It's already been years since I've come back to this life, been awakened and make a commotion at home, years since the imperial family become a close acquaintance, and my grandmother, now leisurely coming back home without worrying about my health.
"How about this one? What do you think?" I look at the old lady with midnight blue and a salt and pepper hue hair, and jet black eyes like a never ending void with the most gentle expression, wearing a wine purple gown underneath her black cloak.
She's holding a fluffy looking knitted white cardigan to me.
"Nana made this personally while I was travelling as my past time, I thought you'll look cute in this Thea." she said fondly as I hug her and the cardigan which made her aura intensify yet never affected me badly unlike in my past life.
It makes me so happy too.
I'm glad I was awaken before she distance herself away.
"I love it very much, thank you nana!" I said genuinely, as she help me put the cardigan on and I feel warm wearing it.
It's already close to fall, Wisteria is up the north so the weather is cold even with the sun shining so brightly, good thing the plants never wither with the magic and how great our gardeners works on helping me keeping the plants alive and healthy.
And we have a magic here enough to provide warmth to the grand duchy but it's still a bit chilly.
"My granddaughter is so lovely, you have no idea how much Rhea is envious of me every time she sees you." she gushed fondly, talking about the empress dowager who become a great acquaintance to me and almost like a grand mother to me too.
"I'll make sure to bring this with me at the academy." I said as she groan in sadness suddenly even her aura quickly switch to bluish pink.
"I'm sure my granddaughter will do well, Dritan will look after you there so there wouldn't be an issue, if anything bother's you there just call for me and I'll go there, and don't worry about the Sectre, you've been doing well with your mana lately." she sighed as I hummed nodding.
I'm already 12, age to respond to the academy's request for me to try the Sectre.
I've been doing well with my mana that I can control my affinity of aura better, I've read the grimoire owned by my mother that I've found before, after awakening, I practice my aura affinity and found out that I could control spiritual energies around me, not only I can read auras, but their thoughts and actions of beings, I can now project a protection barrier and attacks by using the auras surrounding me from a person or an object that has aura.
I can conceal my own aura and detect someone, and I can sense disease or illness and heal it with a light affinity, something that I've been hiding and only my father, Wendy, Madame Zola, Sir Ulysses and my grandmother are aware of.
I can understand animals and plants too.
I can mimic someone's ability through visuals and using the aura to create any shape or form of whatever their magic is.
It's like elemental but they can't read auras of other people, they don't see intentions clearly as much as I do, and they can't control the spirits.
I can only restrict myself and was assisted by my grandmother and father when I was studying the book and my affinity.
I acquire water affinity too so that means I only have 3 which are aura, light and water.
I'm already at this point in life, I just have to keep myself alive and I'll live with my family peacefully.
I'm sure the family of Birsha are now finding a way to get closer to the grand duchy, they're struggling even more with my grandmother's presence who's not a fond of them too.
"The Grand Duke has arrived!"
I look at the window of my study room, seeing my father entering the castle.
"He's here, let's go." my grandmother said as I fix the end of my black close neck square collared high waist long sleeved floor length pleated ruffled dress with a ribbon in the middle where my insignia is attached and a few lace details, I'm glad it's made of velvet which is thick enough for this weather, much better with my grandmother's hand made thick cardigan I'm wearing, I'm even wearing a combat boots, it's that cold for me.
We headed out, Wendy following behind while Doris and Gilbert is waiting by the door to bid farewell again.
The last time I went to the capital was when I did the awakening ritual, and I returned to the grand duchy here in Wisteria and have some professors from the academy tutor me, they volunteered themselves and they don't have a bad intentions, and dad wasn't comfortable to let me go to the academy until he's sure enough I can go.
I've grown even more closer to the people here in Wisteria, especially my family, even though my brother can only visit home every holidays, that's the best he could do, their trainings and studies must be so though for him to lazy around whenever he's at home.
I'm glad I'm staying close to my brother, wherever his dormitory is, he's with the scholars so I'm sure it will be alright since I heard I'll be staying on a separate wing next to theirs, Sir Ulysses and Sir Orion are now my official guard after both willingly volunteered as soon as father was to appoint some company for me.
And Daisy, the servant I've grown close but last seen on the capital will be accompanying us too along Wendy to assist me.
I've decided to not have someone my age to follow me in the academy around after my father feel reassured enough that I can counter attack any offensive magic with all the trainings he made me do.
"Daddy!" I greeted the man and dash to jump as he catch me with a chuckle and lift me up without a problem which made me squeal and laugh, hugging him tightly while he's carrying me.
"I was just out to make sure the carriage is casted with protection spell." he said kissing my forehead.
The servants are already less scared of my grandmother, father and brother after they got used to seeing them soft to me, at least some people knows they're just a human too no matter how powerful and influential our family is.
"My lady, don't forget to wear a coat in this season all the time, Wendy already learned your favorite dishes and have a copy of recipe for it to be handed to the mansion's chef." Doris said as I oh and nodded.
I really like the grand duchy chef's cooking, they're curated to our taste.
"I'll come back every end of semester Doris, it wouldn't be that long." I said reassuringly, they all look sad but happy to hear it.
I was led by my dad and my grandmother at the carriage, we all rode inside while Wendy took the other carriage with the my grandmother's assistant, Madame Farah who has a brown hair and blue eyes, the luggage bags are on top of their carriage too, making sure everything is there.
We left the Wisteria with two carriages and some of selected knights with Sir Rupert, Sir Ulysses, Sir Orion and 10 other more shadow knights.
My father hold me tightly as we pass the gateway, shutting my eyes tightly, I feel the energy from it but it wasn't as bad as before, I just feel a little dizzy.
"Anything hurts?" my dad asked as I shook my head and he sighed in relief, patting my back.
The last time we used the gateway it didn't end well and travel manual for a week straight when we went back home to Wisteria.
It's my second time using it.
"You did well, our Thea." my grandmother coax as my dad put me next to my grandmother as I open my eyes and take a deep breath while she stroke my hair gently.
"Mother, aren't you going back to the Levori soon?" my father asked and my grandmother sigh rolling her eyes annoyed.
"I do have to settle the issue the black onyx mine, but I have to stay here at the capital for a bit, Rhea- I mean, the empress dowager was asking for my presence when she heard about our Thea taking part on attending the Sectre."
"I see, I will take her with me after, we will take a stroll around the city before we all get busy." my grandmother said as I look at the window and looking at the full blooming roses around while there are dried leaves falling from the trees on the way.
It's a beautiful sight, the gate of the empire looks new again, it's a busy day.
The imperial guards confirmed our presence, paled when they saw my grandmother and my father with me in the carriage.
I'm glad I can control my senses and avoid the scent whenever I want to just like right now, they're filled with fear and some have full respect.
I'm sure we look intimidating enough, we're wearing dark clothing and the only thing that looks harmless is me in my big white fluffy cardigan over my black dress.
We were let pass the gate, driving pass the other carriages as we enter.
It only took awhile till we reach the Grand Ducal castle, my second time being here.
The carriage stop and father open the door himself, getting out first, my grandmother followed and assisted by my father who afterwards help me off the ride.
"Welcome back to the capital, your graces and our lady." Albert greeted wholeheartedly without a fear with Madame Zola who smile brightly with Daisy who looks so excited.
"I'll be staying here for long, I hope the people get use to it." my grandmother said while holding my hand.
"We have to go to the imperial palace soon, we'll be back around afternoon." my grandmother said, as I hummed and we enter the castle keep.
"Nana." I called as her aura blooms to bright pink and stroke my hair.
"Let's get ready so we can have an afternoon tea together with the empress, it's a mandatory gathering for the elders but she personally asked me to bring you." she said fondly as I smile brightly and nodded as she let go of me and call for Madame Farah to follow her with a couple servants attending my grandmother to her room.
The servants started putting in the bags up to our room while dad sighed and crouch down to my level.
"If someone tries to offend you what do you say?"
"How much do you value your life?!" I chanted laughing as he chuckled patting my head while the servants stifle a laugh, most probably because I look no near intimidating, but I can tell some are cautious and still feared what I just said.
"I have to attend the meeting with the magistrate, I'm going to the palace to the emperor later." my father stated to Wendy who quickly bowed and he left and go outside quickly.
"Let's tidy you up a bit my lady." Wendy said as I nodded and go with her and Daisy following us.
We catch all catch up, while Wendy assisted me to the bathroom to clean up and all then help me change in a close neck white lantern sleeves sheath pleated chiffon dress with collaret and lace edges, lace layered skirt that reaches the floor with sky blue with gold embroidered high waist jacquard skirt as a layer.
I switch to thick white tights and comfortable combat boots which is hidden enough under my dress, I put on my white fluffy cardigan that my grandmother gave me earlier, putting my insignia pin on my neckline and my long silver wavy hair was only tied half in twisted crown braid, and a black onyx tear drop earrings on my ears.
"Thea." my grandmother entered my room with Madam Farah, both dress up.
My grandmother looks younger than her age, no one would know she's already nearing 60's if she wasn't known in the palace as the dowager grand duchess.
She's wearing close neck black lantern long sleeve tucked in a black velvet mermaid tail shaped floor length skirt with navy blue silk layer underneath that can be seen at the ends of her dress, her insignia is on her neckline too but she have her salt and pepper-ish midnight blue hair in a classic low bun and a black laced wide brim hat.
She have her gold tanzanite clock necklace on and paired with tanzanite teardrop earrings, she have a red rouge on her lips.
She look so intimidating yet so elegantly beautiful, no wonder why my late grandfather chase after her even with her being labeled as the leader of the dark mages.
Madam Farah on the other hand have a boatneck gray long sleeves shirt high waist velvet floor length dress with gold and emerald jewelries on and a gray large side hat with white lace adorn it, her brown hair is in a low bun.
She's not a normal assistant, she's a business woman and a close aid of my grandmother, and she's very kind and beautiful too.
But underneath that sweet looking exterior she was a knight of the grand duchy, granted as a Baroness after all her success, she made a name for being a smart business woman and is devoted to my grandmother like they're sisters.
"Wendy, change your clothes quick." my grandmother said as Wendy bowed and rush out of the room while my grandmother grab a white straw hat with sky blue and white laced ribbon adorn with gold embellishments which was made to be paired with my dress.
Daisy help my grandmother put it on me and smile in satisfaction.
"You're Daisy, right?" my grandmother asked which made Daisy bow quickly.
"Yes your grace, I've am assigned to serve Lady Althea, I've been assisting Miss Wendy on serving my lady here in the capital the moment she first visited here, it's an honor to serve under the grand ducal family." she said gracefully yet I can tell she's nervous with her unstable aura of bright yellow, purple and pink.
"I see, I hope I don't make you uncomfortable since I would be accompanying my granddaughter here often in the capital, I'll be visiting her in the academy too in my free time." my grandmother said with a serious face but gentle tone to not intimidate the girl who bowed further.
My grandmother doesn't want me to feel uncomfortable with people being scared of her.
"I would never feel uncomfortable with you, her grace, I'm really happy to be at your service, and the people here in the castle have greatly long for the grand ducal family to visit, everyone is ecstatic as much as I am." she said genuinely as my grandmother wave her hand and Daisy immediately stand up straight with a bright infecting expression.
"I see." my grandmother said stroking my hair with a smile.
"Let's go downstairs." she said as I nodded and followed her with Madame Farah gently dust my dress a bit with a bright expression.
I smile at her brightly, she's like another grandmother to me, she doesn't have a child and only have nephews and nieces who are all grown and helping her manage her businesses, that's why she's so fond of children.
"Never lose that smile." Madam Farah mumbled as I hummed and hug her along the way making my grandmother chuckle at us fondly.
"Her grace!" Wendy rush out of her room, now changed in a white long sleeves shirt with square ruffled collar tuck in her black floor length skirt and a black long sleeves fitted coat, heir hair is up on high bun and black teardrop hat.
She have a simple gold earring and her insignia pinned on her neckline.
"That was quick, let's go before the empress dowager send an imperial knight to drag us all the way there." my grandmother joked which made me giggle when she rolled her eyes in amusement.
The four of us headed out of the castle, saying goodbye to Daisy who's beaming and gushing with Zola.
We took the carriage that we have earlier and go, off to the palace without a rest.