The Crimson Magister Chapter 41: V2-C22: The Private Audience

Read chapter 41 of The Crimson Magister by Okram on NovelPedia.

V2-C22: The Private Audience The day passed rather quickly. Aqua was led around by Sheira, who eagerly showed her each part of the palace before she returned to her room just as the sun fell. Aqua collapsed onto her new bed while she petted Sun God as she usually did. Sheira told her that she should make her clothing resemble a maid uniform that the usual attendants wore as such, the veil shifted. Her peasant illusion was changed into a long black maid uniform. The things I do for people I care about. She hung her legs to the side while she swung them slowly. She let out a sigh. “Sun God, do you think I made a mistake?” “Why Would I?” The fiery avian stretched its blazing wings as it turned around to face Aqua. Sun God laid his face onto Aqua’s chest. “I don’t know… Just feels weird to play such a role, you know?” “Are you uncomfortable with it?” The bird crackled. “No… I… I just don’t know how to feel about Sheira and Azure… I am worried they will betray me like most… yet I find it difficult not to trust them.” The phoenix remained silent, “You were always here for me, so I wish to ask for advice. Is it truly right to trust those two… after all, I only met them recently. Is it truly right for me to let down my guard?” She leaned her head back as she groaned, “I feel so conflicted. On one hand, I feel so much better when I talk with them… but my inner voice keeps screaming at me to cut them off and isolate, as if isolation is the only way for me to be happy.” Sun God’s form flickered as he escaped her grasp. A streak of flame rushed next to her head as Sun God gained the form of a fiery sparrow. “Aqua, answer me now.” She turned her head to the side. “Have those two done anything to warrant suspicion?” She shook her head, “No…” “Have they tried to use your power for their personal gain?” “No…” “Have you ever met anyone who was that selfless before?” She kept silent. “Aqua… I know better than anyone else what you went through… the pain… the misery… the sting of betrayal. I have seen it all.” He is right. She thought about it for a moment. They had never tried to obtain the power for themselves; it was her own will to grant them boons. They had asked her only to teach and to use her power to hide herself from the prying eyes. “Yet… Never in your long life have you met someone who was truly looking out for your own benefit. Those girls… I have shown tolerance to them because they are unique.” Aqua inhaled sharply, “What would I do without you…” “I don’t know, probably cuddle up in some hole and wait for another glorious world soul to rescue you!” The phoenix cackled. Aqua chuckled, “I guess… but still, thank you so much. I love you.” “You know… if that Azure girl heard you say that, she would be crying right now.” “Why?” Aqua pushed herself up as she crossed her legs. The Sun God hopped into her lap and enlarged to fill it. “That girl likes you a lot. I think you can bond very well with both her and Sheira.” Aqua tapped her chin, before her smile widened as she lunged and grabbed Sun God. She spun on the bed, “I can’t believe you remembered their names! It means you truly do think they are trustworthy!” Knock.Knock.Knock The knock startled her. It’s the queen. What does she want?! Aqua jumped from her bed as the Sun God became invisible once again. She approached the door and opened it, “Your majesty? What can I do for you?” Aqua kept eye contact with the woman, yet the queen merely passed her and entered the plain room. “I have come to speak. I have already spoken with Azure and Sheira, though her tale remains unclear to me. Yet one thing stands certain: she trusts you with her very life.” She spun and sat on the bed. “Whatever do you mean, your majesty?” Aqua tilted her head, yet a single bead of sweat ran down her forehead. “I know you're using an illusion… but it's so powerful, even I can't see through it. So, I came to speak with you myself.” Aqua instantly raised her hands defensively. The air became hotter to the point tha