It had been at least a few years she had last seen Aurelien. The last time met was probably on her father’s birthday just after she graduated. Their parents were good friends so naturally the two individuals had met. She heard he had a rising career as lawyer. Elise had always known him as a private man, intelligent and blunt.
Her father was the one who told her that Aurelien would be coming to Brunnhold and they should have dinner together. He told her how to contact him and where he would be staying and all that. Her father also didn’t miss reminding how important it was for her to stay connected with Aurelien. She definitely did not miss the jab at her, about how his friend’s son had become a lawyer while Elise was stuck dealing with sick people.
Elise had learned to ignore her family’s occasional judgment of her choice of career. Her parents wanted her succeed, to honor their family name, and she couldn’t do it through politics. Her talent was in medicine and biology, so that was how she planned on ‘succeeding’ in life. She graduated as the best Living mage of her year. She was immediately recruited to work at one of the best hospitals in Anaxas. She was on her way to make a name for herself – and do her family proud. One day, her parents would be able to accept that, until then she would just have to do her best.
Fortunately, she had always liked Aurelien, so she didn’t mind at all setting up a meeting with him – despite the somber mood her father’s letter had caused her. In the parties her parents brought her too, there weren’t always children her age, but Aurelien had always been a familiar face. With that in mind, Elise had sent the man a letter inviting him for dinner at the Stacks.
And there she was standing under the moonlit sky in front of the finer establishments of the Stacks. A proper restaurant where they might actually serve gourmet food. She was slowly regretting the fact that she had decided to put her hair up, the cold breeze teasing around her neck. At least she had opted for a long-sleeved velvet dress, the maroon fabric brushing against the floor.
Elise had arrived first, but it didn’t matter. It was better that she had secured a table for them first. She walked up to the concierge, her rosy lips tugged into a soft smile. “I have reserved a table for two. Under the name of Elisora Rivaen.”
“Of course,” the man bowed. She could tell her was human when she didn’t feel his field. He began scanning the list he was holding. A minute passed and Elise could tell that the man was looking over the names over and over again with scrunched brows. In the end she finally looked up and smiled apologetically, “I am afraid your name is not on the list, miss.”
“Excuse me?” she asked, her head tilted in confusion and her field flared with surprise. “I came here three days ago, specifically to make reservations. How is it that my name is not there?”
He shook his head. “I am truly sorry, miss. I have checked twice. I am afraid without reservations, you cannot come in.”
“But I did reserve,” she insisted calmly, even when her dark eyes hardened.
By Alioe’s name, this was going to be a disaster.