“This is the last batch of magical books we have in the library!” Lenora said whilst she placed the books on the table with a light thud.

“Thank you, Lenora!” I replied without giving her a glance. I leafed through the pages of the book I held, highlighting the necessary information that I needed.

For the past few days, I had been cooped up in my room— reading any magical book I could find. With Lenora's help it made it a tad easier to find the accurate ones. My isolation does worry the people around me but no one has had the courage to approach me and speak up about it, probably because they arread that I was still angry about what Edward spoke of during our last family dinner.

I slammed the book shut when I was done, noticing Lenora flinch a bit at the action. It must have taken her by surprise. She seemed a bit uneasy as she fidgeted with her fingers, like she had something to let off her chest.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

She shook her head slightly, “No, My Lady. I am still in awe that you have made the decision to learn more about your flame and you intend to nurture it!” She explained.

I nodded my head slowly to the words she said. “Is there a problem with it?”.

She exhaled, hesitating before replying. “No. . . it is just that after you got your power evaluated when you were little by the council of wielders and you were told how weak it was. You lost all hope in learning about it and never practiced!” She said in a sullen tone.

I smiled at her, knowing how concerned she was felt nice. I also realized how concerned Father must have been. He'd sent Lenora to me two days ago.

“I understand!”.

“. . . But I am glad that you have gotten a desire to study it now!” She said quickly, looking more cheerful “Even though it is a belief—that one's power cannot grow once they are manifested at birth. . . but I believe yours can!” She gave me a thumbs up as she smiled at me blissfully.

I chuckled at her whim, she had an airy aura which resembled that of a little child. It was comforting having her around.

I got up from the chair, grabbed the book I read with me and made myself comfortable on the carpet. The book I last read spoke mostly of unlocking the energy within oneself and feeling the energy in one's surroundings. To do that one needs to be in a state of utmost tranquility. They must free themselves from any thoughts and problems. This was the first phase of nurturing one's power and as it turned out— Rosalind has not done this technique ever. It seems it may be difficult for me to pull it off without a suitable teacher.

I discovered that those blessed with the power to harness surrounding energies were known as wielders—a term I’d only vaguely encountered in the novel. It felt strange to finally put a name to something that had always been a shadowy concept. I was glad to at least know that My family and I were fire wielders— a prestigious part of the society.

I closed my eyes and focused more on my breathing—trying to feel, to grasp the energy within me. I had to clear my mind from any form of thought and distractions for this to work.

“My Lady, may I remind you of something!” Lenora's voice altered my concentration.

“What is it?” I asked with gritted teeth.

“It is about the tea parties you were invited to for the next three weeks!” She continued.

“What!”.

“You see, you were invited to a number of tea parties by other Noble Ladies!” I could hear her approach me as she spoke.

“Lenora, I do not care about silly tea parties!” I said firmly.

She sighed, keeping quiet. I took a deep breath sensing that she had dropped the topic. Focusing on my breathing, I continued my concentration on the energy.

“. . .I know that you are not interested!” My body flinched on hearing her voice once more, “. . .it is just that it has been so long since you attended a social gathering!”.

“Lenora, you are wrecking my concentration!” I said as anger and irritation stirred within me.

“I apologize, My Lady!” She said quickly.

I nodded, accepting it. The room grew quiet. I took the silence as a sign that she had finally given up and continued my meditation.

“But. . . are you sure that you do not want to go?” She asked slowly.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Yes, I am sure!” I replied, sternly.

She sighed and grew quiet once more. I was about to drift back to my concentration when she spoke again.

“What does ‘wrecking’ mean, My Lady? You used that word earlier!” She asked.

“That's it!” I shot to my feet, my voice rising. Lenora’s eyes widened, her hands freezing mid-air as if she’d been struck.

“I can not take this anymore!” I yelled. Grabbing the book on the floor, I made my way to the door.

“Where are you going, My Lady?” She asked from behind me.

“Wherever you are not!” I replied harshly, pulling the door knob. I thrutched the door open and stormed out of the room.

* * * *

“I am sorry, Your Majesty but I cannot endeavor to be part of the war!” Leopold said in a genuine manner.

He stared at him, pondering if he angered him in some way but the man before him said nothing. He only exhaled and took a sip of the tea he was offered.

“May I ask, why?” He questioned.

Leopold let out a breath— hesitating for a moment. “I am needed here, Your Majesty and I cannot bear to leave everything to my Father— not when I will be succeeding him when he retires!” He stated.

“I understand!”.

Silence settled in the room, Leopold pondered deeply on what he could offer him. It had to be something that could replace his presence in the ongoing war. His eyes glinted at a thought.

“If I may, would it be alright if I make an addition of a thousand Everhart Knights to the Royal battalion?” He asked, feeling hopeful for a positive response.

Cedric's gaze shifted a little— amused by the offer. The number would greatly increase his forces and it was too tempting not to refuse it.

“It is difficult to decline that offer but since you have placed it before me . . . I will accept it!” He replied.

Leopold felt lighthearted hearing his response. His shoulders were no longer tensed up knowing that he didn't enrage him with it. He took a sip of his tea with gladness in his heart— pleased by his decision.

The door was pushed open, a man dressed in a black suit walked in. His expression was indifferent as he approached Leopold. As he drew closer, he lowered his pace.

“Your Majesty!” He greeted in a light bow. Cedric simply nodded to his greeting.

“The Duke requests your presence, young Master!” He spoke in a whisper to Leo. Awaiting a reply from him. Leo shot him a dismissive wave. He made a polite bow and exited the room.

“May I be excused?” Leopold asked, awaiting a response.

With a slight motion of Cedric's hand, he dismissed him. Leo got up and exited the room.

Cedric placed the porcelain cup on its saucer, once he was alone. He got on his feet and made his way to the books placed on the shelves at the far end of the room. His hands slowly grazed the books, they had a familiar feeling to them as he read their titles, being almost in the same Leadership role as the Young Lord. The scent of the books brought back memories of endless teachings about leadership.

He paused as his attention diverted to the arrays of paper placed on the table in the room. He walked towards it, picking them up, he leafed through them but suddenly halted. His eyes lit up as he gazed at the painting of her—it seemed to have been recent seeing that it bore the same resemblance with the lady with flames in her hair.

Her wavy red hair vibrant as flames, filled with a strong and powerful energy_ full of passion and strength. Her turquoise eyes calms the flames, carrying an air of serenity and transparency. Cedric felt like he could see through it deep into her soul. She smiled warmly in the painting. Her smile was soothing, relieving and placid. It bestowed peace to a troubled being.

He found himself smiling at the painting, his fingers slowly grazed the hue of colors. Something about her— unsettled his emotions, troubling his stone-hearted heart. . . creating emotions he never knew he could possess. He had been intrigued by her, the moment he first laid his eyes on her—her fiery nature pulled something within him, something he could not describe.

He took a deep breath and laid the papers on the table, being hesitant to let go of the painting.

Indistinct voices drew his attention, he walked towards the door and pushed it slightly, creating a space good enough for him to see what was transpiring.

A gasp escaped his lips when his gaze landed on her, she seemed to be in a haste to leave the maid that scurried after her.

“My Lady, why don't you want to attend any of the tea parties?” The maid inquired.

She sighed, halting for a moment and forcefully looked at her. Her eyes glazed with anger as she spoke.

“I told you! I do not want to attend those fancy tea parties!” She replied and continued down the stairs making her way to the doors.

“But, just think about it for a moment!” The maid insisted.

“There is nothing to think about. Right now I just want to get away from you!” She yelled, her voice resonated in the vast lobby.

“You could build connections when you attend the tea parties!” The maid suggested.

“I don't need connections!” She responded harshly.

“What about the things they will say about you because of your absence?”.

She scoffed at the question “Oh please! What are they going to say that I have not heard before?”.

The maid looked puzzled for a moment. Her brows furrowed as she pondered on what to say that might trigger her to attend.

“Where are you going?” She asked suddenly.

“Somewhere far away from you!” She yelled whilst the doors were pushed open by the doorkeepers.

“Thank you!” She spoke to them.

They made a polite bow in response.

“But. . .” She got interrupted.

“Don't worry I am not leaving the estate, I will be in the gardens. If and a very big ‘if’, there is something very important that you have to report. You can come to the gardens and hopefully by then I can accept your presence!” She said, stressing the word ‘very’. She halted for a moment, the maid almost bumped into her.

Staring at her, she ordered “Do not even think of following me!”.

The maid was about to protest but she held a finger up silencing anything she was about to utter.

“If you say so, My Lady!” She responded in a state of a bow.

“Good!” She responded, smiling forcefully at her. Turning around she left and continued her journey.

Cedric watched the maid leave, he gazed at the closed doors that led to the outside world. He knew no reason why but he found himself going after her. He needed to see her once more. If the garden is where she desired to be then that's where he would go.