Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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"You are leaving already?", I asked Calista in disbelief over breakfast.

Yesterday, Calista mentioned that she wants to travel and see the world, but I didn't think that she will leave so soon. She just got here yesterday!

Calista and I chatted last night until late and it was fun.

She spoke to me about Lemuria and life in the castle and I acquired a better understanding of Aldus's family and I confirmed they are definitely royals.

As much as it sounds glamorous, I also found out that Calista is mostly lonely and desperately trying to fill her time with various hobbies and activities. Her high status is shackling her to the castle, without friends and without the freedom to do what she wants.

I wondered, how did Aldus escape such a lifestyle?

Calista's eyes lit up when she spoke about official functions that she was allowed to attend and how everyone respects Aldus.

Calista is proud of her big brother and she emphasized that he refused (more than once) a highly-coveted position in the Council. She didn't know many details about the Council other than it consists of various creatures with the goal to maintain balance and order. It seems that whatever Council is doing, is secretive and only top figures (like her parents) know about it.

Without much effort, we were getting along fine. Calista is not a bad person.

The issue with Calista is that she says whatever is on her mind without a filter, and that is not a negative trait if you can classify that quality as 'rough edges' (how Aldus called it).

Calista is energetic and positive, slightly mischievous, but mostly caring about her family and eager to explore the world while hoping to find a man whose world will revolve around her.

She likes to talk, and I don't mind because I prefer to listen.

Calista was curious when I got a call from Zoe, who was telling me about her day, and that all is well with her, Ash, and Luca. I explained to Calista how we found three teenage werewolves and that I'm something like their guardian at this point. She was fascinated.

Calista also asked me about my life with humans and that was something I could talk about.

I avoided talking about my family and focused on school-organized outings where I saw various cultural and historical places. I spoke about my early years in Romania, and then London. Of course, Calista picked up that Duke was in my stories quite often.

"Is he the man your heart is set on?", Calista asked, and I realized that my smile betrayed me.

"Yes.", I admitted while realizing that my cheeks are burning.

"Based on your stories, you were close. What happened?"

Now, this was the tricky part. How do I explain this? I didn't want to mention my death and loss of memory, but there was another way… "After high school, we lost touch. I am trying to find out where he is now. To be honest, I am afraid. What if he found someone else? I have this mental image that he is waiting for me and if that is not true, I don't know how I will handle it."

"Oh…", Calista nodded in understanding and I was glad that she didn't try to comfort me with imaginary hope.

Back to the present, breakfast, and Calista's news that she is leaving…

Her eyes shot from Aldus to me, it seems that she was gauging his reaction as he only frowned at her words. It was obvious that Aldus didn't know about Calista's plan that included a vacation in Spain.

Since Aldus didn't say anything, she spoke to me, "My plan was to stay here a bit and then visit Spain. But since Lazarus is coming today, I want to avoid meeting with him. We don't get along."

Considering that she called him a 'dog', I assumed there were sparks flying between them (not good ones). Last night we talked about many things, so I didn't probe about her relationship with Lazarus, and this didn't seem like a good time to ask about it either.

"Do mom and dad know?", Aldus asked Calista in a flat voice.

Calista smiled a little while her eyes flashed with mischief. "They won't find out if you don't tell them."

Aldus snorted. "You really think they allowed you to come here without keeping an eye on you?"

Calista's smile faded. "Aren't you the one keeping an eye on me?" Two seconds later, Calista's expression showed irritation. "I am not a baby. I don't need anyone to watch over me and I don't need to ask permission."

"Says the girl who is visiting Spain sneakily.", Aldus spat back.

"It's not sneakily!", Calista denied it. "I told you about it."

"But you didn't disclose that to mother and father."

Calista glared at Aldus.

Aldus pinched the roof of his nose. "You want to go, and I can't stop you. But what will happen if you get in trouble? Do you know how to feed yourself without leaving traces? There are no servants to clean up your mess and if you are found out, not only you, but I will get in trouble also."

"Don't you deal with troublemakers?", Calista asked even though she knew the answer.

Aldus's face darkened. "I do. I eliminate them."

Calista's nostrils flared in anger when she realized that Aldus threatened her. "Then, if I mess up, you will clean up after me."

"I'm not your servant."

"But you have servants. Have some of them watch over me."

"The fact that you need someone watching over you is only proving that you are a baby."

I sipped my tea and observed the verbal match between Aldus and Calista. I never saw Aldus so worked up. It told me that he really cares about his willful sister.

Aldus either couldn't win his argument with Calista, or he didn't care what she does. Their bickering ended with Aldus telling Calista to stay at his properties and not to kill any of the staff.

After breakfast, Calista went to pack and Mitch was in charge to drop her off at her next destination.

Before Calista's departure, I headed to her room.

"How long will you stay?", I asked.

Calista shrugged. "Days, weeks, months. I will stay as long as it's fun and my parents don't raise a fuss. I might visit a few more places also."

I understood that immortals see time differently than we do and for them, a year or two is probably negligible, and she doesn't have a job to return to.

"Why don't you join me?", Calista asked. "You said that you want to travel. It will be fun."

I was tempted, but the timing was off.

I finally got the tools (aka the bracelet) to control the alchemic cauldron and it's time for me to focus on my alchemy.

Leaving now will weaken my resolve, and I don't want to be distracted anymore. I decided to put priority on being useful to Aldus, which means that I will practice alchemy and exercise my abilities.

"Maybe next time.", I told Calista.

"If you change your mind, let me know and you can join me wherever I am…"

Calista's response told me that she already decided to make the most of her travels and that she had no plans to return to Lemuria anytime soon. Well, it's not my place to meddle and I was glad that she invited me.

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