38 Happiness Lies.

The rest of the day passes, with each failed attempt at Mana Control frustrating Lucian to no end.

Lightning crackles in his hand. Three tendrils form from different sections of his palm. They begin to merge, forming a small ball. Lucian pours more and more mana into it as he attempts to replicate Harald.

Just as things seem to go smoothly, the mana bursts, and the spell dissipates.

"Dammit!" Lucian curses, punching the ground angrily.

"What am I missing? He makes it look so easy."

Lucian tries to make sense of where he's going wrong, only frustrating him further.

"If he just told me what I need to do! This would be so easy!" He curses to the world.

Layla stands silently next to him with nothing to say. Her inexperience with Magic puts her at an extreme disadvantage here.

Lucian mutters swears under his breath as he tries again.

The attempt is an even greater failure as his flow breaks before even forming the ball.

"Now I'm doing even worse!" Lucian shouts.

'I've never progressed so slowly before. I don't understand. I have stat points in Magic. So why can I only use it when I'm in danger? The system is just bullshitting me.'

Layla shuffles her feet.

"Maybe we should call it a day. You keep getting angrier and angrier. I don't think it's helping."

Layla says, trying to calm him.

"No! I need to figure this out!"

"I can't let myself fail!"

Lucian shouts at Layla, giving her the brunt of his frustrations. Forcing her to be the victim of his anger.

"Sorry..." Layla mutters softly, obviously hurt by his actions.

She starts to walk off.

"I didn't mean to-" Lucian trails off, realizing that she's now too far away to hear him.

Lucian exhales, calming himself.

'Maybe I should take a break.'

Lucian wipes the dirt from his cuirass as he walks back to the keep.

'Wonder if I should apologize.'

...

The rest of the day goes by peacefully, with Lucian resting in his room.

'How does someone apologize? I can't remember a single time I've apologized to someone. I never really did anything to wrong people. Heck, I didn't even have friends to apologize to.'

He rubs his forehead.

'Trouble is always finding me. Maybe, Isla can help me with this one. She knows how to talk to people.'

"Knock. Knock."

'That's probably Baldwin telling me to come down for the banquet.'

Lucian rises from his bed and takes a look at himself in the mirror.

He runs his hand through his hair, ruffling it and pushing it back.

'This should be good enough.'

...

Loud and bubbling conversations permeate the hall as Lucian enters.

Three groups engage in conversation on different parts of the podium. Soldiers and military minds with Jorgen. Baldwin and the maids speaking about their duties tonight. Lastly, Lucian's family and friends.

Scowls and glances stab into Lucian's chest as he walks towards the banquet table. Towards Isla, the only person not partaking in conversation.

'I still haven't spoken to my parents about what I did to Jorgen. They've been pretty awkward since seeing me like that. But I'm definitely not going to speak with Jorgen and his gang of idiots. Isla is like an angel in disguise for me.'

Lucian drags a chair out next to Isla and sits.

Isla gives him a look of interest.

"I see our child killer has decided to talk to a sweet old lady, like me." Isla taunts.

Lucian takes her comment in stride.

"I didn't mean for things to happen like that."

Isla shakes her head.

"Oh, don't take that as me mocking you. What you did is a perfect example of how to show strength."

"You're more of a natural at politics than I thought."

Lucian gives her a confused look.

"Huh?"

She pats him on the leg.

"Look here. You've created a division in the household."

She points to Jorgen's group and Lucian's family.

"What you've done is a perfect example of how to divide and conquer."

"Jorgen's followers are hurt by your actions and watched as their leader cowered before you."

"While your family doesn't know how to react. They have no disdain for you though, so they don't feel proper interacting with those who are against you."

"If we were playing a political game. I would say you're in a prime position to coax your family to your side and to weed out the weaker individuals in Jorgen's group. Toppling both and conquering the social landscape."

Lucian nearly drops his jaw, hearing Isla's logical observation.

'I should give her more credit for what she does. If I meant for this to happen, I could definitely be taking advantage right now.'

'If I become a noble. I need to find a woman like her to be at my side.'

"You're right. I'm astounded by your observation."

"I actually have a question for you-"

"Clink! Clink!" Harald entered the room unnoticed and is now clinking his glass for everyone to sit.

A choir of chairs scrapes against stone.

"I know that many of you are wondering why I've called you all here for another banquet so soon after the last. Do not worry, it is for nothing bad. I actually have great news to give you. After careful consideration, I have decided to take on a second apprentice."

Small whispered conversations spring up at the table.

Though it all ceases as Harald extends his hand to a certain someone.

A chair scrapes against stone as Layla rises for all to see.

Harald nods for her to introduce herself.

"Hello...I'm Layla." She says aloud, her shy character making her words barely audible.

Whispered conversations spark up again as rumors begin to fly through the air.

Harald notices this.

"I understand that many of you may have opinions about this, but I believe I can cut them all down with a single sentence."

The table shakes with anticipation as Harald seizes the moment with a brief silence.

"She is a healer."

Aside from Lucian, the entire table springs into claps for Harald bringing in such a rare talent.

Causing Layla to blush from the adoration.

'Jeez. I wish I was a healer. I got interrogated when I started my apprenticeship. Heck, Harald didn't even show up to my introductory banquet.'

Harald nods to the eager cast of maids hiding in the shadows. Telling them to begin serving dinner.

Plates clatter against the table as dinner is served, and the more gluttonous members of the household promptly dig in. Several conversations rise as people discuss rumors and other small talk.

Though it all comes to a halt as one voice pries away the veil of noise.

"Welcome to House Adalwolfen, Layla. I look forward to you staying here and learning from the best." Jorgen says sweetly.

Layla gulps down her mouthful of food.

"Th-thank you." She replies with a cowardly demeanor.

'This bastard is really trying to cozy up to her after almost killing her.'

"You have quite a rare talent. They say only those blessed by the Great Mother can become healers." Jorgen pushes further.

Layla blushes at the compliment.

"I'm inclined to believe it's true. Just by looking at how beautiful you are."

Lucian's eyes dart to Jorgen as anger starts to boil his blood.

"Your family must be blessed with two beauties like you." Jorgen says, looking to Frida now, as she is taken aback by the sudden compliment.

"Your father must be a lucky man to be blessed with such women in his family."

Lucian begins to seethe, soaking in Jorgen's every word like hot oil.

Frida and Layla's expressions turn downcast at Jorgen's words.

"A-actually, my father died before I was born..." Layla replies, saddened by the thought.

"Oh! My dear, I am so sorry for your loss. I apologize for my carelessness." Jorgen replies.

"I just find it shocking that a fine woman like your mother is...husbandless."

Frida's face is now barely visible as she stares down at her plate.

"If you'd like Layla. I can show you some of the things that you've missed. A father is just so important to a child's growth."

Jorgen's words sound sweet like honey to everyone at the table. Their thoughts of his character improving by the second. But none of them are truly watching him. Lucian's eyes have been locked on every he's movement made, every syllable he's spoken, and every sly look he's given. His eyes now look to Frida for her reaction to his offer, the gateway to obtaining his prize. Layla. A token for him to grow his name.

A hidden rage flows through every inch of Lucian's body. The blood in his veins, hot like fire. While his mind thinks of thoughts cold as ice. Vows form in his mind.

'I'll kill you. You're the filth of this world that I despise more than anything. Nothing will ruin the happiness I'm working so hard to create here. You think I don't know what you're doing. I'm going to kill you, Jorgen.'

'Don't trust him, Frida. Don't let him poison your heart.'

Frida raises her head from her plate.

A smile on her lips for Jorgen's kind offer.

"Thank you, sir. I've done all that I can for Layla, but I can't give her the things that her father should have." Frida replies kindly.

'Frida...'

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to teach her everything I know. We can't have someone as precious as her going off into the world without proper teachings!"

"Would you be interested in that, Layla?"

Lucian looks to Layla. Trying to find some kind of semblance of rejection to Jorgen's manipulation.

The world moves as if it's in slow motion.

A smile begins to form on Layla's lips.

"I'd really like that."

A sinister smile spans Jorgen's cheeks.

"Great!"

'That's it. I can't sit through this any longer.'

Lucian starts to rise from his seat. Though he freezes in place as he sees Baldwin rush to Harald's side, whispering his ear. Harald's happy look changes to ice in an instant as he jumps to his feet. His chair flying out from under him.

"Get my sword." Harald commands Baldwin.

Harald turns to the table and looks to Jorgen.

"Get every soldier we have on the walls."

Jorgen's expression changes to stone as he jumps to his feet, running out of the keep.

"What's going on?" Lucian asks with brimming confusion.

Harald gives him a stern look.

"We're at war."

Almost as if planned, the keep shakes with the force of an earthquake.

"Grab your sword boy, and find me at the walls."

Harald turns from the table as Baldwin hands him his sword. His feet quake against the stones as he rushes out of the keep.

Alaric rises from his seat as Harald leaves.

"If you can't fight. I'd suggest ya stick close to me." Alaric addresses the women and other non-combatants.

The table jostles with panic as everyone comes to understand what's happening.

Alaric nods to Lucian.

"Don't worry, I'll keep them safe. Worry about yourself. You're not a hero. So don't go dying like one."

"Thank you, Alaric."

Lucian starts to head towards the doors to the keep. Though Siegfried moves in front of Lucian, blocking his path.

'Is he trying to stop me?'

"Where do you think you're going without me?"

"I-" Lucian stops.

"Stick close to me. Your old man knows a few tricks to stay alive." Siegfried commands with a solemn joke as he pats Lucian on the head.

Siegfried's calm demeanor makes Lucian realize his heart is pounding a million miles an hour, his stomach nauseous as his nerves threaten to push his insides out.

Walking together, Siegfried and Lucian exit the keep.

...

The cold Winter wind blows in Lucian's face as he stands atop the interior wall.

His eyes light with a thousand lights.

Thousands of torches burn in the forest outside Faerdham. Then suddenly, they multiply and begin to fly. Thousands of torches fill the sky soaring towards Lucian. No, not torches. Arrows. Giant balls of fire trail behind the arrows. The night is now alight with flames, endless flames. While Lucian stands unmoving.

Frozen by the terror and beauty of war.

...