ILLUSION || Jason Todd

FORTY-NINE

❝AND THE YEARS GO BY AND SHE STILL DREAMS❞

MOLLY KATE KESTNER, PROM QUEEN

With her ice blonde locks thrown into the pitiful sight of a ponytail, Lorelei rested on the plush seat within the castle library. It had been a few weeks since her arrival to Centia - two or maybe even three, Lorelei couldn't be sure with how her days slowly fell into a cycle that rendered her brain confused with the blending days - and finally, it was time for her lessons with Thea to begin again.

Her adjustment to life in Centia had been one of... well, lacking. Her free time was no longer spent training, watching the latest hit film, or with her friends. The lack of a structure she chose for herself, friendship, and technology were all slowly driving her insane. In fact, the only similarity she held to her life in San Francisco - or even Gotham - was her morning jogs.

She was beginning to count her blessings, no matter how small they were. In comparison to some places and states she had lived in before, Lorelei knew she had no room to complain. She was, literally, living in luxuries and comforts unforeseen by most people. The biggest blessing she had each day were no official events demanding her presence. Where her father had to go, she did not. Which, to Lorelei, was the true blessing.

For that simple reasoning, the young royal was more than excited to begin her studies. She could refuse outings, meetings, or simply spending time - like dinner, something she had been forced to do every damn night - with Archmage and get her way because, like he had stated many times, he wants Lorelei to succeed as the next Queen; or rather, Archmage, if you disregarded her lack of choice with that.

Her lessons were meant to begin one week ago. The thought once brought dread before turning into an open armed escape within the past few days - if she didn't welcome the new task, Lorelei was about to go insane from boredom. But Thea got sick, which meant the young mage put the poor elderly woman on bed rest until the doctor cleared her health with a personal declaration to Lorelei herself.

She had received said declaration two days ago, ultimately deciding to give her teacher extra time off. Just to be sure. Lorelei would be nothing but vigilant with Thea's health. The older woman was practically a surrogate grandmother to the violet eyed mage, the hours spent with Thea, Colin, and her mother becoming the majority of her youth.

Her father was always busy, away tending to something. Which was weird considering the sheer amount of control he always held within her life. Everything had to be run by him, even if just walking outside the castle walls to a nearby river. She never understood back then, how everyone fell to his feet and obeyed his every command. Lorelei liked it back then, she held pride for the love her father gained and by expansion, she had.

The young mage could understand the truth now in reflection. That they were cowering in fear for his impulsive temper - and perhaps lack of critical thinking - or under the spell of his manipulations and gaslighting to somehow find trust in him. Lorelei knew she shouldn't be so harsh, she was - and still is - one of those people.

"Lorelei in the flesh." The familiar voice said, the scratchiness pulling Lorelei's attention as she rushed from the chair in hopes to take the heavy looking bag from her shoulder.

Dylan, too, stood from his seat while placing his book on a nearby table with hopes of helping Lorelei. The book was nothing interesting, something about sociology that the young mage read years ago - homework from Thea herself.

"Thea!" Lorelei gleed as she quickly took the bag despite the physical disregard the woman paid her, the strength becoming impressive for a woman in her late sixties. For the first time in weeks, Lorelei was glad to see someone from her past with the quick squeeze Thea gave the young mage. "I'm so glad you're well."