White Queen Ascending

Luciana, Torin and Oleander, has no other choice but to pay for their unfinished meal, and leave the restaurant.

Oleander still felt mad about the incident a while ago, while Luciana has just returned back to herself. Torin knew that they're no longer in the mood to do anything, so he decided to just separate ways and went to their own houses. Torin and Luciana left together, and Oleander went straight to his home.

Upon arriving at their shabby house, Torin saw Luciana instantly slumped into the chair lazily.

He shook his head and said, "you lazy brat."

Luciana didn't care and just continued lying down. After finding a comfortable position, she raised her head and looked at Torin.

"Who is he?" She asked. She is really curious about the noble from before.

Torin stopped a bit from removing his shoes. He was silent for a while and then continued what he's doing. "What are you talking about?" He said pretending not to know.

"Mavi guy." Luciana again said.

Torin finally couldn't feign ignorance. He glanced at Luciana, with a complicated look on his face. 'Is she that observant?'

After a few seconds he finally said, "Do you really have to know?" He sighed, not sure if he's asking her or himself.

Luciana saw his expression and knew that he's really going to answer her question. So, she sat properly and looked at Torin with eyes that says, 'yes. I want to know'

"I guess it's better for you to know what kind of person you are living with." He said, his voice contained sadness.

"He is the grandson of the noble I served before." Torin started his story. He sighed while remembering his past. "I was a warrior. Though I don't have magic, I am still blessed with a natural talent in fighting. Dax's grandfather saw my talent and recruited me to be his personal guard."

~

Around 12 years ago.

A roundhouse kick greeted a man just when he was about to punch his opponent. He was thrown down to the ground, rolling in pain.

"Damn you Torin. I still can't win against you." The man on the ground cursed, while holding his jaws with his hands.

"Hahaha you're just too weak! You stupid pig! Go up. Stop pretending that it hurts a lot." A handsome man replied while laughing.

"But it actually hurts a lot! My face, is it still intact?" The man slowly stood up while holding his face.

"Don't worry. Kiicking your face a few more times, wouldn't affect your ugliness anymore." Torin smirked playfully.

"Can't you be any nicer?" The man grumbled.

"Heh, the truth has always been harsh." He laughed.

"Daddy!" The charming voice of a little girl was heard all over the training grounds. Her height is a bit over three feet, and her body is just right for a six year old kid. Her long black hair is tied in a pig tail, her face is clear, her eyes are sparkling and pure, while her mouth is beautifully curved upwards.

When Torin saw her, his smile widened further, and he readily opened up his arms to catch the running kid. Upon holding her up, he detected the scent of sugar. It was really nice to smell.

"Why is my beloved here?" He asked the girl with a gentle voice.

"I missed you daddy!" Then she gave a peck towards his cheeks.

"I missed my daughter too." Torin smiled stupidly. "Where's your mom?"

She scratched her head then said, "I, I think I left mom. Raya's so excited to see dad, Raya forgot mom was following me."

"You silly kid, how could you forget your mommy." The soft voice of a woman was heard, as she curve her lips into a beautiful smile while she walked her way towards the father and daughter pair.

Her movements were so gentle, and she walks with grace. Her silky brown hair was tied up into a simple bun. Her brows are thin and arched, her eyes resembled the child's, and her lips are small and formed into a smile.

Torin saw her instantly, and couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat. This woman, they've been married for years and yet, could still make his heart flutter.

"Little Raya, come down. Your daddy is tired from training." She said after kissing Torin's other cheek. Torin immediatey smelled her natural fragrance, something sweet and somehow like vanilla.

"Daddy is Raya heavy?" The girl pursed her lips and blinked her eyes cutely.

"Of course not. I can carry my Raya all the time and not get tired." Torin boasted.

"You heard it mommy? Daddy is strooong! He can carry Raya!" She said happily.

"Torin, don't spoil her too much." The woman reprimanded him.

"Haha but it's true Isla, Raya isn't heavy at all. Right my baby?" He asked the girl in his arms. Raya bobbed her head, and he laughed. Then, he turned his gaze towards his wife. "By the way, why are you here?"

"Raya keeps on saying that she misses her daddy. So here we are. We decided to come over and brought some snacks with us." Isla said, with a loving gaze. She raised the basket she's carrying, showing them the food.

"What did I do in my past life, to get a wonderful woman just like you?" Torin shamelessly flirted with his wife.

Isla's face turned a bit red with her husband's antics. "I also don't know why I am blessed by the heavens with a handsome, and caring man like you."

"Hey hey hey! You're all forgetting me. Isla, did you brought extra foods for me?" The man who's training with Torin asked with a toothy grin, interrupting the two who are in their own world.

"You! My wife brought those foods for me! You stupid pig!" Torin loudly said, still with a laugh.

"Why? I deserve to eat some good food after getting beaten up by you! Damn, stingy guy!" The man replied.

Isla looked at them whilst smiling. "Watch your mouth guys, my little girl could hear you."

Torin and the man shut off their mouths like good kids.

She laughed and said, "Marcus, of course I prepared some for you too. Come, let's all eat for a while."

"See? The lady is so generous, not like some guy here." The man who's called Marcus snickered.

"Daddy is generous to Raya too!" Raya said proudly.

"Yes, daddy is generous." Torin nodded his head.

"Hey, don't feed lies to your child's head." Marcus tutted.

"I am not lying. It is the truth." Torin pursed his lips, but his eyes show a trace of mischief.

"What's up in here?" The figure of a man could be seen a few meters away from them. As he walks towards their group, you couldn't help but drop your jaw at how handsome the man is. His hair is blonde, his skin is Jade like, his thick brows were shaped like a sword, while his eyes are slanted upwards.

He is smiling gently, and is giving off a warm aura. You could instantly feel comfortable whenever you're near him.

Though, Isla thinks otherwise. She always have a feeling that the man isn't exactly the same as he portrays himself to be, but she couldn't pinpoint what's really wrong about him. She just knows, that she couldn't feel relaxed everytime the man is around.