Five
Bradford Manor was a short carriage ride from Arwyn, the main city of the Zalie region.
After Thea had found me in the library, we quickly got ready and loaded into the carriage prepared by Killian, who was also our coachman.
Despite what had transpired in Gray’s study, I was excited about seeing more of the area, and my spirits lifted as we set off on our journey in the misty rain.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Thea asked, lowering the hood of her forest-green cloak as she settled opposite me in the carriage.
A few raindrops glistened in her red hair, creating a faint shimmering effect around her that was gone the next time I blinked.
“Did Gray say something to upset you? He can be blunt sometimes.”
“It wasn’t really what he said, but rather, the look he gave me,” I admitted, tugging my own hood down to expose my face. “I don’t think he realized I couldn’t use my magic in any capacity.”
Thea’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can’t use it at all? Not even a little bit?”
“No,” I said with a small shake of my head. Her dismay was not helping me to feel better about myself.
“I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t use my magic,” she mused.
“What does it feel like? When you use it?”
“It feels…right.” A soft smile graced her lips. “Like I am one with the world around me. It’s a wonderful feeling. I give a part of myself to nature when I use my powers, but I get so much more in return. It’s all about the exchange.”
“It sounds beautiful,” I told her. “I hope I get to experience that one day.”
“You will,” she assured me. “Gray is one of the best magic wielders I know. I’m sure he can help you.”
“I hope so,” I said as my gaze wandered to the carriage window.
For a while, all I could see were vast swathes of farmland passing by as Thea and I traveled in comfortable silence.
Quaint cottages with thatched roofs and stone chimneys popped up occasionally, and a smile tugged at my lips as I imagined their inhabitants going about their day, farming and tending to plants.
My smile faded, and my heart squeezed as the need to protect those people with everything I had rose up, threatening to pull me under with its urgency.
“Emelin, are you all right?” Thea asked, seemingly picking up on my unease.
“Yes,” I lied, meeting her worried gaze. “How is everyone coping with the harsher weather?”
“Well, they have noticed the change.” Her gaze grew distant as it shifted to the window. “But Gray has made sure to travel through and assure each and every one of them that the cold spell is not a concern.”
When she looked back at me, I found it hard to meet her gaze.
Though she didn’t ask, I could sense that she wanted reassurance from me.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I forced a smile and said, “He’s right; it’s not a concern.
I’m sure the cold spell is temporary, and we will recover quickly with the help of our magic. ”
My words seemed to douse Thea’s unease as her beautiful features smoothed out.
Changing the subject, she began telling me about the ball Gray was throwing for the locals next month.
As the lord’s assistant, she was in charge of all the preparations.
She had embarked on the task with zealous energy, which gave me the impression that she thrived on event planning and was undoubtedly good at it.
The rest of the ride was spent in idle chatter, and I was thankful for Thea’s cheerful nature, as it helped to take my mind off how my morning had started.
Soon, we reached Arwyn, and our pace slowed as we joined the flock of other carriages crowding the narrow, cobbled streets.
As we rode through the area, I noticed that people here didn’t rush to and fro as they did in the capital.
The atmosphere was peaceful and welcoming, eliciting a quiet sigh from me as I watched the world outside with a contented smile.
Cozy wooden cottages we had passed on the way here had been replaced by robust, but no less charming dwellings made of brick and stone.
Buildings huddled close together, but nature still found a way to become an integral part of the city as vines and moss covered every nook and cranny.
Baskets teeming with flowers hung from lamp posts and lanterns, and sprawling trees scattered throughout provided cover from the rain to people milling about despite the weather.
Thankfully, the rain had let up by the time we reached the city center.
“We can take a stroll down the main street,” Thea said as Killian found a place to park the carriage.
“There are several shops I think you might like, and a tearoom if we want to stop for refreshments.” She beamed at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“I can imagine you’re accustomed to having guards with you, so Killian will accompany us. ”
“Is he trained?”
“He is. As I’m sure you can tell, he has many skills and wears many hats when it comes to serving Gray and maintaining the estate.”
“I have noticed,” I told her, still finding it strange that the lord didn’t have more help staying at Bradford Manor.
“Don’t worry, he is generously compensated,” Thea assured me as Killian opened the carriage door and extended his hand to me.
After Thea and I had climbed out of the coach, the three of us started down the main street, stopping at shops that caught our interest. As we shopped, I found I enjoyed being away from the capital, where everyone always felt obligated to interact with the royals when we were outside the palace walls.
While many recognized me here, they respected my space and let me roam the city streets undisturbed.
The shop owners, on the other hand, did strike up conversations when Thea and I entered their establishments.
Most were shocked to find me in Zalie. Their confusion was to be expected as my wedding to Gideon had been planned to take place only a few weeks from now.
Every time the subject of my engagement came up, Thea skillfully redirected the conversation to other things.
Still, by the fourth time I had to tiptoe around the sensitive topic, I felt emotionally drained, regretting having come into the city.
“I think I’ve had enough shopping for today,” I told Thea after we had finished up at the fifth clothing shop and stepped outside into the gloomy afternoon.
The rain had stopped, but it was still overcast, painting the city in bleak shades of gray.
“Would you like to get some tea at the Tea Room? I promise I won’t let anyone talk to you,” she assured me with a knowing smile.
When I nodded in agreement, she turned and waited for me to join her side before setting off toward the small, cozy-looking building at the other end of the street.
Killian followed close behind, loaded with our shopping bags that rustled loudly with his every step.
Despite the uncomfortable interactions with the shop owners, the shopping trip had been a success, and I had purchased a few dresses, some casual clothing, and toiletries.
Upon Thea’s insistence, I had also ordered a custom gown for the ball next month, though I hoped I wouldn’t have to stay in the region for that long.
If what Thea had said was true and Gray was a skilled magic wielder, I was hopeful that with his help, I would finally be able to unlock my powers.
What does your magic feel like to you? I recalled Gray’s question from this morning as Thea and I reached the old brick building, which radiated warmth despite the dreary weather.
‘Adelaide’s Tea Room’. I read the weathered wrought iron sign above the heavy oak door, which swung open and closed as people trickled in and out of the establishment.
When we walked in, the tearoom was larger than it had appeared from the outside.
To my relief, the place was crowded, which allowed me to get lost in the sea of faces without drawing attention to myself.
Thea grabbed my hand and confidently wove her way through the throng of patrons, leading me to one of the shadowy corners of the room.
We tucked ourselves into the small, square table that provided seclusion but also granted a great vantage point for people-watching.
Though the tearoom was bustling, the atmosphere was relaxed as a low hum of conversation carried through the space along with the aroma of different flavors of tea and coffee.
When Thea left to get our drinks, I realized we must have lost Killian in the crowd because he didn’t join us at the table.
Rising slightly from my seat, I looked around, trying to find the butler, but I wasn’t able to locate him before Thea came back with two steaming cups in her hands.
“Killian went to get the carriage. He will pick us up from here,” she informed me, perching on the chair opposite me. “He made me swear on my life that I would not let anything happen to you while he’s gone,” she joked, blowing on her tea while cradling the colorful red and white cup in her hands.
I also blew on my drink to cool it down, momentarily lost in thought as I watched the ripples break the smooth, dark-brown surface.
Thea cleared her throat, drawing my attention to her. “Why did you call off your engagement?” she asked gently.
I averted my gaze. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I wasn’t sure why I was delaying the inevitable.
Everyone would know eventually. I had already come to terms with it.
Yet I couldn’t bring myself to reveal the truth behind my failed engagement.
There was a certain level of shame associated with it, though a rational part of me realized it was foolish.
Gideon should be the one ashamed. Still, the emotional side of me wanted to cover her face in embarrassment.
“I see,” Thea said low. Her eyes widened slightly before turning soft. “I imagine it’s difficult when things fall apart.”