ILLUSION || Jason Todd

FIFTY-ONE

❝I SHOULD'VE TAKEN MY MUMS ADVICE❞

FRAWLEY, HARD BOY

It was the dreaded time for Lorelei's first public appearance since her arrival in Centia as Lorelei looked towards the run down building standing in her way. With the first year of her missed work now completed, her father thought it was finally time to reward the young mage with a day off from studies. Instead, her schedule was pushed back a day with an order of 'finally rejoining society'.

Once again, Winston wanted a ball or lavish dinner party or an event alike with those within high society. His suggestions were so endless and tiring that Lorelei almost thought she had no choice on how her debut was to become. Each selfish idea was thrown to the side, it was her appearance, she would make the decisions on how to spend that time.

And as Lorelei playfully remarked to Jason - she was a spoiled brat when it came to her life in Centia. She got her way in the end with her father grumbling about her missing yet another fabulous time with his friends and his company. Because every girl wished to dance with snobs who would turn their nose with disgust once they saw her scars.

The ice blonde royal was not the perfect pristine princess he tried to create. Not anymore. These were parts of his consequences and she would, until the day he dies, throw them in his face.

She was glad for his disgust for the way she wished to spend her opportunity away from the castle in a physical body. The less time he held around Lorelei brought her an inkling of sanity back.

Her mind was settled on one idea; doing something for those less fortunate. There were many routes for her to take, so many areas in life demanding a type of help she, as a royal, could influence for the better. It wasn't until Dylan piped up a few days ago with a small voice, suggesting an orphanage within a neighbouring village from where her castle sat within the realm that was slowly on its way to standing on final legs.

Lorelei knew then, with the suggestion, what she had to do. Three days later and she stood outside said orphanage, a team ready to assess the building in every way possible. Even an interior design team stood behind her, ready to upgrade every appliance and crib in sight.

Manual labour and charity work wasn't your typical experience with a royal of recent generations. They all, selfishly, thought they had done enough to help with their ruling and Archmage duties. But this is what Lorelei wished to do as she stepped into the building, her posture straight and a small polite smile making its way onto her face.

"Your highness." A middle aged woman said with a bow, her face twisting into a mixture of confusion and starstruck for the sudden intrusion. "How may I help you?" She asked, her black hair remained pinned behind her as she rose, a worried stare to the amount of people remaining behind Lorelei.

The teams stayed awaiting the young royal's signal before finding their way throughout the building to do their job. The manager held no choice on the matter, Lorelei would be conducting this makeover with or without permission. But the violet eyed mage also held respect for those who took care of the building - a false indication of control with a simple asking of whether she could do this or not was something she learned from her father.

She understood the game of manipulation; the power balance between herself and the manager would only bring her permission to her sooner than later. Besides, it was a good deed she was doing. No child deserved to live like this and Lorelei could change that. She will change it.