Chapter Nineteen

Special mass release of Easter Day!

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"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEO SAID TO YOU, BUT don't get so mad at him, Lady Hana, he probably didn't mean any harm." My ass he didn't, that's literally what he meant. And he's name is Theo, hm.

Breathing heavily, I let my golden eyes meet his dark green eyes that reminded me of the leaves of the trees in the tropical forest located in the Mage's Tower, I once went back in my past life. It was calming. "So that brat name is Theo, hm." He smiled at me when he saw how angry I still was.

"Do you perhaps, fancy him, ma'am?" That made me gasp hard.

"Pardon me?"

"I just asked that because of the effect he seems to have caused in you, ma'am. Your face, for an example, is red like a strawberry, and-"

"No! Don't say anything!" After three whole minutes in pure silence, I closed my eyes and finally succeed in steading my heartbeat and breath. "Listen, Mr. George, with all due respect, but not even if there was only the two of us in the world, I wouldn't fancy an ignorant and dangerous brute like your nephew. Plus, he's not my type," he's totally my type, but it's not like I'll ever say that out loud. "The only thing I feel toward him is… disgust and anger!" Then I finally opened my eyes again. "Moreover, I'm here for you, so shall we get down to business?"

Before he could say anything, Asher and Kate spoke together. "But what did he say to make you angry?" What?

"What do you mean? You didn't hear us?" They all disagree with their head. "Then I suppose that smartass put a barrier around us. Anyway, don't worry about that, it's better like this. If I say it, I'll probably lose my cool and get angry again."

All of them bounced their heads positively and I let a small smile appear on my lips. "Sorry for losing my cool, by the way. And for cursing your nephew," I said to Mr. George, biting my lips, feeling my anxiety coming back.

"It's okay kid, he probably deserved it if he said something out of line to you. He's quite bold, you see?"

I laughed acidly at that, "Oh? I haven't realized that yet!"

"And he isn't my nephew!" This is getting confusing. "He just finds it more comfortable to call me uncle. But we are more like… friends I would say. Although he considers me more than that," oh, I think I get it. "He's quite protective over me, saying that an old man like me should be careful around young lads… like you." I couldn't help but laugh.

"I kind of agree with him about the fact that you should be careful, Mr. George. But don't ever say that to him! Besides, I am not the type of girl who would hurt you like this, or in any other way. Especially because I need you. Although I also wouldn't say that to him," the man giggle.

"My Goddess… you are both so prideful. But okay, I won't tell that lad anything. Now, I would be thankful if you could tell me how can I be of help," now is the moment I was waiting for.

I turned to Ash and Kate, "You guys stay here. Chose all the jewels you want, the jewels you think it'll be beautiful on me and the jewels my little brother might like. I trust that you both know our tastes and your own," obediently, they agreed and started to get up and look around, both mesmerized. "Sir Arthur, I would advise you to choose some jewels for your future wife too. I have a feeling that you might meet her soon," I winked at him and he blushed like the hell of it. Then I turned to Mr. George. "Is there a place where we can talk privately?"

"Follow me!"

And I did. As expected, the back of the shop was his home, and when we entered, a little girl, identical to him, except for her bright red hair, came to greet us. "Oh, dad, I thought uncle Theo was back," just the mention of that boy pisses me off. "But you brought a beautiful girl with you," how adorable.

"You are the beautiful girl," I said lowering my body. "How old are you, little Lady?"

A genuine smile appeared on her lips and she came closer, blushing, "I'm five! My name is Alisha, by the way! What's your name?"

"Oh, so you have the name of one of the founders of the Caspien Empire," she nodded, proudly. "My name is Natasha Nicholai-" wait, what?

I gulped, covering my mouth with my hands. What is happening? "I…"

"Don't be startled, kid," the owner spoke, more serious than before. "My daughter has the magic of truth. It doesn't matter who is it, the person will only speak the truth in front of her!" Fuck. "Oh, and of course, I would have loads of protections in my house, so the moment you entered, the magic you used to disguise yourself became undone." Oh, no.

The girl stared at me, anxiously, "Does that mean you are one of the Royal Princess?"

"Yes!" How can I stop talking? How could I fall for this?

She looked over to her father and he nodded to her, "You are from House Nicholai. Does that mean you are part of the aristocracy?"

"Yes, I am from House Nicholai. And no, I am not part of the aristocracy. I am more on the side of the Aristocratic Opposition Faction, although my family is in the opposite political faction than I am."

Seriously, Natasha? How could you enter the house of a guy who crafts protection jewels from all types of magic, and not think that his house should be the most protected place of all? You can't afford to commit such mistakes!

"Are you the magicless daughter of the Grand Duke Nicholai?" Ugh, I hate this.

"Yes! Yes, I am!" I can't even hide my disgust for this matter. "But there's more to me than just the fact that I don't have magic, okay? I'm the best fighter you can ever meet on my age!"

If they thought I was angry before, they thought wrong. I hate this. The fact that I don't have control over my words reminds me of the time Dalilah's strings were inside my mind. Ugh, I feel like vomiting now.

"Why don't you have magic?" I think that this is the kid's curiosity now, not her dad's. He probably heard the rumors about me, given that he's an adult.

Breathing heavily, I tried to fight against the kid's magic, but it didn't work. "I was born with ice magic and telepathy, but when I was 4 years old someone stole it from me and made me crippled like this. I don't remember who it was, nor why I was their victim. Satisfied?" She got a little startled by my sarcasm and I felt bad. "Sorry, kid, I know it's not your fault. You were curious like all kids your age. It's just that, I'm tired of everybody's judging me for this!"

I fell on my knees, feeling suddenly tired. "Do you have a bad relationship with your family?" Why is she asking such personal questions?

"Bad is an understatement! I only have my brother. My dad kind of likes me, but compared to what he feels for my siblings, it's nothing. And I don't want to start with the other three- They hate me more than anything and would kill me at any given moment if it weren't for my dad!" I hate having to say this to an outsider, but it's kind of relieving to let it out.

She came closer and petted my hair. "I don't know if it will help, but you are the most beautiful girl I've seen in my life, Princess!" Ugh, I can't even get angry at this kid.

"Thank you," I laughed, surprising even myself with the shyness in my voice. "My sister would be possessed with anger if she heard that," I laughed again, but this time it was an ill-intended laugh.

"What do you want from my dad, Princess?" Now she's asking the right questions.

"I want to buy all of his jewels and invest in him, because he's talented as fuck and I need his products to protect myself, my younger brother, and my allies from my sister's magic." Her magic is potent, hm. "I want to become his only investor and to give him access to all of my mines in the north," this time I heard her father gasp in surprise.