The morning sun filtered through the library windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.

  ?Aelira stood by the window, staring at her hand.

  ?The sensation of mana gathering there—the lingering coldness from yesterday when she cast the spell—was still present. It hummed beneath her skin, familiar and comforting.

  ?Ice.

  ?Like everyone else in the Viremont family.

  ?A rare feeling of pride swelled in her chest. For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged.

  ?She clenched her hand into a fist, her expression hardening with determination. She still had a lot to learn. And with a lazy sensei like Zaek, she would have to push herself twice as hard.

  ?Earlier, when she had asked about today’s training...

  ?“Ehh? You’re already going too fast, kid. If you keep this up, you’ll burn out. Go take a rest or something.”

  ?He had waved her off like she was a buzzing fly.

  ?“Even if you don’t train for five years, your talent won’t rust. That’s how scary your potential is. So chill out.”

  ?Five years?

  ?To Aelira, five years sounded like an eternity. She refused to rest. If there was no physical training, she would train her mind.

  ?“Lady Aelira?”

  ?A soft voice called from behind.

  ?Aelira turned. Lassandra stood there, holding a feather duster, her eyes wide with concern.

  ?“I want to learn more about yesterday,” Aelira said, marching toward a bookshelf. “Let’s study, Lassy.”

  ?“Seriously, My Lady... you could rest.” Lassandra sighed, her shoulders drooping. “Master Zaek was right.”

  ?But against Aelira’s stubborn pout, she had no defense.

  ?“Okay, okay. Let’s study.”

  ?“Yay!”

  ?Inside the library, Aelira began pulling heavy tomes from the shelves—books on Ice Magic, Elemental Theory, and Mana Control. Most were far beyond her understanding, the words dense and complex, but she was determined to read them all.

  ?Lassandra watched her stack the books on the table, shaking her head with a fond smile.

  ?“Normally, children enjoy their free days by playing...”

  ?Later that afternoon, Zaek strolled into the library. He found Aelira buried behind a wall of books.

  ?“What are you doing?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  ?“Studying,” Aelira replied without looking up. “I want to learn about... the thing.”

  ?The Thing? Zaek smirked. Ah, she means the Essence.

  ?“Find anything?” He leaned over the desk, glancing at the open page. It was a diagram of mana flow.

  ?“No... not yet.”

  ?He watched her read. Her silver eyes moved steadily across the page, devouring information.

  ?“What kind of kid spends her free time like this? Don’t you have friends? Or hobbies?”

  ?Aelira frowned. She looked up at him, clearly unhappy with the interruption.

  ?“No. I don’t have any friends.”

  ?Zaek scratched his head, realizing his mistake. Right. Neglected child.

  ?“Gahh... kids these days are depressing,” he muttered. Then, he grinned. “But don’t worry—today is your lucky day! You’re going to the Palace!”

  ?“...Why is that lucky?”

  ?“Well... the Prince is about your age. I’m sure you two will be great friends,” he added with a wink. “Or maybe not. Who knows?”

  ?Aelira gave him a long, unimpressed stare. Her eyes narrowed into slits.

  ?“What?” Zaek asked, looking away. “Why are you looking at me like I’m a bug?”

  ?“You’re hiding something.”

  ?“Am not.”

  ?“You are.”

  ?Zaek sighed, raising his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay—the King summoned me. You’re just... coming along.”

  ?“Why?”

  ?“Because you’re my excuse.”

  ?Excuse?

  ?She squinted at him, trying to channel her mother’s terrifying gaze.

  ?It worked. Zaek cracked.

  ?“...Fine. Look, the King wants me to do something I don’t want to do. If I bring a student, I can say, ‘Sorry, I’m busy training the next generation.’ Get it?”

  ?Aelira blinked. “So I’m a shield.”

  ?“A very cute, talented shield. Yes.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  ?“...What about training?”

  ?“We’re ahead of schedule,” Zaek shrugged. “Besides, a change of scenery will do you good. The capital is only a few days away. Think of it as a short vacation.”

  ?Aelira hesitated. She didn’t want to leave the safety of her routine. But she also knew she couldn’t say no to the King’s summons.

  ?“I think you are just using me...”

  ?“Of course I am. That’s what adults do.” He grinned shamelessly. “So, pack your bags. We’re leaving.”

  ?“What do you mean, pack my bags?”

  ?“I mean, pack your bags. We’re leaving.”

  ?“Ehh??” Aelira gaped. “Now? Like... right now?”

  ?“Yes, yes. Better to rip the bandage off quickly.”

  ?“But—I didn’t even say goodbye to Lassy! Or Mother! Or Father!”

  ?“Calm down,” Zaek waved lazily. “It’s just a trip.”

  ?But Aelira was already sprinting out of the library.

  ?“...That was fast,” Zaek chuckled, strolling after her. “Kids are really hard to understand. Maybe I’m too old for this.”

  ?“Lassy!”

  ?Aelira burst into her room, panting heavily.

  ?“Lady Aelira—what’s wrong?!” Lassandra dropped the dress she was folding.

  ?“Sensei says we have to leave for the capital. Urgently.”

  ?Lassandra blinked. “...Now? Like—now, now?!”

  ?“Yes!”

  ?One look at Aelira’s panicked face told her this wasn’t a joke.

  ?“I have to hurry!”

  ?Lassandra sprang into action. She moved with practiced speed, gathering clothes, toiletries, and travel essentials into a trunk.

  ?“I’ll tell Mother and Father,” Aelira said, dashing out again.

  ?She ran to the West Wing and barged into the sitting room without knocking.

  ?“Didn’t I tell you to knock, Aelira?”

  ?Vivianne sat in her armchair, sipping coffee. Her cold eyes greeted her daughter with familiar annoyance. But seeing Aelira’s flushed face and disheveled hair, her expression shifted.

  ?“What happened?”

  ?She doesn’t know.

  ?Aelira swallowed nervously. “Sensei... he says we are leaving for the capital. Right now.”

  ?Before Vivianne could respond, Wilkram entered the room.

  ?“My sweetheart...” He smiled gently, though confusion lingered in his voice. “You’re supposed to be training, aren’t you?”

  ?Wilkram’s presence made things slightly easier.

  ?Aelira repeated the news.

  ?Both parents froze.

  ?“What? Now? From the King himself?” Vivianne’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.

  ?“Yes.”

  ?“That old man does whatever he wants... I can’t allow this,” she hissed, standing up.

  ?“My sweetheart, are you sure you heard right?” Wilkram asked hopefully. “Maybe he just meant he got the letter today?”

  ?“No.” Aelira shook her head firmly. “He clearly said we are leaving now. The carriage is waiting.”

  ?“Zaek...” Wilkram muttered, rubbing his temples. “What in the world is he thinking?”

  ?“I’ll have a word with him,” Vivianne snapped, striding out of the room.

  ?She found Zaek lounging by the grand staircase, looking bored.

  ?“Master Zaek,” she said icily. “There must be some misunderstanding. You can’t seriously be planning to drag my daughter to the capital on a whim.”

  ?“No misunderstanding,” Zaek replied lazily. “This is what the King ordered. Not much of an option.”

  ?He pulled a crumpled piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to her.

  ?Vivianne scanned it—and froze.

  ?The royal seal was unmistakable.

  ?Come to the Imperial Palace IMMEDIATELY. Bring your business clearly. No delay.

  ?She handed it silently to Wilkram, who paled as he read it.

  ?“Dear Uncle Zaek,” Wilkram said carefully, sweating. “Surely you can do something? Delaying one day wouldn’t kill anyone.”

  ?“I already delayed it by a few days,” Zaek admitted. “Any more would be... problematic.”

  ?“Delayed it...?” Wilkram choked.

  ?“When did you get this?” Vivianne demanded.

  ?“A few days ago.”

  ?“And you’re telling us now?”

  ?“Better late than never.”

  ?Vivianne clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

  ?“Fine. Aelira, prepare immediately.”

  ?“Okay,” Aelira whispered.

  ?“What’s all this noise?”

  ?A booming voice echoed from the hallway. Sylas strode in, dressed in a dark blue yukata, looking like he had just woken up from a nap.

  ?“Yo, old man!” Zaek waved. “I’m off on a little trip. Your kids are panicking, but we got it sorted.”

  ?Sylas snatched the parchment from Vivianne. One glance was enough.

  ?“When did you get this?”

  ?“A few days ago.”

  ?“When are you leaving?”

  ?“Now.”

  ?Sylas threw his head back and roared with laughter.

  ?“WAHAHAHA! This bastard hasn’t changed a bit!”

  ?He slapped Zaek on the back so hard it sounded like a cannon shot.

  ?“So what’s the problem, Vivianne?”

  ?“He plans to take Aelira,” she said sharply. “Without preparation.”

  ?Sylas paused, then laughed even louder.

  ?“WAHAHAHA! You still don’t understand women, Zaek! Even the little ones need time!”

  ?“She’s a kid, not a woman,” Zaek grunted.

  ?“Still a woman! But you’re already too late to argue. Go!”

  ?Still laughing to himself, Sylas walked away, the windows rattling with his mirth.

  ?Zaek grinned at the stunned family.

  ?“Well... let’s move on!”

  ?Outside the grand steps of the Viremont mansion, a special carriage awaited.

  ?Four massive black horses—Nightmares, beasts fed on mana crystals—stamped impatiently. Their coats shimmered like oil, and their eyes glowed faintly red.

  ?Zaek petted one of the creatures, eyeing the mountain of luggage piled near the carriage.

  ?“We should already be leaving...”

  ?“Everything is ready,” Lassandra said, bowing politely. She stood next to a large trunk, looking determined.

  ?Aelira struggled with a small leather case, pushing it toward Zaek.

  ?“What’s this?” he asked.

  ?“Your bag,” she puffed. “Extra clothes.”

  ?“I don’t need it.”

  ?“You do. You smell like horse, Sensei,” she said, pinching her nose.

  ?Zaek started. “...Is today ‘Bully Old Zaek Day’?”

  ?Before they could board, Vivianne’s voice cut through the air.

  ?“A moment.”

  ?Everyone turned.

  ?Her gaze fell on Lassandra. It was cold. Calculating.

  ?“You’re not accompanying Aelira today.”

  ?Lassandra blinked. “Yes, My Lady?”

  ?“She can’t always rely on you. She needs to learn to rely on others as well. Today...”

  ?Vivianne scanned the line of servants standing at the back.

  ?“I can be that!”

  ?A hand shot up.

  ?Everyone looked.

  ?“Clara...”

  ?Vivianne walked slowly toward the maid with the messy orange hair. She stopped inches from her face.

  ?“It was Clara, right?”

  ?“Yes!”

  ?“Tell me, Clara. Why should it be you instead of Lassandra?”

  ?Clara swallowed hard, sweating under Vivianne’s gaze.

  ?“I... I want the chance to prove myself! I want to serve the main family!”

  ?Vivianne stared at her for a long moment. Then, a small, cruel smile touched her lips.

  ?“Hmm. Good answer. Ambition is useful. You will accompany Aelira.”

  ?“Understood, My Lady!”

  ?“But Mother—” Aelira started.

  ?“There is no ‘but’. Understood?”

  ?“...Understood.”

  ?Lassandra’s shoulders slumped. She knelt beside Aelira, smoothing her hair one last time. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

  ?“Don’t worry, Lady Aelira. You’ll be fine. I’m sure of it.”

  ?“Lassy...”

  ?“Go on. Show them what you can do.”

  ?Lassandra smiled warmly, then stepped aside with perfect grace as Clara took her seat beside Aelira.

  ?Just as they were about to leave, two more figures appeared—Lysric and his parents.

  ?“I was worried you’d already gone,” Celdric said, relief softening his voice.

  ?“Tch. More delays,” Zaek muttered, climbing into the driver’s seat.

  ?“Little Dumpling,” Lysric called out, grinning. “Make sure you’re polite to the Prince, okay? Don’t embarrass us!”

  ?Aelira stared straight ahead, ignoring him.

  ?“Lysric...” Celdric warned.

  ?“You shouldn’t speak to your cousin like that,” Elda added gently. She turned to Aelira, her green eyes filled with sadness. “Aelira, please take care of yourself. I know you won’t be gone long, but... I’ll be praying for your safety.”

  ?“Thank you, Aunt Elda,” Aelira replied softly.

  ?Celdric clasped her hand briefly. His grip was firm. “Aelira, stay safe. And Master Zaek... please look after her.”

  ?Zaek gave a casual wave from the top of the carriage.

  ?“Yeah, yeah. I appreciate the sentiment. But we’d better get moving before the King sends an army to fetch me.”

  ?Clack.

  ?The carriage door shut with a heavy thud.

  ?The Nightmares snorted, muscles tensing under their black skin.

  ?With a sharp whistle from the driver—

  ?They were off.

  ?Aelira looked out the window as the mansion faded into the distance. She saw Lassandra standing on the steps, waving until she became a tiny speck.

  To leave the house where she was born and raised, the house she never left, and to do it without Lassandra...

  Finally, they had completely disappeared from sight.