Inside the Stormholme Fortress' main study, 'Leini' and Martha were enjoying the wine Joachim and Ariani had previously given them. Both of them were patiently waiting for the Duke to come back and this time with a guess that he had told them 'Leini' needed to meet first. Both of them knew who it would be thanks to Ash's own predictions, it would be without a doubt, Gustav Ashen and the rest of the Ashen Imperial Family. For Leini, the real Leini, it would have been an easy thing as she always wanted to see how far the repcement family had come in terms of who they were as people, but to Ash who was the first Ashen Empress and the head of the empire for so long, she had a more judgmental gaze ready for the people who took up the mantle after she and her descendants passed on.

  "Are you sure it is alright for you to be the one to meet them? Can't we ask Leini to switch out with you?" Martha asked as she looked at the former empress

  "No, I am fine. Mother knows that I am fine with this, I will not be harsh. I am actually quite excited to see them, I have only talked to my descendants when they die, so meeting them in person is a new experience for me" Ash answered her, though thanks to Leini's usual unreadable expression, she was able to keep her emotions under wraps

  "I don't know if I should trust you on that. Wearing Leini's face is kinda cheating in trying to read your expression department you know?" The former general said with a small smirk as she looked at her

  "Trust me Miss Martha. I will not do anything that may harm the current rulers of this empire. As much as I say that I am angry it still exists, those are but jokes as I truly wish for this empire to st eternally or as long as it can. I built it to st and I will be damned to be the one to send it to hell" Ash said as she gnced at Martha

  "All right then, I believe you" Martha replied with a small smirk as she took another sip from her gss

  {!}

  Just then, the doors to the study swung open. Duke Joachim walked into the room, and a pair of people trailed behind him. The first was a well-built man standing at 5'8 (172.72cm) tall with slicked-back blonde hair and dressed in a regal white and gold suit with a white cape hanging on his back. Next to the man was a beautiful woman of equal height with lightly tanned skin, her head flourished with flowing silver hair and dressed in a regal white dress with crimson accents.

  "Here we are! It is time for you to meet someone" Joachim said as he moved out of the way and gestured to the two women sitting down on the furniture before them

  "Ah, so these are the two" Leini said as she and Martha rose from their seats, looking at the two monarchs that just entered the room

  "Ummm, cousin...who are these people?" Gustav asked as he gnced at Joachim

  "Well, considering that this is the first time she is meeting the entire family, I thought it would be best for you to get to know her first before everyone else," Joachim answered as he slowly approached his Grandmother.

  "This person here, standing before you, has been here with the family ever since the beginning. Guiding, teaching and consistently loving us as the years progressed. Gustav, Loretta. This is Grandmother Leini. The head of all 12 families and by extension, the originator of the entire family tree"

  {!}

  At those words, the two monarchs gave Joachim a strange look as if trying to see if he was joking, they could not detect anything besides his truthful and confident expression that was looking right at them, something that opened the floodgates to even more questions in their minds.

  "What do you mean Joachim?" Loretta asked as she crossed her arms and her vender-colored eyes locked onto him

  "I mean what I said, this woman here is the progenitor of all of the families, the first 12, my cousins and their families, have all come from this person standing before you"

  "I am Leini Augusta. A pleasure to met you both" Leini said as she moved past her grandson, patting him on the head and standing right before the two monarchs shorter than her

  "I...it is a pleasure to meet you too Miss Leini...Forgive us for not being so believing in Joachim's cim. I know my cousin likes to joke so I am assuming this is one of said jokes" Gustav said as he looked up at her, his answer making the towering Old Schor chuckle as she ran her hand through her hair.

  "I understand, you wish to test me to make sure that he speaks the truth no?" Leini said as she snapped her fingers and a chair appeared behind her, sitting down on it

  "Yes...if you do not mind" Loretta said before Leini snapped her fingers again and two more chairs appeared for the monarchs to sit on

  "Sure. Ask away" The confidence of the woman before them was a bit surprising to the two monarchs

  "First off. How old are you exactly?" Gustav shot first

  "I am 5423 years old" Leini answered

  "That is older than the oldest person alive-"

  "Grand King Lorris, the current ruler of the Elven Kingdom of Pasha, I taught him when he went to Imperia all those years ago" Leini answered with a small smile that was a bit surprising to them

  "Ummm...ah! Can you tell us who was the first child of each family?"

  "Easy. My eldest daughter is Ash, the first empress of this Empress of the Ashen Empire. An empire mind you formed because she did such a grand job as her job as the First Schor of Quelecta. The next was Staldhart the First Schor of Oneisius, then there was Svetna and then-"

  "Ok, ok...it seems you know who they are by name no less, hmmm" Gustav said as he cut her off, a defeated look on his face as he was trying to think of a better question

  "Here. Let me make it easy for you. I will tell you the darkest secret of the Ashen Empire"

  {!}

  "What...do you mean" Loretta said as she gnced at Joachim who nodded at her

  "What else do you think?" Leini said as she leaned back into her chair

  "You can't be serious...did you tell her about it Joachim?" Gustav said as he looked at his cousin

  "I didn't need to. She was there when it happened, she was there when everything happened" The Duke said as he looked at his cousin

  "Alright then, we'll bite. Tell us what it was, if you know it" The Empress of the Ashen Empire said as she looked at Leini with a sharpened gaze

  "Well, for starters. I know that you are not the true heirs that could cim the title of the Ashen Imperial Family" Leini said with a smirk that surprised the two monarchs before her

  "How.."

  "Because I was there 3000 years ago to oversee the secret transfer of the crown from my daughter's descendants to the loyal Ilrian Family who gdly took up the mantle after my beloved daughter's request to ensure her family's safety. I still remember the current Emperor at that time, Lucius, Ash's great-great-great Grandson was happy to finally no longer wear the Obsidian Crown" The Old Schor said as she crossed her legs

  To prove her point even further, Leini snapped her fingers and conjured up a crystal ball that repyed the entire moment all those years ago in front of the two monarchs. Their eyes were wide as they saw that she was indeed there, overlooking the entire secret ceremony and the handing over of the crown to the Ilrian Family.

  "Damn...So you have been there since the beginning...ok...this is a lot to take in" The Emperor of the Ashen Empire said as he sank into his chair, gncing to his side and watching his wife do the same

  "Take all the time you need, I am here all week" Leini said with a small smile

  "So, now that you know Grandmother exists, I ask that you keep it secret until we reveal her ter during the family gathering, that is to be held tomorrow"

  "But why? Shouldn't we just reveal her now?"

  "Now is not the best time. The reaction you both showed me was proof that we need a bit more time to reveal her, tomorrow, when the entire family is gathered, I and the other heads of the other 12 families who are the original ones, will y the foundation before revealing her instead of doing what I just did for the two of you"

  "You know you don't have to do this little Joachim-"

  "No Grandmother, we must" Joachim cut her off, respectfully though as he gnced at her with a small apologetic smile

  "For the past 5000 years, you have done more than enough to be recognized by the world a hundred times over. The First Schors, our ancestors have done their job no doubt, but none of it would be possible without your guidance"

  "I appreciate the compliment my dear boy, but I am fine as is, I do not need the grandiose recognition for a lifetime of work" The Old Schor said as she looked at him

  "True. But, from what I hear nowadays, there are more and more groups out there that wish to rewrite history to fit their narrative. All of them are eager to cim what has been done by your hand and your hand alone. This is not just for prestige Grandmother, it is ensuring that history is not rewritten by some vagabond wanting to be the next 'First Schor' so to speak" Joachim added, his expression filled with nothing but determination

  Leini let out a tired chuckle and then a sigh as she nodded at her retive's words. She looked at the two monarchs before her, who were looking at her with a bit of concern. Both of them looked like they wanted to say something but did not know what to say, as this was far above what they expected.

  "Very well then, I will accept it. Anyways, why don't you two head back out and meet the rest of the family? I am sure you will find someone you will geek out over"

  "Of course...Great Grandmother...can we call you that?" Loretta asked as she rose from her chair that materialized behind her

  "Sure, anything you want little one" Leini said with a small nod

  "If you will excuse us then" Gustav added as he and his wife made their way out of the study, leaving only Joachim, Martha and Leini in the rge room

  "Well, that was something. They didn't even ask who I was" Martha said with a small chuckle as she leaned on one of the bookshelves

  "They were too busy being captivated by Grandmother Miss Martha. It happens" Joachim stated with a small chuckle as he looked at her

  "True. She does have her ways of being captivating" The former general said

  "Enough. So what will you ask Martha and me to do today? Stay in one pce or can we wander around the fortress despite everything?"

  "Well, I could just ask if you both can stay here again but that would be too cruel on you Grandmother. You will be allowed to roam the fortress grounds on the condition that you do so as a pair and interact without revealing your identities. You must also be accompanied by a servant at all times" The Duke said as he crossed his arms and looked at his retive

  "Seems reasonable enough, can we request which servant would be accompanying us though?" Leini said as she rested on one hand and looked up at him

  "I see no reason why not Grandmother. Who do you wish to accompany you both?" The Duke replied with a nod

  "That maid named Lucy McGryer, she seems nice" Leini said as she stood up back to her towering height over Joachim

  "The new hire?" Joachim asked, a bit confused as he looked up at her

  "Would that be a problem?"

  "No"

  "Good"

  .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

  About an hour ter, Leini, Ash, and Martha were walking around the rge estate grounds. They were in the woods just south of the estate, out of sight and earshot of anyone. Leini still posed as Lucy McGryer, Ash still posed as her mother, and Martha was still Martha. The trio was walking in a small triangle, with Leini gging slightly behind the two to keep up the illusion.

  "So, how was meeting with the current rulers of this grand empire you built?" Leini asked as she walked behind them

  "It was good. They are a polite and happy bunch of people. The Ilrian Family have done their duty well and I am proud and appreciative of that" Ash answered, gncing at Martha who was looking up at the trees

  "How have you been Mother? I take it being a maid for a while has been something of a culture shock for you?" The former press asked with a small smirk

  "It's refreshing really. Reminds me of when I had to help out my own mom and dad when it was just us and the tribe" Leini answered, hiding the fact she had done this in her previous life for a time to pay for school

  Martha stopped as she gnced at Leini, a small unreadable expression on her face that brought the other two to a standstill as they looked at her

  "Something wrong dear?" Leini asked as she looked at her

  "I forget that you were there since the beginning...When none of this was around. I wonder how you got through it all" The former general asked as she gestured to the fortress in the distance

  "With a purpose and a smile, being the one chosen by the Gods to save this world was a job that required me to work and work hard. A lot of times I would be splitting myself up to interact with many groups on a continent at the same time" The Old Schor said as she looked at her, a small tired smile tugging at her lips

  "And yet you asked for nothing in return? No recognition? No ever-sting legacy?" Martha pushed as she took a step forward toward her

  "I asked for something. You. My love. I asked for you" Leini answered, stopping her beloved in her tracks and making her blush slightly

  "As for recognition, I didn't need it. At least I believed I did not before now, with all of the trouble the Order of Sigismund is causing, ciming many things I did due to the fact that I didn't pce my name on it has got me thinking twice. For that legacy thing, all I need to do is look around, the families of the children I raised are thriving and filled with love, the continents I traveled have become flourishing areas of life and adventure and the things that I taught have continued to be in use until today. It is safe to say I have that thing on lock-down whether people recognize it or not"

  Leini took a step forward, dissipating her illusion and assuming her original form for a moment as she closed the distance with her lover. She brushed away some of Martha's hair and then kissed her deeply to soothe whatever anxious thoughts the former general had in her head and in her heart. Ash looked away to ensure no one was around and to not disturb the sight of her mother and her soon-to-be mother-in-w enjoying one another's company.

  "Ok lovebirds, you can cut it out for now. I can sense some people nearby" Ash said as she looked back at the two

  Leini once more morphed back into Lucy McGryer, and Martha moved over to Ash, still posing as Leini. All three of them walked in the direction where Ash sensed their movement.

  The trio soon found themselves in a small ft clearing of the estate and to their surprise, there were several people duking it out. All of them were wearing types of adventurer armor and were firing off magic, swinging weapons at one another, and doing acrobatics as they fought in this clearing that had been purposefully made into a combat zone with several rings and patches of nd for fighting in. Nearby, in a tent, were other butlers and maids who were on standby to assist in cleaning up or helping the guests after their duels. Standing in the tent as well, one of the current 12 heads of the family was an arachnia wearing a lovely cream-colored sleeveless dress that matched and complemented her arachnia body which was bck with white accents while her human half had fair skin and a flowing set of bck hair. She was smiling as she was watching the adventurers duel and all four of her hands were resting on the hilts of 4 swords holstered to her sides.

  [A/N: Lucy = Leini, Leini = Ash]

  "Ooo, I heard that there was a combat zone they set up somewhere out here. I did not know it was here" Lucy said as she saw the sigh before them

  "Who's the arachnia in the tent? I remember seeing her when we first arrived here" Martha said as she pointed to the arachnia overseeing everything

  "Oh! That's Mathilda Anir, head of the Anir Family from Vlekhardt" Ash disguised as her mother answered

  "Isn't she the head of the Adventurer's Guild there? How is she by the way?" Lucy asked as she looked at her daughter disguised as her

  "She is doing fine. She told me she wanted us to visit, go out, and adventure sometimes. I told her we would and set up a date next month"

  "Aww, that's sweet. Tell me the rest ter"

  {!}

  Suddenly, a stray arrow fired from one of the combatants was speeding towards Lucy but Leini caught it with her hand far before it could reach the young maid. The combatants who had fired the arrow were looking in awe as they id their eyes on the beautiful woman who had effortlessly caught an arrow from striking a poor defenseless maid.

  "Hey you!? What are you doing there!? You could have gotten hurt!" A young man's voice shouted as he moved towards the trio

  The three women looked on as a well-built young man, as tall as 5'8 (172.72 cm) and no older than 30, wearing a set of leather armor mixed with metal ptes and wielding a longsword in one hand that was pointed downward, walk towards them, his scarred face had a confused and slightly annoyed expression as he stopped right at the woman who was holding the arrow and looked up at her with an annoyed gre before snatching the arrow out of her hand.

  "Excuse me? You lot should have been looking where you were shooting" Martha spoke up as she stepped forward to get his attention

  "Oh yeah? Why don't you-"

  "Enough. Reginald" A woman's voice cut in, the young man standing before the trio whose name was Reginald, turned to see Mathilda walking up to the group

  "But Mathilda, these sses nearly blundered into an accident. Look, they almost got hit by an arrow" Reginald said as he showed her the arrow Leini had caught

  "Really? Are you sure it's not because you ducked underneath that arrow instead of blocking it?" The arachnia said

  "But it was too fast-"

  "And yet the woman before you was able to catch it" Mathilda cut him off as she looked at Leini, a small smirk in the corner of her lips

  "I...uhh"

  "Mhmm, just head back Reginald I will deal with this don't worry" Mathilda said with a small smile

  "Alright then" Reginald said as he turned away, his older cousin patted him on the back and watched him walk back toward the dueling grounds

  "Well. That was resolved rather quickly ey Grandmother?" Mathilda said as without gncing at Leini

  "You certainly handled it well, I take it, it's from experience?"

  "Too many times. Being the head of a continental branch of the Adventurer's Guild is stressful at times"

  "I bet it is" Martha chimed in

  "Fufufufu, thank you Miss Martha. But, I must ask you three, what are you doing here?" The arachnia asked as she turned to the three women

  "Touring the grounds. Wanted to walk as being kept inside the study is a bit suffocating like my office back in Imperia" Leini said as she looked at her descendant

  "Ah, understandable. Was there any other reason?" Mathilda asked, crossing all 4 of her arms

  "Well. It was a good chance for me and Leini to enjoy one another's company" Martha answered with a small smile

  "Ahh, I see...hmmm, since you are here, I bet you have questions as to why there is a training ground here"

  "Naturally"

  "Well Grandmother, we are hosting a dueling competition ter on during the festivities, this is one of several pces across the estate where one can train. I am here to oversee the training to make sure there are no accidents, some of my employees are doing the same in the other areas as well"

  "Ooo, sounds interesting. Can we join?" Martha asked with a small smile

  "If I allowed the two of you, there would be no competition, especially if Grandmother threw her hat in the ring" Mathilda said with a small chuckle as she gnced at her beloved Grandmother

  "Hey! It's not like I always win" Leini said with a small pout

  "Oh please Grandmother. I have heard stories from the others and my own mother, I would know you would do anything to win"

  "Dang Luzminda and her stories" Leini mockingly cursed as she snapped her finger

  "Hahahaha, hmmm...since you two are here, you both can have some fun sparring with some of the retives who are training for the competition. While you little dy, can wait in the test with the rest of the servants" Mathilda said with a smile before looking at Lucy who was looking up at her

  "Alright then, let's have some fun" Martha said with a smile that Leini shared while Lucy nodded and left the two people she was in charge of watching

  "Good! Let's give them a little taste of real power"

  A/N: SORRY THIS TOOK LONG! SCHOOL IS AAAAAA