I. Surprise Visits
Archmage Zephyr Amethyst’s tower, which has been kept hidden from the world for thousands of years, has just casually been stumbled upon by a bratty prince.
- Come to my Kingdom!
Zephyr’s eyebrows twitched with annoyance. The brat is truly a royal - what arrogance! Entering his tower without announcing himself and then wandering into his study as if he owned the place, Zephyr was beyond frustrated.
- Do you know the meaning of respect, child?
The boy’s turquoise eyes blinked, showing no ounce of guilt or fear, even if he stood in the presence of the most powerful Mage in all of Mithea.
- Of course I know what respect means, because everyone has to respect the Prince’s wishes. So you have to come to my Kingdom and become my Court Magician.
Zephyr Amethyst, the Last of the Seven Archmages, over four thousand years old, was for the very first time left utterly speechless. How can a tiny creature be so brazen was beyond his understanding.
- Let me rephrase your statement. - Zephyr said seriously and a tad bit condescendingly. - Only your subjects are bound to fulfill your greedy wishes. I do not fit in that category and will not, by any means, become your court magician. Give up on that foolish idea and go back. You can leave through where you entered.
But of course, it could never be so easy to deal with the stubborn young child who always had everything handed on a silver plate, never left wanting for nothing. He pouted, his round cheeks puffing.
- Why won’t you? My Royal Father can make you very powerful. You can even have a nice mansion and lots of women!
Zephyr’s mouth fell open in bafflement. He was left speechless for the second time!
His voice came out high-pitched when he spoke. - I don’t want any women! Or nice mansions or power, you foolish prince!
The archmade was absolutely shocked. How could a child be so shameless?
The boy looked pensative as he spoke, not at all bothered by Zephyr’s outburst. He was used to the drama and excentricities of the Nobles and famous artists. - Oh, of course, I see. You already have your magic and tower, so you’re not phased by my proposal. And if you don’t like women then...
He snapped his fingers as a smile graced his face, and Zephyr was even slightly scared of what nonsense would come out of the boy’s mouth.
- I know! You can be my Queen!
Zephyr’s mouth dropped to the floor. He was speechless, again! It was even worse this time as blood rushed to his face and his eyes widened in embarrassment.
He screeched. - How did you even reach that conclusion?!
The odd Prince, who obviously was short of some marbles, grinned cheekly at the Archmage.
- You said you didn’t like women and I am not a girl! And if I marry you, you can live at the Royal Palace, which has five towers even bigger than yours. Besides, as my Queen, you would have much more influence and power than any court magician! Of course, there’s still the matter of heirs to discuss...
Before any more nonsense could come out of that mouth, Zephyr waved his hand and teleported the brat outside, as he probably should have done from the very beginning. Then, he used magic to lock the entrance door, and only when he was sure the prince wouldn’t be able to get in again did he relax.
- Unbelievable... - He muttered shaking his head, his cheeks still hot.
Confident that the matter had been dealt with, he returned to the project at hand.
Two weeks had passed and Zephyr didn’t think again about the bratty prince. He woke up with the sun rising in the horizon, its warm light peeking through the mountains surrounding the clearing where his Tower was hidden. He walked to the floating mirror, emerald eyes assessing his elegant figure in light blue robes. The long lavander strands of hair were tied in a braid that fell over his shoulder.
A small frown formed on his youthful face. Nothing about Zephyr was natural. His hair, eyes, his pale and unbleamished skin, all were a result of his magic. The memories of his initial appearance which he inherited from his parents have long since faded. Zephyr didn’t even remember how his parents looked like.
He sighed. Most of the time he didn’t even think about such irrelevant things, but from time to time, his mood would be down and such thoughts would flood his mind. Zephyr has lived a very long life, so it was to be expected that he would feel nostalgic every now and then.
Waving his hand, the mirror floated back into the closet. At the same time, the bed made itself and the windows opened to let in the morning breeze. He then walked out of the room and directly headed to his study.
The moment he walked in, all color drained from his face.
Sitting in one of the chairs in his study, was the bratty prince, smiling cockily at him.
- How are you here again? - Zephyr gapped, completely surprised.
- You really thought you had seen the last of me, didn’t you? - The boy laughed and Zephyr’s eyebrows’ twitched. - Sorry to disappoint you, but when I want something, I will not take no for an answer.
The boy was persistent, Zephyr had to at least give him that.
However, Zephyr thought to himself, the prince is very wrong indeed if he thinks I will easily agree with whatever he wants.
Zephyr showed a calm smile but evil eyes as he spoke. - Then you are in for a rude awakening, brat.
Before the other could reply, Zephyr had already whisked him away. He then made his ways downstairs and checked the entrance door. Confusion etched on his face when he found all his spells perfectly intact.
He muttered to himself, perplexed. - Then how did he manage to sneak in?
For precaution, he added more enchantments and even made the door invisible.
- That ought to stop him.
A month later, Zephyr was focusing on a book in his personal library, a cup of tea by his side, when a voice came from behind him.
- Oh, this place is nice.
Zephyr groaned very inelegantly as he turned to face the bratty prince.
- Why are you here again?
The other actually dared to shrug, as if it's no big deal that, for the third time, he just barged in the Mage’s tower, uninvited and unannounced, and completely against Zephyr's wishes.
- I told you, I want you to come with me to my kingdom.
The mage glared at the prince who casually walked to the airmchair across him and sat down, and even shamelessly reached for the lemoncakes on the table. He was very nonchalant, but kept his manners as he sat and ate.
Zephyr eyed the prince with impatience. - And I have already told you, I will not go with you, brat.
The prince looked up with a frown. - Stop calling me brat. My name is Arthur.
Zephyr huffed. - I do not care, but I do care that you keep coming here.
The prince ignored him and continued to eat. Zephyr glared, then made all the lemoncakes disappear, a silent way to say "Will you walk out on your own or should I make you vanish too?". However, instead, the prince had the audacy to smirk.
- You tried to send me away before. It hasn't worked so far, has it?
Zephyr matched his smirk as he raised his hand. - You know what they say, third time's the charm.
Then, he snapped his fingers and the Prince disappeared with a poof.
Zephyr put his book away then stood up and made his way downstairs. He rarely went to the lower floor these days, so there were some dust and cobwebs. With a wave of his hand, all the dirt disappeared and the light-grey stone was left sparkling clean.
He reached the large oak door, filled with mysterious carvings, and cleared all of his spells. Then, for first time in a long, long time, Zephyr stepped outside.
