"Sir. If you look down upon the dark arts so much, why not let her be raised by my family?" Aron asked the master quietly as he stood in the study, his arms crossed in front of him.
Normally, Aron would never speak like this or question the Master’s arrangements. After all, the master had helped his family more times than he could count. He had offered guidance, protection, and knowledge without ever asking for payment in return. Aron respected him deeply. It was a debt he was willing to pay with his life.
That was why his hands were clenched so tightly at his sides as he tried to raise this matter with the master.
"She won’t be lacking in anything. You don’t have to worry about it. And her education will not be compromised either. My family would see to it personally."
The master did not reply at once. He stood near the window, his back turned, fingers resting lightly on the wooden frame.
Aron swallowed and went on, pushing himself to speak before courage left him, "She has talent, sir. You know this. Mira learns faster than anyone I have seen. She understands the flow of magic instinctively. Even when she makes mistakes, she corrects them quickly. If she were allowed to learn now, instead of being forced to wait...She would become formidable in the future. And with her nature, I can assure you that she won’t be a danger to anyone."
"She has a clean heart and she doesn’t seek power for its own sake. If anyone could show the world that carrying dark blood does not make a witch dark, it would be her."
The master finally turned around.
For a moment, Aron held his breath. He wondered if he had overstepped his boundaries and maybe even angered the master. Questioning the master’s decision was not something he did often or ever. Even when he scolded him for his interest in dark magic. The man had given his family too much for Aron to forget that respect.
Then the master smiled and Aron felt relieved for a moment. "Aron. I understand your care for her. But there is a reason Mira and Shiqi need to grow together. They must stay side by side for now. Separating them would not be wise."
He paused before adding, "And Mira is no longer a child. She is already fourteen. In another two years, she will be of age."
Aron frowned faintly at that. He’d thought that Master would agree with him. But it seemed he was about to refuse.
"When that time comes, she will be married to her destined partner. He will guide her. He will also help her learn the arts she carries within her."
"But Master," Aron said at once, unable to hold back, "what if it is the three lords?"
Everyone knew of the prophecy that the three lords were to choose a bride from between Shiqi and Mira. The right bride would bring peace to the world while the wrong one would cause chaos.
Aron hesitated and did not continue. No one knew if such a bond could truly exist. But if Mira’s destiny was tied to them, things would not be simple. They might not allow her to touch the dark arts at all. And if she was never allowed to learn, never allowed to understand the power within her, she would always be incomplete.
He did not say any of it aloud but even so master seemed to understand his worries as he said, "What has not yet happened cannot be decided now. Fate will have its own way, Aron."
Aron lowered his gaze. "I understand, Master."
But even as he spoke, the unease did not leave him and instead seemed to increase. It settled quietly in his chest. As he turned to leave the room, a thought crossed his mind, perhaps during his time here, he should teach Mira a few more harmless tricks. Nothing dangerous. Just enough so she would be able to practice some more. He took a step toward the door.
"Aron." Just as he was about to leave, the master’s voice stopped him.
He turned back slowly, "If Mira is not the three lord’s bride," the master asked, "would you be willing to marry her?"
Aron froze.
For a moment, he did not understand the meaning of the question. Then it sank in, and his breath caught slightly.
Only one from Mira or Shiqi was destined to be tied to the three lords. Choosing the wrong one would invite disaster. That was what the prophecy had foretold. But Aron knew something else just as clearly-people who only saw darkness would be quick to blame the girl herself. They would call her curse. A disaster waiting to happen.
His fingers curled at his side. Whether it was Mira or Shiqi, he did not want either of them to carry that burden. They were both dear to him. So, he didn’t think much of the question. He did not even realise that the master had not asked him if he would be willing to marry Shiqi or Mira whoever was not chosen. Only Mira if she was not chosen. As if it was already decided that Shiqi would be the chosen one.
He looked at the master and nodded once. "Yes, Master," he said quietly. "I would be willing. I promise."
The master nodded once and suddenly Aron felt as if he had finally found a purpose. The night the three lords took their destined mate as their partner, he would marry the other girl. If it was Mira, then he would teach her everything he knew and let her live freely. And if it was Shiqi... his heart thudded. If it was Shiqi, he would take good care of her and make sure that she lived a happy life.
Never could he have imagined that the girls he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect, one of them would turn out to be the reason for his lifetime of pain.