Laura Hope

"What!?" Dorothy almost choked on her drink as she exclaimed.

The Hope family was the most powerful family after the Regis family. They were the only people capable of awakening the 'Eye of Hope,' which was one of the five great magical eyes.

They were well known for their natural ability to use light magic and their abnormally beautiful aesthetics. They were reclusive and only obeyed orders from the royal family.

The first daughter of the Hope family was Laura Hope. Like Amelia, she was acclaimed as one of the best young talents in the kingdom. 

She was only two years older than Aaron but she was already a grade 4 mage. She was not enrolled into the academy due to her family's reclusive nature, so she has spent her time training to master the eye of Hope.

An alliance with the Hope family was very rare and very advantageous. Possessing the power of one of the great eyes added substantially to the strength of the family.

"Yes, It's an advantageous proposition and we all will benefit from it... But there's one little problem..." Stephen cleared his throat before looking directly at Aaron.

"What problem is that, Father?" Amelia asked Stephen. She was obviously intrigued by the situation.

"The Hope family's condition is that Aaron must willingly agree to the betrothal. They will withdraw their offer of alliance if they notice that Aaron's decision to accept their daughter is forced in anyway...

...that's why I want to tell you now... Accept this betrothal wholeheartedly for the good of the family" Stephen's smiled widely to add to his already immense charm.

Formerly, Aaron would have begged to see his father smile at him like that, or ask of anything from him... But at that moment, he couldn't even muster enough interest in the matter to accept or decline.

'I don't understand... What is happening to me? This is my betrothal we're talking about. Why isn't it bothering me? Why don't I care--?' His thoughts were all mixing up in his mind and he was getting confused at the whole thing.

"Aaron, I'm waiting for your acceptance to the betrothal" His father's cold voice pierced through his thoughts and brought him back to reality. 

He turned around to look at his family. The three people who were supposed to love and cherish him. But instead they chose to make his life hell.

"I accept the betrothal wholeheartedly" he said in a toneless voice.

Stephen smiled as his two main objectives were fulfilled.

"Good. Then you can leave now"

Without another word, Aaron left the room and headed for his private chambers. He needed some time to process what was happening to him.

He passed many servants on his way to his room, but none of them spared him a second glance.

'Just another benefit of being the trash of the family... Damn it all, I...'

***

Four people sat around a wide round table in a dark room. They were all dressed in black robes, and their faces were hooded by cowls of the same colour. They were completely indistinguishable except for the different masks they wore over their faces.

There was a symbol drawn on the top of the round table, an upright sword with a serpent coiled around it biting on it's tip. 

Each person in the room also had this symbol engraved on their badges in different parts of their bodies.

"Great Leader, it seems the remaining four couldn't attend today's meeting. Well let's get started already...

...Seven years ago we found traces of the great sage near the borders of Aldesty. It was around the time of the appearance of the dark omen in the same kingdom...

... and he has not made another appearance since then. But last week, he  attacked our outpost near Aldesty and killed everyone we stationed there"

The person speaking wore a mask made in the design of a parrot with a long beak protruding from it. His voice was shrill and loud, very much like a parrot's own.

The great leader he was referring to, was lightly tapping his knuckles against the table all through his announcement. His mask was a simple blue mask with wide holes for his eyes and mouth.

"Are you absolutely positive that it is him? Was there any evidence, Parakeet?" The great leader spoke in a deep, rich baritone, but his voice was obviously lined with worry.

"Yes... There were ashes... and some bones... And some corpses burnt beyond recognition. He literally cremated them all" Parakeet replied him, purposely drawing out his words to convey their implications perfectly.

One of them chuckled as he heard this. He was the one with the biggest frame amongst them all and he wore a mask that depicted a dog's face.

"Hehe. That was the obvious result, They were weak and he was strong. Insanely strong... That's to be expected though. He possesses the Sage's Eye, that's like a total cheat. I really want to fight him and see that strength that gave our very own leader a hard time"

"Shut up, War Dog"

The great leader barked as he flinched at War Dog's words. He could clearly remember his encounter with the great sage. Even with his superior magic power and amazing techniques, all he could manage was a pathetic draw.

'Divine Sage's Eternal Flame... That damn skill. Everytime I think of it, it's as if I can feel it burning me up like that day. It could even negate my regeneration...' He stopped his train of thought. He had to think of something else to avoid that torturous memory of intense pain.

"Parakeet, any news about the omen?"

"Not really, but..." Parakeet suddenly started itching his head nervously.

"What is it Parakeet? Spit it out"

"Well, I did hear something though..."

***

DRRRING!!! DRRRING!!!

Laura Hope could hear the afternoon bell clearly as her carriage rolled towards the seat of the Regis duchy. 

She had long, straight black hair which she let fall loosely over her shoulders and beady black eyes that matched perfectly with her hair. Her skin was palish white, probably due to lack of exposure to sunlight. She was dressed in a long, slim fitted gown that hugged against her little body.

She was alone inside the carriage and that gave her enough time to collect her thoughts. Her facial expression was one of extreme calm but her mind was in disarray.

'They want me to marry an eight year old boy. What the hell will we talk about when we're together, He's two years my junior and I heard that he has no passion for magic. This is the worst possible matchup... for both of us" She sighed and gazed out of the window of her carriage. 

"Hah. I hope he's handsome though... And I hope he's not a creep. An alliance in guise of a betrothal. That's what Mom told me... Well, I'll try to get along. But if he doesn't want to, I'll simply refuse to go ahead with the betrothal and then they can all go to hell"

She fisted her hands and shook them in the air with a fierce expression on her face. She was a grade 5 mage, so she had the power to back up her words. No one would try to get in her black book because she was a mage sure to become a pillar of the kingdom when she grew up.

"Lady Laura! Lady Laura!"

She heard her name being called and she leaned out of the carriage window to see who was calling her.

It was a handsome young knight called Gerald. She and most of her high born friends had a crush on him. He was tall, with light brown hair and hazel eyes. 

She couldn't help but blush when his gaze met hers. 

'He looks really good in that silver armour and white cape... I wonder, should I ask Father to marry me to him on my sixteenth birthday. That's like...

...Aaah!!! What am I thinking about! A marriage to Sir Gerald... Like that's going to happen. After all I'm getting to meet my future husband today, and he's younger than me... What a messed up situation"

She pinched her cheeks for colour and adopted her most seductive smile.

"Good day, my lady"

Gerald greeted her while bowing his head as she was the child of his master.

"Oh, Sir Gerald. What brings you to see me? I believe we must have already entered the lands of the Regis duchy"  His head was still bowed as she spoke to him.

"Yes, Lady Laura. We crossed into Regis land a while ago and your parents asked me to inform you to make sure you are prepared to greet the Regis family immediately we arrive"

"What? Immediately? But I'm not... Ah! Won't they give me even a few minutes to rest and freshen up. This is my first visit to the people who might be my future in-laws. I need to at least make a good impression" Laura complained to the young knight who still had his head bowed.

"I'm sorry my lady, but visitors to the Regis house must first greet the lord of the house. It is a tradition that has existed for a very long time, so please be considerate..."

She smiled nervously as she realized how selfish she had been. She hoped he did not just start to think of her as a spoilt brat after listening to her complaint. She had to redeem her image quickly.

"Oh... Okay. I'll be prepared, have a nice day Sir Gerald..."

"Thank you. I'll take my leave now" She silently watched his back as his horse slowly trotted away.

'He probably thinks of me as a kid. My feelings will never ever be returned... But I promise you Sir Gerald, I'll never forget you...'