Five days before the trade day and first full moon, I feel so nervous, my father won't be back and ordered for me and my brother to travel and meet him at the capital, Wendy said we have another castle there where the grand ducal family stays when there are events that requires our presence.
I've never been out except for the Sectre before, I can only study the map and blueprints from father's office.
I'm nervous.
I wanted to get the materials I need for the magic circle but going alone to the temple right now seems impossible.
I have to get a tanzanite first, that's the easiest to acquire.
I look around, everyone seem too busy as always, I manage to snuck out of my room and go my way to father's room so casually, but two shadow knights guarding my father's room stop me.
"Lady Althea, what are you doing here? The Grand Duke isn't here, my lady." Sir Wilbur greeted fondly while I look up to them and pull out my new found ability.
"I-I want to sleep there." I mumbled fidgeting nervously, this needs to work, tanzanite, I need tanzanite.
"Flynn, go get Miss Wendy." Sir Wilbur instructed Sir Flynn who smiled at me brightly and go, while Sir Wilbur open the door for me.
"I have to double check and make sure the windows are all completely locked first, my lady, it's for safety precautions." Sir Wilbur said, lifting his hands and a cool blue light emit from his palm, he stop then smile at me.
"Come in my lady, Miss Wendy will follow you inside soon." he said while I nodded eagerly and my nervous state simmer down.
"Thank you, Sir Wilbur." I said with a tired voice, as he bowed and I enter the room, he shut the door and I sighed deeply.
I turn and froze on my spot when a massive portrait of my father and my mother greeted me, it's a wedding portrait.
My mother, she has a golden eyes too but it's lighter than father's pure deep golden eyes, now that I see it, I look like an exact replica of my mother, the image looks so alive and bright.
She looks like an embodiment of light.
I blink, remembering what I'm here for.
Tanzanite.
I silently walk around, checking every nuke and corners of the wide room, I made it to a bookshelf near a study table.
Poised between lush blue, vibrant violet, and rich purple tanzanite gemstones caught my sight, piled on the in an open box so carelessly under the study table, those are definitely pure grade by the looks, one caught my sight the most, it stands out with how sharp the edge is but small enough that I could hide it easily in my small fist, I put it in the hidden pocket of my sleep dress, I quickly go out which surprise Sir Wilbur.
"It's scary alone." I lied, the room is actually grand and beautiful, compared to my white powder pink and gold room, I could stay and look at my parent's wedding portrait all day, but I need to hide this tanzanite first and make sure I have it with me to capital.
"Oh, my lady." he chuckled in amusement with pity, just in time when Wendy and Sir Flynn came.
"My lady, why are you here?"
"Daddy." I mumbled as she sighed defeated and pick me up as I rest on her shoulder, being patted at the back gently.
"You'll see his grace soon, my lady, we'll travel to capital starting tomorrow morning, just for a bit my lady." Sir Wilbur said with a soft tone as I groan making the chuckle while Wendy hum.
"We can stop by to places my lady wants to go on the way, half a day long trip sure can be straining, there are lots of good places to see near the grand ducal castle in Hestia."
With that, I suddenly sit up while looking at Wendy's face.
"Temple, a book said I can send flowers to mommy and she'll receive the spirit of flowers." I said, not lying since I did saw a writing on the book about a belief of leaving flowers at the temple for the deceased.
Wendy hummed with a gloomy yet bright smile, caressing my cheek with pity in her eyes.
"We'll do that my lady, I'm sure her highness Princess Diane, the late grand duchess will be happy to receive a gift from her precious daughter."
Now I feel guilty, I didn't mean to use my mother this way, but I have to, or else I will be easily killed no matter what.
I lean at Wendy again and I nodded, suddenly feeling tired, their gloomy auras exhaust me.
We dismiss ourselves to Sir Wilbur and Sir Flynn and head back to my room this time, with Wendy carrying me as she walk our way back to my room.
"Let's sleep in your room, my lady, I'll look after you till you fall asleep." she said stroking my hair as I sighed and reach my room.
We entered and she put me down the bed, I laydown and Wendy help me take my slippers off, I cover my small body with the thick duvet and she keep stoking my hair, I shut my eyes for awhile, pretending to be asleep which she believed into and hear her stand up from the chair and close the lights, leaving me in the dark room alone.
After I heard the door shut, I skimmed through secret pocket and take the piece of tanzanite quickly.
I have to find a way to travel with it without getting caught.
I carefully sit up, I have an hour before Wendy returns, I have her schedule memorize, she's definitely checking how my brother is doing.
I quickly search for the my luggage that Wendy prepared for tomorrow since I have prepared tailored clothes, shoes and all that I need in the grand ducal castle at the capital which was delivered by Forema, I can bring whatever I want without bothering about bringing a lot, the luggage is filled with necessities for travelling like extra clothing.
I remember copying the elder's before, bringing a small bag wouldn't be suspicious.
I can make an alibi about the stone if I ever get caught, right, just tell them it's so pretty, I found a small purse enough for me to fit the book or aura affinity, and tanzanite, I even add the book of melody, a lilac and gold fountain pen, a puzzle cube made out of various gems, and the pretty white fluffy stuffed bunny toy with black opal eyes and nose, and black ribbon and gold embroideries tied around it's neck, which was personalized and bought by my father for me days ago.
This seems good enough as a bag of a child, they wouldn't find the aura book suspicious since it looks like a new plain notebook without me opening it.
Satisfied, I return to my bed and right away fell into a deep slumber.