Adelaide Whisper

Chapter 2- The Letter

A picture formed in Adelaide’s mind of a

library, not unlike her father’s. Candlelight

flickered through the darkness, dancing

across the face of a woman, lines of age

etched into her face. The witch seated at a

dark wooden desk dipped her quill in an

inkwell, and continued to write in a blood-red

journal. As tears fell from her eyes, she set

down the quill, clasped her hands together,

and began to silently pray.

***

Adelaide awoke with the maid Lurea opening the door to get her ready for breakfast. A small blonde woman with soft brown eyes, she was in her early thirties, and despite her maternal, gentle air, had no children of her own. Fortune still lounged in the sill of the bay window, basking in the sunlight shining on the red cushions. Lurea opened the cream curtains, earning a glance from the familiar, then helped the young witch into a dress from the wardrobe.

“Miss Adelaide, after your meal, your father requests that you speak with him in the library.”

“Am I in trouble?” Adelaide immediately thought of the journal hidden in her dresser.

“Of course not,” Lurea said with warmth. “I believe he has some exciting news to share with you.”

Her smile faded and worry knitted her brow as the child left the room.

***

Adelaide entered the library, casting a furtive glance first to her father reading a letter at his desk, then to her mother, who stood to the side of the desk wringing her hands. Her eyes were red and watery, but she smiled at her daughter. Her only child.

“How can Agrus be so cruel?” Brenna thought. She had always firmly believed in everyone’s right to choose who they loved, and thought her husband had felt the same way.

Clearing his throat, Agrus Whisper put down the letter. “Adelaide, as you know, my work as the Grand Mage brings me in close contact with the royal family. The King has a son your age, and they’ve invited us for tea tomorrow afternoon so the two of you can meet.”

“Why would the king want me to meet his son?”

Agrus cleared his throat again, and Brenna sat on the sofa. “Come sit with me Addy, and I’ll explain.”

Adelaide sat down, and Brenna wrapped her arm around her. Brenna’s familiar, a white mouse named Charity, sat on her shoulder, peeking through her long, dark hair.

“Adelaide, my love, this is a wonderful opportunity for you and our family. All we need from you is to make friends with the prince. I’ve heard that Prince Rowan is very smart, and talented with magic, just like you.”

Brenna paused, and tucked a stray piece of Adelaide’s dark hair behind her ear, reveling for a moment in how much her daughter looked a perfect mix of her parents. She had Brenna’s hair, but Agrus’ eyes, green like gemstones. Now they were wide with apprehension; at twelve years old, Adelaide had only met children of the servants, with none of them being close to her age. “Your father and I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but we’re sure you and the prince will get along very well. He’s just a year older than you, and his sister, Princess Rubella, is eleven.”

“Mother, what is the princess like?” Adelaide asked.

Brenna and Agrus shared a quick glance, both relieved that their daughter seemed to show an interest in meeting the royal children.

“We have heard that she’s kind and smart, although she takes more of an interest in plant magick than elemental magick.”

Adelaide recalled servants talking about a witch in the village who specialized in plant magick. While not frowned upon, it was considered weak and unimportant, and most of the people who used it were a bit odd, and kept to themselves. Most witches can only learn to manipulate a single element in their lifetimes, but being able to only manipulate plant life was seen as relatively useless.

“Do you think they’ll like me?”

“Of course my love.”