With a beatific grin, Alasdair pivoted towards his kin and proclaimed, "Oh my offspring! My dear brothers and sisters! Let this night be one of revelry and merriment for House Crimsonmane! Eat to your heart's content! Let your taste buds be tantalized by the succulent meats and rich wines that await. For tonight, we celebrate the return of Alicia to the fold of Crimsonmane, and the rekindling of the fire that will once again propel our house to the height of its former glory!"

His oration elicited a round of applause, and the assemblage made their way to the dining hall, brimming with joy and anticipation.

For Alicia, the challenges of the evening were just beginning. The ease with which she had been welcomed thus far was unexpected, and she now faced the daunting task of convincing her family that her powers were not at their disposal.

The rousing festivity freshened the whole palace. From the kitchen emerged a procession of delicious dishes, and upon taking her seat, Alicia was met with a mouth-watering display of whole-roasted pork. Living in a patrician family in Trinketshore, Alicia had never partied with so many people as now. It was so crowded, that she felt almost breathless. Seeing throngs of her kins beyond her number of fingers almost made her overwhelmed. The idea of sitting through the feast in silence, waiting for someone to grace her with conversation, filled her with nagging anxiety.

Of course, since Alicia was the highlight of the party, she found herself besieged by well-wishers eager to engage in conversation. Her relatives approached her with effusive greetings, as though they were intimate since the world's creation.

"Alicia, do tell us! How did you get that pure Arcane might!"

"How does it feel to obtain such a godsend boon, hen?"

"You are simply radiant, Alicia. You've changed so much since we last saw each other!"

"How's the food, Alicia?"

"What's with yon wee serving? Come on, hen, have another!"

All those attentions made her fretful instead.

However, not everyone gave the effort to make her feel at home. Some who did not hide in hypocrisy stared right into her eyes, most of them from Ulysses's side. Still sensing her presence was not welcomed, she preferred to act in her father's manner, keeping her composure as if not have any clue. No unnecessary assumptions.

Suddenly, Alasdair exclaimed from the head of the dining table. "Alicia, my dear grandchild! How do you find the roast?"

"I-it's ... really delicate, grandfather. The skin looks smooth but crispy. And then the meat... it's tender and juicy." Alicia's heart raced like a galloping horse when cogitating an appropriate compliment. "This is quite possibly the most delicious pork I have ever tasted."

Though to her true notion, she could not discern much difference between this special roasted pork from her grandfather's estate and the standard fare she often ate at Howlett's. Crispy skin, tender meat, savory flavor, perfect seasoning; what more could one ask for in a roasted pork? Fate did not choose Alicia to be a decent culinary curator, it appeared.

"Splendid!" cheered her grandfather. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. No matter how wealthy you are in Trinketshore, you will never have finer roasted meat as you have here!"

The girl just chuckled.

"Enjoy your celebration, Alicia," her grandfather continued. "Later, we shall all be witness to your incredible might of pure Arcane!"

***

After the feast, Alicia and Leith decided to walk around the villa. Some groups of kin kept approaching them both, asking them to have pointless courtesies. Short conversation after short conversation, they left one group only to be approached by another. Alicia attempted to go along the flow, but still, she could not keep her intimate face all the time.

"Leith, I want to find fresh air." Alicia stepped to the outer porch to waste her saturation.

"I thought you never ask."

The star expanse bloomed wide throughout the cosmos. This was the true splendour at the villa, not every scintillating composition inside it, nor the jewellery pieces from the prudish Crimonmanes. At last, the tranquillity she longed for.

I cannae get used to this," Alicia confided to her brother as they gazed at the breathtaking view of Eidyn from a distance. "Besides grandfather and Whucksmire, all these interactions feel forced."

"Aye, what can I say? Grandpa must be ordering them to make ye comfortable in yer family again," replied Leith. "But ye're right. Tis easier to just be honest."

"I dinnae ever expect them to just accept me for granted. Everything in this party seems... fake."

"So, ye're gonna wander around the park until they find you?"

"Perhaps," Alicia shrugged. "At least until the time is right to discuss that pure Arcane matter."

Who would have thought being lulled by the serene night could drain an hour of their life without them noticing? The head butler dwarf found the Crimsonmane siblings relaxing in a gazebo. "Behold! Thou art found. Why dost thou roam, Apart from the rest, like a bird without a home?"

"Oh, hello, Whucskmire. Ah, I dinnae ken. Too many men with 'masks' in the room, is why," answered Leith.

Whucksmire laughed, "I comprehend, yet this doth apply to Miss Crimsonmane alone, say I."

Alicia could only sigh. "I'm sorry, Whucksmire. I'm just not used to dealing with them after not seeing each other for a long time."

"No need for apologies." Whucksmire entered the seized gazebo. "Thy presence is new and strange to them. I can tell. It takes time for bonds to be restored. As memories of kin, in hearts outpoured. With patience and love, thou shall unite, and the bond shall be bright.

"I hope so—if it goes well," muttered the girl.

"Goes well?"

"Ah, nothing, Whucksmire. Forget about it."

"If such is true, then heed my call, and follow me to the family hall. For Lord Alasdair hath summoned thee, to share with you his royalty."

"Already? But we're just resting here," Leith sighed.

"Excellent. It's time to conclude this matter," said Alicia as she made up her mind and returned to the mansion.

***

"We have heard that the Silent Divine has chosen you to carry the pure Arcane," Alsdair spoke aloud while sitting in the main hall. "If you would be so kind to us, enlighten us with but the fraction of Divine Grace, my grandchild!"

Alicia gulped. The awaiting moment had arrived. In her palm, held the handle of a small container titivated with magic inscriptions and unique trinkets. She opened the container's seal and revealed to them a blue light flowing out, projecting the stunning image of the universe inside a chamber. Everyone with eyes was stunned by the sublimity of the substance, akin to staring at the morning sun with its blue and red radiance.

Only a few had ever witnessed the pure Arcane. Shivers came to the servants who dared to sneak peek, even Whucksmire knelt to the floor and prayed in a mutter. "O Silent Divine, let me leave this realm in peace, for I have seen your shade behind that pure might!"

Alicia retained her focus as she made Orb float her. A thought came to her mind to bring a demonstration, perhaps mild horseplay or anything alike. She scanned the people, then chose for herself a target. She then flowed the Arcane from the Orb and intentionally blasted the person right in their heart! The room was shocked to hear the thud of someone falling.

A moment before the person desired to ask the intention behind her doing, he saw his entire body bathed in Arcane light. He felt stronger and more alive in a profound way. His view then switched to Alicia surprised yet full of amazement. However, he could not keep his blessedness forever. Alicia decided to retract all the Arcane essence from the person back to her before he became lulled by it. Now, he felt a part of him was gone. "Oh, come on!" he exclaimed while joking. Alicia wrapped up the show by putting Orb back in the container, and sure enough, where there was a show, there were ovations.

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Alasdair ignited the thunderous applause to his granddaughter. "Marvelous! That is truly the Pure Arcane! My Granddaughter is the true Arcane wielder! My family, the Silent Divine smiles upon us!"

He rose again from his seat and walked closer to his granddaughter, glints in his eyes. "With you at the helm, House Crimsonmane will once again ascend to greatness. We will rule the wizarding realm of Camelot, and even all of Europa. You are our greatest hope, my dear."

Alicia's expression darkened.

"I see. Is that why you summoned me here? To entice me to seize control of the country Orb's might?"

"That sure sounds too malicious when you put it that way," answered the patriarch. "No, my grandchild, we're not plotting a coup. As a matter of fact, we don't need to do anything at all. The mere knowledge that the pure Arcane dwells within House Crimsonmane will have the people and kingdom flocking to us, whether they realise it or not!"

"Your voice will carry greater weight in politics and government, as it did in the days of old. Yes, my family has already informed me of this."

"They did? Well, that's great, is it not? I don't need to elaborate any further. I understand you may not have experienced our struggles in Trinketshore, but trust me, your power will be a great boon to our family and allow us to reach even more people in Camelot, Europa, and the whole world if we must!" Alasdair cried out with excitement. "Arcane is the rarest magic source there is, and House Crimsonmane can be the conduit for its power. We can stop wars, bring peace to the land, and make everything sufficient. Don't you agree, Alicia, that these are noble pursuits?"

Alicia could not ignore the unsettling undertones in Alsdair's words, even from someone as dear to her as her grandfather. Spreading the banner of a new royal dynasty was only a blow to the gossip breeze that sickened the populace. Lots of men aspired to rule, but few remembered their sweet promises. Those were already daily bread for the people in Alicia's time.

"I appreciate your goodwill, grandpa." Alicia was ready to cast her ultimate sentence. "However, you have to forgive me, for I and Orb won't commit to our House's agenda."

The meeting room slowly grew stifling. Whispers intertwined in response to the answer of the Arcane-wielding girl. Alasdair was momentarily taken aback, but he made an effort to remain calm. "Alicia. I know our relationship has been strained in the past," He tried to persuade her. "We are not your best family of the year either. But it is for the best to relieve our grudges between us. Let's become one again, unite, cooperate as a whole family."

"This is nae about the past anymore, Grandpa. Truly, I'm really glad and longing to be with you again, apart from the bitter past. But the Divine Silent chose me for a higher purpose. I believe that the Pure Arcane should be used to free the people, not to make them submit to any more masters."

"Then what is the purpose you believe the Divine chose you for?" Her grandfather pressed.

Alicia hesitated, her body language betraying her uncertainty. "I dinnae fully understand the Divine's will, but I believe the pure Arcane should be used to free the people from the chain of the world, saving the realm from darkness without enslaving the people. That's why I have found my place in the Magisterium, which once was Mama's place too."

Alicia's countenance stayed steadfast. Likewise with her father, Donar. Her brother, however, tensed up at the reactions of the House, aware of the danger that surrounded them in the secret underground chambers only accessible to the Crimsonmane wizards. The servants were not allowed to enter. Whucksmire did not dare to pass his feet across the door threshold, even though it was an inch away —unless he was told to. If every Crimsonmane did not desire to take the glasses girl's pleas with a sincere heart, silencing her along with her little family was not a difficult matter.

"So, you put your trust more in Magisterium to lend your might to them than your own kin?" guessed the grandfather, his countenance changed.

"What? That's not what I meant, Grandpa!" Alicia denied. "I am always willing to help my family if needed. Anything but... this. I dinnae fully align with the Magisterium, but it is a neutral organisation made up of mages from different countries. Right now, it is the most impartial group, as their only purpose is to maintain the balance in the world of thaumaturgy. Believe me, Grandpa, the Magisterium needs my Arcane might more than this family does."

Alasdair, again, racked his brains to convince his granddaughter. But he was almost losing his patience. "Alicia, let me be honest with you. The government officials and Magisterium mages are no longer trustworthy. It's better to take action for the greater good rather than wait for the uncertain decisions of a king or a group of obscure Magisterium experts and cause more chaos. No need to rush into a decision. For the sake of celebrating your returning, I will give you some time to think this through."

"Time? I dinnae need any more time!" The Crimsonmane Girl subconsciously raised her voice. "Look at all of ye! Even without Arcane ye still have a comfortable life with city roast pork and a comfortable bed. What else do you want to achieve with Arcane might? Yer endless, greedy lust? Do you really want to help the people? W-where were all of you when I was being chased by a necromancer in the city centre? Eidyn is just an hour's walk from this villa, and I didnae see a single Crimsonmane helping the citizens, except for Leith and Papa!

Leith tried to stop his sister, whispering, "Alicia, watch your tone!"

But she ignored him.

"Ye dinnae need Orb to make a real difference in Camelot," Alicia continued. "The Crimsonmane's influence as elite mages is already substantial. Please, dinnae make yourself into the second Roma. Nobody wants that."

A bold statement struck the nerves. The truth did hurt. All of the Crimsonmane mages were already feeling the sting. Her words were enough to make the entire family look at her with disdain. The red faces of the Crimsonmane fiery horses were well described, with fists clenched so tightly that the muscle fibers of their palms were in danger of tearing.

"Donar and Leith instigated you, didn't they?" asked the patriarch once more.

"This all comes from me alone, Grandpa."

"Damn Crimsonmane brat! We went to great lengths to be nice to ye, ye bastard! Is this how ye thank us?" Ulysses Crimsonmane shouted from the back, supported by a sharp gaze from other hostile Crimsonmanes.

As it turned out, being still while watching with nefarious eyes was a form of courtesy from Ulysses's side of Crimsonmane family.

"I knew it would not work. Father, you listened to Penelope more than anyone else. But I am your son in blood!" he nagged again. Penelope was also annoyed with Alicia, but she could not let the wicked Ulysses escape her "penned grudge record". The two sides ended up in another dispute.

Before causing another commotion, Alasdair intervened by raising his hand. He once again saw Alicia's face. Alicia looked back at him. His wrinkled face was full of disappointment. "After all this preparation, in the end, you reject us. I may have been too mean to you back then…." The patriarch's gaze, sunk in wrinkles, suddenly pierced Alicia. She was pushed by herself!

"… Or," continued Alasdair again, "I was too kind to you, to let you live."

The gaze lasted only a moment before he continued to his other relatives, "The party is over. I think ... I think I'll go back to my room and rest. Go back to your respective residences," he said as he left the chair.

Alasdair walked past his granddaughter without another glance or a word of farewell. The old mage with his magical aura disappeared into the murky hallway. A bad conclusion. Alicia had expected this, but why the Divine was so mean to her, she still could not prepare for the anguish striking her heart!

Alicia saw the other relatives did not move an inch from their position. They were reluctant to go out with the betrayer of the family.

"Alicia, what was that?" Penelope's voice aired, breaking the silence. "You shouldn't have to be so harsh on your grandfather. To all of us! Have you forgotten, the Crimsonmanes are indeed destined to be the driving horses of Divine's will? Why do you see us as a bunch of narrow-minded greedy mages?"

Alicia hung her head, feeling ashamed. "I-I'm sorry. I—"

"Don't apologize to me," said Penelope. "You should weigh this matter again carefully, then come back and apologize to your grandfather."

Ulysses pushed his way through the crowd of red horses and walked in front of them. "No need to apologise." He took out his wand, "Let us all seize the ball."

"Do not even try!" Donar immediately pulled her daughter back and pointed his wand as well.

Penelope implored her spouse to resist the oncoming sightless strikes from Ulysses and his allies. Her husband consented. Most of Penelope's followers had already placed their rods upon Ulysses' head and those of his followers.

"Don't act foolish, Ulysses!" Penelope said. "There must be no bloodshed in this place!"

"Like I give a fuck! Even if the Eternal Empire chases us for murder, it doesnae matter as long as the Arcane is in our hands!"

"If that girl dies, no one can save us from anything. None of us are chosen by Arcane!"

Tempers were flaring, and Ulysses slowly lowered his wand and spat onto the floor in front of Donar.

"Why are you still here?" Florence Crimsonmane, Ulysses' wife spat at them. "Go back to your Magisterium lair. There's no point in you being in the Crimsonmane house again, traitor!"

"Come on, hurry up! Don't waste my time waiting for you to vanish from this villa. I want to go home too!" cried the other kins.

Ulysses, who had his back to Donar, turned his neck slightly and paused. "There's always a way to use Arcane without a snotty brat like you, Alicia. Be grateful to those who pity you. I hope ye dinnae squander this third chance with yer stoter heid!"

Donar placed his hand upon his daughter's shoulder. "Let's go home, hen."

The forlorn Alicia clung to her father's hand and turned to leave the meeting room and the Crimsonmane family.

As the family headed for the exit, they were reunited with Whucksmire.

"The party is over?" he asked, "I only glanced for a moment or two, then returned to the task at hand to clear the remnants of the grand. And there I saw Lord Alasdair retreated to his chambers with a dreich coupon—so you would say." The head butler chuckled. "Mayhap the festivities did tire, leaving his spirits feeling the mire."

"Indeed, Whucksmire. A tiring party," Donar replied. "We're going home too. Goodnight."

"Indeed, Lord Donar, Master Leith, and Miss Alicia fair. Thy next visit I eagerly declare. Miss Alicia, most of all, I pray, to hear of her life's stories someday." Whucksmire let out a genuine old grin.

Of course, his immediate tasks upstairs left him unaware of what had transpired. Donar remained silent, but Alicia did not want to leave Whucksmire with hanging answers let alone false promises.

Alicia turned and hugged the butler tightly.

"Miss Alicia! There's no need for that. You can visit me, that we shall not forget. From now on, feel free to drop by, our friendship will always flourish and fly high."

"I'll never come back here, Whucksmire," Alicia replied plainly. Whucksmire could see the girl's moist eyes behind her round glasses, the same eyes he had seen ten years ago when little Alicia left the Crimsonmane villa. "Thank you for being one of the good memories in this house until now. Take good care of yourself."

And with that, Alicia released the butler and disappeared into the waiting carriage, en route to Eidyn's yellowish-melancholy glow.

Whucksmire stood alone, staring through the wide-open doors into the void. His beloved mistress had left him, and his once-poetic abilities deserted him.