Chapter 51: The Red Witch.

The next day I wake up at the smell of freshly baked baguettes, melted cheese, meat and tea. My aunt must have woken up early to prepare breakfast. And there are also voices coming from downstairs, so I guess Croix is chatting with her.

With a yawn, I get up from bed and stretch my limbs before proceeding to dress with a simple pair of blue jeans and a white and green flannel shirt, as well as boots. The perfect outfit for a day strolling around the fields and chatting with Croix.

When I descend the stairs, I find Croix sitting on one of the chairs, happily munching on a piece of bread as she hears my aunt telling her about… about my mom.

"Ah, yes, Chariot's mother was quite an extraordinary witch." She says with nostalgia clearly lacing her voice. "I mean, I know I'm not one to judge, since I don't have any idea about magic, but… she always did her best to help people, even when not everyone appreciated it."

"Hi." I decide to make my presence known before she keeps going down the memory lane.

"Ah, Chariot. You arrive just in time for breakfast." My aunt smiles at me, showing me the baguettes she's preparing.

"Yeah, we were just talking about you!" Croix says before patting a chair next to her. "Come on, sit. You're in your house." She smirks, but I just roll my eyes and go sit next to her, greeting her with a small peck on the cheek.

"Bonjour, ma chèrie." I practically whisper on her ear, making her shudder and blush furiously, which makes me giggle with mirth. It's always funny to see the effect my natal language has on Croix.

"Uh… uhm. Bonjour. Cherry." She answers, deviating her gaze.

"Chariot." My aunt calls, interrupting our little interaction and making me snap my eyes in her direction. "The Mayor came earlier this morning. He says there's gonna be a neighbor's reunion today, and that he wants the new Red Witch to be there." She winks at the last part, and I'm left confused for a moment, before the words finally register in my head.

"T-the Red Witch?! Wasn't that how they called mom?" I ask.

"Yes." She smiles gently. "And your grandma before her, and your great grandma, and your great great grandma… and so on." She chuckles. "It's an unofficial title that has been given to our family for generations. And now it's yours."

"B-but… but how?!" I exclaim, panicking internally. I'm not really a witch yet! I still got more than a year left before I graduate.

"Apparently they saw you two flying yesterday." She shrugs. "Now they consider you a witch."

I open and close my mouth a few times, unable to form proper words. This is all so strange! They consider me a witch just because they saw me flying? And they probably want my help, if they want me to go to their meeting! I'll get to do what mom did, what grandma did! This is what I wanted, right?

…

No. No, it's not. Not entirely.

But still. I guess I can give it a shot; see how mom's live was and such, try it and then decide if it pleases me. After all, I have to start thinking about my future. When I graduate from Luna Nova in about a year I'll need a job; I can't just live from the tips people give me when I make magic shows on the streets… I mean, I guess technically I could, but I'd probably end up being homeless. I'll need another source of income, and doing what all my ancestors did doesn't sound so bad…

"Chariot?" Croix's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see my aunt is placing breakfast in front of us.

"Y-yes?" I ask, shooting an awkward smile to my girlfriend.

"I asked if I could go with you." She answers, clearly amused that I wasn't paying attention.

"I don't think you'll like it. It's probably very boring." I answer a little too quickly. "Maybe you should stay with Aunt Daneb and play videogames or watch the internet, or something."

"I'm going to ignore the fact that you just said 'watch the internet' and just remind you of this: I never get bored when I'm with you." Even though normally she'd say that as teasing, whenever I do something stupid and reckless, now she said it fondly, almost… lovingly. And staring right at my eyes with such tenderness that I just… I-I…

"I think you broke her." My aunt giggles, making my already red face turn redder.

"If she was a robot maybe I could fix her." Croix jokes before looking back at me again and asking with the most ridiculously sultry smirk that she can muster in that ridiculously beautiful face of hers. "So anyways… is that a yes?"

"Remind me again why we couldn't just make Alcor fly us here? It would have been faster!" Croix complains after we've been riding on Étoile for almost an hour. The sky is clear and the sun shines brightly, but its heat doesn't quite reach us because of the cold wind blowing from the north. It's still winter, after all. But that means that Croix's hoodie is very warm and comfy… though I wished I had brought a sweater or something so that my girlfriend, after giving me hers so chivalrously, wouldn't be complaining about something every five minutes.

"He's just tired." I shrug, though truthfully, I didn't ask him because I wanted to take Étoile out for a ride.

"And I believe Chariot is heavy enough. I don't think I could carry you both, even in my enlarged form." Alcor, who's flyinf a few feet above us, adds.

"Right." Croix says, and though I can see her because she's sitting behind me, I can perfectly imagine her rolling her eyes. "We both know you just wanted to watch me suffer, old crow."

"Oh, come on! It's not so bad, is it? The sun is high up in the sky, a breeze is blowing gently, the birds are chirping on the threes and we are surrounded by vineyards!" I exclaim excitedly, opening my arms and gesturing to everything around us. "Don't tell me it's not wonderful!"

"It's… different, I suppose." Croix answers hesitantly. "Not really what I'm used to. And I'm guessing the landscape is more beautiful when the plants have actual leaves."

Well, she has a point. Even though the climate is warmer now and the snow has melted, the grape plants are yet to come out of hibernation, and only a few have started to produce a couple of small leaves, so the vineyards look more like an amalgamation of dead branches.

"It's not my fault my birthday is on February." I pout, but Croix just hums in acknowledgement before resting her chin on my left shoulder and hugging me closer.

"What would you like to do tomorrow anyways? I'm sure we could convince your aunt to go have a nice dinner at Paris. There's a direct Leyline to the Eiffel tower, you know?"

"You planned everything, didn't you?" I chuckle.

"I even investigated the prices of some hotels, if you are interested." She answers with a sultry whisper directly on my ear, and I instantly feel my entire face get as hot as the surface of the sun because of what she just insinuated.

"C-Croix!" I'm barely able to choke out.

"What? Paris is the city of love. You can't blame me from trying." She answers, chuckling.

"I-I… I think I'd like that." I let out a barely-audible whisper despite my better judgement, and my whole body instantly heats up to the point I have to actually check and see if I'm not literally on fire. More so when Croix doesn't answer immediately.

Oh God. Maybe she was just joking? Maybe she doesn't really want to? What if she's not ready? Did I sound desperate? Needy? What will she think of me?! What if…?

Before I can keep panicking internally, I feel Croix's arms tightening around my waist and hear her beautiful voice snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Then you shall have it, my Cherry." She then kisses softly my neck, earning a surprised gasp from me. "And it'll be worth it, I promise."

When we arrive to the town hall, most of the people (and yes, I mean most of adults that live in the region, so about a hundred) are already there. I recognize some of them, like Madame Blanch, an old lady that has the only bakery around here. Or Monsieur Grandine, the only doctor in town (yes, I paid him many visits in the past). However, they all recognize me, and soon enough I'm being greeted by everyone and asked a ton of questions as to why they haven't seen me lately, who is my mysterious friend, and if my aunt is doing alright (she's usually the one who assists to these boring meetings).

I do my best to answer everything, but I admit it's a bit overwhelming, especially since I don't know most of these people by name and only ever interacted with the youngest members of their families. But thankfully, I'm soon saved by Monsieur Turdeau, the Mayor, arriving and asking for everyone to grab a sit and be quiet so the meeting can start. We obey, and I grab Croix's hand as we sit down side to side, reassuring her because I know she can't understand most of what is being said. But she just smiles at me as if to silently tell me that it's alright.

"Ladies and gentlemen." The major starts speaking, grabbing the attention of the few people that were still talking amongst them. "I'm sure you are all wondering why I called you here today, when the next programmed meeting was supposed to happen next week." There are some whispers and nods agreeing, and then he continues. "Alright, well… Chariot du Nord, please come here."

Monsieur Turdeau was never an intimidating man. He's a viticulturist like most people around here, as his family has been for generations. As such, he dresses humbly and has sunburnt skin and calloused hands from the work on the fields. He also is around fifty years old and his face normally has a calm and charming presence, which is what has probably gained his him current title. Yet, I can't help gulping in fear when he calls me to the front, and feeling like a little girl who was just caught stealing food from the kitchen in the middle of the night. Still, when my girlfriend nudges me gently, I promptly make my way towards him, trying not to trip on the chairs and feet of the other people.

Once I'm by his side, he continues talking.

"I'm sure many of you also saw it, but let me tell you that I'm still not sure I wasn't dreaming!" He laughs, and everyone else does as well. "I saw… the Red Witch!" He points towards me, and I flinch a little at the title. I don't think I'm worthy of it. "But it was our little Chariot! Flying on a broom! Let me tell you, I didn't even know she still practiced magic." There are some hums, as people agree with him and stare curiously at me. Because when I was a child I told every single person I met that I was a witch, yet when they asked me to do magic I normally couldn't. Now I know that was because the sorcerer's stone in my house can only supply magic to our property, of course, but their disbelief is understandable.

"Uh… yes." I say when I realize everyone is staring expectantly at me. "I'm studying at Luna Nova to be a witch."

"Then I suppose you already know some magic." The major says.

"Well… yeah, a bit." I say modestly.

"Then it's settled: you will be our new Red Witch!" At this, almost everyone claps and cheers enthusiastically, obviously happy to have a witch in town after having to live for so long without one. And honestly? A proud grin appears on my face despite myself. It feels good to be recognized even though I haven't done anything yet. It feels good to see that just my presence makes them happy. It feels good to… to have the title mom once had.

Yet, a small voice in my head tells me that I can't just accept the title. That I have to make sure first I can fulfill such an important role.

"Uhm… what is the Red Witch supposed to do, exactly?" I ask shyly, raising my hand as if I were at school.

"Cure the animals!" A voice from the crowd says.

"Cure the plants!"

"Fend off pests!"

"Make the plants grow faster!"

Sounds… boring. But I guess it's important for them, and if it'll make them happy…

"I can do that." I say with a forced smile.

Are you sure? I hear Alcor's voice inside my head. Those things aren't exactly in your area of expertise.

I can try. I answer telepathically, even though I start doubting it myself.

That usually means trouble. He sighs.

Hey! You're sleeping outside if you keep being rude.

"Excellent!" The Mayor exclaims, interrupting our little telepathic exchange. "Then my first request to you will be a potion that makes the plants grow faster. Like those your mother did."

"Yeah, me too!" Someone else says.

"Me too!"

"I also would want one!"

And soon enough, everyone is demanding I make them a potion, and asking if I will maintain my mother's original price.

"Uh… sure?" I mumble, feeling overwhelmed. And the moment I say that, people start coming to the front and practically shoving euros on my hands. I'm barely able to hold onto them and try and stuff them in my pockets, because… well, it is a good bunch of money. Oh, maybe I could threat Croix to dinner when we go back to Luna Nova! No, wait… I guess I'm supposed to use some of it to buy the ingredients for the potion. And speaking of which… do I even know how to make a plant growing potion?! Oh no…

How do you keep getting in these situations? Alcor chastises me, but this time I just smile sheepishly in response.

"Wow! That meeting was seriously amazing! I mean, I didn't understand a word, but seeing an entire town worshipping magic is rather refreshing to be honest." Croix exclaims enthusiastically. She's been like this since we exited the meeting, and honestly? It's not helping me calm down at all, because it just reminds me how much trust everyone put in me. And I really don't want to disappoint them!

"Relax, Chariot. I'm sure there must be a spell book or something your mother used to make her potions." Croix reassures me, probably noticing I'm almost having a panic attack here.

"There is." I answer, running up the stairs and towards my magic study. I notice my aunt isn't here, but I simply assume she went to the market to buy things to make dinner. "But I have never been able to understand a word of what it says!"

"Why?" Croix chuckles, following me. "Is it written in another language? You know there are translating spells, right?"

"No, it's just… it's full of strange words I don't understand!" I explain, opening the door to my study and getting in, immediately going to the bookshelf and searching there for the book about plant nutrition and growth. Meanwhile, Croix starts pacing around, looking at the messy place that's full of jars of unknown ingredients that have probably long since passed their expiration date, scrolls and paper sheets just laying around on piles, apparently waiting for someone to write letters on them, quills and feathers of different sizes and designs, wax seals, candles, magic stones, a couple of cauldrons, and flasks with dusts of different colors (those are helpful when creating fireworks! And also the only thing here I actually know how to use).

Everything here smells of scented candles, old books and varnished wood, and the only light comes from a small window with heavy curtains that probably were outdated a century ago. It is very dark though, and I'm thankful when Croix's gets out her wand and uses it to light up the candles, giving everything a soft warm glow.

I've always liked this place, and I kept it exactly as my grandma left it. It seems like it's out of a fairy tale; like it's exactly what you'd find if you were to wander inside a good witch's house. You can almost feel the magic emanating from every object, and sense how old they must be. It's my favorite place in this house, even above my own room.

"Hah! Found it." I exclaim as I extract the book and start flipping its pages. The text is in French, like most of the books here (though some ancient-looking ones are in English and others in lunar runes), so I have to translate it as I read it out loud for Croix, hoping she'll be able to help me. "Okay, so… here it says I have to boil some water until it reaches its Frafkmirl point, then add three Archenea plant leaves, wait for the water to turn pink and meanwhile use Murowa to demolish a couple of natural-energy stones and turn them into dust… Wait. This is actually very simple!" I exclaim as I continue scanning the rest of the recipe with my eyes. Everything is relatively easy, like something they'd teach first-years at Luna Nova! But I remember spending years trying to decipher it when I was a child, and giving up because it seemed too complicated! Was I really that bad at magic?

"Yes, it is." Croix comes to stand behind me and uses a translation spell to turn the pages of the book into English, and then starts reading. "And yet I don't think I've ever seen a potion like this one, even though most of the ingredients are quite common."

"Most?" I ask, craning my neck to look at her face.

"The natural-energy stones." She explains. "Those are harvested in places where both nature and magic are quite strong, and have to be extracted while chanting a magic spell that no one knows except for the Cavendish family. Which is why they're the only providers, and you often have to make a letter to them one month in advance if you wish to buy one."

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow. "Cause I have like… a ton of those." I point to a corner, where a single sack full of turquoise rocks sits. I liked to make collars and pendants with them when I was younger, since I really couldn't find another use for them. I never thought they were special.

"What?" She asks in disbelief, going to examine them, and returning holding one in her hands, twirling it around. "Where did you get these?"

"I don't know." I shrug. "They've been there for as long as I can remember. And the sac never really empties out, no matter how many rocks I take from it."

"Unbelievable." She chuckles, shaking her head in amusement. "You had something so extraordinary all this time, and yet you didn't have any idea of what it was! That's just typical of you."

"Do you think it was a gift from the Cavendish family? Like the unicorn?" I ask, eying the sack.

"Probably." She shrugs. "Which makes sense if you truly are the descendant of one of the Nine Olde Witches. The Cavendish motto is 'affection', so they probably did everything to help your family after the witch hunts when they found out about what had happened."

"That's so cool!" I exclaim excitedly, appreciating the odd sack of rocks even more than before. Knowing it has a history; that once upon a time a member of one of the most prestigious and old families of witches came here and gave my ancestors many gifts when they learned about the tragedy that beheld to my family.

I wonder how many objects in this room were also gifts from other witches, or payments for my ancestors' services. Just how much history is in this room? Will I ever even know? If mom lived… would she tell me?

"Chariot?" Croix's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I just hum distractedly in acknowledgment. "I was saying that, if we start now, we could maybe finish the potion before dinner."

"Then what are we waiting for?" I answer with a grin as I go to search for the ingredients on the many flasks my mother kept in there and, as I do so; as I grab the same flasks she once did, use the same cauldron, and chant the same spells, I feel more connected to her, to my ancestors, than I've ever felt before. It's like they're here, guiding me, like there's a link that surpasses time and wraps around every fiber of my being. I feel watched, but it's comforting. It's… It's like I felt when I was a kid and would practice my spells in this very room, only stronger.

I barely notice, and at the moment I think I imagined it, but somewhere in the edge of my vision, there's a soft glow, emanating from one of the books.

A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you liked this chapter, and all the Charoix I put in XD. Please leave a review/favorite/follow if you want to support me, and stay tunned for next chapter, which should come in two weeks.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.