Setback

Selena had said she was in it for the money, but Alex remembered one quiet moment when she'd let something slip.

She'd mentioned how unreliable her family was, and how she wanted to ensure her own independence. She'd tried to brush it off, but the vulnerability in her voice had lingered in his mind.

Sure he was biased, but he truly did believe in her vision. Revamping it to cater to the aristocracy was a brave task.

The next day, Selena arrived at the Mage Tower ready to pitch her idea to the elder mages. She had spent hours refining her arguments and crafting a vision that she believed would not only benefit the kingdom but also appeal to the mages' interests. Despite her preparation, she felt nervous, like something bad was going to happen.

The room was brightly lit with open windows, it had towering bookshelves lining the walls and a long table in the centre where the elder mages sat.