**

Elindei Feuerfalke is engaged to Lucas Feuerlon even before they had the chance to know what 'marriage' meant. Feuerfalkes—a branching family of the Feuerkriegers, the royal family—who were given the capital to govern, were always in a power struggle between the Disfiegros and the Feuerlons.

The Feuerlons are the branching family that has a stronger blood tie to the Feuerkriegers, and are the dukedom. They had secured this spot for years—whereas the Feuerfalkes were now watching the Feuersoldats and Disfiegros as they climb the social hierarchy like there's a quest for power.

The Disfiegros is a marquis family that was powerful by the name yet no money in the past—but due to them being able to rise once more, they had grown more powerful, more admirable, and more fearsome. Whilst the Feuersoldats, the branching family that is the generals for military power, were now showing their fangs after many years of tameness.

These two families posed a threat to the Feuerfalkes—who were struggling to keep their spot. They haven't done anything too outstanding in years. And so, when a baby girl was born—

"A political marriage!"

To secure their ranks, the Feuerfalkes decided to choose between the three rising powers to get a proposal. Elindei, being Elindei—being beautiful even as a baby, was then frolicked over by the n.o.bles.

Three proposals were sent: one to the Feuerlon household, one to the Disfiegros, and then one to the Feuerfalke.

"The duke accepted it and wants Elindei to be wed to his younger son, Lucas!"

And so began Elindei's turmoil.

Elindei woke up that certain afternoon it was raining. She had written letters to Lucas about how much she'd love to see him for—perhaps—a tea party just a week ago yet she received no response. But what was she expecting? This was Lucas Feuerlon.

Lucas, her fiancé—was a bright child. He was magically gifted and had manifested his abilities at an early age. Elindei's family freaked by this news because it increased the chance of them calling off the marriage.

But they didn't.

Elindei thanked the G.o.ds on the bottom of her heart because of this—it meant she was really going to end up with Lucas. She's just fourteen, but she feels like she's so madly in - love.

"But does Lucas feel the same?"

It doesn't seem so. Lucas only thinks about magic and getting in Magierstadt. He never displayed any interest in love or anything at all. He only wanted to do magic—magic, magic, magic, and nothing else.

It frustrated Eli. Ever since they were children, Lucas only preferred to play with her if she knew how to do magic tricks, like sparkling some water by gathering the mist around the air or doing some b.u.mps on the ground with earth magic.

But Elindei isn't a magical user. She displayed no potential in using magic. When she said this to Lucas back when they were 10 . . .

"Huh. You're lame."

My betrothed just called me lame.

Those words pierced through Elindei's maiden heart so deep she carried it to her teenage years. She took the child Lucas's words by heart which resulted in her training herself to please him and turn to someone he'd like.

"What is the type of g-girls you l-like . . . Lucas?"

"Girls that can do magic," Lucas said. "Short hair, and a bit aloof. I find them cool,"

Elindei cut her hair because of this.

"Miss Eli, what are you doing?!!!"

She was then scolded by her personal servant—her nanny—because of this. It took a while before Elindei's hair grew, but thankfully it was back the way it was now.

The rain was pouring a pitter-patter to the arched windows. Elindei walked towards the frame and caressed the cold gla.s.s. She was missing Lucas—he had decided to set to Magierstadt to take its exam next year, and he didn't even tell her. She knew this because of her eavesdropping. When she said it was too early for Lucas to go, he retaliated with harsh words that made Elindei sob in her room.

"You don't understand my desire to learn because you only think about yourself," Lucas said. "I'm really marrying you, Eli? No one wants a wife that'll hold them back for their dreams,"

Eli wiped the tears from her eyes. She's still fourteen, and Lucas just fifteen. They're still teens. Teens say all the harshest things. Eli took a deep breath and then grabbed her cloak from her closet.

One thing she learned from her fiancé, Lucas, was the art of sneaking. The art of sneaking out of the house and heading to the capital itself.

Eli grabbed an umbrella quick and then stormed out of her own manor, her footsteps light as a feather.

**

Gloomy days in the capital meant that there were lesser people out on the thoroughfares to buy things. And lesser people meant a lesser chance of Elindei being recognized.

Her coat had concealed her appearance, and her umbrella was the one with the less fancy designs. She also wore simpler clothing—but they were still elegant. It didn't hide the fact that she was a n.o.ble, but it concealed her ident.i.ty as a Feuerfalke.

Elindei pa.s.sed by the vendors, buying kebabs and all the food she could find. Despite the rain, businesses were still standing. Well, the rain isn't that heavy so it'll be a waste no not set up your stall anyway.

Elindei brought lots of food and were carrying them in a bag. This way she would be able to eat them secretly. She just has to find a good hiding spot. Perhaps a café or a tavern that has lesser brawls chugging on a bear.

Elindei often sneaked when she felt sad. No one caught her ever since because she learned the "locked door policy" she faked to the servants. When her door is locked, it meant she's having her me-time. They obeyed several times already, so Elindei figured it was fine to continue and repeat again. Also, Elindei had her own palace. Her father would have to cross the garden in order to get to her. And her father is a busy person who seldom visits.

And as Elindei walked through the wet pavements, she pa.s.sed a dark alleyway. And in that dark alleyway, her eyes caught something. She blinked several times. No, she can't be hasty. Is THAT what she just saw?

"Black . . . hair?"

But it was dark, so she might be mistaken. Elindei stopped by her tracks, in the middle of the aisle of the alley. The rain was still pouring and the skies were dim with grey clouds. The food she had bought was warm, in contrast to the cold atmosphere.

Elindei, for whatever reason, took a step forward. And a step after another. She pa.s.sed by a garbage can, an soaked, abandoned rag until her eyes finally confirmed her suspicion.

In a tent that was all broken planks and worn-out fabric sat a boy who was as pale as snow, lips red as the skin of a cherry, hair as dark as night.

The boy lifted his gaze—and a pair of red eyes met Elindei's.

"A . . . Heilen?"

The boy did not answer. He was tall and was barely fitting in the makes.h.i.+ft tent. He was also soaked despite being inside it. The first thing Elindei checked was his ankles. There wasn't any sign of a chain being wrapped on them, so he isn't an escaped slaved.

"Y-you're Uhm . . . you have no owner?"

The boy shook his head.

Elindei felt uncomfortable talking to him. He looked older than her.

"What's your name?"

"Nathaniel."

Nathaniel? Who in the world would name their child the same as the evilest in history—the First Warlock who cursed the royals of Zweite?

"I-I'm Elindei . . . And um. . ."

Elindei didn't know what was going into her mind at that time—but she knew it was going naturally. Without much thought, she said:

"D-do you want to come with me to my house?"

**

Elindei made certain decisions. The boy agreed to come back with her without reluctance. Elindei, being fourteen and naïve, only thought about helping this boy. She gave her cloak to him and then they snuck back to the Feuerfalke residence using her own sneak paths.

At fourteen, she adopted this boy who seemed to be just a bit older than her. They were both teenagers, but she managed to keep him. The servants of Elindei were tight-lipped, and having a Heilen slave was common in households.

"I don't think dyeing this commoner's hair would do anything for you, Miss Eli. The Feuerfalkes are respectable and powerful enough on their own."

"I—I just thought they'd be fascinating to see. B-black hair, you know." Eli lied. "But starting today, he's a servant here! Did my father hear about it?"

"He said as long as you don't cause a ruckus, you can play with the 'slave'."

"He's a servant, not a slave!" Eli said. "And he'll work as my butler."

"Butler? We thought you only want—"

"His name is Nathaniel, and he's my butler now—and oh! Don't tell this to Lucas, kay?" Eli pouted. "She might get the wrong idea, Nanny."

**

Looking back, Eli indeed made certain decisions that spurred her life into a different path. Eli, who was now 18, woke up in the middle of a pleasant dream.

"Nightmare?"

Eli turned to the side of the bed and then smiled.

"No. It was actually very pleasant. I remember the first day I met you," Elindei said. Her voice was a bit rasped.

A pair of gleaming, red eyes from the moonlight looked down on her. Black hair as dark as night; and lips as red as cherry leaned to kiss her soft, plump lips.

"I love you, Eli. Thank you for finding me." He said after the kiss as he wrapped an arm around Eli.

Elindei smiled, hugging him back; her bare breast pressing gently against his pale, hard chest.

"I love you too, Nathaniel;" Elindei giggled. "The first warlock in history." Elindei joked.

Nathaniel smiled, going on top of her.

"You're mine, Eli," Nathaniel said, kissing Elindei once more.

Nathaniel's red eyes gleamed as he licked his smirking lips.

"I'm being greedy again." He said, spreading Eli's legs. "I'll bring you back to your pleasant dream, Eli."

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