Chapter 37

The contract had been signed, concluding that for the next 40 years, Arkala and the Empire will be at good terms with each other. These contracts were quite dangerous as it wasn't a contract signed by royals from two different countries, but by all the citizens. So, in the case where treason were committed then someone would have a painful hand full of blisters.

Regardless of the contract being signed, Princess Felicia and the ambassadors decided to stay for the week and news quickly swirled, people spoke rumours about how Arkala wanted to create an alliance with the Empire through marriage. And how the Emperor had fallen in love at first sight with the beautiful princess. They were all, like most rumours, extremely far-fetched

Alexis already had a clear idea on who exactly was involved in the rumoured marriage.

"Hector, do you think Alastair would take the marriage?" She said, suddenly dropping her hands that seized the blue glow they once emitted.

Hector, who had been studying her mana so carefully his eyes felt strained, sighed. Displeased at her lack of concentration.

"No Alexis. It won't benefit his majesty politically at all, unless, of course, he's sexually attracted to miss Felicia. Which, I highly doubt" Hector held his head and then gestured to Alexis to continue.

She did with a frown, still not concentrating, much to Hectors displeasure.

"But, how can you be so sure? What if he likes her?" She asked.

'Why am I so worried?'

"Yes I'm sure, Alexis, now please, stop getting so distracted".

"Fine".

Dwayne who had of course been nearby had to interrupt.

"I think he might", he spoke suddenly with a wistful look on his face, "didn't you see her? She's beautiful, I'd have her if brother says no".

She was, undeniably beautiful, but Alastair didn't romantically like anyone, right? A sense of uncertainty rushed through her veins and Hector just sighed.

"Alexis, I think we should just end today's lesson".

Alexis didn't stop thinking when he decided to pack up his things and, instead, just watched him under the shining sun.

"Hey, Hector", she called to the disgruntled beautiful man, "why did you agree to teach me?"

Hector hadn't expected her words, his behaviour made that obvious as he froze. He quietly thought Alexis was so carefree she wouldn't think to question it, but she did. Then again, she seemed to always surprise him.

"Because Alexis, I find you interesting" he walked over to her, two inches taller than her as he stared down at her with a tired smile, "you seem to have such an interesting story, but I don't think I'll ever get to know it since my time here is coming to an end".

He disappeared just like that. Leaving Alexis with a surprised expression.

"You should be careful around a Mainstar. They can very fickle and hate to be tied down" Dwayne spoke as he leaned leisurely against the trunk of an apple tree that was flowering.

"Now that I think about it, I don't know anything about Hector, do I?" Alexis said, a frown tugging at her lips.

"It's better off that way" Dwayne interrupted her just before she turned to leave.

She turned to him, giving him a scornful glare.

"You seem to enjoying yourself, always interrupting our lessons like this".

"Of course I do, I enjoy seeing you Miss Alexis" he gave a playboy smile to which Alexis sneered at.

"Too bad the feelings not mutual" and with that she left, trekking through the garden to annoy a certain emperor. Her instincts told her not to leave him alone, and so did Agathus...

She came to his office only to hear Felicias voice flowing down the hallway.

"Your majesty, if you wouldn't mind, could you come with me to the magic academy. I've heard so much about it and could only dream of going" Alexis felt annoyed at the sound of her voice but swallowed it down.

"My apologies princess but I might have to sit this out. I have so much paper work to get done", she heard Alastair's lying voice just as an idea struck her.

She burst open the door with a wide smile, startling the princess.

"Princess Felicia, good morning", she gave a cheery smile which was returned with a soft-glare.

"Miss Mage".

"That's me. Now, Alastair about visiting that academy", She started but Flecia quickly interrupted her.

"Miss Mage it's rude to eavesdrop", the hostility seemed even more dangerous. Alexis gave a wry smile back.

She held back her snappy tongue, "sorry princess, I couldn't help it".

"Continue Dirt", Alastair looked annoyed with the princess but hid it well.

"Right. Well, remember the scholarships we offered? Let's go to academy, give a tour to the Princess and visit the orphans", she noticed the twitch of Alastair lips, that usually meant he liked an idea, "two birds, one stone".

For some reason, Princess Felicia burned holes into the back of Alexis' head. Her lips thinned whenever Alexis spoke.

Eventually, the three of some sat in a large carriage, pulled by white horses. It was like something from a fairytale, except nobody treated as out of the ordinary and didn't give it a second glance.

She on the other hand, had walked around it three time before she went in. The coachman had looked at her like she was the strangest thing he had ever seen.

Alexis who had still not ventured out at all for the past weeks stared outside window, taking in everything, asking Alastair to stop the carriage when she noticed some very interesting looking food.

Alastair complied, amuses by her. And Princess Felicia just frowned, deeper and deeper, anytime Alastair listened to Alexis, until eventually, she bought up a very compelling topic.

"Your Majesty, I'm actually a very good mana user myself", she said, this turned both Alexis' and Alastair's heads.

"Really?" Alexis said, but was ignored.

"I've heard rumours, but to think it was true" Alastair's voice feigned interest. The princess who was convinced she had reared him in, continued.

"When I was young I was labelled as a prodigy. At my age now, my father forces me to put it under wraps in case it hinders with my marriage prospects, but I can't help but notice it's different for women in the Kaedmen Empire". She glanced at Alexis.

Alastair cleared his throat. Looking slightly uncomfortable.

"I hate to disappoint you Princess, but it's not much different in the Empire. Dirt is a slave I bought just recently, she had never used magic before and the only reason she does so is because I need her to", Alastair spoke gesturing to Alexis, who felt annoyed at the use of her nickname.

"Oh... now I feel so silly", Princess Felicia whose face stiffened a bit looked like she really did feel like an idiot.

"Don't, Princess. Mana is something everyone has regardless of gender. If a man feel threatened because a woman has an outstanding amount then he's not worthy of being a man", Alexis nodded furiously at his words, her inner feminist unleashed.

"That's right".

"Then, your highness, if what you say is true, when can I hear a reply to my proposal?" Her words were spoken in a nervous voice.

Alastair looked uncomfortable when he heared them, but Alexis, Alexis looked like she swallowed a fork.

'What. The. Fuck?'