Math Is Magic Chapter 9: CHAPTER 9: Late Guest

Read chapter 9 of Math Is Magic by iminchoo on NovelPedia.

{ 6 YEARS, 2 WEEKS, AND 4 DAYS LATER… } It was around eight-thirty in the morning. Mirac was standing in front of the castle entrance, in the wide atrium. He wore a light blue velvet tunic, adorned with thin golden embroidery along the edges and sleeves. His black, knee-length trousers revealed white stockings that ended in shiny, well-maintained black ankle boots. The enormous wooden doors, tall and imposing, stood as guardians of the main entrance. Carved with intricate patterns of rosettes and noble crests, the doors were reinforced with sturdy iron studs and adorned with golden handles, gleaming even in the sunlight. The impressive wooden structure conveyed a sense of authority and grandeur, reflecting the majesty of the entire castle. The hall, on the other hand, was vast and airy, with a marble floor laid out in a black and white checkerboard pattern. The red walls were adorned with tapestries and shields, while at the center of the high vaulted ceiling hung a large crystal chandelier that sparkled like a constellation of suspended lights. The tall, narrow windows, framed by heavy dark red velvet drapes, allowed a soft light to filter through, illuminating the space with a golden glow. On either side of the entrance, two finely decorated terracotta vases caught the eye of anyone passing by. Each vase was adorned with sculpted reliefs of leaves and flowers, painted in shades of green and gold that enhanced their beauty. The tall plants emerging from these containers were lush and well-tended: evergreens with dense, glossy leaves created a vibrant contrast with the cool brown of the terracotta vases. Their branches intertwined in an elegant, orderly pattern, adding a touch of freshness and liveliness to the solemn atmosphere. To Mirac's left, Carmen stood with the impeccable posture of someone accustomed to discipline, her gaze fixed on the imposing wooden doors. Every now and then, she would glance to her left, at the young Prince, but her demeanor remained composed and watchful. Meanwhile, Mirac nervously drummed his fingers against his leg, his gaze fixed on the massive wooden doors that showed no sign of opening. Every now and then, he shot irritated glances at the emptiness of the hall, hoping that time would hurry up out of sheer whim. The hours spent standing in front of the entrance had brought him to a state of exasperated impatience, a bad mood worsened by his constant yawning. The silent, orderly calm of the hall stood in stark contrast to the growing annoyance building inside him, increasingly difficult to ignore. "Oh, come on, when is he going to arrive?!" Mirac burst out, unable to hold back his frustration any longer. Carmen slowly turned towards him, her gaze reproachful, with her hands clasped in front of her. "Young Prince, such language is not appropriate for one of your stature." Mirac looked at her defiantly, casually picking his nose with his pinkie. "Oh yeah?! Really?! Even when I'm forced to wake up at six in the morning to receive someone I've never seen or met?" Carmen raised an eyebrow, maintaining the calm that her role required. "The rules of courtesy of the Kingdom of Ardorya require that the guest be welcomed with respect and patience, even if he or she is late. It is part of our protocol." "More than a latecomer, he just seems like a retard to me..." Mirac retorted, not even bothering to lower his voice. Carmen gasped with anger, blushing furiously as she turned back toward Mirac, her gaze as hard as the stones of the atrium. "Young Prince! Your behavior is unacceptable! If you continue like this, I will be forced to report everything to His Majesty the King and the Queen. And stop picking your nose immediately, thank you!" Mirac sighed, lowering his hand with a bored gesture. He had no intention of arguing with Carmen, because he simply didn't feel like it. But frustration gnawed at him, and the weight of the tedious wait was unbearable. The atrium seemed to swallow him, amplifying every bi