The Taste of Seduction

As they were being escorted by the chamberlain to Austin's room, Atlas and Marcus looked at Meredith discreetly wave her index finger in circles as they were walking. With them wondering why she was doing so, Atlas asked about it, her voice soft so she could also be heard by Marcus.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm delaying Austin just in case he comes here," she said, her index finger circulating still.

"What specifically… are you doing?" Marcus asked as well, Meredith letting out a small sigh as she was being distracted by the two while she was casting her magic.

"I am casting a protective charm around his palace and around us so he couldn't sense that we are here. It will delay him a bit. If ever things are triggered, it will notify me at least," she added, the two men understanding what she meant.

However, as she was doing it while they were still following the chamberlain, they realized and noticed how strong Meredith is becoming when she just learned how to use her magic from Austin for such a short time.

As they realized that she was becoming stronger, Atlas couldn't help but make a comment on her progression.

"It's amazing how you are able to improve in such a short time and you are able to make use of spells such as this," he said, making Meredith comment on her own improvement.

"Well, to be honest, I always felt like I'm being held back," she whispered, making sure that only Atlas and Marcus could hear her.

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, furrowing his brows. "Like you are not being taught well by Austin?"

"Oh, no, no… that's not what I meant," she said, making sure she was not off her kind tone so the chamberlain won't question her. She probably would hesitate helping her even in a tranced state if she sensed hostility in Meredith's voice. "Like… I'm holding myself back, or something."

"Huh?" Atlas cocked his head to the side, wondering what she meant. "How can you hold yourself back when you are always willing to learn and you're pushing yourself to the limit?" he added, Meredith shrugging her shoulders as she found it difficult to further explain herself.

"It's like… I know I can do better, more than what I'm doing right now… but like I'm holding myself back? Or like… there's something within me not from me… that's keeping me from doing great."

"Huh?"

The two couldn't help but react in unison. They couldn't understand what she was saying and any person who could hear her would think that she is downplaying herself or just being humble.

"You're a great person, Meredith," Atlas said, a smile tugging the corners of his lips. "You don't have to look down on your progress."

"Oh, I'm not. I know I'm doing a great job," she said confidently, a light chuckle coming from her. "Just… I don't know how to describe it… like I have powers that may have been reserved and I do not know how to release all of it."

Just as they were about to continue the conversation, the chamberlain turned to look at them, announcing that they are already in front of Austin's room.

"This is his private chamber," she said, her smile not leaving her face. "You wish to enter?"

"Yes," the three answered in unison. If others would hear them, they would be suspicious of them. But they were glad that she was in a trance that is why she granted them entry, the three already entering the room.

The moment they entered and the moment the door was closed behind them, they looked around the room. They saw how grand and wonderful the place is, almost like a mystical room seen from a fairytale book.

"Now… where can we see Gwen?" Atlas asked a rhetorical question, the three moving around the room to check where she is.

They looked at the towering book cases, and the king sized bed… it was when Meredith stopped in the middle of the room, on top of the carpet that she noticed something different beneath her.

"I think it's below," she mumbled, the two hearing what she says.

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked, his question not being answered as she chose to show him what she meant instead.

Meredith closed her eyes. The moment she did, she took a deep breath and released it slowly, the woman slightly crouching to the ground to touch it. The moment her palm touched it, it emanated a light blue light, making the whole floor shine as if the stars surrounded it.

"What the—what's happening?"

Atlas and Marcus were in awe to witness something magical around them. As she was shifting her focus on making the floor illuminate, soon, a part of it from the south of the room opened.

It revealed stairs leading a new location under the room, an indication that they have finally found who they're looking for.

"Finally…" Meredith exclaimed, slowly standing up as they all looked at the entrance to the secret room. "We're going to see my mother."

They took a few seconds to themselves to process what they had just discovered. If Austin wasn't here, then it could mean that they have beaten him to it and may have delayed him with the help of Meredith's spell.

Finally, they will all meet Gwen. Especially Meredith… she's very expectant and excited at the same time to finally meet her mother.

"Let's go," Atlas said, holding her hand as if to tell her that it's going to be okay. With a nod, they all walked down the stairs, the group now entering a wider room that is underneath Austin's.

The room was empty and it only contained the crystal coffin in which Gwen was kept. Looking at it from afar as they walked slowly towards it, she couldn't help but form tears in her eyes, wondering what would happen next the moment she awakens her mother.

The men knew that they would have to give her space and time to do this. With them stopping midway, they allowed Meredith to continue on ahead alone to collect herself as well.

For sure, she needed the time alone to think before waking up her mother.