In my letter to Odin, I request my list of curses again. I ask him to remove all of them if possible. I know that is unlikely, but I can't help but ask. Again. I also write about my mission. Although I leave some of the notes out. Odin is a safe person to talk to. No one will read his letters. Anyone else captured wouldn't get such an allowance, but Odin's letters are sent through his magic. He decides everything.
Sealing the letter has it disappear. Odin will give me a reply soon enough. That's how it always is. We're keeping in touch. Without gaining anything for it.
And I do have a bonus letter if I need to reach out to Odin before he replies. For emergencies. I can even assume at this point, that letter would lead to Odin coming to my side unless he can put someone he truly trusts next to me.
It has me worrying if maybe Mom is at the knights hall for Odin more than me. Maybe I should question. "My parents won't divorce. And there is a good chance even if Father dies, Mom wouldn't create a romance with Odin. I can't recall a pair more in tune." Which was always bad for me, but why should I complain about that? I should be happy that they are in tune. They belong together. Like the perfect pair.
"I'll never know my true love." I close my eyes thinking of the curse placed on me. Even with the magic blocking curse, I can still access it. A wild spell of a foolish child could do serious damage. The true love spell could stop much of my dangers.
I have the spell for a thousand year sleep. I've used it before. Although it was never on purpose. None of my magic has been on purpose. It was why I truly put in time and effort for the rituals. Finally I could control exactly what my magic would do.
It was tough figuring out mana flow when I couldn't truly access it. "True love's kiss is a powerful ability." And I would only know who my true love is by luck and a bad situation.
That doesn't mean I hate the fact Mom and Odin know about one another. I'm supportive if anything. But infidelity is illegal. Divorce shouldn't be used to allow for remarriage. They cannot do anything to make anyone think they are romantically attached.
That's why Odin is trapped in a tower.
"If I didn't exist..." I think of it. "If Father needed a mistress, it would have to be fully agreed to by Mom. Just as Father would have to agree to any relationship Mom has. And it would all have to be written down just as a marriage contract. With reasons why." I know the laws now. I know why Odin is trapped. Why he accepted it. Jail is the enforcement for infidelity. Trying to enforce that on Her Majesty may have caused trouble with the country's order.
Maybe the assassin attempts relate back to that. Or maybe some of the pressure I have on my head relates back to that.
"I can't become king soon." Not that I would refrain or expect Mom to be regent. Ascension should be at least a decade from now. I'm young. Father is young.
But I also know everything to do with Odin created a scene. Instead of sliding things under a rug, Father went all out. The fight between my parents is now getting the country involved. It's no longer just me.
"I need to stop thinking about it." Not like I can do anything.
Reviewing my room, I grab up my bag. There's no much needed from me during this coming mission. "I'll eat before heading home."
Yeah. That should help calm me.
Sitting in the cafeteria has me getting attention. Several give me congratulations, but I have to wave it off. My father just wants me going to the balls. That's probably why he tried to refuse me joining. It's all an excuse and many of the nobles will notice it for what it is. But generally? They're already leaning that way. I'm only supporting their thoughts.
Daniel drops into an opposite chair. He waits for the white commoner knight to walk off. It took him sixteen months to graduate. But it's more than just my father playing favorites. I truly did pass enough of the classes to be allowed to take the test. "Jessica and Ryan would've joined us if they passed enough classes."
"So glad they can continue training." I rub my face. "I decided to just let them bully me into being top of the class. I didn't think it would lead me to becoming a knight before I even hit a month. My father is playing favorites."
Daniel nods. "Your mission is the balls, right?"
"Yeah."
"Me too, although we're on different teams. Who are you with?"
I wave my hand around. "Father."
Daniel stares at me. His slow blink has me aware he knows I'm pretending. "Probably the most annoying leader to have marked."
"Yeah." I lean back. "I'll be around the royal guards since I'm acting as crown prince. I'll be heading back home in a moment."
"Decided to eat here instead of there?" Daniel looks at my plate. "Most wouldn't pick that. My team will be heading over tonight. I'm meeting them here, though. I'll be the only white knight of the team. Most of the nobles will see me as being guarded instead of being included in the guard."
So he's getting his own guard. They'll help guide him on how to handle these type of missions as a noble. They are more common than not. Can't send a commoner to do a noble's job. "What about Callie?"
"She's staying here. At least for now. There was a magic skill she needs to practice. The trainer isn't giving her allowance to go. Although maybe she'll join the next one." Daniel shrugs.
I nod. There's nothing I need to truly learn before facing this. We're trying to find the leak. And if I'm a piece to finding them either the threat is a top quality knight or the person is already marked with treason. That's it. "Mom's going."
"Which is the big reason your father is sending you." Daniel says. "It's his way of saying keep the queen in line."
I laugh. I can't do much of anything. Mom just will stay on top of me. "My real goal is to prove to Mom she doesn't need to. It's not their mission for me."
"Is that why you pushed so hard with the classes?" Daniel's head tilts a little. I was seriously training. I did a lot of work and started ahead. "I mean that had to be easier than fighting the pressure, but you didn't have to just go all in. No one was helping you with the ritual practice. That's how we won."
That was our win. I may have been useless in the actual battle, but I was able to act the mage, the support. My actions gave us the win. "Why didn't Callie attack?"
Daniel smirks. "This was her first real battle. She froze."
That might be the bigger reason for her not going on mission. "But she still earned her white knight status."
"The king is playing favorites." Daniel waves his hand about. "Everyone knows it too. If Ryan and Jessica succeed at classes fast enough, assume they'll join the balls."
I stiffen. Father is playing favorites because of me. I duck my head. "I hope they refuse to take the tests or prove anything in the classes."
"Same. They can join the balls next year. That's a guarantee. For now, they should focus on the Harvest Mission in Telligence." Daniel stands up. He's done eating. "I'm going to warn them about the threat on their heads."
"Because of me." Squeezing my eyes close doesn't help matters. I just don't wish to see this truth. But I am aware of it. "I'll see you at the ball, Daniel."
"If you want support, ask for Lucas. He's marked to royal coverage." Daniel offers me a final smile before leaving me in the cafeteria alone.
As someone comes over to wish me congratulations, I leave. I don't want to keep lying. Something is going on beyond my reach. Like always. But it's time I start making an impact on things. I'm not a foolish child even if many think I am.