The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1548

"Then I will make preparations. But would it not be better to perhaps push the dinner to tomorrow?"

The old maid's suggestion only garnered a disappointed head shake.

"Isra, don't you think I considered that?" the girl responded while staring at the mark left on her wrist, "If I suddenly cancel the dinner Song Yi will be even more suspicious. This is the best option, no one knows her better than me."

"As my lady wishes," Isra gave a respectful bow before taking out a mirror from the bag she had brought along. She held it in front of her, "Rufgar asks for an audience."

She gave her permission with a wave of her hand, prompting Isra to chant a spell that activated the markings on the mirror's frame. Dark blue butterflies sprung to life, flying around the mirror three times before venturing within.

Her image blurred and was slowly replaced by Rufgar's over the next few seconds. Once stabilized, he placed his right hand over his chest while getting down on one knee, not unlike what Isra had done before.

"Many greetings to the Princess. May the Abyssal Blessings forever sanctify the ground you tread upon."

Despite his gruff and coarse tone of voice Rufgar was trying his best to sound as gentle as he possibly could, which brought a smile to her face. She even pouted a little as a mischievous grin swiftly took over.

"Uncle Rufgar, not you too! Just call me by my name please, okay?"

Rufgar raised his head and somewhere in between the countless frowning lines on his aged face, a softness began to settle in. He tried to smile although it only made him look more menacing.

"Lady Yuki is of royal lineage. How could I, a mere servant, dare to say her name?"

She turned away from him in mock anger, "Hmph! You would always do it when Papa was still around."

"Yes, but you were a child back then. Now you are all grown up and already married with your own family whereas I am but an old fool without master or friend. Things cannot remain the same for very long."

Her mock anger turned into real sadness when he brought up the past.

"Un, you're right," she murmured, "Now I'm the only one left of the family..."

A brief bout of silence followed that was broken by Isra once she began nearing her limits.

*Cough*

"I hate to disturb this beautiful reunion but I have neither limitless mana nor the vigor of youth to keep holding up this mirror for much longer."

The inscription on the mirror was beginning to visibly weaken.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Lady Yuki forced a smile and redirected her gaze at his reflection in the mirror, "Did something happen Uncle Rufgar? You don't normally call for no reason."

"Yes, something did come up," he could be seen shuffling through the papers on his desk, "One of the mining parties just returned and reported a small incident. A person showed up on the site to speak with one of the slaves. I have not met him myself but his description sounded familiar. Where is- oh here it is."

He pulled up a sketch of Vlitgar that was almost a perfect match.

Lady Yuki leaned in to get a better look, "I have not met this person before, I would remember him."

"That is understandable. You were very young the last time he came around."

Her eyes narrowed with curiosity, "You have met him before?"

"Briefly," Rufgar nodded, "He came to talk to the old master just a week before- everything happened."

"?!?"

Her eyes widened, "He knew Apa?!"

"Yes but-"

"I need to meet him!" she exclaimed.

"You cannot!" Rufgar shouted, raising his voice out of concern.

"That man is extremely dangerous! He might even have something to do with the massacre at the estate!"

"That's exactly why I need to see him! What if he knows something??" she said resolutely, "It has been fifteen years since I lost them and to this day I don't know why it happened or who was behind it. If this person can shed some light on the last few days then it is worth the risk!"

"My lady, you must not! He is a purist! His kind has more in common with the Song clan than us. If he comes to you then you must do everything in your power to turn him away, nothing good will come from getting close to him!"

But she didn't even listen to the last sentence and was already gone by the time he finished speaking.

*sigh*

"Isra, you have to stay close to her! Do not let her meet any strange people, understand? And make sure the Song clan does not get wind of this."

Isra was the head maid for Lady Yuki so she was perhaps one of the select few people who could accomplish that without arousing suspicion.

"I know what to do," she said confidently, "I made a vow to her mother to keep the princess safe no matter what, and I intend to keep it at any cost!"