I was hoping to visit the town again as soon as possible, maybe even the next day, but that just wasn't possible. My mother reminded me that I had to keep working hard if I were to go there again. Both her and my father were relieved to hear nothing happened while I was out, but wouldn't let me go so soon back.
On a positive note, Alex came and visited as promised. After greeting my parents and breaking all the maid's hearts, we went to my favorite place in the garden.
"Well then, Fredrika. Let's see!" he said mocking me as he thought that my magic wouldn't be anything special. He also had air affinity, but learned to use earth and water and even little healing. He said that he wanted to at least be able to heal superficial wounds.
He smiled and appreciated how I could float the leaves and even myself. He was impressed when I showed him I can use water as well, but when I reached the final part of my show, the ice barrier and needle, he was astonished.
"Hm… You're more talented than I ever thought. I have to work harder to not fall behind you."
I was very pleased to hear that, but he was not weak with magic at all. "I think that it is I who should work harder to reach your level." I answered "I obviously heard about your school result. First in the year, and the best mage to finish the junior section the part 50 years… Not bad!"
"I think there will soon be another, stronger mage to finish the junior section." He said while smiling proudly at me. "You've worked hard!" He said and patted my hair. I was so proud of myself that I could explode. "Where is your little puppy?" he asked.
"Chopa! Chopa!" I called after him.
"You named a wolf Chopa" my cousin bursted laughing "As expected of you!"
The little puppy came out from behind a bush and began wiggling his tail at us. He is so friendly. How can he be a wolf?
"So small," Alex said "Is it a newborn?"
"I don't think so. I mean, it's been some months since I found him. He doesn't seem to grow." I answered thinking about it. "Maybe wolves grow slower than dogs."
"Quite the opposite. They tend to grow faster. They have to become really big quickly to not become prey to other animals."
"Prey?" I asked terrified. "He is always outside during the day, even when I'm not here."
"Is it really a wolf?" Alex asked, more interested now. "Maybe it's a dwarf or another kind of animal, I'll have to look it up."
We talked about what type of animal Chopa could be while eating the chocolates he brought me. In the end we concluded that he is just a lazy wolf as we didn't have proof of being anything else. He then reminded me of the next party at Spiritus, the fifth one by now (4 down, 2 to go. Yey!). It coincided with the birthday of the first prince and the royal family took the opportunity to move the party at the castle. There will be a party in the afternoon and throughout the night.
"Could I just pretend to be sick?" I asked him, thinking of how scary the first prince was in my nightmares.
"Do you think your mother will let you stay home then?" he asked with a smirk.
"Of course not." I sighted "she will tell me that I can be sick after the party and to be present at any cost. She will drag me herself out of bed and make any possible fever disappear out of fear."
"You know it's a really important party right?"
"Yeah, yeah. The more reason to stay home." It's not that I didn't like parties at all now, I mean the food is really great, but I don't want to be involved with the royal family. They could easily ruin me as in my dream. It's better to keep a distance for now.
"Will you be attending the party as well?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I have to be in the adult group. It seems that I am at the appropriate age to be included in that group now." He sighed.
"Less than two months and the serious Alex is back, right?"
He smiled a little before answering. "Well, yes. But this time there will be a very serious Fredrika present as well. And she absolutely has to visit me."
"Only if you visit me as well." I promised.
We went to dinner later, but I felt as if something was ending. I wanted that day to be longer.