“This place, how far more do I have to walk?” Irina asked, panting with her palm against a bark of tree for support. “I thought you like walking in the forest.” Nieal chuckled. “This isn’t inside the forest yet, still the ranch area.” “Whaaaaat?” “Please don’t ask me to piggyback you. My poor back can’t survive your not-so transportable weight.” “What did you say?” “You’re heavy.” “Come again.” “You’re fat.” Irina fumed, glaring at Nieal. She looked down to the dry soil, searching for something to be thrown at Nieal. When she found a twig, Nieal had already ran. Irina ran too, chasing after him. Nieal’s laughter sounded unclear and distant, and Irina began to laugh too. Nieal slowed down so that Irina could reach him. When Nieal had a complete stop, he turned his body around to see how far Irina left behind. Turn out, Irina was not far. She looked surprised, didn’t expect Nieal would stop running so sudden. It seemed hard for her to slow down at that short distance. While Iri
Nieal leaned on the door frame of Irina’s bedroom, observing her. While Irina sat on the windowsill, looking down, she seemed absorb in her thought, didn’t know Nieal walked in closer. “Something interesting down there?” Nieal craned forward. He was standing on the other side of the window frame. Her reaction was slow. She looked at Nieal like she didn’t recognize him. “He’s a wizard, Nieal.” “Ah, so that’s what you think of.” Nieal breathed. “So what if he’s a wizard? We’re taught to be an open-minded human being, don’t cast him out just because he’s a wizard.” Irina narrowed her eyes. “I don’t mean it that way, Mr. so open mind.” Nieal chuckled at her retort as she continued. “I mean if people find out who he really is, he could be in a great danger.” “You’re worry about him.” Nieal teased. “Of course, I’m worry.” Irina snapped. “He saved our lives. We should be grateful to him.” “I am grateful. That’s why I made—” “Grateful to who?” Roman’s voice sounded from the door, start
The tailor shop was not open yet. But Irina had no other place to go, so she waited in front of the shop with butler Rhys. He was following her from the moment he saw her suddenly went out of the kitchen. “You don’t have to stand idle with me here when you have much to do.” Irina told the butler. Butler Rhys smiled calmly. “I’m here to help you carry the gown and the suits.” Irina rolled her eyes. “Unless you know something I don’t know, you are welcome to be here.” There was a surprise looks in the butler’s eyes as if he did know something that Irina didn’t. He forced a laugh. “What do you mean, Miss?” Irina gave him a stare through his soul. Her expression was unreadable, turning the butler more nervous. “I mean, I know how to carry them and how to walk home. So…” Bowing awkwardly, butler Rhys hurried back, clearly afraid if Irina threw another trap to fish information from him. To Irina, it was clear. Nieal had her followed wherever she went out of the house since the forest
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’