Chapter 8: Leah

A few days passed. It was the early morning. Leah stood at her window looking at the city before her. Thinking about something that's been bothering, something she hasn't finished. It took a moment of thinking before she finally remembered. A mission she started a few years ago. Her mission was to find leads on Raine. She didn't get to complete it, she got distracted and forgot about when she came back home.

Ever since she met Carys, most of her worries had ceased. But the loss of her brother, the pain never went away.

A young woman, dark blond, strong features on her face. She stood behind Leah. "Off to work?"

Leah smiled and looked at Carys.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright," she said before taking a sip from her hot bevarage. She exhaled.

"At least I can say goodbye before you go."

Leah walked over to her, and gave her  a hug.

"Goodbye. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Leah walked into the house and made her way to the front door on her way out.

_

Leah walked into the Empress Ruth's office. "You summoned me?"

Looking at the painting of Angelica, Ruth frowned, and turned to Leah.

"You sound odd today. Something the matter?"

Leah raised her head, eyes wide.

"Oh. Just tired that's all."

Ruth stepped away from the painting and walked to her desk. 

"I summoned you here because of a favor I want to ask of you." She sat down. 

Narrowing her eyes at Ruth.

"What do you want me to do?"

She looked up at up at her. Her gaze stern.

"My daughter, Lumina. She has grown up to be young woman, hasn't she."

The way she looked at her. Did she find out about her training?

"Yes she has, empress." She simply said, not showing any time shift in her voice.

"Occasionally she travels with one of the guards whenever she goes out into the city. I want to relief the guard of his duties. That's when I thought of you. Would you like to be her body guard from now on? I have noticed how close you two have been. She has grown very attached to you. 

Leah couldn't help but have smile.

"Lumina and I do share a bond, yes."

"So do you want the position?" Ruth asked her.

Leah let a chuckle.

"I would love that, my lady. I assume there will be a raise?" 

"I hold great faith in you, just as I did with Aven. So yes, you'll receive a raise."

Leah remained silent, her smiled faded quiet fast, the mention of her brother took the good mood out of her.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, my lady. Just tell me what I need to do concerning Lumina."

"Just be as you're normally are with her, and you'll do fine." Ruth answered, a slight smile across her face.

"Does she know about it? Did you tell her?" Leah asked, trying get Avwn out of her mind.

"I did. She seemed happy about it."

"Is she here?" Leah asked.

"She's in tbe garden," Ruth said, gesturing her hand at the window.

"You can go see her if you like." She lowered her hand to her lap.

"You are dismissed."

Leah nodded, and with that, she walked out.

-

Leah entered the garden and saw Lumina standing in front of Angelica's statue. It was surrounded by flowers in a swirling pattern.

Leah stepped toward her "Lumina."

"Leah!?" Lumina said, with a smile before turning to her.

"What a pleasant surprise."

"So, you heard the news?"

"Yeah. We're going to be hanging out more often now."

Leah smiled. "Yeah"

Lumina blinked, head slightly tilted. "You okay?"

Leah shook her head.

"Didn't sleep much."

"I'm sorry," she said, placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Want to sit with me?" She gestured to the bench near the statue.

"Sure. Thank you."

They both sat down. Leah turned to look at Lumina, and watched as she took a deep breath.

She opened her eyes and looked at her with a smile."You won't believe what I did the other day."

"Do tell," Leah said, smiling.

"But please," Lumina said, hands gestured out.

"Don't tell my mother. She'll freak out."

"I promise. Did you do something wrong?"

"No, no," Lumina looked ahead.

"Nothing like that,"

"Then what?"

"I've been practicing!" She said, closing her fists with a smile and looked at Leah.

"And I am getting better at it each time."

"What, with your abilities?"

Lunima nodded.

Leah frowned.

"I thought you said you didn't want to do it anymore because of your mother?" 

"I know... I just, couldn't resist. I can actually do something good with it. Leah, the other day, I made a blind man see again. And I just thought... As the future ruler, I can make a difference."

"I understand your enthusiasm. But, that was a risky move. What if they found out it was you?"

"It's alright. I've brought the man here. He's there tending the garden." She pointed ahead, the man stopped twinning before looking their way.

Lunima waved at him, as he waved back at her with a smile before continuing his work.

"Are you going to bring  anyone else from the street here?"

"Oh no, that is ridiculous," Lumina answered, looking at her.

"I wouldn't do that. I only took him in because they were planning on taking him off the street. I couldn't let that happen."

"That is understandable. No one deserves a life on tbe street."

"No, they don't. That's why I want to make a difference."

"I know that you'll be an amazing empress one day. Heck, you already are," Leah said with a smile.

Lumina smiled back.

"Thank you, Leah. I hope so."

"So... Are you going to tell your mother someday?"

"Oh, she knows about him," Lumina said, looking at the man.

Narrowed her eyes.

"Not that."

Lumina looked at her, wide eyed.

"Oh.. well," she said, looking down at her lap.

"I don't know if I'm going to tell her anything. I don't want to disappoint her. She'd never look at me the same again." She closed her eyes.

"No matter what, she'll always love you. You know that, don't you?"

Lumina looked at Leah, slight smile on her face.

"I hope so. I am just scared if she finds out-" she paused, gazing ahead in thought.

"Just give yourself time," Leah smiled.

"When you're ready, you'll tell her."

She nodded.

"Thank you, Leah. You've always given me good advice."

Leah chuckled.

"I don't know about that. I try."

"Do you think you can teach more when you can? You've helped me so much. To understand myself, so many things."

Leah nodded.

"I will try. Not not today, alright. I risk myself as it is. If your mother finds out I've been the one teaching you. I'll lose everything, you understand?"

Lumina let out a sigh.

"I do. I understand your concerns. I just need to know more about it, to master it."

"It takes time and patience. That's what my brother told me. And he was right. It took a long time for me to master it myself."

Lumina lowered her gaze, joy fading.

"I'm sorry what happened to him. I can't imagine how you're feeling."

Leah sighed, her eyes averted.

"It's alright. Things happen that is beyond our control."

"My mother isn't doing well either. The absence of her sister is still affecting her."

"I guess your mother and I can relate," she said, a slight smile. She wondered why she smiled. It was nothing to feel glad about. It was then she stood up.

"I've enjoyed our conversation, Lumina. I'm going now, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Lumina said, standing up and gave her a gentle hug.

"You're a busy woman," she pulled away.

"See you soon, Leah."

Leah nodded, and walked her way out of the garden.