CHAPTER 1: FORCED PATH

“Young Miss! Please head down to the dining hall for breakfast” I heard the butler called. I am almost done fixing myself, I only need to put my perfume on. After a while, I headed my way to the dining hall. “Good morning mother, father!” I greeted as I sat down on my chair. As the head of the family, father seats on the center with mom on his right and I’m on his left. “Do you know what day it is?” father asked as the servants place food on the dining table. I tried hard thinking what could be special about this day. It isn’t my birthday nor my parent’s. I started feeling anxious, my father would scold me if I don’t answer him correctly. What could it be? What’s the thing my father would talk to me about? Could it be…

“Is it about the upcoming Magic Exam?” I tried hard not to stutter so I wouldn’t look scared nor ignorant about the news. “Yes! Today, you will go to the capital and register for the examination. I trust that you can do it on your own? There would be a 10-day training before the actual exam, you’ll be staying at the capital for a long time, I expect you to be chosen as the next Magic Queen. Do not disappoint me. Understood?” I looked down on my plate, nodded and spoke the words that my father would only accept, “Yes, father”, he never accepts a no for an answer, especially from me. “Good! Let’s eat!”.

After the breakfast, which I did not enjoy, our butler followed me to my room. When were in front of my room, he opened the door for me and instructed me to pack. “Young Miss, the Master instructed that you should start packing your necessities. I suggest for you to bring only those important things. You do not need to bring a lot of clothes, there are a lot of luxurious clothes at the capital that you can buy from. I wish for your safe journey Young Miss. That’ll be all” I nodded and smiled at him before entering my room. He closed the door behind me as I lay down on mg bed.

Magic Exam? I’m scared to do it. But my father would probably disown me if I fail him. I got up and started arranging my things. From my undergarments to my hygiene products. I also packed three bottles of my favorite Midnight perfume. I also packed the most comfortable clothes I can find, I can buy clothes at the capital but it won’t hurt to bring a few spares.

“Young Miss! Young Lord Aeolous is at the receiving area, he is asking for permission to go here. Should I lead him here?” I heard a servant shouting at the other side of my door. Aeolous is my boyfriend, it was like an arrange relationship because unfortunately my parents also control my relationship with the opposite gender. Although I don’t necessarily hate that they forced me into a relationship. Aeolous is a really nice guy and I kind of like him too. “Yes please!” I shouted back. If my parents hear me shouting, they will probably stitch my lips together.

“Eleina! I missed you! It’s been few weeks since I last saw you” Aeolous pulled me for a hug which I returned dearly. “I missed you too! Yes, it’s been weeks. Last night, father told me that your family came back yesterday. How were your relatives?” Aeolous, together with his family, visited their relatives on another city here on Magic Kingdom. “They are all fine. I enjoyed it so much but I am sure it’ll be more exciting if you were with me. Next time, I’ll ask your parents if they could let you come with me and my family”, I smiled after hearing his words. I like Aeolous but I am still not completely comfortable around him. Especially when he mentions that we will live together when we grow old. I like him but I just can’t see myself marrying him.

“Oh! By the way, the reason I’m here is because just like you, I’ll be taking the Magic Exam this year too. I left my baggage in the receiving area since it’s a hustle carrying that heavy thing all the way up here. Are you done packing?”, it did not surprise me that I’ll be with him in the capital, after all, both our parents agreed on marrying us off if none of us becomes the next magic ruler but of course, my parents would want me to become the next magic ruler on top of all, they’re just making sure to build different paths for me. I love my parents but most of the time, they’re just too much for me.

“Yes, I’m done. Can you wait here for a while? I still need to change; I don’t want to travel in these clothes”. The clothes I’m wearing right now are really pretty and all but its not the right clothes for travelling. First, this dress is a bit heavy. Second, this dress is fancy and sparkly and third, my mom will ground me if I ruined the dress. The capital is too crowded, I can’t risk dirtying and ruining it so its better for me to change. “Yeah sure! Take your time” I smiled at him and went to my walk-in closet.

Just like other royal family members, I own thousands of clothes. My walk-in-closet is almost the same size as my room. I picked a plain white long-sleeved polo shirt and partnered it with a black knife-pleated skirt. I went to my shoe closet and got a black combat boots. Finally, I went to get a black leather jacket.

“As always, you look gorgeous!”, Aeolous complimented as soon as he saw me went out of my closet. “Thank you!” I politely replied. I went to where I place my bag and get but Aeolous grab it too making me look at him. “Let me carry it. I believe that man always carry the heavy stuffs”, well not for me at least. To me a man should let a women become stronger and not treat her as weak. I may not have the courage to go against my parents but I have the strength to carry my own bag.  But I don’t want to offend him so I just let him be. It wouldn’t hurt me if I let him carry my bag.

“So… where we off to now? Your father’s office?” he asked smilingly. “Yes. I must let them know that I’m heading off” or else I would be scolded. I must always let them know my whereabouts and my activities, I also need their approval before doing something. That’s how controlling they are to me.

We went to my father’s office, he spends most of his time in his study room doing paperwork. I knocked at the door three times to let my presence be noticed. “Come in” I heard father’s voice. I slowly opened the door and went inside.  Aeolous followed behind me and closed the door when he got in. “Good day Sir! I am here for Eleina”. Father who was busy doing something on his table, looked front to see us. “Oh! Its you two. Are you here to bid farewell, my daughter?” he asked. I never go here unless it’s important so it’s not a surprise that he knew why I was here. “Yes father. Aeolous and I are on our way to the capital. Where’s mother?” I asked, I still need to bid my farewell to her. “Your mother is out doing important errand for me. But she already knows that you’ll l eave today. I’m sure she wishes for your safe journey. I do too. Now don’t waste time and get on you heels. The earlier you leave the faster you’ll arrive” I sadly nodded at him, feeling a little disheartened that my mother left. She knows well that I’ll leave today. Can’t she wait for me to leave before she goes to other places or she could have visit me to my room and said goodbye. But then again, she must be doing something really important, more important than her child. “My child, I just want you to know that you and Aeolous will go to the capital alone. There will be no butler no servants who will go with both of you. I trust that both of you will be responsible and acct accordingly” father reminded both me and Aeolous. That made me a bit excited, it means that I will have a bit of freedom in the capital. “Yes father. I shall get going now” I looked at him, waiting for his next words. “Uh-huh” just like that he ended our conversation. Slowly I retreated and head down to the first floor. Aeolous quietly tailed me. Back in the office, after greeting my father he stayed silent the whole time. My father approves him but he knows where he stands in our family. My relationship with him is just my father’s second option. Our family ranks higher than his, so, just like me, he can’t say anything against my father’s will.

“Let’s go get your bag and leave” I lead us to the receiving area, earlier he mentioned that he left his bag in there. “As you wish my lady”. When we arrived to the receiving area, I tried getting my bag from him but he insisted on carrying both our bags so I did not argue anymore, it seems like he does not fiend it heavy so I guess its okay.

Outside our home, two horses were waiting for us. I was surprised to see a horse, just horse, no carriage. I am wearing a skirt, it does not fit well with horseback riding. I sighed so much for my little freedom. I looked at Aeolous who went near his horse. He hangs my bag on the right hooked on the horse’ saddle and his bag on the left. His horse is named Lupin, a brown horse. I remembered him asking his parents for a cremello horse with a black mane but they gave him a brown horse instead. It was really funny since he looked really embarrassed. He promised that he’ll carry me to a black maned cremello horse but it did not happen, he did that because when I was little, I wished to ride a black maned cremello horse, which is a rare color for horses. I chuckled at the fragment of memory I remembered.

I went to Gilda, the horse that I owned but seldomly rides on. She is a white horse with silver like mane, which is also rare for a horse. “Hi, I guess… today… I’ll be with you more often. How does that sound? Do you like it” Gilda nickered after hearing my words. I felt glad upon knowing that Gilda liked the idea of being with me.

I climbed up on her back and looked at Aeolous to check if he was ready to go, and he was. I looked at our mansion one more time before I started riding the tracks. Aeolous followed right after.