The room was steeped in quiet elegance, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through tall windows. Heavy velvet curtains framed the glass, their rich fabric swaying faintly with the breeze. A small table, polished to perfection, stood near a plush sofa adorned with delicate cushions. On top of it lay fine china and a muffin platter, the sweet scents mixing with the slight hint of lavender hanging in the air.

On the couch sat a little girl, her fiery red locks spilling over her shoulders like red ribbons. Dressed in a finely tailored gown of red and gold, she was the very picture of nobility, though her small frame and nervous energy betrayed her youth. Alicia Valeria Lucienne de Roman nibbled daintily on a muffin, her gloved hands awkwardly brushing away crumbs that clung to the pristine fabric of her dress with irritating tenacity.

At her side stood Elena Draymoor, her personal maid, who exuded an air of calm and composure. Dressed in a modest yet neat uniform, Elena kept her hands folded neatly in front of her, her sharp gray eyes flickering occasionally toward her young charge. There was a tension in her stance—subtle, but noticeable to a trained observer—though Alicia seemed oblivious to it as she debated which muffin to choose next.

Before she could make her choice, the great doors at the far end of the room creaked open. The sound, low and deliberate, shattered the tranquility like a stone breaking the surface of still water. Alicia froze, her wide ruby eyes snapping to the doorway.

Framed by the light spilling in from the hallway stood a towering figure. He filled the entire room with himself, and an almost palpable weight shifted within the air as he entered the room. The dark-haired gentleman, Lord Cassian Leontius Lysaine, dressed impeccably, would scan the area with an intense gaze that created a sense of space compression within the room, his sharp and piercing eyes glancing at almost everything, though for a moment on that young girl as she froze on her bite.

Alicia’s breath caught as panic flooded her chest. In a frantic attempt to conceal the half-eaten muffin in her lap, she brushed crumbs from her dress in hurried, clumsy motions. Standing up abruptly, she nearly toppled the small table and hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. Her trembling hands clutched tightly at the folds of her gown.

Mustering every ounce of courage, she sank into a deep curtsy, bowing her head to conceal her fear. “I am Alicia Valeria Lucienne de Roman, daughter of House Roman. It is a great honor for you to meet me,” she proclaimed, her voice unsteady but managing a thin veneer of composure.

A heavy silence enveloped the room. Alicia’s mind replayed her words with dawning horror, the realization striking her like a thunderclap.

Wait… what did I just say? Oh no! That’s not what I meant! What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?!

She straightened abruptly, her hands flailing in helpless panic, her face blazing red. “I—I mean, it’s my honor to meet you, my lord! Not the other way around! I didn’t mean—oh no, I—” Her voice faltered into an embarrassed squeak as she dropped her gaze to the floor, utterly mortified.

Cassian, still standing in the doorway, watched her with a gaze that was sharp yet strangely softened. The corners of his lips twitched as he fought back laughter.

She’s so tiny… so cute… how can she be this adorable? he mused, his stern expression slipping.

As her flustered words sank in, his composure faltered entirely.

Pfft… haha! “It’s your honor to meet me”? Oh, this is priceless.

He pressed his lips together tightly, struggling to suppress a chuckle as he took a step forward.

Before Alicia could sink deeper into embarrassment, Elena stepped forward and executed a flawless curtsy. Her composed, steady voice sliced through the awkward tension like a blade. “Please forgive the young lady, my lord,” she said, her tone calm and measured. “As you can see, she is still young and unfamiliar with formalities. The journey was long, and meeting you has understandably made her a bit nervous. I hope you will find it in your heart to excuse this small misstep.”

Elena’s words flowed so smoothly they almost felt rehearsed. Alicia glanced up at her maid, her cheeks still flushed, her crimson curls partially hiding her face. The tranquil authority in Elena’s voice worked like a balm, gradually calming her racing heart.

Thank goodness for Elena. She always knows how to handle these things, Alicia thought, relief washing over her.

Cassian cleared his throat, though the subtle crack in the sound betrayed the laughter he was struggling to contain. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said at last, his tone warm and reassuring. His gaze flicked briefly to Alicia, who dared to meet his eyes for just a moment before quickly lowering them again. “Shall we discuss things over some tea?”

The weight pressing on Alicia’s chest began to lighten as she followed Cassian back to the sofa. Sitting stiffly, she nervously fidgeted with her skirt while maids returned with a fresh pot of tea and a tray of cookies. Cassian leaned back in his chair, his previously sharp expression softening as he studied the young girl seated before him.

“So,” he said, breaking the quiet, “you’re here for your training to be a noble, correct?”

Alicia jumped slightly, her cheeks flaring red. “Ah… y-yes, my lord,” she stammered.

Cassian raised a single brow, his tone gentle yet firm. “Don’t call me ‘Lord Cassian,’” he instructed. “Call me Uncle instead.”

Alicia blinked, her ruby eyes wide with confusion.

Uncle? Why ?

“A-all right… Lord Uncle,” she replied, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Cassian’s lips twitched, his shoulders shaking faintly as he barely contained his amusement. “Close enough,” he said, allowing a faint smile to break through his stern demeanor.

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After a moment, Cassian’s demeanor shifted, his expression growing serious. “Do you know what you will be doing here?” he asked, his tone firm yet measured.

Alicia hesitated, gripping the folds of her dress tightly. “I will train with you… to be a knight of the empire,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cassian frowned, leaning forward with a look of deep skepticism. “A knight?” he repeated, his brows knitting together in confusion. “Why would you want to be a knight?”

Alicia’s fingers tightened further around the fabric of her gown as she averted her gaze, her lips pressing into a thin line.

He doesn’t know… she thought, anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.

“You’re born with a rare gift for fire magic,” Cassian continued, his tone steady but insistent. “It’s incredibly rare. With the right training, you could become one of the greatest mages the empire has ever seen.”

His words hung in the air, but Alicia remained silent, her shoulders tensing further as her eyes remained fixed on the polished table. From her place by the wall, Elena shifted uncomfortably before speaking hesitantly. “Her parents believe…” she began, her words faltering mid-sentence. “They think she isn’t ready for such training yet.”

Cassian’s sharp gaze snapped to Elena, his frustration clearly visible. “That’s absurd,” he said, his tone rising as his irritation became more pronounced. “The best time to learn magic is during childhood! They’re wasting her potential.”

The weight of his words filled the room, the air growing heavy with tension. Alicia flinched slightly at the edge in his voice, shrinking into the sofa as an uneasy chill replaced the warmth she had begun to feel.

“Wasting her potential…” Cassian muttered again, this time more to himself, his voice a mix of disbelief and restrained anger. His piercing eyes returned to Alicia, and as he noticed her trembling hands and lowered gaze, his irritation softened into something more thoughtful—concern.

He let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands together. “Listen to me, Alicia,” he said, his voice calmer now but still firm with resolve. “You’re a natural-born mage. That’s an extraordinary gift. With proper training, you could surpass even the most accomplished mages in our empire. Do you understand what that means?”

Alicia hesitated, her ruby eyes flickering upward to meet his gaze for just a fleeting moment before darting away again. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, each beat echoing a truth she didn’t want to face.

But I don’t want to be a mage… she thought, her internal turmoil pressing down on her like an insurmountable weight.

Alicia clasped her hands tightly, her fingers twisting nervously against one another. “I… I don’t think I can do it,” she murmured, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Cassian’s frown deepened as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Can’t do it? Or don’t want to?” he asked sharply.

Startled by the directness of his question, Alicia’s head snapped up. She opened her mouth to respond, to offer some excuse, but the intensity of his gaze froze her in place. Her lips moved wordlessly, as if the right words were just out of reach.

Elena shifted uncomfortably beside her. “My lord,” she ventured hesitantly, her tone low and careful, “perhaps the young lady simply needs more time to adjust. She’s been under a great deal of—”

Cassian raised a hand, silencing her mid-sentence. His eyes never wavered from Alicia. “Time isn’t the issue here,” he said firmly. “What’s holding her back?”

Alicia’s chest tightened, the pressure nearly suffocating. She felt trapped, caught between his expectations and her own hidden fears. Her parents’ disdain for magic had always been a convenient reason to avoid a path of magic. But now, under Cassian’s unrelenting scrutiny, that shield felt weak and brittle.

“I…” she began, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to be a mage.”

Her confession landed like a thunderclap, the room plunging into a heavy silence. Alicia felt the weight of her words linger in the air, unbroken and undeniable.

Cassian’s expression darkened, his brows knitting together in a mixture of confusion and concern. “Why not?” he asked, his voice quieter but no less intense.

Alicia dropped her gaze, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her hands trembled in her lap as she struggled to articulate her feelings. “Because it’s… it’s too much. It’s too hard, and I…” Her voice faltered, catching on the knot of emotions rising in her throat. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Cassian leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply through his nose. For a moment, he remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on her as though searching for some unspoken truth behind her words.

“You’re not hurting anyone,” he said at last, his tone quieter but still resolute. “But running away from your talent—your potential—won’t make things easier. If anything, it will make life harder. Being a knight is admirable, but it’s not where you belong.”

Alicia flinched at his words, her eyes brimming with tears. She bit her lip, her hands balling into fists. < He doesn't understand… I'm not running away. I just… I don't want this. >

Elena stepped forward, her voice soft but tinged with hesitation. “My lord, if I may…” She hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. “Perhaps Lady Alicia’s reluctance comes from the expectations placed upon her. Her parents have always been… particular about what she is allowed to pursue.”

Cassian’s sharp gaze turned to Elena, his expression hardening. “Particular? Is that what you call it?”

Elena dropped her gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her apron. “They believe it’s for her own good,” she said, her tone subdued.

"For her own good?" Cassian continued, his voice rising. "Do they even know what is best for her? Or are they only afraid of what she will become?"

Elena stiffened, but she didn’t answer. Her silence only fueled the tension in the room, and Cassian’s frustration simmered beneath the surface.

Looking back at Alicia, he mellowed his voice. "I know this seems daunting," he said softly. "But believe me, you are strong enough to do this. You may not realize it yet, but you will be thanking yourself someday for going this route."

Alicia’s breath hitched as she struggled to hold back tears. Her gaze darted to Elena, who remained silent, her expression unreadable. < I don’t want to do this… but I can’t say no. He’ll never understand. >

She forced herself to look at Cassian, nodding weakly. "I… I'll try," she said, her voice barely audible.

Returning gentle Cassian's stern expression slightly softened; with a small nod, he proved that she was doing it right. "Good. That's all I ask. Effort."

He stood up from his chair, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room. "You have traveled a long way," he said softly. "Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we start."

Alicia also stood, slowly and stiffly moving. She curtsied, her voice barely above a whisper as she answered, "Yes, Uncle."

Cassian moved closer, placing a great hand on her scalp. The placing was slightly a gesture of comfort, but she rather felt small under the weight of his expectations for her. "You will do fine, Alicia. I am sure you will," Cassian said before turning away.

Just as the heavy doors closed behind him, Alicia felt the shake in her breathing. Her glance went to Elena, who hesitated now to step forward—her composed reserve replaced with an uncertain gleam in her eye.

“My lady,” Elena said softly, her voice laced with guilt, “you should rest.”

Alicia nodded numbly, following Elena out of the room. Her thoughts churned as they walked through the quiet halls, her small frame weighed down by the burden of what lay ahead.

< I don’t want this… but I don’t have a choice. >