Beginning

Chapter 4 - South Wing

Running in a dress was the most irritating thing in the world. Hurrying down hallways and corridors, Titania ran as fast as she could in her red, handmade dress. If anyone had seen her they would have thought she was frantic. She was, and for good reason. Titania had been late for Lady Anna's class once in her whole life, and Lady Anna had quite an imagination when it came to punishment. A chill ran down her spine at the memory and Titania quicken her pace.

Huffing from her sprint, Titania came in from of the front door to Lady Anna's teaching chambers in the south wing. Only Anna teaches in those halls, and only Anna and her students go into those halls. The decision having been made by His and Her Royal Highnesses. The assumption being it would be much safer if all sorcery lessons were to be practiced and taught in a separate area.

Titania gulped and stared at the doorknob as if it was her executioner. Gently she placed her hand on the knob, and quietly pushed the door open a mere half an inch, just enough to peek in. To her great surprise, the chamber was dark and seemed empty. Was it Titania's lucky day? Was Lady Anna really late to her own lesson for the first time in Titania's life? Or could it be that Lady Anna didn't get the notice that class would begin early today? Whatever had happened, Titania was thanking her lucky stars.

She walked into the dark room, thinking how she would make fun at Lady Anna for being late, but after she took three steps into the room the door behind her slammed. The curtains were drawn in the hallway, revealing the moon's light glow, and illuminating the hall and the room. With the door closed, she was thrust into abysmal darkness. Lamias had very good vision, especially in the dark, but the sudden change from the moonlight glow into complete darkness had frightened her enough to let out a small shriek.

Someone had closed that door. Titania looked around, eyes adjusting, trying to see if anyone was there. Someone was there. She sensed it.

"Who's there? Show yourself." No one answered. She saw a shadow moving, but not an actual person yet. "I am Princess Titania. Come out at once," she commanded. Not a sound came forth. Rather annoyed, Titania walked farther into the room, looking for whoever was there. Just as she moved, a candle on a table, near the middle of the room, lit up.

Titania eyed the candle, then slowly walked toward it. The fragile glow illuminated the room, but just barely. As Titania arrived at the table, a shadow moved quickly before her eyes, and she felt something behind her. The candle then went out, petrifying Titania. Then she heard a low voice, in her ear, and a breath on her neck, "Titania."

Titania nearly jumped out of her skin and performed an incantation. "Ignis!"

As she turned around, aiming blindly, she release a ball of flames. The flames didn't made contact with anyone, but it did hit the door, leaving a hole through it.

Titania slowly opened her eyes and saw moonlight spilled into the room. With the moonlight, came a dark figure, tall and slender, draped in a hooded cloak. Titania would have be terrified if the tall figure hadn't been doubled over with laughter.

And not just any laughter. A laughter that Titania has come to recognised by heart. A sickly sweet, yet chilling laugh, that only belonged to one person.

"Anna! Why on Earth would you go and frighten me like that," Titania's pulse relaxed for a moment, then sped up as she realised that perhaps, she wasn't out of danger yet.

Giggling a little, Anna straightening up. "Let's just say this is your punishment for being late. Consider yourself lucky. I could have made it a lot worst. But since your birthday is tomorrow, I'll let you off easy this time."

Titania sighed in relief. She wouldn't have to endure any harsh punishment.

As Anna examined the door, much more sober now, she said, "Well now we're going to have to fix this door. Really Princess you kept us waiting so long and then broke my door. I really should punish you more."

"No, no. There's really no need for-" a thought came to Titania, "Wait what 'us'?"

"Oh yes. Today we have a guest that's going to be practicing with you."

Titania was very surprised by this. She'd always had one-on-one private lessons with Lady Anna. She turned around, looking for someone else in the room. Her eyes fell on a tall figure, with strong shoulders. The room was dark, but even in the dimly lit room, Titania could see the familiar silhouette lurking behind her.

He smiled at her, but his eyes were unreadable. "Hello Princess."

"Vincent," Titania said in utter disgust.