A blanket was thrown over, Trace only heard the faint voice. It landed somewhere beside but not over him. His eyes were shut tight waiting for what might happen next. The footsteps sounded in the room again and stopped somewhere near.
"Is your name Trace?" Geena Swirls spoke slowly.
She sat on the sofa and looked at the boy. Anger was the exact emotion she felt but had no energy to let it out. More like, she did not want to wake Eimi. And despite not accepting it, she knew and now saw Eimi's bearing towards the young man.
"Yes," Trace spoke after some time.
He properly adjusted the blanket around Eimi. A part of the blanket even covered his legs now. By now he gave up on trying to slip out of Eimi's embrace.
"Few days ago, did Eimi come to see you," Geena said plainly.
When Trace acknowledged pain was visible in her eyes and she closed them. In one way or another it meant her daughter chose this person instead of her own mother. What if some guards were paroled outside, how could you leave an ill mother alone.
"What could you do if my Eimi was attacked. What can a mere Level 2 Sorcerer do," Geena's voice broke toward the end.
The third sequence of Level 2 was the apex for common people. Even the fate of extraordinary talents was sealed if they did not join the Federation.
Ever since Geena found out that Eimi had left her house that day, the same thought poised her mind. What could a mere Level 2 Sorcerer do. Her husband, Vince, was a Level 2 Sorcerer.
"Strength and talent is not enough," Geena said.
Oh Vince, what is happening with my daughter. Years ago I left my home to accompany you. I did not listen to mother, father only preached comfortable life. And… I didn't stop you. If we stayed there, you would still be with me and Eimi.
Genna felt like the world was playing a joke on her. Only now did she understand the pain of her mother. Instead of making her husband stay, she fought with her parents for permission to follow Vince.
Right now she felt like someone was squeezing her heart. Her husband was gone, her daughter was in a stranger's arms. It felt like the world itself had betrayed her but no strength was left in her to fight. Only a will remained to protect herself and her daughter.
"Eimi has not seen the world, I won't let her be the same fool as me," Geena said before leaving the room.
Trace wanted to say something but he neither had strength nor talent. He only looked at the distance listening to every world. For a moment Trace thought of joining the Supreme Jurisdiction Department. But then thought of the stone in Pearl Moon Market.
A desire was burning in his heart to get stronger. He was unclear about what a person needs along with strength and talent. But he could only come with one answer - coins.
Trace lowered his chin a little so that it would touch Eimi's head. He could not imagine losing this precious feeling. Trying to not think about it much, he closed his eyes meditated.
…
Eimi's thoughts were sluggish, she wanted to sleep more, unaware of her surroundings. She felt something on her head but instead swapped her face on the thing close to her face. And rubbed her legs on the support she was sleeping on.
"Mhmmm," a sound left her mouth.
It immediately broke Trace's concentration that was already shaky because of Eimi's movements. He lowered his eyes to see Eimi who was rubbing her leg on his. The warmth was getting warmer.
Eimi was dreaming about the person she was sleeping with right now. Unaware, she shifted adjusted her leg and sifted her body towards the side. It was in the direction of Trace.
In the next moment, she was on top of Trace. Her head was resting on his chest and her body flowing between Trace's legs. But the position was not comfortable so she dragged her body upwards.
Trace wanted to scream but no words came out. He wanted to cry but no tears. On top of it, he couldn't wake up Eimi right now. Otherwise, it would be difficult to meet her gaze from the next time.
It did not take long for Eimi to be wide awake. When she felt what she was sleeping on she was utterly shocked. She saw Trace who was averting his eyes
"Trace, you brat."
Eimi growled with her face all red. She picked up the blanket and repetitively smaked it on Trace's face. Despite her swirling emotions she was fairly gentle.
Soon Eimi's hands along with emotions subsided. She was still covering Trace's face with the blanket. Just for a bit, she touched her lips on the blanket before standing up and walking away.
Trace thought of it as a cue to leave and walked out of the house. But only after folding the blanket. He looked at his clothes, it was as if Eimi was still close to him. The scent was on him even after he stepped on a carriage.
…
Eimi grumpily walked upstairs and went to her mother's room. She was sure her mother had seen her sleeping with Trace. Did they speak with each other, she was worried.
Eimi had told her mother everything about Trace expect the fact that she left the house to see him this week. Her mother did not speak much thus her stance on Trace was unclear.
The door was opened and Geena was sitting on a chair. She was writing something on a piece of paper. Her health was a lot better than it had been a month ago.
"Mother, did you see Trace?" Eimi asked.
"I have made an important decision for you, Eimi. I am writing your grandpa a letter. He will find a perfect husband for you."
"What are you saying mother, I told you about Trace…" Eimi felt betrayed.
"He might be a Level 2 Sorcerer but he is younger than you. What you have is a mild infatuation," Geena's voice slowly turned louder. "Are you forgetting that Swirls clan only allows internal marriages!"