Witches & Warlocks

Nero felt proud of himself while watching the people working for him round up. Everything was set in order, the only thing left now was the arrival of guests.

Every artwork of his was covered with thin clothing so no one could view it until the time was right.

"This will get you a lot of gold coins sire."

"Yes Antone, more than just a lot," came Nero's answer to his partner.

"You've helped a lot Antone."

"That's what am here for, to serve you."

Nero felt really glad to have this man by his side, he was honoured and grateful.

"Come sir, let's have a little talk over a glass of rum or two." Nero offered and Antone happily accepted the offer. They gave some instructions before leaving the place.

Nero's house was not far from the town hall so they both walked side by side.

"How's Fidelia doing?"

Nero had forgotten to ask about Antone's wife earlier until now. Antone glanced at him and offered a warm smile.

"She's doing very well, thanks for asking."

The smile never left Antone's face, it was so strong and cheerful that Nero suspected he was keeping something from him.

"Anything you want to tell me?" Nero poked and Antone laughed excitedly, he was overjoyed.

"Fidelia is three weeks gone."

Nero's eyes twinkled at the news, he couldn't help but be happy for his partner's luck. He patted Antone at the back while congratulating him.

"What gender are you hoping for?" Nero wanted to know.

"Any gender is OK, but hopefully a female."

"A female?" Nero's eyebrow arched upward in surprise.

"Yes, I want to experience that feeling when it comes to handing her over to the man she'll love."

"You're unbelievable Mr Morrison," Nero had a look of awe. Antone chuckled lightly and shoved his hands into his pants pocket with a wide grin at his face.

"Have you found a woman yet? Time is ticking by and it waits for no one." Antone lectured him.

Nero smiled a one sided cunning smile as he peeked at his partner before facing ahead.

"I have"

"You have?"

There was surprise written all over Antone's face, he was taken aback at the way Nero said those words.

"Who is she?" He further inquired, growing curious.

"An anonymous lady."

"Don't tell me you're joking, sire."

"Am not Antone."

Antone gave him a look before letting go of the topic because he knew Nero wouldn't spill the beans even by mistake.

"When will his majesty host a ball, it would be advisable for your brothers to find themselves a woman. Especially his majesty, the king and your sister."

"Don't worry yourself about such trivial matters Mr Morrison." Nero waved away the matter like it was nothing and this made Antone shake his head in disappointment.

Soon they neared his residence. The butler came to welcome them and Nero nodded at him before heading in with Antone who followed him closely.

Nero didn't have much servants, he preferred a low key life.

They entered his leisure room and Nero gestured for Antone to sit before going to the cabinet which was stationed at the end of the semi large room.

He opened it and took out a bottle of rum along with two glass tumblers, he walked back to where Antone sat and kept the things he brought on the wooden table in between two wooden chairs.

"Fidelia's take in is enough reason to make us celebrate over a glass of rum, I'm really happy for the both of you."

Nero made a little speech and Antone nodded his head in appreciation. He uncorked the bottle of rum and poured a suitable amount into their glasses.

"What will you name her if the child turns out to be a female?"

"Minnie"

Nero took a sip from his rum and set his lips in a thin line while watching his partner.

"Why Minnie?"

"Because it means love, I want her to grow in love and learn to show it to others without being selfish."

"Fair enough."

Nero pointed his forefinger while making that statement.

"Can we focus more on you? I feel it is unfair to only talk about myself."

"So what do we discuss about me Antone?"

Nero was a young man who loved switching titles from formal to informal, adding the 'Mr' and removing it seconds later which Antone picked up fast ever since they became partners.

"Apart from the little I know, I would still like to know more about witches and warlock Sir Nero."

"Want exactly do you want to know about them Antone...magic?"

Nero spoke casually with Antone. They had discussed a lot of things over the past except for this particular topic.

"From what I've observed so far, the five of you are more...different from other witches and warlock."

"There's a difference, yes, but there's also no difference between us."

"Why is that Sire?"

Antone grew curious and wanted to know more about them. Nero had always told Antone to eliminate the title and just call him by his name but the man was adamant on giving him respect even though it was the opposite.

"Let me begin with the no difference part." Nero proposed and Antone nodded while taking a quick sip from his glass.

"As you know, every witch or warlock is born with an ability or do I call it element, and this pertains to the wizards as well." He paused, letting what he said sink into Antone's head.

"You already know the elements, so there's no need brushing through that." Antone nodded rapidly in agreement to what Nero said.

"And we all harness unique powers in us, now lets move to the difference part. We are different from them in the sense that our innermost powers comes out only when we find a wand that best suits us...a witch or warlock don't need a wand, all they need to do is study incantations, spells and how to make potions through books. We wizards don't necessarily need that, we have everything in a wand."

"So you're saying a witch can't make use of a wand?" Antone asked in a careful tone.

"Precisely, that's why we wizards are classified to be high ranked." Nero explained further and Antone nodded his head in understanding.

"What will happen if a witch comes in contact with a wand?"

"Nothing happens. When the wand is in their had its just like an ordinary stick with no purpose." His partner twitched his lips in thoughtfulness before gulping down the rest of the content from his tumbler.

"What happens if that wand gets broken sire?"

"It never gets broken easily, not by a human or any other kind. Only another fellow wizard or wizardess can break the wand if he wanted to...but it can be replaced, if that's your question Mr Morrison." Antone felt relieved at that, he poured himself another glass of rum before leaning his back into his chair.

"Its a relief to know that, I was scared you'll never get another one if this one's broken." Antone let Nero know his inner thought.

"Such a caring young man." Nero praised him and they both chuckled.

*

"This is another great opportunity Rose and you need to grab it."

Her mother lectured her while she patiently listened like the good girl she was. Her body felt strange and slightly nervous due to the fact that she would be meeting the man she was smitten with.

"Are you alright my dear?"

Her mother had a worried furrow marred at her forehead. Rosabel swallowed her saliva and took deep steady breaths to calm herself.

"I'll be fine mama"

"That's my little angel." Her mother, Henrietta, cupped her daughter's face and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek.

"Now get dressed dear, we don't want to be behind time." Her mother instructed before heading out of the room, leaving her daughter Rosabel with her handmaids.

"Is this to your liking milady?"

One approached her with a lemon green dress with layers. Rosabel frowned and waved her hand in displeasure.

"How about this, lady Rosabel."

"That's too plain and old Diana! Find something extravagant!"

Rosabel angrily snapped at her maid, she was in a mess of wanting to look good in front of the man she was in love with.

The maids hurried back to the wardrobe to search for another dress that will suit their mistress.

Rosabel sat in front of her wide mirror trying to rehearse what she would say. From time to time a deep frown would mar her face in anxiety.

'My lord, it is an honour to...to finally meet you again' She stuttered in her mind and it irked her.

Standing up she paced back and forth while chewing at her nails, she was a complete wreck!

"Lady Rosabel, are you alright?"

"What do you think!"

Rosabel couldn't help but snap at her maid again, she was a hot tempered lady and very rude.

"Am sorry milady, here are the dresses, whichever you prefer." The maid, Diana bowed while showing the dresses she held in her arms.

"This will do, now get to work."

She picked a dress from the bunch Diana carried in her arms. They quickly set to work, dressing her up and putting on her makeup. Making sure she looked good.