The One after my Heart

Through the curtains, Kyra saw they were approaching their destination. It was the place where the mayor resided with his family, after all. For a person who pretty much overlooked an entire state obviously, his place of residence would be no simple place.

Frederick Dartwood had already notified them and apologised, saying that he would be taking them through the back roads towards his manor instead of through the city, citing security reasons. He wanted no problems to occur on his escorting mission. But he did insist that they pay his humble home a visit so the Dartwood family would show their hospitality to the Greenwoods.

What Fredrick called his 'humble home' seemed to be one of those old sixteenth-century small castles that were on a ground of hundred and fifty acres that was surrounded by a large compound wall ahead that seemed to stretch out for miles.

There were guards who manned the security heavily here as they patrolled around wearing dark brown uniforms. Beautiful tall trees showcasing their colourful seasonal flowers were planted all around, painted a fine view as twilight set in.

"Nisa, I've something to ask of you", Kyra blurted out suddenly as she turned to her neighbour.

"Sure, go ahead, Sister Kyra", nodded Nisa as she looked at her saviour. "This princess will fulfil all of your demands, hoho." She wrapped the sleeves of the red jacket cleverly, covering the open patch at her stomach.

Kyra nodded and ignored the narcissistic tone as she leaned in and whispered a few words to her companion.

The Dartwood carriage passed through the tall gates of the compound and soon came to a stop in front of an enormous building. The girls saw their carriage doors creak open as Frederick opened them himself personally.

As Fredrick stood next to the door offering his hand to assist them in getting down, Kyra noticed a small crowd of people waiting in the background ahead with warm, welcoming smiles.

There was an old lady at the forefront of the group. Next to her was a flair plump mature woman dressed in luxurious clothes whom Kyra presumed as Fredrick Dartwood's wife. The woman couldn't help but gasp in horror when she saw the dishevelled look of the trio covered in dust and mud. 'Just what did these three experience and encounter that has them looking like this?' the mature woman wondered to herself and walked forwards to greet them.

At her side stood a young man in his late twenties with short-cropped hair who looked very much like Fredrick himself as he stood there all prime and proper dressed. He'd imitated his father's style of donning a moustache on his face.

The young man's eyes were fixated on Kyra in interest, and only when he was nudged at the waist by a young woman that looked like his sibling who was doused in make-up did he shift his eyes towards Maya and Nisa.

"This is my mother, Rivera Dartwood", gestured Fredrick as the old woman who stepped forward and took Maya's little hand with a warm smile.

"I'm Nisa Greenwood and this is my younger sister Maya, daughters of Nihaiya Greenwood. This is our elder sister Kyra. We thank you for welcoming us", replied Nisa politely with a small curtsy bow and forcing her sister to do so as well. Kyra gave a hasty awkward bow as well.

"This my beautiful wife, Fiona. These are my children-Stephen and Selena. They are both rank four warlock and witches who are soon going to rank up very soon", introduced Fredrick proudly as he pointed at the plump woman and the two people at her side.

The young man Stephen gave a small bow as he introduced himself stiffly. His eyes couldn't keep off Kyra's beauty as he gave silent glances every now and then. At his side, his younger sister rolled her eyes and said a quick hello to the guests. Selena looked like a younger version of her mother as she stood there with a warm smile on her face.

"Welcome, little madams. Please, this way.", gestured the fair, mature woman to the girls. Fiona had the perfect look of a nobleman's rich, pampered wife. Still, unlike the pompous shrewd attitude others usually had, Fiona's straight attitude and warm heart had people at ease around her. Clearly, Fredrick had updated and notified them of Nisa's narcissistic streak and had prepared his family to encounter any tantrums.

Nisa's eyes lit up upon the title of "little madam", and soon a small smile crept upon her lips. She nodded with a serious face as she stepped forwards, leading the other two. She held Selena's hand, who seemed around Kyra's age and walked forwards with her making polite conversation.

Mrs Dartwood nodded to herself, amused within as she secretly caught the teenage girl's approving look. She applauded her husband for once and secretly sent him a signal to praise him.

Frederick's face lit up as he saw his wife nodding to him. Sure enough, my wife knows everything, he thought with a proud expression.

Fiona Dartwood smiled warmly at Kyra as well. She spoke out, "The journey must have made you feel tired. The food is almost done being prepared. Quarters have been set and warm baths have been kept ready meanwhile for you to freshen up and we've had clothes laid out for you. I hope you won't mind them though they aren't as good as the ones you wear at the capital." Fiona couldn't help but wince as she took in the plight and appearance of the three girls in front of her.

"Oh please, Mrs Dartwood, you didn't have to. And may I say your dress is very lovely this evening. And thank you very much. We're grateful for your generosity and thoughtfulness. I'm sure mother would be happy to meet a sweet person such as you.", replied Nisa as she thanked the hostess.

Mrs Dartwood beamed at the blonde-haired teenagers' compliment as her cheeks turned rosy.

Such polite conversation and banter were something Nisa was accustomed to and learned back at the capital in her growing years. Nevertheless, people did like compliments.

The mature woman couldn't help but give a curious glance at Kyra, the one whom the girls called 'Sister Kyra' wondering who she was. As a powerful rank 2 witches herself, just like her husband, she couldn't sense anything from the young woman.

Frederick had warned his family an hour ago, saying an ordinary young woman was travelling with the Greenwood girls who seemed to be a little crazy.

But he sensed the alliance-head either seemed to know her or approve of her company with the girls, though she didn't talk to her in the forest. Otherwise, her highness would have mentioned it. Also, with the way Kyra protected the girls by putting herself in harm's way though she was no match for him, he suspected that they might be close enough to each other. Perhaps she was their hired nanny?

Fredrick even thanked Fiona in private, saying how she'd been right all these years in counselling him to stay away from pretty women. They were indeed crazy. Fiona then couldn't help but applaud herself and her intelligence all these years cracking up with laughter when her innocent husband left to bring the guests home.

But Fiona had to admit as she saw her in person, though the young brunette was indeed ordinary, her beauty was indeed extraordinary. If it was any other day, Fiona would thrash or chastise her husband on affiliating with a gorgeous woman such as this. She'd even caught her son's eyes sparkle with interest earlier as he looked enchanted by this lady in front of her. She suspected Kyra was not some nanny as her husband claimed to be.

Maya, on the other hand, was busy chattering away with Rivera Dartwood as the old woman was all grins as they stood next to the grey stags and petted them.

Then as though Nisa had remembered something, as she was walking towards the doors, she turned to Fredrick and said," Mayor Fredrick, I've a small favor to ask of you."

"Yes, little highness?"

Nisa beckoned him to come closer and then spoke to him in a low voice.

"Of course, it's not a problem. I'll have it delivered to your room right away", replied Frederick quickly as he heard her request, though he had a silly expression on his face with his eyebrows raised.

After which, both he and Nisa turned their heads towards Kyra as they looked at her in a funny way and sighed, shaking their heads.

As the enthusiastic group entered through the doors, Mrs Dartwood frowned lightly as she raised her eyebrows in silent curiosity as to what was going on, as she wondered what the blonde teenage girl had requested from her husband.