Chapter 3

......Chapter 3......

Finally.

You finally showed up.

Lucas and john stared at me in complete confusion. They looked in the direction of my gaze but till then the she was gone. Now I know why I felt some familiar presence. The two couldn’t sense it because they didn’t bond with her. Only magic users who bond with those species can sense the presence of one another. She’s here!

“Rose? What are you looking at so intently? There’s nothing over there,” asked Lucas looking confused.

I retreated my hand from near my mouth and kept the snack back into the wrapper. I rose from the stone and gently patted my skirt hurriedly. Both of them looked up toward me confused and John asked_

“What happened?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I should leave.”

“Why? You’re leaving in the midst of eating and telling us it’s nothing? If it’s the mansion then wait for me, just a moment,” insisted Lucas trying to get up.

“NO! I mean no need. You don’t need to go through the trouble. I have something to tend to, so after I am done with it, I’ll return on my own,” I said pushing him back to his place. I can’t bring them along, or I won’t be able to meet her.

“What is it? Something related to the princess? May be you’ll need help or who knows how badly you’ll mess up.”

“No-No. it’s nothing of the sort. It’s something personal so you don’t need to accompany me, Lucas. Now-now, enjoy you time here and I’ll be leaving.” As soon as I said this I hurried into the woods. Lucas looked suspicious but John seemed normal, looks like he understood my need for privacy. I left deep, and deeper into the woods that now even the sparks from the bonfire were also not visible.

After making sure no one was around I dashed myself up the way using magic- ‘Celeritosa’, the enchantment for speed.

After a while I heard the sound of water again and reached the river which fell down as that waterfall, the one I was praising not too long ago. The current was very fast, as I looked down the cliff of the river shore both of them were still talking and eating. I wondered about what, but shoved the thoughts away. Where is she? I am sure I didn’t mistake her. She should be here. I definitely saw the shadow here. I turned back and walked away from the cliff so not to be seen by them, just then while my eyes were searching for her, I felt someone behind me. I know this presence. At last, after whole two years, I get to meet her again.

“I MISSED YOU_” I said while turning around.

“AMI!” I pounced on her neck clutching and hugging her tightly and she also wriggled her neck and stoked my cheeks with hers. She is the my very first unipeg friend.

“Neigh!” We both hugged for a while and then went towards the end of the cliff together. Standing side by side I glanced at her from the side. Her horn shone like a marble in the moonlight and her white hair fluttered in the air like silver threads. We sat together for a bit and adored the view.

Its already so late at night may be around midnight, the ball should have ended long ago and everyone must be looking for me. Poor Emily must be getting agitated. Looks like it’s time to return.

“it’s late now, Ami. I should head back or else trouble awaits me,” I chuckled.

 I mounted Ami and we set off deeper into the woods.

After riding for a while an ancient Oak came into sight still green as ever. Moonlight seeped through the awning leaves turning white mildew silver and had small crevices along the girth.

 There was a deep slit in its trunk enough for almost two persons to fit in together. I unmounted Ami, stoked her face for a goodbye and entered the hollow bark. There was a teleportation array engraved below to where I stood. Ordinary people won’t even be able to see it nor use it but for me it was a treasure because just by transferring a bit of mana into it, this will act as a teleportation scroll although unlike a scroll this could be used over and over. I transferred some mana into the array. My whole body could feel the flow of energy towards my feet, a distinguished feeling unable to express. The array glowed brightly and my body felt as light as steam. The ground felt different and the surroundings started to change into a bright light.

In a blink of an eye the feel of my body returned; I was standing in a pitch-dark small space and tried to listen to any noise outside but it was complete silence so I gave a gentle push to the wall in front of me and stepped into the light of my room. I closed the pillar from where I stepped out just now and it sealed on its own with magic in front of my eyes. As I approached my closet to get clothes for a change someone barged into my room.

“Miss! So here you are! Why didn’t you return early? I was so worried about you. When his grace and her royal highness asked me about you, I told them that you were tired and went to sleep but when you didn’t return even after so long, I was worried that his lordship and ladyship will come to see you. And also, how on earth did I not notice you enter the room?” She wailed.

“Uh. Calm down Emily.”

Good thing I removed the ring before hand.

“I went out to get some fresh air, that’s all. I am sorry to make you worry about me. Now-now, I can’t promise you there won’t be a next time but I’ll make sure to return early. Ok? Alright now can you bring me my night gown really quick or I am afraid I’ll nod off in this pretty silk,” I said.

“Yes miss!”

...****************...

I changed into my night gown and laid down on the bed sorting my thoughts and memories of today. It was fun. I met Ami after such a long time. And Lucas…

Wait! Why did I think meeting him after so long was a good thing? Argh! Just forget it. Even so, I enjoyed revisiting my favorite spot after so long. Hah! Whole two years! I missed my family and my home but now it seems that I am no longer accustomed to this luxury. I closed my eyes and memories of the past flashed in front of me. Just a couple years back all of these people used to call me a witch and a bad omen but tonight they all gathered around me to chat and ask for a dance. Good thing I dealt with that assistant adviser of my uncle or who knows what new story he’d spew.

I tossed and turned unable to sleep. Damn this insomnia.

I got up from my bed and headed towards the balcony. The cool breeze brushed my cheeks and my ruffled hair flew freely along the air.

My body has adapted to less sleep when I was in the Enchanted woods. Of course, because danger was always lurking around and I’ve long since lost the habit of these luxuries.

‘Enchanted Woods.’

I have been to the outer part countless times while meeting with Lucas but I don’t know why people are so scared to even go near it? And the inner part, I don’t even know how I left that place alive? It wasn’t so scary… I guess? I have no idea why they call it__

“Clack”

As I was thinking this, I suddenly heard some noise. Just as I turned my gaze towards its direction my head went blank and my eyes widened at the sight. My heart almost popped out of my chest and my very first reaction was to duck and hide behind the hand rails. I peeked from between my hands which were holding onto the marble to confirm my suspicion.

No! My eyes didn’t deceive me. It really was him. But when? How? No, most importantly Why? Why did he come here again? I already said goodbye in the woods so why did he come here again? For What?

He can’t be here. If someone discovers him then it’ll be troublesome. And if he sees me here like this then I’ll be in trouble too. Even though he was standing too far away for him to see me but I can recognize him from here at a glance. Down there he stood near the fountain with his back towards me in the middle of the rose garden and looking around. Although his face wasn’t clearly visible but no way in hell could I not recognize that silhouette. What on earth was he looking for?

As I was crashing my mind on this he suddenly turned to look behind. ACK!!

I stumbled backward and landed on my butt. Did he caught me staring? No! No! that’s impossible! I won’t be visible due to the different angles of sight. I crawled backward and got up on my feet a few meters away from the deck. I grabbed my shawl and my dagger and ran out of the room as fast as I could but of course after whispering the words of power.

The words for invisibility- “Indespectuona”

...***...

‘Clack-Clack-Clack’

‘Huff! Huff!’ I ran catching my breath.

Open verandah with peeping glow of silver. All quiet except for the chatter of patrol groups emerging occasionally. It seems like the security has been disciplined since I left…

He should be there... right?

Why did he come here? Is it because I left all of a sudden? …..for me?

No! No! don’t be so full of yourself!

What if he needs some help? Yes! He must need some help! But with what could he need my help with to suddenly come here at the hour of dawn?

Speaking of which he really tends to do the most unexpected and shock everyone.

URGH!! How bother some.

Forget it.

Now that I’m almost there, I’ll know it myself. I turned around the corner of the corridor and saw the tower from the gallery. It was still the same.

The old tower where no one used to go. Cracked stone walls dusted with crept up mildew while liana and ivy were hanging from above. The upper part was open with some pillars and a tome of the sort. My heart skipped a beat as I saw it from inside the mansion.

“Huff! Huff! Pant! Pant!”

My mana is getting used up slowly but I think holding out for a little more should not be much of a problem. There are still 4 guards guarding this corridor. I ran towards the door leading to the entrance of the tower but stopped a few meters away. Oh no. How do I open this door? I’ll need to distract these guards.

“Hu…Hu...”

With a long breath I released a trickle of mana inside me; I could feel it flowing inside me like a thread. As I directed it towards my arm then my palm and finally the tip of my index finger. The mana collecting on tip could be felt like a strange tingling and power. Just when I felt it was enough, I raised my hand in front of me pointing on the other end of the corridor and released the power.

‘Swish’

“Shatter”

All the guards alerted and turned towards its direction. It struck the vase causing it to fall and crash with a loud sound.

“Who is it? Is someone there? Come out and show yourself!”, shouted one of them.

Two of them ran to check what was happening while others stood in their places peeking. This was the moment I was waiting for. I turned around and reached out for the door entering the stairway.

“Click-Clack”

“Huff-Huff-Hu”, my back was placed along the door while I undone the enchantment. It wore off like a sheet of air. Voices could be heard from outside.

“Hey. What was that?”

“What?”

“I think I just heard the door shut.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t hear anything. Guess you’re fatigued or something?”

“Maybe?”

“That’s enough you two. Now come back to your positions. It must be just a gust of wind”

“Alright.”

Looks like I got away.

Although there are transportation circles engraved in every room connected together but the main access is in the main hall. If I had went there then Uncle would have gotten notified and I would be busted. Unlike the mansion’s teleportation circles the one in my room connecting to the oak tree is different as it was made from ancient magic. The runes engraved were very powerful and hence tracing it isn’t easy.

 I looked up to see a staircase in front of me leading to the top of the tower. I placed my hand on the banister along the stairs while the ring on my finger made a ‘Clink’ sound. I made my way up step by step and reached the top.

“Creak”, I opened the door and stepped on the rough platform.

The silence was engulfing

“Click”, the door behind me shut with a little push from my elbow.

“Swish!” the wind bustle. I stepped forward to examine the surroundings.

“Rustle…”

“Who’s there?”, I uttered while turning towards the sound only to find no one there.

“You’re late”

I flinched. The voice came from behind me. I turned again only to find a familiar figure standing right in front of me. It was leaning against the pillar and because of the dark it's expression weren't visible but from the posture anyone could tell it was looking towards me. The voice was familiar.

“Why are you here…” I asked outright.

“…Lucas?”

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