Master of Minds, Master of Me

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My illusion mana has really given me a hard time during these eight years. But it has brought a lot of good things too. One of them is, of course, my friendship with Theodore, despite his stubborn reluctance. It took almost a year for him to let me use his name. I thought that me constantly calling him “bestie” would make him give up. But it only happened when I started calling him “Master Loneflare” in a very seductive way. It took only a week before he snapped at me, saying that I could call him Theodore if I just stopped calling him Master like that. One of my greatest victories.

But using illusion magic really is amazing. I can make people see something totally different. So sneaking out of the Palace and just walking among the public is so easy. Normally, illusion mages are able to affect few brains at a time. But me? I’m not sure if it is because I have three affinities, but I have no problem creating illusions to a crowd of people. But usually, I only alter how they see me, the best disguise ever. So I have gained a lot of freedom because of it. An opportunity to even have a tiny fraction of a normal life.

Of course, many of my sneaking trips end up in official duties. Since when I’m blending among the public, I am able to see many illegal acts and problems that I end up solving. I honestly think that knowing what life is really like for the commoners will make me a better ruler when the time comes. And it does seem to be coming earlier than I thought. My father is only 46 years old, so he is not that old. But the unknown sickness made him bedridden rather quickly. His mind is still working well, but his body is not. And he can’t stay awake for long periods of time. So we still consult him in many matters, but everything else is already on my shoulders.

My pretty flower’s appearance in the Palace was a really welcome distraction from my duties. Lorelia. Even her name sounds like a flower. I was pretty confident that I could make her statue-like presence crack with my normal teasing and funny attitude. But no. One time I was so sure that she was going to laugh at me. But all I got was her usual faint smile. And I really don’t understand how she can’t realize my flirting. I think I’m being pretty obvious here, but she just doesn’t take the hint. I guess that is rather amusing in its own way too. She really seems like just an innocent little angel. And I'm not sure is it her reluctance that has made her consume my thoughts this much.

I’m not the one giving up that easily though, so I decided to mingle with her brain a little, wanting to see how she would react to seeing me in a more sexual light, to see if she really was immune to me. I felt like I was already a little addicted to her previously. But seeing her face when I slid the image of me taking my shirt off? Her pupils widened and her lips parted. The change in her expression was very faint, but it was still a change. She couldn’t help but stare at my bare chest. And damn, that face alone made my body react. I so wanted to take the vision even further.

But I’m a gentleman, so I stopped there. I have a hunch I need to do this slowly. Slowly trying to lure her out of her rock-hard shell. Making her realize that there is something more in this life than just God. And don’t get me wrong. I do appreciate and acknowledge the God of Creation. But I don’t think religion should be something that binds us. Something that defines us. Clearly, my pretty flower has made religion define her whole existence. So I just want to slide myself in there, make her see other opportunities that life provides. Of course, my methods might not be the kindest ones.

And pretending to be a priest in the church? Best idea ever. We, of course, have a real priest here, but he usually works inside the Palace. Just seeing her expression changing from my illusion didn’t tell me what she thought about my little trick. I was sure she would confide her thoughts to a priest. I wanted to know what she was thinking.

Illusion magic does give me the opportunity to intrude into people’s minds, but I can’t exactly read them. But I can sense them, like emotions on them. But her brain is just blank. Well, it was until yesterday. Since I clearly sensed rising heat from her, and confusion. I guess she really is that pure that she didn’t even understand her own reaction to me. That’s why I felt the need to talk to her while being a priest, so I could give her the idea of physical attractions. That’s why I asked her how she felt seeing me, and I gave her the image of me taking my shirt off again. Reminding her of her own reaction.

She clearly is a stubborn one, still denying her desires. Not that I mind. I’m starting to enjoy this little game, and today I’m going to continue pestering her. I planned a surprise for her. Something she would really like. And trust me, it wasn’t easy to make it happen in this short amount of time. Ted was furious when I told him last Wednesday about my sudden idea to make my surprise happen. Of course, it’s just a trap to tease her more. It’s Sunday now, so I also have a little more free time. During the week I’m more forced to perform my duties. So I just try to enjoy her during weekends as much as I possibly can. I just can’t wait to see how she reacts to me today.

I spot her in the greenhouse, watering the flowers. Her smile is pretty much the same, but when she is gardening, it is slightly more genuine. I step inside, but she is too focused to notice me approaching. I go stand slightly behind her.

“How is my pretty flower doing?”

She startles for a moment before turning to face me. She bows gracefully.

“Greetings to the little sun of the Empire.” She straightens herself and continues. “Flowers are doing just fine, Your Highness.”

I really can’t understand how she still thinks that I am talking about the flowers. When I didn’t even say it in plural.

“Did you remember to call me Felix inside your head this time?” I ask with my teasing tone, slightly leaning closer to her.

Her face stays emotionless as always and she clearly hesitates to answer.

“I take that as a no. You naughty girl.” I smirk at her and straighten myself. “Call me Felix, now.”

“What?”

“I’m pretty sure you heard me, call me Felix in your head again.”

I narrow my eyes at her, and I see a subtle gulp and sense a little embarrassment from her mind. I guess she really said it. It’s kind of cute how she feels so embarrassed for just saying my name inside her head. Now satisfied, I continue.

“Are you free? I have something I want to show you.”

“I apologize, Your Highness. But I promised Hans I would water the plants in here today when he is working in the garden.”

“Oh, I see. What flowers are you going to water? Will it take long?”

“All from there”—she points one place far left—“to there.” She slides her finger across the flowers. “So it will take a long time, no need to wait for me.”

Oh, how naive she is, thinking I would let her be.

“So are all those flowers going to be watered in the usual way?” I ask.

She nods. “Yes. I already watered the ones that require something different.”

“Perfect.”

I smile as I see her turning her head toward me, clearly not expecting my reaction. I let my water magic pour into the greenhouse, making a little rain over the flowers she just pointed out to me. She stares at my water magic, face still like a statue. After a while, I stop and turn to face her.

“All done.” I say with a bright smile. “So are you now free?”

She turns to face me. And goddammit she is so pretty, her brown button eyes peering into my eyes. If she looks this alluring being a statue, I can only wonder what she looks like when she has some real expression on her face.

“With all respect, Your Highness. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to spend time together.”

Oh? Pretty straightforward attitude. I’m honestly quite surprised about her words and boldness.

“And why is that?”

“For many reasons. Firstly, we were told that we wouldn’t see you during the Selection, not until the meeting starts in the end. Secondly, I know you must be a busy man. I’m sure you have more important matters to attend to than conversing with me. Thirdly, there is no benefit from us talking to each other.”

Woah, that was rather analytical and cold. I kind of regret that I even asked. But I won’t let her stubbornness stop me from pursuing what I want.

“Firstly, it is not forbidden for me to see the candidates. It’s just said like that so no one expects me to see them. Secondly, I have my free time too. And I like to spend that time how I want. Thirdly, I will benefit from your company since I enjoy it very much. And if you come with me, you will surely benefit too. Since you are going to like very much what I intend to show you.”

“And what exactly is that?” Her face remains unchanged.

“A secret place in the garden.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. But Milna already showed me the whole garden.”

“Oh no she didn’t. Since this spot is secret, and only selected few can visit the secret place.” I smile to her.

She just stares at me, still. No expression, no emotions. Okay, I guess I need to convince her a little more.

“I have a place that contains flowers I promise you have never seen before.”

I see her pupils widen just a tiny bit. I clearly got her now. So I keep pushing.

“I rarely meet anyone that is so intrigued about flowers than you are. So I thought it would be nice to show my collections to someone who would truly appreciate it.” I try to look at her with my puppy eyes, begging her to say yes.

She lets out a sigh. Clearly a success. I'm so unbeatable.

“Alright, lead the way.”

I offer her my hand, but she just stares at it. Okay, maybe I was pushing my luck too much. I withdraw it and start to walk toward my little surprise.

“So how was the church? Did it satisfy you?” I ask, trying to ease the tension, making her relax. Hoping that she would talk more freely if the topic is more important and comfortable to her.

“It was very beautiful, Your Highness. I’m grateful that I can use it while staying here. And the priest was very kind too.”

Well of course he was, since it was me. And I’m a very kind person, thank you very much.

“Yes, Owen is great. I guessed you two would get along well.”

“We did. I feel more at ease knowing there is someone here who shares my values in serving God. He was very pleasant to talk to.”

Well helloooo? Obviously I’m a pleasant person.

“So were you able to pray like you wanted?”

“Yes. Praying there did feel more right. Like I managed to be closer to God. And Father Owen was kind enough to hear my confession, so I feel pretty light-hearted at the moment.”

Oh? Your confession about having lustful thoughts about me? So did your little kneeling session under the shower work? Oh I could just give my left arm to be able to use that vision field like Theodore. I bet she looked so sexy, all naked and wet. Kneeling down. I feel my cock twitching inside my pants. I shake my lustful thought away. Scaring my pretty flower with a boner in the garden? Not my plan.

“I’m glad it helped. And I’m sure Owen will listen to your troubles any time. If you ever seek him when he is not in the church, you can always ask your maid for him. There really aren’t many visitors in the Royal Church, so he will be delighted if you want to speak to him more.”

Or if you desire to confess more. I’m always there to listen to your lustful thoughts. It’s actually pretty hard to contain my smile right now. I know faking being a priest is a morally pretty wrong thing to do. But I can’t help it. She is just way too addictive. And since she doesn’t talk to me that freely, I need to play a little dirty sometimes. I am still just a man with desires after all. How could I resist a pretty flower like her?

“I will remember that in the future.”

I glance at her, her expression is still unchanged. For now. Then I suddenly stop.

“We are here.”

She turns to look at me. “Here? I can’t see anything out of the ordinary.”

“Of course not. The place wouldn’t be a secret if everyone could just see it freely, right?”

“I guess…”

I take a step forward and reach my hand, sliding it inside my barrier, making it disappear.

“A barrier?” she asks.

“Yes.”

I reach my hand to her and once again, she just stares at it.

“You need to touch me in order to pass through the barrier.” A lie of course. But she doesn’t know that.

And she eventually grabs my hand, and her soft, silk skin feels so light and pure against my hand. I lead her through the barrier and soon we are faced with my little secret garden, made only for her.