40 Chapter 26: A Few Years Later

A Few Years Later:

The wheels of the carriage heading towards the front gates of our manor clacked softly, as they it was announcing the important arrivals of specific people. I ran as quick as possible with my heavy skirts swishing side to side, brushing against the stone floor. Mother and Father walked behind me, with amused expressions at my puppy-like joy.

The servants raised an eyebrow at my rare lack of elegance before respectfully lowering their heads and opening the metal gates for me to get closer to the carriage. The carriage halted and the door opened, and black, glossy shoes stepped onto the stony pavement.

In a flurry of quick clacking from my heels, I flung myself on the person walking closer to me,

"Luke!" I grinned happily, lifting my head to face my very surprised brother as he struggled to hold me and not to fall over.

As he regained his balance, he ruffled my hair.

With ease, he lifted me and spun around as I shrieked in shock. There definitely weren't muscles on his arms a few years ago.

"Have you been well?" Luke grinned with unbridled glee before slowly putting me back done.

A clacking of shoes hurried against the pavement before someone spun me around to face them.

"Don't forget about meee!" Easton wailed in mock sadness before grinning and saluting me, "I'm back General Ivory!"

Easton's black robes swished around as the wind rushed through our fingers, and a single, large purple gem was embedded near the collar. Easton held a long, dark staff decorated with another sizeable purple stone on top. Even without being trained about magic, I could tell the staff held a massive amount of magic, as I felt a slight pressure on my body.

Finally, a figure exited the carriage, unlike Luke and Easton, every movement was elegant and precise. I looked up as Rei stepped closer, his trimmed auburn hair swaying in the wind, his left eye hidden by his hair as usual. I noticed his glasses were gone before he stopped in front of me.

"Master, I trust you have been well." Rei bowed flawlessly, before he looked up with his trademark smirk of amusement.

"How come you're never formal with me?!" Easton complained, whacking him swiftly on the back of his head, much to Rei's annoyance, "I'm older than you!"

***

"I was so disappointed when I wasn't allowed to attend your debut into society." Luke clasped both of my hands as we all sat in the sitting room, "Was it alright?"

"It was fine." I nodded, truth to be told it wasn't difficult entering high society with my status, "Don't you have yours next year?"

"Yes." Luke nodded obediently, "It's a shame, boys have different age requirements than girls when they debut, or otherwise I would've debuted with you."

"It's a shame that this idiot is debuting very soon, this year." Rei retorted with a bucketload of sarcasm, nodding his head towards Easton, "When he's etiquette will only display him as a unbridled fool."

"Who needs etiquette when you're a magical genius like me?" Easton snorted, flicking his long, silver hair over his shoulder.

"…No one listens to a maniac, whether or not he's a genius or not." Rei sighed, taking off his white gloves.

"Well, on the bright side, we're all going to the Academy soon." I smiled, looking down into my teacup.

"I'll pretend not to know you, so remember to avoid me." Rei commanded Easton sternly, "I don't want people avoiding me thanks to your idiocy like last year."

"Kyle will be coming along." I stated.

"Your happy with being his fiancée, right?!" Luke clasped my hands tightly, "Just say one word and I'll lop off his head for you!"

"I appreciate the sentiment, Luke." I patted him on the arm softly, "But if the Royal Family heard you, they'd accused you of treason."

"Ah… yes." Luke calmed down, "I lost my composure there, forgive me."

I suddenly remembered something important and leaned forward as much as I could on my chair.

"Rei, I heard that Emilia would attend the Academy as well." I noticed as his attention flared at my abnormal question, "Could find some information about her?"

I needed to be careful at the Academy, even though I was quite safe so far Emilia could still stir up some trouble for me.

"Ah yes…" Luke hesitated, as though he had trouble getting the words out of his mouth, "Easton… there's a spider on your arm."

Easton immediately stood up, and his teacup shattered onto the floor, "A WHAT?!"