
A large, locked chest sat in the center of the room, its design intricate and foreboding.
"I don't know," Dabi said, his voice low. "But I think we just stumbled onto something important."
As they approached the chest, a faint hum filled the air, sending a shiver down Dabi's spine.
Whatever lay within, it was clear they had uncovered a secret that was never meant to be found.
The dimly lit archive stretched far deeper than Dabi anticipated, its walls lined with shelves brimming with dusty tomes, yellowed scrolls, and locked chests.
A faint hum of forgotten knowledge seemed to pulse through the room, stirring something in Dabi's core.
"This place is incredible," Mira whispered, her wide eyes darting over the rows of ancient documents.
She reached for a book, brushing the dust off its leather cover.
"Be careful," Dabi warned, his voice low. "We don't know what kind of secrets are buried here."
Eli, meanwhile, crouched near the intricately carved chest in the corner. "What do you think's inside?" he asked, his fingers itching to open it.
"Trouble," Dabi replied, shooting him a stern look. "Don't touch anything unless I say so."
As they explored further, Dabi's sharp eyes fell on a journal tucked away in a hidden alcove.
Unlike the others, its binding was newer, the cover bearing the initials " there was a name written there. 'Nazu Asterius'
What the... Why aunt Nazu name written in this book. Why suddenly Eli and found a hidden door in their room.
What is this place. Nothing make sense now. What's happening here. Am I in some kind of trap or something.
Then he says fuck it. I will deal it whoever doing this when the times comes. Now let's see what inside this journal.
There's a possibility, "This might be Aunt Nazu's," he murmured, carefully retrieving the journal. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire
The person might be trying to play with my head. But you will fail. Dabi gives a kind of evil smile.
Flipping through the pages, Dabi found detailed accounts of Nazu's missions descriptions of dangerous dimensional gates, secret alliances, and hints of betrayals within the royal court.
One entry, dated ten years ago, stood out:
> "The gate at Celestial Rift holds more than we anticipated. Our team's departure is imminent, but I fear we are walking into a trap. If anything happens to me, protect the children. They are the key to everything."
Dabi thinking-
Dabi's heart pounded. What is this. Some told aunt Nazu too look after some children.
Wait a minute it's the exact same date when Mom and Dad despair. Later they were announced dead.
Is it from mom and dad? Things are getting confusing right now. Why would the person want me to know about this information.
"What does it say?" Mira asked, peering over his shoulder.
"It confirms what we suspected," Dabi replied, his voice tense. "Aunt Nazu was onto something big. And it's might be tied to us."
Eli frowned, his usual cheer dimmed by the gravity of the discovery. "Does this mean she's still in danger?" Like Tessa told.
"Maybe," Dabi said, closing the journal with care. "But it also means we have a better chance of finding her."
Wait Tessa Asterius, didn't see told me she sends aunt Nazu to us when mom and dad died. But this journal is saying the different thing. Dabi thinking.
I need to keep my guard up with everyone. I can't trust anyone from this family. Until I find out the truth.
After their exploration the path lead them to the garden they had discovered earlier.
The overgrown weeds and cracked stone pathways seemed less daunting now, the hidden archive giving them a sense of purpose.
So the hidden path ends here. I remember butler Beriz told the Rooms we are staying actually belong to our parents.
"Before dad left the family."
Dabi look. "This place used to be beautiful," Mira said wistfully, brushing her hand against a wilted rose bush.
"I can picture Mom here," Eli added, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "She always loved flowers."
Dabi crouched beside them, his expression softening. This might be garden where Mom used to visit.
"We could bring it back," he suggested. "Make it ours." When we get back home.
Mira's face lit up. "Really? We could plant new flowers and everything?"
"Why not?" Dabi said, a rare smile crossing his face. "It'll give us something to look forward to. A reminder of mom."
As they worked together to clear the weeds and collect seed from the garden, memories of their parents surfaced.
Mira recounted their mother's stories he heard from other about the flowers, while Eli imitated their father's dramatic attempts at gardening, earning laughter from them all.
For a brief moment, the weight of their responsibilities lifted, replaced by the warmth of family.
"We'll protect each other," Dabi said, his voice steady. "No matter what comes next."
Later that evening, Ravier invited Dabi to his study. The grand duke's usual imposing demeanor seemed softened as he gestured for Dabi to sit.
"You've found the archive, haven't you?" Ravier said, a small smile playing at his lips.
Dabi tensed but nodded. "I did."
Ravier leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "That archive was your father's idea.
He believed knowledge was the greatest weapon, even more than a sword or magic. I see you've inherited that belief."
Dabi remained silent, unsure of Ravier's intentions.
"You remind me of him," Ravier continued. "Rebellious, stubborn, but fiercely protective of those you love.
He challenged me constantly, just as you do now."
"I'm not trying to challenge you," Dabi said carefully. "I just want answers."
"And you'll get them," Ravier promised.
"But understand this our family's survival depends on more than just strength.
It requires strategy, alliances, and sometimes sacrifices. Your father understood that, even if he hated it."
Dabi's jaw tightened. "I won't let my siblings be used as pawns."
Ravier studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good. Protecting them is your greatest strength. Don't lose that."
Did you send a letter inside the my room? Dabi asked. No i didn't. Why? Ravier asked. Nothing I was find a invitation.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as Ravier shared stories of Dabi's father his misadventures as a young noble, his defiance of royal expectations, and his unwavering loyalty to his loved ones.
For the first time, Dabi saw a glimmer of genuine warmth in Ravier's eyes, and it stirred a flicker of trust.
The following morning, the grand hall buzzed with anticipation as the family gathered for an unexpected meeting.
The ornate chamber, with its towering columns and gilded accents, exuded an air of authority.
Dabi stood with Eli and Mira by his side, his posture confident despite the curious and judgmental gazes from their relatives.
Ravier entered, his commanding presence silencing the room.
He took his place at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled family.
"I have made my decision," he announced, his voice firm. "Servant Nazu will be brought back into our fold.
As Dabi request her freedom from her duties. I might consider that request depending on his sincerity. ....
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