Our Second World book three: Personal Truth

Chapter 2

~ Nephinae~

I tried asking a few times during breakfast, but no matter how much I pestered him about it, Haren wouldn't tell me who he was talking about earlier in our commons. Even Rala was being quiet about it, and it was starting to get annoying.

"Haren! Won't you please tell me?" I asked again as we left the dinning hall.

"Alright fine." He groaned," But only so you'll stop asking."

"So, who is it?"

"it's...a secret." He smirked.

"Haren!"

"I'm just teasing," Haren laughed and put his hand on my head," You remind me a lot of my daughter, Mary. She's your age."

"I didn't know you had a daughter," I said," does that mean you're married? you seem kind of young for kids."

"Well, for one thing, I'm almost 20. I'm not married yet, but I am engaged, and Mary isn't related to me by blood. She's adopted." Haren explained.

"Huh. you don't look like you're 20."

"How old did you think I was?" He asked.

"Not 20."

"I'll take that as a compliment," He answered,

"So, do you think anyone else is up yet?" I asked," When I got up, Sylvie and Eli were sleeping pretty soundly."

"You girls had a long day yesterday, so I'm sure those two will sleep in. It's possible Silver's up since he's usually an early riser, but I doubt August's awake. He'll sleep in any chance he can get," Haren said," were you wanting to do something today?"

"Well, I was thinking...maybe you and I could do something together?" I answered," I mean... only if you want to, that is."

Haren chuckled and put his hand on my head again," Sure. A day for just us sounds nice. What did you have in mind?"

"I don't know. I didn't think I'd get this far."

"Then why don't we pay a visit to the headmistress and see about getting you those spell books I mentioned last night?" he suggested.

"OK."

"Great! Let's go!" I blushed a little as the redhead started leading me down the hall by the hand.

I have to admit, I felt a tiny bit disappointed when he let go as we reached the headmistress's office. It wasn't too hard to hide it, though.

Haren knocked twice on the door, then opened it without waiting for an answer.

"Good morning, Liafina," He said, sitting in one of the red armchairs in front of the desk.

"Good morning to you as well, Haren," The gray haired woman replied," What brings you here today?" The headmistress looked over to me, and a soft smile formed on her lips," Hello again."

"H-hello, miss Liafina." I gave a stiff and rather clumsy curtsy.

"Now, now. There's no need to be so stiff and formal," She said," Please, sit down." She gestured to the armchair Haren wasn't sitting in.

"Ok." I walked over and sat down. Sitting as straight as I could manage with my hands folded somewhat neatly in my lap. I guess it was still a more formal way of sitting, but I couldn't help it. The headmistress ad an air about her that was...well, different from other people. Being around her made me a little nervous.

"Well Nephinae? what do you think?"

"Huh?" I looked up to see both HAren and LIafina staring at me," I'm sorry, I kinda spaced out for a minute. What was the question?"