Heart desired

//Chapter 10//

"Sumi, can you get the water for me?" Kylan asked, handing me an empty bucket. He was doing his best to bath his little brother, Naeoh.

It had been seven days since we came here. I lived with Draken family, babysitting their kids .I was the guest of the family, so they objected every time I tried to help, so I settled being their unofficial babysitter. Kylan and Kahlee were twin sister and brother. Naeoh was just seven months old. They did not object when I tried to play with them.

"Thanks, Sumi." Kahlee said, taking the water from me and checking and adjusting the temperature.

"You sure about not wanting my help?" I asked.

"Leave her be. It's her ability to heat and cool. You are just worrying unnecessarily." Kylan said.

I nodded. Watching over them bought a strange calmness to my heart. Sure, most of the time they tended to be chaotic and messy, but they truly loved each other and covered up for each other. That kind of bonds didn't come naturally to me.

It must be so nice to have a sibling.

Daniel was sent to somewhere else, in three, we would have our audience with the king. Right now, we were learning the customs and regulations. I had lessons with Savin everyday, and I assumed the same for Daniel.

Daniel and I were kept apart. Even though we agreed to help the Elkelyns, they still treated is cautiously. I guess it can't be helped. If this was the other way, I would not trust an Elkelyn in the first place either.

I watched as Kylan and Kahlee bath little Naeoh. He would giggle as the water trickled down from his head to face. It was hard not to pinch his chubby cheeks. According to Kylan, he was eight months old. He would walk around the mansion, his little feet bouncing. In two more months, he would also discover his ability. It will be heat based, guessing from the genes.

Here, it was all too simple. Nobody had to dine in solid thirteen minutes. Minister Draken didn't push his children to combat till they collapsed from exhaustion.

This was a normal family.

"Sumi." Lady Draken came to me. I stood up and bowed my head. "My lady, what brings you to me?"

"Mama!" Naeoh slapped the surface of the bathtub, splashing the twins. I watched Lady Draken's face softening while Kylan muttered a curse.

Kahlee slapped his brother on the shoulder. "Stop cursing. I don't want him to be like you."

"Behave in front of the guest." Lady Draken said. Silence followed immeadietly, both twins looking at the ground.

I waved my hands. "I really don't mind, my lady."

"Follow me." She said, turning and leaving. From the direction she was going, I guessed we were going to the office room of the mansion, where they did all the political business. I only time I went there was when I first came here.

Now I wondered about what made her come all the way to meet me in private. I had thought it was because Savin came a little early today or something, but given the unusual situation, that seems not to be the case.

"Sit." She showed me a chair and sat on the opposite side. I sat down as well. "Is something wrong?"

"There has been an attack today." She said. An attack? By... Elves?

"An attack?" I repeated.

"Yes. Two hundred elves had marched today to Yorosso. They had taken down four hundred of our men. It was a surprise attack, so our casualties are higher."

I leaned back on my chair, taking in the information. Elves had been here. And they had killed. "If I know correctly, Yorosso is only a two miles away from here." I said. "It means they are getting closer to the heat of Elkelyn."

"Yes. The king is in great distress." Lady Draken said.

"But I don't understand." I said. "I am an elf, and yet my magic is useless in Elkelyn. How come others can create so much casualties?"

"Useless?" She looked at me like I am talking gibberish. "Why would you think so?"

I stared at her. "Well, it didn't work on Savin, so I figured that my magic won't work on any of you."

She smiled. "Try me."

I reached out for my magic and let out an illusion.

Lady Draken was seated in a room, opposite of Princess Nasha, who works undercover as Sumi, a daughter of some noble.

The birds flew everywhere, their sounds a melody in her ears. The table was covered in flowers. She stared at them. She should get them removed. Fresh flowers inside the mansion brought insects. Naeoh would get sting.

She was carrying Naeoh on her arms. Kahlee and Kylan was seated by each side of her. They hugged her. Lord Draken touched her shoulders from behind. She rested her head on his chest.

"It's working!" I almost jumped as Lady Draken looked at me, wide eyes. Her arms were up as if she was carrying a baby. She dropped them hastily, gaining back her elegance.

"As you can see, it still works. Lord Savin had trained his body and mind to be immune to elf magic. So, their is a bigger advantage to elves, because their magic is long distanced and unlike us, they don't need to touch someone to kill them. And their arrows hit true, no matter the circumstances."

"Uh. I see." The moment I knew that I could use magic, I figured that out myself. But I still couldn't believe the fact that Savin was immune to elf magic. How the hell did he even developed it?

"What do you want me to do?" I asked her.

"I don't want you to do anything, but the king does." She said. "Your audience with the king had been rescheduled. You and the other elf would see the king tomorrow morning, not in three days. Be prepared."

"Okay, thank you for letting me know."

"It's my duty." She said politely. "And one more thing. Lord Savin will not be coming here today. He had been called to the battlefield."

"Oh, okay." I said. Was this disappointment I was experiencing? For not being able to meet that insufferable person? I shook my head. "I get to play with children all day, then."

She smiled. "Yes, but be also prepared for the audience. You wouldn't want to get in trouble for no reason."

I stood up. "Thank you for everything, my Lady." I bowed.

"It's my pleasure, Your Highness." She said.