Anasthasia reached her hand when her eyes bulged, noticing how her hand rapid dwindling affected visibility, which brought chills to her spine and caused her adrenaline rush.
'How can this be?' Commenting, she was appalled. Her hands reached once more and cast one more time.
'Refraction!'
But there was nothing came out, not even a speck of light from her palms, and her hands noticed how slow it turned out, showing her snow-kissed skin. She clicked her tongue, glancing back at the damp rolls of fabric. Fingers overextended and bit her lip.
'Refraction!'
The damp rolls of fabric continued to fade among the stonewalls and the damp ground. She picked it up in a jiffy, no matter how heavy it was, back to a relatively remote area.
The rolls of fabric scattered on the ground, unfurling their bedazzled quality under the sun. Her brows arched with enthusiasm, her fingers grazed over the soft, silky surface. Thus she grinned in silence.
'I knew it! I was right all along! I am lucky this time!' Her heart thumped aloud as her eyes glistened from the fabrics' reflections laid out.
Anasthasia held onto the fabric, carefully embraced by the amethyst's waves, with admiration in her eyes. But her ecstatic sensation had plummeted from the current issue.
By the time she reached the exceptional location, it was clear for everyone to witness how her hand completely bathed under the sun, her fair skin glistened with every sheen. By and by, the invisibility faded out and revealed her statuesque. She gazed around her, witnessing the impossibility.
'Why did my invisibility spell didn't last for a long time? This is impossible!' Her mouth agape, causing her to falter in her thoughts, 'This can't be! This can't be!'
Anasthasia closed her eyes and perceived the sudden mana fluctuations around her. Both shock and stupefaction welcomed her senses. The mana around her wasn't a free one—It doesn't permeate almost everywhere. The movement turned stringent in behavior and how scarce the mana in the environment—which immediately clipped the primary source of her power.
She snapped from her thorough analysis, eyes widening and panting under her breath. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, then slowly trickled to the side. A heavy load of information and curiosity swirled in her mind. She could only gasp in horror.
'Just what the heck is going on in here? Does that mean I can't use my powers for as long as I am in here?!'
Freidmirth, who remained undisturbed in her embrace, slowly unveiled himself under the spell. He shoved his snout up, prodding her warm and soft chest. Her frigid blue eyes that could flinch him anytime soon had him averted his gaze. Only a small whimper escaped her lips.
"Fried? What's wrong?"
"You have thought of something in mind."
Right of the bat, she gulped inaudibly from his response. Thus, a rueful sigh escaped her dainty lips, saying, "My wings had technically clipped at this point."
"What do you mean?"
"I can no longer manifest magic freely and at will from this predicament."
"Oh, I see…" Freidmirth chirped, peering down the ground. All of a sudden, he jolted from his position as he realized. Turning his head back to her with a foreboding chill that crept his heart, and chirped, "That's impossible!"
"I know what you're thinking."
"But—"
Pouting crossing her arms, she shifted her body as she relayed her thoughts, "You can sense the mana around us, right?"
"Of course, it's rather strict and precise."
"Why would they use this way? What do they want to achieve at this point?"
"Who knows." Freidmirth growled, spewing out a plume of smoke, "I don't have much of a problem with this."
"You have a large reservoir," She retorted, rolling her eyes, "But not on that size of yours."
"That's preposterous! Change me back at once! I don't want to stay like this forever!"
"We're on the same boat. So you better cooperate with me from now on!"
"I—" Freidmirth stammered, lashing out his claws midair and shrieked out of frustration.
"Keep quiet! You silly dragon. "She released a white mist that hovered over him and knocked out.
Then, she froze on her stead as she heard the youthful chimes that mused her ears.
"It's a pretty lady!"
Anasthasia's blue eyes met as the latter gazed with skepticism. Her head tilted, causing her fuschia fringes to drape to the side, her green eyes bore unto her with depth.
Her eyes gleamed. She scrutinized further, an eerie sense of familiarity rising as she stared into her emerald eyes. She peered into her for a second before shrugging off whatever it was, she thought.
Her eyes drew to a smile, her pearl white teeth flashed as she uttered, "Well, hello there! I assume it's me who you're referring to as a pretty lady."
Her face lit up in excitement; lips went wide and generous from her response. She playfully hopped her way, giggling, "You have my rolls of fabric."
This shattered her gleeful stature, eyes blinked for a moment, and affirming through the twitched mouth, "So these fabrics are yours? I must have thought these were for disposal."
"So that's the case! It's alright, would you be so kind as to return them to me?"
"Sure thing, you may have this back!"
"Thank you very much!" The little girl walked her way towards her. Meanwhile, Anasthasia gripped on the damp fabric. She glanced back and could see through the immense quality it yielded despite the smears of dirt and moistened rolls.
Rightfully so, handed over amethyst fabric on her hands, and she gave a wry smile to the little girl. When she bowed and then twisted her heel, a rueful sigh blurted out.
'Well, better luck next time. I don't think it's that worth—' Her thoughts interrupted halfway as she suddenly turned around, facing her with a wide grin.
"Pretty lady, now that I've seen your outfit closely, it's beguiling in nature."
"You flatter me," She muttered under her hearty giggles, flicking her hand in the area, "But you are right, you have good eyes. This is an exquisite dress."
"Yes, it sure does look—"
"But hold up!" Anasthasia shoved her hand, taking a glimpse at her attempts, which had her lean towards her, fingers clasped, and eyes that sparkled infinitely. Thereon, she mused, "What's your name, little girl?"
"My name's Lucy."
"Lucy..." This curled up Anasthasia's lips, giggling, "That's a wonderful name?"
"Does it ring a bell to you?"
"...Why do you ask?"
"Perhaps not." Lucy creased her eyebrows, and her green eyes slowly flickered a few times before she inquired, "What is your name?"
"My name's Ana, and I'm pleased to meet you."
"What a beautiful name," Lucy's tone was soft with admiration, feeling breathless for a moment. She shook her head before she inquired further, "Shall I assume you're not from this kingdom?"
"What made you think so?"
"There's dress code in this place," She lifted her chin, eyes roamed once more on the rhinestones that sparkled throughout the dress, causing her to babble, "That's not even below the knee level. Your shoulders are bare as well!"
'What is she talking about right now? Perhaps I'm in the wrong era?' She heavily pondered, fingers tapped the delicate outline of her jaws, 'Or perhaps this is just kingdom rules?'
"Do you think there's any problem with this dress, Lucy? I thought this was exquisite."
"Still not allowed! You'll get punished!"
"I'll be fine, you'll see—" She halted her utterance, realizing the huge disadvantage fall upon her hands. Her voice turned strangely, inaudible, "This is bad."
Lucy only hummed in a soft tone. Meanwhile, Anasthasia strutted her way and lowered herself near her height, pleading, "Do you have another way to help this lady resolve her dress?"
"I think so."
"Then may you do me a favor?"
"I sure will!" She chirped, then found her voice dropped to a whisper, eyes glistened as she held unto it with firmness, "These fabrics are everything to me."
'I'm glad I haven't done anything.'
"By the way, what's this cute dragon over here?"
'Shoot! I forgot about this foolish dragon! I thought the spell was still in effect—'
She bulged her eyes as realization dawned upon her. She pursed her dainty lips from all the curses uttered, acting so complacent to this shrewd little girl. Fortunately, Freidmirth leaned his head with ease on her chest, with cute snores that buzzed her ears from time to time.
"You know this is a dragon?!"
"I sure do. Don't worry; I'll keep your secret." Lucky gave her a subtle wink.
"I'll take your word."
"I know a good tailoring shop nearby. It's my secret hideout. I'd like to take you there and maybe help you."
"How kind of you—"
Anasthasia's stomach began to rumble, which caused a crimson bloom across her cheeks.
"I heard that. I'll be back in a moment!" She turned, giggling, and stormed out of the way.