Nieal stretched his hand to help Irina step out of the carriage. It was only the two of them in the carriage, Roman stubbornly decided he would go to the ball after finishing his work. Lord Hernandez himself welcoming Nieal and Irina and guided them to certain crowd where Nieal was expected to join. “Gentlemen,” Nieal greeted them. “Master Danieal.” They greeted back in unison. Their eyes on Irina. “How we should address the beautiful Lady?” Asked one of them baldly. Irina and Nieal mirrored a smile. He turned to look at Irina then to the men in front of them. “Irina, these are Lord Davis,” Nieal pointed with his eyes to the man in his left, then went on to the man next to Lord Davis and the next. “Lord Garrick, Lord Ashley, and Lord Timothy.” “Lady Irina.” The lords greeted Irina. Lord Hernandez joined them with a man and a woman in tow. The man bowed to Nieal in respect manner. “Master Danieal.” Followed by the woman. “Mr. and Mrs. Aquilla from—” Nieal told Irina. He let his
The next morning, Irina woke up late. Unlike her usual morning wake up time. It was because last night she got home late, like very late. Well, she liked hanging around with Lucas, both of them enjoyed each other company and lost the track of time. Her father and Nieal stood anxiously in the veranda, both with worry expression on their face. It was almost midnight when Lucas took her home. Nieal saw them first as they approached the house, there was something menacing in his looks towards Lucas. He turned to Roman, whispering something to his ear. “I’m in trouble.” Irina thought out loud. “Indeed, you are.” Roman agreed. He pulled Irina’s wrist so she stood behind him, then turned to face Lucas. “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Roman. I should’ve asked your permission before—” “Save it!” Roman cut in. “You ill manner man. Go away! Before I call the guard and have you in prison.” Then Irina felt her wrist harshly pulled, she managed to give Lucas apologetic looks before Nieal slammed the
Irina’s scream alerted Mrs. Letty and the rest staff. They found Irina and the unconscious Lucas in no time. “What happened?” Asked Mrs. Letty anxiously. Irina panicked. “I don’t know. I swear. He fell before my eyes, he just fell. I did not—” Mrs. Letty put her hand on Irina’s shoulder, to calm her. It worked. Irina calmed, but worry still lingered in her eyes. Mrs. Letty instructed the male staff to carry Lucas to the inner office. Irina followed them. “We should call a healer.” Irina proposed when they were in the inner office. “He’s not dead, right?” Mrs. Letty amused. “I’m afraid, he’s not. No need to call a healer.” Then with reassuring smile, she continued. “I think his faint is because of the lack of sleep.” “Oh…” “I have some herbs here,” Mrs. Letty opened a second drawer on the lower table then rummaged it. She found the herbs and explained. “I’m going to boil this in a pot of water.” Meanwhile, Lucas had another weird dream in his sudden sleep. Unlike his previous co
The next afternoon, Lucas knocked on a door. He heard movement from inside the house. Someone in the inside walked towards the door to answer his knock. Thus, he waited. Master Nieal lazy expression greeted Lucas surprise looks. The master held the door half open as he blocked the house inner view with his body. “What do you want?” Nieal demanded in a way less friendly manner. Lucas didn’t expect Nieal was the one who answered the door, he thought it would be Irina or her father since it was their home. “Master Nieal.” Lucas returned Nieal’s unfriendliness with a polite tone. “I wish to see Mr. Roman.” “Alright.” Said Nieal briefly before slammed the door close. Few moments later, the door opened again. “Come in.” Nieal stepped aside. Cozy ambiance greeted Lucas when Nieal closed the door behind them. The house was clean. Nieal led him to the living room then he left Lucas alone. “Who’s here?” Lucas heard Irina’s voice drawing near. “The thief.” Replied Nieal’s voice. “Lucas?
Two days later, Lucas was doing his morning assignment in the library. He cleaned the shelves and adjusted the books order in the shelf. His hand did the work automatically, while his mind flew back to his failure attempt to touch Irina’s hand, because her guard which was the town master won’t leave them alone. Sighing, Lucas continued his work to the next shelf. A book with bright green cover was stood out among the library’s dark cover books collection. It occupied the space of the book in Lucas’s hand. Feeling a slight of déja vu, Lucas took the book and switched it with the book in his hand. “Who left this book?” Lucas murmured. As hard as he recalled, there was nothing green in library’s collection. Curious, he took the book with him, intending to read it when his break time came. Busy hour in the library made the break time came faster. Lucas hid the book under his shirt as he walked out of the library. In case the book was really one of the library’s collection, and he didn’
Sighing, Lucas jumped down. He made Irina jerk when he landed not far from her. “It’s me.” Declared Lucas. To answer the question in her eyes, while pointing his finger up, he quickly added. “I was up there all the time—” “On the peak of the tree?” Irina frowned. “Yes, I saw everything. I was too shock with why they brought you here and I’m sorry they hit you, then everything went fast when the cat came—” Lucas halted because Irina’s attention shifted to her dress. In her mind, she was busy sorting up a good reason about her messy appearance so that her father wouldn’t know she was hurt. “They already hurt you, you know…” Lucas eyed her bleeding hand. “I can heal it for you.” “That’s easy, I can wash it in the river.” “Are you sure, you want to go that far? Don’t you remember…” Lucas didn’t have to finish his words as the confident in her face turned into furrow. “Come on, I’m a wizard remember? I can fix your hand and your dress.” Reluctantly, Irina stretched her bleeding han
The next day, Irina stared at row of books that neatly arranged in the shelf while leaned lightly on a standing-shelves across it. Once in a while her eyes glanced over to the man who stood next to it with books in his arm, he was rearranging the books in the shelf. Turning around, he caught Irina was staring at him. One of his brows lifted playfully. “Enjoying the view?” “Yea… that’s why I always come, the view in here is fantastic.” Lucas chuckled. His eyes followed Irina’s hand pulled a book from the shelf. “You haven’t read that book?” “I want to read it again, or is there a law that forbid me to read the book I already read?” “No…” Lucas laughed. He thought the way she defended herself was amusing. Then he stretched his hand. “Let me help you process that book out, or do you have anything else in mind?” “Actually, I have…” Dropping his hand, he said. “Alright, I’ll leave you to enjoy the view again.” “Wait…” Irina called Lucas when he was about to leave. “That’s not what I
Chapter 19 “Are you alright?” Irina asked calmly. Having the same experience for a few times, she didn’t as panic as before. Plus, Lucas grew stronger, he didn’t faint nor in a weak condition. “Yes, just a dull headache.” Lucas rose. “It’s nothing. I’m able to stand already.” “Don’t push yourself. Let the headache gone first, then you can try to stand.” “You’re right.” Lucas sat on the ground immediately. “Now, I feel my head spinning.” Irina laughed. “I’m sorry, but you look cute.” “Cute?” “Funny, I mean you’re funny.” Irina smiled. “Too bad, I like being cute.” Lucas grinned. “Nope. You’re funny.” Irina chuckled. “Thanks, by the way…” Lucas lifted one brow. “You thank me a lot. What was that for?” “Well, this is my first time to see vast sea with my own eyes.” “Really?” Lucas was astonished while Irina gave him a nod as a respond. “Let me guess, your knowledge of beach, sea, and even ocean is from books?” “Yea…” Replied Irina sadly. “Hmm…” Lucas shifted his attention to