I close myself in my room. Raida's letter appears before me. Magic to protect information. This especially would be concerning. A request to join the mission. To fulfill the role I became before.
But I didn't decide to handle the goblins. Al knew I was useful for that, so they made me do it. Raida knows a lot of what went on, but not everything. Hydrangea's words saying I need to finish it, decide what I want to do...
"Thomas?" William calls from outside my room. He knocks. "I was denied direct teleportation. Trouble?"
I open the door for him and hold up the letter. "Whoever sent it must've put a lock on it."
"Knight mission?" William sits at my desk. "I can't stay here with you. It seems they'll look into a knight being your full time guard."
I huff and toss the letter on the ground. Nothing against Raida or this mission, but... "I'm not a fool. I don't wander unsafely."
William stares at me. "Is it because you don't see it as wandering or you missed the memo on what unsafely means?"
I glower at him.
William holds up his hands. "I'm still your tracer. I am allowed in any location you are in." He pauses. "In general. So if you need me, I won't be far."
"And how do I call you?"
William hands me a bracelet. "Just squeeze the red gem here."
I stare at him. Then at my new jewelry piece. "This looks... Like something a princess would wear."
"Well..." William shrugs. "Normally you hand it off to your girlfriend. So they can call for you whenever."
"Ha!" I cover my head. "Can't you make one that's-"
"No." William sits back down. "If your mother made one, it would look the same. The specific metals and gemstone needed..." William shrugs. "It may look feminine to others, but it is an important teleportation call stone."
I grunt looking at it. "Thanks. Not like anyone will see it."
"It can be made into a necklace or anklet. I'll explain the process when you can use the spell."
Jessica comes to my mind. It just sinks me. I shouldn't wish to give her such a thing. How will I keep up the appearances of us not being a couple? I don't think it'll last long. But how are we to be proper knights if we're...
"Thomas?" William nudges me. "You went into lalaland."
"Sorry."
"Jessica?" He grins at me. "She's lucky to have stolen your thoughts."
I grumble while ignoring the warmth on my cheeks. William caught me. "She kissed me earlier."
"Like full on make out session?" William moves the chair closer.
I stare at him. "What?"
"Toss clothes aside type of-"
"No!" Where are his thoughts?
He clicks his tongue and leans back. "Lame."
"I am trying to not have a relationship here."
"So what? No one knows anything when you're behind closed doors. Enjoy each other." William rolls his eyes. This guy...
"Are you the only one watching me?"
"No."
"That's why." I pace the room. Jessica being here... People know about it. "I know what level Mom watches. She can guess my actions just by watching emotions and placement."
"Her empathy spells are harsh." William shrugs. "I think Jessica is worth it."
I glare at him hands fisting. "You do nothing to her."
"You are." William stands up catching my arm. "Stop being jealous. I'm not interested in your girlfriend."
"She's not-"
"Your wife then." William throws up his hands and goes back to his chair.
"It's just a contract."
"That you are very happy exists." William watches me. "Why fight it?"
"Reasons." I drop to the ground. "She'll be following Mom around while I'm in Dragit." It's still weird to use the new name. "Learning to be queen."
"Because she will be. It's only a matter of time." William says.
I sigh. Only a matter of time... That sounds right. "Why'd you come anyway?"
"To tell you about the full time guard status. IE, your father is looking for someone. And at least a blue knight. Without noble attachment, fyi. And to give you the bracelet. If you see a duplicate greet them as my girlfriend."
"Sure." It's not common you hand such a piece to random person. "Does everyone create a slightly different one?"
"Yes. My mana is infused to the gem, so it is discolored. If you call for me, I can answer using the gem. If it cannot be used, the gem will return to its original color."
So when I do similar, it will look somewhat different. "I'll give you one once I can manage."
"Ah, thanks, but I assume you won't need it. You should have your mother's empathy spell work and the complex teleportation spell group. I may master things faster than you, but that's because I only have one spell group to master. You're going to struggle to control anything. Thus you need to study in your free time." William taps my desk. Several books appear there. "These are a copy of your father's spells." He taps a pile of three books. "Your mother's." She only has one. "And Odin's." The two books there are ones I've seen before. "You'll understand more once you really start studying. None of it may make any sense yet."
"Wait." I move to Odin's book. Opening it... shows off blank pages. I slam it down. "Why is he such a jerk?"
William laughs. "Certain spells will be denied. Others will need a basis in your head before they appear. You'll notice blank pages in all of them. When you study those pages will change."
I pause looking at my pile. "William... Will the pages with stuff on it change too?"
"Yes. Glad you noted that. Your father may not have any blank pages, but it's a matter of you grasping the level its at before it becomes more. You'll notice the third book is only pictures at current."
I lift the book in question. It is seriously all pictures. Saying what spells exist in here. But it's all far above my knowledge level. The second of his books start with the rituals. There are more rituals than I know. I have not trained nearly enough, but it was a matter of waiting for me to be strong enough. Am I strong enough now?
I'm an adult, but I still feel the child. I'm aiming for king titles, but I question if I'm good enough as crown prince. How confident am I? Feels like zero until I stand before an action I need to take. I have no issue stepping up and then I question when I have a few minutes to think. "William... I think I need to stop thinking."
"Ah. The overthinker. A problem for mages typically. Yes. Think less, do more." William weighs the idea. "Although... That normally ends up with towers being blown up." He moves to my father's first book and shows off the repair spell for basic buildings. "Start here."
I laugh. "I'm not going to blow up a tower."
"Always better to grasp how to fix things. We all mess up at times." William stands up. "Alright. I gave my gifts. Made my comments. You'll see me, but I think I want to stay at the castle. Call me." He offers a grin before leaving me in my room.