"Carter, why are you staring at me like that?" Rebecca Hubert, Carter's mum asked.
"O..oh, it's nothing mum" Carter chuckled nervously.
Rebecca furrowed her brows and squinted her eyes, staring at him suspiciously. "You're hiding something, aren't you?" She asked and Carter flinched.
"Ha" he sighed. "Yes mum" he replied and stared at her with a serious expression. "But, I can't tell you what it is"
Rebecca thought for a while and sighed as well. "I appreciate the honesty"
She let out a faint smile "I'm just looking out for you okay?. So, tell me when you feel like it"
Carter smiled back. "Of course mum" he said. One trait he loved the most about his mother was her understanding nature.
"I'll be taking my leave now, be at the dinning hall for dinner in 30 minutes" Rebecca said sternly and Carter nodded in understanding.
When his mum was finally gone, Carter reached towards the book and lifted it up to the table once again. He turned to the page of the Gressil Helenor's picture and stared at it for a long time.
"Wait" Carter suddenly came to a realization. His heart pounded in his chest and he rushed out of the library leaving the book on the table.
"Young mast....." Gabriel was about to call out but Carter was too fast to even stop to hear him. "Why did he leave like that?" He wondered.
Carter rushed towards his room and slammed the door shut. He rushed past his bed and towards the dressing mirror next to it. He stood there in place as it dawned on him... He was a splitting image of his mother!.
His hand move up to fondle his short white hair and trailed down to his eyes. White hair, red eyes, pale skin just like both his mother and the picture of Gressil Helenor. Could this be some sort of coincidence?.
Carter took a deep breath and laughed. "Come on Carter, there's no way you're some reincarnation of a great witch who died centuries ago, haha" he said to himself but his smile faded instantly. "But what if it's possible?" He wondered.
"If that's the case then..." He spoke, his palm moved to touch and feel the intense pounding of his chest. "I'm getting excited, this is so cool!" He exclaimed.
"Oh that's right, I left the book back on the desk!" He gripped his hair in horror. He rushed out of his room and back into the library that instant.
"Young mast...." Richard tried to call out to Carter once again but the little boy had already opened the door to the library and rushed inside. "Why is he in such a hurry?".
After a few seconds, Carter came walking out of the library with a heavy book in his arms. Richard immediately rushed to stand before him, he wasn't going to let him get away this time.
"What are you doing?" Carter stared up at Richard with furrowed brows.
"What do you have with you young master?" Richard asked with a suspicious glare.
"Incase you didn't notice, this is called a book" Carter said with obvious sarcasm.
"And what book is that?" Richard asked.
"Last I remembered Richard, it's your duty to guard the library door and not to monitor the activities of those you let in" Carter spoke in exasperation.
"Huh? Well...." Richard couldn't think of what to say.
"I'm glad you agree with me Mr Richard" Carter said and turned to leave but Richard stopped him.
"Wait, you can't just leave like....hold on" Richard paused. "Did you just call me Mr Richard?" He asked. Never in his 2 years of working for the Hubert family had their eldest son addressed him as 'Mr'.
"I mean, you're an adult and I'm just a kid so it would be of best behaviour to address you with respect" Carter said with a smile. "Isn't that right Mr Richard?" He added, his smile not leaving his face.
"Oh..uh..it's fine. You can go now, good luck on your research young master" Richard said with a smile whilst blushing happily.
'So dumb and easy to please' Carter thought.
"Thanks Mr Richard" Carter smiled and wrapped his arms tightly around the magic book and began to leave. 'Wow, I can't believe he bought my act' he smirked and soon arrived in his room.
Carter placed the book on his bed and turned to the page with Gressil Helenor on it. He was going to find out all about this guy called the greatest witch. His fingers flipped to the next page and there was a well written biography of Gressil Helenor.
_Gressil Helenor, the greatest witch to ever exist_ . "Woah, the greatest in existence?!" Carter wowed and went back to reading more.
_He was born in 1189, third son of the great Mr Helenor who was known as the mage of the country_. 'But why the mage?' Carter thought.
_Centuries ago, Gressil Helenor was sent to the Witchdom academy and was known as the first ever male witch. For some reason, he was born with magical energy which was usually innate in females. Witches were known as heros back in this era_. "Heroes huh?" Carter said, "Hehe, it's like reading a novel" he smiled.
_Gressil Helenor died in 1212 in the war against the night spirits_. "Wait, we're at his death already? And what are night spirits?" Carter wondered in utter confusion.
_Ever since then, less people were born with magical energy and witches began to lose their ability to use magic leading to their extinction around a decade later_. Carter turn to the other page but there was nothing else.
"Huh? Where's the rest of it?!" He exclaimed. "What's with this crappy book?!" He cursed in exasperation.
"Young Master, dinner's ready" A voice was heard from Carter's room door. It was Darryl, their family's butler.
"O..okay, I'm on my way" Carter replied. He sighed in frustration and carried the book to hide it under his bed. He would have to find more information on Gressil later.
Carter walked out of his room and took light steps towards the dining hall.
He looked up to see the usual formation. His Father seated at the center chair, his mother right beside his left and his sister by his right. He walked to sit right next to Clara afterwards.
A few maids walked over and began placing dishes on their tables. Carter couldn't help but bite onto a fork as his mind drifted back to the biography of Gressil he had just read. Could he even call that a biography?.
"Carter..." Mr Hubert called out completely breaking the silence that lingered in the dinning.
Carter turned to look at his father. "Yes Father" he replied.
"Have you been able to think up ideas for a fourth book?" Mr Hubert asked, his eyes focused on the dish in front of him.
"Yes Father" Carter said, "I could even give you a sneak peek of it if you want" his lips curved up into a cunning smile. 'Hmph, scoundrel' he thought and scoffed inwardly.
"Oh I'd be most delighted to hear it" Mr Hubert said turning to stare at Carter this time.
"Oh, is that so?" Carter smiled. "Then there's no escaping it then.." he continued.
"My fourth book is about witches" Carter said and looked up to see his father's expression.
Clangs of utensils could be heard as both his parents were taken aback. Mr Hubert stared at Carter with widened eyes. "What do you mean by that young man?" He asked with a hint of anger and irritation.
"Oh, nothing much.." Carter yawned and placed both his palms behind his head. "Just thought it'd be cool to write about magic you know. Wouldn't that be nice dad...."
Carter was cut short by a loud slam on the table. Mr Hubert abruptly stood up and stared at him in anger. "First, you mention witches in the dinning table and now you use casual language to speak to me?!" He yelled. "I see you've become brave haven't you?" He added in anger.
"Ronan I think...." Rebecca tried to speak but Mr Hubert cut her short.
"Shut up you bothersome woman, I know all you'll do is support this insolent son of yours anyways!" he yelled.
"I....." Rebecca choked on her words.
The waiters who were standing there turned to walk away the moment Mr Hubert's eyes darted towards them.
"Ha" Carter sighed. "My deepest apologies father" he said with a half assed tone. "But you're causing quite a scene for the most unnecessary reason" He said and stared at his father with a nonchalant expression. 'Heh, that expression is gold' he tried his best not to burst into laughter at the sight of his father's exasperated expression.
Mr Hubert stared down on the table and sat back down with a heavy sigh. His eyes peered at Carter with both irritation and curiosity.
"May I ask what made you come up with such an outrageous idea?" He asked trying his best to compose himself.
"I'm glad you asked father" Carter said with a huge smile.
"I've been doing some research you see...." He trailed further.
Mr Hubert was shocked once again. "R..research?" He asked.
"Yeah, on magic" Carter smiled. "Father, it has come to my knowledge that the slightest chance of magic still being in existence is very possible"
"That's it young man!" Mr Hubert yelled angrily.
"Carter...don't tell me" Rebecca tried to speak, her eyes staring at Carter in shock as well.
Carter scoffed inwardly. 'I'm probably gonna get locked up or something after this' he thought.
Carter completely ignored his father's yelling and spoke once again. "Does the name Gressil Helenor ring a bell to you?" He asked, his brows creased in curiosity.
Both Ronan Hubert and Rebecca stared at Carter with horrified faces. Clara stared from the three with a curious gaze, she had no idea what was going on and why the word magic could generate such a reaction from both her parents.
"I'm guessing you do then" Carter said with a smile. Afterwards, his gaze shifted to the dish in front of him and he went back to eating as if nothing had happened.
"Darryl" Mr Hubert called out, his gaze still fixated on Carter.
"Yes house master" Darryl replied with a bow and walked towards Ronan Hubert.
"Call a few other maids, I want you all to perform a thorough search in Carter's room" He said with a stern expression.
Carter turned to glare at his father. "Father, you can't..."
"You really are dumb huh?" Mr Hubert cut him short. "What child would go to such lengths to anger his parents?" He said in irritation.
"I was just..." Carter tried to speak but was cut short by his father once again.
"Zip that mouth of yours or I'll do much worse" He said angrily.
"O..okay father" Carter's face fell instantly.
"I'll get right to it sir" Darryl said and following Mr Hubert's orders, a couple of other maids carried out the thorough search along with him.
A few minutes passed and the dinning hall was dead silent. Everyone except Carter focused on their dishes. Carter bit his lips in annoyance, 'What's wrong with magic anyways?, I should have the liberty to do what I want' he thought and groaned in exasperation.
"Have you got something to say Carter?" Ronan Hubert asked him with a piercing gaze.
"No" Carter sighed.
Soon enough, Darryl arrived at the dinning hall with a large book in his arms, about two maids followed behind him.
Everyone turned to look at them and Carter gritted his teeth at the sight of the book.
"We found this below his bed sir" Darryl walked to Mr Hubert and placed the book right next to him on the table.
"The pinnacle of magic" Mr Hubert read out the words on its cover. "Ha" he let out a scornful laugh.
"So this is what got you all cocky huh?" He looked towards Carter with disdain. Carter didn't say a word and kept his face down.
"Well, in that case.." Mr Hubert stood up abruptly and walked towards the furnace in the living room which was right next to the dinning room.
Carter's eyes widened and he stood up abruptly. "Father, you can't..." Before he could finish speaking, Mr Hubert had thrown the huge book into the fire.
"You were saying?" He raised a brow at Carter.
Rebecca stood up as well. "Ronan I know Carter was wrong for taking an interest in magic but isn't this a little too cruel?" She asked with a worried expression as her eyes caught a glimpse of Carter's angry gaze towards his father.
"Your words don't matter, I'm being kind enough as it is" Mr Hubert said with an unbothered expression.
Clara shivered in fear at the heated tension in the dinning hall. She slowly stood up from her chair and walked towards Carter. "C..Carter, are you crying?" She asked.
Mr Hubert simply rolled his eyes at the children. "All this insolence has made me lose my appetite" he said. "I'll be off now" he walked out of the dining hall leaving the other three standing there.
Rebecca turned from the direction her husband had walked past and towards her son. "Carter..are you okay?" She asked trying to reach a hand to him but he yanked it off.
"Leave me alone" Carter said. "You too Clara" he added and walked away as well.
"Mum, what happened?" Little Clara turned to ask her mother, fear and worry evident in her expression.
Rebecca stared down at Clara and smiled. "It's nothing Clara" she said and patted her on the head, "Let's just say the men of the household are a bit angry, let's get back to eating okay?" She said with a reassuring smile.
"O..okay" Clara nodded in agreement.
Carter rushed towards his room and aggressively slammed the door behind him. His eyes looked around, 'The maid sure did a good job cleaning up the place' he scoffed.
Carter looked up at the ceiling and sighed. His mind wandering back to his father's angry and irritated face and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh father, you seriously think a little setback like that is going to stop me from pursuing my interest?" He scoffed.
"Well too bad, I always get what I want"
"And right now, what I want is to become the greatest witch in the world" he smiled.
"Just like Gressil Helenor"