CHAPTER 9
The next day came by like a flash. Everyone's busy preparing for an upcoming event, the Hunting Season that uncle and my cousins approved the other day. Other than that, we've already chosen the imperial guards that we will deploy to Talares Nation for Aurelius' upcoming coronation ceremony. Uncle will go with them since I'm still not allowed to visit the other nations.
The beliefs and ceremonials of Clareian Kingdom are totally different to the other nations, making it possible for Aurelius to take the King's throne at his current age. He's 17 by the way, and I didn't really think that he and Rowan's just the same age. That lousy brat.
Anyway, since everyone's busy, I was left to study alone with my remaining tutor Sir Nicholas in my study room. I asked uncle to allow me to learn magic, and he agreed right away saying that it's about time I learn something more to defend myself. Hmph.
"Princess, you don't have to speak with your mouth or chant with it, just feel the magic flowing inside of you and let your mind guide you for the right spell to use." I know. "Now raise your hand, palm out and then focus. Let yourself be free and focus."
I've been keeping this a secret, but I've started learning magic three days after arriving here. I was lucky enough to find books on the previous Henrietta's bookshelves on her old room. I only asked uncle, so he won't be surprised if he ever finds out that I'm studying magic.
So, I did what Sir Nicholas instructed me to do and smiled as a purple-like string appeared above my palm, forming a ball of magic. It always amazes me on how pretty my mana looks like.
"You're doing well, princess. Now would you like to try making an object float?"
I grimaced at the thought, the last time I tried, I couldn't even control my magic and everything in my room floated for God knows how many hours that took. But since he's here, I think everything should be fine.
A basic knowledge I learned while studying alone is that every people in every nation were bestowed with certain types of magic, but only the Imperial Family of le Clair has a special type of magic. It was because the goddess Amaranthine favored le Clair family because of the first Imperial Empress Clara. I also found out that the goddess was the one who created the magical mage-hybrid, Solaris, the Phoenix and the protector of the empire.
This explains why the empire's official crest has a phoenix symbol spreading its wings. But the other mage who helped Emperor Augustus and Empress Avery before was a different one. He must be a descendant of the late Solaris. It didn't really say anything about him being a descendant. I just assumed since the book said that Solaris vanished along with the fourth emperor and then a new imperial mage was announced.
Sir Nicholas seemed to notice that I'm doing something wrong that he went behind me and guided me properly.
"Princess, you have to focus on the object you want to control. Feel yourself, connect with the object, let your mana flow inside of it then manipulate it."
Manipulate...
I focused on the couch in front of me and held out my hand. Unconsciously, my mind drifted away as I let my mana flow inside it. I could sense how amaze Sir Nicholas felt behind me as I successfully controlled the couch.
But...
If I could manipulate it more... I moved my index finger a little, manipulating the mana flowing inside the couch, making it shake in the air. I could hear a soft menacing voice whispering at the back of my head, urging me to crush it, and so I did. I spread my hand out and then clenched it firmly, a loud noise echoing in the room as the chair exploded into pieces.
I placed my hand on top of my table and smiled as I mentally control the tiny pieces of the couch, stopping it in mid-air.
"Your highness... You can stop now." Sir Nicholas voice sounded like it's wavering. Am I scaring you? But I'm not doing anything scary. Not yet.
Attack him.
My eyebrows creases at the sudden command inside my head, and instead of following what it said, I let the mana surround thetiny pieces, letting them consume the pieces of the couch.
"We should dismiss our class now, Sir. I think I need to rest," I suggested, looking up to him with a small smile.
Sir Nicholas quickly agreed, and I didn't wait for him to say anything else and just left.
I should figure out the root of this voice I've been hearing in my head. This happened before as well, when Arthur and I sparred during swordsmanship lessons.
I was in the middle of figuring out what book I should check in the royal library when I bumped on to someone.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" I halt and quickly bowed my head.
"Why do you always bow your head to anyone?" That voice.
"Rowan! I'm sorry, I didn't see you." What is he doing here anyway? He was sulking the other day, now he looked determined or something.
He covered his mouth and looked at me for a second. "Have you been small the whole time?"
Okay, what the hell?!
"Are you here to insult my height?" I'm not supposed to feel annoyed...
"Sorry. I just wonder. Do you have time today?" He asked, now scratching the back of his neck.
"I just finish my class, so I'm quite free now. Why do you ask?" Hmm... Weird.
Before he answered, he had grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the West Wing where they were staying. Luckily, my study room's just near the West Wing.
"Great! Now, come with me. Just think of this as my way of sincerely apologizing and acknowledging you."
I wonder where he'll take me. Even if it was rude, I didn't try to pull my hand from his grip and just let him drag me. We reached the West Wing's study room then he let go of my hand right away. He looked so occupied and excited as he went towards the couch. I silently stood where he left me, watching him as he grabbed the folded clothes on the couch.
"Please wear that," he said then pointed at the door on the left side of the room. "That's my room. You can use that room to change."
"You know that it's not good for girls to use a boy's room. And where are we going with this clothes?" I asked. The clothes looked clean and they looked less flashy than my normal clothes.
"First of all." I almost jumped from my spot when he suddenly went closer to me. "I'm not a boy. I'm already a young man." Is he mad? I blinked and bit my teeth as I took careful steps backwards. Stop coming closer...
"Second, I'm doing this so you could breathe some fresh air," he continued, stopping his steps then he lowered his face a little, my eyes widening because of his actions.
I think I've become frozen on the spot and my cheeks... My cheeks feel like they're burning... Am I blushing? And why is my heart beating like this?
And why didn't I notice how pretty his golden eyes looked?
"His eyes looked pretty..."
He stopped as his cheeks turned red then he quickly moved away. What? Did he hear that?
"Go change now. Or you can leave if you don't want to come with me." He said that while covering his lower face using the back of his palm, maybe hiding his red cheeks.
I didn't answer him and dashed to his room instead. I feel like I'll stumble on my own words if I'll answer him. Why did I even say that out loud?!
Does people in Talares Nation act like this? I mean, do boys really let girls use their room for changing? I really think that's a rude thing to do in this world of conservatism.
"Done?" He asked when I opened the door and came out wearing a white and green dress matched with a dark green corset-like belt around my waist. It's really not as flashy as my normal dress, but they're pretty comfortable to wear. I didn't bother ruining my hair and just left it the way my maid did it.
"I'm done. Are we going now?" I asked, placing my folded clothes on the couch.
He looked at me for a brief moment before going closer to me, again. Why does he keep on coming closer?!
"What?" I couldn't help but stutter because of the nervousness I'm suddenly feeling.
He only smiled at me then leaned closer. My lips formed into a pout as I avoided his gaze, letting him do as he pleases instead of starting an argument. My heart feels like its fluttering... When did he become like this? Why is he not actinglike a short-tempered boy like he used to do?
I heard a small clicking sound and felt an object gripping on the side of my hair.
"This is just a simple ribbon clip. It suits you." I quickly looked away, trying to ignore what he just said." Do you know how to alter your appearance?" He said then he snapped his fingers, magically changing the color of his hair and eyes.
I nodded my head then I blinked, mentally asking my mana to alter my appearance, changing the color of my hair to black and my eyes to green.
"Let's go?" He smiled at me as he offered his hand which I gladly took.
We carefully got outside of their study room and made our way to the garden near the West Wing. We past a huge flower pot and my eyes widen in surprise when Violet, the snake I secretly kept hidden in my room, jumped from that pot to my arm then he quickly crawl inside my corset, hiding himself. How did he even get out of my room?
But I think, I already know where we're going.
And I was right! We're going outside the Imperial Palace!
We sneaked outside by using a hidden passage located at the Serenity Garden. I didn't even know this existed not until he showed it to me. I bet there will be a national crisis if they ever find this out and a war might break out. Well, technically, this is something that can cause a national disaster.