Nieal leaned on the door frame of Irina’s bedroom, observing her. While Irina sat on the windowsill, looking down, she seemed absorb in her thought, didn’t know Nieal walked in closer. “Something interesting down there?” Nieal craned forward. He was standing on the other side of the window frame. Her reaction was slow. She looked at Nieal like she didn’t recognize him. “He’s a wizard, Nieal.” “Ah, so that’s what you think of.” Nieal breathed. “So what if he’s a wizard? We’re taught to be an open-minded human being, don’t cast him out just because he’s a wizard.” Irina narrowed her eyes. “I don’t mean it that way, Mr. so open mind.” Nieal chuckled at her retort as she continued. “I mean if people find out who he really is, he could be in a great danger.” “You’re worry about him.” Nieal teased. “Of course, I’m worry.” Irina snapped. “He saved our lives. We should be grateful to him.” “I am grateful. That’s why I made—” “Grateful to who?” Roman’s voice sounded from the door, start

Nieal stretched his hand to help Irina step out of the carriage. It was only the two of them in the carriage, Roman stubbornly decided he would go to the ball after finishing his work. Lord Hernandez himself welcoming Nieal and Irina and guided them to certain crowd where Nieal was expected to join. “Gentlemen,” Nieal greeted them. “Master Danieal.” They greeted back in unison. Their eyes on Irina. “How we should address the beautiful Lady?” Asked one of them baldly. Irina and Nieal mirrored a smile. He turned to look at Irina then to the men in front of them. “Irina, these are Lord Davis,” Nieal pointed with his eyes to the man in his left, then went on to the man next to Lord Davis and the next. “Lord Garrick, Lord Ashley, and Lord Timothy.” “Lady Irina.” The lords greeted Irina. Lord Hernandez joined them with a man and a woman in tow. The man bowed to Nieal in respect manner. “Master Danieal.” Followed by the woman. “Mr. and Mrs. Aquilla from—” Nieal told Irina. He let his

Irina’s scream alerted Mrs. Letty and the rest staff. They found Irina and the unconscious Lucas in no time. “What happened?” Asked Mrs. Letty anxiously. Irina panicked. “I don’t know. I swear. He fell before my eyes, he just fell. I did not—” Mrs. Letty put her hand on Irina’s shoulder, to calm her. It worked. Irina calmed, but worry still lingered in her eyes. Mrs. Letty instructed the male staff to carry Lucas to the inner office. Irina followed them. “We should call a healer.” Irina proposed when they were in the inner office. “He’s not dead, right?” Mrs. Letty amused. “I’m afraid, he’s not. No need to call a healer.” Then with reassuring smile, she continued. “I think his faint is because of the lack of sleep.” “Oh…” “I have some herbs here,” Mrs. Letty opened a second drawer on the lower table then rummaged it. She found the herbs and explained. “I’m going to boil this in a pot of water.” Meanwhile, Lucas had another weird dream in his sudden sleep. Unlike his previous co

Two days later, Lucas was doing his morning assignment in the library. He cleaned the shelves and adjusted the books order in the shelf. His hand did the work automatically, while his mind flew back to his failure attempt to touch Irina’s hand, because her guard which was the town master won’t leave them alone. Sighing, Lucas continued his work to the next shelf. A book with bright green cover was stood out among the library’s dark cover books collection. It occupied the space of the book in Lucas’s hand. Feeling a slight of déja vu, Lucas took the book and switched it with the book in his hand. “Who left this book?” Lucas murmured. As hard as he recalled, there was nothing green in library’s collection. Curious, he took the book with him, intending to read it when his break time came. Busy hour in the library made the break time came faster. Lucas hid the book under his shirt as he walked out of the library. In case the book was really one of the library’s collection, and he didn’

The next day, Irina stared at row of books that neatly arranged in the shelf while leaned lightly on a standing-shelves across it. Once in a while her eyes glanced over to the man who stood next to it with books in his arm, he was rearranging the books in the shelf. Turning around, he caught Irina was staring at him. One of his brows lifted playfully. “Enjoying the view?” “Yea… that’s why I always come, the view in here is fantastic.” Lucas chuckled. His eyes followed Irina’s hand pulled a book from the shelf. “You haven’t read that book?” “I want to read it again, or is there a law that forbid me to read the book I already read?” “No…” Lucas laughed. He thought the way she defended herself was amusing. Then he stretched his hand. “Let me help you process that book out, or do you have anything else in mind?” “Actually, I have…” Dropping his hand, he said. “Alright, I’ll leave you to enjoy the view again.” “Wait…” Irina called Lucas when he was about to leave. “That’s not what I