After the trio finished their meal, they finally returned to their homes. Alicia headed for her home, which was a block from the restaurant. A massive two-story mansion with white walls and a brownish grey roof. At the front of the house, a large door and three pillars in front of it greeted the girl. At the back, there is a terrace covered with glass walls, a splendid place indeed for the tea party. The house itself is surrounded by a vast garden.

For such a large estate, the atmosphere is very quiet, considering that most of the time Alicia's parents often travel for work. Her father normally comes home on weekends because he still has to do his job as a member of parliament in the capital of Eidyn. Her mother, on the other side, could spend more time with her children. But when fieldwork calls, it could take weeks or even months before she ever returns. Ever since her mother disappeared, the atmosphere of the house has never been quieter. Mostly, the mansion is occupied only by Alicia herself.

Alicia stepped up the steps of the stairs in front of her house, passed through the pillars, and opened the large door. She felt the house was a little more crowded than usual because she heard a noise, like someone was packing. She entered the house, strode on the polished maple floor, and went over to the living room, which was right in front of her dwelling entrance. The interior of the mansion is very elegant, with white colour dominating the room. The living room is not too big. There are two large sofas in front and on the right, two small sofas on the left, and a rectangular table with circular edges. In front of her was a fiery furnace with the crimson horse with a red mane blazing like embers—the Crimsonmane family crest—emblazoned on it. On both sides of the fireplace, there are two black stairs leading to the top floor.

She found a large mud-green suitcase placed on the left side of the large sofa. She somehow recognised whose suitcase it was.

Not long after, there was the sound of a door closing from above, followed by steps getting closer. A man came out wearing a blue shirt with vertical stripes, complete with beige trousers, a belt, and leather shoes. That man is none other than her father, Donar Crimsonmane, Baron Trinketshore. Donar, who was going down the stairs, called out to Leith, her brother.

"Hurry down Leith, you don't want to arrive in Eidyn too late! Don't bring unnecessary things, you're only there for a few days! Oh, and don't forget your shoes for the meeting later!"

As he walked down the stairs, Donar saw a sweet and familiar figure with a straight face. "Oh, Alicia! Hoho! just got home?" He showed a genuine smile, half-covered by his walrus moustache. He then came closer and gave his daughter a hug. Her daughter returned her father's hug.

"Yep, I just got home," Alicia replied.

"How was yer day? Oh yeah, ye just got home at this hour! Have ye eaten? And final exams? Any problems?'

"Calm down, Papa," Alicia chuckled. "I had a fine day. The final exams went well, hope so. And I just got back from Howlett's to eat and feed a couple of beasts."

"Beast," Donar laughed. "Guid one, hen! Yer friend must have eaten up the meat supply all the way to the farm. Good then, since I didnae have time to make scran. Ye knew I had to leave soon."

"Aye, can see that," her eyes slightly looked at the suitcase. "Looks like papa's time off is over. But Leith just got back from the magic academy, right? Why would papa want to take him already?"

"Oh, about that. Leith is going with me to Eidyn to—"

"Crimsonmane family meeting!" Leith interrupted their conversation while carrying his backpack and descending the stairs. "Oh, hello, sister. Papa said there was a call from big family to discuss something very, very important." His intonation rose by half an octave, to quip as if there will be events too exciting and too grand to pass up.

"Meeting… with the Crimsonmanes, huh?" her expression changed, there were signs of discomfort on her face. She always showed that negative reaction whenever someone talks about her big family. "Is this about–"

"Naw, it's not, hen," interrupted Donar. "For the time being, papa and the rest of the family have agreed to put aside the past between our family and theirs. After all, I am also part of the family, and they still have great respect for your mama."

Alicia asked with a half gloomy face. "And papa didn't invite me?"

"Naw. Sorry, sister Liz. It's just, it's a wizard convention, ye ken? And yer... not one of them?" Leith put on an arrogant face and ridiculed tone. "After all, we might be planning a great scheme. like eradicating hunger, stopping war, or maybe just have a wee clipe about the wizard clan next door. Scrunnered ye can't come, can ye?"

"Leith, hush," his father gave him a subtle warning.

"Just kidding, just kidding," Leith raised his hand and turned the other way.

Donar then continued discussing with his daughter. "Well, it looks like it's a mage-only meeting. I don't know what it's about. But I promise this doesn't involve you in a bad way."

"Huh," Alicia sighed. She looked up at her father's slightly wrinkled shirt. Donar did have a bungling habit, such as not paying attention to the neatness of his clothing. She then tidied up his tie and messy shirt. "Always being careless. Well then, Both of ye better take care."

"Hmm… Yer indeed understanding, hen. Ye learned a lot from yer maw," Donar said as he watched her tidy up his clothes, but at the same time made he and his daughter remember the figure of Ailsa Crimsonmane, their beloved wife and mother. Alicia stared at Donar's face for a moment before looking down in dismay. Realizing of his slightly poor choice of words, he tried to break the pressure, so they didn't get themselves lost in the endless cycle of emotions.

"So, Leith and I have to leave immediately! I have installed barrier magic at every point of the house area as usual. But yer still okay being alone, right, hen?"

"I can manage," she said. "Been living here alone most of the time. Leith's presence doesnae make this house any safer."

"Aw, you wish!" Leith dodged, with a sarcastic look on his face.

"I know you can, hen. I've prepared the grocery, cook whatever ye want. Oh, you can invite Aunt Mandy, or maybe yer carnivorous friends, to stay here for a few days," Donar said jokingly. "Your brother will be home in 3 days, while I still have to continue to work."

"Aye, of course," replied Alicia with a slight smile.

"Awright, off we go! Bye for now!" Donar took his suitcase and walked out. Leith, who was behind Alicia, caught up with her father, but before that, he stopped for a moment and turned to face his sister.

"Hey, no hurt feelings, eh?" asked Leith.

Alicia just stared in silence, but gave no indication that she was sulking because of her brother's earlier teasing.

"To be honest, I'm not interested in any kind of cult gathering like this. I mean, I just got back from Camelot, and I have to start my long vac with a gathering, with a big family that hates us? Sounds pretty lousy to me."

"Tell me about it," Alicia answered with a straight face.

"I'd rather tease you all summer than attend this event. But ye know, as a wizard, there's a responsibility to bear, even for minors, I guess. Perhaps I can give ye a spoiler about the meeting when I get home. That's if yer still interested in magic stuff. Dae ye need anything while I'm there?"

She replied, "I'm pretty sure I need nothing in that place. Just do me a favour, dinnae be a scunner, yeah? It's enough of your sister being a disgrace to the family," Alicia showed a faint smile, which still made everyone who sees her melt.

"Oh, dinnae get yer hopes up too high, Liz. We'll make a Double-trouble of Crimsonmanes, that's for sure!" both of them chuckled. "Okay, I'm going. Guard this house with yer life, if ye can."

Alicia watched as the two entered the slender black engine carriage, then slowly drove away from the mansion. Now her spacious house is back into her own. []