And just like that my life was no longer in danger?
Okay maybe I overreacted when I said my life was truly in danger.
I think my fight with Duke Svarmet was actually more lethal.
Anyways time to get working. I have 6 years to work hard before the game starts, and the demons, main character, and factions get moving.
***
*Aurelia's Pov*
That boy Lucas, came to my mansion today.
I heard he was imprisoned and complained to my maid.
She thought that he deserved it. She wouldn't tell me why.
***
I watched him practice swordsmanship today. He looked a little clumsy, but not stupid.
I like the way his hair sways. It's hypnotizing.
After a while he finished and left. I think he was muttering something about magic circles.
***
My brother Matthew doesn't like Lucas. He thinks he's an upstart commoner riding the name of Svarmet.
I think he's okay. I wonder what elder brother Ezechs thinks.
***
I ran into Lucas today. He was rushing off somewhere and tripped on the stone path.
Naturally he picked himself up. I interrupted where he was going to ask what he was doing.
He said "I'm going to learn about magic circles". Weird. I thought he was a knight-in-training.
***
I ran into him again. He was reading a book in the auxiliary library. It's not like he would be able to access the main one.
He looks engrossed in the book. I wonder what it's about.
I went over and read the title 'Knights, Stars, Aura, and Mages, Circles, and Magic'.
Did he not know how it worked?
I sat down next to him and began to explain.
He listened attentively as I explained.
Knights use stars to identify level from 1 to 9. Mages use circles and also go from 1 to 9.
The type of mana used by knights is manifested as Aura. The type used by mages is manifested as Magic.
Magic swordsmen are swordsmen who have a magic background, but at the forefront swordsmen.
Close-combat mages, or Battle mages, not to be confused with combat mages, who specialize in combat magic, are mages with a swordsmanship background.
I felt he learned a lot today. He thanked me and told me it was okay to use his name to address him.
How dare he tell me what to do.
But I'll do it.
That weirdo.
***
I heard that he reached one star in swordsmanship today. Apparently he's very talented as most don't reach 1 star until 6 months pass.
I'll have to visit him to congratulate him. My mother is also interested in him now.
I wonder why.
I left my room much to the dismay of Lucy. I wanted to tell him that I was happy for his accomplishments.
My mother accompanied me.
We went down to the training grounds, with our guardian knights in tow. He was lying on the ground his shirt filled with sweat. The leather vest he wore was sitting next to him. He looked tired.
He had a towel wrapped around his neck and shoulders, but his face still had beads of sweat.
He held the towel up to his face and rubbed it.
I asked my mother.
"What do you think of him mother?"
"He's a bright young boy, and a promising knight."
"Would you like to show your favor?"
I nodded my head fervently.
"Then do as you were taught."
That's right. A noble lady attaches a tassel or handkerchief to the knights sword to show favor.
I didn't make or have a tassel on me so my ornamental handkerchief would have to do.
I called out to him, and he turned towards me. He took a knee and placed the sword in front of him, like a knight would. I felt warm.
"Lucas," I called out.
"Yes, your highness".
"Receive this with gratitude."
I shoved the handkerchief in his face.
He looked taken aback, before taking it with his hands.
"Oh my, does he not understand what that means, fufufu."
I turned red. Why does mother tease me so?
I quickly stepped back.
Lucas got another towel thrown at him.
Some knights had their heads in their hands.
Others looked amused. I was not.
This was so embarrassing. Why couldn't I have just asked him to present his hilt?
Mother placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Muuuuu....."
I buried my face in my hands so that he wouldn't see my red face.
"Look's like you've congratulated him enough. Let's return.
I nodded my head a little. I turned once more to see him before I left the grounds with mother.
I could faintly make out the knight instructor yelling at him.
"You know taking a noble ladies handkerchief while in that position symbolizes mutual love right?"
"From this point forward, interactions with nobles will be at the forefront of your literary classes."
***
He's been here for several months now and he finally reached the first circle as a mage. I wonder if it's because he lacks talent, time, or understanding.
Perhaps he lacks them all. Mother came by to ask if I wanted to come visit with her.
I told her I would visit when I was free from studying.
She left with a smile on her face, so I guess she was okay with it.
I just want to visit him without the looks of others.
The day passed quickly and it was approaching sunset.
I ran down the halls to find him once again at the training grounds, by himself this time.
He looked a little sad.
I sneaked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
He turned slowly to look at me.
His frown morphed into a smile before receding into a solemn face.
"I greet her highness."
"I told you to call me Aura when we are alone did I not?"
I pouted. Why is he like this.
"I greet her highness-"
He called out again.
That's weird why would he do that again?
"The sun of the Duchy, Alicia von Gloria Svarmet."
"Oh my, you didn't have to proceed with my entire title. It's flattering though, child."
Ah!
My mom is here!
Oh no.
I didn't. I wasn't.
"It's my behavior when no one is watching that matters most."
"What an interesting take on a knight's code."
"I believe my daughter here has something to say, so I'll take my leave now, okay dear?"
"Yes, your highness."
She didn't let me explain. I wasn't going to do anything weird okay?
I just wanted to congratulate Lucas.
"So, your highness, what did you wish to speak to me about?"
He smirked.
"I told you to call me Aura!" I exclaimed.
I stamped my foot because he was being such a weird boy.
"Pffft-"
"Don't laugh at me Luke!"
I hit him on the head.
Why is everyone teasing me?
I don't want to see his stupid face anymore.
"I'm sorry Aura, you're just to cute not to tease."
Hmph, at least he knows how to compliment me.
Wait. What did he say?
I focused back into reality and saw him smirking again.
I hit him again a few more times for good measure.
"Good. Now take this."
I pushed into his hands a brooch I made bearing our family's crest.
Mom suggested it.
He pinned it to his robe and stood up.
He reached out his hand to me.
"What should you say right now?" I questioned him.
Instead he grabbed my hand and pulled me up.
He said, "Wanna see what I can do?"
I really did. I nodded my head.
He lead me to a seat beside the training ground and began to manifest magic.
There were so many different elements. I counted at least 4 first tier spells.
I wish I could've stayed in that moment. Soon he stopped the casting.
"Aura sunset is almost over, you need to head back before we're both scolded."
Hmph I decide that not him. But I'll go because I want to. Not for his sake.
Definitely not for his sake.
***
I'm turning 13 today. Mother is taking me to the imperial capital to see the emperor for a few days. I want to bring Luke along.
She told me that he's unable to protect himself or me and therefore isn't able to.
It's okay I'll definitely spend some time with him when I get back.
I can't find my hairclip. It's my favorite one.
I could go with another but it might ruin my mood.
Naturally I ask Lucy to look for it in my room.
It's not there.
Before I get ready to walk to our portal room, I see Luke.
He's got something in his hands.
It looks like a hairclip?
It's my hairclip. But why is there two?
He said he bought me another and added his own flair.
Although my gold hairpin had nice ornaments, the silver with purple and white orchids looked nice too. He told me I left the hairpin with him, when I watched him practice last time.
I totally forgot.
I took both and followed the knights quickly into the gate.
A normal Silver hairpin isn't expensive.
But crystalized flowers aren't easy to make. They're time consuming and hard to make under the 3rd circle.
Crystalizing flowers require constant even flowing mana in a timely manner as to avoid wilted or dead petals, it also requires control as too much mana can cause the flower to shrivel or bloom more petals causing uneven petal growth.
For any 1st or 2nd circle mage maintaining a big enough mana flow for enough time is difficult as there are many without control, some do not have the focus, some do not have the mana necessary, and others lack speed.
No doubt he worked on this for a while. I'll make sure to treasure it.
***
It's the second day of my 5 day birthday trip to the capital.
Today's the day I meet the emperor.
I want to see Luke already.
This outfit is so stifling. At least it looks nice. I wonder what her would say.
Probably something like 'Look at you pretty pretty princess."
Hmph. I'm not going to show him this if he's going to act like that.
Maybe.
I met the emperor. His red hair kind of reminds me of Luke's.
Well kind of. Luke's hair could look like this if it was properly taken care of.
I should try to make his hair like this.
There's an imperial mage court located near the throne hall. I wanna see the mages there.
Father pulled me away from it though. He said I needed to meet the royal princes and princesses.
I wonder if they like magic too.
There are 4 imperial siblings near my age. There's Leo, 3rd in line to the throne, 14, and the 3rd eldest son. There is Marcus, 4th in line, 13, and 4th eldest. There's Revonia who is also 14 and 3rd eldest as well as 7th in line to the throne. And finally Charlotte, 13, like me and 8th in line to the throne.
The 4 older ones were either busy or away, and the youngest isn't allowed to leave. I heard she's pretty though. I hear she's adorable. I think I want a younger sister.
***
The third day of my trip. Father is letting me go to the mage court, but I'm not allowed to travel into the Imperial Mage Tower.
There were many kids like me in the square practicing magic. They weren't very good like Luke.
Most only had one element active. Some had 2 or 3. Some of the magic was interesting though. There was a child with space magic, and one with metal magic.
As I began to get bored, an imperial mage came to me.
"May I ask, why the Ducal Princess has come to the court?"
"I wanted to watch the magicians perform magic, but it's just the beginners learning magic."
"If I may, what would interest you?"
"Can anyone here use four magic attributes to make a picture?"
"Princess that's only available to prodigies and those in the final stage in the 3rd circle pushing up into the 4th and onward."
"What circle are you?"
"Mid rank 4th."
"So can you do it?"
"I do not hold the affinities for 4 different attributes, but I will try."
He clumsily put together a picture of me using, rocks, water, fire, and wood.
My attention was attracted by Revonia and Charlotte leaving the Tower.
I left the imperial mage who looked tired, to rest, and went to the sisters.
"What were you doing in the tower?"
Revonia answered, "We were learning."
"So you can use magic?"
"I can. Charlotte is only allowed to with adult supervision."
"Why?"
"She's not good at controlling it."
"Sister!"
Charlotte started beating her tiny fists into Revonia's back.
Cute.
(A/N - don't listen to Aurelia the hairpin was worth about 3 gold=300 silvers or 30,000 irons, based on Kelsons average weekly profit of 10 irons, its a lot of money, now onto why it costs so much well... let's leave that for the future.)