Chapter-6-Meeting With Lucas Flaurel

Over the past few weeks, Rity has been taking etiquette and high society lessons from Nancy , while declining every invitation she receives due to her ~illness~ and she was bored out of her mind.

While Bethanie and Anne were bathing her, a sudden thought struck her: "I want to learn magic!" Rity pondered on the positive aspects of being in this world, aside from simply not being dead.

Not having Spotify, earphones, internet, movies, or animes felt overwhelming.

Rity missed "online window shopping" and wondered how she could learn magic.

She asked herself if she should seek Anne's help since this idea came to her when she watched Anne's hand glowing at the touch of that interesting circle-like drawings on the bathroom wall.

However, she wondered whether Anne was a sorcerer, considering her occupation as a maid.

Then her own idea bewildered her,How much the dukedom must be paying Anne if she was , to have a sorcerer working as a maid can't be cheap!

******

Rity had contacted Duke, requesting a meeting, and fortunately, he had some free time and agreed to see her. Outside his office, she stood anxiously, her hand ready to knock. Inhaling deeply, she lightly tapped on the door.

"Come in, Laritza," Duke's voice beckoned from inside. She entered and greeted him before settling into a chair as he gestured. Positioned across from him, she mentally prepared for their conversation.

Duke, displaying a mixture of firm authority and affection, inquired about the purpose of their scheduled meeting. Sensing Rity's nervousness, he allowed her a moment to gather her thoughts. Reflecting on the recent weeks, during which he noticed minimal progress in her memory recovery, Duke felt a hint of concern for her ongoing ailment.

Summoning her courage, Rity took a deep breath and began to speak. "Father, I understand both you and Mother are concerned about my condition, and it saddens me that I am unable to ease your worry. However, as I have observed the maids using magical tools in the estate, I had thought maybe that magic or mana could potentially help me regain my memories ."

She skillfully blended elements of truth with a tinge of deception, her anxiety mounting as she hoped to avoid detection.

She can say she wants to learn magic but coming up such reason while being sick is a good way for emotional manipulation so it would be hard to reject.

Anxiously awaiting her father's response, she braced herself for the possibility of rejection.

To her surprise, Duke's face lit up with a gentle affection. He responded to his daughter, "Ah, so that is the matter you wished to discuss. Your mother and I are always proud of you, regardless of your condition, my dear. If you have a desire to learn, it is my responsibility as a father to find the most suitable teacher for you. Controlling mana and comprehending the complexities of magical circles can indeed be challenging, so we must find the finest instructor available."

He admired Rity's determination and eagerness to get better and maybe expanding her knowledge, these are good qualities for the next heir of Dukedom.

Opening a drawer, Duke retrieved a stack of papers.

"Allow me some time to review the candidates, my dear daughter," he said with pride.

*****

In the garden, as she leisurely sipping her afternoon tea and engrossed in the pages of a captivating book, the aged butler approached her with a small stack of papers in hand.

"Forgive my intrusion, my lady," he spoke with unwavering respect, "I bring forth the final candidates for your esteemed tutoring. His grace has placed the utmost trust in your discerning judgment to make the ultimate decision."

Rity took the papers and began to read, marvelling at the Duke's impressive intelligence network that had gathered not only details about their studies but also their personal lives.

The papers contained portraits of the teachers. Rity's eyes fell upon the first candidate: 25 year old, scholar ; Benedict Clutz, the third son of a poor Baron.

Despite his thin and frail appearance, his glasses and intense gaze revealed a person not to be underestimated. Although he lacked inherent mana, he possessed vast knowledge and taught various subjects, including magic, finance, and history.

Shifting her attention to the second candidate, Lucas Flaurel, Rity immediately recognized the name.

With his calm demeanour, long pink hair, and striking green eyes, he emanated a sense of tranquillity. "Ah, he's one of Camellia's overbearing brothers," Rity thought.

He was only 20 years old but he was working in the Mage's Tower.

Although there was a faint sense of familiarity with Benedict, Rity couldn't quite recall the connection. After thoughtful consideration, she decided to choose Camellia's brother as her tutor.

But since she was intrigued by Benedict's familiarity, she jotted down his name in her secret notebook, written in the language she had devised, to ponder upon later.

******

Anxiety consumed Rity as she fretted over whether a mage would uncover her otherworldly origins or reveal her ~ memory loss~ to others.

So she approached the Duke once more, seeking assurance about the tutors' ability to maintain confidentiality. He enlightened her about magic contracts, a tool often employed by the elite nobility to conceal various secrets, except a few like treason. To ease her fears, he reassured Rity that he could acquire one for her if she desired it.

*****

With the passage of two swift days, the eagerly awaited moment finally arrived as Lucas Flaurel , the mage of Mage's Tower and Camellia's brother, stepped foot onto the grounds of the Mountfield estate.

Rity stood at the gates, ready to extend her warm welcome.

With his long pink hair elegantly tied in a low ponytail and a gentle smile gracing his face, Lucas emitted an enchanting and tender aura that immediately captivated those around him.

"Hello," he greeted her warmly. "I'm Lucas Flaurel. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Laritza."

Rity, relieved that they hadn't met before, responded, "Likewise, Lord Flaurel, I hope you're faring well."

As their conversation continued, Rity retrieved the meticulously prepared contract and handed it to Lucas. He carefully read through the terms, accepting them without hesitation.

"The teacher shall be bound by an agreement of utmost confidentiality, ensuring that no information concerning her shall be disclosed to any third party" was the most important part of the contract .

"How generous must the Duke's payment have been for him to arrive so fast and willingly sign everything," Rity curiously thought.

Despite her curiosity, she chose to respect boundaries and refrained from prying further. She understood the significance of maintaining confidentiality in her own best interest. While acknowledging the potential risks involved, she recognized the necessity of secrecy given her unique circumstances.

*****

Lucas received a generous upfront payment of 10,000 gold coins for his tutoring, enough to secure a grand mansion. The Duke assured him that his employment carried no risks or threats for him or his family. This assurance brought a measure of comfort, despite lingering doubts nagging at the back of Lucas's mind.

As Lucas entered Rity's office, he couldn't help but ponder her circumstances.

"Laritza Von Jager, the sole candidate for the position of Empress, had her engagement to Crown Prince Frederick abruptly annulled after the assassination of late Emperor Abraham and the Prince Frederick's disappearance.

With a new Emperor and a new crown prince, uncertainty clouded this young Lady's path to power. Was she driven by the desire for power, considering the new crown prince, Zachary, had already have a betrothed?"

Despite these thoughts, Lucas maintained a composed demeanor, offering a warm smile as Rity graciously invited him in.

Inside, Rity signalled a couple of maids who promptly arrived with fragrant refreshments, including pastries and teas. As the maids left the room, Rity herself began to serve the tea-a seemingly simple gesture that left Lucas astounded. The famous Princess personally attending to his needs was an unexpected sight.

Taking a sip of tea, Rity broke the silence, her voice carrying a weight of vulnerability. "Now that we have signed the contract, there is something I must confess. I have no memories." She believed that disclosing her ~memory loss~ would suffice for the time being, choosing not to reveal her origins from a different world-at least not yet.

Lucas stared at Rity, his face filled with shock. He made no attempt to hide his astonishment.

"Lady Laritza, is this the reason why you want to learn from me?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Are you certain that no one has attacked you or caused you to experience such severe memory loss?"

Rity attempted to compose herself, adjusting her expression as she deceitfully replied, "Oh, well, even if something like that happened, I don't remember anything..."

As a mage, curiosity consumed Lucas. He couldn't resist the urge to investigate further. "May I?" he asked, gently taking hold of Rity's hand. He focused his senses on the mana within her body, but what he discovered left him with a look of profound surprise.

"How is this possible?" Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. "All of your mana channels are completely blocked!"

Rity looked at him, her face filled with confusion. "I don't understand what you mean," she admitted.

Lucas met her gaze, trying to explain the gravity of the situation. "This is highly unusual. It is typically observed in newborn babies or individuals on the brink of death. In rare cases, it can be seen in those with a slumber sickness. However, individuals with blocked mana channels are usually gravely ill and have a high risk of death. But, my lady, you appear lively and healthy. How is this possible? It has been so long since I've encountered such an enigmatic puzzle."

His face lit up with intense curiosity and joy, as if he relished the challenge of unraveling such peculiar circumstances. Rity silently judged him in her mind but turned to him, seeking a solution.

-"I don't know what to say. All of this is new to me,"

"So, Can you fix me? Can you solve this mana blocking problem Lord Flaurel?"

-"Ah, what an enigmatic conundrum we face, Lady Laritza.

As my expertise falls short in resolving your issue, I shall seek guidance from my master. It may be wise for you to consider sharing your mana blockage issue with your family, yet rest assured, I shall protect your privacy as if it were a precious treasure hidden within a dragon's lair. I shall endeavor to return swiftly with a solution. Until then, please take care and remember that unnecessary stress can hinder your healing."