Before the sunlight could grace my bedroom curtains, I was already awake. Too awake. It was ridiculous. My eyes squinted at the eiling, I just couldn't fall back asleep after Mister vermin's visit—if I can call it that.
I stretched lazily, trying toconvince my woke mind to sleep—no use.
I grabbed a pillow throwing it over my face, shutting my eyes, I leaned back into my pillows with a sigh. I had no intention of pretending to be a 'morning person.'
{I kinda miss Theo, he's being training like crazy lately... maybe I should check him out. Yea...i'll–}
Only a month since my birthday, and it was already almost time for the twins to start preparing for The Spire entrance exam. A rigged written exam like any other—standard Neapolitical bribery and corruption—but the Luminspire Collegium of Influence remained the only institute that could refine and weaponize the best witches and mages.
Another fun fact: every year after graduation, at least two LCI graduates dies in some part of the world. Suspicious—maybe, maybe not.
"Not like I know anything about it"
Soft footsteps approached. Lauren peeked in through the door, face half-hidden behind the frame. She wore her usual maid outfit—nothing special—but there was a tiny twinkle in her eyes. A mix of resignation and… amusement? It vanished the moment she met my eyes.
"M-my lady, you're awake?" she asked, voice calm but already bracing herself.
"Lauren," I said, pulling the covers off, "I'd like a bath. And yes, I know it's rather early, so...just get me the water. Don't worry about anything else."
She gave me a look that I couldn't decipher before nodding. "Understood, my lady. I'll fetch the water."
Her usually open-book mind was rather quiet, {is she actually not thinking?, or did she get better at binding her thoughts?.}
I frowned slightly, noticing the subtle shift in her expression as she turned to leave. Was she also not a morning person?.
"Lauren," I called as she reached for the door. She turned back.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, trying not to sound too concerned.
She hesitated, then let out a breath—she met my gaze, her eyes betraying a hint of annoyance—and surprise. "Can't you just read my mind?, you never had a problem with–"
" No, I can't, " I cut in.
" Really?!" she asked, a little too excited. " So I can think freely now?."
"I didn't lose my ability, your mind's just not... as inviting, that's all"
"Oh..." She looked disappointed. Did she pray I lose my powers?.
" Actually..." she added "the maids usually work together in the mornings. It's easier when we're all doing it at once, you know. I'm not sure how i'll manage alone..."
I paused for a bit. "Isn't that what you get paid for, I'm sure you'll figure it out." I smirked, getting off bed. "And you've been doing it all this time, why's it a bother today?"
Her brows tightened as if she wanted to argue, but she swallowed it down. "Very well, my lady. I'll do my best."
As she left to start preparing, I exhaled. Still can't believe I'm up this early…
.><><><.
After my bath, I went to my study. Usually, I'm in here to go over more logistics or house files, but today I was on the hunt for something, I climbed the ladder—scanned through the shelves.
And–
"Aha ha!" I pulled out an old-dusty looking logbook wedged between the rows. Logbooks actually. I climbed down.
As I dropped them on the table...a mini dust storm exploded from them. "Coff, coff..." It's been ages since I last put down a word of thought.
I opened it, more dust puffed up like smoke..."Achoo!.." I sneezed unexpected.
Then, without warning, a knock echoed from the door.
"Enter," I called absently, without looking up from the papers.
The door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped inside—probably a guard.
"Lady Iris," a smooth voice called, calm and assured. "Lord Verellin's here."
I blinked and looked up sharply. "Now?" It's not like I didn't know he was coming. Again. but... a part of my brain wished last night was just a dream—a weird fever dream.
Still, I tried not to appear too startled. I was used to strange interruptions at this point. "Send him in, then."
Cael Verellin entered the room with the same practiced grace, his posture perfect. His black hair was neatly styled, and his clothes—tailored to perfection—expensive. Spoke of a noble upbringing. He looked like someone straight out of a portrait.
I didn't see him properly last night, but he looked nothing less of the picture perfect noble nerd. Just missing the glasses.
He smiled slightly, and I immediately lost interest.
"Good morning, Lady Iris," he said, voice low but steady. "how was your night rest—"
"Interrupted as you know," I interrupted smoothly, my gaze falling back to the papers, "I couldn't sleep."
He continued. " I'm sorry to hear that, anything I can do to help."
At that, I raised an eyebrow. "Help?" I repeated.
He nodded, looking entirely too serious. "Yes. I serve you now. Though you're yet to give me an official posting... I can begin work immediately." He bowed humbly.
I leaned back in my stance, suddenly aware that I was barefoot, my shoes still under the desk where I had left them. "Really," I mused, my voice dripping with sarcastic curiosity. "Well I can't think of any use for you."
His answered without hesitation. "I expected as much.."
I flinched. He probably didn't mean anything by it, but his words always seem insulting to me.
He reached into his jacket, pulls out a ...list?, from the inner pocket—or maybe another dimension because I don't know how that fit in there.
"I took the liberty of preparing… this," he said, placing it on the with with reverence so precise and cautious you'd wonder if it was either important... or cursed.
I stared at it. "What is it?"
"A breakdown," he said. "Of every auxiliary family who has attended the… private gatherings I mentioned this morning. Locations, frequency, duration, and the individuals most likely orchestrating them."
My eyebrow twitched. I opened to mouth to speak–
"No need to look so taken aback," he said simply. " I assumed you'd need a strategy."
I clicked my tongue and turned back to the logbook. "And what would you have me do with it?."
"As you wish," he smirked. "Well—it's nothing much, but I do propose a five step plan. Full-proof. It would reveal their intentions, and give you full control over each of them."
Not a single twitch of humor.
The kid was dead serious. It nearly made me laugh.
I scoffed a breath. Finding my way to my seat. "Cael."
He straightened. "My lady."
"Could you make these?" I spun the logbook toward him, tapping the page.
He blinked at me as if I'd unplugged him. "Pardon?"
"I said—these." I tapped again, in case his brain needed the sound effects. "I've had inconveniences in this house since birth, but I couldn't fix any of it without drawing attention. Now that you're here. Make yourself useful."
He stared, suspicious—then flipped through the pages. A swinging chair. A pen that didn't need a quill or ink bottle. Liquid soap. A cleaning sponge. Sliding doors. A fireplace with a draft switch. And—yes—a plumbing system. It looked dramatic on paper, but I wanted to ease up some of the maids burdens. It was originally because of Emily, but the bimbo's married now, so her sister gets to enjoy the thrill.
Cael looked up, dazed. "This is… genius. But surely this can wait. Your house's political standing is far more important than adjustable—what is this—'shamp…poo'?"
"That...is my political standing, it's also how you prove you're working for me and not anyone else," I said, leaning back. "I commend your strategy Vermin, but let's start small."
"But this isn't—"
"I expect updates In...hmm..." I thought for half-a-second. "twenty-four hours?." I snapped the logbook shut. "Done!."
He stared at me like the ground had just shifted under him. I loved the not-so-smug look on his face.
"Well..get on with it."
He took the logbook, and walked out.
He didn't need to know my reasons for keeping the vessels in their seats. For now. He was talented, sharp, disturbingly willing to work for free—but I wasn't naive enough to hand over the house's secrets to a stranger who'd shown up with a smile and a plan.
Regardless of his loyalty. Trust is earned.
I pulled the list he left on the table closer, and scanned it with half-interest.
Names. Schedules. Timestamps. Codes.
He really did break down an entire network overnight. For me. For free.
A tiny, traitorous part of me wanted to acknowledge his usefulness.
I shoved that thought aside.
No one is useful until they're proven trustworthy. And Mister Vermin still had the smug smile of someone used to being three steps ahead of everyone else.
"We'll see.."
.><><><.
Dinner in the courtyard had become the only time the we all synced anymore.
Breakfast—basically an urban legend at this point. The twins were swallowed whole by exam prep, and Theo was now a no-show, he had became a ghost—vanishing every morning to fling himself at emotional-control training so he doesn't accidentally set someone on fire. My brilliant idea. One I regret.
But at night—the lanterns hanged from the vines pulsing soft gold. warm breeze carried the smell of roasted peppers and jasmine. The table looked inviting—full bowls, warm plates, steam curling up like cute sleepy ghosts.
Gia was already mid-meltdown before she even sat down.
"My brain probably looks as good as burnt meat," she declared, dropping onto her chair like her bones clocked out. "The kind that's burnt on purpose, actual charcoal. I am charcoal right now"
Mia rolled her eyes, smoothing her skirt as she settled.
"You're just exaggerating," she said simply "I like learning," serving herself rice. "It's… a lot. But fun."
"Fun for you," Gia groaned. "The rest of us mortals are damn near dying out here. Political history. Influence building. And don't get me started on the elemental theories—talking about some principles of a circle!. Why's a circle have principles, it's round!" She exclaimed–her tone heavy with exhaustion.
"I am this close!" She pinched her fingers together. "this close to giving up."
"It's a written test, what exactly were you expecting." Mia retorted.
"I don't need to understand the scientific theology of the sun to know it's bright and scorching," Gia snapped, snatching a serving spoon
I giggled into my bowl. "You're doing okay. You remember way more than you think."
Theo dragged himself in just then, all stiff shoulders and fake confidence, hiding the limp from a failed stunt earlier. He bowed slightly at us, before sitting.
It looked painful.
"Evening," he said, smoothly… until he sat and winced like a knife jabbed his spine.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
«That hurts, that hurts so bad »
{This should be interesting.}
"How was training today?" I said, fighting the urge to smile with force.
"Training went great." He straightened so fast his spine should've cracked.
{Sure it did, Superman.}
"I saw you, Theo."
He froze. Perfectly still, so hard his soul left his body.
"You… saw?" His voice cracked. "Saw what? Exactly… what… did y- did you see?"
His ears turned red.
Not Pink. Not rosy
Red.
He looked like a puppy trying to explain why it couldn't catch it's own tail.
I took a slow bite of my food, savoring the way his pride crumpled.
"This afternoon, I saw you crash into the graver. A couple times." My laugh broke through—it came as a tiny explosion disguised as a giggle.
Gia cackled, slapping the table like she needed backup. Mia tried to hide her smile behind her cup, but it just made her more obvious.
Theo sanked into his seat–nearly under the table, face scorched.
It was beautifully chaotic. And I was absolutely loving it.
Then a maid approached, bowing gracefully.
"Good evening," she said to us all, then turned to me. "My lady… Lord Verellin is waiting in your study."
I blinked.
"…What?"
" Who? " Gia asked immediately.
" My new... Aide? " I said, rubbing a hand over my face to avoid their eyes.
"You don't know?" Mia inquired, suspicious.
" I'm still deciding." I muttered.
Something clicked in Mia's head—like a lit bulb "Wait, Lord VERELLIN? As in The Verellins? The strategist family? The same ones known to have the biggest underground information network, ever!?"
Gia nudged her. "Don't they also run some tea facilities."
Mia threw a grape at her. "That's just a cover. Allegedly."
" What are you saying?." I stared at Mia, she was... glowing. Why is she glowing?
{So bright..} I squinted.
"Iris—" she got up from her chair, with stars in her eyes. Voice dreamy " If he's trying to court you. Marry him!."
Another grape collided with her head. "Ow–"
"Shut up. Sit down and stuff your face." Gia ordered.
The maid waited, eyes drifting between us with worry.
"Did he say why he's here?" I sighed.
"Yes, my lady. He said… he has updates."
I froze.
"…Updates?"
She nodded." On your... Inconveniences since birth."
Theo choked on air.
Gia arched a brow–confused. "What inconveniences?,"
"Lord Verellin's a physician?." Mia perked up.
But I just stared at the maid. Brain immobilized.
{Why would he put it like that?!, I thought he was smart.}
«Iris is sick, I'm such a terrible sister for not noticing »
«it would explain why she sleeping so much, but is still always tired»
«Onita..»
«He must be handling her care personally because he loves her!»
Thoughts were spiraling outta control, everyone was losing it. And I was only two seconds away from collapsing. And it's all...
His fault.
"Shattap!." I yelled, breathless.
Mia whispered loudly, "okay."
"We didn't say anything." Gia said.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Tell him to wait. I'll meet him in the study once dinner's done."
The maid bowed and slipped away.
I exhaled slowly.
"Onita," Theo muttered closely.
I turned to him. "Yea?"
"Are you... sick?" His tear were on the brick of tears.
Gia leaned in. "Yea, what's wrong. How long have you been sick and why didn't you tell us?"
Mia snapped back to reality.
"I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine." I actually stood up. Twirled, twice!
Jumped. Nearly did a cartwheel.
Heck—maybe I'm the one who lost my mind.
Their shoulders relaxed, though their eyes stayed on me, still shaking slightly.
"Then why are you seeing a physician in private?" Gia questioned.
" Cael's not a physician, he's my—"
"Is he your lover?" Mia chirped.
" No!" I exclaimed " I met him like yesterday!, and quit being so... weird. You're scaring me"
Theo suddenly lunged forward and hugged me let he wanted to join our souls.
" I'm alright... " I assured, patting his head.
He turned—head still against my chest, faced Mia. "And Onita's not going to marry anyone!"
{Now I don't know about that...}
They all desended into an argument over who was most worthy of my hand, like I wasn't even there. Names I'd never heard before.
And me.
I just ...wanted to be one with the winds.