Improper Mage

Liana Monroe sat upon a wooden stool in front of a sunny window in her sister’s room reading a thick and heavy tome. Leather bindings frayed at the edges which were older than any relative she recalled having owned this book. The pages were worn from use, but the words were no less easy to read because of it.

Her lady’s maid, Phillipa, pulled at the curling ribbons she tied into Liana’s hair last night, letting the glowing chestnut strands dangle free. Liana gave no notice of the common routine only to tuck a piece of hair out of her face to keep reading while the room behind her bristled with activity and mindless chatter. Liana’s sisters, Charlotte and Hannah, sat on their own chairs facing the vanity while their maids spun their sun-kissed honey colored hair into beautiful braids.

“I do hope I catch the eye of Master Ranville. He is such a handsome and powerful man,” Charlotte gushed while adding rouge to her cheeks. “His manor house is so grand. It would make a lovely home. And it is in such a good location near the center of the city.”

“Yes, dear. Master Ranville would be an excellent suitor indeed,” Lady Mary Monroe agreed with her eldest daughter, that constant simpering smile tilting the corner of her lips. “This year’s suitor season is guaranteed to be much better than last year and the year prior. I hear many more men are participating. So many in fact that the king is hosting this season. Gods willing, all three of my girls will be able to find a suitor this season,” she said with a hopeful smile.

The sisters were all close in age, just one year apart from each other. Charlotte being the eldest came out to society first. Her debut happened two years ago, but she didn’t catch much attention, at least, attention that didn’t have wealth to back it up. If you were to ask Lady Monroe or Charlotte though, they would tell you of the severely lacking presence of suitable men in attendance.

Last year it was Liana’s turn to present herself to society. It was a rather boring affair, just as Charlotte’s had been. This year, it was Hannah’s turn and Lady Monroe was eager to get all her girls engaged and settled into respectable marriages. That was her responsibility as a mother to daughters in high society, to ensure she made proper matches for her daughters that would secure their extravagant lifestyles.

“I have my eyes on Lord Dietrich. He is so dreamy,” Hannah swooned, her cheeks already naturally blushed and having no need of the rouge.

“Lord Dietrich would make a fine match, Hannah,” Lady Monroe responded as she supervised the girl’s preparations, her own hair and gown already primped and donned. “Your father knows him well as they both serve on Master Ranville’s council. Perhaps he can put in a good word for you, my dear.”

Their father, Lord Monroe, was a member of the mage council, just as his father had been before him. He served the leader of the mage, Master Ranville. So aptly named because he was one of three Master Mage in their prestigious country. It took a lot of talent and even more education to become a Master, which made the title highly respected. The Masters were able to perform magic that commonfolk couldn’t even dream of, let alone perform.

It was Liana’s dream to become the first female Master in all of Triaedian. She yearned to learn all that the males kept to themselves. She had the mind for it, and she thought possibly the skill for it as well. It was the education and propriety she did not have, nor would she ever. Females were not allowed to become Masters. They were to run the household and produce heirs, much to Liana’s dismay.

“What about you, Liana? Who have you set your eyes upon?” Lady Monroe questioned. The girl did not hear her mother as she set the heavy tome in her lap and held her hands aloft toward the tree outside the window. As she began to quietly recite the spell, she held her hands together with the palms facing up to form a bowl.

Liana always was more interested in magic and books than gossip and dresses. Her mind sought knowledge not riches or marriage. So unlike the other high society females, everyone sought to remind her of that whenever they got the chance. Liana did her best to ignore their petty insults and focused on the things that mattered most to her, mainly her magic.

Not that she could readily practice magic without hiding most of it. The male mages might as well have outlawed females from using any magic for all the control they lorded over the females. Liana wouldn’t stand for it though. She studied the magic she was born with. She cultivated it into a power equal to any man’s. One day, she might even reveal that fact to the world should she ever gain the courage.

“Liana!” her mother called; her tone full of scolding. She stormed over to her daughter and yanked the dirty book away. The spell died on Liana’s lips and her hands fell into her lap with disappointment. “Gods above! I’ve told you time and time again to stop with the spells, Liana. You are a woman now. You have learned all the spells you need to keep a proper home and that is all. Now, let Phillipa get you dressed. We must leave soon.”

Lady Monroe left with the book. Liana sighed but kept her mouth shut as she stood for Phillipa to dress her. She stepped into the undergarments held aloft for her and stared at the wall while her maid pulled the strings of the corset unbearably tight. When her mother returned, she no longer held the book in her possession, no doubt hidden away somewhere in Lord Monroe’s study. Liana looked away from her mother as she fussed over her other daughters. A private smile tugged at her lips despite her mother’s scolding. It would be so easy for her to find the spell book again just as it had been the first time.

“I do hope Ms. Lightwood does not catch Master Ranville’s eye. She has been vying for him as well,” Charlotte complained. “She is not as pretty as me, and her magic is not strong, nor will any children she bears. I would be a far better match for the Master.”

“That you would, dear,” Lady Monroe agreed.

“What of the other women coming from the country? What competition do they pose?”

Lady Monroe huffed. “None at all, my dear. The women from the country rarely match with one of our city men. They would marry any poor soul that looked their way if it meant moving out of the country. City living is much preferred, you know. They will take the eligible scholars and tradesmen. It will be our Lords and Ladies that will match together, perhaps even a Master,” she said in a conspiratorial giggle, the sisters joining in. Liana rolled her eyes at the wall wishing she had her book back.

“Hurry, daughters. We must leave if we are to make it to the castle on time for the ball,” Lady Monroe urged, which set the maids to work faster. “I must go check on your brothers.”

As soon as their mother was out the door, Charlotte set in on Liana. “You must act normal tonight, dear sister,” Charlotte sneered. “If I am to marry the Master, I cannot have you tarnishing my reputation.”

“I would never dream of sabotaging you, Charlotte,” Liana responded blandly.

“When I do marry the Master, and you must wait for a suitor, think of how your behavior affects Hannah’s chances,” Charlotte carried on as if Liana had not spoken at all. “If society deems you an unfit match it will spoil Hannah’s chances. You represent our family and anything you do is a reflection on us. We can’t have everyone thinking mother did not raise us to be proper women in high society.”

“Yes, sister,” Liana replied, not bothering to listen. She had heard it all before.

“Good. Let us leave then. We must arrive at the perfect time.”

Liana slipped into her new silver slippers which matched the silver dress then followed her sisters out the door. Phillipa purposefully trailed behind the others, lingering in the room to fold Liana’s dressing robe. She’d seen what the girl had done earlier with that spell. She’d seen what Lady Monroe tried to prevent. There was no stopping her ward though. Liana was a force of nature with that magic, and she could perform any spell, create any potion or salve, without so much as a strain on her power.

Phillipa glanced back at the tree outside the window. Her face pinched in both resolve and amazement. Her charge was the most skilled mage she’d ever met. Such a pity the girl was a female and society would waste her talents.

Leaving the beautifully blooming magnolia tree that had been nearly dead this morning, Phillipa followed after the Monroe females.

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If you enjoyed the start of Liana's story, keep reading here...

Improper Mage - Ch 2