Chapter 5

"This way, we shall take you back mage." One of the guards tapped her shoulder, jumping slightly she nodded and quickly followed after them.

Isolde followed the guards through the winding corridors of the castle, her mind still reeling from the encounter with the Crown Prince. The opulence of her surroundings - the gilded walls, plush carpets, and flickering chandeliers - seemed to mock her humble origins. She shook her head as a new worry sprang in her mind. Would this encounter lead to her expulsion? No, I can't think like that.

The guards led Isolde through the corridors, their boots echoing off the polished stone floors. As they approached her chambers, one of them spoke in a hushed tone, "You're fortunate, mage. The prince is known for his...lax attitude. But he also is strict and unforgiving when he chooses to be."

Isolde nodded, grateful for the small reassurance, as she entered her chambers, the room surrounding her felt overwhelming.

"I'll be sure to stay out of his way." She responded closing the door quickly behind her locking the door into place, a mental promise to herself she could not risk making a fool of herself again. She was praying the encounter would quickly be forgotten in his mind. Isolde's chamber, while luxurious, feels cold and unfamiliar. She stands at the window, watching the last rays of sunlight fade over the city below. The encounter with the Crown Prince weighs heavily on her mind - his piercing gaze, the intensity of his presence. She wonders if she truly belongs here, in this world of magic and royalty.

A knock at the door startles her from her thoughts. "Come in," she calls out, her voice still shaky. The door opens to reveal a young maid, her face flushed with eagerness. "Pardon the interruption, mage Isolde. I've been assigned as your personal attendant. Would you like me to prepare a bath for you before dinner?" Isolde nods, grateful for the distraction. "Yes, please. And... what's your name?"

The maid curtsies. "I'm Elena, mage. I'll have that bath ready in no time."

"Please, take your time I am in no rush," she smiled gently, pushing the encounter with the prince from her mind she organized the rest of her chambers while Elena worked on the bath and dinner. She stacked her books on the shelves and neatly hung her new mage robes in the wardrobe, she brought a few of her own dresses to wear underneath the fabric was thick but durable. After a warm bath, Isolde settled in front of the vanity, taking her brush she ran it through her red curls, the strands shimmered like embers under the candlelight, each stroke a familiar comfort in this strange new environment. Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, a mix of apprehension and determination in her eyes. She sighed, setting the brush down, and reached for the nearby pitcher of water to pour herself a glass.

 "Tomorrow is your first day, it is best to get some rest," Elena suggested as she took the remnants of Isolde's dinner plate.

Isolde nods, setting down her glass, she extinguishes the candles around her room, leaving only a small nightlight near the bed. As she settles under the silken sheets, her thoughts drift to her grandmother's parting words. The familiar comfort of her magical core, usually so steady and reliable, feels strangely unstable.

She falls into an uneasy sleep, her dreams haunted by the Crown Prince's piercing gaze and the echo of his words. "You should always think..."

*****

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the chamber windows, Isolde slowly stirred from her restless slumber. She blinked a few times, allowing her vision to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings. The silk sheets, though luxurious, had felt like a stranger's touch against her skin through the night. With a groan, she pushed herself upright and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, planting her bare feet firmly on the cool stone floor. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint smell of the castle's kitchen, where breakfast was already being prepared. Isolde stood and stretched, her muscles stiff from the previous day's journey and the unfamiliar bed. She walked over to the window, pushing back the heavy velvet curtains to reveal the castle grounds below. The courtyard was already bustling with activity - servants scurrying about, guards on patrol, and stable hands tending to the royal horses. The warmth on her tan skin felt marvelous she wished she could stay out there longer and back in the sun like a house cat, but she had no time to waste.

Isolde dressed herself in a simple yet well-made dress that she had brought from home. It was a soft, dark blue fabric with intricate embroidery along the hem and sleeves. She paired it with a silver pendant that had belonged to her mother - a small, delicate locket in the shape of a crescent moon. As she fastened the chain around her neck, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She put her crimson Mage's robes over her dress, cinching the tie around her waist for once she looked and felt like she belonged. Isolde made her way to the dining hall, following the sound of clinking dishes and the soft hum of conversation. As she stepped inside, the room fell silent for a moment as all eyes turned to her. She saw several fellow mages sitting at tables, their own robes marking their status. Elias, whom she had met during the initiation, spotted her and beckoned her over with a friendly wave.

She smiled with relief as she headed over to him, "Elias! good morning how did you sleep?" Elias' face lit up with a warm smile as Isolde approached, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. He stood up and offered her a chair, his dark, hair falling slightly over his face as he did so.

"I slept quite well, actually. The castle's beds are surprisingly comfortable, aren't they?"

"Yes, but I fear the first night anywhere new is always a bit rough for me," She responded truthfully as she took her place beside him, a servant brought over a simple breakfast of bread, fruit, and tea.

The hall buzzed with conversation as other mages discussed their first night and their plans for the day. Elias leaned closer, his voice low as he spoke. "Have you heard about the Prince's... encounter yesterday?"

Isolde's heart quickened at the mention, her face flushing with embarrassment. She fumbled with her teacup, nearly spilling it as she set it down. "I..."

"What do you mean?" She asked, trying to feign as though she were hearing something new, her voice a little too high-pitched to sound entirely natural.

Around them, the other mages continued their conversations, oblivious to the tension at their table. Elias leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Rumor has it, he almost collided with someone in the courtyard yesterday. A new mage, apparently."

Isolde's face grew hotter as she listened, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of her teacup. She cleared her throat, trying to sound casual. "That's... concerning. I hope everyone is alright." Elias raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "From what I hear, it was quite the scene. The Prince was... not pleased."

He leaned back in his chair, studying Isolde with curiosity, Isolde sipped her tea, looking away putting on her best front, "Of course...I imagine that would be very dangerous! he has every right to be...upset." She cleared her throat once more attempting to change the subject, "Any who do you know what our first day will consist of?" She asked, observing the way Elias shifted closer to her, his face inches from hers.

His eyes sparkled with amusement as he whispered, "I hear we're starting with a group lesson on basic magical theory. But I'm more interested in what really happened with the Prince. Care to share anything?"

Isolde's face paled, her fingers tightening around the teacup, she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a loud gong echoed through the hall, signaling the start of the day's activities. The sound made Isolde jump slightly, causing some tea to slosh out of her cup and onto the tablecloth. Elias quickly grabbed a napkin and helped her clean up the spill, his face now a picture of concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, his hand still hovering near the spill.

Isolde nodded, mortified at her clumsiness. "Yes, I'm fine. Just... a bit on edge, I suppose. It's out first day after all."

Around them, other mages began to gather their things, preparing to head to the first lesson of the day. Isolde took a final sip of her tea and stood, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress. "I should probably go freshen up before the lesson," she said, avoiding Elias's curious gaze.

"Meet me there?" Elias nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Of course. I'll be waiting. Try to relax, Isolde." As Isolde walked out of the dining hall, she felt a mix of emotions - relief at escaping Elias's questions, anxiety about the upcoming lesson, and a persistent unease from her encounter with the Prince.

The castle corridors seemed to stretch endlessly before her, each turn a reminder of how far she was from home. As she walked, she overheard fragments of conversation between passing servants and guards, their words blending into a soft murmur. She arrived at the designated classroom, a spacious, circular room with tall windows allowing natural light to pour in. The walls were lined with shelves containing ancient tomes and magical artifacts, and a large, ornate lectern stood at the center. Other initiates were already filtering in, taking their seats. Isolde spotted an empty chair near the front and made her way to it, her footsteps echoing slightly on the stone floor. As she settled into her seat, she noticed a group of initiates near the back whispering and occasionally glancing in her direction.

Their hushed voices carried just enough for her to catch snippets: "Did you hear about the new mage who almost got the Prince killed?" "I wonder if she's here today."

Isolde's hands clenched into fists in her lap, her face burning with embarrassment as far as she was concerned he almost killer her. Why was he in such anyway surely there are better ways to-

As the final bell rang, signaling the start of the lesson, a hush fell over the room. Isolde straightened in her seat, her eyes fixed on the lectern at the front of the room. She could feel the weight of the other initiates' stares, their whispers still echoing in her mind. The door at the back of the room swung open, and in walked a tall, imposing figure. Mage Natalia, her silver hair flowing like a river of moonlight, her robes shimmering in the morning light. Her presence commanded instant silence. She strode to the lectern, her heels clicking against the stone floor.

"Good morning, initiates. I trust you all had a restful night." Her sharp eyes swept across the room, pausing briefly on Isolde. "Today, we begin with a crucial lesson in magical theory. But first, I want to address a-"

The classroom door swung open and a tall, imposing figure strode in - none other than the Crown Prince himself. He wore a pristine tunic and trousers of the finest black velvet, the silver of his crown and brooches glinting under the morning sun streaming in from the tall windows. The prince's piercing blue eyes surveyed the room with a cool, assessing gaze before coming to rest upon Isolde, who had just settled into her seat. Mage Natalia paused mid-sentence as the Crown Prince entered, a flicker of surprise crossing her elegant features. The room went utterly silent, every mage and initiate holding their breath. Natalia bowed deeply, her voice ringing out clear and crisp. "Your Highness, to what do we owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

The Crown Prince's gaze remained locked on Isolde for a long, tense moment before he turned to acknowledge Natalia. "Mistress Natalia."

"At the command of his Royal King and Queen, I have come to greet this year's cohort," his eyes settled upon the class, and in a lax attitude his posture shifted, as if he had better things to do.

Natalia's eyes widened at the Prince's words, and she quickly regained her composure. "Of course, Your Highness. We are honored by your presence." She gestured to the assembled initiates, her voice ringing out through the suddenly hushed classroom. "Initiates, rise and greet our Crown Prince."

As one, the initiates surged to their feet, some stumbling in their haste. Isolde stood as well, her heart pounding in her chest. The Prince's presence filled the room with an almost physical weight, it felt like a beast were lying on her chest, his commanding presence making her feel small and insignificant.

He walked to the front of the class, "You have all been given the privilege of residing in the castle as such; you will oftentimes run into members of the Royal family and duchy. Please be mindful of this, strict rules and regulations are put into place to prioritize the safety of all members," As the Prince spoke, his gaze returned to Isolde, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The room was utterly silent, every mage and initiate holding their breath. Isolde felt her face flush with color as the Prince's eyes bore into hers, she wanted so desperately to break his gaze but doing so would be highly disrespectful, his words were hanging in the air like a challenge.

"I trust you will all conduct yourselves with the utmost decorum while you are here," he continued, his words taking on a harder edge. "And that you will be..."

"...careful." The Prince's eyes never left Isolde as he spoke, his meaning clear to all present. The room remained deathly still, the tension palpable.

After a long, charged moment, the Prince finally turned away, addressing the entire class. "I wish you all the best in your studies. Mistress Natalia, I leave the initiates in your capable hands." With that, he strode out of the classroom, his footsteps echoing ominously on the stone floor.

Once he had departed, Natalia cleared her throat and gestured for the class to be seated. "Now, then," she began, her eyes flicking briefly to where Isolde stood. "Let us return to our lesson on the basics of magical theory."

She opened a large, ancient-looking tome on the lectern, her words growing stronger. "Today, we will be discussing the fundamental principles of magical energy and how it interacts with the world around us." Isolde sighed deeply, she would have to clear this up with Mage Natalia immediately. As Natalia delved into the intricacies of magical energy, Isolde's mind raced, the Prince's pointed remarks had been as subtle as a thunderclap, and the initiates' whispers only amplified the tension. She felt a growing sense of urgency, a gnawing fear that her misstep might jeopardize everything she had worked for.