From the look of things, Anna seem to be from a complicated background for her to have a sentry protecting her. Not to mention that what ever was able to force Anna protector to hand her over to a second class noble wife for safe keeping isn't a small matter.
"Does the master know about this?"
Anna shook her head, from what she knew before the madame death, only her knew of her existence here. And the master couldn't tell anything was off because he wasn't adapt in magic.
Anna slowly clench the pendant she always have on and a magical change occurred before Alex eyes, Anna wasn't looking anything like her former self
Instead she now exhibit an allure and charismatic beauty that by far surpassed the beauty she once possess.
Her brown pupils also underwent a drastic change, going from the natural brown to green and her ear elongated too. Her personality oozing with nature grace and allure.
"You're an elf?" Alex blurted out in surprise, he never expected the maid that has served as both his sister and servant is an elf
Since when did elf fall to such state, from everything he knew about elves both from this life and his previous life. Elves tend to be aloof and proud
Anna went on to explain everything she remembers and what the madame told her when she was old enough to fully comprehend the situation she was in.
It happens she was of a prominent family from the elf nation, but a terrible tragedy fell on her family that wiped them out in one full swoops
Her sentry had to escape the elf nation with her when she is just three, they were chased and hunted down by the pursuer which resulted in her sentry sustaining a falter life injury.
Having succeeded in shaking off the pursuer by entering the human region, they chance on the madame returning home from a casual stroke
Her sentry pleaded with her to take her in and keep her safe and secret for the time being
Being a compassionate woman, she agreed, taking Anna in and with the concealing artifact left by the sentry, Anna elf origin were concealed.
Alex took a deep breath when he fully digest the situation, he couldn't help but marvel at how well Anna has endure to keep her secret safe.
If not for his kingpin observation ability and the fact he could feel the obscurity around Anna after he broke through to rank one mage
She would have completely fooled everyone, no wonder she never leave the house
Seeing some mage with ability to see through and sense magic anomaly would notice her
There is no telling who her family enemy is and if they have giving up on her already.
"So what do you wish to do now" Alex asked her an important question she has always had on her mind, it became even more apparent after she knew Arthur had awaken magic aptitude.
Arthur would have to leave the manor for his mage training for the next three years and that she won't be able to follow him out.
From what she knew, William will have to ask her to accompany Arthur which she couldn't do if she want to stay alive
Running away becomes the only other option but that itself prove troublesome as she isn't familiar with this side of the world
Having a lone elf run around all by herself is too risky, the cruelty and greed of men isn't one she can fully fathom.
"I'll give you the night to think over your options, when the morning comes you can make a choice
I won't force you, your secret is also safe with me. I'll hounor my mother contract with you"
Alex wave her off, allowing her return to her quarters while he plot and organize his plans properly. Coming to this new world is already a blessing, but without proper planning he might end up leaving it too soon.
Morning came quiet quickly with the manor Lord having breakfast with is son but the atmosphere look heavy, Anna stood quietly at one end, not daring to make a sound.
"Arthur!"
"Father, I'll love to take a stroll to whinner woods" Alex cut his father off before he could say a word
William gritted his teeth and said nothing more about what he wanted to say, "if you wish to, do take a lot of knights along with you. Those that came after you are still unknown to us and you just stepped into the path on magic
Do you mind telling me t....."
"You don't have to bother about me father, I can take care of myself with the magical ability I awaken
It would also be best I don't draw too much attention to myself with many guards and entourage
Like you said, we don't know who the assassilant are, knight or mage we can't tell"
William nodded in agreement, there is truth to Arthur words. If the assassilant is a mage and a powerful one, raising the number of guards is just delaying the inevitable.
But why is Arthur secretive about his magical ability, isn't he supposed to tell him about it.
"Who am I kidding, the boy is still mad at me" William lament to himself recalling the tension between them both.
"Fine, you can be as discreet as you wish, just let me know if you need anything else
Be sure to come back early, I got the archemist of dulwan pavilion to come over later today to concoct pills that would help facilitate your growth."
Arthur who was already leaving halt his step when he heard that but didn't turn to his father rather after a few moments continue his walk as he left the dinning room
William sigh watching him leave, the appetit to eat had already dead long ago, now the food before him became even more irritating
With the strength of a rank six knight, th table became shard and everything upon it smatch to pieces.
Alex left the manor with Anna following behind him silently, no guards, no carriage. Just two people on horse back taking the back route out of the manor.
It took them a great while to get to whinner woods, they tied the horse at one corner and continued on foot
"Do you really hate your father?" Anna couldn't bear but asked, she might not be related to the master but she felt his helplessness this morning.
"What if I do?" Alex question back, not sparing her the luxury of a glance, his gazed focused ahead of him.
"The master means well master Arthur, he was just looking out for you and the famil...."
"I am the family Anna, there is no family without me. Fortunately I don't need someone to look out for me, I can look out for myself quiet well
So do me the honor of holding back your opinion and point me the right direction of the old hag cottage"
Alex beam her a warning smile, Everytime Anna sees this smile, her heart skips a beat
"I don't know where her cottage is master Arthur, no one truly does to be precised
Rumor had it people only Chance on her by luck and they never seems to recall the path they took when they chance on her"
Alex frowned, seemly this search is going to be more combatant than he expected
Thinking back to his personality, he wasn't one good at leaving things to the hands of fate, he command his own fate.
Good thing he came prepared, rampaging through his robe he brought out a little jar and a flint. "Seems like we will have to find the old hag the tough way"
"Master Arthur, I don't think that's a good idea" Anna flenge when she saw the items on Arthur hands, since when has her master become so cold he didn't care about razing down an entire wood just to look for someone
"It's rumor the old hag is pretty powerful, offending her wouldn't be a good idea right now" she warned with a serious tone, pushing her fear away.
"Fear you see Anna can have two results, one been forget everything and run, the second been face everything and rise.
I'm a fan of the latter than the former, if you are so scared you can return to the Manor. I'll be sure to make it over before dinner"
Alex ignore her ranting, looked around for a spot fit for starting a fire. Anna felt her mind about to explode when she saw the fire Arthur started quickly spreading
"This might end up causing beast hurde, you know right?"
"I doubt that" Alex responded with a smile, his gaze plant on a particular direction, his eyes sparkling with certainty
"You sure are a bold young one" an aged croc feminine voice rang out from the direction Alex was starring at,
At the same time a strong invisible force blew past the path of the words that's has been set on fire, snuffing it out in an instant.
"Master level mage" Anna mutter within herself in fright, "no she is even stronger than that"
Arthur had the same thoughts in his mind but he remained composed, keeping his courageous stance.
"You left no other choice of calling you out since you were having fun watching me walk in circles while you kept watch on me"
Both Anna and the hag wore a surprise look, especially the old hag who was surprised this young man noticed this little changes