Chapter 7

"Welcome to Angeli." Tiana said as the carriage rode past the gate of the central capital. 

"It's covered in snow." Surprised by my discovery I exclaimed. It was not snowing in Zephron. It's a blanket of white it's a little hard to see the doors of the building, it's also extremely busy. 

"It's always snowing over here." Tiana explained. 

I frowned. "How is that possible?" I asked in disbelief. 

"Magic."

"Magic exists?" I confirmed dumbfounded. Why am I just hearing about this? Rowena you couldn't even keep this memory? 

"Natural magic. Nature itself is magic."

"There should be a lot of magicians." I probed I'm literally walking blind.

"Not really, they are few. The act of controlling magic in nature and converting it into personal magic is extremely tasking." 

"Why can't the natural magic be used directly?"

"Although nature gave you the permission to use her magic you have to work for it. Moreover, using natural magic directly is more complicated and requires more fine-tuning, it also places a heavy burden on the physical and mental state of the body. Nature is powerful and cannot be easily controlled." she concluded and I nodded. 

"Again it's beautiful" I commented while looking out the window. 

"Indeed it is." she said softly "Angeli is quite big and so it'll take sometime to get to our destination."

"Okay" I was engrossed in sightseeing. 

"You can explore Angeli later. I'll show you around."

"I'd like that." I pondered. Her personality is not that bad, why are there so many bad rumours?

                                * * *

"Here we are." We finally arrived at our destination. "This would be your residence." Tiana gestured to the duplex in front.

We went inside and I appreciated the coziness. "I love it." 

"I knew you would. You don't seem like the type that likes noisy places so I place it in the middle after all I don't think you like quiet places too. This is a place where everybody  minds their own business." she emphasized. 

"..." 'You're just saying the aristocrats are busybodies.' I thought speechless. 

"Why don't you take a look around." she urged and I complied. The living room, kitchen, dining room are located in the ground floor along with a room and toilet for guests. In the first floor is the main bedroom and two empty rooms.

"What are they for?" I asked after seeing the empty rooms. 

"I don't know, it's not my house."

I numbly nodded. "How does she know what I like?" I asked aloud in my head. 

"It's what we like. Have you forgotten she investigated me. I like the same thing." Rowena said with a satisfied expression.

"Who would have thought?" I was shocked.

"We'll talk about your salary and the compensation later. Excuse me." Tiana turned to leave then paused "The kitchen is already stocked with food items and the dressmaker would be here tomorrow. I'll come get you after you've rested for a day." she added as I sent her to the door. 

After sending her off, I walked towards the living room and sat down on an armchair. I was amazed at the embellishments in the house. The house was filled with artificial and natural flowers, potted plants were placed in strategic positions with the scent of the forest and flowers in the air. Creeping ornamental plants lined the walls producing a scene of vitality. There was an orange tree in the yard with a set of tables and chairs beneath it and an hammock hanging just outside the glass door leading to the yard swayed due to a light breeze. There was a small garden growing vegetables which surprising didn't contrast with the design. The house built with wood and glass was enclosed in a tall wooden fence isolating it from the outside world. 

"Magic uh." I muttered. It was an oasis in the capital that's covered in snow. 

Rowena sighed, "I miss this place."

"I can see why, it's refreshing." I nodded then went upstairs to the main bedroom. I was tired after travelling such a long distance without rest. "Finally, a proper bed." I said emotional and Rowena rolled her eyes.

"Your indifferent personality has slipped far away."

"Living beside trash and having a virus like you in my head? I'm thankful I'm still sane." I retorted my hands stroking the mattress. 

"You have to wash the filth off your body before you touch the bed." she said in disdain. 

"You still remember we share the same body?." I replied although I agreed with her and went to the bathroom.

As I entered the bathroom, even I disdained myself right now. "Even the bathroom is cleaner than me. I'm a little reluctant to use it." I was conflicted. 

"..." 'Have some dignity you shouldn't say it aloud even if it's true.'

I proceeded to give myself a good scrub after taking of my clothes. I almost tore open my skin. "Endure you don't want to taint the mattress." Rowena shouted out encouragements in my head. 

'Sometimes I really wish we could exchange places.' I thought. 

After washing up I could finally get onto the bed and immediately I fell into a deep slumber. 

"This girl, you didn't even cover yourself up." Rowena said helplessly the light around her dimmed a little.