Aqua gently landed in front of the gates of a manor owned by the Lux family. It was a complex of four buildings, each surrounding a central globe made out of gold.
The gate was rather plain, yet her eyes could pick up various enchantments, from protection to alarm.
While she could have flown directly inside, she had decided to follow proper procedures to avoid any difficulties such an act would cause.
It did not take long for the guards to rush out and stop her, despite their apparent unease about the woman who stepped out of the sky.
A young man raised his pike toward her. His eyes scanned her from top to bottom. "Halt! Identify yourself."
She raised her arms in a non-threatening way. She went silent for a moment. Should I use the royal name? There should be no harm.
"My name is Aqua de Brightcrown. I was sent here by ducal heir Avaros el Lux," She said, putting her hand inside her coat and discreetly retrieving the letter from the void.
The guard cautiously approached before grabbing the letter and reading it.
He looked at the letter and then at Aqua, then back at letter. "There is no seal of proof here."
The guard scratched the back of his head before turning to his colleague. "Please bring the letter to the lord of the house. I will take the lady to the waiting room."
The other guard nodded and quickly rushed toward the manor.
"My Lady, if you would follow me. We need to establish that the letter was indeed written by his excellency Avaros."
Shouldn't be a problem. It was expected that they would be cautious of an unknown individual.
The guard gestured for her to follow. They soon made their way into a smaller building that connected to the gate.
The weapon racks decorated the halls, and the sounds of metal striking metal reached her ears.
Aqua was led into a gray, windowless room, the entire thing was coated in mythril, making lesser magic impractical as a means of escaping.
In the middle was a small table, with one chair on each side.
Interrogation room, I see. She let out a soft chuckle before approaching the seat. If the letter was proven to be false, she was likely to be arrested.
"Please take a seat. We will return soon," He said, turning toward the door and making his way out.
The door closed behind him, sealing itself and making it unopenable from her side.
I suppose I will be waiting for a bit. She leaned into the chair and reached into the void.
Soon, she retrieved a small mirror and looked at it, its surface rippled, revealing the academy grounds.
Even more importantly, it observed Azure.
I am already missing her. She placed the mirror on the table and leaned over it, a small blush forming on her face.
For the next thirty minutes, she had observed the woman she had fallen in love with going through the punishment duty caused by her wish to protect Aqua's honor.
An unfamiliar sensation brewed within her.
Her thighs rubbed against each other. "Azu…"
Soon, her ears picked up on the noise coming from outside the interrogation room.
She quickly slapped herself and put away the mirror. "I am really seeing her like I did Umbra, aren't I?" She asked herself before letting out a small giggle.
Aqua had a strange habit of stalking her teacher whenever the opportunity arose, something she hadn't thought would ever happen again, until now.
The voices behind the door stopped, and three individuals made their way in.
Leading the trio was a well-dressed man with a similar appearance to Avaros, yet unlike most elves, this one had begun to show signs of old age.
His eyes were slightly sunken, and his skin carried the wrinkles of a middle-aged human.
His eyes scanned her. "The letter is genuine. Leave Lady Aqua and me alone."
"But sir!"
"Obey the order, go," The duke said calmly before taking a seat opposite Aqua.
The young guards quickly saluted and closed the door behind them.
The very moment he was left alone with Aqua, his eyes lit up with vigor only seen in children. He leaned over the table and stared into Aqua's eyes. "Are you really Aqua that my son praised so much?"
Aqua nodded.
After a moment, he slumped back into his seat. "Ahm, sorry for the outburst. I shouldn't even have asked, considering that not many have such beautiful red hair."
"I really do not mind. Avaros spoke good things about you, sir."
A hearty chuckle escaped his lips. "Certainly not as much as he had praised you, I can assure you, princess. Forgive me for such informality, but it's not every day that we have a princess appear from the sky."
She waved off the apology. "I really do not take any offense. I prefer if people are relaxed around me."
"Good!" He clasped his hands together. "There is one thing I must ask you."
Aqua tilted her head.
"Could you demonstrate your magic, just something minor. I don't need a storm above my city, so anything would suffice."
Hmm. Aqua pinched her chin and plunged into thought.
Let's just do a small paltry trick.
After a moment of deliberation, she placed her open hand on the table.
The duke stared at her hand.
A small whirlwind of fire appeared in her palm, followed by a cube of ice that formed around it.
The Duke rubbed his chin. "Such magnificent control," He said, looking up into Aqua's eyes. "I would be honored if you would be willing to arrange a marriage with my son. A mighty princess like yourself deserves a powerful husband."
Aqua closed her fist, ceasing her spell. She smiled warmly before shaking her head. "I love someone else, while Avaros is a wonderful young man, I already promised myself to Azure Hallowshield."
The duke sighed. "Of course, instead of chasing a wonderful woman like yourself and bringing me grandkids, my son decided to spend his days in the lab," He let out a laugh. "I can't blame him, I was the same in my youth."
Aqua smiled. "I am sure he will find someone when the time comes."
"I am just hoping he does before I die. I have entered my final century after all."
"Final century?" Aqua asked.
"Oh, do you not know? We only live for a thousand years, and I am over 900 years old. I am sure it's nothing someone young like you needs to worry about."
Ah, I guess they rapidly age and die as soon as they hit their millennium. She observed him closely. That was far too unnatural.
She quickly shook her head and focused on the man. "I am aware, I just haven't met anyone who used the term."
"Ah, forgive me for assuming," He said, slowly getting out of his seat.
"Let's head to the manor, this place is unfit for someone of your stature."
Aqua quickly stood up and stepped beside him.
He turned toward Aqua and placed his right hand on his left breast before bowing. "Also, forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Duke Nicolas, the steward of this fine land."
Aqua smiled and curtised, "Aqua de Brightcrown, an honor to be in your care."
After introducing themselves to the opposing party, the duo made their way out of the barracks, leaving the nervous guards sweating bullets.
As they passed through the courtyard, Aqua's eyes stuck onto the golden globe.
"Ah, interested in its origins?"
Aqua nodded. "Very much."
"I am sorry to disappoint, but even I do not know. I received it as a gift from the Vilas."
Aqua pinched her chin and nodded. I have never heard of them.
"Vilas?"
"They look like elves, but they have wings of a butterfly, and they dance with the grace of a feather."
A race I haven't heard of? I would like to meet them. "I see, thank you for the explanation, sir Nicolas."
Nicolas smiled and gestured for her to follow him. "Of course, Lady Aqua. Please follow me, my office is on the top floor."
The inside of the manor was rather plain, a soft red carpet stretched before them, and mahogany walls held many hanging plants.
They climbed the stairs and soon entered a large office.
A large window let the daylight inside, and a simple wooden table was situated in front of it.
On the sides were closed cabinets. Aqua glanced at them, yet their purpose didn't matter to her.
The duke pulled out his chair and slowly sat down, his eyes glued to Aqua. "Please, take a seat. I am interested in why you have come seeking me out."
Aqua, not wasting time, sat down and leaned forward.
"I won't take too much of your time. I came for urgent information."
Seeing Aqua's change in tone, his expression stiffened. "Tell me."
Aqua leaned closer. "What do you know about the world soul?"