Chapter 167 Tessa Asterius Arrives
Chapter 167 Tessa Asterius Arrives
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The next day, Dabi received a message from Headmaster Raghnall Ferrin, asking him to come to his office.
Without any delay, Dabi rushed toward the headmaster's office. Upon arriving, he knocked on the door.
"Come in," came the headmaster's voice.
Dabi stepped inside, standing at attention. He didn't have the time to sit before Headmaster Ferrin began speaking, his tone grave.
"Dabi, I have something important to tell you. After today, I might not have the chance to share this with you.
I want you to know that I have always had your best interests at heart. When you reach the Void Breaker rank, I will tell you everything about your parents."
Dabi frowned, confused. "I don't understand, sir. You've already mentioned that I need to reach the Void Breaker rank. What is this about?"
The headmaster's expression darkened slightly. "Listen carefully, Dabi. Tessa Asterius will visit your home today, or perhaps tomorrow.
I've arranged a meeting between you two. Whatever the Asterius family tells you, remember this I will always stand by your side."
There was a pause as the weight of the words settled in. The headmaster continued, his voice softer but filled with conviction.
"Your parents were more than just close friends to me. I treated them as my own children, and I will never do anything that could harm their memory or you."
Dabi wanted to speak, his mind brimming with questions, but the seriousness etched on Headmaster Ferrin's face made him hold back.
Now wasn't the time for interrogation. He clenched his fists, swallowing the urge to demand answers.
Headmaster Ferrin added, 'Dabi,' you should go and prepare yourself. Tessa Asterius might reveal secrets that will change everything for you.
"Be ready for anything."
With that, the headmaster left the room, leaving Dabi standing alone, burdened by the cryptic message.
His mind swirled with mysteries and unanswered questions, each one heavier than the last.
What secrets did the Asterius family hold? I just wanted to find out about Aunt Nazu.
How were they connected to my parents? Why did this feel like the prelude to something monumental?
As he stepped out of the office, Dabi resolved to prepare for whatever lay ahead. Whatever truths awaited him, he would face them head-on.
"Later that day in the evening...."
The soft knock at the door was so faint that Dabi almost didn't hear it.
He glanced up from his study of the Shadowlight Amulet, his senses immediately on edge.
Visitors were rare, and unannounced ones were practically nonexistent.
Setting the artifact aside, he moved to the door cautiously, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade strapped to his hip.
When he opened the door, the sight that greeted him left him momentarily stunned.
Standing on his doorstep was none other than Tessa Asterius, clad in a flowing gown of deep violet that shimmered faintly in the afternoon sun.
Beside her stood Butler Beriz, his stoic expression betraying none of the tension in the air.
Dabi's eyes narrowed. "Tessa Asterius," he said flatly, his tone neither welcoming nor hostile. " You finally came."
Tessa smiled faintly, her demeanor calm but commanding. "May we come in, Dabi?"
"It wasn't a request. It sounds like a command."
Behind her, Beriz gave a slight bow. "Master Dabi, I trust this isn't an inconvenience. I brought a few gifts for your siblings."
Dabi hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. "Come in," he said tersely, his mind racing with possibilities.
Eli and Mira peeked out from their room, their curiosity evident as they watched the unexpected visitors.
Beriz immediately stepped forward, producing a small box filled with sweets and trinkets.
"Master Eli, Miss Mira," Beriz said warmly, crouching to their level.
"I thought you might enjoy these.
Why don't we sit and talk for a bit?"
Eli's eyes lit up, but Mira remained cautious, glancing at Dabi for reassurance.
He gave her a small nod, and the two eventually allowed Beriz to lead them to the sitting area in the other room.
That left Dabi and Tessa alone in the main room.
"What do you want?" Dabi asked bluntly, crossing his arms. Why did you let butler Beriz take my siblings to another room?
Tessa's smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet determination. "A conversation. In private."
Dabi's eyes flicked to the door where his siblings sat with Beriz. When he was satisfied they were occupied, he gestured toward the small study adjacent to the room. "This way."
Tessa stepped into the study, her movements graceful and deliberate. Dabi closed the door behind them, leaning against it as he faced her.
"I'll ask questions first," he said, his voice cold. "Where is aunt Nazu?" Why is she working for you ?
Tessa studied him for a moment, her sharp green eyes taking in every detail of his stance, his expression, his tone. "You have your father's eyes," she said softly.
The unexpected comment threw Dabi off guard, but he quickly recovered. "Don't play games with me. Start talking."
Tessa sighed, moving to the small table in the center of the room. She traced a finger along its edge as if gathering her thoughts.
"Do you know who your father truly was, Dabi?"
Dabi frowned. "I know enough," he said cautiously. "He was a hero who gave his life fighting in the dimensional gates. That's all that matters."
Tessa shook her head. "That's not the whole truth."
Her words hung in the air like a storm cloud.
"Your father," she continued, "was my brother."
Dabi froze, his mind struggling to process the revelation. "What?"
Tessa turned to face him fully, her expression earnest.
"Your father, Ethan Asterius, was a prince a direct heir to the Asterius royal family. He abandoned the throne for the woman he loved... your mother."
The words hit Dabi like a physical blow. He stared at Tessa, searching her face for any sign of deception, but there was none. "You're lying," he said hoarsely.
"I have no reason to lie to you," Tessa replied calmly. "Ethan fell in love with your mother, a commoner, and chose to leave behind his royal duties to be with her.
It was a decision that caused great turmoil within our family, but he stood by it. And for a time, he was happy."
Dabi's hands clenched into fists. "If that's true, why didn't anyone tell me? Why did he never say anything?"
"Because he wanted to protect you," Tessa said, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"The royal court was and still is a dangerous place. Ethan knew that if his enemies discovered you and your siblings, you would be used as pawns or worse. So he chose to keep his past hidden."
Dabi turned away, his mind racing. It all felt too surreal. His father, a prince?
It was a revelation that threatened to upend everything he thought he knew about his family.
"If you expect me to believe this," he said finally, his voice tight, "you'll need more than words."
Tessa reached into the folds of her gown, producing a small, ornate locket. She handed it to Dabi, who hesitated before taking it.
He opened the locket, revealing a miniature portrait of a young man and woman. The man was unmistakably his father and the woman...
"Your grandmother," Tessa said softly. "Queen Alt-kora Asterius."
Dabi stared at the locket, his chest tightening. The resemblance was undeniable.
"Why now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because the truth is no longer safe to keep hidden," Tessa said. "The royal court is in chaos.
Factions are forming, alliances are breaking, and whispers of rebellion are growing louder.
Your existence may become known sooner than you think, and when that happens, you must be prepared." Your next journey awaits at empire
Dabi closed the locket, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, confusion, disbelief they all fought for dominance.
Why did you and others let me and my siblings live like orphans for the past ten years? Where were you when we needed you the most ?
Tessa Asterius paused, said softly we could come because your father break the royal family rule.
But your aunt Nazu was send my mother and me. We send her to took care of you and your siblings. She is a servant of Asterius family.
"Her job was to took care of you until you and your siblings are 18 years old."
But there was some problems that why we called her back early. Dabi you must understand that, your father choose this life.
We royal are only different from other people in only one way which is we follow our family rule no matter who and what in front of us.
We never break our family rule. It's the foundation of our family. We are taught to from childhood not to break the family rule.
But now that you are very strong and famous, we could convince family elder to bring and your siblings back.
One of the family rule is, if you parent abandoned you or you are a concubine child. You can prove yourself by becoming strong and famous without family help.
The royal family will bring you back to the family give you your rightful position.
You didn't leave the royal family. Your father make that decision. You prove yourself that you are royal by becoming stronger without the family help.
We couldn't come when your parents died cause of the rule. Now we can bring you home by the same rule....
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