At the Principal office,
Linwood Mage Academy was one of the best Mage academies of the Anka. The numerous mages were trained to use and control their special power to help the nation from threats.
The academy was being managed for centuries by a noble family called Linwood. Linwoods are considered to be the most prominent family that focuses on serving the kingdom.
A middle-aged man was sitting behind the wooden desk with a roll of letters in his hand. He had short dark brown hair, dressed with the sophistication that brings respect for the man.
Zander Linwood, the principal of the Linwood Mage Academy. He was the eldest son of the Linwood family, carrying out his duties sincerely.
His aloof gaze shifted to the young man in front of him. There was arrogance in his conduct that every Royal member possessed. Yet he was standing in front of Zander with his hands on his back as a form of respect.
His raven hair was brushed away from his face, revealing his strikingly handsome face. He looked completely relaxed, prepared to hear the principal and also negotiate if necessary.
Zander placed the paper on the desk without showing his real emotions. It was a letter from the King of Crisal Kingdom with his royal stamp. It was a request letter on the surface. But Zander was smart to read the mild threat disguised in the form of wishing prosperity for the nation.
Understandably, the king of the crisal kingdom wouldn't like to hear the rejection as requesting was said to be downgrading for his position and the kingdom in others' eyes.
However, threatening a nation to end the trading of goods with the kingdom or hinting about the possible conflict between the kingdoms for refusal was overboard.
Considering Agost might or might not have any idea about the sealed letter content, Zander chose his words wisely.
"Prince Agost, we appreciate your kind words for us and our kingdom. We are honored that you find Linwood academy as a suitable place for your training and learning." Zander's voice was unwavering. His every word was clear and crisp without a hint of hesitation.
Agost barely nodded without reacting to those words. He anticipated the coming words as it was related to his training.
Zander continued, "The exchange between the kingdoms has to go through the kings. I apologize that I can't help you with this."
Agost had expected the rejection. So he smoothly reasoned, "Nations apart, I hope I can join as a student and have the opportunity to learn for the betterment."
Zander watched the young man who seemed to be very sincere to train with them. However, he denied yet again, "Prince Agost, you aren't a commoner but a royal from the Crisal Kingdom. Even if you are seeking knowledge, it's inappropriate for a prince to disregard your nation."
Agost's expression was slightly distorted before he flashed a faint smile without getting offended. "Principal Linwood, if the Crown Princess Eugenie could choose to follow her love over the responsibility of the Anka kingdom, how is it inappropriate for me to quench my thirst for knowledge?" He wasn't going to return to the Crisal kingdom empty-handed.
Zander hadn't expected the foreign prince to pick his wife as an example to counter him. Agost was right, Eugenie Roosevelt was the Crown Princess of the Anka kingdom. And she was his dear wife, the love of his life.
Eugenie didn't choose to ignore the responsibility of the kingdom. They wanted to protect their elder daughter and also give her the love of the family without abandoning her alone. Hence they left the kingdom in the hands of Eugenie's parents, the Queen regnant and King Consort.
Prince Agost doesn't have to know all that. However, if what Eugenie did was fair, then Prince Agost has the right to learn.
Nevertheless, Zander couldn't accept a student from a different nation unless it was ordered or approved by the King or the Queen.
Impressed by the conjecture of the prince, Zander tested the man, "Then what do you suggest, Prince Agost?"
A charming smile graced Agost's face for his halfway towards success. He was aware Zander couldn't decide his admission to the academy due to his identity so he boldly came up with a suggestion without taking advantage of his identity.
"I heard there are five amazing mages in the academy. I will duel them with your permission. If you feel I am worthy to be trained, please do me a favor by sending a letter to the King of Anka."
King Consort of Anka was responsible for inter-nation decisions while the Queen regnant took care of the nation.
Zander was yet again impressed by the young man. Not because of his confidence to face the five mages but his well-thought proposal.
Agost was well aware that the letter from Zander to the king has a higher value than the letter from the Crisal.
Then, why will Zander do a favor for a prince of another kingdom?
Hence Agost was going to prove his worth and earn the recognition.
Zander mused, "You have come prepared." The way he handled the situation by mentioning his wife and knowing the small details were clear that Agost had done his research before appearing in the academy.
Agost proudly responded, "I am a prince and a representative of Crisal." They have to be mindful of everything.
Zander nodded and pointed to the chair again, "Have a seat. My… Aide is running late today."
Agost noticed Zander wasn't irritated by his aide but a flash of joy flashed in his eyes. Anyway, Agost didn't decline and sat down.
Zander got busy with his other work. Other than the sound of papers, the room fell into absolute silence.
Suddenly Zander paused in his actions while reading a letter. His stoic face was graced with a charming smile when the hurried footsteps on the stairs suddenly halted as if the person started to float in the air to cover the rest of the distance.
The air slowly filled with the fragrance of blooms. Agost took a long silent breath that refreshed his mind. For unknown reasons, he had the urge to look at the door but he controlled himself.
Alora, who would have jovially greeted her father, noticed a young unknown man in the room, hence she addressed her father appropriately.
"Principal Linwood." A sweet yet cheerful voice floated in the air as the soft steps entered the room.
Agost could feel the presence of the lady and her actions. Without his control, his whole attention was on her while his eyes focused on nothing in front of him.
She went to the tea table and placed something on it. It suddenly fell silent before the footsteps went closer to him and his heartbeats raised.
Agost frowned at his strange reactions. He had seen many beauties, so he couldn't understand what was wrong with him. Hence he stubbornly avoided taking a glance at her.
Meanwhile, keeping the basket on the tea table, Alora picked some flowers and arranged them in the vase that was on the desk of her father.
Due to her joy in gathering beautiful flowers, her father and grandfather specially brought vases to their office room so that her delight could be doubled by decorating their rooms.
Satisfied by the flowers, Alora turned to grab more flowers for another vase when her ruby eyes met with the man's hazel eyes which were speckled with gold.
Agost was clueless about how he looked toward the lady. His eyes unnoticeably widened at the unique eyes. He felt like those pools of red were drowning him in the abyss and setting him in the red flames.
Whereas Alora felt strange as she focused on her work, feeling the curious eyes follow her.
Zander could see Agost was trying to gather himself and compose but had become a little boy out of sorts due to his daughter. It wasn't new to him, he was tired of seeing men blushing in Alroa's presence and frightened in Freya's presence. He has to see if Agost belonged to the same category or if he could face Freya.
Alora quickly brewed fragrant tea and served her father and placed a cup in front of the guest.
She stood at the side waiting for her father to try the tea. Zander picked up his cup and sipped the tea. The tension from reading the documents cooled instantly.
He was about to ask her about the new kind of tea, but a different voice interrupted him, grabbing her attention, "The tea is rich in taste and the sweetness is blended smoothly."
Well, he wasn't a little boy to run away. He took the chance to strike up a conversation and acquaint himself with the lady.
Agost moved the cup next to his thin pair of lips which slowly curled up, "The fragrance alleviates the stress and headache."
Then he looked at the lady and complimented her in his smoky voice, "My Lady, you have magic in your hands."
Alora wasn't good at receiving the flattering remarks. She forced a smile and added a nod in acknowledgment.
Zander: "…"
'Did he flirt with my daughter, right in front of me!!?'
Zander held the cup tight, trying his best to stop himself from making the tea sour in Agost's cup.
'No, my daughter brewed the tea for me. I shouldn't spoil it.' He nodded to himself, 'I will turn his cup burning hot.'