The Duchesses

Chapter 41 : Practising Magic

A month went by. It had been two weeks since the Crassore Imperial Family was expected to arrive in their capital. Their lives have been like a roller coaster. Duchess Natalie took a break from her work and strolled to the garden, where she may enjoy the many different colours of roses. Her sword training sessions with Medea continue as usual, but the uncomfortable tension between the Duchesses is exacerbated by the previous night's events. She won't be able to figure out what possessed her to kill Henry in a fiery inferno. Medea and Isis remain silent as if they all three have made a pact to never bring it up again.

The blonde woman comes to a deadlock in her tracks and closes her eyes for a moment. She probably lied to herself, but Henry's words triggered something in her. In short, the blonde may have anger management issues, particularly regarding that. This forces her to learn how to control her magic. She has dispatched Apollo to meet Winter discreetly to teach her how to use it properly. She will study magic if she has no classes with Duchess Medea.

Sometimes, she would always practise it with Hera in some way. Yes, Hera. Truthfully, when they were at the Imperial Garden a month ago, she had already planned on hand to be close with the blonde woman under a reason to take care of their skin treatment and go shopping together. But, of course, the usual noblewomen would do that when they have to go out. Meanwhile, Ares doesn't let his guard down while occasionally watching over them.

However, they are not going out like that quickly. Hera would usually visit the House of Smith instead for extra precaution. Who would have known what Ares has done on the outside when they are eating together? He might have put poison on it and taken the blame on Natalie. In that situation, Natalie cannot go out anymore from his trap. She will die before Hera can testify in her defence. Moreover, Ares could not touch Natalie during the previous trial because the Crassore Empire demanded justice for their Crown Princess.

How complicated. Speaking of which, the magicians will visit her soon at night.

The servants would be unaware of the Duchess' activities at that time. She has learned to control her powers, such as fire and ice, as well as how to stop time, but never teleportation. That's what she'll discover tonight. She also has another class with Medea tomorrow. There are so many things going on. She lets out a loud sigh, but instinct takes over as she draws her swords from her side.

"You are still slow. If anyone comes for you, you would be dead now," Medea said, avoiding Aurora's attack and putting her sword on the blonde's neck.

Duchess Medea said, hitting down the blonde using her sword lightly, causing Aurora to fall forward. The younger woman is on the ground, trying to calm down her anger as she is also trying not to burn another human alive with her magic for the third time. Aurora then stands up and takes a deep breath. Next, she casts her magic on the bushes, causing Medea to turn her head.

She seizes the opportunity to smack the Duchess but misses once more when Duchess Medea takes her hand in hers and twists it slightly.

"If you're going to counter-attack, do it properly the next time. As I previously stated, you are still slow. We need to ramp up the intensity of your training," Medea's firm voice causes fury to storm inside Aurora.

"You know you are a jerk, right?" the blonde said, huffing in aggravation at the purple-haired woman.

"I am trying to teach you. You let your guard three times now. How would you survive if Ares is going to target you again?" Medea leans a bit closer to Aurora, looking into the ruby eyes.

"You can't depend on your magic all the time, especially in front of people," she reasons more.

As she looks into the amethyst eyes, something rushes into her head.