I had made up my mind—I must meet the mage today. With the tea party looming and the rumours about me swirling among the nobles, it was no longer a matter of choice but necessity. If I failed to make an impression, I'd be the subject of ridicule, and worse, there would be no hope of restoring the Rosamund family's standing. The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on me, but I knew what needed to be done.
The next morning, as I was preparing to leave, Madame Rosamund intercepted me in the corridor, her grip firm as she caught me by the arm. Her eyes, usually so composed, were filled with an uncharacteristic concern.
"Mielle, you must promise me to be cautious," she said, her voice low and urgent. "The nobles are eager for any excuse to drag your name through the mud. Whatever you do today, stay away from dubious places. One misstep, and they'll have all the ammunition they need to twist the truth even further."
I nodded, feigning compliance as my mind raced ahead, already planning my next move. I knew full well that I was going to disregard her advice, but it was better she thought I was being obedient. I forced a reassuring smile. "Of course, Madame. I wouldn't dare put our position at risk."
She studied me for a moment longer, searching for any sign of deception, before releasing my arm with a sigh. "See that you don't. The Rosamund name cannot withstand another scandal."
Once she was satisfied with my response, I hurried back to my room. As soon as I entered, I signalled for Beatrice to follow, closing the door behind her. The moment the door closed behind us, I began stripping off my fine clothes.
"The mage—did you find out anything?" I asked, my voice a whisper despite the closed door.
Beatrice nodded, her expression serious. "I've heard whispers in the market. There's talk of a mage, an elf, who can do what no one else dares. But, Lady Mielle, the places where these rumours originate are not safe. They're the very places Madame warned you about."
"It doesn't matter," I replied, my voice firm. "We have no other choice. If I'm to silence these rumours and secure our future, I need that mage."
Beatrice hesitated. Finally, she sighed and gave a reluctant nod. "Very well, my lady. But we must be careful."
She opened the walk-in closet and began pulling out several of my simpler dresses. But none of them seemed appropriate for the task at hand.
"No," I said, shaking my head as I surveyed the options. "Fetch me something plainer. I can't risk being recognised where we're going."
Beatrice paused for only a moment before leaving the room. She returned quickly, carrying a plain, modest dress—the sort of garment that could easily belong to a commoner. I realised it was likely one of her own.
I quickly changed, the rough fabric a stark contrast to the silks and velvets I was used to. Beatrice did the same, dressing herself in a similarly simple outfit.
As I stood before the mirror, adjusting the plain bonnet over my hair, I barely recognised myself. Gone was the noble heiress; in her place stood a girl who could easily blend into the background of any crowded market. It was exactly what I needed.
"Are you sure about this, my lady?" Beatrice asked softly, her worry evident in her voice.
I turned to her, my eyes determined. "I have to be. We need something extraordinary for my debut, Beatrice, and this mage might be the only way to get it."
She nodded, though the concern didn't leave her eyes. Together, we left the estate, slipping out through a side gate to avoid any prying eyes. The streets were busy, as they always were in the mornings, but we kept to the shadows, moving with purpose toward the less reputable parts of the city.
The further we walked, the narrower the streets became, and the grand buildings of the noble district gave way to cramped, dimly lit alleyways. The air grew heavier with the scents of smoke and unwashed bodies, a stark contrast to the fresh, floral perfumes of the upper city. I kept my head down, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of the mage.
We wandered through several alleyways, each one more desolate than the last, but found nothing. Doubt began to creep in—had the rumours been just that? Mere whispers with no substance?
The day wore on, and with each hour that passed, my frustration grew. We had scoured the alleys and enquired discreetly with the few vendors and passersby who seemed approachable, but there was no sign of the elusive mage. My nerves were fraying, and I could sense Beatrice's anxiety mounting as well. Madame Rosamund's warnings echoed in my mind, but I couldn't turn back now. Not when I had come so far. But just as I was beginning to lose hope, a commotion drew our attention.
"Get outta here, you good-for-nothing elf! Sleeping off your debts here won't make them go away!"
Up ahead, the door to a rundown pub burst open, and a young elf was roughly thrown out onto the cobblestone street. He landed hard, a grunt of pain escaping his lips as he hit the ground. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving him alone on the street, clutching his side in obvious discomfort. His clothes were dishevelled, and a dark bruise was already forming on his cheek.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, until I saw the elf close his eyes and murmur something under his breath. To my astonishment, a soft, glowing light began to emanate from his hands, and as I watched, the bruises and cuts on his body started to fade, healing almost instantly.
A mage. He was a mage.
Mages were rare in the Aqalia Empire; their talents were often coveted and feared in equal measure. For one to be here, right in front of me, was more than I could have hoped for.
Without a second thought, I rushed forward, my heart pounding with excitement and urgency. "Wait!" I called out, my voice trembling slightly as I approached him. "Are you the mage from the rumours?"
The elf looked up at me, surprise flickering in his eyes as he quickly extinguished the light from his hands. For a moment, I thought he might run, but something in my expression must have convinced him otherwise. He stayed where he was, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Who's asking?" he replied, his voice tinged with wariness.
I kneeled beside him, my pulse racing. "Please, I need your help. If you're the mage they talk about, I need to know. There's something I need you to do."
The elf studied me for a long moment, his gaze sharp and assessing. Then, with a small nod, he finally spoke. "I might be the one you're looking for. But what you're asking for won't come cheap."
"I'm prepared to pay," I said quickly, not wanting to lose the opportunity. "Whatever it takes. Just tell me you can do it."
The elf gave me a once-over, his lips curling into a faint, sceptical smirk. "You?" He scoffed, shaking his head slightly. "I don't think you can offer what I'm looking for."
It was only then that I glanced down at myself, realising with a jolt how dishevelled I looked. My once-pristine dress was now smeared with dirt and dust from the day's relentless search, and my hands, which had once carried the sheen of polished nails, were grimy from navigating the narrow, filthy alleys. For a moment, I felt a flash of embarrassment, but I couldn't let that deter me.
I stood up, drawing in a deep breath to steady myself. "My name is Mielle Von Rosamund," I said, forcing my voice to remain calm and steady. "I'm not here to deceive you. I simply require your help, sir."
His gaze shifted to Beatrice, who stood a few paces behind me. The elf's eyes narrowed as he processed my words, his suspicion still evident, though there was now a hint of something else—curiosity, perhaps?
He sighed, wincing slightly as he pushed himself up from where he'd been leaning against the wall. "Help, huh?" He shook his head, his expression a mixture of resignation and intrigue. "That usually means trouble for someone like me, but..."
He trailed off, his eyes locking with mine as he seemed to weigh his options. After what felt like an eternity, his gaze softened ever so slightly. "You're either very brave or very foolish, Lady Rosamundd said, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. "But I suppose I could at least hear you out."
Relief flooded through me. I nodded, glancing at Beatrice to ensure she was ready to follow. Together, we walked down the alley, deeper into the shadows, with the elf leading the way. I couldn't help but wonder if I had just made a terrible mistake—or if I had found the key to saving my future.