Talia first met Lord Remmings one year after being brought to the capital by the interrogators. The law dictated that any orphan with the mental affinity was to be taken into their custody, without question, but her new guardians didn’t think much of her.

It wasn’t the first or the last time someone would see her lack of sight and think she suffered an impairment of the mind. The tutor meant to instruct them disregarded her for months until he noticed that she was soaking up the knowledge from his lectures faster than a rag taking in water after being dropped into a puddle.

The tutor was further astounded when, after the children were taught their first spell, she showed exceptional control over her mana. Only then did he report to Lord Remmings about her.

The nobleman showed that he was their leader for a reason. It took him a day to understand Talia’s ability. The same day, he offered to make her his disciple. She agreed and was moved into his house by the end of the week.

Over the years, their relationship changed. At least, for her teacher. He began to see her less as a disciple and more as a true heir. She would have been content to spend the rest of her life studying magic but he insisted she concern herself with other things. Etiquette. Music. Literature, even if the stories had to be read to her.

Like Lou, he attempted to instill an appreciation for better clothes in her, with much less success. As she grew older, it was learning to dance and attending parties. Once she reached the age of majority, he dropped hints about romance before progressing to introducing marriage candidates.

It was no secret that he thought of Talia as a daughter. It was too bad she didn’t think of him as a father and never would. If he had come seeking compensation for time invested in a failed venture, she would entertain him and work to seek a satisfactory arrangement for all parties. Perhaps she would share her idea of the interrogators separating from the crown earlier than anticipated.

However, if he had come as a disappointed father seeking answers about the perceived betrayal and abandonment of a daughter…she was afraid he would be leaving with nothing but more disappointment.

As it was the first time she’d truly seen her teacher, she found herself studying him with interest. Interestingly, he was quite as she imagined him. He had the pale complexion common to natives of the capital, dark hair liberally streaked with silver, and equally dark eyes. His long face and beak-like nose gave the impression of a bird of prey, a fitting look for one many thought of as a predator of the mind.

Yet, he also differed from her imaginations. He usually spoke to her in a warm tone that she thought would be reflected in his clothes, but the man wore black from head to toe. And though he was a strong caster, his body didn’t reflect that strength, the thinning black unable to hide his soft body. Age and a stressful life had left their marks on his face, the wrinkles more prominent when he smiled while enjoying a cup of tea. He always fussed for her to wear more in cold weather, and she was glad to see he took his own advice, his gloves lying on the table and his jacket presumably taken by Earl when he arrived.

He looked up as she entered, smiling broadly as he set down his teacup. “Talia,” he called warmly as he got to his feet and held out his arms. Out of habit, she stepped forward, letting him kiss her forehead before holding her at arms’ length. For the sake of her role, she offered him as much as a smile as she was able. Having raised her for over a decade, he was accustomed to her muted expressions and the smile only made him more excited.

“You look wonderful, my dear.” He looked her over, an eyebrow going up. “You’ve changed your tune from assuring me one piece of cloth was much the same as another.”

“I’ve recently had cause to take more care for my appearance.”

“Would a young man be the cause? If so, there is no need for these recent dramatics. I’d hope to see you taken care of by a man of means but I’m happy you’ve found love and will welcome the gentleman with open arms…he is a gentleman?”

Talia carefully stepped out of his hands. “Shall we have a seat?”

“I believe I’m worried.” Lord Remmings reclaimed his seat and Talia sat beside him. “I told you to ask someone to sit when you had to deliver particularly unpleasant news. Taught you the exact tone to use, though you haven’t quite mastered it. Far from.”

“I don’t believe you will like what I have to say.”

He sighed, taking another sip of his tea and humming in pleasure. “This is really good. Do you think you could spare some? You would think the capital would be home to the finest delicacies in the kingdom but so many generations of bad taste have made sure that a price tag is prioritized before quality. Really, the people of Summer Spire will buy anything if it’s expensive enough.”

“You’re avoiding the conversation, sir.”

“And as usual, my dear, you are far too direct. But you’re right. I’m prolonging the inevitable. Then, tell me. Why are you abandoning your commitment and two decades of effort?” His lips twitched, his tell for when he was holding back strong emotions. “Why are you abandoning your family?”

Talia was a blunt person but she was not so out of touch with the world that she couldn’t understand when the truth could be hurtful. There was a way to say certain things. “In a way, you are not wrong. I’ve found love.”

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The serious atmosphere was broken by her mentor’s humorously wide eyes and obvious surprise. He would be upset about her decision no matter what she said but he also cared for her happiness. Being told she’d canceled their contract because he was lacking would bring nothing but pain. Being told she had forsaken the interrogators for love? He wouldn’t be happy, but he would understand. Perhaps, in time, he might even approve.

“Truly?!” The man seemed ready to burst with joy. Probably because he had resigned himself to Talia becoming an unmarried spinster. “Well, where is the scoundrel that’s stolen my precious daughter? Don’t worry, dear. I don’t plan to hurt him. It’s just my due to bark and bluster a bit.”

“She’s away, participating in the north’s yearly campaign.”

“…she?”

“Yes.”

Lord Remmings cleared his throat. “I…see. That would explain why you refused all the partners I put before you.”

“I don’t have a preference for either sex, sir. Lou intrigues me as an individual.”

“Lou? …you wouldn’t happen to be referring to Lourianne Tome, by any chance?”

“I am.”

“…the Lourianne Tome infamous for marrying an elven woman? The girl that was almost brought in for treason after assaulting Prince Samuel? The rumored womanizing, hedonistic pervert with two contracted succubi?”

“The same.”

The man raised a hand and massaged his brow. “Dare I ask?”

“It’s quite simple. She fulfills all my desires.” She chuckled as his features twisted in a scowl. “Is that not what you wanted for me?”

“Of course it is, dearest, but…the woman’s reputation is horrendous. Given she’s also taking you from your duties, I can’t help imagining the worst.”

“She isn’t taking me from anything. This is something I decided on my own. Something I was thinking about before I met Lou.”

“Tali—”

“The interrogators are a lame dog that has lost its teeth, its claws, and its instincts. They are dumb and delirious. They are not a future but a chain to the past. I want no part of it.”

Lord Remmings stared at her with a blank expression as she hurled insults. Then he sighed. “You’re not wrong but you forgot one thing. The interrogators are necessary. Harvest needs us, no matter our problems. That is why I never abandoned them. That is why they need you, Talia. Someone to guide them. Someone to inspire the thirst for improvement that all the best casters have.”

“They don’t need me, sir. You know the kind of woman I am. I would have fulfilled any obligation I accepted but I am not a leader. Certainly not one that inspires others. I work for myself.”

“Better a woman true to herself than a man beholden to many masters. Talia, please. Will you make me beg? I know you’re smart enough to know what you refusing the position means. Do you want to see a repeat of the Grimoires?”

“There won’t be.”

“Who will stop them? Not I and I know no other with the power.”

“The same person who stopped the Grimoires.”

“Is that what interested you? There is no evidence that Lourianne Tome was responsible for the Grimoire patriarch’s fall, no matter the rumors spread by her uncle. Yes, she’s contracted a thrall, but it would be meaningless before Gordon Sr.’s virtue. Whatever happened to that family had nothing to do with her.”

There. That was the problem with her teacher and the interrogators. They had no imagination, could not fathom events beyond their experience. In their world, an unknown girl with a basic fire affinity couldn’t best a royal advisor, so she didn’t.

They thought the same when it came to the mental affinity. What they had achieved was the peak of magic. What they hadn’t was impossible. Disciples were meant to become their teachers, not surpass them.

Her teacher thought he was different, but he was the same as the rest. Still chained to the same ideas. He thought to inject the interrogators with new blood when he should reject them. Throw the whole rotten concept to the wind and start anew. Spit on the title master caster because it meant nothing and approach magic like a beginner, who saw the world with no preconceptions and challenged every notion.

“That was just a guess and has nothing to do with my relationship with Lou.”

“And what about her wife? Do you wish to be someone’s mistress? A…a woman’s mistress? It’s insulting.”

“You taught me that titles were meaningless.”

“This isn’t about the title!” Lord Remmings let out an explosive sigh and got to his feet. “Enough. Knowing you, I thought there was a rationale reason for your decision and we could handle this through discourse, but it’s clear you’ve taken leave of your senses. I’m happy you’ve finally found love but like any parent with a wayward child, I will intervene to save you from yourself. We’re returning to the capital. Your…lover may visit you there. If she truly cares for you, then she will help convince not to give up a bright future to simply warm a bed at another woman’s convenience.”

Talia didn’t blame him for his reaction. All her life, she had followed his orders without question. Never fought for a single desire, as they paled before her desire for magic, magic she thought she could only have following his designs. Though he claimed to know her, he never understood her. Didn’t need to when a firm voice resolved their few disagreements.

“It’s a shame, sir. I also hoped this could be solved with calm discourse.” As Talia rose from her seat, Earl quietly slipped into the room, face blank and arms hanging loosely at his sides. “I won’t be leaving.”

“Talia, enough!”

“Indeed, that is quite enough. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave until you regain control of yourself.”

His disbelief became cold frustration as she didn’t budge. “I see. Well, we are not savages. I won’t drag you out by the arm.” He picked his gloves up. The next moment, he startled as Earl suddenly appeared at his side with his coat but nodded his thanks.

The fool probably thought the boy had fetched it once he heard a raised voice. Talia knew that he had fetched in the few moments they’d stared each other down. It was a little amusing that a man of her teacher’s experience would dismiss the most dangerous being in the room. Being, because Talia wasn’t sure he could still be called human.

“I hope I may visit again,” he said while shrugging on the coat. “Perhaps after Lourianne has returned. A face-to-face meeting might change my views of the woman.”

Talia thought it was sad that he still thought his approval mattered but, for the sake of all he had done for her and getting him to leave the house peacefully, she played along. “That would be wonderful. You’ll have to come to dinner. We have a fantastic chef.”

“…I will say that you are different, dearest. A personal change for the better, I think, even I do not agree with some of your thinking. Your heart is certainly warmer.”

“Allow me to escort you to the door,” Earl said. She was sure that her teacher took it as a polite overture but she recognized it as a threat. Savage or not, if her teacher made any more trouble, the boy would drag him out by his arm. Or perhaps his throat.

Dinner would certainly be interesting. She hoped Lou wouldn’t blame her for any untoward behavior from her teacher. If his tantrum ruined her efforts, she would be…upset.

Very upset.