Alex.

It has been a month since I escaped from the boarding house and arrived in Forestsyi. Lady Price turned out to be a very kind and tactful woman. Thanks to her tireless energy, I didn't have time to dwell on sadness between training sessions with Rainn. She always found something for me to do: "Alex, dear, help me bake a pie," "Alex, I bought some beautiful bushes, let's plant them together, my back is particularly bad today," "We ran out of mint, Rainn will show you the meadow in the forest," "It's a lovely weather today, let's have a picnic by the sea," "Terrible rain, I'm feeling so down and achy, dear, would you distract me with some reading?"

When I talked about being constantly watched at the boarding house, I didn't know Lady Price yet. Sometimes it feels like she would move into my bedroom if given the chance. Although I'm grateful to her, her constant presence during the first week after Sebastian left didn't allow me to mope. Then I became absorbed in my new reality, and everything that happened that evening seems like a dream to me now. The only reminder of the reality of those events is the ancestral artifact on my index finger.

Overall, my days were quite busy. I pushed Rainn to give me three training sessions a day, several times a week. In the morning, we practiced sword fighting in the forest, during the day, it was martial arts training, and in the evening, we practiced magical attacks by the sea. We chose days when there were fewer people in the village or when they were occupied with field work. The rest of the time was taken up by Lady Price.

After establishing a connection with Sebastian's reserve, I had to work on control and management. Drawing magic through the artifact proved to be easier and faster than drawing it from the surroundings. But as Rainn explained, it affects Sebastian's reserve, and it should only be used in life-threatening situations.

If I drain too much, Sebastian could burn out or fall into stasis until his reserve is replenished. We didn't communicate directly with each other, and Sebastian no longer came to Lady Price's house. Instead, Daniel was assigned to me as a loyal friend and guardian. At first, I was disappointed, but honestly, I think it's even better this way. Communicating with Rainn is as easy as breathing by the sea.

Sebastian only communicated with Daniel in some particularly secure way if there was something that needed to be conveyed or learned. Rainn acted as our buffer. About a week after Sebastian's disappearance, I realized that he left me under Daniel's care, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Since I couldn't have a personal conversation with him, I asked Rainn to pass on a letter describing the situation with my parents and requesting help.

Considering Sebastian's extensive connections, he has a better chance of finding out what happened without exposing me. Every week, he would pass on information gathered by his people, but everything remained vague and suspicious. The last person who spoke with my father was our manager, Sam, but he refused to answer anyone's questions. A week ago, through Sebastian's contacts, we took the risk of passing my letter to him, sealed with ancestral magic. Perhaps he will tell me more.

Days passed by, and my 18th birthday is less than two months away.

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Morning came, and as usual, I descended into the living room. Today, I was wearing my favorite dress, the one Lady Price had given me. It was comfortable, simple, and had a homely feel to it, as she claimed. The dress accentuated my natural beauty and effortless style. Made from soft, lightweight fabric, it hugged my figure while allowing freedom of movement.

Rainn and I had put its flexibility to the test when he playfully called my pie the "Surprise of Childlike Anticipation." He managed to grab his slice, though it ended up on the floor. It had been quite a challenge to arrange everything, but Lady Price had conveniently stepped out to water the flowers we had planted the day before.

In the past month, Lady Price had taught me some basic cooking skills, which came in handy as I was not accustomed to extravagances at home. I diligently carried out all the assigned household tasks, though not always with the expected results.

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As I noticed the storm brewing outside, I knew how my day would unfold. Instead of leaving my hair flowing freely, I neatly styled it into a casual bun.

"Alex, my dear, it's a dreadful day outside, and it's cold. Let's bake a cranberry pie and light up the fireplace. I sent Rainn to fetch some firewood. Help me with the filling," Lady Price exclaimed as she bustled around the kitchen.

"Good morning, Nena," I greeted Lady Price, approaching her and giving her a gentle shoulder hug.

Over the past month, we had grown close. After she noticed the de Forest family artifact on my finger, she insisted on being called Nena, and no other name would do. I resisted for a few days before giving in. It was not a difficult adjustment for me.

"The sweet cranberries are in the cellar. Could you fetch them?" she asked, stroking my hand and pointing me in the right direction.

I wasn't fond of the cellar with its creaky, half-rotted steps. It was about time they were replaced, but Rainn refused to allow workers into the house while I was here. Where was the justice in that? Despite my hesitation, I nodded and headed down to get the cranberries.

As I ascended back upstairs, in a cheerful mood despite the creaking stairs, I hummed one of Lady Price's favorite tunes. On the top step, I thought I heard someone enter the house. Rainn should have come through the garden, but the sound came from the main entrance.

Without hearing anything further, I scoffed and stepped onto the topmost stair. Suddenly, it gave way beneath me, and I tried to step back. Everything happened too quickly. My foot disappeared into nothingness, the basket of cranberries teetered, and I lost my balance.

As I felt myself falling, instinctively I called out, "Rainn!" It was more of a shriek than a shout.

Seconds before I plummeted completely, a foreign magic caught me. The basket rolled down the steps while I was pinned against a broad, masculine chest. Rainn's arms wrapped tightly around my waist. With a sigh of relief, I leaned my head back, resting it on the man's shoulder, and closed my eyes.

"Denn, I've told you countless times that the steps need fixing. What if it had been Lady Price?" I exhaled and opened my eyes, slightly turning my head. However, upon seeing the person who held me, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn't Rainn at all. It was Sebastian. He narrowed his eyes, studying my face, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw anger in his gaze. But in the next second, he put on a mask of amusement.

"It seems we have a recurring tradition, Alex. Once again, I've saved you, little princess," Sebastian said with a hint of mockery, releasing his grip on me.

"Sebastian, uh... Thanks. Hello," I stammered, somewhat shocked by the unexpected encounter.

He nodded, giving me another assessing look, and walked away into the house. Meanwhile, I shook my head, trying to dismiss the foolish thoughts of his embrace. "Not the time for that," I whispered to myself, then turned toward the cellar.

Looking around cautiously, I summoned my magic and whispered, "Saranto." The scattered cranberries gathered themselves back into the basket. Scooping up a few more, I performed the necessary spell and engraved a rune of repair onto the step. Hopefully, it will hold up this time.

I still needed to lift the basket. This time, I decided to draw energy from the artifact, hoping Sebastian wouldn't mind. "Lavito," I whispered, and the cranberry basket floated smoothly towards me.

"Up to your mischief again?" a voice whispered directly into my ear. It was Rainn.

I spun around abruptly, placing the basket at the man's feet, and hissed, "Flying! Instead of that basket, it could have been me lying on the floor. The step disappeared right beneath my foot, and I nearly twisted my neck! Denn, you just missed it!" I practically shouted the last words at Rainn's face.

The smirk vanished from Denn's face, and he carefully looked me up and down. "Are you okay? Did you twist your leg?" concern laced his voice.

I grinned and gave Rainn a serious look. "No, your friend caught me," I nodded in the direction of the living room where Sebastian had gone. "When were you planning to tell me that HE would be here?" I raised an eyebrow questioningly, trying to appear intimidating.

Rainn smiled slightly, appreciating my efforts, and whispered, "So that's why you growl at me like a wildcat." Then he became serious again. "He didn't plan it; it seems something serious came up. Go to Lady Price, and we'll talk later." He headed towards the living room.

I felt a tinge of disappointment, but I knew that Rainn was unwavering in his decisions. I sighed and made my way to the kitchen. Important discussions would happen without my involvement. In moments like these, it was pointless to argue with Rainn.