Chapter 6: Role Reversal

Song: "Who We Were"

A man sat on his balcony of a large corporate-looking building that overlooked the ocean, the sunrise glimmering beautifully in the distance. He sipped some tea from the little lilac cup he was holding before replacing it onto its saucer, setting both aside. His long green robes, decorated with ornate umber trim and gold embellishments, shifted with every move he made. His hair was long and white, half of it tied into a tight bun atop his head while the rest spilled down his back, blending in with his matching beard and mustache. His hazel eyes glimpsed everything around him, keen despite his age.

His name was Master Qiqiang. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak, everyone made sure to listen carefully. He silently commanded attention with his expressions and body language rather than words many times. As the Chief of the Royal Private Magistrates Headquarters (RPMH), he was involved with quite a distinguished group of people. His company hired out experienced professionals to offer a high level of protection for clients. Since starting his company a few decades ago, all of his professionals had received glowing reviews, and every service had been met with esteemed remarks.

His newest hire was the former Conjuror's Board sentry Isolde, who had begun working for him around three months ago. Within weeks of her entry and only days after her full training, she'd received an assignment as a one-month magistrate for a priestess in the Xishun Dynasty. Something political, no doubt, but Master Qiqiang never asked, nor did he consider it any of his concern. He had two people to consider each time: his employee and his employer (at the time). In any case, according to the priestess, Isolde had been very accommodating and had done a phenomenal job—always professional and compassionate, which was a combination of perfect qualities in this line of work.

"No doubt she will be well-suited for this job too," he murmured to himself, standing and brushing his robes into their previous position. Knowing her work ethic and abilities, she was the best choice for the situation. With his mind made up, he made his way back into the building and strolled calmly toward his employee's quarters.

Isolde sat on her bed, staring out the large window at the birds that were flying by. She hadn't gotten dressed yet and was instead in her comfortable black pajama pants and tunic, and her long black hair was braided down her back. It was a Saturday though, and she'd intended to take the day easy since she'd just returned from her month-long job. She blinked when she heard a knock at the door to her quarters, and she turned to face the door, her back leaning against the warm glass, heated by the morning sun. "Come in."

Master Qiqiang entered the room, chuckling as the young woman apologized swiftly and moved to cover herself with the quilt on her bed. "No need, Isolde, you are more than appropriately dressed. May I sit?" He gestured toward a spare chair where she normally sat at her desk, and seeing her nod, he lowered into the wooden seat. "How are you after your assignment?"

She shrugged, twirling her braid around her fingers. "I'm fine, Master Qiqiang. It was kind of refreshing to have something a bit more structured and solitary. Not to knock Malango the Magnanimous, but some of the assignments he insisted on me doing with my former partner were…odd sometimes. But I guess that comes with the territory, right?"

"Hmm, interesting you mention Malango…" He folded his hands into his lap as he caught her eye. "I've a proposition for you from him, actually." He explained the situation in Venburg with King Eirik, informing her of the requirements established. "It is up to you whether you want to accept this position or not, Isolde. You will serve as the king's private magister regent responsible for monitoring him at all times. The job should last approximately two months this time, as he's expressed concerns over his physical condition hindering his efforts in protecting his kingdom, not to mention the possibility of danger he could face if the rumors of someone trying to harm him are true."

"Why just two months then?" Isolde wondered.

"My dear, kings sometimes have something of an ego and think situations can be 'fixed' in a shorter span of time than actually required. I believe he may be underestimating the amount of help he will truly need. Should you accept this position, just understand that it may indeed take longer than two months. I'm quite sure the Conjuror's Board will be actively monitoring the situation while looking into the potential threat, but your job will be to stay with King Eirik at all times and protect him as needed."

She nodded, humming quietly to herself before smiling lightly at him. "All right. I'll take it."

"You're quite certain? You are not weary after this most recent mission?"

"I'm okay. I'm a little weird in that I like to stay busy, Master Qiqiang. I think I get the most enjoyment out of helping others, even if I don't always seem like I do. And I apologize if I can come across as aloof, but I promise I'm not. I'm just… I'm just me."

He nodded, chuckling. "It's all right, Isolde. Nothing wrong with having your own personality, after all." He stood, reaching out a hand to her, helping her stand to her feet. He stood about half a foot taller than she did, and he smiled warmly down at her. "You remind me so much of my granddaughter. So much spirit and adventure. I just hope when she becomes an adult, she has a similar nature to yours." Seeing her blush modestly at his compliment, he released her hand. "Well, then. Why don't you get some breakfast and then return to pack your belongings? You'll leave out first thing in the morning."

"Master Qiqiang… Thank you." The previous smile returned, and it was a bit brighter than before. "For…giving me this opportunity. For…letting me figure things out as I go…"

The leader placed a hand against her cheek in a fatherly manner, his heart swelling with pride. "You are most welcome, Isolde." With that, he turned and exited her quarters, closing the door behind him.

Isolde sighed, falling back onto her bed, her hands reaching up to rub the sleep from her eyes as she mumbled something incoherently. "A king, huh?" She stared up at the ceiling after lowering her arms. "This should be interesting…"

After packing her bags for her upcoming journey, later that evening, Isolde was lying in bed again, but even though it was close to midnight, she still couldn't fall asleep. Her mind was filled with many thoughts: the upcoming mission with King Eirik, the potential danger he was facing (and likewise, she was soon to be facing), Elias—

"Damn it," she cursed, grabbing an extra pillow and balling it up, punching it once to release some pent-up frustration. Briefly, she'd imagined that pillow had been Elias's face, but soon after she felt a bit guilty. She knew he was imprisoned at the Conjuror's Board, but it hadn't stopped her from thinking about him from time to time. They'd been partners for a long time, after all.

There had even been a time when he was a generally good guy, having treated her really well. They'd partnered up romantically for a while, leading to both a predictable yet also unanticipated outcome… Well, perhaps she should have seen it coming, with as frequently as he'd asked to share her bed, and as often as he'd sweet-talked her out of her clothing…

When she'd discovered the truth behind their evening unions, she'd been upset at first. Her, a mother? She wasn't suited for such a thing, especially given her line of work. Not to mention, she didn't exactly have the most nurturing personality. However, the more she thought of it, the more she grew enamored by the idea of a little dark-haired child toddling around their apartment, with Elias's natural charm and Isolde's penchant for sarcastic quips.

After sitting down with Elias after work one evening, she told him the news. At first, he'd seemed excited, but soon he started acting a little odd… "So, that means you and I can't…"

"Well, it's not like anything is going to happen any time soon. I'm pretty sure we're still in the clear to…have some fun." It had taken a bit more coaxing than usual, but she'd managed to talk him into a passionate evening, although looking back, she wished she hadn't.

It wasn't even a day later when she discovered he'd been talking to another woman—that homewrecker Yonnie from magical accounting. She would date anything with legs and a vivacious drive, so of course he was wooed by her charms. But it wasn't just Yonnie. Several other women claimed to be seeing Elias too, which cut her to her very core.

Never mind that they were partners—in a few different ways—but they were expecting a life-changing experience soon. Did none of that matter to him? He even seemed to flaunt it, acting like it was no big deal, and told Isolde of all the 'quirky actions' the girls he talked to seemed to be into. While Isolde wasn't normally one to get jealous, she did indeed experience a flash of it, and it only grew the more she knew of his little 'night adventures.'

Perhaps the stress of the situation was what pushed her over the edge, but after a visit to the board medic when she'd awoken covered in crimson blood one morning, Isolde soon discovered that her womb was in fact vacant now—a miscarriage, it seemed. No baby. No…ties to Elias in any way. Good. It was for the best. He wanted to date floozies and bed them all the time? So be it. At least she wouldn't have to stare at a little Elias lookalike and wonder why she wasn't good enough for the man to stay faithful instead of pursuing every other woman he saw.

It didn't matter anymore. She threw herself into her work and often gave him the cold shoulder. It did explain why she had been so serious and distant with him on the journey several months ago, and also why she had been so critical of his infatuation with Ember. She was just one more woman he found attractive, and that was one more slap in the face, even though she'd told herself she'd moved on.

"We're not those people anymore, Isolde," she whispered, a tear slipping down her face. She wiped it away, sighing in frustration. "You let him go. He abandoned you when you needed it. And then he did something so incredibly stupid that… It's not even worth your heartache and suffering. You deserve—I… I deserve better."

Her mind settling a bit, the former sentry dimmed the lamp near her bed, and she closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to fall into the welcoming arms of sleep.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Stirring Within