Haganrich was also new. He was yet another mage academy graduate. He happened to be there when Johna was going to the academy. He was also a nice evocation mage. On top of this, he was also an enchanter. It was a hobby of his to smith and enchant blades. He was another suitor for Johna's hand. Johna was actually taking him seriously. At least, that was what Grissell told me. They had been seeing each other for at least a month. I had no problem with that. Holly had the matriarchal marriage. The Rhombus Family line was safe and secure. Ren, Bruiser and Battler had wives now. I did not mind Johna taking her time since she was my first born and heir. The young man seemed to know how to respect a lady. I raised my children to never allow someone to disrespect them. When I asked Johna herself about it, she was a bit embarrassed. "I don't know, Father. I really like him." she said to me after regaining her composure. "What's wrong with him? If he's good to you and you want him, you know I'd never get in the way." She just looked around the room nervously.
It was clear that something was the matter. She took a deep breath and then looked me right in the eyes. She said "He's using illusion magic, Father. He looks normal but he is a colorless. He thinks that I would forget someone that striking." I did not know what to say. On one hand, I could understand why he would want to use magic to change his appearance. Albinos were treated with disrespect and disdain in the kingdom. On the other hand trying to fool someone you wanted to marry into saying yes under false pretenses was horrible. "Johna, what he's doing is wrong. You are right to have second guesses. If he could lie to you about this, you have to wonder what else he could lie to you about." I said. That was my first reaction to the news. She looked sad. That was not all I had to say. "That doesn't mean you have to give up on him. You just have to be the more mature person. The next time you see him, make sure to get him comfortable. The bishop of Greene is a colorless. His identical triplet is a bishop in the capital. You don't care. Then wait 2 weeks. You can call him out then."
Johna nodded her head and said she would give it a try. Indeed, Haganrich was using a friend's enchanted ring to pass as someone not a colorless. Johna took time out during their outings to talk about how we as a family were close with the Whites. Haganrich hailed from another part of the kingdom. He had no clue that albinos were getting to break institutional barriers. She obviously left out the fact that their elevation was due to explicit bribes and corruption. He did not need to know that. It was not widespread knowledge. Unsurprisingly, he was very pleased that she held those warm opinions about the colorless. When called out on it, he quickly made an excuse about a friend of a cousin. After 2 weeks of laying it on thick from Johna's end, Haganrich still did not want to reveal himself. That was when my daughter gave him the ultimatum: reveal his true self or get lost. Haganrich knew the jig was up and took off the ring. Haganrich was actually a pretty burly guy for a mage. It was yet another reason why he wanted the disguise. Then again, he was a pretty good smith. It fit him.
