Ambient Mage

As I took her hand, she led me to the center of the ballroom, to the chagrin of many nobles.

However, the musicians took to their act, and the last dances of the night took place.

"So, Morgan Genoa now huh?"

"You told me to do it!"

She whisper yelled at me.

"That's true, but why do you sound so angry?"

"Because I feel totally naked right now. People are staring at me."

"Nobody is staring at you, you're just nervous after getting the spotlight for the first time, besides, you were so calm and collected earlier."

"I was acting Lucas."

"Fair, but now you now how the others felt about you tricking them."

"Lucas, you bully."

To which she pinched my fingers.

"You haven't visited Genoa in a while have you?"

"Not since last week, she's probably angry."

"Yeah, since you have that token."

"So do you."

"Nope."

"What do you mean 'nope'?"

"I mean I don't have one, only you do."

"How is that fair?"

"You're more her disciple than I ever was, at best I was someone taught offhandedly."

"No, to you, it's not fair to you!"

She looked at me gauging how angry I was.

But the scrunched face gave way to a surprised and confused face, when she found no anger there.

"You should be angry."

"But I'm not. Genoa knows I already have another kind of inheritance, and that you have a little grudge."

"Did she tell you?"

"Not really, but from the fact you threatened to knock me out upon our first meeting.....yeah I'd say you have a grudge against our local goon squad."

"Sorry about that, but you know, I never did get an answer as to why you brought the oppurtunity to me."

"And?"

"Well, I wanted to know why you chose me over everyone else, including the other guys."

"You want the nice answer or the not nice answer."

"I want the truth."

"I can't give you that yet, but I can give you a marginalized truth."

"And that one is?"

"Both, but the one closer to what drove me specifically that day was the not nice one."

"I chose you because I foresaw the destruction of Genoa's palace and the end of your life."

"Wow that's a lot, but I didn't know you did divination magic."

"Well, more like someone did for me."

"Alright, but that doesn't explain why you can't or won't tell me the truth."

"Well, to be honest, you're not the only one I can't tell and despite the fact you know a lot of my own secrets, there are some that you, Aura, and the rest I care for can't know."

I sighed a little.

"It would put you in danger."

"That's not at all satisfying or assuring, but whatever."

"Do you mind if I leave my feet on yours while I dance? My feet kinda hurt."

"Sure."

With that she put her feet up onto mine, and we danced a little more intimately, as we were much closer than before.

I used the people around us to cover up Morgan and my feet.

Not exactly a great look to have someone stepping on your feet during a dance.

"With the last song ending, you want to get off?"

"Yeah, hold on."

As the final few steps of ours stopped, she stepped off of my feet.

"Did you have fun?"

I said as we let go of each other.

"As much as you can at a ball as a commoner."

"You're no commoner Morgan."

"And you're no knight Lucas."

"I want to know what the nice answer is."

"Huh? Really?"

Now that came out of left field.

"Yes."

She stared into my eyes.

"Well, it's because Genoa was right."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess we'll find out won't we."

With that I set off with her in tow.

"Lucas, answer me."

"Let's get to the duchy first and get you settled in first, daughter of the great mage."

"I'm no daughter."

"And I have no parents."

"Maybe not, but you have a family."

"Yeah sure."

Her hand loosened on mine as her flushed face tilted down.

"Aurelia, hey, you ready to leave?"

"Oh hey Lucas."

"Hi Lucas."

"Oh Armoria. Hey, long time no see."

"Yeah, oh, have you thought about what my mom said?"

"She told you?"

"She tells me everything really."

"Ah."

"I see. Well, I have given some thought to it, but I don't have an answer for you yet, I'm sorry."

"No worries, my sister and I are more than willing to wait."

"Until when, because my life-"

"Lucas, its either going to be you or no one else for me."

"Wow. Adding more to your harem huh Lucas?"

"No- Aurelia, could you not?"

"Fufufu, when else do I get time to tease you?"

"Yeah, I guess."

I sighed.

"Anyways, Morgan."

I said, interlacing my fingers with her own, and pulling her towards the three of us.

"Huh, Lucas?"

Aura narrowed her eyes at me.

"What did you do to her?"

"Why am I under suspiscion? Shouldn't you be on my side after what she did?"

"Oh right, but she's going to be part of the harem isn't she?"

"I would answer that, but she's lost in her own world right now, unable to even give me an answer."

A little laugh sprang from Armoria.

"Ironic isn't it?"

"A little."

"Mr. Lucas, we would like a word."

"Ah, the Gloria family. Please excuse me ladies."

I left the three and went with the butler and son of the Gloria's.

***

After a short talk I came back.

"Anyways, Ms. little great mage has a duchy to get used to, and the duke and duchess don't take kindly to people who mismanage their own time."

"Ah, please, go on then, I don't want to take up more of your time."

"Thanks Armoria, oh and at the latest, I'll have your answer before the end of year 2."

"I see."

"Then I'll wait!"

She yelled to the three of us as we left her at the hall.

"How do you think she'll get back to the academy?"

"There's multiple carriages that take 4 or so students at a time back through the main gate, to the academy."

"And us?"

"Back to the duchy for now."

"Morgan."

I waved my hand in front of her face.

"Morgan, how do you feel about the Duke and Duchess being your appointee?"

"Huh, appointee?"

"Yes, appointee of the empire."

"What is that?"

"Like your guardians, tasked with keeping you fed, housed, clothed and whatnot."

"So like parents?"

"Kind of, but they won't be adopting you since, you already carry a last name, unless you want it, I'm sure they'll love you."

"Thanks Lucas, but for now I'll just stick to being their ward for now."

"That's alright."

"Both of you go ahead of me when we get to the carriage."

"Sure."

"Okay."

As we got into the carriage, the coach started us off, towards the main gates.

***

"Alright we are here."

"It's only been like an hour- woah. That is a massive castle."

"That would be the duchy's isoation tower."

"What?"

"Yeah, I actually got stuck in there once."

"Why? How?"

"I was twelve at the time, and they stuck me in there thinking I was a spy or danger."

"But you were a child?"

"And Aurelia was too."

"So?"

"Well, technically, she scouted me."

Morgan looked over to Aura who tilted her head up in achievement.

"Lucas, why are you still using my full name?"

"Morgan's here?"

"Morgan, Shmorgan."

"Alright, I guess, so Morgan, Charlotte and I outside of the public eye call Aurelia by her nickname, Aura."

"Right Alea?"

Alea changed back out of her chameleon like mode.

She came off my shoulders and fell onto my lap.

Then she started rolling around on it.

To which I tickled her stomach.

"Has Alea been with you the entire time?"

"Yes, just sleeping on my shoulders."

"And no one even noticed?"

"Well, I think a few nobles who were actually worth their salt noticed, but her chameleon mode can simply be attributed to her spirit blood."

"That's true."

"Come to Mama, Alea."

Which she did.

Alea instantly righted herself, and jumped off my lap onto Aura's where she immediately got chin scratches.

"I've always wanted to try, may I?"

"Sure."

Aura let Morgan touch Alea which led to Morgan playing with Alea's ears.

'Daddy, she smells like another mommy."

'Maybe, the decision really does lie with Mommy Aura.'

'I like this new mommy too.'

'What about the others?'

'Hmm... to many mommies to remember.'

'Only mommy and mommy Aura matter.'

'Not daddy?'

'Daddy too!'

That made Alea turn to me and jump over to me.

"Did- Did I do something wrong?"

"No not at all, she just missed her dad's hands."

I cradled Alea.

"Anyways, uhm, Aura, sorry I'll just keep with Aurelia for now."

"Yeah that's fine."

Aura interjected.

"Why do you call yourselves her mom and dad, and why choose the name Alea?"

"Well, the first question is a long story. As for the second ask Lucas, he named her."

"Well, Lucas?"

"Hm? Oh, I don't know, it just felt right somewhere in my soul."

"That's kind of emotionally observant of you Lucas."

"Wow."

Alea also turned her head to Morgan.

"We're here."

The coachman said.

The carriage rolled to a stop, and I let the two women out.

"Welcome to the duchy."

"Big bro!"

I saw the 16 year old running at me sword in hand.

I brandished a sword out of Alea's spatial pocket and diverted his attack.

"We have a guest, and someone to add to our family."

"I have another sister?"

"Not exactly."

I walked with him and the girls in tow towards the main building.

***

The spoons of the duke and duchess hit their plates, clinking.

"What?"

"Well, I want you to take her as your ward."

"Did she agree?"

"Well, she wanted to know your feelings first."

"Of course, she's a sweet and driven girl."

Mother Alicia said.

"And it gives Aura someone to talk to aside from Alicia."

Father Stephen said.

"So how about it Morgan?"

"I mean sure, as long as you all want me."

"Does this mean you're going to be my new big sister?"

"Not exactly Theo, but ask her if she's okay with you calling her that."

He looked at her.

She looked at me.

His eyes showed a clear desire to call her sister, and she was reluctant to make any hasty decisions.

So I shrugged my shoulders.

"Theo, just wait for a while, you don't know her yet, and calling her sister could make her uncomfortable."

Mother Alicia ever the guiding light of the family spoke up.

"With her being welcomed to the duchy we need to get her a room."

Aura spoke up.

"Aura's right."

Matthew said.

"That's true, for now let's leave her with Aura for now."

"Actually, I don't mind staying in the academy."

"Of course, you'll stay there, we're talking about for tonight, and until we can build you a mansion here."

"Huh?"

"Oh, Morgan time to adjust to the life of the exquisitely rich."

"That may take some time to get used to."

"Morgan, I have and idea."

Aura looked at her mother as she said it.

"Aura, calm down, don't overwhelm her."

Morgan bowed.

"Thank you Ma'am."

"Don't call me that, just call me Mother, if you are okay with that."

"Um, M- Mother."

Which immediately sent her motherly instincts into overdrive.

Mother Alicia teleported right next to the sitting Morgan and was squeezed.

I whispered to Matthew.

"I swear if Morgan's hair was blond and eyes purple, I would tell you she's her biological daughter."

He nodded in response.

"Be careful not to get tormented by the two of them when we get back to school, since Mother is not going to let either fail to obtain you."

"What?"

"She knows about how they both feel. Something about her already having divined the events of today."

"That's not good."

"For either of us."

Matthew agreed.