Phantasmagoric

Tower of Magic

The Tower of Magic is composed of 20 upper levels and another 10 underground facilities which house all the magicians that work for the kingdom. It is protected by magic circles and other countermeasures so no harm could ever happen to the magicians inside and most importantly, to protect their work and research that almost took all of their lives to be finished.

The largest part of the Tower is composed of various books that took up 5 of the upper level and 5 of the underground facilities. The books are divided according to the information it holds and the danger they might possess. Commoners and nobles alike could easily get lost in the Tower because of how complex the halls are, almost making it a maze unless you're a magician and taught of the ways to travel the walls of the tower or have the authority to use the transportation circle exclusive inside the Tower for high ranking magicians like Magnicius.

Magnicius just finished using the teleportation circle, absorbed with his thoughts of Azbeta who grew to become wild in just a month he did not see her. Taking note of her forgotten memories, strange behavior, and locked mana it almost looks like she's not Alzbeta but a different person altogether.  But that cannot be possible. Exchanging of souls are deeds of higher beings, it could not be done by normal people or even a high ranking magician like me. Almost no records are kept because it is one of the f*******n. I have to solve this puzzle or my goddaughter might be in harm, or already... No. I should not think of anything that has not happened yet. f*******n comes in different shapes. It could be a spell, a person that has exceeded normality, a demon, or a holy being that is deemed as dangerous to mankind. Their records and history are erased or entirely eradicated to make sure no mortals could get hold of them and use them for their benefits that could span from selfishness to vengeance. After all, humans are creatures controlled by their emotions. Even the Tower of Magic keeps the records of f*******n only to the highest-ranking magicians that are composed of only three people recently. Could it be possible that a greater force is at work with what has happened with Alzbeta?

On a dark cave a few miles away from the Dukedom of Cyrilo, a meeting is being conjured. Both people wore heavy magical cloaks to avoid detection from other people. 

"What happened?! Why is she still alive?! You told me after that, she would be gone and my future child would finally be the future Duchess!"

"Perhaps you did something wrong?"

"No. I did everything just as how exactly you told me."

"Report everything about that child to me."

With those orders from the man in the shadows, the woman went home. Silly girl. As if the Duke would ever sleep with you when he does not even hold any kind of affection towards you.

And so one of the chess pieces he has chosen is close to breaking which means he has to search for a new one again.

When morning came, Alzbeta woke up with both mind and heart relaxed and when she thought about it, it seems that last time with the Duke was her fault. She shouldn't be so headstrong. She should understand that even though she's a little old inside, this body is still young and people probably don't see her as commanding.

The only thing she realized is that with the way the Duke hid something from her from the last talk seems likely that her life is in danger. Someone wants Alzbeta gone and it's probably her stepmother. I mean, common, she told me I should have died already. That's the most cliche sentence villains do all the time. And when I think about it, Alzbeta and Adelmo sound so familiar like I already heard them before... But it could also be Alzbeta's memory messing with my head. 

"Good morning, my lady" Diane, like always, is wearing a bright smile as she greeted me. 

"Morning." I get up from the bed and let Diane guide me to taking off my clothes. With the numbers she's done this, I could no longer feel embarrassment. I just comfort myself with the thought that "This is Alzbeta's. Not Yumi's". Works like a charm. After taking my bath, she dressed me in a colored gray light dress adorned with pearls. She almost proceeded to design my hair with ribbons and laces, it's a good thing I noticed and was able to tell her I don't want anything on my head so she just let it be down my shoulder. 

When walking down the hall, the servants bowed and wouldn't look me in the eye but I don't feel any kind of animosity from them. It's just normal for them. Which, by the way, makes me feel terrible. I always wondered how this kind of lifestyle would feel. I honestly thought it would feel wonderful because of all the dramas I had watched but when I actually got it, it feels stuffy. As if people around you are not comfortable and just wished you wouldn't look at them. 

When I arrived at the dining room, the Duke was already seated. We looked at each other but I took my gaze away first because I am still embarrassed. I choose the seat on the left side of the Duke. I never would have imagined I'll have the complete set of unknown knives, spoons, and forks in front of me. Include the glasses too. I don't even know which one should I use. Well, who cares. It's not like they can scold me right? Wait, they probably care and then talk behind my back, insulting me as they go. It's fine with me but Alzbeta has been groomed to know this much so I might actually be questioned. Ah, here it is my bad habit, overthinking. Nothing has still changed from who I was before and now.

When Alzbeta looked away from Adelmo, he was extremely worried. His daughter seems still mad at him from what conspired last time. She did not greet him or bat an eye again in his direction even when she's already seated. She continues to look at the utensils as if they're her enemies, it almost looked comical. Adelmo cleared his throat making Alzbeta looked at him. 

"Goodmorning, Alzbeta." 

"Goodmorning, Adelmo." 

"How was your sleep?" 

"... It was fine. The bed was comfy-ertable" 

Comfyertable? "Good. It seems Miranda might not join us this morning, she was saying she was not feeling well last night so we should have our breakfast now." 

Just when Adelmo was about to tell the butler to ready the meals, the doors opened and it brought in Miranda. 

"Sorry, I was late."