It had been two days since she met Princess Alara, and in her opinion, things have only gone downhill from there. First things first was that she was enrolled into Isaria Academy and was to play the roll of Alara's "maid" while there, she was even given fancy clothes and everything. Secondly, she couldn't turn in her research paper to the Academy anymore now that she was enrolled, because that'd gain her too much unwanted attention, in her opinion.
The only good thing to come out of the past few days was that she didn't have to verbally communicate how her mission was doing to Julian's contacts. She only had to write him a letter and leave it in her school issued mailbox and things would be taken care of from there.
Oh, and she had to stay in the same room as Alara now, that was the worst part, it was just so traumatic that her brain decided it never happened. Unfortunetely, living in the same room was a constant reminder that it did happen. Why the Princess requested for them to live together was beyond Aurora's little brain, but she was so used to living alone that she hated it. At least her new roommate didn't snore.
Fortunately, due to her past, she has semi-formal training on being a maid, so despite being awkward when it came to conversation, she performed her maidly duties quite well.
"Aurora! Another tea please."
Alara's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Grabbing the pot, she walked over and poured a new cup for the two who sat at the table. The other girl took the cup and gently put her lips to its edge before taking a sip, everything she did was graceful, it was really quite amazing.
She was Lady Eira Vandenberg of House Vandenberg, a prominent household to the east of the Capital. Despite her noble upbringing, she has been generally friendly and polite to Aurora, which is good, because if Aurora had to deal with a lot of negative people, she might just fall into a crippling depression.
"Lady Alara, I never thought to ask before, but who is this new maid of yours?"
Aurora perked up, frightened at the mention of herself. Hopefully Alara said only positive things and didn't throw her under the carriage.
"That would be Miss Aurora Ashcroft," Alara gave a soft smile, "My newest and most favorite addition to my staff." Aurora curtsied in response, as long as she didn't have to talk she'd be fine.
"She doesn't talk much, so please forgive her if she doesn't respond to all of your questions." Thank you so much, Alara. She is truly an Angel in disguise sent down from the Heavens to protect Aurora from social interaction.
Eira clapped her hands together with glee, "If she's your favourite then she must be truly wonderful!"
Aurora looked down with a small smile. Wonderful, it was somewhat of a foreign word to her, especially when referencing her rather than only her accomplishments. She found the word pleasant to her ears.
Alara smiled at Aurora's happiness before turning the conversation, "Have you heard about the foreign noble joining the school, Lord Antonio something something?"
Eira nodded her head, who doesn't know about Lord Antonio, son of the Prime Minister of Rosaria. He was the new talk of the town as soon as he arrived at the Academy, from his good looks to his intelligence to his charm, he had it all and knew how to use it effectively.
Far different from Aurora's welcome to the school, which no one but Alara had given her. But that was besides the point, Lord Antonio was here now, and rumours have spread that he is joining the student council.
Many speculate that he is only doing it to get closer to the President, the First Prince of the Kingdom of Everglades, this way he can strengthen the ties between the two nations.
Aurora shook her head, if he really wanted to strengthen ties with Everglades, he would approach Alara and attempt to court her. By becoming her husband, he would have access to so much more in the Kingdom than he would from just being Prince Damien's friend and fellow council member.
And it just so happened that he was approaching... their table now?
"Ladies, hello, how are we this fine afternoon?"
"Lord Antonio! Excellent, and yourself?" Eira was so natural in how she spoke it was no wonder she got along with everyone, from her down to earth attitude and kind nature, to her graceful demeanor and elegant appearance, everything about her was so perfect.
"Please, call me Antonio, or Tony, whichever you'd like." His accent was barely contained, more than likely a ploy to charm the ladies, especially Alara, who seemed to love his voice. Who knew that she had a weakness for foreign accents, Aurora certainly didn't, and they were bonded by blood and ritual now.
"Tony, would you care to sit with us?" Alara asked with barely contained joy towards the prospect of him sitting next to her.
The young lord smiled with enough charm to sway any girl, well, any girl that wasn't a recluse shut-in who only loved studying magic.
Sitting down, he stayed a polite distance away from Alara, and yet, his comfortableness made it seem like they have known each other for ages.
"Tell me something, my dears..." Aurora poured him a cup, thanking her, he continued, "Have you ever played cards before?" He pulled from his pocket a deck of cards. Strange that he'd have a deck with him but oh well.
Eira put her hand to her mouth, "Heaven's no, that is unlady like here at this academy." She lowered her hand to reveal a coy smile, "But, if you're willing to teach us..."
Antonio smirked and gestured to Aurora. "The beautiful maid in the corner, would you mind shuffling for us. To prevent any foul play among the participants."
Aurora's head perked up and she gulped. Slowly approaching, she took the deck as their fingertips brushed up against one another.
She began to shuffle, and as she shuffled she came up with an amazing idea. Within the deck, she implanted the Ace of Pentacles, which formed into mana and merged with the existing cards. The pentacle acts as an all-seeing eye that can track the location of the thing it is embedded in.
And if Mr. Antonio here keeps his deck with him, then she'll know where he is at all times. Call it a hunch, but she didn't trust him, or perhaps it was just jealousy, jealousy for what, she did not know.
She hands the cards back to him and he begins dealing. "The game is called Joker's Hand, it is a game of deception, something we all know is a favourite among nobles."
The name sounded familiar, perhaps from a book? Aurora couldn't quite place her finger on it, but she kept listening anyways.
Thirteen cards were dealt to each of the three players as he continued to explain, "The order goes as follows: Ace to Queen, with each card faced down when placed into the center pile."
He continued to explain, "The first person will place an ace face up, and then the second will place a two face down, or they can lie and place another number down if they don't have a two, however, someone can call them out on that, and if their bluff is discovered, they take the center pile and the game restarts to ace until one person no longer has any cards."
Alara tilted her head in question, "And what of the joker? It is called Joker's Hand after all."
Antonio's eyes gave off a playful glint, something Aurora found a little disturbing, "The joker is a wild card, if you place a joker and someone calls a bluff on you, they take all of the cards instead."
"So it's a cheat?" Eira asked.
"Precisely."
There is no cheating in war, only luck and survival, that is what Aurora has come to learn, and this was no different. Joker's Hand was merely a game of chance designed specifically to enable the participant's survival mechanics.
A small raven circled overhead, kicking Aurora out of her thoughts. This was the first time she had seen Arden since they arrived at the capital, and despite him being a bird, she could see his muscles tensed.
"I feel a magical signature. It's faint but it feels dangerous."
His voice was serious for once, a very bad sign. Despite having heightened senses, especially towards magic, she could never sense magical signatures the same way a spirit could.
But, she didn't have to. Looking in the general direction he soared off to, she could see a faint light from one of the dormitories, a spell was being charged.
The next second, Aurora felt a familiar prickle across her skin, which only happens when a large energy signature is directed her way. The spell was fired and soared towards them with haunting accuracy.
It was aiming to kill them all.