Page 9 of Stolen Magic

When she determined my personality was suitable, we did a rudimentary test of basic etiquette, sewing, and knowledge of herbs. Although my magical abilities remained sealed, my extensive knowledge from my time with Mother as well asthe years of survival on my own gave me more than ample experience to be sufficient.

My demonstration of the proper courtly manners came from a knowledge not my own, likely supplied by my cast spell, proving it was far more powerful than I’d anticipated, considering its extensive effects. While my powers remained sealed, I managed to use traces to subtly enhance my performance, carefully channeling just enough to secure my position but not enough to trigger the seal’s painful backlash.

When the test concluded, the head servant gave me one final look over before nodding in satisfaction. “You possess the sufficient skills and personality necessary for the position, not to mention conducting yourself with the respect required for Her Highness, yet with enough strength of will to survive where you’re going.”

I humbly bowed my head to hide my smirk at my success, satisfied I’d secured my new position as easily as I’d hoped with the aid of magic.

The head servant beckoned me to follow her so I could meet my charge. My heart beat in a nervous rhythm as she led me through the castle’s labyrinth of corridors, Myst trailing unseen behind me. I knew I had no reason to dread my encounter with the princess, but somehow the anticipation of seeing her made what had only been a vague, imagined scheme all the more real.

I convinced myself the sole reason for my anxiety was due to how much depended on her demeanor. The head servant had lavished praises that were undoubtedly exaggerated, bias that left the task of determining the princess’s true character for myself in order for me to navigate the next crucial steps in my plan.

The hallways were emptier of courtiers and servants than I expected in a palace of this size, and the decorations were even more sparse, though I could see evidence this hadn’t alwaysbeen the case—slightly darker patches on walls where enormous paintings or opulent tapestries had previously hung, or empty tables in nooks that had doubtless once held priceless vases filled with fresh flowers.

These peculiar surroundings held true when I was ushered into a sunlit room. Princess Gwendolyn was seated on a settee near a window, shoulders bowed as she looked out onto a garden that, while beautiful in a natural, almost wild way, was overgrown in patches, further evidence that the palace lacked the staff necessary to maintain the vast grounds.

The room itself was in a similar state as the rest of the palace—It contained only the bare necessities in furniture and decoration, and while its elegance bore testament to the royal family’s previous wealth and taste, it was antiquated, evidence that even the royal family wasn’t immune to the effects of our kingdom’s depleting magic.

The head servant swept into a deep curtsy. “Princess Gwendolyn, pending your approval I have acquired a potential candidate to serve as your handmaiden.”

The princess hastily dried her eyes, but there was no evidence of her recent tears in the kind smile she bestowed upon me. “Pleased to meet you. I appreciate your willingness to fill the position on such short notice. What is your name?” Her composed expression was welcoming, her refined features and poised demeanor both regal and surprisingly youthful…yet her eyes betrayed a hint of underlying anxiety, likely concerning her upcoming marriage.

“Lysa.” I provided the nickname that only my Mother had ever used, my security in case not every official record containing the names of those born with magic had been entirely purged from the royal archives.

The princess’s resulting smile was warm. “I am Princess Gwendolyn, but I don’t like to stand on formality. While in private, I would appreciate if you would call me Gwen.”

I couldn’t allow myself such a liberty—familiarity had no place in my scheme as it would only create unnecessary attachment and I could already tell that the princess’s kind spirit would test my resolve.

Princess Gwendolyn dismissed the head servant, who took her leave with another curtsy. At her absence the princess’s stiff, formal posture faltered slightly, robbing me of the chance to study it more carefully so I could eventually learn how to mimic it. “Forgive me for not greeting you with the warmth you deserve,” she said. “It’s been a trying day after learning about the condition that befell my former handmaiden. She is very dear to me and it’s been weighing on me ever since I received the news.” She gently dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

So the handmaiden who had once served her was the source of the princess’s grief. Her sincerity threatened the walls I’d erected to block my conscience, barriers that were necessary for the plan that brewed like the potions I used to watch Mother concoct. If the deep care Her Highness appeared to harbor was genuine, she was far too tenderhearted for the Eldorian court…or the betrayal that awaited her at my hand. I flexed my fingers, allowing the feeling of the scar stretching to remind myself of my purpose.

Oblivious to my scheming, Princess Gwendolyn invited me closer, even scooting over to make room for me to sit beside her. I hesitated before accepting. Myst—still in her enchanted form only visible to me—leapt gracefully onto my lap and curled herself contentedly for a nap, her tail swaying in sync with her purrs.

For a moment we stared at one another, silently assessing each other. Even my quick perusal was enough to confirm shewasn’t at all what I’d expected—I’d believed royalty to be spoiled and distant, a perception encouraged by the greedy way Eldoria had seized my magic and heartlessly murdered Mother.

In contrast to the glitter and glamor I’d imagined, Princess Gwendolyn’s elegant gown was several years out of date, the satin worn, the lace cuffed in several areas, and the hem a few inches too short. The taxes Their Majesties extracted from their citizens—ones that had often caused me to spend many nights hungry—weren’t being used for worldly possessions.

The princess might live in a castle and bear a royal title, but the lost wealth from the diminishing magic had affected her, just as it had all the inhabitants of our kingdom. This insight should have been enlightening, but instead it frustrated me. Relating to Princess Gwendolyn as a fellow victim humanized her in a way I couldn’t afford.

Questions burned my tongue, each more pressing than the last, but I waited for her to speak; though she seemed amiable enough, I couldn’t risk unintentionally offending her and losing the position I’d only just obtained. Though magic aided me, my plan still lacked structure and missed key components. Those could only be obtained through the information I gathered, which would be trickier to extract from the princess.

The silence extended a little longer before Princess Gwendolyn finally spoke. “I’m truly grateful for your presence.” Her demeanor had softened, as if she found solace in the promise of a private conversation. “Though the upcoming changes are difficult, there is comfort knowing I have a trusted friend to rely upon for what lies ahead.”

Trusted friend…the endearment felt almost mocking, but I hastily suppressed the emotions the words stirred before they could fully take root. “You speak of the difficulties of your pending arrangement?” I prodded.

She sighed. “It’s improper for me not to be grateful for the Kingdom of Eldoria’s generosity in offering such a coveted alliance, yet I can’t escape my lingering reservations in marrying the crown prince.” She daintily bit her lip as she looked out the window, her gaze wistful, a falter in the calm composure expected of a royal. “Our arrangement is one of politics rather than love. I know how important the union is for our kingdom, which hasn’t been the same since our magic vanished. Yet I’m anxious for my future in an unfamiliar land, far from home and married to a man I scarcely know. The duty weighs heavily upon me.”

The princess cast me an uncertain look, as though realizing the imprudence of unburdening her inmost fears to a woman she’d just met, but the magic was apparently at work on her as it had been with the head servant. Gradually, Princess Gwendolyn’s posture became more relaxed as she confided her distress over leaving everything familiar—especially her beloved parents—along with her anxiety about marrying a man who was not only still a stranger in many respects but came from a different culture, one she’d be expected to gracefully assimilate into.

I closed my heart off as I listened, offering nods of understanding and empathy, each necessary information acquired a valuable insight into the political dynamics of the Eldorian court I would soon infiltrate.

The princess mentioned several key components throughout our conversation: the departure for Eldoria was scheduled in exactly four weeks’ time, a timeline that gave me a limited window to prepare. I would accompany her to her new home. We would be escorted by a small entourage of guards for the first duration of the journey, but once we reached the border we would be placed in the care of the Eldoria royal family’s guards and servants, making me her sole Myronian companion. Such anarrangement made things much easier; with no one else to rely on, she would have no one to go to for help once I enacted my scheme.

As I listened to the details she provided, I focused on studying her mannerisms. Her elegance testified of her royal bearing, yet would be easy to recreate on a surface level with sufficient practice. What would prove trickier would be her habits, mannerisms, and most importantly her knowledge. I had approximately one month for the task; whether or not such a short time frame would suffice was dependent on the depth of the princess’s personality and on how well she knew her intended.

The conversation drawing to a close was my cue to reassure the princess of my loyalty. I was unaccustomed to smiling, but I forced my lips upwards. “You will not endure such a trying journey alone. I am here to assist you in any way possible. You can trust me, Your Highness.” Naturally the promise was a lie, but it was necessary in cementing my role as her confidante.

Princess Gwendolyn seemed comforted by my words. “Thank you, Lysa. I’m already incredibly grateful for you.” Her heartfelt smile momentarily distracted me from my purpose. I hadn’t experienced the comfort that came from kind human connection since Mother’s death, having eventually grown accustomed to its absence and the constant loneliness that pressed upon my heart. Experiencing it now reminded me of a feeling I’d thought long forgotten.

---