Before Zander could do something, Alora's voice came like a breeze, silencing the storming minds. "Principal Linwood, were you looking for me?" Alora had her separate room to study and do the work.
Agost heard her melodious voice. Though he was disappointed for being ignored, he was satisfied to hear her voice.
Zander kept his cup down as he nodded, "Yes, what is the schedule of five?" Five meant her sister and four friends who were talented mages.
Alora had an amazing memory, she could remember the specific details of the things that happened years ago. So she doesn't only know the names of three hundred students in the academy, but she was well aware of their magical powers, skills, and the class she had planned out for everyone.
Alora recalled the five schedules and responded, "They have only my history class. They will be free in the afternoon." Studying books all her life, she was well versed in literature, history, geography, politics of the kingdom, and music. She has learned the basics of medicine, and astronomy. All the credit to her remarkable memory. The royal etiquettes were taught by her mother and cooking was taught by her father.
Agost turned to her in shock. 'Her history class!?' He couldn't help but guess her age, 'Fifteen? Sixteen?... Not more than eighteen.' He expected her to be a student at first, then assumed she must be the aide. He couldn't believe such a little lady was a master in History.
Agost cut in, turning to Zander, "History? I wasn't aware that we have to learn about various aspects."
Zander ignored the astonishment of the man due to his intelligent daughter being the youngest master in the kingdom.
He proudly responded to Agost, "Having the special powers and skills without proper knowledge is the same as wild animals roaming in the forest.
One should know their responsibilities, learn about the past and the present of the nation for the prosperous future."
Agost smiled as he nodded. In the Crisal kingdom, the mages were shown as heroes who often ignored their responsibilities and focused on winning battles and earning titles.
He glanced at Alora who had a smile looking at the Principal. The Anka, their principles, and a young lady were too interesting.
Agost suddenly stood up but politely asked without change in his expression or body language, "If I am not putting forward a hard request, Principal Linwood, I would like to attend the history class while waiting for the arrangements." Although he sounded like a request, in reality, he was letting them know his decision without asking for permission.
'This cunning Prince. Does he think I don't understand?' Zander considered sending the prince back to his country. He was boldly following his daughter.
As if reading Zander's mind, Agost turned to Alora, "My Lady…" He flashed a tempting smile when her gaze fell on him, "I hope an extra student in the corner of the room won't be a problem for you." His voice lowered with a hint of gentleness.
Alora felt her heart skip a beat watching his smile and his eyes which were filled with curiosity and amusement. She pursed her lips and looked back at her father.
Honestly, she had no problem. Why will she have the problem? So she left the decision to her father as she wasn't aware of the man's identity.
Zander saw Agost in an awkward position as his honey words failed to work on his daughter. He couldn't be straightforward to Agost but his second daughter and the other four will break the limbs of the Prince if he dares to do something to Alora. Hence he agreed, "No problem."
Agost's ear perked up at the positive acknowledgment of the principal. Anyway, he hid his delight. "I am grateful to Principal Linwood." His one hand went behind his back and another in the front, he bowed to show his gratitude in the Crisal manner, after all, Zander was a Prince Consort.
Agost turned to Alora and imagined talking to her on the way. He pointed towards the door, "After you, My lady." He said like a gentleman.
Alora: "..."
However, she cringed at his behavior. She felt like he was trying to say or show something but she couldn't get it. Nobody ever got a chance to do those as everyone ran away at the sight of Freya.
She looked at Zander who came to her rescue. He pointed at the door, "Prince Agost, you may go downstairs and ask any of the students."
Agost's daydream crashed the second time. He could only leave, wandering the protectiveness of the principal towards the young lady.
"Father…" Alora finally said in relief and hugged him when he stood up.
Zander smiled as he embraced his daughter. He had an elder daughter who is very expressive and a younger daughter who grew up like a tough young lad. He left the house at dawn and his elder daughter missed him so soon.
Alora broke the hug and turned to the small table on the other side of the room, "Father, there are fruits in the basket, remember to eat them. If you get a headache, I will brew you a fresh cup of tea. If there is too much work, wait for me, I will complete it for you…." She nagged him for some time before running out, leaving him with a big smile.
—–––––
Prince Agost leisurely walked out and his aide quickly approached him, "Your highness, I saw Princess Freya. She is younger than I thought. You two will look amazing together."
Nineteen years old, Cyrus followed Agost from a young age. He had heard Agost convince his mother as he was going to find his love and get married. Cyrus had believed it. Thus he assumed Agost came to Anka for Princess Freya and reached the academy to meet principal Linwood to ask her hand for marriage.
Agost, who would have typically ignored the words that didn't concern him, mused recalling Alora, "Who wants a princess!?"
Honey blonde-haired, Cyrus was confused. "Then!?" He asked, scratching his head.
Lost in the thoughts, Agost didn't hear him. His mind was filled with the lady in red hair.
The pearly flawless skin was radiant as her smile. The sparkling ruby eyes could make one believe in the fairy tales narrated to the children.
Her pink lips looked so soft that they could sway the loyalty of the man. She wasn't wearing the gowns like other noble ladies but a dress that reached her knees in the front and longer at the back. Yet the dress and her elegance said she wasn't a small family lady either.
Agost's lips curled up temptingly recalling her cheeks turning pink and the long lashes batting more than usual by hearing his compliments.
Cyrus, who was surprised by his master's smile, turned to the stairs without his control. His eyes widened as an exclamation slipped his lips, "Holy Lord!!!"
Agost snapped out of his thoughts and followed his gaze. Alora skipped down the stairs and smiled at the young boy who was holding a floral crown in his hand, hiding from her. Then he cued her to go to his height.
Alora bent to the young boy's height and he put the flower crown on her head and pointed to somebody in the crowd. Then he ran away.
Agost lips twitched looking at the men using ancestral methods to court a lady. And to his bewilderment, Alora smiled and didn't remove the crown. She adjusted it as she entered a room. His eagle-like eyes searched for the man who sent the flower crown to Alora.
Cyrus, who came out of his daze, muttered, "Red hair, red eyes!? What is she?"
Agost glared at his aide who addressed the lady as an object.
Cyrus understood the gaze and quickly elaborated, "Nobody in the Anka has red hair. I have heard only witches have red hair and eyes.
Anka has a very deep and dark past with the witches. They are against witchcraft and dark magic. Surprisingly, nobody is throwing stones at the lady to kill her."
Agost clenched his fist and looked at the door where Alora entered. His expression was complex hearing Cyrus's words. He didn't feel any kind of special energy from Alora but Zander. So he was eager to know why Alora got red hair and eyes.
Whereas Cyrus worried about the different person, "Is she a witch? Will she hurt Princess Freya? Why did Principal Linwood let his daughter be around a witch?..."