Avoid The Lead!

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"I'm Crown Prince Tazeus! And I'm the only Elf in Luxia who can make these flowers!"

Celia's first thought was: 'How Proud!'

But as she watched the annoyed young Celia bring out the Crystal Lily, she sensed something from both the Lily and the Orchid in Taze's hand- something young Celia would never have noticed.

'Fairy Magic!'

Teenage Celia gasped. "Taze is half-fairy!"

Not many people in Luxia knew Late Queen Laiza's secret, but Vitav had once complained to Celia, saying:

"Father treats my mother like dirt! All because of some long-dead, banished fairy princess!"

That was certainly not considered proof, but it was as if Celia was certain of the fact, almost as if she already knew...

And the next scene explained why!

"Prove it!" Child Celia demanded, shoving Taze away.

Taze held out a hand towards the Lily in her hand, and it sprouted a pair of delicate wings, which were so beautiful that both Child and teenage Celia gasped with identical flushes!

"I'm half-fairy, so only I can combine Elf and Fairy essence!" He boasted, as Child Celia chased the flying Lily with glee.

Elves rarely married with fairies, because their blood types clashed, often affecting their offspring... The last case of an elf marrying a fairy was hundreds of years before, so since Taze was half-fairy, he was indeed the only Elf in Luxia that could create the beautiful lily, which was still flying around!

Teenage Celia marveled at the sheer beauty of the sight, and it transported her back to the flower fields, and how magical it had felt, not to mention how easily the Child Celia had latched on to him.

'Fairy Charm!' She realized.

Fairies were surrounded by natural charm magic. Taze had been too young to control it, and Celia had been too young to counter...

'Taze indeed gave me the Crystal Lily!'

Grand Mage Sidian must have been changing his appearance that day!

'Surely not!' Celia shook her head in disbelief, but her denial wasn't enough to shake the certain discovery, and she staggered back a step, feeling utterly foolish.

It was as if the solid platform on which her life was based, was becoming flaky and unstable, and a tear ran down her cheeks at the thought of clinging to Vitav for twenty-five lifetimes, believing he was the one at the flower field!

"But then why did Taze steal the lily?" She pondered aloud, as the flying lily wove around Child Taze and Celia. "And why isn't it stolen in this strange life?"

"Because this 'strange life' is your actual first life. Someone rewrote your fate." A whisper breezed into her ear, startling her to her feet.

She swivelled and gasped as her eyes fell on an older Taze, surely older than sixteen!

And as her heart began to race, and the pleasant feeling surrounded her with a vengeance, her reddening cheeks didn't stop her from folding her arms in a pose reminiscent of the Child Celia.

If Taze had used charm magic on her as a child, then what if all these pleasant feelings around him were...?

"P- put your fairy magic away!" She demanded without any real conviction. "I won't fall for your charms anymore!" She mentally cast the counter spell against Fairy Charm magic, but nothing happened.

She had forgotten she couldn't use magic here...

But the older Taze smirked. "If I actually use Charm Magic, I'd turn the Capital upside down."

His voice was deeper than Celia was used to, but so familiar that it hurt, and as it surrounded her like a warm blanket, her eyes welled with tears...

In the real world, Master Sylva scowled, as he saw tears rolling down Celia's cheeks.

"You've found it..." He said. "The obstacle in your heart and mind."

Back in her mind, Celia stared at Taze in a daze, as petals blew around them, reminding her of their first meeting in the Flower field.

"I know who I am now..." Taze was saying, but Celia remained in a haze.

'Why is he so familiar?' She wondered, feeling an uncomfortable ache in her chest... Like she had lost something precious...

"I've been lying dormant within you, because of that." He continued, gesturing at her hand, and she realized she was somehow holding a necklace - a necklace with a round green orb spinning within a gold cage.

It was nothing spectacular, but it pulsed with Taze's aura, and she let out a soft gasp.

"Come with me." He calmly urged, his own features softening at her expression. "The mind spell is complex." He held out a hand. "But here. Take my hand. I'll guide you through everything..."

Celia eyed his hand, drawn to it much like she had always been drawn to Taze.

Still, she hesitated. It was like that ice wall all over again.

She knew she needed to take that hand, but there were internal protests warning her to turn away and run back... as far as she could run.

Celia boldly pushed them aside.

What could be worse than finding out she had given her affections to the wrong individual for twenty-five lifetimes, leading to her death and the death of the entire Scarlett household?!

She boldly reached out and took his hand, and she steeled herself as the world around them swirled.

When the world steadied, once again taking her to the field of flowers, she was ready for whatever lay lurking in her own mind...

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..

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Celia Elizabeta Scarlett's first nine years remained unchanging, and the early changes were something Celia had already witnessed...the Lily hadn't been stolen, and she met Taze again just ten days after he gave it to her.

But everything following was barely recognizable!

After the second meeting with Taze, Celia gave him the cold shoulder for more than a month before finally forgiving his 'deceit'!

The two became fast friends who were 'joined at the hip', as one was rarely seen without the other.

This made King Vien and Lord Scarlett even closer friends, as they were forced to find ways either to let Celia stay in the Palace, or Taze stay in the Scarlett estate!

At eleven, Celia's genius was well-known, so she was handpicked to study in the Palace, but she turned it down without batting an eyelid.

"Cece!" Her father wailed dramatically. "Don't you like going to the Palace? You can see 'Taze' more often! How can you refuse such a splendid opportunity?!!"

"Papa, don't tell anyone, but Taze is planning to sneak into Elfsworth Academy." She stated with a deadpan expression. "With his looks and genius... what will you do if my future husband is snatched away?!"

"Oh! But Cece! You're too young to discuss matters of a 'husband'!!!"

"Papa! Young or old, I won't forgive you if you refuse my Elfsworth application!"

Teenage Celia shook her head, watching the scene... She had indeed been the Queen of tantrums!

From their first day at Elfsworth, everyone quickly learned that one powerful little elf in Jade Class had laid claim to the one called 'Taze Nowen', also in Jade Class!

From their first year, both Celia and Taze became disciples of Master Sylva, and they spent endless days learning together under him.

As she grew, Celia acknowledged the childishness of picking a future partner so young!

"I will apologize..." A thirteen year old Celia began. "Perhaps we don't really see each other this way, and I just latched onto you." She turned away. "I don't even know if I'm influenced by your charm magic!" She accused. "Let's spend some time apart!"

"Hmph, how silly." Taze, already a few inches taller than her, placed a gentle hand on her head. "What are you imagining in that head of yours?"

He sighed. "I simply enjoy being around you, and you can call me foolish, but only you can be my future partner!

"However, I won't belittle your doubts. Two weeks! Stay away from me and watch from afar... See what happens if I don't completely seal off my charm magic!"

The following weeks were indeed a spectacle, as ladies tumbled over themselves in Taze's presence! Even the well-respected ladies who had too much pride for such a thing, found ways to be around him.

Like the Mermaid Princess, Larya!!!

Even full-blood fairies were flocking to Taze, and when senior students and a few female teachers were not spared from the charm, the Academy had to step in and find out why!

Meanwhile, Celia steered clear of Taze, but had nearly eaten herself inside-out with jealousy, as she watched lady after lady chasing after him!

"Fine! You win!" Celia had used a tracing spell to find Taze in one of the Academy's numerous halls, and she barged in. "Turn it off! Seal your charm magic away completely! I won't let any other girl near you!" She demanded.

Taze flushed at the sight of her furious face. "Er, Celia... Ahem!" He coughed, and the lights on a higher platform turned on, revealing almost all their teachers, including Master Sylva.

"We were just admonishing the young master Nowen for turning the school upside-down." Master Sylva said with a solemn head shake. "Ahem! But we'll excuse you two if you must discuss love affairs."

"Hmmmm, yes yes..." Another teacher said and they all vanished.

Celia's ears and cheeks burned a bright beet red and she turned to run away, but Taze, sporting a pair of equally red ears and cheeks, boldly hugged her from behind.

"Because of my Elfin half and nature magic, my fairy charm is more potent than usual, so I have to seal it away. Even if I didn't I would never use it on you.

"Don't leave me alone again, Celia...!"

Young love had bloomed in vibrant colours, and the two became the most popular couple in Elfsworth Academy!

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