His tone suddenly softened, becoming friendlier.
“My name is Emma Grace Seagrove. And…if I recall correctly…you’re…Glen.”
“No, I’m Lester.”
Impossible. Emma tilted her head in confusion when she heard a name so different from the one she thought she knew. No, not thought. Definitely did know. He’s Glen. His name is Glen. There was no way she could have forgotten it, considering how her friends had gone on about him endlessly since they were crazy about him. He was the son of a duke from the neighboring Olano Kingdom, and he had attended the Magic Academy in their third year as an exchange student.
Once she fetched that first memory, more tumbled forth into her mind. Chief among them, his first day at the Academy. The young ladies from the aristocracy, always so elegant and demure in their daily lives, lost their collective minds that day. They created a veritable stampede in their rush to greet him. On the other hand, those same young ladies’ fiancés’ reactions were opposite but equally fervent. Emma recalled the young men’s extremely sour expressions as they set their eyes on Glen. His arrival had caused an astounding stir.
“I beg your pardon… Lord Lester, is it?”
“That’s correct.”
Emma scrutinized him more. He seemed accustomed to cheery, dazzling events like this one. Though unintentional, he naturally exuded confidence, indicating he knew his worth, which only enhanced his refined air.
Then why is he keeping to himself on the outskirts of the hall? Not to mention the penetrating stares of the young ladies still on him. It was clear to Emma that they wanted him to approach them and engage in conversation.
I need to make my escape as quickly as possible. I’d rather not get embroiled in unnecessary trouble. Yet she couldn’t stop obsessing over his name. It wasn’t even close to the one in her memory. Noticing Emma’s doubtful, clouded expression, he sidestepped the issue with his next remark.
“Might I direct your attention to a more urgent matter? I’m concerned about those two. They seem to be having some sort of heated argument.”
“What?”
Emma looked to where he pointed and saw a balcony. Beyond the curtains fluttering in the wind stood Bernard and Annette, who did appear to be arguing. They exchanged a few more words, then Bernard turned, intending to make his way back to the main hall. His entire attitude conveyed his agitation. Annette clung to his arm in a desperate attempt to stop him.
“They’re my fiancé and friend… Please excuse me, won’t you?”
Alarmed, Emma lightly curtsied to Lester before heading toward the balcony. Her heart hammered in her chest as she weighed the combined implications of the dress she wore today and Bernard and Annette’s behavior when they had picked her up earlier. She pushed her way through the concerned crowd of onlookers to the balcony.
No, I must be wrong. My anxiety is unfounded. With that thought circling her mind, she grabbed a handful of the fluttering curtain and pulled it aside.
“What are you two doing? Is something wrong?”
Bernard and Annette froze at Emma’s sudden arrival. For whatever reason, her fiancé stared at her with hostile eyes. Behind him, Annette looked to be on the verge of tears.
“Emma,” Bernard spoke, his voice resolute.
“What…is it?”
“I know I’m asking much of you…but won’t you call off our engagement?”
Before Emma could process his request, the crowd of guests around them stirred uneasily.
“What do you mean by that, Lord Bernard?”
Strangely enough, Emma’s voice didn’t waver an iota. But ice congealed in the depths of her heart, and her mind spun frantically. The three of them had been fast friends since they were young. Their relationship changed at the age of nine. Upon discovering Emma’s magical affinity with the element of time, Bernard’s father, then Viscount Sagden, proposed to the king that his son and Emma be engaged.
To this day, she still didn’t know if the man’s goal was an elevation of his rank from the start. Yet for the then-Baron Seagrove, a match with a viscount’s son, particularly one already acquainted with his daughter, could not have been more felicitous. At the time, Bernard had warmly declared, “I’ll gladly stay by Emma’s side, helping her shoulder the terrible burden she has to carry!” Appreciative of his enthusiastic consent, Emma had decided to devote her life in support of him once her work as a time traveler ended.
“I…I want to protect her. I want to protect Annette.”
But the Bernard who stood in front of her now, spouting drivel, seemed intoxicated with himself. He took no notice of Annette trembling behind him.
“Then you should have said so earlier,” Emma said coolly. “Before Annette wrought herself into such an anxious state.”
“Emma…”
Annette buried her face in her hands. Instead of consoling her, Bernard continued speaking.
“Except…you would have turned back time had I done so.”
A hush descended on the hall with his reply. One could hear a pin drop; it had grown so deathly quiet. It was common knowledge that it was forbidden to use the power of time to travel to the past. Emma had only ever used her ability to travel into the future for her country’s sake. Moreover, the government would never allow someone to travel in time willy-nilly because the ability would alter history. To accuse her of such a thing, and at a party to celebrate her accomplishments, no less, was tantamount to calling her a criminal.
“B-Besides…there’s something else. Emma, look.”
“Lord Bernard, please! Enough already!”
He ignored Annette’s struggle and dragged her right hand forward, showing Emma the back of it. Oh, dear!
She saw a familiar sigil, even though no incantation had been uttered. She could think of two reasons why it was visible. First, Annette hadn’t undergone any formal training regarding time magic. And second, her friend was currently running high on emotions. Both combined meant she would have difficulty controlling the sigil, even if she knew how.