The Arrival of the Guest.
The Vale estate gates creaked open, swinging wide to reveal a majestic procession of carriages escorted by armoured horsemen on either side. The morning sunlight reflected brightly off the buffed Armor as they dismounted rapidly in concert, their boots pounding the paving stones. The constant clank of hooves, the flapping of banners in the cold wind, and the imposing presence of the convoy caused a swell of expectation within the gathered household.
The carriage doors creaked open one by one, and inside were young men dressed in royal attire—except for the middle carriage, whose door was resolutely closed.
From the leading carriage, a young man with striking features emerged. His black Armor shone brightly in the sunlight, every shining plate mirroring his disciplined personality. His sharp angular face, cold black eyes, and black hair that reached down to his shoulders made him a duplicate of Viscount Theo Vale. Exuding confidence, an undeniable sense of superiority woven into his very actions.
Edric Vale—first son of Viscount Theo and Lady Sera—was back.
Aside from him, another person stepped out of the same carriage. He was a bit shorter but no less imposing, with very piercing blue eyes in contrast to his raven-black hair. He was wearing the same black Armor, with a sword tied safely at his back, and he strode forward with ease and arrogance, the kind that only privilege and a lifetime of unchallenged dominance could create.
Arin Vale—the second son—was there too.
Behind them, additional students from the esteemed Valeria Imperial Academy stepped off. Their looks were varied—some with silver, others with golden hair, a few deep brown or raven-black. Their eyes varied from piercing blues to rich hazels, but they all had one thing in common: an aura of elegant discipline, a sign of their privileged upbringing.
As the assembled nobles looked on, Edric and Arin approached, their steps measured and deliberate. They halted before their father, bowing as one.
"Father," they saluted, voices crisp and formal.
Viscount Theo Vale eyed them with a neutral face, nodding in acknowledgement but displaying no warmth.
Turning to their mothers, they bowed slightly. "Mother Sera. Mother Celia."
Lady Sera smiled, her violet eyes sparkling with pride as she nodded at her sons. "Good to see you both, my children."
Lady Celia, not their true birth mother but still a queen, returned the gesture graciously. "Welcome back," she said softly, her voice politic but cold.
At last, Edric and Arin spoke to Orion.
A courteous smile contorted their mouths—thin, rehearsed, completely lacking sincerity. But something else was present in their eyes. Amusement. Mocking. A secret reminder of the past humiliations.
Orion greeted their looks with a measured, inscrutable face. He nodded, but his bow was not warmth—it was respect, but silent, unvoiced defiance.
Elara, always the polite one, nodded as well, though only a small one. Her face remained impassive, but Orion could sense the rigidity in her posture. He knew how much she hated these brothers—how much they had bullied her throughout the years, even though they shared the same blood.
Overlooking the covert hostility, Edric and Arin walked towards the still sealed carriage at the center of the convoy. In a smooth movement, Edric moved ahead and yanked open the door.
A solitary, slender foot, covered in a shiny leather boot, placed itself on the footrest of the carriage. The air seemed to freeze as a stunningly youthful woman descended gracefully.
Her golden, flowing locks tumbled down her back, glinting in the morning sun like molten gold. Her bright emerald-green eyes sparkled with intelligence and quiet self-assurance, their depths seeming to contain a secret. Her skin was smooth and fair, bearing a natural radiance that enhanced her dramatic beauty.
She had on a streamlined, figure-hugging Armor of silver and dark green, fitted precisely to her curves. The breastplate added definition to her toned but feminine frame, the intricate engravings a testament to the skills of a master craftsman. Delicate silver filigree adorned her fitted, long sleeves, adding to her regal bearing. Wrapped across her shoulders was a green, dark-colored cape, lined with golden brocade, and serving as an indication of rank. A delicate yet lethal rapier was tucked at her hip, its hilt set off by a shimmering emerald gemstone.
As she descended onto the stone pavement, her eyes ran over the assembled nobles in quiet assessment. She walked like a queen—not in arrogance, but because of presence.
Edric and Arin smiled at her with a subtle inclination of the head, which she mirrored readily. She then turned and walked towards Viscount Theo, Lady Sera, and Lady Celia.
Halting in front of them, she put one hand on her chest and bowed respectfully. She spoke with smooth, refined tones and possessed a quiet air of authority.
"Hello, Lord Viscount. Hello, Lady Sera, Lady Celia."
Standing up straight, she presented herself with unshakeable confidence.
"My name is Lysandra Voss, daughter of the previous principal of Voss Imperial Academy and niece of the current principal. I am 'Daughter of the academy' and an official ambassador of Voss Imperial Academy."
Orion's breath was stuck momentarily.
"The Daughter of the academy?" he thought, his thoughts racing.
Orion's breath was taken for a second. "Daughter of academy" he thinks daughter of academy is very respectable title and with this title she single Handly represent whole Voss Imperial Academy magic and sword… One of the top five academies in all of Eldora.
His mind reeled as he considered her identity. Academies in Eldora were governed by noble houses, their governance given down from father to son. And Lysandra Voss, not born of academic or noble blood, had enough power to serve as the sole representative of one of the continent's highest-ranking institutions.
A lone woman, wielding the weight of an entire academy…
His eyes darted back to her once again. Her beauty was breathtaking, but there was something beyond that—an air of power, of dominance. She wasn't merely a standout student; she was a woman who commanded respect simply by her presence.
Swallowing any surprise, Orion maintained his serious demeanor. And this is the guest of honor.
Viscount Theo nodded in appreciation. "Miss Voss, welcome to the Vale estate. It is a pleasure to have the representative of Valeria Imperial Academy as a guest. How is your uncle?"
Lysandra smiled with poise. "He is well, Lord Viscount. He sends his regards and appreciation for your hospitality."
The Viscount nodded brusquely before speaking in measured words. "Please, make yourself comfortable. You are a guest of honour here."
Then he turned to them slightly, speaking to all. "A banquet will be given this night in honor of our guests. You are all invited."
With that, he walked over to Edric and Arin said "Come with me, I wish to speak." And both Edric and Arin nodding in understanding and begin to follow behind Lord Viscount.
With a final inclination towards Lady Sera, the Lord Viscount turned and departed, with Edric and Arin following, his golden robes billowing behind him. He had already done his duty of welcoming them—his attention was always elsewhere.
Orion observed his father depart, experiencing the familiar feeling of isolation. This is my father—proper, dignified, aloof as usual.
Shrugging off his thoughts, he returned his attention to Lysandra.
She was not only gorgeous but also emitted a sense of strength and mystery. There was something engaging about her—something unique.
He couldn't put his finger on it, but somewhere in the depths of his heart, he sensed.
This woman's presence would stir up upheaval in his life.