OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, Magnolia had slowly been able to control her powers. She could finally call upon her magic without having to get angry first.
Daniel had found an abandoned building about an hour ride from the castle. There was nothing around, so Laya went all out while training the duchess.
It was quite exhausting for Magnolia though, especially that her mind was restless about her family. She felt a tightness in her chest every time she thought about them.
"Would you like to go for a ride, Laya?" Magnolia asked with a hopeful voice.
"You do realize that we ride for two hours every day to that Gods forsaken place Daniel found for us." Laya expressed her dislike of that secluded building every chance she got.
"I was thinking that maybe we could take a break from training today and visit a nearby town," Magnolia suggested.
Laya pondered the idea for a moment then smiled. The duchess had already made great progress. "I think that's a great idea, we have been working hard for days."
Magnolia beamed.
The two women had gotten closer over the past two weeks. They had been spending every day together, so it was bound to happen. Laya confessed that she had no interest in Daniel and that he was like a brother to her.
She had told Magnolia about the man she was madly in love with and the sad tale of how he was killed right in front of her on their wedding day.
He was the reason why she had decided to join the army and become a mage. She had made an oath to herself at her lover's grave that she would never give her heart to anyone else until the day she died and joined him.
Magnolia almost hugged her when she heard her story. She was sad, compassionate, but also found a new respect for the woman. She was not sure what she would have done in her place.
Laya also made her laugh and told her stories about Daniel. Stories that she was sure he would have never told her about. She really liked Laya and was sure they were friends. She was proud of herself for making another friend.
"I believe our definition of nearby is different." Laya grunted. "Where the hell is this nearby town? We have been riding for three hours."
"We're going to Hamelsta," Magnolia confessed.
Laya was silent for a moment, as if she was drawing a map in her head to figure out where they were going.
"Are you serious?" she shrieked, making her horse neigh. "Shh, sorry boy." She patted his neck. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Magnolia could feel her companion glaring at her back, she felt a bit guilty for not telling her, but she was also a bit amused.
"I knew you wouldn't come if I had told you."
"Damn right, I wouldn't have."
"I just…" Magnolia went silent for a moment.
She had told Laya a little about her past, omitting everything related to her real family background. Not that she did not trust her, Daniel had said that he trusted her with his life, but he also said to wait until they knew more before revealing anything to anyone.
"It's the home I grew up in, I barely remember anything from back then." Magnolia looked back at Laya with pleading eyes and a desolate smile. "I was hoping you could help me with an enchanted door."
Laya watched Magnolia ride in front of her for a moment. "Well, we have already come this far, I might as well take a look. Daniel asked me to do it at some point anyway."
Magnolia beamed back at her. "Thank you."
They only stopped for a break once and arrived at the Gottanlich estate in the late afternoon.
They tied their horses as Magnolia whispered sweet words in Thunder's ear and patted his neck. Then, she walked into the ruins with Laya in her heels.
The mage noticed the little marble on the floor that had survived. Even though most of the wallpaper was gone, whatever was left showed how glorious this castle must have been in the past.
She knew that the only explanation to Magnolia's magic was that she was a pureblood, but she could not explain how. She decided to wait for her new friend until she was ready to share more about her family instead of letting crazy ideas fill her mind–like Magnolia being an illegitimate child of nobles who could not marry for some reason.
"It's in the cellar room," Magnolia uttered, bringing Laya back from her swirling thoughts. She followed her until she came to a halt. "In my memory, only someone from my bloodline could open the door."
She took out a dagger and quickly cut her thumb, not even blinking twice. Magnolia drew a cross on the brick she remembered, but just like last time, nothing happened.
"I have no idea why it doesn't work anymore," she said with an exasperated sigh.
"Let me take a look."
Laya took a step closer to the wall and placed both palms on it. She closed her eyes as she started using her powers to sense any magic in the old dark bricks.
"Oh my," she uttered with her eyes still closed. "This is some really old magic."
Magnolia watched with anticipation. Her hands were sweating, and her heart was beating faster by the second.
Laya finally opened her eyes and twisted back to face her.
"So?" Magnolia urged.
"Someone changed the spell about four or five years ago."
Magnolia blinked her eyes at her a few times. 'Four or five years ago? I was married to the baron.'
"Impossible, I'm the only survivor."
"I can't see clearly who it was, but I am sure it was someone who shared your blood," Laya explained. "As you said yourself, only your bloodline descendants can use this spell, or alter it in this case. Not even I can do that."
Magnolia stared at her as chaos exploded in her head. Just the possibility of a relative surviving the incident knocked the wind out of her lungs.
She wanted to smile and cry at the same time. Laya sensed her turmoil, so she took a step closer to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's ride to the town inn and have a warm meal and comfortable beds. Nothing better than a full belly to clear your mind."
Magnolia opened her mouth to speak but Laya held her hand up.
"Don't even think that I didn't notice the extra blankets you had packed, I know exactly what you're going to say." She shook her head. "We're not spending the night here, an inn is the least you can do for me after dragging me all the way here."
The mage crossed her arms in front of her chest and Magnolia knew that there was nothing she could say to change her mind.
"Can we at least come back tomorrow before riding back to Salicera? I really feel like I am missing something."
"Sure, after a nice filling breakfast."
Magnolia sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how you survived the war with the little food they give soldiers."
"That is how I became friends with a duke." Laya's laugh echoed through the dungeons. "Did I ever tell you that story?"