Chapter 45

Alexis' eyes cracked open slightly just before she was pushed out the bed by Alastair who was flustered and looked ready to sprout a steady stream of excuses. She groaned and when she spotted Emilia she gave a light wave.

"Hey".

"This isn't what it looks like! She-she climbed into my"-

"Now Tairy, I know I've taught you to take responsibility for your own actions", Emilia said while Alexis rubbed her eyes and stood up, too tired to care.

"She's right. I'm starting to feel like the other woman" she yawned out.

"But she- she came here first!", he argued back childishly.

"And you didn't send her back Darling so you're also to blame for this strange situation. Now, Miss Alexis, please get to your suite and have breakfast, while me and Tairy have a long awaited talk. Since we have much to talk about".

Alexis left, shooting Alastair a curious glance. She left him in the hands of Emilia.

Soon Alastair was washed up and ready to have breakfast with Emilia who waited for him on the couch, an extensive show of luxury before her, in the form of breakfast. He sat down with a nervous expression sneaking glances at her as he tried to crack what type of lecture he was in for.

"You've changed". Was the first thing she said and Alastair flinched at her words.

"Have I?" He asked pretending to act nonchalant, but as someone who knew him well she could tell he was nervous.

"Yes, you're brighter, less grumpy and more… neutral, I'd almost say happy, but not quite", it was just like Emilia to talk in riddles that made sense to only him.

"Hm". He wished she'd stop there, but he knew her better than to expect such.

"It's because of her isn't it?"

He paused in his actions slightly and dropped his bread in some jam, lifting it as he slavered it evenly with a knife.

"But you do know she won't be here for"-

He bit into his bread. A loud crunch muffled her voice. Emilia held her words back, realising he was aware of what he was in for.

"I know".

"Oh Tairy… my poor Tairy, my darling boy" tears feel down her eyes as she stared at the boy she considered her son. "If it were someone else…"

Alastair just scoffed at her words.

"Emilia, you know better than anyone that happiness isn't such a light word for me. It was only to be expected", he bitterly spoke. Bitter at everything. His family. His parents. His throne.

But, he, for one night, felt no bitterness at all. And spent it in a soothing embrace. He smiled as he recalled it, knowing it might've been the only occasion.

Emilia noticed it and gave a soft sigh in return. She knew things had to be done when she came here, but she didn't expect this much. Another task appeared on the list.

Have the fake fairy fall in love with the Tyrant Emperor.

Alexis had bathed and ate her breakfast slowly, not feeling rushed at the usual sight of Hector in the garden which obviously wasn't a thing anymore. She didn't know when her lessons with Emilia might start, but she knew she had some free time before then.

"Angela?", she called the dwarf who cleaned her balcony area, "can you take me to the dungeon entrance?"

"The dungeon?!" Angela have a high pitched shout.

"Yes?"

"Don't throw me out miss! I'll do anything! Anything!" She started to cry as she grasped the hem of Alexis unnecessarily long skirt.

'So in moments like these they can think for themselves?' Alexis gave a tiresome sigh and patted the small girls head.

"It's not to that Angela, I just need to visit someone down there".

"Oh…" she stopped crying and sniffled, "I'm not allowed there miss Alexis you need to ask Master Agathus".

"Thanks", was all she said before she sprinted to the small green man's office, where most of his time was spent, unless she was causing trouble of course.

"I need a good answer Miss Alexis, what you're asking me to do is extremely dangerous. Most of the people down there can kill you in a heart beat whether you're in a cell or not", he gave her that stern glare she was at this point thoroughly used to and just rolled her eyes in return.

"I need to show someone I'm not completely worthless", when Agathus didn't budge she gave a frustrated snark, "that's a good reason!"

"And who is this someone?"

"That Adam guy".

"Oh… if it's Mr Wolfe then I can arrange that".

"Really? But why?"

"He's in a mana restrictive room, he shouldn't be able to hurt you", he said with a long sigh and started to pack away a few military papers.

"Great".

And so she followed Agathus for a half hour still struggling to recognise all the twists and turns from when she was dragged here by Alastair. Like before, she soon stood in front of the round black door where a familiar knight stood.

He gave her a smile which she returned.

"Damien, could you please escort Miss Alexis down to where Wolfe is being held"Agathus asked and Damien complied.

"Of course, Miss Alexis, please stay close to me as there is no light beyond the deepest chamber", he politely spoke and ventured into the deep chambers.

'That meant it wasn't the deepest chamber then, right?' She shrugged it off and silently followed the knight down the spiral of stairs that were connected to the dingy and musty cobbled wall which was dimly illuminated by random lamps that hanged awkwardly on the walls.

She stepped lower and lower, finding the place creepy and horror movie worthy, she recalled how she was knocked out when that other knight had dragged her down and almost felt a bit grateful.

They came across one door and passed it, then another, and another, continuing the long walk. She thought maybe Damien had a grudge against her and was just taking her to somewhere her body would never be found.

"This is the place".

He stepped off what seemed to be the last step and stepped on flat ground, Alexis followed him in the darkness that her eyes seemed to easily adjust to. She didn't realise there wasn't any light, until the lamps were no longer in sight.

She came beside the door he stood in front of.

"I'll be waiting here. Call me if you need help".

Normally she would appreciate such words, but he seemed to sound a bit condescending, like he spoke to a child.

She understood why, recalling how she hadn't really proved herself to him, or anyone for that matter and didn't question it while he opened the prison door allowing for her to step in.

The door screeched open, it's rusted hinges crying in agony. Alexis cringed at the sound as she stepped in and spotted the bars, where beyond it sat a body, lying on the ground staring soundlessly at the ceiling.

"Ah. The worthless Mage", he said with a laugh that made Alexis frown.

"That's right, it's me and I have something to ask you", she stared straight at him with a glare.

"What makes you think I'd answer to the person who took the role I trained years for?" He spat out. "The fucking fairy slave shit that can't even do anything except that shadow mana which might I add is illegal to do without a certificate".

'He's pissed', she grimaced, 'but… why wouldn't he be'.

"How many years?"

"How many years what?"

"Did you train".

"You of all people want to know! Fine! I'll tell you! Since the day I turned two years old! And do you know how old I am now! Twenty! So can you imagine how enraged and degraded I felt when I heard you took that position!"

"Yeah… well give me a week and then we should have a- what do they call it here?- a-a- duel? Yeah I think that's it. A duel".

"A duel?" He furrowed his brows, "and what do I get when I win?"

'A bit cocky, no?'

"To be the royal mage".

He smirked at her, as if she had spoken words that should've never been uttered.