A/N: So I kind of wrote this after I wrote the second chapter when I realized the 'first' chapter didn't open up the way I wanted it to. And this came to fruition instead.
Light danced along her fingertips, weaving between her digits and coiling around them like snakes. It was a dangerous dance with death and exile to allow her magic flow unhindered in broad daylight. Given the turmoil wreaking havoc across the entire kingdom, she felt guilty for being shielded from the persecution and venomous hatred towards people of her kind.
'Our kind' she mused bitterly and allowed the light to dissipate into thin air. It was out here, in the sanctity of the estate's open gardens, did she dare relinquish a bit of control over her magic. But in doing so, she made certain no guards, no maids or butlers, not even a dove or crow were in the vicinity. The harmony of seeing all forms of life, from the myriad of flowers to bushes and small trees, even those that would be found in the desert, soothed and reassured that not all was lost in her beloved home. She rose from her seat on one of the many stone benches dotted through the garden to see someone rapidly approaching her. Blood drained from her face and she remained rooted to the spot. Had she finally been caught?
"Lady Crownguard," the man bowed deeply at his waist and she motioned for him to rise once more. "Your mother requests your presence at your earliest convenience."
She beamed at him and pat his arm. "Thank you for letting me know. Have you been out here at all today? The weather is rather nice and pleasant." A sudden question, but with the charming smile on her face he seemed inclined to answer honestly.
"I have not, 'tis my first time being outside of the stuffy estate today." Her unease ebbed away and she fell into a more natural stance. So he hadn't caught her, just the timing of it all had nearly sent her into a heart attack. He nudged her and winked, causing her to giggle quietly at his mirth. "Maybe I should take a small nap out here while I still can. There isn't much to be done for today, thankfully enough and many of the other servants have departed for today."
"Just don't be caught snoozing in the yard." She bid him a pleasant evening before heading back indoors, regarding everything around her with a less...optimistic mindset. How many endless nights had she spent in fear, trying to control her magic? How much resistance had she endured against her teachers and mentors? It felt more a prison than the Mageseeker's compound she used to visit so often, until her family learned of her frequent visitations to the Unshackled mage Sylas. And since then, she tiptoed on thin ice with everyone in her family. Her brother made no effort in hiding his disappointment nor vocalizing his insistence she be forced to remain inside the estate to learn her proper lessons. Her parents were a little more forgiving towards her desire to just help everyone around herself, when in reality she sought ways to escape the vicious clutches of such a suffocating lifestyle. So when she knocked on the large, oaken doors leading into the den, she braced herself for whatever it would be that met her.
The room was well furnished, sparing no expense in displaying the vast wealth and feats her family acquired and accomplished over the generations. Lavish rugs piled together in front of a massive fireplace with a low fire crackling underneath the hearth displaying various portraits and accolades bestowed to each member of the family. Every piece of furniture was custom made by the best artisans in the kingdom and not a single speck of dust was to be found. Despite the inviting and luxurious display, she felt not a single bit of warmth and comfort - only tension and unfamiliarity. There was no one she loved occupying the space, no one she could count on divulging her secrets to. Sylas was roaming the countryside rallying as many mages as he could behind the banner of resistance. Kahina was off on a mission to help an ailing village ravaged by a recent barbarian attack.
Still, she smiled and politely greeted her mother occupying one of the armchairs by the fire. "Mother."
"Ah, Luxanna. I was wondering if the servant I sent got lost." There was a hint of amusement behind her wizening voice as she pulled off her spectacles. She gestured to the plush couch nearby and Lux took it obediently. "How have you fared, my child?"
"Same as always," the blonde replied, a kind smile on her lips thought it didn't quite reach her eyes. "The weather is pleasant today mother, why do you spend time inside like this?"
Augatha tutted quietly and pulled the shawl around her shoulders tighter. "Bah, I am not getting any younger. It's a little colder today than the day before. Winter is arriving soon and I wouldn't want to risk another illness. The fire keeps me plenty warm."
'Even though it is far warmer outside than in here.' "What is it you wished to discuss?"
"To the point today, I see." Lux almost snapped up straight like a rod when her mother inspected her a little too closely. Her impatience with formalities and small conversations must have slipped out, and she tried not to shrink under her scrutiny. A few terse moments passed before Augatha turned her gaze back to the pages in hand, giving Lux a moment to breathe. "You are familiar with Fiora Laurent, Head of House Laurent, correct?"
Lux couldn't hide her wince, especially when her mother spat that name out like a vile curse. Of course she remembered who Fiora was - it was hard not to forget the massive scandal. Having to kill her father like that must have been rough for the young Laurent at the time. Unlike the majority of her family viewing the Laurents as inferior and apt to breed bad blood, the blonde only felt pity and remorse for Fiora. To don the title as Head of House Laurent at such a tender age presented challenges Lux couldn't have possibly fathomed. But seeing her grow into her role from afar made her admire the woman for her courage and determination. "I am familiar with the name, yes." A safer answer and one that her mother accepted apparently. Augatha passed over the papers in hand and Lux sifted through them, scanning the various lines and footnotes annotated all over the place.
"There have been rumors circulating that she posses magic." Lux's heart skipped a beat and nearly stopped at the mention of magic. She brought her gaze up to meet her mother's, trying to decipher what she insinuated. "According to a few trustworthy witnesses, she has been acquiring an astounding number of assets since her duel with her father and ascension to her current position. In fact, many of them appear to be quite controversial and seemingly tied to suspicious organizations and persons affiliated with magic."
Lux didn't reply immediately and instead went back to looking through the pages. She feigned disinterest, but it was hard not to try and absorb all the text. "Has this been brought to the attention of the Mageseekers?"
Augatha shook her head. "While much of the evidence points in the direction of potential magic, it is still not enough for them to take action against House Laurent. It would also tarnish our house name and bring them into a more favorable light if proven false. I do not agree with Laurent's methods of handling relations and businesses, she is far too young and unrefined for the delicate art of politics." The blonde struggled to hold a snort back. Yes, Fiora was young in all of this but even Lux had to admit the woman was damned good at making deals work in her favor. Her blunt demeanor and transparency in them also made it harder for people to try and find foul play unlike backroom meetings and pawns to move on a ridiculous chessboard. Although she never met the woman personally, something about the youngest Laurent just screamed poise and perfection from all the tales she heard. "I would like for you to see if these accusations are true, Lux. Find any information you can, even a drop of blood or a misplaced quill will be enough for us to determine what she may be hiding."
Okay, that went way too far. Lux held up a hand, averting her eyes when her mother's jawline tightened. "Mother, I am an Illuminator, not a Mageseeker. If I do that, it will go against my order's practices and if I am found, not only will our family name be sullied but so will the Illuminators. They are people of the most goodwill and charity, and we would suffer greatly if I caused conflict."
Augatha smiled, one that sent chills down Lux's spine. "If you are caught, my dear. You are charming and innocent. As I am, and virtually everyone in Demacia are aware, Fiora has turned down audiences with every suitor arriving at her doorstep. And every single one of them have been male."
The underlying hint her mother buried in that single statement made Lux want to vomit. Was her mother really thinking of using her as bait to lure out the young Laurent so she could expose her? The fact that Fiora potentially had no interest in men didn't bother the blonde one bit. She could do damn well whatever she pleased as long as she held that rapier and turned her opponents into nothing more than ribbons. No, it was another attempt at currying her back towards the political side of things, which Lux hated vehemently. "Mistress Laurent is far too clever and sharp to fall for something as simple as that mother. She will sniff me out before I even step out the front door."
Augatha pursed her lips, drawing them into a thin line as Lux tried her best not to look - or sound- so desperate. Confrontation with another ancient Demacian family meant treading on eggshells, especially given the bad blood between their families. Lux had no desire to tread on Fiora's toes and definitely didn't want to start now. "Perhaps, you are right. You always had a keen insight on things, Lux. Maybe I am being a little overzealous." The blonde nearly slumped in her seat in relief. 'Well that's one crisis averted.'
"I still don't enjoy rumors floating around, if they are proven to be falsified." Now Lux could agree on that and she waited for whatever suggestion her mother had coming. "House Laurent is still a formidable and large family. With the conflict across the country, I would rather our people be united rather than divided. It makes us easy targets for preying nations, Noxus especially." Okay, she whole-heartedly agreed with that. A divided nation was a weak one, and Lux didn't want to see Demacia fall apart only to have its fragments snatched up by vultures. "Perhaps you can appeal to Laurent, a goodwill and testament of our desire to repair our relations with them. After all, it has been many years since."
There it was again, an attempt to try and get a footstep into the businesses of one of the oldest houses in Demacia. Lux bowed her head in respect and stood up from her seat. "I will attempt to at least converse with Mistress Laurent first. If good comes of it, I will try my best to renew our bridges with them."
Augatha smiled and dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Very good, Lux. Report to me if you've discovered anything."
When Lux closed the door behind her, she took in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. What her mother asked of her meant doing a lot of things she didn't want to do, and crossing lines she tried to avoid. She didn't even know if Fiora would acknowledge her presence let alone answer a request from a Crownguard, but she had to at least try. Wiping her face with one hand, the blonde shook her head and set a determined expression. Sure, her mother would be looking to incriminate Laurent but she assumed too little of Lux's capabilities. The blonde hadn't completely ignored all of her lessons growing up; she simply refused to participate in a rigid system facing its hardest challenge to date. She could play by their rules and her rules.
'Game on, Mother.'
