The fire was low in the hearth, embers crackling softly. A bottle of aged brandy stood half-empty on the table between them, two crystal glasses sweating slightly in the warm room.
Rea sat in George's old leather chair, legs sprawled in a way that would've earned her a swat from Allegra. Arthur stood at first, pacing near the window, before finally sighing and pulling out the chair across from her.
They sat in silence for a while, sipping.
"I have Never seen her that mad before," Arthur muttered, running a hand through his tousled blond hair.
Rea grunted. "I have."
Arthur gave her a side-glance. "All This TIME...Harry was right"
The silence returned. The only sound was the pop of firewood.
Rea broke it first.
"I didn't mean to… fall in love with her."
Arthur looked up
"I mean it! She wasn't having any of it in the early stage. But We would always end up pining for each other," she said, looking into her drink.
Rea took a long sip of her drinks as she said:"
"I knew she was yours. I knew the arrangement. And we both knew how it would look if someone like me..."
"A bastard," Arthur filled in.
Rea shrugged. "...touched someone like her."
"I've wanted her since the first time she rolled her eyes at me in the pound where I met here.
Rea chuckled. "She was always too sharp. Too polished. Way too far above me."
Arthur raised his glass. "She still is."
Arthur's brows furrowed. " This could ruin Annabella and her family, if it came out."
"But still ...she loves you," Arthur said flatly.
Rea nodded.
She has always treated me as her equal... and now as her... choice. I will protect her even if it costs me my own life."
Arthur stared at the glass in his hand.
"You know," he said slowly, "I never thought I'd hear someone speak about her like that. Especially not you."
Rea smiled a little. "You thought I was just a brute."
"I still think you're a brute," Arthur said, and for once, there was no venom in it.
They both laughed.
Arthur leaned back in his chair. "I won't lie. It felt like betrayal. She was promised to me. Our families expect it. She's... mine, on paper."
Rea tilted her head. "But not in truth?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately. "She never opened up to me like she did tonight. She never ranted, or yelled, or lost control like that. Not even when we were kids. Not ever. I thought maybe she didn't feel anything that deeply."
"She feels everything," Rea said, voice low. "She just... learned not to show it."
Arthur looked at her for a long time, eyes glassy but focused. He raised his glass.
"I will not take that away from her. You better do as you said. Your life belongs to her now."
Rea clinked hers gently against his." You have my word."
And with that, he left the study.
The Next Morning.
Annabella had barely stepped off her room before her entourage swallowed her whole again.
Guards. Ladies-in-waiting. Whispers in the hallways.
She moved like a ghost, flawless and cold. Dressed in Ambroseius Red and gold. Her hair pinned high. Not a single strand of her hair was out of place. She had powdered her cheeks carefully, hidden every bruise, every mark, every memory of the night before.
As she passed the third archway on the garden walk, a small folded piece of parchment fluttered from behind a column , held down by a single crushed blossom. She paused, almost imperceptibly.
Only one person ever used crushed camellia petals like that.
Her breath caught.
She dismissed the guards with a subtle flick of her hand. "I'd like to take the next part of my walk alone."
"My Lady, protocol—"
"Is flexible," she cut in smoothly, "when I say it is."
They bowed and pulled back.
The hallway stretched quiet and sunlit ahead of her—until she saw a figure waiting at the far end, where the corridor narrowed before the main stairwell.
Rea.
Leaning against the stone archway. Arms crossed, one boot braced against the wall, eyes shadowed under dark lashes. Her sword was strapped to her back. Her ginger hair still damp from the morning wash. But her gaze was fixed on Annabella.
Annabella slowed. Her pulse surged.
"You have got to be kidding me. "Do you have a death wish?"
"I know," Rea said softly, pushing off the wall. "You're about to scold me. Again."
Annabella glanced nervously behind her. "This isn't the place—"
"I'm not going to do anything weird. I just want to say something. Then I'll leave. I just have to do this"
Annabella hesitated
" No, you don't!" Annabella's voice cracked sharp as ice. "That's the whole point, Rea! You didn't have to sneak into my bathroom. Or kiss me in the garden. Or..." her voice dropped, "...show up here. Again."
Rea stood before her now. Closer than she should. But not touching. Her hands were in her pockets.
Rea's jaw tightened. "I know and I understand now that I shouldn't have grabbed you in the gardens last night," Rea murmured. "And I definitely shouldn't have snuck into the baths or cornered you like that."
"Do you?... Really?" Annabella snapped, her arms crossed like armor. "Because I don't think you understand what's at stake."
"I'm not trying to ruin your life." Rea snapped
"Then stop acting like you are." Annabella said almost in tears
That made Rea flinch.
Annabella turned, pacing a step away. Her voice lowered, pained. "He said he'd kill you, Rea. Not metaphorically. Not politically. He'd bleed you if he knew. And I believe him."
Rea swallowed hard. Her voice was quieter now, but steadier. "Do you regret it? ...You're the only thing in this gods-forsaken world that makes me forget what I am. A Death Mage. A bastard."
Annabella's breath caught.
The silence that followed was too heavy to breathe in.
"I don't regret you," Annabella said at last, "but I regret how careless it's become. We're not in a cave anymore. This isn't some hidden village. My father's watching. Arthur's watching. The whole world is watching. You think they won't notice the bruises on my thighs, neck, and lips? The way I limp? You think they won't start asking questions?"
"I'll do better," Rea said softly. "I'll stop being a dog chasing a bone. I'll protect this. I'll protect you."
"You said that before." Annabella arched her eyebrow.
"I mean it now." Rea said sincerely
Annabella exhaled. "You're not a dog. I don't want you to stop wanting me," she said, voice so soft it was barely there. "I just want you to respect when I say... not now."
Rea blinked fast. Annabella stepped forward, just enough for their foreheads to touch. Just enough to breathe in the scent she couldn't forget.
Rea's hands slipped down to Annabella's hips sensually.
"Btw I have talked to Arthur. He promised to stay out of this"
That is wonderful but... Annabella whispered. " Rea ... Not here"
"Later?"
Annabella nodded. "After the exam."
Then a voice echoed from the stairs. "Everyone to the portal chamber. Time to leave!"
Annabella pulled away first.
But her lips brushed softly Rea's before she did.
Rea didn't follow her as she walked toward the stairs. But her eyes never left her.
In the Portal Hall,
Rea stood near the edge of the courtyard, arms folded, dressed in her standard battle-toned uniform, dark, no insignia. Her eyes tracked every motion around her, shoulders taut.
George Winstor approached from the shadows of a nearby corridor. "Reagan," he said in that voice that didn't need to rise to command attention.
She turned to him. His hand reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out a small, cloth-wrapped pouch. He pressed it into her palm.
"You'll know when to use it," he said, gaze firm. "This exam won't be what it seems. You're not just being tested. You're being hunted."
Rea's brow furrowed, fingers curling around the item. "Who's after me?"
George gave a tight shake of his head. " My child... Your life is about to change. His voice lowered with sadness and remorse. I just hope when you get to know your role in this world, you will not hate on this old man who tried to protect you the best he could."
Rea nodded once, grim. "I'll be careful. I would never hate you, old man. What are you rambling about"
"Forget about it for now. Be safe my Child." He patted her hair as if sad this would be the last time he would lay eyes on her.
Across the courtyard, Annabella stood beside her father,
"You're my pride," Alister De la Croix said, adjusting her collar as if it were armor. "The whole realm will be watching you. I expect nothing less than brilliance."
Annabella met his eyes. "Yes, Father."
He didn't smile. "And about that Death Mage. The way she looks at you...it better be one-sided." He leaned in, words clipped. "You're promised. Don't embarrass me by entertaining scraps."
Annabella's jaw tensed. "Understood."
Behind her stoic expression, her thoughts churned. Scraps. He called Rea a scrap. And she hadn't said a word in her defense.
On another end of the courtyard, Arthur sat fidgeting as Allegra Winstor tightened the fastenings of his crest, her fingers surprisingly nimble for someone of her age and grace. The embroidered Lucreus insignia shimmered faintly in the rising morning light.
"My boy," she said softly, brushing a speck of lint from his shoulder before leaning in and kissing his forehead, "you are looking so handsome. I will be rooting for you."
Arthur gave a small, bashful nod, blinking faster than usual. "Thanks, Grandmother."
Just then, a heavier tread approached.
George Winstor emerged, his broad frame casting a long shadow. He held a small, ornate box in his hands. Without ceremony, he opened it and drew out a pair of leather-bound wrist bands, well-worn, but maintained with care. The edges were engraved with the Winstor sigil, and the inside lined with protective enchantments.
He handed them over.
"I wore these when I took the exam myself," George said, his voice low but full of weight. "You have matured a lot in this little time we have spent together. I hope these will give you the confidence to become the man...the leader i know you can be."
Arthur swallowed hard, staring at them. "Grandfather… are you sure?"
George placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure. You're ready. And I know you'll make me proud. Look after Rea for me. In an other life, she could have been your sister"
For a brief moment, Arthur looked down at the bands, then slowly slipped them onto his wrists. They fit like they were meant for him.
He stood straighter.
"I won't let you down," he said quietly.
Allegra smiled. "You never have."
The group assembled. Rea, Annabella, and Arthur stood before the shimmer of blue and gold. The moment hung heavy. No one spoke for a long beat.
Rea and Annabella exchanged a fond look
A quiet, lingering thing. Rea's dark eyes softened for once. Annabella's expression betrayed only the faintest trace of a smile. It was knowing. It was full of unspoken history, of nights shared
Then Arthur cleared his throat.
"Well," he said, forcing a crooked grin. "Let's go smash this exam."
He glanced at Rea. "And maybe after… we can hang out...or something."
Rea blinked.
Annabella stiffened.
Arthur winked, completely sincere. "Who knows? Maybe I'll stop being the jealous one and start being your friend if we did hang out more."
Annabella exhaled, stunned.
Rea muttered, "You're weird."
Arthur grinned wider. "Takes one to know one."
And together, the three stepped into the light.