The carriage swayed gently on the road back to Duskveil, with Helena and Roger Duskveil seated comfortably inside. They were chatting when the carriage made a sudden stop. Both looked out and saw Ryan approaching with a red-haired girl by his side.
Roger grinned, clearly amused. "Well, Ryan," he teased, "you brought back a girl already? You've only just left Duskveil! I thought you'd wait a bit longer."
Ryan ignored his father's teasing, keeping a straight face. "This is Scarlet," he said, his tone serious. "She's a flame witch. The villagers… they treated her like a monster because of her magic. I couldn't leave her there."
Helena's warm smile faded, and concern filled her eyes. "They called her a monster? Just because of her magic?" She glanced at Scarlet, who stood stiffly beside Ryan, looking uncertain.
Roger's grin disappeared too. His expression darkened. "Barbarians," he muttered. "Treating someone like that for their magic… it's terrible."
Ryan nodded, recalling the scene in the village. "They feared her. She's powerful, but they saw her as dangerous. She has nowhere else to go, and I knew I couldn't leave her behind."
Helena's heart softened as she looked at Scarlet. As a witch herself, she understood the pain of being feared for having magic. She felt an immediate connection to the girl.
Helena moved closer, her voice gentle. "Sweetheart, you're not a monster. Your magic makes you special. I'm a witch too, and I know how hard it can be when people don't understand. But you don't have to be afraid anymore."
Scarlet's eyes widened slightly. "You're… a witch too?" she asked, her voice small and surprised.
Helena nodded and smiled kindly. "Yes, I am. Your flame magic doesn't make you dangerous—it makes you gifted. You'll be safe with us, and we'll help you. No one will ever call you a monster again."
Scarlet blinked, clearly not expecting such kindness. The harsh words from the villagers still echoed in her mind, but Helena's warm voice was starting to drown them out.
Helena gently placed a hand on Scarlet's shoulder. "You're part of our family now. We'll protect you, teach you, and make sure you never feel alone again."
Scarlet's eyes filled with emotion. She had never known such kindness before. Though she said nothing, the gratitude in her gaze was clear.
Roger, watching quietly, nodded his approval. "You did the right thing, Ryan," he said firmly. "She's better off with us."
Ryan let out a small breath of relief, glad his parents had accepted Scarlet so easily. "Thank you," he said, glancing at Scarlet, who now sat beside Helena, looking more at ease.
As the carriage started moving again, Ryan leaned back, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Scarlet had found a new place to belong, and with Helena's understanding of magic, she would thrive in ways she had never been allowed to before.
After a six-hour journey, the carriage finally entered Duskveil territory. The rolling green fields, the flowing rivers, and the sight of the estate ahead brought a sense of comfort to Ryan. Scarlet, who had been mostly quiet, leaned out of the window, her eyes wide as she took in the sights.
She was curiously observing everything—the land, the people, the distant homes. Ryan noticed the wonder in her gaze and couldn't help but smile.
"You like it?" Ryan asked, his tone light as he watched her take everything in.
Scarlet blinked and nodded, her eyes filled with curiosity. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Ryan smiled wider. "I'm glad you think so. But for now, let's rest. Tomorrow, I'll show you around the entire territory."
Scarlet glanced at him, her expression still cautious but softer now. "Okay," she murmured.
The carriage rolled through the gates of the Duskveil estate, and soon, they settled in for the evening. It had been a long journey, and Ryan knew both he and Scarlet needed time to rest.
The next morning, as promised, Ryan took Scarlet on a tour of the Duskveil territory. The sun was shining, and the air was fresh as they walked through the estate grounds.
Scarlet, though still shy and quiet, seemed more at ease as they explored. Her eyes wandered, taking in the gardens, the marketplace, and even the training grounds where the knights practiced their swordsmanship.
"Over here is the training field," Ryan explained as they passed by. "Our knights train here. Maybe one day, you'll show them your flame magic." He grinned teasingly.
Scarlet's cheeks flushed slightly, but she gave a small smile. "Maybe," she replied softly.
Ryan, with his more mature mindset, found it easy to talk to her, even though she didn't say much. He understood her quiet nature and didn't push her to speak more than she wanted. Instead, he kept the conversation light, pointing out things of interest as they walked.
By the afternoon, they had toured most of the estate, and Ryan could tell Scarlet was beginning to feel more comfortable. Though still reserved, she seemed fascinated by her new surroundings.
As they walked back toward the estate, Ryan glanced at her. "You're settling in, aren't you?" he asked, his tone encouraging.
Scarlet hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yes… it's different. But it feels good," she admitted quietly.
Ryan smiled, satisfied. "I'm glad. There's still a lot more for you to see. And you'll get used to it all soon."
Scarlet gave a small nod, and though she didn't say much, Ryan could tell she was starting to trust him. Step by step, she was beginning to open up. And with time, he knew she would grow even more confident.
As they returned to the estate, Ryan felt a sense of accomplishment. Scarlet was beginning to find her place, and he knew they were on the right path.
to be continued...