That Saturday Alice, Clark, Emma, and Ethan rode their bikes into town, and chained them up in the local park indicated by the instructions Potsdam had given them.
"It says the third blue house on the left," Emma said after removing the directions from her pocket.
"There are only two blue houses, a white one, and then an empty lot," Ethan replied.
The twins, Emma and Ethan, shared their mother's dark red hair and deep blue eyes with her. Clark, like Nancy, instead had gotten their father's white-blond hair and light blue eyes.
Emma rolled her eyes at her brother. "It's supposed to be invisible until we get closer. It says so right here."
"How could I notice if you won't let me hold it?" Ethan asked.
"You'd lose it. Like that time we let you hold the tickets to the zoo."
"Enough," Alice snapped, and then she took a deep breath. "We're all a little nervous, because we don't know what to expect." She then started walking confidently toward the vacant lot.
Clark just shrugged as he walked beside her. "Should we take bets? Maybe Grandpa Ed is really a shape-changing blue jinn," he tried to joke.
"You know," Alice answered, "there's a chance there's a family servitor like that. I'm not sure if they're all blue or green, though."
Clark blinked. "I was merely being facetious. Why, is there one at school?"
"Only one I know of, and it was involved in that 'accident' I'll have to finish telling you about."
"Accident? What accident?" Emma asked. They were almost there.
"I'm not talking about it outdoors," Alice sighed.
"Well," Ethan considered, "you don't look any worse for wear. It must have not been that big of a deal."
She could not help it. Alice burst out into laughter as a blue house materialized in front of them. The way her siblings were staring at the house, though, they might not have heard her.
The tea-shop appeared to also be a bed and breakfast called "Magic's Refreshment." It appeared colonial in style, as if someone had ripped it from a history book.
"Come on," Alice said, leading her gawking siblings inside.
They were greeted by a smiling plump woman in long green dress with a starched white apron over it. "Welcome My Lord, My Lady, Sir, and Madam. If you will follow me to the tearoom, his Lordship is waiting for you."
"Yes, thank you," Alice replied with a smile, being the first to recover from their new forms of address. She had been half expecting it, after all. After finding out Hieronymous was a lord, she had started wondering what 'Lady Alice' would sound like.
Apparently their grandfather possessed titles as well. She wondered if their grandfather and Hieronymous' father were well acquainted.
As she rounded the corner into the tearoom, she saw a distinguished looking wizard seated at the head of a table already laid with various refreshments. He had salt and pepper hair that had not yet receded that much, and wore navy blue robes. He smiled as he rose from his chair, greeted them each by name, and they all sat down. The plump woman took their orders for tea and then went to fulfill them, leaving an awkward silence in her wake. Finally, the older man cleared his throat.
"I hardly know where to begin. I had been going to make myself known to at least the elder two of you during your last spring break, but your headmistress advised me that you had had enough as far as surprises were concerned, Alice."
"At that time, yes," Alice replied, "I would have had to agree with her."
He nodded. "I am Viscount Dorchester, Lord Edward Carleton, Head of "Between the Worlds Bank", as well as a Councilman. I leave whether to address me as 'Grandfather' or 'Grandpa' at your discretion."
"What does all of that mean?" Emma asked, obviously confused. After all, he had not addressed their presents from him in that fashion.
The proprietor returned with their teas, temporarily interrupting the conversation, murmuring a 'My Lord' as she left.
"Viscount," he explained, "is a hereditary rank of nobility in England. Dorchester is where the family estate is located. Carleton is the family name, and I am the director of the bank that handles exchanging currencies between this world, Otherworld, and a few other places as well. I sit on the wizard Council that writes laws concerning human or part human mages and oversees the lower courts."
Alice blinked. She had not realized that her grandfather was such a powerful man.
"Wow," Emma said, "is that why, when we got here, we got called 'My Lord, My Lady, Sir, and Madam?'"
Their grandfather nodded. "Yes, my presumptive heir would be called 'My Lord' or 'My Lady.' The non-magical 'Viscount' title would go to the oldest male, which would be Clark."
Ethan grunted, obviously disappointed.
"The Council seat and the right to either head the bank or appoint someone else to do so, however, normally would go to the oldest whether they were male or female. Children, or grandchildren, not in line for either position would be referred to as 'Sir' or 'Madam,'" he finished.
"So that's why she was calling me 'My Lord' and Alice 'My Lady,' because Alice is heir to the wizarding head of the family, and I'm heir to the non-magical part?" Clark asked.
Alice sighed. Any time now….
"Actually, that is a matter that will need to be settled in the near future, between yourself and your sister, given her situation," Grandfather answered.
"What situation?" Emma asked. "Does this have something to do with that accident you mentioned?"
"Did miss perfect mess up?" Ethan added.
She could feel her cheeks turning pink.
Her grandfather's eyebrows rose. "Headmistress Potsdam did give me the overview. You have not given your siblings details yet?"
Alice was now sure her face was as red as the cherries dotting some of the pastries.
"I…um…accidentally got married…to one of my teachers last January." She stared down at the table, but she could feel everyone's eyes on her.
"How do you 'accidentally' get married?" Ethan asked
"And to a teacher!" Emma exclaimed.
Clark was silent a few moments before asking, "Why?"
Alice took a deep breath and started to explain; how she was treasurer, and Professor Grabiner was experimenting with his manus when something had gone wrong, her stupid impulse to help, how it had tried to eat her before Potsdam had stepped in and declared her Grabiner's bride, the hasty wedding, which all explained how she had to be married a year so their oaths could be kept without her dying or her husband losing his magic.
After it was all out, she took some tea to wet her throat. Her siblings were still staring at her.
"Wow, does this sort of thing happen often at magic schools?" Emma asked uncertainly.
"If it does, at least send me to one where the teachers are hot," Ethan joked.
Alice sighed. "Not that I know of, Emma; and don't be ridiculous Ethan."
Clark had a more pertinent question. "Why would he have lost his magic if he had not married you, and what is a manus?"
"For the first, if a wizard of witch does not keep their Word, the payment is their magic. It is part of a treaty with other various races so they are able to trust us. Consequently, either make no promises or be sure to honor all the ones you do. As for the other…Asim," their grandfather called.
Momentarily, the air to the right of his chair began to turn blue and Alice found herself face to face with another manus.
"This is Asim, and he is bound to our family line," he explained.
"Does he take orders from all of us, or just you," Ethan asked, eyes wide.
"Does he live in a bottle?" Emma wanted to know.
Asim gave them a toothy grin as their grandfather explained.
"No, he does not live in a bottle or grant wishes like the genie in the fairy tales. He performs services within his role as a family guardian and servitor, and while you can give him instructions, those orders will not supersede mine. I strongly advise you to have me teach you about what can and cannot be done with Asim before you attempt to give him any orders."
"And those things eat people?" Emma whispered, obviously impressed.
Grandfather shrugged. "Some, like the one your sister ran into, do eat souls. Most, like Asim here, prefer bones."
"If I may be so bold master," e said in a deep voice, "I suggest that your successor start cultivating a taste for lamb as you have."
"I get the meat, he gets the bones, and we are both satisfied, which brings us back to the original topic." Asim faded away. Her grandfather's eyes pierced hers, but his voice was gentle. "Would you be comfortable describing the nature of your relationship with Hieronymous Grabiner, and what manner of a man he is? You can do so in private, if you wish, but I do really need to know."
Alice took another deep breath. "No, it's ok. They can hear," she started. "We haven't…shared a bed…if that's what you mean. He's a friend, I can safely say. He listens to me, most of the time, and he respects me and my opinions. The last month or so, I'd been visiting him weekly for tea, after the news of our marriage leaked out."
She paused, wondering if she should continue, and the pink was rising in her cheeks again.
"You really like him, don't you," Clark stated. It was not a question.
Her face seemed to answer for her, blushing even more.
"Well then," their grandfather said, sitting back in his chair. "I assume there is a chance you will want to maintain this marriage?" At her nod, he continued. "And what is he like professionally? What kind of relationship does he have with his father?"
"He is the strictest teacher at school, and most of the students are afraid of him," she answered. "I know he does it because many of the students don't have a proper respect of the damage magic can do when used incorrectly or inappropriately, so if they're scared of him they are more likely to survive long enough to figure it out." She bit her lip. "As far as his father is concerned, they don't get along. He burns his father's letters, in fact."
Her grandfather surprised her by laughing. "That he does not get along with Aloysius is actually a recommendation to his character, as far as I am concerned. I wouldn't burn his letters though, personally. It is always better to know what that man is up to."
He continued. "You should also know that if you decide to stay married, given that Hieronymous is Lord Grabiner's only heir while I have your siblings, tradition would dictate that you would be marrying into his House. You would be forsaking control of our House to your brother, when it should fall to him."
"I don't see that as a major concern," Alice replied.
Her grandfather nodded. "Clark, if your sister does wish to renew her marriage contract, you have my permission to give her away in my name. The headmistress will be able to run you through the ceremony should the matter occur." He then turned to her. "Please notify me, either way. I must know if I need to get a suitable dowry together; it will be necessary if you choose to extend your marriage contract for ten years or more."
Alice frowned. "Are dowries traditional?"
"Only in the great houses; it would remain under your control throughout your marriage, and could become inheritance for your children should you will it."
"I'm guessing Mom and Dad don't know about this?" Emma asked.
Clark snorted. "What do you think Dad would do if he found out that Alice had married a teacher, since we can't tell him anything about the manus or magic?"
Ethan grinned. "It would probably involve C4 or his old sniper rifle."
Alice squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image. "The school has magical means of protection. If dad tried to go after Hieronymous or tried to pull me out, the authorities would probably wipe his brain of any memories of me to keep the school safe. Mom too, I'm guessing. My current plan, if we decide to stay married anyway, is to wait until I'm eighteen this spring and then to start writing letters like I'm falling for him and starting to chase Hieronymous on my own initiative. That way they think it was my idea, Dad doesn't try to shoot Hieronymous, and we can decide if we want to hold another ceremony or 'elope' when I graduate."
"They would make Mom and Dad forget about you!" Emma exclaimed. "That's just barbaric!"
Alice noticed that her grandfather was now the one staring at the table.
"Was it Mom or Dad that had magic?" she asked softly. "What happened?"
"It was…your mother," her grandfather answered. He sounded tired, or old. "By the time she was twelve, it was obvious that she had magic. Your grandmother was much more involved in her raising than I was, I am sad to say. Work always kept me busy, and I always thought there would be time later, but that was seldom so."
He had to gather himself to continue. "Sometimes marriages are arranged, in the great houses, still. I had begun getting offers regarding your mother. Considering the wealth and influence our family possesses, there were a multitude of proposals. I did not intend to force her into anything, but tried to present it as she could have her pick of anyone she wanted. She insisted she wanted to grow up and fall in love with a man that loved her instead of her money.
"Then tragedy struck. The mother that had loved and nurtured her was suddenly taken from us both in an accident; a car accident in London. It was the day before she turned thirteen.
"Your mother is nothing if not brave. When presented with the Choice, she decided to leave everything behind and seek her dream of a man loving her without her money. Without her mother, I was not enough of an emotional draw to hold her back. There was nothing I could do. She had made her Choice.
"She was switched with a Wildseed that had had good parents, but was not able to keep her story straight and was forced to choose between leaving either them or Iris. Their memories were altered; hers to think that she had been there her entire life, and her foster-parents to think that their daughter was younger than their real daughter was and to accept your mother as their daughter."
"Can't you change that?" Clark asked. "Make it so parents can know and remember that their kid has magic so families don't have to be split up like this? You're on the Council, right?"
Grandfather smiled sadly. "Not without more votes, and if I don't keep the law I uphold, then there is no law."
"So you can't have any contact with Mom or anything?" Emma asked.
"No, not really," he answered. "In this situation, due to neither of your parents having magic, the magical community laws consider you orphans under my care that simply live with foster parents. I am allowed to provide for you, but not for your parents. Communication that your parents might see is also severely restricted. This is why I am able to send you to the best schools in your area and send you presents, but was not able to speak with you until you were given the Choice yourselves."
Then he smiled. "There was one little loophole I did manage to exploit."
"You did something with Mom's cancer?" Alice guessed.
He nodded. "I am only allowed to involve myself with her health if she is carrying one of my heirs, and it is considered within my rights to 'promote' the birth of one. So when I found out about the cancer, I had a green witch posing as a nurse examine her, and she determined that it was likely fatal even with normal medical treatment. So, I had her dosed with a fertility potion, and as soon as you mother became pregnant, I could have the witch treat her legally."
Alice giggled. "And she changed the type or progress of the cancer so the normal doctors could finish treating it but wouldn't get suspicious like if it just disappeared?"
"Exactly," he answered.
Alice frowned. "Would that make Nancy a White prodigy at all?"
Her grandfather raised an eyebrow. "It is unlikely, but not impossible. Why?"
"A few nights ago she came into my room," Alice started, "explained that her invisible friends had told her to sleep near me to keep the evil spirits that gave her bad dreams away, told me that I was married, and then accurately described Hieronymous."
"That requires follow-up, I'll have the local authorities see to it," he assured her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, absently picking at the pastries in front of them. Their grandfather drew a long breath. "Does…does your father make your mother happy?"
"Yes, he does," Alice answered. After a moment she asked her own question. "What is Mamma's real name?"
"Aimee," Grandfather replied, tears in his eyes. "Her name is Aimee."