I stared and stared at my hand as we went back to the mansion, never minding to close my eyes to sleep.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1GlKhopFg
Why did I shake hands at that wizard and felt comfortable? When did I ever felt comfortable with someone shaking hands or even touching me? What is it in him that made me want to accept his gloveless hand?
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsuUixXt5F
And even though I'm asking myself these questions, I never cringe. Not like in my past embarrassments that I thought of and makes me wanna punch myself. I put my arms in the back of my head to make it as my pillow as I stared at the ceiling of the room.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1c8hU7NEu
I tried so hard to close my eyes to sleep. I tried inhaling and exhaling for 3-4 times, hold onto the silence of the room, and held the wooden stick to swing it until it felt tiring. None of it was working, it only made me energize in the middle of the night.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOojH3yeUrw
I wore my slippers on and tiptoed on the way outside the small room, minding the maids who's sleeping in the opposite rooms. I silently went to the kitchen to fix me some warm milk. While at it, I saw the Sir Maven's two crows by the window and they're staring straight at me.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQZAImfFxk
I opened the cabinet on my left side to grab some corn and feed it to them as they flew to the table. I watch them ate while I'm drinking my milk. I placed my palm on the table with the additional corns as they spread their beak to take it.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbOf4QnRce
I took a deep breathe as the sense of falling asleep gone through me. I failed to go back to the room. Feeling that I can't take it anymore, I fell asleep.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPrKYwnqkJ
When I woke up the next early morning, a dark cloak was placed on me, covering me throughout the night and protecting me from the cold. I took and look at it, wondering.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8RbOr4cT
"Severine?" I heard the hoarse voice of Dame Blanche from the entrance of the kitchen. She's scrubbing her eyes. "It's so early, why are you here? Are you hungry?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAUh8DcD1x
I blinked. I was thinking of asking her if she somehow put the cloak on me while I was sleeping. But it turns out her asking me.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrcBV5uwiD
"I fell asleep here, I'm sorry."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbfgqFS2av
She swayed her hands, telling me to not to bother. "It's fine, it's fine. I always fall asleep here too."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXYHdZp2de
"A-Alright. Uhh, wait here, I'll cook."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzkSzyKjAx
Dame Blanche sat on a chair and place her head on the kitchen table, closing her eyes. "Don't worry, I'm not asleep. I just really need to close my eyes. I'll wait here."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WO83E3dOR
I nodded my head as I started gathering the ingredients for a morning soup. Some maids quietly entered the room. Seeing Dame Blanche with her eyes closed on the kitchen table, they smiled as if she had done it before.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOXKPNNZYN
Sister Terevina helped me prepare Dame Blanche's breakfast.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeqkdz5G2M
After doing my task in the kitchen, I took the coat with me knowing that no one in the maids, servants, and Dame Blanche hadn't knew where the blanket came from.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIg57yJx7G
Dame Blanche just said to me, "Maybe it was my brother, he had cloaks 'cause he's a wizard. But...he hates black, he only wears red or blue cloaks 'cause he's so petty and wants to stand out. Plus, he already burned all his cloaks the day before yesterday, you know?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBw8qLHd9y
"Al...Alright."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjczFzVF11y
"By the way, Sev, come with me in the marketplace in the afternoon. I want to buy something---I wanna go out, is that alright?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3XanwMrk0
I nodded and my head and exited the kitchen. When I went back to my room, my window was slightly open and I saw Sir Maven's two crows there.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06CaYFq0t2
"Oh, you two opened my window. That's bad. I hate colds." I said as I close the window.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5J5M2O9EV
They flapped their wings and flew on top of my small cabinet.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVu3v881pr
Are they sticking with me 'cause i feed them last night? or they just want more corns?
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGjDjFerhp
I smiled with the thought of it before I immediately went back to the kitchen to fix them some corn. When I had gone back to my room, the window was open again and they're gone so I put the corns in my clean and unused jar.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNnL7FB2dg
Hours later while I'm cleaning dust in my room, they came back. They let go of something on their beak and it fell on the floor heading to the cabinet. When I pick it up, it seemed to be a rock---no. It's more like a very tiny crystal to be exact. I'm seeing a hint of wonderful colors.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFsV8XJP8u
"This is beautiful. Where'd you get it?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XBZgFfJkQ
The two crows tilted their heads. They started making sounds as I opened the jar of corns and fed them. After that, I opened the window as they get out. They'll be able to open it again since my window lock is broken.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcp9znXEhj
I heard from Sir Maven that this two crows aren't any just ordinary crows. They have magic because they were born under the magic tower. He told me so that I wouldn't be surprised if they did something unusual.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfRMCTBvJG
I dressed myself up as I heard Dame Blanche's voice calling me from the outside. I closed the door of my room and followed her in the carriage. When I look at her, I noticed a very large eye bags under her eye that I didn't realize earlier because I barely saw her face.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7z6HHC3QY
"Dame, did you cry?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAQxZYmbQR
She gazed at me in surprise. "How did you know?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt488gEc15
"Uhh, well..."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb5tiZcEqw
"Oh, shoot it! I cried! The novel I was reading last night was really good and I'm going to buy its sequel now!"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YPqc5AzAS
I laughed. She proceeded to tell me the plot of the story and what happened inside the book as we're riding the carriage. I smiled and laughed throughout the whole ride. I love how the Dame make expressions while she was telling me a story.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi680uMZJr4
Suddenly, the carriage stopped and it's our sign to get outside. I handed Dame Blanche his yellow hat and followed her as we got inside the bookstore.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEC3OSkj0Z
"You can just wait for me here or would you like to roam around?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfs0Wy1QSq
"I'll just roam around," I answered her and she smiled.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomHwFikzFr
"Alright! I'll see you here later then?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vEc4AjqJA
I nodded as we parted ways. Dame Blanche asked the librarian on the counter and she went to the second floor and I stayed in the ground floor. I walked through the shelves and carefully picked up some science-related books but got bored and I shifted to the next shelf.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5H3jYjsan
I paled as my heart almost left my body when I saw someone so high while he picks up a book on the very high part of the shelf. He was casually flying and looks unbothered. I paled more.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5qBDYydJ9
It's like he realized my presence and look down. I don't know what face in the grave I have right now but I know he took ahold that I'm losing blood in my face. He carefully flew down and I heard his tiptoe.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqni8toiaT9
I slight calmed down when I recognized him.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM8e0rEgZj
I immediately bowed my head. I don't know how to greet him.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAsNFpQfDW
"You don't need to do that."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzHBBTGJKL
I looked up at him and he asked again.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTsxjntjsS
"Did I startled you?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngY5nUEzoO
I nodded. "Please don't fly around, Sir. Some of us are just ordinary citizens who easily get surprise. Please not in public."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURYZ1UkGow
He stared at me in silence. I waited for him to reply. "I apologized, I'm just finding some book."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfrN8U0BT2
"You could've just ask the librarians on the counter for help, Sir..."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIEimZKDOV
He looks down. "T-That's right. Didn't think of it."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv9ZcG8W7y
I sighed. "What is it that you're finding?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4gunjkt9V
"The History of Persuavia Empire. I needed a copy of all its versions and republished books. Some of my copies of it were burned." He scratched his cheeks.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVBvr5pdHr
I tilted my head and a question popped up my mind.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgn8IVmqUJ
Why does he need every version of it somehow?
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5wwCqYYuL
"Oh, follow me. I know the way." I said. I could feel a stinging gaze behind me as he followed me over. I peaked behind me and he flinched. I ignored it as that stinging gaze faded.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ5Qog4SBb
I brought him to a shelf not from afar where the collection and volume of The History of Persuavia Empire is at. He stopped and scrolled his fingers through it.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr70dtjsKv
"Thank you,"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA7AyZZEGX
I nodded at him. "You're welcome, Sir."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU2luCuZxm
I turned my back and started to walk but I felt that I was being pulled back. When I turned again, I witnessed how he held the hem of the dress I'm wearing using his visible black-colored magic. I was even more surprised.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XU6sSOl6v
"W-Why?" I asked confused.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Se0LJQhtK
"Where are you going?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwvk9DFf7v
"Uhh, leaving?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5WfYIpsdB
"Did you come here alone?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPZHf9RhjP
Even though I don't need to answer his question and I can be sarcastic, I chose not to. He's still a wizard.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgbaO67zyu
"No, Sir. I'm with my Miss. She's Dame Blanche Kervioa. She's on the second floor and I just strolled around."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAenSsFzhr
"Oh,"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vBgy7SDGn
He let go of the hem of my dress. I bowed to him to bid my official goodbyes.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQx1kAB0do
"W-Wait..."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OyYFlGN6M
I turned around once again. "Yes, Sir?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsyfNPouCn
"How...How old are you?"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LLZNCbh1Y
"I just turned 15, Sir."
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLBM8ycUQy
I blinked. I felt a sudden uncomfortable force coming from him. It felt dready. It felt too powerful.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaH2pqUI1q
"No, no. You're not." His voice shakes. My heart almost dropped.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV9KayJi99
I got really scared and step back. There was something at the back of my head aching. I tried holding unto the shelf to find my balance. After a few seconds, I saw him flinched as he stared at me intensely, worrying and extending his hand.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7GxBByxq
"I'm sorry---"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLRudJ0nOo
"Sev??? Sev, where are you? I found it! Let's eat!"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20ccqMUE6E
I heard Dame Blanche's voice finding me and approaching over. When her eyes met mine, she stopped as she noticed the person in front of me. She immediately run towards us and bowed her head.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6I0NiStek
"Greetings, Sir Graves!"
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFhliObziH
He seemed to know Dame Blanche 'cause he nodded his head. I heard Dame Blanche whispered to me that I needed to bow my head too. Even though I already did it a while ago, I did it again. The beating of my heart is still rapid.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJbpetjhAX
"Greetings," He said.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfGKcZqPkJ
Dame Blanche asked a few questions for her greetings while the wizard answered it politely. I stared at him for a little while before Dame Blanche and I bid our goodbyes. Walking away, I turned to peak at him for the last time.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4boKo9aP8
All I saw was his back facing the shelf.
ns3.145.50.27da2
and then Add to home screen.