Chapter IV

The sweet chirping birds, along the faint rays of sunshine that caressed her soft porcelain cheeks were enough to wake her up— nose scrunching, with her eyes fluttering open revealing the brightest of silver optics that are pretty much rare nowadays. Stretching her stiff limbs, Clementine wasted no time into standing up from her previous position, hands now furiously searching over the stack of papers that were laid scattered on her desk table. The magician had been working throughout the whole night, figuring things out, and preparing for the event that the Celeste’s were going to host.

She was grumbling the whole time, bothered and annoyed at the fact that the king have involved her in such banquet. She never liked parties to begin with, wether it be a seriously important one or just a plain celebration of something. As a child who grew in the slumps of the kingdom of Sappherine, it angered her seeing as some people can live life to their fullest with mirth and wealth, enjoying such luxurious gatherings dressed in the finest of satin and jewels, eating exquisite dishes, dancing along the tunes of the musicians— it was all just unfair, knowing that there are others who experience and would’ve never gotten the chance to partake in such.

‘Too much for becoming a magician. . .’, she thought, still shuffling the parchments in hopes of finding the one that she had been looking for. Time was obviously running thin for her, and the silent ticking of the clock was mocking her during the duration of time. She’d have to find that paper before the hand strikes noon, knowing fully well that Aethan would be waiting for her by then.

This was one of the times wherein Clementine would’ve wished for Isabelle to visit the castle, wanting the princess to distract the prince from lashing out on her for making him wait. The neighboring princess is a huge ball of sunshine (too bright even for the magician’ to look at), and she would certainly be successful in taming the current heir of Celeste’s throne— who apparently got his temper from his late mother who died due to an illness that remained unknown.

Come to think of it. . .

Her fingers came to a halt, optics now focused outside the window that overlooked the eastern part of Celeste— Clementine have never gotten the chance to actually meet the queen, only getting some information about the royal from maids whose lives mainly revolved around gossiping. It made her curious as to know how she looked like, but pictures or even paintings of her weren’t pasted on any hall at all.

Like any usual thought that she had— the magician just brushed it all, shaking her head to direct her attention back to her unfinished work. And to her utmost gratification to the heavens above, Clementine managed to find the sheet, making her squeal in delight.

She held it delicately with her hands, puffing out an air of relief before teleporting her way in front of the king who remained unmoving on his throne at her sudden appearance. The magician had been vanishing and appearing out of nowhere most of the time, that the current ruler have gotten used to it— even finding it convenient for one to quickly appear, especially in dire situations.

“Blessings and glory to you and the land of Celeste, Your Highness”, she did a little curtsy, something that most humans do to people of high nobility, a gesture of respect that were taught to them for generations with no ends. Quite annoying in fact. “I’ve found the parchment that contains the details of what you were looking for. The previous magician have kept it as hidden as it may, although it remains a mystery whereas why”,

“Marvelous work. Still commendable for finding it within a day”, he commented, rewarding her a small clap of appreciation and thanks for doing his task and finishing it in no time. It was actually a simple order, find a certain paper from the tower, report to the king, and hand the paper to the magician— Florencius of Ellysia.

It made her guts churn in disgust upon knowing the receiver, mentally making her gag when the king gave her the mission. Florencius was a sketchy magician, no one likes him at all. Clementine would even have to bring out her best in drama just to appear friendly and comfortable to the guy, whilst she silently prayed for whoever deity out there to end her missery of having to talk to him for even a second. Alejandro often pitied her for that whenever they’d share even a damn word, too bad that Celeste chose to partner up with Ellysia and severed their alliance with Sappherine.

“I’ll send it right away to Sir Florencius, King Lawrence”,

“Good”,

Clementine smiled, silently hiding her irritation towards the ever so bland king. He had always been like that. Dull, lifeless, demanding. All sort of negativity. . .he practically bathed in them. Though, could she even blame him for being empty-hearted? As far as she knew, this mighty ruler who sat on the throne before her never experienced a happy childhood filled with rainbows and sparkles. And when he was finally able to feel the love from the woman of his life— who unfortunately grew ill as time passed by, and eventually meeting her demise.

“I’ll take my leave then, Your Highness. Blessings and glory to Celeste and His Majesty”, and with that, she walked off, choosing to exit from the doors in haste steps, wanting to get out of the vicinity and finally feel the breaking tension from earlier. Clementine gave a sigh of relief, loosening her collar for a bit, whilst she darted her gaze towards the left hall— raising a brow at the approaching figure of someone new.

She hadn’t seen him before, but he sure does give some weird vibes. Florencius version 2.0.

“Oh, greetings my lady. Are you perhaps the imperial magician of Celeste? “, he asked, rewarding her a smile that sent nothing but shivers down her spine. Clementine glared, stepping back to gain some distance from the suspicious looking person. There was something off about him for sure.

“Who are you, and why are you here?”, she practically hissed, holding in a stance in case this lad initiates an attack. This made the young man sweat drop, raising both his hands in the air, indicating that he meant no harm to anyone in the palace. He never knew that the second-ranking magician was a feisty one. Poor boy thought that she was as sweet and playful— alike that of Brixton’s description of her when they met one day.

“Apologies. I mean no ill intentions, my lady”, he replied, still holding both his hands in air to show her his innocent purpose for coming in the palace. “My name is Dominique Ridéux, a cousin of Prince Aethan from his mother’s side. I am called by His Highness for some important discussion”.

“You sound fishy. You look fishy. You literally give me a fishy vibe. . .”, Clementine scoffed, easing up (yet still alerted) by means of standing straight yet holding him on place, with her piercing glare.

“You make it sound like I’m a fish from the vast oceans. . .”, Dominique mumbled, ruffling his blonde locks with a sigh of dismay. Never had he ever thought that someone would address him or compare him to a scaly animal. But in a sense— he finds it quite endearing. He had no idea, but she caught his interest the moment she adressed him as a fish.

“Who cares?”, Clementine shrugged, turning her heels towards the other direction with a scoff, hands both balled into fists at the questionable mixed of emotions that she currently feels. It was frustrating her, any more indulgence with this boy would seriously make her pop. Thus she resorted on leaving, walking away from the place with a pondering expression pasted on her visage.

“You’re not off the hook yet. My eyes are on you. Do something evil and I’ll shred you into bits and pieces”, she threatened, glancing at him from her shoulder before continuing her steps, pace as fast as it could be whilst she let her soles to lead her to wherever place it desired.