He smirked at my theory. "So your mother didn’t tell you everything about her life,” he said quietly. “She wouldn’t want you to go there. Especially after everything she went through. She hated that place. She also got bored after a while."

Not much she talked about where she grew up poor with no magic. It was hard, many doubted her talents, snuffed at her. She mostly talks about her love life with dad, their adventures, lovers' spats. She made it sound so magical. 

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied my face. “You look just like her,” he whispered, the edge in his voice softening. He must have really loved her.

Then why did she run? Why didn’t she tell him about the pregnancy? Where’s our happy rich family?  

One day… Maybe I’ll be strong enough to ask him to share those memories. The ones I don’t have. The ones that broke them. Separated them.

From the stories mother gave me, and from the look in his eyes, it seemed like they had something beautiful once. What went wrong? Clearly, they longed for each other—Mother would often stare into the distance when she spoke of him.

“I don’t want you going to that place,” he said finally. “I fear what you might try to do to get there—and what might happen after you do. And what others would try.”

I wonder if we're going to have a story time as to why?

He paused, silent for a long moment. Maybe he was thinking about how he lost his love, and now his newly discovered daughter was threatening to leave too. I wasn’t trying to make him feel like this was a double-loss situation. I just… I needed something. We need something…. We need to know just in case how to survive on our own here.

“I know I can’t change your mind. Open enrollment isn’t available yet. You still have sixty  days left until then. Are you sure?” he asked gently, reaching up to wipe the remaining tears from my cheeks.

“No. But I feel like I should experience it” I whispered.

Attending a magic college sounds like the route to go.  Who knows maybe I might discover something about my parents. Why our family ended how it did. 

He let out a long breath. “Fine. But in the meantime, you’ll live with me. I’ll have your mana activated, and I’ll find you a tutor. Even though it’s a magic school that claims to teach the basics, most of the teachers are biased—and that’s putting it nicely.”

Mom said he a lot more stubborn than this. He gave it rather easily.

The thought of moving into his mansion—big and luxurious—made my stomach drop. I didn’t even want to imagine how lavish and comfortable his life had been. If I wanted to get into Acreon, I couldn’t afford to blame him for everything, I know he’s solely can't blame, he tried to search and if mother would have could have stayed or said something; if she didn't run away. Where would we be now?. Still, I found myself searching for reasons to stay angry. So I don't have to form that connection. So he doesn't have to feel like he’s forced to play father.That’s why I told him: get me into the school and you’ll never have to see me again.

But now? I wasn’t so sure anymore.

I thought mother was wrong about father. I expected him to be like one of those stuck-up nobles—disgusted with the appearance of a random daughter from the woods. But instead, he was… soft.

It's unexpectedly expected. I hope this isn't false hope for a parental relationship. If he knew that I was in Rena's body, would he still claim me as his?

Soft toward my existence. “Okay,” I said, voice small but certain.

It was a yes to both things. To Acreon, to give him a chance to be a father. For Rena. For us. 

Another chance. For the both of us. To live once again.

The carriage ride was long and silent. I didn’t know what I expected from a man like him—cold detachment? A barrage of questions? Instead, he said nothing. Just sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window, jaw set like stone. I didn’t mind the silence. I needed it too.

I wonder who he was speaking to through that crystal ball? And what was he saying?

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop, my jaw nearly dropped.His estate wasn’t a mansion—it was a damn castle.

I thought I lived  nicely back in modern times. Were royalty. 

White stone walls draped with green ivy, glass-paneled towers, and a massive iron gate guarded by glowing glyphs. The crest on the front gate shimmered in the setting sun: a roaring beastly fox engulfed in wind and surrounded by vines. 

Our family sigil, I'm assuming.

“I don’t belong here,” I muttered under my breath.

“You will,” he said without looking back.

Guards opened the gate before we could even step out. A woman in a fitted grey uniform greeted him with a deep bow, her eyes flickering over to me with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

“This is my daughter. Prepare her room in the east wing,” he said flatly.

Rena you were kept away from all this. You have got to be a little upset with mom. I know I am.

I wanted to shrink under their stares. But I lifted my chin instead. If I was going to enter Acreon, I had to learn to carry myself like someone who belonged. Inside, everything was warm gold and polished woods. The kind of place where silence echoed, and every step felt like it needed permission. Servants moved like ghosts, efficient and quiet. Some nodded in greeting. Others stared too long. I didn't blame them.

I didn't look like I belonged. Not in my patched cloak and boots crusted in forest dirt. My room was bigger than our entire cabin back in the woods.

Then again my old place was bigger than that cabin….. Shit! This place is bigger than my old condo. 

A fireplace already roared to life. Fresh towels and robes were folded neatly on a velvet bench. A steaming tub sat in the corner, herbs floating in the water. 

If I am to call this home, I need to get use to this. Butlers, maids, chefs… all of it.

"Someone will bring you dinner shortly," the woman in grey said before exiting.

“Thank you” I said as she bowed, closing the doors behind her.

I was expecting more push back from the servants. Like someone obviously showing their dislike that I am here. Or the suspension of my existence.

I sank onto the bed. The mattress nearly swallowed me whole. This was going to be harder than I thought. The maid leaves after informing me that a nice hot bath has just been drawn, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

This is not the hard springy mattress that you had Rena. This is amazing life sleep on slink clouds.

“I have these, just so you know,” he said, suddenly appearing in the doorway. In his hand were the magical tools—two of them. He must’ve taken both from the forest.

He took them? So does that mean no going back? Not that I was planning it.

“They were both used to coming and going without detection,” he explained, voice calm but firm. “I don’t want someone to accidentally stumble upon the place again. And more importantly…” He hesitated, avoiding my eyes. “I don’t want you using them to leave.”

I blinked, surprised at the way his voice dropped—like the idea of me running off again hurt more than he wanted to admit.

“You asked how I was. I turned twenty-three today. And no I don’t want a weird party or gift please. I think I’m feeling a little thankful enough right now” I said, casting my eyes all over this bedroom. 

“If you need anything,” he added, “let me know.” And just like that, he was gone again.

He’s worried…. I am not going to get up and run away. Well if I wanted to I can't mom probably sealed that fate. I wonder how he feels about all this?

He's putting his best foot forward. I think we're both going to be learning and trying to figure this out together. But one thing , I believe what Mom said, we can trust him, he'll protect us.

I turned back toward the massive room. It was hard to believe this was called a room. It's a wing, Everything about it felt intentional—thoughtful. The canopied bed with its soft white veil, the towering bookshelves, the ornate mirror framed with carved moons and stars.

Did he have this prepared in such a short amount of time? How? It's a girly but breathtaking fit for a spoiled princess. This is mine… ours… Rena this is how we're going to be living now.

This wasn’t just a spare room. It felt… prepared. Like it had been waiting for someone. For me maybe. I thought back to the carriage. He had been standing at the forest's edge for a long time. Too long for just collecting magical tools. He was doing something else—getting this place ready. I wandered toward the door leading into the bathroom. As it opened, steam rushed out in a soft wave.

Either way the preparation time was too short to pull this much detail. This much furniture, this much attention and love. It makes my heart melt.

The bathroom was larger than our entire cabin. But what isn’t here?

Marble floors. Scented candles flickering in crystal holders. A sunken tub filled with water and soft floating herbs. It smelled like jasmine and mint. Towels were stacked in neat triangles, and a long silk robe hung on a hook nearby.

It felt unreal. Too luxurious for someone like me. And yet… here I was. I dipped my fingers into the water. Warm. Not too hot. The herbs swirled lazily around my skin, releasing more of that calming scent. I peeled off the rags I had worn for what felt like a lifetime and slipped into the bath.The heat soaked into my bones, and I felt the grime, the tension, the fear—all dissolve into the water. I leaned back, eyes half-closed, staring at the gilded ceiling with its soft glowing lights shaped like stars.

I can stay here forever. Who needs school or an education. 

For the first time in years, I let myself relax. I think I can get used to this. As I leaned back, eyes half-closed, something caught my attention near the edge of the tub—a large white gem embedded into the marble, glowing faintly with a magical hum. Around its base were two smaller stones: one a deep crimson red, the other a pale, glimmering blue.

Symbols were etched into the surface around them. Red – Fire. Blue – Water.

They weren’t just for show. The blue stone controlled the flow of water into the tub, and the red one heated it to the perfect temperature. The white gem in the center was the conduit, channeling the magic and maintaining balance. So this is how they really lived.

 The realness of this sinks the more everything matches up. Magic .. mana… wizards, magicians. This is truly happening.

I stared at the stones, wondering how many nobles bathed like this every day, never knowing what it was like to carry buckets of freezing stream water into a cracked metal basin. And yet here I was.

Floating in warmth and silence, letting the heat soak into my bones. I thought I would cry again. But I didn’t. I just floated.

Not Joleen. Not even Rena.

Just... me.

Getting out of that amazing bath, I grab the robe that was thoughtfully laid out for me. I exit the bathroom and walk toward my bed, where I find a purplish-red nightgown carefully folded with a note beside it that reads: "If you would like help changing, ring."  I crumple the note up and toss it straight into the trash.

Help me dress? What do I need help getting dressed for? Is this a rich people thing? I'm sure the servants would rather do anything else than to weigh on me.

Slipping on the nightgown, I’m surprised—it doesn’t scratch or rub my skin. That’s a feeling she has grown used to. Cheap fabric always left Rena itching. I walk over to the fireplace. At the cabin, mother and Rena had to scavenge for firewood, then strike flint to spark a flame. Now here, warmth simply waits for me.

A knock at the door interrupts my drifting thoughts.

“Come in,” I called.

The door opens to reveal a man with short red hair, wearing a crisp butler uniform and a grin too wide to be real.

“Good evening, Miss,” he says. “I’m happy I caught you before you went to sleep. It’s nice to formally meet you. My name is Sabastian, The Head Butler of the estate. Feel free to come to me with any questions or concerns.”

He seems rather young. Sebastian was it, I wonder how long he's been working here? He has the eyes of a crook… or was that a mistake?

He bows low, extending his hand toward me. I place mine into his— Pierce.  I yank my hand back instantly. A sharp sting. A single drop of blood blooms in the center of my palm.

He stabbed me. With a needle? Why? Was it on my dad's behalf? Is he a spy or some sort? Why is he acting so nonchalant?  He did this on purpose…

Sabastian remains bowed, but slowly lifts his head. His expression freezes as soon as his eyes lock onto mine. “Wow. I see you…” he begins, but before he can finish the sentence— Smack. 

I slap him, full force, with the palm he pricked. The unwarranted disrespect. His eyes widen in disbelief as he covers his cheek. The corner of his mouth was split as well as now a spot of blood stains his cheek.

Why would the head butler daringly cause harm to his boss’s daughter? Does he not see me as the daughter? Was hitting him going too far? Why did I have that strong urge to hit him? Deserve or not I can't just be hitting people.

 “Get out,” I say coldly.

He bows again, but I catch the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaves. 

He did this on purpose…. I'm not sure if this is Rena or me. I want to find him and fuck him up. The sneaky little weasel.

Still stunned, I headed to the balcony, needing air. I drop into one of the cushioned chairs and stare at the small wound on my hand.  

What the hell was that?  Did father put him up to it?  I just got here. It's only been a few hours, I'm really going to be questioning my father's intentions and motives my whole journey here?