Chapter 6 - Spoiled Rich Kids

  After walking only a few blocks, Daniel found a fancy hotel and spent the night there. The price seemed almost unreasonably cheap, at only a hundred slivers a night. Especially considering the luxurious room he eventually found himself in.

  Magical formations were subtly integrated into every surface. Temperature regulation runes carved into the window frames, sound-dampening arrays woven into the wallpaper, and what looked like air purification circles discreetly hidden behind decorative moldings.

  This is basically a modern hotel at this point, if not better.

  The bed was like a soft cloud, definitely magically enhanced in some way. Either that, or made with monster materials that were perfect for sleeping on.

  Daniel sank into the mattress and immediately felt tension leaving his body. He stared up at the ceiling, where faint constellations of light danced in slow, hypnotic patterns.

  First night in this world… Maybe I’ll wake up back home again? Would I want that?

  The question hit him harder than expected. Back in his old life, he'd fall asleep to the sound of traffic and air conditioning, usually with his laptop still warm on his chest and the taste of his last cigarette lingering in his mouth.

  There were things he missed already—the comfort of familiar routines, the satisfaction of seeing his story's comment section explode with reactions, the simple pleasure of knowing exactly how everything worked. And he did regret not getting to see his parents again. He wanted to tell them that he was doing okay, at least.

  But other than that guilt, his life felt so much more colorful now, after just a single day. Going back after experiencing real magic, after feeling truly powerful for the first time in his life, would feel like being caged.

  There’s so much I want to see and learn, and people I want to meet.

  It was his world, shaped in his image, from his imagination. He would have made changes if he knew he was going to live there, of course, but nothing significant. Plus, he already had the power to not be afraid of monsters or any other enemies.

  …Tomorrow I should go see Felicia, hold up my part of the bargain. Better do it late, though. I would likely have to sneak in.

  Formations still formed in his mind as he drifted off to sleep, excited for another day tomorrow. It was the first time he had felt this way in a while.

  He wondered, briefly, what kind of life Felicia was living behind those tower walls. The life of a spoiled rich kid, most likely.

  “Oow!”

  Felicia felt a hot liquid suddenly soaking through the lap of her dress, almost hot enough to scald her. As her older sister had moved to serve her, the cup of tea meant for her fell over the edge of the table.

  “Oh, how clumsy of me!” her sister said, not bothering to make it sound believable. “I’ll get you something to dry it with, dear sister.”

  Felicia unclenched her fists with a slow breath. She was used to this by now.

  “That’s quite alright, Mona. Accidents happen.” She replied with all the self-control she could muster. Her walking stick unfolded in her hands as she stood from her chair. “I will have to go get changed, so you needn’t bother yourself.”

  It was a good thing she couldn’t see her sister’s face—the temptation to whip her with the walking stick would be too great.

  Damn these lessons! Etiquette is useless when no one else wants me around, as they’ve made perfectly clear by now.

  Her aunt’s voice sounded completely unbothered by what had happened. “Come back here once you’ve changed, Felicia. You’re lagging behind your siblings enough as it is.”

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  “...Yes, Aunt Mary.”

  Felicia could hear the sound of one of the maids opening the door for her, letting her out into the hallway. She made her way to the elevator, found the familiar button to her floor, and waited as the doors shut behind her.

  As the familiar sensation of a slow fall hit her, she leaned her back against the wall with a thud.

  She wanted air again. To be alone, to practice the magic she had finally made work. But escaping to the mountain two days in a row would make her father even less pleased with her.

  …If only Daniel had taught me how to see. I’m sure I could learn in a day or two if I really put in the effort.

  The meeting on the mountain felt so unreal now, like it had all been a dream. The one thing she wanted the most, just out of reach.

  He had better keep his part of the deal, somehow…

  Oh, how she would relish seeing the faces of her brothers and sisters when they realized she could see again.

  That is, if she even decided to reveal it in the first place.

  Even now that I’m blind, they still hound me… If they thought of me as a threat in the fight for Father’s position again, things would get so much worse.

  A pling alerted her that the elevator had arrived at its destination. The doors opened, and she knew from the flowery aroma that it was the right floor.

  Through the hallway with the small seam in the carpet, in through the door that would creak if you opened it normally, and over to the open bedroom. Her dress fell to the floor after a quick undressing, then her body leaned forward onto the soft mattress.

  All the wind drifted out of her as she landed, deflated and defeated.

  The maids would take care of dressing her again as soon as she hit the button by the bedside. But she could avoid most of the lesson if she waited twenty more minutes. None of them knew how long she really needed to get changed, and Felicia made sure it stayed that way.

  She almost felt grateful to Mona for letting her escape. But the stinging heat on her thighs made those thoughts evaporate.

  Only four more years until I can leave this hellhole. I just have to stay low and unimportant until then.

  The familiar sound of the elevator pling sounded again, alerting her to a visitor. It usually meant a maid had arrived, but she hadn’t called for one. Worrying.

  Three knocks on the front door, then a familiar voice. “Felicia dear, it's Liz. Are you decent?”

  Ah, the head maid, Elizabeth. This was rare. Too rare.

  “I’m here, but undressed. You can enter, though, Liz.”

  The door opened, and the sound of firm footsteps traveled through her living room, pausing once they had a view into the bedroom. A short huff of exasperation.

  “Felicia, what are you doing lying there like that?”

  “Mona spilled hot tea on me. Again. I’m emotionally scarred.”

  “That girl…” Elizabeth sighed, but in an upbeat and energetic kind of way, like someone who doesn’t have time to dwell on things. “Did you look too beautiful again?”

  “How would I know?”

  “Right. Well, you’ll have to get dressed again.” She stepped into Felicia’s bedroom, heading straight for the wardrobe. “It’s important, I’m afraid.”

  “What is?”

  “Your grandmother wants to see you. And I doubt it’s going to be a pleasant talk.”

  When is it ever? But that likely means Father has spoken to her about the meeting with Daniel. Does she know about the mana vision?

  A cautious excitement started bubbling in her chest. Despite being strict and unpleasant, her grandmother was an experienced archmage, which made her one of the strongest mages in the kingdom.

  And if she doesn’t know, Harrox might.

  Elizabeth suddenly stopped rummaging in the wardrobe, standing completely still.

  “...They’ve gone too far this time. This is too far!” She stormed over to Felicia’s bedside, picking up something near the headrest.

  Felicia turned around and sat up in the bed, alarmed. “What?!”

  “Someone has stabbed a knife through little Edward,” Elizabeth said in a low tone. “The blade is poking out of his chest.”

  Felicia froze. She hugged that teddy bear every night. Did they realize what could happen, or was this one of their usual cruel pranks?

  “I’m taking him straight to your father! Gods! I might slap him if nothing is done this time!”

  Felicia took a deep breath, trying to convince herself this wasn’t as malevolent as it seemed. “Please don’t push him too far. I can’t lose you.”

  “But this is unacceptable! Even he has to realize, you could have died!”

  “It wouldn’t go deep,” Felicia replied, slowly getting up from the bed. “In fact, I would probably notice that he had grown heavier and not hug him at all.”

  “Felicia…” Her voice was filled with exasperation and an annoying amount of pity.

  “Just help me get dressed, Liz. You can talk to Father after that, but please be careful.”

  Elizabeth walked up behind her and hugged her from the back. It was warm.

  “I am only here because of your mother. If you decide to leave this place, you know I will follow.”

  Felicia placed her arms over Elizabeth’s. “I know, Liz… Unfortunately, I am just as stubborn as she was.”