Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 128: Belated Invitation

Chapter 128: Belated Invitation

"Yes, the lake, My Lady. I think it is best if we start with something simple."

Ahspid took a step forward, standing right on the thick surface of the frozen lake, then took his black glove off, and slightly moved his fingers, releasing a thin stream of purple mana which adhered to the ice and melted it, causing the water of the lake to push up through the remaining seal of ice on top of it.

"What I am doing right now is not the same as weather manipulation. It is an illusion. If you try to put your hand through the hole I made in the ice, you won’t be able to, as there is no hole; the ice is still intact."

"I see..."

Aideen placed her hand on the watery surface of the ice and arched her eyebrows as she realized that there was indeed no water.

"So you think my mana will actually make the ice melt?"

"Yes," the mage nodded and continued, "Do you remember your first practice? You created quite a lot of snow, and real snow at that. If you push your limits further, I believe you will be able to create and control real snowstorms, pouring rains, hail, and much more."

"And much more... What a dangerous power that is!"

"So? Are you ready to start?"

Ahspid stepped away from the surface of the lake and urged the princess to follow his example. Then, he knelt down and instructed,

"Place your hand on the ice and pour your mana into it. Think of what you want to create or... destroy. The intentions used for weather manipulation have to be strong; remember that."

The princess nodded and followed his command. Placing her right hand on the icy surface of the lake, she closed her eyes and tried to focus. But what did she want to do?

’Strong intentions? Somehow, I cannot think of destroying something... Can this power be used to protect instead?’

As these frantic thoughts began to cloud Aideen’s mind, she failed to notice that her mana was leaking out of her thin fingers, covering the entire surface of the frozen lake with its shimmering blue blanket.

And just in a few moments, the two of them heard a peculiarly loud cracking sound, as if someone had stepped on thick, invisible glass.

"More ice?"

The mage leaned over and narrowed his eyes. Indeed, the ice that covered the lake before changed both its color and structure and became even thicker. Ahspid knocked the knuckles of his right hand on the newly created ice and scoffed.

"Fascinating! What did you think about when you made it?"

Aideen shrugged, with a rather lost expression on her face.

"I tried to think of something strong, and the strongest word that came to mind was ’protect’. I wondered what would happen if I wanted to protect the lake."

"So you’ve built an icy wall to protect it, huh? Impressive. Alright, let’s see what else you can do. Try again!"

Returning her big eyes to the lake, the princess took a deep breath.

Another myriad of words rushed through her mind before she could finally cling to the one she needed. ’Destroy’ was not the notion she liked, but she had to try it.

And she succeeded. The lake was no longer covered with ice.

Fascinated by her own newfound abilities, Aideen refused to stop. Jumping through the strong words that worked like magic spells under the influence of her unique mana, the woman continued to play with ice and snow, altering the temperature surrounding the lake until, finally, out of nowhere, it began to rain.

"Oh no, how did it happen?"

The princess rushed to cover her head with the wide hood of her coat, while Ahspid was shaking with laughter.

"You did it! Just a couple of hours, and now you can summon the rain! Selectively, look!"

The mage pointed at the village across the lake, which made Aideen freeze in astonishment –– the rain was only falling over the lake, which had the biggest concentration of her mana, while the rest of the place was fine.

As the two of them stood there almost motionless, watching the real rain fall over the crystal surface of the lake, their little tricks seemed to have attracted more than just a natural phenomenon.

"Well, well, well, and who do we have here?"

A cold female voice cut through the enchanting serenity of the magic, prompting the rain to stop. All of a sudden, both Ahspid and Aideen were captured from behind by two strong men, their sharp swords pressed against their necks.

Before them stood a rather petite woman dressed in all black like a mercenary, the dark brown hood of her underjacket covering her short black hair. The stranger’s face was concealed with a mask, only a pair of bright golden eyes briskly running over the people before her.

As she approached the princess, the woman took a moment to scrutinize her face, then smiled behind the mask and continued,

"What a pretty face! And dressed in such fine clothes, who would have thought she would be a mage! I wonder how much money we can get for her from her..." She shifted her golden eyes down to Aideen’s hands and laughed, "Husband! Oh, lucky us! With a rock this big, her man must be filthy rich! Though I cannot help but wonder what such a noble lady was trying to find in a place like this to begin with?"

The woman took a small knife out of the pocket of her short black jacket, placed it under the lady’s chin, and lifted it, finally asking an important question as her golden gaze met the pair of dragon eyes,

"What is your name, pretty lady? And what is your noble rank?"

Aideen parted her lips, her voice trembling and quiet,

"My name is Aideen Valentine. Duchess Aideen Valentine."

The short woman widened her eyes; the princess’s reply rendered her speechless. She stood quiet and bewildered for several long moments, then burst into laughter, and finally exclaimed,

"Is that so? Well, then I guess we shall pay your husband a visit, Duchess Valentine!"

"I beg your pardon?"

Aideen’s question was heard, but instead of granting it with an answer, the woman nodded at the two men restraining her and her teacher, who in return, hit them on their heads with the heavy handles of their massive swords, rendering them unconscious.

"Put them in the stolen caravan and prepare to leave. We are going to the castle."

The men nodded and dragged the bodies away, while the woman adjusted the black mask on her face, her eyes lighting up with a glow of excitement.

"I was waiting for you to come to me, but I guess I can consider THIS as my belated invitation instead... Tillian."