Chapter 38

I blew a sigh before finally entering the dining area. After watching the sun Eiliff reminded me to have my breakfast meal. But to my disappointment, I will be eating by myself.

Everyone suddenly gets busy after arriving here in this mansion. Even my Flora is running some errands for Baley.

It is really surprising that Baley was once the lord of this land. They mentioned before that he is of noble blood.

Well, I should start feeding myself and enjoy myself with these luxuries around me. We don't have to stay in those houses where we can be attacked anytime. For sure no one would dare harm us while we are here.

But I wonder, how long are we supposed to stay here? Wasn't our destination the real tower of the magicians?

And I wonder what does that tower looks like to be called the Red tower of magicians.

"M-my lady...here's your morning tea." A young maid came in with tea.

"Tea in the morning? Does that have caffiene in it?" My thoughts were disturbed.

"Yes my lady. Lord Sahana gave us the orders to serve you with some tea." She smiled wryly.

I blew another sigh and accepted the tea. Well, this is just fine after a meal. And I have plans to tour myself in this mansion. It just felt like I really have to tour this big house by myself. Maybe I will find answers about the child that kept appearing in my dreams.

After enjoying the tea, I ask the maid to tour me around the mansion, which she accepted. No it was like I commanded her to show me around.

This mansion is really huge. Having eighth floors. As we continue walking around, she showed me the room full of frames hanging.

"They are the previous lords of this house my lady."

I nodded at her as I scan the pictures. Only six of them. The last one is Baley.

"So Baley, is the current lord? Why did they tell us that he 'used' to be the lord of this land?" I curiously ask.

"H-his grace is still the lord. After His grace met with the Lord magician, he spends most of his time with him."

Hmm. "For how long? I mean for how long have they known each other?"

"My lady, I am but a new servant of this house. I still lack a lot of common informations, forgive me."

I raised a brow when she even bowed ninety degrees.

My eyes got curious of a covered frame. So I tried to open the cover to see the most innocent, and angelic face in it.

"And this?"

"S-she's the late princess."

"What do you mean?" I ask without looking at the maid.

"They said she got involved in an accident a few years ago. And they haven't found the princess after that."

There's something in her smile that's so captivating. So beautiful. So elegant.

"What was that accident again? If you don't mind telling me." My curiousity got the best of me. Sigh.

"I just heard about it, but when the greatest magician suddenly showed up, chaos was everywhere. It was the time that the magicians were in their deep slumber my lady. And the princess was trying to protect the land and her people when her magic went out of control."

"Was that an accident?"

"Y-yes, everyone believed that her magic ran out of control when the greatest magician came in to her." She answered.

"Then can you answer me about this previous lord of this land that kidnapped a dragon?"

Her eyes widen with surprise. "M-my lady, how did you know about that?"

"So you know about it." I stopped staring at the picture and put back it's cover. "Who is it from these people hanging here?"

"I- m-my lad---"

"So you were here Lady Prestine!"

My head turned to the opened door where Arcon is standing.

"I thought everyone's busy? How come you are here?" I look at the young maid who's head is laying low and walk to where is Arcon standing.

"Well, I finished most of my errand, I hope I was not disturbing anything." He said smiling.

"Nah, we were just discussing about the previous lords of this land." He guided me to walk out from the room.

"Does your curiousity fed you up again?".

"Not really, anyways, where is Flora? Why hasn't she back yet?"

"She's on her way back now. By the way have you seen Sahana? I've heard that he was summon to the imperial grounds."

"What for?"

"Well, you know Prince Sarawat."

"Oh the prince? What does he need from Sarawat? Will it be okay to summon someone that rush?"

"If it's from the imperial prince, my lady you can't just ignore it."

"So? What is it that you want now?"

"Well.." He lean closer to whisper. "Do you wanna go out? I heard the village nearby will be celebrating for their lord's arrival."

"Really? Can we go there?" I got excited.

"Of course and I will be with you. So you don't have to worry."

"My lord, please forgive me, but His grace advised to not t-the lady roam around, especially if it's outside the residence." The young maid.

We both stop from walking and face her.

"No worries, I am with the lady. And if you don't know I also belong to the Red tower."

"B-but..."

Arcon didn't let the young maid finish her complains. He uses his magic that made us disappear from that room.

I was still holding his arms when I open my eyes. Another different place. These magicians don't know how to ask permissions before using teleportations magic.

"Are you feeling dizzy my lady?"

At least he sounded worried. "I was a bit, but I am fine now. Why did you ran away from that maid?"

"Well, we should do some shopping now. I've heard that few of Baley's vassal will have a welcoming celebrations for him."

"Does that party a big deal?"

He shrug his shoulders. "Well, Baley spent most of his time around us when he realized that he has talent. He just lack practice so he said it was more fun to be in the tower."

"Did that happen after their princess went missing?"

"I am not sure if I should tell you about that, my lady..."

"Well, I am just curious. I mean, I have the right to be curious right? A lot of things happened while I am here. There's magic, dragons and those people who tried to harm us. I am curious that maybe, just maybe, all of that happened has connections."

I heard him sigh, before turning his eyes on me. "A lot of things happened when the magicians went to their slumbers. Those fools who wanted to take over not only the empire but also the red tower. A lot of greedy people who are after powers. Those powers that can be obtain by having dragons and magicians."

"What happened?"

"I believed you have heard about one of the previous owner of that resident went crazy and tried abducting a dragon."

I nodded.

"When the princess went missing after a disaster, everyone believed that they can take her powers with them, but with her absence they thought that dragons can help them achieve their greed, that is the reason why this land is cursed."

"You mean the winter land?"

"Yes my lady. This land wasn't called that years ago, but everyone forgot the real name of this place when the curse take over."

My heart sunk hearing that. Just for a higher power, they are all willing to take risks, without thinking of it's consequences.

"People here adapted well, most of the old residence were all dead so they barely knows what happened before."

"I have another question." I even raised my hand.

"Ask my lady.." He said smiling.

"How old are you exactly?" Since he's been mentioning these tragic as if he was already alive.

"I stopped ageing when I turned twenty-three my lady."

"For how long?"

"My lady, I believe asking someone else's age is a bit rude."

I snorted at his remark, after telling me all these events, he will gave me that answer!

Our walk continues, as my eyes roam around with these busy people around, the topic we discussed was suddenly stopped mid-air, since he doesn't wanna tell me anymore.

We stops in few more stores before finally getting inside a tailor store.

"What can I offer for these two lovely couple we have?" Said the store clerk who even claps her hand.

"I am her servant." Arcon said in a cold voice.

"Forgive my mistake." He just said without sincerity. After a few exchanged of words she guided me to get measured.

"That was tiring!" I mumble. "What's this for?"

"You are the guest of honor of the Duke's house my lady, so it is just enough..." He lean on me to whisper. "To spend Baley's fortune." Even showing me that glimmering card he's holding.

When the store clerk saw what Arcon's holding she suddenly bowed. "Forgive my insolence my lady, my lord. I was not aware of your presence from the Duke's household."

Arcon ignored her pleas and gave her instructions of what to do.

After what is like four hours of trying all these dresses, my whole body felt tired. My energy suddenly dropped too low.

"I am tired. Just how many more dresses should I try?" I complained.

"I believe all of these dresses fits well with you my lady." Said the store clerk with a hugr smile on her face.

I badly wanted to role my eyes. Even in different worlds, when showing money they will all try their bests to show their real sides. Tsk.

"Are we done here now?" I ask Arcon who's patiently waiting for me.

"Yup." He turned to the store clerk and give her another instructions.

Few minutes more and we are finally heading out of this store!

"That drianed me..." I mumble.

Arcon heard me and grinned. "We will be going back to the mansion, you have to rest and we can join the party with His grace.."

I accepted Arcon's hand when he offered it. Seems like we will be teleporting again.

What I thought was real!

"This teleportation thing is really a headache for me!" I said massaging my forehead.

"Forgive me my lady, but this is way faster than travelling back with carriages." He explained.

True, but it's hard to get used to it.

I just noticed now that we came, but infront of the closed door. This is where I am staying.

"We could have gotten inside." I commented.

"I think this is better than entering your room." He said opening the door for me.

"Baley and the others will be back later, so you cab rest for a moment. All of us are going there."

"Thank you." I gave him a smile and entered the room.

I removed the coat that Arcon gave and put it somewhere. Flora is not yet back. I am worried as well. I hope she's fine doing those errands outside this house.

Sahana is still with the Prince? I hope he gets back early too. Well he can come back easily since he can teleport too. And so is Chess and Eiliff.

"Ah!" I tried stretching my body before laying back to bed.

Now that I am here by myself, without Flora's presence before I could close my eyes. It feels lonely. And I am getting scared of falling to sleep.

With what I heard today, that must means it's all related to the young child I have been dreaming. Though I can't see how he is being tortured. But the smell of blood makes me wanna shiver.

What if... their lost princess was the key of releasing him? What if it was only that greedy lord who needs to get punished.

"What's with the curse..."

Eiliffs face suddenly showed up in my mind. He's showing me a speech signal but I can't seem to recall what he was saying.

He's too serious, but his cold eyes shows a hint of pain, of longing to something.

'What am I gonna help of them?'

Another face showed in my memory but I can't figure out who was it. A huge built man who's soft's spoken. A man with the same feature....

"Were you out with Arcon today?"

It was Eiliff's voice I heard.

"Yeah.." A small sound came out from my mouth, still wondering. "Eiliff..?"

"Hmm?"

"Who's..?"

"Who's? Who? Spill it out."

I pull the blanket and didn't even bother looking at him. "What happened to Dave..?"

My eyelids suddenly became heavier. My body feels very tired that my energy didn't bother to listen to what he says. It feels like my body was engulfed with darkness.

But Dave? Where did I come from that name?