Legerdemain

CHAPTER-1

"Wishes are granted to those who truly, truly desire for them to come true," I whispered to Reyne. She was almost asleep on my lap again. My nighttime routine was found to be a matter of discussion at the court earlier this week. All because they thought me mad to be talking to my cat.

As if they don't do mad stuff at night!

"People talk to their pets all the time, mother." I vividly remember telling the Queen of Elsyrian the same thing over and over again. But alas! She was the Queen and Queens like her do not listen to their child. My head found its resting place against the window sill, right next to my bedpost.

My room wasn't as big as it was supposed to be of a royal. Only a handful of furniture, all made of glass as expected from my dear mother. She hadn't even spared the bed. The only things in this room that were my idea were the forget-me-nots that hung from the bedroom ceiling, and a small bookshelf that contained only romantic writings of famous writers.

At least, the castle was not made of glass, it would have cracked in 2 days from the number of guards the Queen took with her anywhere she went.

I had 2 days until I departed to the Kingdom of Astraimx to begin my quest to complete the three tasks that came along as gifts when I chose my fated cards. The grand minister, Apollo, told my mother it was rare to have picked the cards I chose, and that no royal before me was given the task to reach the Tree of Immortals to know their later tasks.

The Tree of Immortals, widely known as the collector of tortured souls was planted in the Kingdom of Astraimx by a famous sorcerer centuries back. It is said that any immortal soul who wishes to cease their life can seek the Tree of Immortals to grant them a blissful afterlife. Only a few immortals from around the 5 Kingdoms and Queendoms have given up their lives. After all which immortal being would give up their life for nothing? One might assume either because they have lived too long or they have lost their twin flame and wish to be with them in the afterlife. Speaking of twin flames, it is rare but not uncommon for 2 souls to be tied by fate. But one can also tie one's soul with another's with the help of magic. Magic in our blood keeps us young even when we are old.

"Adrii! I thought you were already gone!"

At the sound, I turned my neck with such force it almost snapped into two pieces.

"Ow, my neck." My fingers gripped the back of my neck to prevent it from falling at some strange angle. "You know, Leo, what they say about knocking on doors before entering someone's private chambers."

"But you are not someone, you are my friend, "Leo said, a smile found its way on his face. We may not be the best of friends but we can count on each other in times of distress or when either of us needs rescuing from the daily lectures of the ministers. Seemingly, they have a lot to say these days.

"I depart for Astraimx in 2 days. Will you come with me?" I asked, almost hopeful that he would say yes.

"Eh! I don't know. I have duties to attend to at the court. They need more guards to be trained."

"Why?" I inquired.

"I am ordered to train more soldiers. I don't involve myself in court politics, Adri, you know me..." Leo replied whilst putting his hand in his pocket, "...I should go. I came here to wish you well for your journey." He paused. "It seems I have got my hands full for the next week and I might miss the sight of the Queen crying tears of gold upon your departure." A small laugh escaped his mouth, crinkling his eyes in the process.

"Ah! So, you were friends with me because my mother cries tears of gold?" I teased him.

He shook his head and laughed. "I must leave before your accusations find solid proof of me being a gold digger."

Leo's hands hovered over the doorknob for a few milliseconds before it turned under his magic and he left.

He was the son of the Grand Minister, Apollo, and because of this, he held a powerful position within the guards. It was he who trained the newest recruits.

I may have had a teeny-tiny crush on him as a kid, but that soon faded away like the colours of infatuation when we turned 17. He was no longer the boy I liked; he had turned into someone I couldn't recognize. He had cropped his hair close to his head. It wasn't just his hair colour he changed to black but also his personality. I might have been an exception to his mean demeanour, but nobody else was spared. Also, I couldn't have brought it upon myself to love him but be married to someone of royal lineage as all royals were expected to. My mother would have locked me till the day of my wedding had I said anything about my liking towards the minister's son. We were better off as friends, even good friends, but not more.

Maybe in another life.

After putting Reyne in her bed, I went to mine.

I hope that dream doesn't come again.