Chapter 22 - I wouldn't allow you
1894 Words
Hannah is at a loss. She tried to listen to the beating of her heart. It’s beating normally. It only skipped a beat once and yet that already triggered her curse. Now she’s forced to explain herself. It’s frustrating! She recalled the boy. Why did she react that way? He doesn’t seem special.
But he has magic. A part of her reminded herself.
That was new. What is she to do, then?
As soon as she exited the library, the guards all turned to look at her.
“It is I, Hannah. Bring me to the king.” She sighed. They saw her coming in, and now…
The guards exchanged a look. Maybe she should’ve brought Nate out and let her explain for her.
They looked her over. She is wearing Lady Hannah’s clothes, but she looked… They are aware of the rumors about her, how she isn’t as young as she looked. And now, she’s even younger than earlier. Much younger.
It is a dilemma, she figured. “The princess will tell you. She saw as I became like this.” Not entirely true, but close. Hopefully, Nate would say so.
Even so, they also didn’t let her go back. Someone went in to ask. The guard looked uncomfortable when he returned.
“It is Lady Hannah. Escort her to the king.” He instructed two others. On their way, a number of servants who saw them looked on with curiosity. Hannah always walks with her head held high. People who don’t understand the extent of her powers mock her for being useless, but that never got to her.
One of the guards announced her presence to the king. “Lady Hannah to see the king, your highness.”
King Aries and Queen Natasha turned to look. Their reaction is as she expected. She bowed slightly.
“Greetings, your majesties.” She curtsied before walking forward.
“Hannah?” The king couldn’t pinpoint her appearance.
“A guest?” Queen Natasha asked the guards that brought her.
“Lady Hannah of the counsel, my queen.”
“It is my curse to return to my younger self at a random time, my lady.” She explained and everyone who heard was bewildered, except maybe the guards. She didn’t have to explain the actual condition.
“But… this young…” The king almost stuttered.
“Do not think I am a child, my lord.” She does look so young.
Given how everyone seemed shocked, she looked around the room. There were knights who must be making reports and a few counsel members who are most likely involved with those reports.
“May I request private audience with the king?” She bowed for good measure.
“A moment…” The king replied before leaving instructions to the others. He directed her to follow him. The queen had her arms around her husband’s. She couldn’t help looking back at her. Hannah responded with her usual smile. That only served to startle the queen.
They led her to a private study in the west wing.
“How did this happen?” The question was direct.
“I do not know the exact conditions, my lord, but it happens.” She lied easily. She won’t divulge such information to anyone. They cannot confirm the truth anyway.
“Really? How many times has this happened to you?”
The queen tutted, “Is this why you know a lot from ages past? Do you age and then return to this…?”
“That is correct, my queen.”
“I’ve asked you a lot of times before, but you never answered.” King Aries was frowning.
“There was no reason for me to explain before, my lord.” She has that air of mystery and coldness that allows her to avoid prolonged interaction with the others.
Who was it that cursed her? A king she wouldn’t name.
“When were you born?” The king questioned but she wouldn’t answer that.
“That doesn’t matter, my lord.” She evaded. The king won’t press the matter as he already experienced her stubbornness.
“I only came to explain my current appearance. I was visiting the princess when it happened. Should I continue mentoring your daughter?” Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat again. Was it because she thought of meeting the boy? What was his name? Aaron…
Her expression turned grim and the royals can only exchange glances.
“Do you not want to mentor her?” The queen thought she’s reluctant. After all, she rarely provides lessons to the others who are studying magic. Everyone seemed beneath her.
Hannah considered the question and tilted her head on the side. Was there an end to her curse? Should she… she took a deep breath, deciding.
“I can. She won’t be staying long anyway.” As soon as that statement ended, there was something prickling at her heart. What is this feeling?
“That’s decided, then. I haven’t asked her yet how long she will be staying.” The king pronounced.
“They are spending their time reading the books I have chosen. I’ll give them three days before I discuss a forbidden book with her. Would your highness agree?”
“I want to be present when you do so.”
“Me, too.” The queen hurriedly added.
“That’s not a problem.”
Then, there was silence.
“I shall return to my activities, then, your highnesses.”
“Go ahead. I will visit them later today.”
Hannah spent the rest of the day reintroducing herself to others: the counsel, the knights, the guards, the mentors and students, the occasional servants she meets on the hallway…
All the while, her mind was thinking about the boy. Her curse was a puzzle to her. She’d recognized the exact condition it happens, but she doesn’t understand what to do with it. The others that made her heart race were non-magic, so she didn’t dare expose herself. Given this particular way of triggering the curse, she had an inkling of what it is about. Attraction. If she gives in, would it end? What would be required of her? She’d loved someone and was betrayed. She’d loved another from afar. Others she mostly ignored. She sighed. She’s too old already, and yet her heart was relatively young and inexperienced.
When she returned to the library the next day, she stopped from a little distance away. She caught her breath as her heart raced upon seeing him. He was concentrated on his book. She had to calm herself but before she could Nate already called out to her. They both turned their eyes in her direction.
Aaron only spared her a glance and a nod.
Curious, she thought.
“We’re nearly half-way through everything. We might have to visit again to recall anything we might miss or forget. Is that alright?”
“Yes.” She replied, trying to rein in a desire to stare at the boy. They would soon leave. After tomorrow, she can teach them for two days or three.
When she found herself staring at him and Nate coughed before burying her face on a book, she decided to ask him questions.
“What is your ability?”
Aaron raised his head. He knew the question couldn’t be directed to Nate.
“Object manipulation? I can move things.”
“How about people?”
“Uh… I haven’t tried.”
Nate looked up and watched their exchange. Would he be able to? She finds that different enchantments are required to let her move objects and people. But then, it is Aaron’s natural ability.
Hannah stepped back, “Try it.”
His eyes widened, “On you?”
“I wouldn’t allow you to use it on our princess.” She tried to sound nonchalant.
“Well…” Aaron stood up to properly face her.
“Now?” He couldn’t help asking.
“Yes. Go on.”
Aaron heard from Nate that she’s supposed to be really old. No one knows her exact age and given yesterday’s occurrence, he could easily believe that. He’s somewhat intimidated by her. Also, she looks beautiful. Is white her favorite color? Her dress is white. Her complexion is fair. Her hair is white. Or should he describe it as silver? It is shinier than plain white.
He took a deep breath before trying to pull her forward. He might have used a stronger force than necessary. Hannah’s eyes widened as she crashed onto the table between them, the books falling on the sides. She grunted in pain while Aaron frantically moved. Wait, what is he supposed to do? Nate only stood, not knowing what to do either. Aaron quickly moved around the table to help her back on her feet. More books fell. She clutched her mid-section while grimacing.
“I’m so sorry. I haven’t tried that before. I didn’t know… I’m sorry.” He quickly apologized, pulling a chair and helping her to sit on it. Nate came closer, too. She hit Aaron on the shoulder.
“Be careful.” She reprimanded.
“I know.” Her reminder exasperated him. Of course, he knows.
“Are you okay?” He asked, but Hannah couldn’t speak. It has been a while since she experienced physical pain.
After breathing through it, she managed to reply a while later. “Fine.”
He exhaled deeply, sitting on the floor. That was intense. He didn’t think he would actually hurt her. On hindsight, they should’ve done it without the table between them.
She feels odd, somewhat being happy at having interacted with him, though she did get hurt. She only asked him so she would have reason to stare. Was it childish?
“Are you really okay?” Nate asked this time. She doesn’t look good to her. She’s sweating, her forehead dotted with beads of them.
Aaron was quick, offering a handkerchief. When she frowned without accepting them, his hand acted before he could think it over. He lightly wiped her forehead as he stood up.
Hannah had to calm herself. He’s rattling her. A little. She refused to look at him this time.
Nate watched oddly. There seems to be something. She frowned at Aaron, who looks flustered. Hannah was silently sitting there, rubbing her stomach.
“Well…” She started, “At least we know now that you can move humans. Wanna try it on animals?”
Suddenly, she thought of something else, “How about on yourself?”
This was her problem when she first went to the fae dimension.
Aaron squinted at her before looking through the window. Can he manipulate from such a distance? He moved close to it, finding a random bird nearby.
Nate found him grinning before she looked outside. What the…? Is he playing with that bird?
“Are you writing something?” It seems like he’s doing so with the bird as the pointer.
He let go before turning to her. “Yep.”
Then, he moved excitedly towards the center of the room where he’d have enough space. Hannah glanced at him. She heard the princess’ suggestions. Yes, some people can do much. It is a matter of trying and learning your limits. Looks like this one has only started exploring. She finds him cute.
He turned around once. How would he do this? He barely concentrated when his feet left the floor and he panicked. His legs were shaky. He dropped down from a short height and yet he slumped on the floor.
Hannah chuckled despite herself and stopped abruptly when he stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
His lip twitched at the ease she controls her reaction. One moment she sounded lovely, silent the next. Her voice is nice to listen to. He sat up on the floor.
“That went well, no? Practice more.” Nate commented before returning to her seat.
Hannah stared at him again, seriously analyzing him this time. Aaron was starting to feel uncomfortable when she stood up.
“Come.” She gestured before moving deeper into the library. He glanced at Nate, who shrugged, before he followed her.
- Writer
