Even though it was the weekend, Leonor decided not to go back to Burien as she often did in the winter. The roads were dangerous and requesting a carriage was expensive - her father was sure to bring up this fact each ti she ca ho. Yet he complained when she didn’t return ho enough, saying that she wasn’t taking her role as heiress seriously.
There was truly no winning with such a man.
Deciding to hold onto her peace for a while longer, she blad her staying there on studying even though she was waiting for Eve to return. Sending a ssage to Burien Manor was so much easier than having to go there and face her family herself.
It had been over 24 hours since the familiar left for the capital to find more information on the state of King Stephano III. He finally had a coronation and had started to rebuild his trusted council but movent was slow because many were wary of him. She knew that he was mistrustful of others as well.
As long as Eve could at least catch a glimpse of the new monarch, Leonor would draw her conclusions based on his expression or mannerisms. Even though they didn’t talk much while in one another’s presence, she had an understanding of him at least.
After eating breakfast in the common area on the first floor, Leonor returned to her room and busied herself with reading. However, exhaustion got to her and she ended up taking a nap for an hour.
Without a care in the world, she planned on waking up whenever her hunger called to her or she stopped being tired. As long as she woke up in ti to inject her mana into the small lilac in her locket, there was nothing else truly pressing.
Eve had other plans as she landed on the windowsill and started tapping on the window fervently with her beak.
At first, the tapping appeared in a dream and Leonor woke up thinking nothing of it until the noise could be heard when she was awake as well. She knew right away it wasn’t any average bird tapping on her window and sprung up imdiately.
When the mage rushed forward and opened the window, she was taken aback to find the bird was no longer a large falcon but a small finch at best.
"You must have used so much mana to travel such a long way!" Leonor gasped. "Please co inside."
Eve hopped off of the windowsill and onto Leonor’s desk, but she didn’t remain as a bird for long. Another step forward and she turned into a tiny black kitten. With sharp claws, she climbed up the front of Leonor’s clothing and settled against her neck where she promptly fell asleep.
Leonor carefully shut the window, trying not to disturb the cat who had gone on such an intense errand for her.
She always found it so interesting how Eve seed to prefer to be a cat. Leonor had never owned a cat in her life but she was fond of them. She wondered if that’s where Eve’s preference ca from.
When Leonor settled back into her chair, she was struck with images in her mind. She had to shut her sapphire eyes to focus.
King Stephano didn’t walk around with a crown like his father. His clothing was no more gilded or extravagant than it was when he was a prince. Also unlike the previous King who was very relaxed, the new monarch’s expression was intense and he never stopped frowning. She couldn’t hear what was being said from afar but he was speaking sternly to those listening to him.
To Leonor’s shock, he mounted a horse and she realized many around him were on horseback as well. They looked like soldiers with swords and magical weapons in tow.
She watched for only a short ti more. It was clear when they went through the densely populated city and out of the northern gate that they were headed towards the battlefield. Eve couldn’t get closer because her mana was running out.
Regardless, Leonor stroked the small kitten affectionately, silently thanking her for a job well done.
Eve’s mories were scattered after that and Leonor was brought back to her own thoughts. Her heart was racing and the hand not touching the cat was over her heart.
It looked like they were preparing for battle despite so many n already being stationed in the north.
She wondered how bad it had gotten.
Each ti there was a casualty report, she begged and begged not to see Valerio’s na anywhere. However, with poor conditions and n dying in such staggering amounts, even the list of nas wasn’t accurate.
As she considered the new information, she stroked the necklace she wore.
Sending Eve there was supposed to settle her heart, but now her worries about the northern war were eating her alive yet again.
For over a year she had learned to live with her worries. They were like an imaginary friend always beside her. If nothing else, she could rely on consistency. However, the more she buried herself in her studies, the easier they were to cope with.
While she bettered herself as a mage, she felt she was more useful to Valerio. Mages were always being sent north. There was a small hope she would be one of them one day. She wanted to search for him herself. Perhaps she would also cross paths with the King.
Unfortunately, she knew it wasn’t that easy. She couldn’t run away and had to stay put. A noble daughter getting sent to the north was highly unlikely when most noble fathers refused to dirty their hands more than they already had when they were younger.
Quinn was her mana partner, but she didn’t know if she could confide in him what she had witnessed. Was it information the public would find out about soon?
Having no other choice, Leonor tried to focus on studying as the kitten against her neck slowly breathed in and out.
As the ti grew later and later, she felt Eve beco heavier as she grew larger. The cat had restored her mana by being close to her master.
She wanted to find the silver lining in the situation, but as she pulled the cat from her neck and looked down at her, Leonor felt miserable.
What if things in the war had gotten worse?
She would find out soon enough that it had.
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