Enchanting Winter

H

aving arrived at almost midnight Willow was able to hide in her suite and avoid contact with anyone before having to start classes.

“Are you excited m’lady?” Annabelle asks as she fixes Willow’s blonde hair into a braid.

“Should I be? Do you attend classes?”

“My classes are what you would call distance education I am not of a good enough social standing to attend Imperium.” Annabelle looks down sheepishly. “I can be with me whenever you require though. If you wish for me to attend your-”

“Focus on your own studies Anna. Jonathan can escort me.”

“I’m sure Mr Clark would be honoured m’lady.”

Willow looks at herself in the floor length mirror. She can’t help but laugh.

God, if Clare could see me now.

Of course Clare couldn’t truly understand that Winter Grove had no phone reception but she was sympathetic when Willow had mentioned that Imperium Academy was incredibly strict and confiscated phones. Clare had replied saying she had always wanted a pen pal. The best part of the letter was Charlie’s addition at the end. Wishing her the best at school and apologising for reading what Clare had written.

Willow had sent off another letter late last night wishing them both the best and telling Charlie to kick ass in the football team.

Things at Imperium are already quite different instead of football, cheerleading or drama club Willow could chose to fence, play chess or even play polo.

“Mr Clark is ready when you are m’lady.” Annabelle says opening the suite door and inviting Jonathan inside. Annabelle hands Jonathan Willow’s belongings as Willow smoothes out her dress one last time.

“Oh Jonathan I can carry-”

“It is an honour Lady Willow. Please allow me.”

Willow and Jonathan say goodbye to Annabelle and head in the direction of Willow’s home class. Willow breathes a sigh of relief when it appears Imperium Academy looks like any other high school.

Maybe this will be ok.

“Lady Willow!” Willow looks straight ahead when her name is called. She does her best to ignore the heads that snap in her direction. Blair and Nicholas along with a small crowd begin walking towards her.

“Hi Nicholas, Blair.”

“M’lady.” Nicholas bows and pulls her hand to his lips. “Everyone, this is Lady Willow Winter of Winter Grove.” Nicholas introduces Willow to his group of friends. “Willow these are some of your peers. You already know Blair. But there is also Miss Bethany Free, Miss Clara Reynolds, Mr Josh Curtis and Miss Kimberly Smith.”

“It is very nice to meet you all.” Willow smiles she looks back over her shoulder to see Jonathan patiently waiting with her books. “This is Mr Jonathan Clark.” Jonathan blushes profusely as several of Nicholas’s friends snicker behind their hands.

“See what I mean?” Blair sneers. “So simple. Introducing her footman like he matters.”

“Excuse me.” Willow steps forward ready to confront Blair when a familiar voice sounds in her head.

“Not here Willow.”

Too taken back to hear Cassius’s voice Willow barely notices when Blair and her friends walk passed her laughing together. Willow looks around the hallway wondering if Cassius is in the hallway or just listening into her thoughts.

Where are you?

“Always watching m’lady.”

Too distracted in her mind as she continues down the hallway Willow collides with a boy coming the other way. Books and paper fly out of the boy’s hands and Willow lands backwards on her ass.

“Well, shit.” Willow mutters to herself and the boy she collided with stares at her with wide eyes.

“I’m so sorry Miss, please let me help you.” He extends his hand but Willow stays on the ground instead picking up the fallen paper and books. “Miss, please, it was my mistake. Let me help you up. I’ll pick everything-”

“Here you go.” Willow cuts him off thrusting the books back in his arms. “I should really concentrate more.”

“No honestly I-”

“Lady Willow, are you hurt?” Jonathan steps forward, suddenly attentive.

“I’m fine Jonathan.” Willow says dusty the imaginary dirt from her hoop skirt. “I’m sure the hallway got a nice glimpse of what’s under my skirt but it is nothing too interesting I can assure you.”

“You are the Lady of Winter Grove.” The boy who Willow had run into says staring at her with a stunned expression. “The Duke and Duchess’s granddaughter.” The boy bows and Willow rolls her eyes.

“Willow Winter and this is Jonathan Clark it is nice to meet you…”

“Spencer, Spencer Scott.” Spencer holds a hand out to Willow. She moves to shake it but before she can he pulls the back of her hand to his lips. “It is a pleasure to meet you m’lady. I’m so sorry for any inconvenience.”

“It is fine, really.” Willow laughs. “Where are you from Spencer?”

Spencer is taken back by Willow’s bluntness and her lack of title but smiles nonetheless.

“Crystal Lake.”

“I have no idea where that is.” Willow admits and Spencer laughs.

“That is quite alright m’lady.”

“Lady Willow, we really should be heading to your home class.” Jonathan speaks up from behind her and Willow sighs.

“Sorry Spencer it was nice to meet you. Will I see you around?”

“I certainly hope so m’lady.”

“Suck up.” Cassius’s voice causes Willow to frown as she walks away with Jonathan.

Stay out of my head.

“I can’t make any promises m’lady.”

“Lady Willow.” Nicholas greets Willow with a smile as she walks inside the classroom. Willow works out quickly that Nicholas Black is one of the popular guys. He holds the attention of most of the room with the girls hoping he will look his way and the boys copying his every move. Jonathan places a notepad and pencil down in front of Willow before moving towards the back of the room. Willow looks back to see there are only two other servants.

“I thought everyone here would have footmen.” Willow says with her brows furrowed.

“Not all of us are important enough m’lady.” Nicholas smirks.

“This is so different.”

“Not the same high school experience you are used to?”

“High school is high school there are always going to be cliques but I still don’t really know what to expect.”

“I guess you’ll find out soon enough.”

A graying man in a coat and top hat walks into the room looking at everyone through the eyeglasses that sit on the end of his nose.

“Welcome students to another year at Imperium Academy.”

“Good morning Professor Jones.” The class murmurs back in unison.

“I believe we have new student.” Professor Jones removes his glasses and surveys the classroom once again. “Lady Willow, please be upstanding.”

Willow slowly rises out of her seat after Nicholas flashes her an encouraging smile.

“Class, I’d like you all to meet Lady Willow Winter of Winter Grove. As I understand it you share the same gift as your father.”

Willow says nothing staring at her mother’s ring on her right index finger.

“Is that correct m’lady? Will you show the class your magic?”

“N-No.” Willow’s voice is almost a whisper.

“Excuse me Lady Willow? I asked you to show the class your magic.”

“And I said no.”

“Do you or do you not possess the ice gifts of your father Marquess Henry Winter?”

“I do.”

“It is true Professor. I have seen it first hand.”

“Thank you Mr Black. Lady Willow I will ask you once more. Please show the class your magic.”

“No.” Willow says forcefully.

“M’lady, if you will not show your magic you can not continue in the Pure Craft class.”

“Alright then.” The other students gasp as Willow walks towards the door with stunned and shaking Jonathan following her. When she reaches the door she looks back at Nicholas who is wearing a pleading expression.

“I will not allow you to make a fool of me Lady Willow. All you have to do is use your magic.” Professor Jones insists.

“Which class am I welcome in?” Willow asks pointedly.

“Downstairs room five ten.” The Professor mutters. He scribbles something a small piece of paper. “Take this.”

“Thank you.” Willow squares her shoulders as she leaves the room.

Willow follows the Professor’s directions as Jonathan hurries after her.

“Why didn’t you just use your magic? You are more powerful than most of those witches, Professor Jones included. You could have frozen him on the spot with a wrist flick.”

“Magic gets you hurt. I hurt Annabelle and I lost control. I don’t want to be magical.”

“Lady Willow I-”

“Stop talking Jonathan.”

“Very well m’lady.”

Eventually Willow stops outside room five ten and she gently knocks. A middle aged woman answers the door with a small smile.

“Can I help you?”

“I was directed to this class.” Willow explains handing the woman the small piece of paper.

The woman’s eyes widen slightly as she reads before she tucks the piece of paper in the pocket of her jacket.

“Please come in Lady Willow. I’m Mrs Barlow.” She holds the door wide enough for Willow and Jonathan to step inside. “Class, this is Lady Willow Winter of Winter Grove.” As she gets introduced Willow’s eyes dart around the room looking for a familiar face. She spots Spencer and smiles just as Mrs Barlow speaks up again. “Lady Willow welcome to the Squires.”