Gilbrus the Merciful

"Omalia Loremirre."

The world around Omalia froze. It was time magic.

"I'm doing a favor for the prince. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Omalia turned to the man who greeted her. At first glance, he looked like a normal servant. However upon closer inspection, this man held a dangerous aura. She knew immediately who he was.

"Gilbrus the Merciful," Omalia said as calmly as she could. She gave the mage a curtsy, "it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Gilbrus laughed. "I like you. To keep your poise even without knowing my intentions."

Gilbrus was one of the mages of the council. He specialized in offensive magic and assassination. Omalia did not know why the mages would send such a dangerous mage to be Prince Landis's instructor, but word had it that the king was the one who requested his tutorage. Gilbrus was called "the merciful" as he killed his enemies in one shot. But though he was powerful, the mages were still in alliance with the king and there was no reason why he would harm her, a small girl of no particular significance.

"Marceau would like to speak with you and finds it difficult to do so without attracting attention. I am merely expressing his wishes, as a servant of the king." The mage gave her a graceful bow in return. "If you please, my lady."

Omalia wondered what the knight would want from her. Was this how they had met in the story? Although she was curious, she did not want to follow the story of the novel. She hesitated.

"Forgive me for asking, but I thought it was the crown prince who is under your tutelage. What does the knight need from me that requires you to use magic?"

Gilbrus smiled wider. He liked this young lady more and more. "Though I teach the crown prince, I have always had a good relationship with the royal family. I have known both Marceau and Landis since birth. Marceau did not leave the castle to train as a knight until he was eight years of age. Before then, he was also learning magic. All members of the royal family have magic power, though of course Prince Landis is the most powerful."

"Marceau had met the count and countess during one of his patrols on the border and heard of you from them. He was quite intrigued about the stories of their travels and would like to form a friendship with you," Gilbrus continued. "And I sense that you have magic power yourself as well. It would do you no harm to become friends with the prince. In fact, it may even benefit both of you."

Omalia was satisfied with his answer. She took his outstretched hand. "Thank you for your answer."

The mage whisked them away and the party continued as if it had never stopped.