All of the Mage apprentices were of noble status. That was the first discovery Cherry made upon starting her classes. 

All of the Mage apprentices were skilled and felt at home with using magic.

And all of them made sure she knew she was not welcome.

As a commoner. As a newbie. As someone who knew nothing of magic.

It took less than a day for Cherry’s resolve to waver. She never used magic in her life, not that she knew of. The only bright side of it was that no one expected her to do well in the first place. Not even the instructor.

So, she just sat at the corner, listening and listening to the things she didn’t understand. Browsing books she couldn’t read. And overall feeling like a waste of space. She would be more useful cleaning the classroom than taking the space being an apprentice.

But it was the Duke’s order, and no one, no matter how much they wanted, could disobey. She was to be a Mage apprentice as of that day.

Her days passed in scorn during the day and awe from other maids in the evening.

Neither did her good.

The books felt weighty and unfathomable in her arms as she walked down the hall towards her room. She meant to go and study on her own, which meant going over what was said and trying to decipher whatever the words of the instructor could mean. But her feet had other idea, and soon she stopped at the fateful steps, now fully repaired.

Her eyes gazed at the yellowing green of the garden. Her heart hanged low in her chest. It was impossible after all. She was a servant not a Mage. It was a mistake.

“Cherry,” a voice called. Calm and cool. Curious and gentle. 

Her eyes went up the stairs to meet his bright eyes. Her heart quivered and then went even lower. “My Lord,” even to her, her voice sounded broken.

“What’s wrong?” the Lord skipped steps as he went down, as if worried she’d be gone before he reaches the last one. “Are you unwell?”

Cherry shook her head at first, then nodded once before going back to shaking. The Lord laughed softly at her antics for a bit.

“Which is it now?”

She squeezed the heavy books. Casting her gaze down rather than up.

“Well?”

“Does his Lordship understand magic?” she found herself asking. “Do I have it?”

It was a while before the man spoke, “You have it.” He took the heavy books from her and placed them safely on the stone railing. “I’m sure of it,” he added.

“I’m not sure… I don’t,” Cherry’s word died out, not sure what she didn’t. Probably all of it.

“Cherry,” he called out to her, coaxing. Noticing her eyes still studying the stone steps, he reached out to lift her face, a ghost of touch. “I’m sure you have it. As sure as I am you’re standing right before me.” She blinked at him mutely. “I wasn’t sure at the tower and there was no time to delve into back then. But I saw you clearly use it last time.”

“You saw?”

He gave a short nod, then frowned, “I meant to help but it was over before I could get close enough.”

“I thought it was you at first. But I didn’t see you at all.”

“I wish it was me,” he said with a small laugh.

“You do?” Cherry looked at him, his expression startled for a split second before he scowled inwardly. She thought she saw his ear flush, but it could be the evening sun.

He gave a fake cough, “Anyway, I suppose the classes are not going well?”

“Oh.” She went down, standing back on her whole feet, not being aware when she tiptoed. “It’s…”

“Beginnings are seldom easy.” His words meant to be reassuring, but did little to disperse her gloom. “Is there something I can do to help?” His eyes caught on the thick books, “Get you some beginner books for the start?”

The only answer was a silence and her fidgeting fingers.

“Cherry?” her name was soft on his lips.

“It wouldn’t help,” she murmured.

“Of course it would. These are too advanced, no one starts out with the difficult parts.”

Shaking her head, she finally whispered even quieter than before, “I don’t know how to read.”

Her eyes down, she wouldn’t know the face his Lordship made. If she had the heart to look up, she would see him flustered quite a bit, maybe panicked even.

“Right, then we’ll get you a reading tutor.”

Cherry went to turn the offer down, but the Lord was way ahead of her. “You cannot learn until you can read. For a Mage, reading is a necessary skill. One you cannot do without if you are to become one. Besides, it’s a direct order from Duke.”

Her eyes sparkled first, then frown overtook her features, “The order was to attend classes. Not get a tutor for reading.”

His brows raised in response, “I never knew you to be so nit-picky Cherry.” He saw her puff her flushed cheeks and something in his chest squeezed violently. Barely subduing an urge to pinch the cheeks, to touch her ever so lightly. To caress the pursed lips. A swarming of want washed over him in an instant, making his movements and words that much more hesitant. He was not one to beat around the bush. Not one to utter words that had double meaning. Hiding was not in his nature. He had no idea why he had never corrected her misunderstanding. But he knew something akin to fear was festering inside him each time he called out her name and waited for her to turn around.

“Then,” he started, the hesitation turning to resolve, “I hereby order you to get a tutor to teach you reading and writing, as means to advance your studies as a Mage.” His crisp, clear eyes met hers head on, studying her face attentively, “There you go. A direct order from the Duke himself.”

He saw her eyes widen, surprised and shaken, and, his heart sank, filled with fear. She gaped like a fish out in the open, her gaze fell down as she curtsied clumsily.

“Ye-Yes, Yo-your Grace.”

He saw her pale face hidden under her dark hair and his heart sank even lower. The expression on the Duke’s face froze over, his jaw clenched just as the first day they met. He felt like it was the first day they met, as he looked at the fidgety bundle of nerves in front of him. The air around him grew heavy, sparkling as his emotions gave way to his magic. His fist clenched and unclenched and he would bite his lips bloody if he wasn’t worried, she would collapse from fear right this very moment.

“Well then,” he brushed off whatever that was in his mind, marking an end to the warmth that had been. In his rush he forgot to say goodbye and left her standing frozen over on her own as the last sun-rays disappeared.