"So you've met Locke Tewdorn at the Red Manor yesterday?"
"The Duchess introduced us. She wants me to work with him once I get into the Academy."
"I see. So she's going to proceed with that plan," Isabella said thoughtfully, "Will you be going in as a student?"
"No. She wants me to be a researcher for the Academy," CK said. "Mm, that makes sense. Researchers have access to things and places that students cannot," Isabella nodded.
It was late morning, and the mother and daughter bonded over a reading session in the library. CK had already read half of the books as a child, but Isabella knew each and every page like the back of her hand.
When the latest editions and newer collections get released, Isabella made it a priority to add it to the library as soon as possible. Though she had many duties as Countess Vincenzo, Isabella still made time for herself and for family. The only way for a busy woman to keep sane is to reconnect with her passions.
CK adored her mother's dedication to her hobbies. She took one of the books out of the shelves she couldn't touch as a child, skimming it over as she kept her mother company.
"I cannot possibly be a student at the Academy. I don't have access to their kind of magic. I'll only be causing more trouble than I am worth," CK smiled.
"But it is your inability to use magic that makes you the best candidate for the job. No one would suspect a thing. They might even go as far to underestimate you," Isabella said encouragingly.
"But wouldn't it be better to prove I am capable in order to gain their trust?" CK asked. "You may also do that. Depending on the situation, you must learn to choose whether to act like a sage or act like a fool," Isabella stated.
"Of course you would know a thing or two, mama," CK giggled. "Heyy, what does that mean?" Isabella pouted.
"Nothing, hehe. But mama, I want to ask something," CK said. "Ask away, darling," Isabella said.
"What do you know about House Tewdorn?" CK asked. "Hmmm," Isabella hummed, "House Tewdorn is the duchy of the Blue Faction and their main residence is at Glass City. A previous House used to be the Blue Faction's duchy, but House Tewdorn replaced them twenty years ago after the Battle Against the Tunnels. There could only be one duchy per Faction, thus the previous House conceded."
"They conceded? Just like that?" CK asked, surprised. "Many Houses were purged out of power during those times. It wasn't just a battle against those beyond the Farisian Woods, but also a chance of reformation," Isabella replied, "As for the members of House Tewdorn, I've heard a thing or two. You're asking because of the son, yes?"
"Yes, mama. I'd like to know a few things about him if I'm going to work with him," CK said. "I see. There's nothing fishy about the boy, but the young ladies I meet during tea parties tell me he is standoffish and never fond of social gatherings. He can be quite friendly, but he makes the impression of someone who'd rather spend his time on other things," Isabella stated.
"The Duchess told me he spends most of his time at the Academy," CK said. "Truly?" Isabella seemed surprised, "His presence is needed at Glass City almost all the time. I'm surprised he could still pay visits to the Academy."
"He seems productive," CK mused. Too bad they won't catch her pouring that same amount of dedication any time sooner.
"Such is the burden of responsibility for a future Duke. Now as for the Duke and the Duchess Tewdorn, it is said that they managed to gather some noble families and build their own autonomous faction under the Tewdorn Duchy. Nobody knows why they made this decision, but it is most likely for wealth and power. Despite that, the Marchen sees no problem with what they're doing and permits the formation of the Tewdorn sub-faction," Isabella said.
"Another group of ambitious people," CK commented. "Where there is power, there is bound to be ambition. Fortunately, your father and I were stationed far from the capital cities and get to live cozy lives, hehe!" Isabella beamed happily.
"I'd rather you not be involved with those people either, mama," CK said. "Oh, me, too, mi Esmeralda. Me, too," Isabella's eyes twinkled meaningfully.
"Speaking of papa, he hasn't joined us for breakfast this morning. Where is he?" CK asked curiously.
"Oh, your father... He is having another one of his melodramatic episodes. I reckon he is trying to keep himself busy until it subsides," Isabella replied.
"Papa's upset? Why?" CK asked. "I think you should know, darling. You're actually the reason. Right after you get into trouble at the Eastern Glade, the Duchess decides to send you on an undercover mission to enter one of the potentially most dangerous places to be on Pentamerone. The cherry on top is that he was the one who had to agree to the whole thing," Isabella said apologetically.
"Oh, papa," CK sighed, "Should I go check on him?"
"Your father's bouts typically end after an hour or two, but I'm sure he'll be delighted to spend some time with you. He gets more upset when he realizes we can't go on that family trip he's been planning for a while," Isabella giggled.
"Not to mention I ran off to the Never Isles while he was asleep," CK said nervously, only making Isabella smile wider.
"You better appease him if you want to retain your freedom to move around~" Isabella giggled. "Fine, fine. Where is he?" CK sighed as she put the books away.
"He's at the amphiptere sanctuary tending to the hatchlings."
Joaquin's head popped up by the windows next to CK, causing the girl to flinch in surprise.
"Wha–! How long have you been there?!" CK asked. "Hello, Joaquin," Isabella smiled.
"Good morning, miladies. I've been there this whole time. The Count gave me orders yesterday afternoon to keep an eye on a particular damsel and ordered me to report every single thing she's been up to especially after that incident with the Lightmaster," Joaquin said amusingly.
"Told you," Isabella said to CK. "I'm not even doing anything remotely dangerous. Papa's overreacting!" CK protested.
"I beg to differ, little lady. I can't imagine the Count will react well to his daughter asking about another boy from Glass City," Joaquin smirked, "He's still a bachelor and you, an eligible lady for marriage. All sorts of ideas will fly in his head."
"Not if you don't give him any ideas!" CK snorted, "That's it. I'm going to the sanctuary."
"Great! I'm going with you," Joaquin said. "Surely, you're the only person Flavio sent to watch her?" Isabella asked him dubiously.
Joaquin replied with a wry smile and followed the young Lady. Getting an answer, Isabella sighed and shook her head. That emotional husband of hers...
The sanctuary was located behind the Vincenzo Estate, deep inside a forest clearing where a lake used to be decades ago. However, the water ran dry and left behind a crater devoid of aquatic life.
There were plans to turn the crater into specialized training grounds. It was during this same time when wild amphipteres had trouble nesting in the Woods. It was Isabella's idea to guide the amphipteres to the Estate's territory and help the amphipteres repopulate, turning the lake crater into a sanctuary for them instead.
A glass dome encased the sanctuary, a few flights of staircases leading down to an archway. CK walked in and saw the thriving arboretum within.
The crater that used to be full of water now gave life to an environment tailored specifically to nurse the amphipteres. The glass was foggy with condensation, the smell of the wet soil mixing with the strange, apparent scent of snakeskin and scales.
Up in the trees, between tangled branches, feathers, and leaves, were nests the size of a carriage. Some of those nests hid eggs of varying colors while some were busy sheltering active hatchlings trying to strangle their weaker siblings.
The adults gathered by the watering hole at the center of the sanctuary. Others slithered around branches while others took flight, encouraging the hatchlings to follow suit.
That's where the Count Vincenzo stood. With rolled-up sleeves and knees deep in the water, he tried to scrub off the dirt off a hatchling's feathers.
"Oh, sit still now, won't you? You decided that it was a good idea to practice your burrowing skills, now you have to face the consequences. You aren't made to dig, you know?" Flavio grunted, trying to restrain the writhing little creature.
Shaa!
The hatchling let out a tiny hiss of protest at Flavio. He sighed and switched to petting the hatchling, observing how it closed its eyes contentedly.
CK couldn't help but giggle. "They're so easy to please, aren't they?" she said, "Exactly like children."
"Your mother pampered them since they were eggs. Now, they've gotten used to it," Flavio chuckled, "They see her more as their parent than their own biological parents."
CK bent down to get a closer look at the hatchlings around Flavio. Though the waters weren't deep, the hatchlings were too small to reach the bottom and had to try their best to swim and keep afloat.
"And the parents don't seem to mind it?" CK asked, using a finger to scratch a hatchling's chin. "No. It doesn't seem like they care," Flavio replied, looking at the adults.
They stared back curiously, but none were bothered to get a closer look to what they do with the offsprings.
"Maybe it's because they trust you enough to let you touch their children," CK said thoughtfully. "That sounds flattering at first. Then, you're suddenly responsible for bathing them after their little acts of mischief," Flavio chuckled.
The hatchling under his care suddenly broke free and flew off, spraying water on Flavio's face as it took its flight of freedom.
"...Well that's that," Flavio sighed and removed his glasses to wipe them. "I have a handkerchief," CK offered the handkerchief tucked inside her pouch.
"Thank you, my sweet," Flavio accepted the cloth and wiped away. He wore his glasses back and turned to her.
"What brings you to the sanctuary? It's almost lunchtime," Flavio said. "Well..." CK started awkwardly, "Mama says you're upset with me and Joaquin constantly following me around seems to prove that."
"Oh?" Flavio mused. "I'm sorry if I upset you, papa. I've done a few careless things now and it makes me guilty whenever I think of how much it must worry you to hear about it," CK said.
"Oh, sweet angel. Although you were involved, none of it was truly your fault. It just so happens that the circumstances were against you," Flavio replied.
"Are you not upset with me?" CK asked curiously. "With you? No. How could I ever? Now with that brat, Mel, though... That's something else. He was supposed to be with you until he returns you back to me safe and sound. But nope! He's nowhere to be found when needed most," Flavio placed a hand on his hip disapprovingly.
"I take responsibility for that, papa. I convinced him to let me find the Star Station on my own. He couldn't have understood what I was trying to do, and we could've been in more trouble," CK sighed, "Please don't be mad at him, papa."
"Negligence is still negligence. But that's a man-to-man conversation I'll have with him when I see him," Flavio said. "Papa," CK pouted.
"You came at a good time. Now that you're here, there's something I want to show you," Flavio grinned excitedly, leaving the previous topic behind immediately.
"Hmph... What is it?" CK asker, unwillingly letting go of the topic and leaving poor Mel's fate to chance. "Come on. Joaquin, you're dismissed," Flavio called out.
"Finally," CK grumbled as she felt the leaves rustle behind them. Sensing Joaquin was gone, Flavio beckoned her to follow him to the sanctuary's playgrounds.
Several amphipteres were playing amongst themselves, playfully biting each other's wings or chasing others' tails. But the approaching humans made them pause and stare curiously.
"Our family has a tradition. When a Vincenzo comes of age, a ritual is held to bond their consciousness with the amphipteres. Sometimes, it was a ride of courage and other times, a blood bond was conducted," Flavio said.
"I've already turned 18. Will I undergo this tradition, too?" CK asked. "No. You were already bonded to the amphipteres before you were even born," Flavio chuckled, "This is the first time we've done something against traditions. So far, there hasn't been any trouble."
"Before birth? How?" CK asked curiously. "I'm saving that story for another occasion. Perhaps when you become the Vincenzo Matriarch?" Flavio said amusingly.
"That's still far into the future," CK complained. "Patience, mi bambina. Waiting will do you well in times like this," Flavio chuckled and looked to the amphipteres.
"I've thought about some recent events. Now that the Duchess intends to send you to the Academy, you will be travelling between places quite often. Carriages in the city might be efficient, but not as efficient as having your own mount," Flavio stated.
They were interrupted when a cry echoed in the sanctuary. Startled, CK was expecting danger. However, she saw a cluster of amphipteres staring at her overhead.
"Woah," CK said, stepping back in surprise. The amphipteres tilted their heads. But one of them slithered towards CK, its serpentine eyes trailed on CK attentively.
"Curious," CK said, strangely able to distinguish the emotions behind its gaze: surprise and a child-like wonder,.
"Looks like one of them decided to step up as soon as I finished speaking. Their intelligence is terrifying," Flavio said and smiled at CK, "Go on. Give him a pat."
CK stepped towards the curious amphiptere and scratched its chin with her fingers. The creature's eyes closed with satisfaction, lowering its guard almost immediately.
"Cute," CK giggled. The other amphipteres suddenly approached her, seemingly demanding for her attention.
"Woah! Um, papa? A little help?" CK called Flavio worryingly as she was surrounded by the slithering creatures. "Your connection to the amphipteres is strong. Don't worry. They mean you no harm," Flavio said reassuringly.
"I beg to differ!" CK said, feeling their wing feathers brush and tickle various parts of her body. Seeing how fussy its siblings got, the first amphiptere to approach CK hissed threateningly.
Shaa!
Its tail wrapped around CK protectively, separating her from the other amphipteres. The other amphipteres were unwilling to challenge the first amphiptere and left CK hesitantly. They climbed the tree trunks and chose to stare at CK from the distance.
"Thank you. You can let me go now," CK told the amphiptere. It released CK from its tail and looked at her with newfound affection.
"I like this one," CK said pleasantly. "Then he's yours. This one happens to be the firstborn of the nest mother and one of the stronger ones. How lucky for you, my sweet," Flavio said.
"Great! From now on, your name is Nicco," CK declared over the amphiptere. Nicco tilted his head but made no violent reaction to his new name.
"I hope he will be helpful to you in the next few days. This is the least I can do to prepare you for what's ahead," Flavio said.
"That...sounds like a warning," CK said. "Because it is," Flavio became serious, "You'll be working with Locke Tewdorn. Be careful. House Tewdorn is a close associate of one of the members of the Marchen. If you make any mistakes in their presence, I doubt they will let you go easily."