Under the Oak Tree Book 2 "Conquering hearts" ( Fan fiction)

Chapter 6- Maximillian

I was about to take my seat when I heard my name called out across the grand hall. "Lady Calypse of Anatol" echoed across the grand hall. The cat was now out of the bag and every mage present now knew who I was. Lifting my head and squaring my shoulders I turned my body in the direction of the voice. If formalities were going to be used, I would ensure that I presented myself in the same fashion.

There stood a man in dark red robes. I could barely make out his face, but he looked somewhat familiar. The entire Grand Hall grew quiet, and everyone diverted their attention to me and the mysterious man. I pleaded with myself to make it through this without a stutter.

"Yes", I spoke very slowly. "My name is Maximillian Calypse, lady of Anatol and you are?"

I wanted to know who this man was and what his intentions were. I could barely make out his features, but from what I could see his face was contorted in a look of disgust and his stance gave off a certain aurora of arrogance. The man slowly made his way over to me. Taking slow deliberate steps and stopping a few feet away.

Has he got closer I slowly recognized who he was. He was one of my father's favorite squires, Liam. Liam was close in age to myself and was often present in my father's lessons. He would stand guard at the door inside of the room and his eyes would always linger longer than necessary, following my father's punishments. My father having born two daughters, came to see Liam has the son he never had.

I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I wanted to run and hide, but I couldn't. I now had an entire hall of mages watching my every move. I kept my shoulders squared and met his cold glare.

"There's no need to tell me your name, I know who you are." I spoke slowly, loud enough for everyone to hear. Liam chuckled a glint of excitement lingered in his eyes.

"You got rid of that stutter I see. Wouldn't your father be proud of that... after all he spent years trying to 'teach' you how to properly speak." Liam enunciated the word 'teach', insinuating a deeper hidden meaning. "If I recall correctly, he had you recite poem after poem, and was always disappointed when you couldn't finish it without a single stutter."

Liam moved forward, like he was cornering his prey. I took a step back and was now up against the table. Internally groaning I continued to hold my ground. "The last I heard Anatol declared war on Croyso." Liam sneered but made sure he could be heard above everyone else's uneasy shuffling. "All because of you!"

Liam continued to inch closer a smug look on his face. Realizing that I was not backing down or denying anything he tried a different tactic, while I continued watching him, trying to determine where he was going with this.

"I also heard that Anatol is where the traitor of the Mage Tower resides. Sounds to me like Anatol is causing nothing but trouble and prefers the company of a traitor to any respectable mage."

Liams face now held a smug look, he turned his nose up and crossed his arms to make his point. I now knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to isolate me in the tower just has my father did at Croyso castle. I could feel myself paling at his words. If he continued, the relationship I decided to work to repair might become irreparable. I must repair the relationship between Anatol and the tower at all costs. I could not allow myself to squander this opportunity.

I clinched my jaw and narrowed my eyes and took a step forward. Liam stopped, taken by surprise at my boldness. Just has I have observed Riftan doing numerous times when dealing with difficult situations, I reeled in my emotions ensuring that I remained expressionless.  For this to work, I needed to answer his acquisitions directly.

"Anatol and Croyso are no longer at war!" I pronounced each word slowly and deliberately.  "For the good of Wedon, both sides have taken back their declarations of war, of course that Soley depends on Cryoso and or my father's actions. Due to trying to resolve this conflict, I have come to the tower to become a mage. Any further action from my father or those faithful to him to harm myself, my husband, Anatol, or the Remdragon knights would be cause for war. I came here to prevent war, not to cause one."