Dragon's Ice

Chapter 3

FREYA

“Interesting! Very interesting!” the professor Arsene from the Royal Academy, a man in his fifties with silver hair and stylish beard, takes one-hundredth circle around me, “And you are saying she didn’t have any powers prior to yesterday?”

  “None at all,” a woman who is probably my “aunt” lady Beaufort says, “She was as empty as it gets. The same as her brother now!”

  She points at Rickie and, again, he lowers his head as if he is guilty of something.

 I had to literally carry him downstairs myself and then his chair because that asshole Kai didn’t even try to offer help. And when I asked him – he looked shocked. I guess Rickie spends all his time in his room unless Freya takes him downstairs in her arms. And he is heavy!

  “I should discuss it with the Dean,” the professor says, “Such a curious case! She should definitely attend the Academy!”

  “I am afraid we can’t afford that!” the lady of the house says, “As you know my husband passed a few years prior and I already have two talented children enrolled… I can’t possibly afford a third… And I also have this poor cripple to feed…”

   Cripple?! I close my eyes trying to hold the rage…

  “Oh, mighty Gods!” I hear a scream and look at the aunt, trying to hide behind a chair – an icy trail follows from me to her. Damn it! I can’t control this thing!

  “What do you think you are doing, Freya?!” Eliza runs up to her mother and Kai steps in front of me, waving his hand and sending sparks of fire to melt the ice I created. Wow. He has the fire magic in him! Incredible!

   However, whatever he does is not working! My ice is still there. 

   Huh…

  “Amazing!” Arsene says, rubbing his hands - it suddenly got so much colder in the room, “Lady Beaufort, I will try and ask for a scholarship for this girl! Such a talent should not be wasted! Not to mention that she needs to learn to control her gift. Otherwise, it is going to be a very cold winter in your house!”

  “I don’t know, professor,” the woman replies, “What about her brother? He wouldn’t last long without his sister, they are very attached and…”

  “I can handle it!” Rickie says something for the first time and all eyes are on him, “If Freya needs to go to the Academy, I can manage to live without her.”

  Oh, that boy breaks my heart! I never had anyone to take care of me like that! And that’s how I remember that I am an orphan back in my world too. Incredible! If only I could remember my own name now! But nope…nothing!

  “See!” the professor claps his hands, “Problem solved!”

  “But…”, lady Beaufort does not look happy at all. I guess someone doesn’t want to lose a free slave… And I can’t leave Rickie alone here. I mean, I am not a monster to do something like that! This family cannot be trusted and he wouldn’t last here a month!

  “I think it would be best if I stay here,” I give a voice and now they all look at me.

  “Wise decision!” my aunt smiles triumphally, “We are so sorry that you have  wasted your time, professor.”

  “Madam, leaving her here would be a big mistake! Think of the opportunities that would open before this girl after the academy! She could become a mage and get a great job! She could become the desired bride for anyone around! Think what kind of gratification payment you would receive from her potential grooms!”

  I don’t like where this is going. They are not going to sell me to someone, right? 

  “Now that you have said that,” lady Beaufort looks at me and smirks, “You might have a point!”

  “Good then! Bring her to the tournament with your other kids! The Headmaster would be there and I am sure we would be able to seal the deal before the first day of school starts!” professor smiles and then turns to me, “Lady Winter, do not worry! You are going to love it!”

   I smile but think to myself that I wouldn’t be so sure about it…

  The rest of the evening we dine and judging by how Rickie looks and behaves I guess that we are not often sitting at the family table. But then again, this is not what one can call a family.

   At night, I put Rickie down to sleep, helping him into his bed. He looks exhausted but happy, talking of Freya…I mean me, going to the Academy and of how things could change after that. Being a mage could bring me money and freedom. He forgets to mention that I have to attend the Academy for at least three years before I can get a proper job. That’s what Eliza and her mother were discussing at the table after the professor left. 

  Long story short, they are expecting me to pay them when I start earning money. For Rickie and all that they spend on his treatments and food. Honestly, those people!  But the worst part that this is their plan B. Plan A is to try and sell me as some kind of super magical bride to someone rich. In this world, the groom has to literally pay for his bride to her family. And brides with magical abilities cost a lot!

  So, at the tournament where we are going next week, they are going to look for potential candidates for me.  

  And I need to think. To think of what to do, of how to get back to my world. Of how I got here in the first place! And of how I can help Rickie, because just leaving him behind is cruel! I am definitely not doing that!

  I probably need to learn how to control this ice magic within me without freezing everything and everyone around me. And this magical academy sounds like a good idea if I am honest. Not only they promise to teach me control, but professor Arsene was also bragging about their library which is the biggest in the country. And if I want to learn what happened to me, this would be the best place to start looking for the information!

  And what happened to me exactly? Why Freya and I look almost identical living in two different worlds? And where is she now? If I am here – does it mean that she is there, back in my world?

  That’s way too many things on my mind. I can’t believe how calm I am about everything. It’s like someone poured tranquilizers into my blood! I am way more rational than I should be in a situation like this!

***

  A week goes by quickly and I adjust to this new life more and more every day. It sucks though as I am a servant here. And I wouldn’t mind the job. If it was paid and if I was respected. But it’s not the case here. 

  The only two upsides to my situation are Rickie and Annika, one of the maids. She is a friend of the siblings and came together with them to the Beaufort house when the Winter family seized to exist. She is nice and funny and always helps me and Rickie whenever she can. One evening Rickar told me that she could have found a job in a different house with better pay, conditions, and treatment from the masters. But she chose to stay here to be with us. And that’s what I call loyalty.

  She is genuinely happy that I have magic now and always bubbles about how when I graduate, me,  Rickie and her can go and live in the city. Also, she insists that while I am going to be away, she’ll take care of my brother. And we both trust her. So, at least, one problem for me is solved. Rickar wouldn’t be completely alone when I leave. Or should I say IF I live… Nothing has been decided yet. 

  The tournament everybody was talking about is taking place tomorrow. And from what I’ve heard it’s one of the main events of the year. All nobles attend and thanks to that lady Beaufort is keen on finding a spouse for me. While I need to make an impression on the Headmaster of the Royal Academy and get accepted as a student. So, our plans really do not coincide there.

  “Hurry up!” Eliza runs into my room, looking like a crazy person, “Everybody is waiting for you downstairs! My friend from the Academy is here and he wants to see you!”

  “Me?” I snort, “Why on earth would he want to see me?”

  “How am I supposed to know?” she looks annoyed, “Maybe he has heard of you, there are many rumors of the empty girl who suddenly got powers! Everyone is curious. So, hurry up! If you are there in one minute then probably your brother would have dinner today. And if you are late…who knows…”

  She gives me an ugly smirk and leaves. And I jump on my feet since I know that it wasn’t a joke…