Chapter 26 - Aries

I noticed that I have been dreaming a lot recently ... I can't seem to remember well but I gradually do recall something like being in a distorted room?

The space darkens periodically, leaving me lost in space. It reminds me of when I was reincarnating, the feeling of myself floating upwards, however, this time it is the contrary.

It is weird to go to an alternate dimension. When I experienced it firsthand I panicked. I started gasping as I hated the endless space I was held in. It felt very small as if something was squeezing me endlessly.

Somehow I didn't feel that claustrophobic after a few moments of appearing in this space, I start to explore this stranded space.

Something or someone decides to enter the room. It looks like black and grey dust materialising in a tiny tornado. I suddenly have a sense of Deja vu. This is the first time something happen in this space so I was extremely cautious. I can't even telepathically reach Alfie...

Anxious of the unknown.

I start to touch my bracelet praying silently. ' Please don't let that thing notice my presence... Isn't this just a dream?' I thought as I rubbed the precious bracelet silently praying for safety.

A horned humanoid figure with an arrogant and cold face formed. She has long black hair down to her mid-thigh. She has a frosty aura making her seem unapproachable. When she appeared she was in a dead man's pose, what makes it more convincing was that she didn't EVEN BREATHE.

Unknowingly, my brows creases. The space is very silent, even my breathing sounded like a car honking in a confined place.

The horned girl suddenly opens her eyes. She adjusted to the surroundings and stretched casually. Her eyes look straight in my direction, she found me instantly, I flinch at her gaze. "How did you get here?"

Her cold stare got goosebumps all over my body. "I-I don't k-know..." I mumble out averting her gaze. "To be able to get in this space is already an amazing feat... Boy, do you know where you are?" This time I got more courage to look at her directly and answer her, "N-not really?"

She is stunningly beautiful, her beauty is so out of the world that it took my breath away. Both of her big round eyes looks the same as orange Sapphire with a hint of every other colour as it keeps on changing. She was wearing a long-sleeve dress that is longer than her hands and legs with her shoulders revealed.

She starts to hysterically cackle while hiding her face with a hand. "Ever heard of my name Aries?" She announced in a cocky tone as she floats nearer.

I stiffen when she got nearer, 'Aries? Hm...Sound familiar... Hm... Ah! Isn't Aries God of Space?!'

"Finally, took you long enough!" she said as she circles around me with her hands on her back. "Gyrent had spoken so much about you," she mumbles something else under her breath.

"Gyrent personally asked me to teach you magic..." she glance at me with a calculating gaze and continue, " Do you have what it takes?" she smirks.

"Yes!" I responded excitedly. I searched everywhere to find any book, tomes or scrolls that can teach me the basics of space magic, however, not a single clue can be found. I finally found a so-called teacher?

" Can you handle the complexity of this magic?" she said brazenly.

~

I woke up feeling mentally tired. It felt like cramming before exams again. Aries is a fierce teacher, if I make any errors she will make me memorise until I finally got them.

It was extremely stressful however, that is a good way for me to study space magic. Gill knocks on the door and enters the room. "Young master? You are up so early. Don't you feel tired? Do you want to sleep longer?"

Gill bombs me with questions as I reply by mouthing a no. He quickly prepares a bowl of warm water to wash my face. While cleaning my teeth, Gill announces to me what's for breakfast. "For the main dish, I have prepared sweet potato and mushroom, desserts I have assembled eclairs and sliced cakes for you to enjoy."

While he was announcing the menu I could feel myself salivating at the mention of mushroom. I quickly finish up and thank, Gill. He changes my gown to more appropriate attire, long sleeve plain yet simple shirt and short formal black pants.

Gill nods in approval before opening the door. I calmly walk through the hallway towards the dining hall. Surprisingly for breakfast, it was only Avin at the table.

Avin look up from the newsletter and smiled at me. "Little Aust, would you like to sit beside me?" I quickly nodded and head towards where he was seated. I wait patiently for my breakfast while swinging my legs.

"Today father is on a business trip to a nearby country. He won't be back till two full moons." (Roughly 2 months) I nodded. A few minutes later the food arrived, the tray was being pushed in by Annie, the maid that I felt was similar to Bethany.

The aroma of stir-fried mushrooms fills the entire room. I was mentally drooling as Annie place my mushroom dish in front of me.

Remembering my etiquette and restricted myself, I decided to eat my dish with 'elegance'. When I put one of the stir-fried mushrooms in my mouth I could taste the delicious juice dripping out. I decided to combine both the mushroom and sweet potato on my spoon and place it in my mouth. It tasted extraordinarily divine.

"Little Aust, the others aren't here so you don't have to do that." He was indicating my etiquette so I instantly drop my act and eat slightly speedily.

After finishing our meal, we decided to have a small chat. "What is your favourite colour little Aust?" I thought hard and said, " White? How about your favourite colour?"

"Light grey," I continued, " Forest, desert or ocean?" It sounds like a personality test... "We should voice our thoughts together, 3...2...1!"

"FOREST!" We shouted together, I look at him and start to giggle. This bonding session is so fun but all fun and good things must to an end. Abruptly the guard shout out, "Announcing, her lady, Duchess Andrea!"

Since this is the house where I reside, I didn't need such a prestigious announcement. However, to be expected, Andrea wanted to be flamboyant where ever she goes.

She enters as the door open revealing her in a red velvet dress, the perfume she obviously wears stinks up the entire dining room. Before I know it, Avin's expressions change to a rather gloomy one.

Andrea trotted towards the table opposite us in her heels. She stares straight at us, " Don't be so inappropriate, do you know the walls have eyes?" she spoke arrogantly as she tries to sit properly.

Hm? Eyes? Did she use that word incorrectly? Isn't it ears? Avin telepathically replies, ' That's right. She is illiterate but acts highly educated. '

'She has been copying the others for many years...' Avin adds on. 'I see... why don't she try to get lessons from a tutor?'

'She thinks it is shameful to be learning at her age... Little Aust you have so many questions,' Avin's gloomy face turn to a neutral one after our little conversation though that was before Andrea, who Avin calls that b*tch, interrupted our secret chat.

"Avin what is with that LOOK!? It's alright I can just send you to the prayer room," Andrea said with a smirk while Avin's expression hardens.

"Unless...you prefer to switch place with Aust, that is also a fantastic idea." She claps her hand in delight.

Avin looks up with a tint of anger in his eyes and announced, "It is fine, Aust won't be joining us," he said in a firm tone.

That conversation got me curious, what is that prayer room? Why did Avin look so furious when Andrea wanted to change both of us to go to the prayer room? Is it that bad? What do they do in the prayer room?

Andrea glance at me with a mocking look. "Suit yourself." Her intention was so obvious that it was something horrendous but I am unsure what she was planning...

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