“His name is…” Stella hesitated as she glanced at her friend Leo. When the little boy seemed nervous as he exchanged a look with my sister. Viex let out a sound that caught Stella’s attention. I saw Viex nodding at her in encouragement. Stella nodded back and looked at me. “His name is Kellar, and he’s the son of king Ferius.”
My body tenses up at the name and I looked at the child. The boy, Leo or Kellar, seemed both ashamed and nervous under my scrutinizing gaze.
“But he’s not bad! I swear.” Stella says and waved her hands to catch my attention. “He’s nothing like his brothers and father.” She insisted.
My mouth opened and closed like a fish. I badly wanted to point out all the red flags about having the son of King Ferius here and the threat that it would bring. But I stopped myself because I didn’t want to seem harmless in front of my sister.
Not when she was giving me a chance. “It doesn’t bother you at all? That he is King Ferius’s son?” I said this instead. I should listen to her first before making my conclusion.
“Of course not. Not every child has to bear the burden of their family’s sin.”
‘Princess.’ Now, it was Viex’s turn to speak. He moved and sat on the ground just in front of me. ‘When I was with them, this child was able to communicate with an old spirit. A spirit that would not trust just anyone, especially someone related to the rogue king.’
I looked at the boy. “Kellar, right?” He nodded. “If you can communicate with spirits then that means that you have a familiar as well?” I questioned him.
He shook his head. “No, princess. The curse that runs through my father also runs through all of his children. All I can do is communicate with the spirits.”
“Does anyone know who you really are?”
The two of them exchanged a look. “Only the elf prince who saved us. Prince Ace.” He answered.
“Please, Princess.” I turned my attention back to Stella. She was clasping her hands together and pleaded with me. A gesture that I remember her doing when she was a child. I almost teared up at the sudden nostalgia. “Please vouch for him. Don’t let them kick him out.”
“Stella.” Kellar said softly. “In the end, it would be up to her to decide.” he says before looking back at me. “Princess, whatever you chose, I will not hold any grudge against you because I fully understand what my family has done to yours. So please, I want you to judge me because you deem that I am worthy and not because of the influence of others.”
“Kellar!” Stella looked at him worriedly.
‘This idiot!’ Viex hissed.
Watching the young prince of Tereau, I could not help but admire his honor and sincerity. I haven’t met the rogue king yet, but it was hard for me to believe that this child is related to that man. Considering all the awful words that I heard of him.
“If that’s the case, then I guess we can keep this secret with us first. As you said, you want me to judge your character, right? And that is just what I am going to do. Prove to me that you’re nothing like your father.” I told him.
“How do I do that?”
Good question.
“Um...minus points. It should be your job to think about that. Not mine.” I got up quickly to avoid their gazes.
“Very well, princess.” Kellar bowed. “I shall see to it that I will receive your trust.”
“Keep getting close to my sister and I will kick you out myself.” I whispered.
“Pardon?” Kellar asked.
“I never said anything!” I coughed and began to compose myself again before addressing my sister. “Stella, I heard that your gift is different from mine. Listen, you don’t need to panic because what you are doesn’t change the fact of what you have on the inside.” I said melodramatically and even felt proud of saying such comforting words to my sister.
“By ‘what’ you mean being a winter fairy?”
My eyes opened as I looked at her in disbelief. I blinked. “You...you know about being a winter fairy?”
She nodded. “Yes. Kellar told me all about them.” She grinned widely. “Kind of cool if you ask me.”
I clicked my tongue as I fought the urge to turn around and glare at Kellar. Great. My comforting words were useless! That sly child!
I tried to hide my embarrassment with a smile. “Oh, then perhaps you want me to teach you a thing or two about magic?” I offered in order to save myself from this humiliation. Maybe I can still turn this around.
“Actually, I can pretty much control it on my own. It’s pretty easy.” She says. “You came from my world, right? I applied the simple theory that magics are like molecules. If you focus enough, you can sense the magic that has the same energy as your dominant magic. You can even use magic that isn’t in your body as long as they have the same molecular property! Look!” She opened her palm out to me and manifested a block of solid ice. “This is what compressed molecules are. If I loosen them up a bit-” She paused and the block of ice in her palm became a snowball. “-this is what happens. Can you imagine what happens if I spread the molecules further?” The snowball in her palms exploded into an icy mist that fell from her hands. “They turn to cold air! I feel like I have just started on the basic concepts but if you have more to teach me then please do!” She seemed excited and was giving me an expectant look.
As if there was anything more that I can give her! I simply smiled at her politely as I don’t even have the right words to say to her.
I want to die. I want to crawl into a hole and hide. Someone, please bury me so I can avoid embarrassing myself even further.
This girl is not my sister. She’s a blonde Hermione Granger.
‘Master?’ Custard came to my side and poked my hand.
‘Not now, buddy. I’m devastated. My sister is a fricking genius to master the use of magic before me! She’s on her way to Hogwarts while I have to stay in the basement!’
‘Master, why don’t you show your magic instead?’ He suggested.
‘He’s right, princess. Fairies and Tamers have different magic. You must not compare yourself to her. What you have is unique and special.’ Viex added.
At their suggestion, my spirit was restored. Maybe I can still impress her. “Stella, how about I show you a magic of my own?” I suggested proudly.
Her eyes beamed with excitement at my suggestion. “Can you? Please!”
I nodded. “Step back for a bit.” I said and called for Custard and Viex to step forward. I flowed a bit of my mana into their bodies. Viex was the first one to morph since he doesn’t require much mana.
Stella gasped and let out an excited squeal as she gazed up at the huge white fox with six tails. “He’s pretty!”
Custard was the next to morph. Instead of the darker form that he usually takes when Malduk gives him magic, he morphed into a white and black wolf, curtesy of my magic. Stella’s eyes fell on Custard. “What’s his name?”
“Custard.”
Stella laugh. “That’s a very unique name. Can I pet them?”
“Of course.” I smiled proudly as I took a step back.
Custard and Viex lowered themselves so that it would be easier for Stella to reach them. She was delighted at their actions that she even called for Kellar to join her. Even though I don’t want him getting closer to my sister, I still allowed him to pet them only because he seemed to really like spirits.
“Go on. They won’t bite you unless you harm me.” I told him.
When Kellar still seemed hesitant, I gave an order to Viex. Viex used his tail to wrap them around Kellar and placed him onto Custard’s back. Custard was startled for a bit but didn’t mind having the boy sitting on his back. Instead, he got onto his legs, grabbed Stella, and threw her onto his back along with Kellar. Stella yelped and grabbed onto Kellar’s back in fright.
My eyes twitched at the sight of their contact that I glared at Custard. My wolf spirit didn’t notice my look, instead, he raised a paw and hit Viex’s head with it. ‘Tag! You’re it!’ He says giddily before turning around and running into the forest. Stella screamed while clutching tightly on Kellar’s back.
“STELLA!” I yelled out. Horrified at what I just saw and what Custard was doing.
MY SISTER IS WITH A BOY! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING. I am not ready for this!
Beside me, Viex was growling with furry. ‘That little bastard!’
“Yes, Viex. Get angry. Let that anger turn into fuel!” I cheered him on as I jumped onto his back. “GO AFTER THEM!” I commanded.
‘With pleasure!’ Viex hissed and then he started to run after them. It was already a fact that Viex can move faster than Custard, and in no time at all, we were able to catch up to them.
“Stella!” I called out to her. “Come here. Viex can secure you with his tails so you wouldn’t fall.”
‘Damn, right I can. I can also do this!’ Viex ran closer to Custard and hit the back of his head with his tail.
‘Ow! Why do you always do that!?’ Custard asked in annoyance and hit Viex with his shoulder. Stella screamed at the sudden motion.
“Hold on tight, Stella.” Kellar said it with concern. It was sweet, but I don’t like it when he is being sweet to Stella.
NO WAY.
“Quit it you two!” I scolded Viex and Custard as they were not even helping me of the current problem at hand. The both of them apologize and Viex was finally able to carry Stella and place her onto his back. Now, Stella was riding with me and Viex while Kellar was riding on Custard.
Now, I was satisfied. I felt immature and smiled smugly at the kid, but he wasn’t even looking at me. He was focus on what was in front of us. “Princess! Look out!”
At his warning, all of us turned to our front. Nate, Ren, my aunt, and King Luke were all strolling down the garden path.
And we were about to crash into them.
It was Ren who noticed us first. He quickly yelled to warn the others. I grabbed Stella with me as I stopped the flow of magic to my spirits. Immediately, they shrunk back into their smaller size as we all came crashing towards the other group.
All of us et out a groan as we pulled ourselves up to regain our composure. “I didn’t expect that to happen. What were you playing at, Rose?” Ren grunted. Before the crash, Ren moved forward to catch us when he noticed that I was carrying someone with me.
“I’m...taking my sister for a ride?” Even I wasn’t sure of what actually happened since it was Custard who started all of this.
“Your sister?” His eyes darted to Stella. He flashed her a smile when she looked up at him. “Hello. Nice to meet you, Stella. My name is Ren.” He introduced himself.
“He’s a werewolf.” I whispered to her.
Regardless of what happened just now, Stella smiled. “He is? Hello!” She greeted him back. “Is it true that you like to howl at the moon for no reason?”
Ren raised a brow. A hint of a smile curve on his lips as he darted his gaze back and forth between me and my sister. “Now I definitely see a bit of resemblance.”
“Who’s the pretty lady?” Nate suddenly appeared at Stella’s side.
“Don’t you flirt with her, Nate.” I warned him before looking at Stella. “His name is Nate. He’s a vampire. But be very careful with him. He’s one of those flirty men.”
“Hello! I am Stella.” She introduced herself, still unfazed by the fact that she’s with other races of supernatural. “Can I see your teeth?”
Nate gasped as he looked at her. “You remind me of how your sister reacted the first time that she found out about us! Ah, the memories.” He let out a sigh.
“Hey!” I yelled and started pushing Nate away. “She doesn’t have to-”
“ROSALIE AMBER STAN!” My aunt screamed, making me flinch in fright.
I looked up to see my aunt with her hands on her hips and glowering at me. “Just what on Earth are you thinking running around in the garden like that?”
“Um...the fact that I am on a different Earth?” I asked, trying to sound funny to lighten the mood.
“Honestly! You-” She paused when she saw Stella. “Stella? Oh dear, I am so sorry that you were involved in this. Here, let me help you up.” She reached out a hand and carefully pulled Stella to her feet. I could not help but notice how her tone of voice changed when she addressed my sister.
“Thank you..um...Queen.” Stella says.
“Please, I told you that you may call me your aunt.”
“Hey, aunty. Why can’t you help me up as well?” I bathed my lashes sweetly at her. Instead of the same soft smile and warm welcoming tone, my aunt just gave me a deadpanned look.
“Get up yourself.” She says.
“Seems like the queen has a new favorite.” Ren started laughing that I had to shut him up by hitting him with my elbow. He just brushed it off as he helped me onto my feet.
“But she’s my sister! She can’t take her away from me.” I huffed.
“How about I take you away from your sister?” Nate whispered in my ear and earned a pinch on the ear from me.
“I swear if my sister hears you say that and gets the wrong idea, I’ll-” I was cut off by a very alarming sound of a horn. All of us turned around in confusion. The sound wasn’t friendly at all and even the prices knew that as they pushed us together and started looking around us warily.
“What is that?” I asked. “It sounds like an emergency alarm.”
“It is an emergency alarm.” King Luke says while frowning.
“Your highnesses!” A couple of elf soldiers ran towards us. Their blades and bows ready at their side. “Please head back inside the castle. It is not safe here.”
“What’s going on?” Nate asked. His voice a bit higher just to speak over the loud sounds of the horn.
“The rogues. They’re starting to attack Tordis.”