After chowing down a hearty meal, the trio made their way home. Alicia set off toward her grandiose abode, a two-story mansion that stood tall and proud like a colossus, with its white walls and brownish-grey roof. The entrance was marked by a large door and three imposing pillars, with a terrace at the back covered in glass walls that seemed fit for a royal tea party. The house was surrounded by a lush garden, making it look like something out of a fairy tale.

But, for all its grandeur, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. Before she stepped on the stairs, Alicia pondered again; when she opened the door, this notable castle would be occupied by her alone, again, like it always had been. Or, perhaps her father would be miraculously home early from work because he thought it was the weekend, and her little brother would choose to spend the summer in this quaint town after hectic days at the magic academy in Camelot.

As she made her way up the steps and passed through the pillars, she opened the large door and entered her home. Alicia sensed an unusual atmosphere. This was not like her typical homecomings. The house seemed slightly bustling, as the sound of someone packing reached her ears. A tinge of worry began to seep into her emotions.

Who is it? Who is it? Who...?

She snuck across the polished maple floor and entered the living room, across from the entrance. The interior exuded elegance, with white dominating the space. The living room, of moderate size, boasted two grand sofas facing each other, complemented by two smaller sofas to the left, surrounding a rectangular table with gracefully rounded edges. In front of her was a fireplace with the House Crimsonmane crest, a crimson horse with a vibrant red mane, blazing like embers. On either side, two black staircases lead up to the second floor.

She spotted a large mud-green suitcase on the left side of the large sofa, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Though she knew immediately who it belonged to, a new thought suddenly struck her mind, Why did you breathe a sigh of relief? There's like hunners of mud-green suitcases all over the world!

Just then, she heard the sound of a door closing upstairs, followed by steps getting closer. She hid behind the sofa. A man emerged wearing a blue striped shirt, beige trousers, a belt, and leather shoes. "Hurry down, Leith," he called out, "You don't want to arrive in Eidyn too late! Don't bring unnecessary things, you're only there for a few days! Oh, and don't forget your shoes for the meeting later!"

The man noticed a charming figure with a face protruding from the couch as he descended. "Alicia! Is that you? Why are you hiding there, hen? You just got back?" He broke into a genuine smile, half-covered by his walrus mustache.

Alicia came out from her hiding, "Aye... Just... got home...," she answered. But the frown remained on her face, her body stayed like a rigid statue.

"Och, hen. Dinnae be scared! I am... real!"

"N-name my favourite bedtime storybook!"

With his hand rubbing his moustache, the man's gaze fell elsewhere, pretending to think. "Encyclopedia of Magic. The work of Coinneach MacFhearghais. Strange choice."

Alicia could finally breathe a real sigh of relief. She rushed and gave her father a warm embrace.

"It's alright, you're always safe here," the man said, kissing her hair. "How was your day? Oh, right, you just got home at this hour! Have you eaten? How did your final exams go?"

"Calm down, Papa," Alicia chuckled. "I had a fine day. Exams went well, hope so. And I just got back from Howlett's to eat and feed some beasts."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Well, you calm down," her father laughed back, releasing the hug while looking at her daughter. "Beasts? Guid one, hen! Beasts must have cleaned out the meat supply all the way to the farm. Very well then, since I didnae have time to make scran. You know I had to leave soon.”

"Soon?" her eyes glanced at the suitcase again. Her father did not count the days wrong. "Aye, can see that. But it's barely a day! And you mentioned Leith. He just got back from the magic academy, didn't he? Why would Papa want to take him already?"

"Oh, about that. Leith is going with me to Eidyn to—"

"Crimsonmane family meeting!" Leith interrupted as he descended, backpack in tow. "Papa said there's a call from the big family to discuss something very, very important."

"Meeting… with the Crimsonmanes, huh?" her expression changed and there were signs of discomfort on her face. The mere mention of her extensive family was enough to make her uncomfortable. "Is this about—"

"No, it's not, hen," her father interrupted. "For the time being, the family has agreed to put aside our differences. After all, I am also a part of the family, and they still have great respect for your mother."

Alicia asked with a half-gloomy face. "And Papa don't invite me?"

"No. Sorry, sister. It's just, it's a wizard convention, ye ken?" her younger brother Leith interjected. "And you're... not one?" He put on an arrogant face and a teasing tone. "After all, we might be planning a great scheme, like eradicating hunger, stopping war, or maybe just having a little chat about the wizard clan next door. Too bad you can't come, can you?"

"Leith, hush," his father gave a subtle warning.

"Just kidding, just kidding," Leith raised his hand and turned away.

The father then continued discussing with his daughter. "Well, it looks like it's a mage-only meeting. I don't know what it's about. But I promise this doesn't involve you in a bad way."

"Huh," Alicia sighed, regarding her father's crumpled shirt with a slight frown. For all his wisdom, her father could be a little absentminded, often neglecting the finer points of his attire. With a gentle hand, she straightened his tie and smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt. "Forever heedless, it seems. Well then, both of you better take care," she said with a wry smile.

"Hmm… You are indeed understanding, hen, very much like your mother." her father remarked, observing her fuss over his rumpled attire with a nod. Yet as she worked, memories of their cherished wife and mother, swelled within them. His daughter's gaze lingered upon his face, then fell with a sigh. Realising he had misspoken and fearing they would be swallowed by grief, he sought to break the tension.

"So, Leith and I must leave immediately! I have installed barrier magic at every point of the house area as usual. But are you still okay being alone, aren't you?"

"I... I can manage," she said. "I've been living here alone most of the time. Leith's presence doesn't make this house any safer."

"Aw, you wish!" Leith dodged, a sarcastic look on his face.

"I know you can, hen. I've prepared the groceries, so have at it and cook up a storm. And dinnae be shy about inviting Aunt Mandy, or your flesh-eatin' beasts, to stay for a wee bit," the father said jokingly. "Your brother will be home in three days, but I must, unfortunately, remain at work."

"Sure, of course," replied Alicia with a slight smile.

"Alright, off we go! Bye for now!" He took his suitcase and walked out. Leith, who was behind Alicia, caught up with him. But before he left, he stopped and turned to face his sister.

"Hey, no hurt feelings, eh?" he asked.

Alicia just stared in silence, but gave no indication that she was sulking over the earlier teasing.

"To be honest, I'm not interested in any kind of cult gathering like this. I mean, I just got back from Camelot Magic Academy and I have to start my long vac with a gathering—with a big family that hates us? Sounds pretty lousy to me.”

"Tell me about it," Alicia answered with a straight face.

"I'd rather spend my time teasing you than going to this event. But as a wizard, I have a certain responsibility, even as a minor. Perhaps I can give you a sneak peek of what went on when I get back, if you're still interested in all things magical. Need anything while I'm away?”

Alicia shook her head, "I'm pretty sure I need nothing in that place. Just do me a favour; dinnae be a scunner, yeah? It's enough of your sister being a disgrace to the family," Alicia showed a faint smile, which still made everyone who saw her melt.

"Oh, dinnae get yer hopes up. We'll make a double-trouble of Crimsonmanes yet! " Leith joked and the siblings chuckled. "Guard this house with yer life, if ye can.”

She watched the two enter the slender black engine carriage, then slowly drive away. Now her spacious house was back into her own.

As day turned to night, she did not often glance out the window. There was not much to see in the small town of Trinketshore. But tonight, somehow, the sky was brighter than ever... []