The Strum Family's butler gave a silent bow before he shut the doors behind him.
Tersia buried herself beneath the covers.
The sound of her fluttering ears and their soft fur waking Vauntuss with their tender patter, rousing the young knight out of his slumber.
"I was let into their home and after one night I'm found in bed with their son!"
She squealed as her erratic strength broke apart the supporting bed frame, shaking him out of bed, and throwing him onto the rug.
"Is it morning already?"
Scrambling from his rug that was touched by creeping veins of frost as they slept.
Peering out of the covers, Tersia watched Vauntuss, pouting and all her annoyance as a peach coloured flush grew from her cheeks to her ears.
"Lamia...why are your ears fluttering so? Are you so excited for a taste of Mr. Wyndrest's cooking?"
Placing his hand on her forehead, sharing a surprising touch of warmth as he did.
Her widened eyes at his gesture was enough for Vauntuss to take notice, leaving him just as charmed, before the two of them looked away.
"Your hands are so cold."
She said, with blue eyes that held a vibrant passion after shifting from his touch.
"We should make our way to the dining hall or mother might come looking for us, and she–can be more headstrong than Mr Wyndrest."
Pulling his hand back. Facing the morning sun that was streaming through the window.
"All right, would you give a lady her privacy." Tersia pulled away the sheets so he could see her shoo-ing him away.
"This is my–"
He paused, seeing the growing scowl, firm across her face.
"..."
"I will ask Mr. Wyndrest to guide you to the hall once you are ready."
Leaving Lamia to her devices as he wore a black sweater with grey shorts from his cupboard.
Vauntuss made his way down the dawn-lit corridor, while tying up the lengths of his hair into a knot, leaving two strong bangs of deep black to frame the shape of his face.
Going down the stairs to the first floor of the manor, he turned from the hallway leading to the entrance, going left.
This brought him past Tersia's room and towards the centre of the home.
While letting out a yawn, the faint sounds of discussion erupted from one of the doors ahead and slowly quieted the morning songs of lively Halcyons in the courtyard.
As he approached the dining hall, the voices solidified into an excitable exchange from Lady Inro and Mr. Wyndrest, catching the stray mentions of a guest and for the use of a gray tablecloth.
"Oh you're here, little brother. It's good to see you are well."
"Saevess?"
Dressed in dark brown leggings and a loose silk white shirt, a tall and slender figure wearing silver rings to make the pin in her hair, approached from the other end of the long hallway.
Possessing fiercer silver-blue eyes than Vauntuss' and most striking of all, pitch black hair that carried a single silver streak from root to tip, flowing down past her cheeks in a sharp bob, while sharing no similarity to him, her visage was almost a complete replica of Lady Inro's.
"You can at least pretend to be excited to see me." Standing over him and giving him a hug.
"Apologies, I had no idea you would be here, I thought you were in Sturmrinsel."
His words muffled as they were spoken into her chest, tickling her enough to let go.
Sharing a smile that spoke of both joy and reassurance before she indulged him:
"That is true, I was on the island until I came to the Capital to pay our mother and father a visit. And to give Vysander a well-deserved respite from his duties."
"Ves?"
Vauntuss asked with a raised brow, wondering if they were speaking of the same person.
"Yes, father left him in my care so I put him to use. So I decided to bring him along to the Capital since there are some matters I need father's consideration of."
"I see. The last time we saw you was at last year's Autumn Hearth Festival."
"Oh my, I honestly wish I could forget that time."
Covering her face with her leather-gloved hand while an exhausted groan slipped out.
"Is Lord Noi still haunting you with his proposal?" The young knight tilted his head to see through her shame.
"I am a lady with youth, a title and a vast amount of influence. Lord Noi has become only one of hundreds of potential suitors that think they are worthy of me." She said with air of confidence.
"Father had offered to matchmake you with several potential suitors…Lord Geir, Lord Vodd, Lord Trosck—"
"I told him and mother I would sooner strangle myself than to be forced to sit beside anyone unworthy of me. But it hasn't been all bad, not since I put in place a better system for vetting my would-be suitors."
Dropping her hands to show an electrifying grin.
"So I have heard. How did you get Ves to act as the doorman to your courtship, or for father to agree with him."
"Simply, Vysander will find one for me, and I'll do the same. Since he would rather swallow a sword than be wed or have kids, he is no rush, and I am not burdened by expectation."
"Doesn't this sound like Val still remains on father's eye for marriage?"
Vauntuss thought of the idea, how cunning.
"It's an arrangement that pays for itself. Besides, if father's first born refuses to wed, that would garner all his attention."
"Why not ask Validus for help instead? With how much he travels I am sure he has met someone to suit your tastes?"
"Well unlike a certain someone, we can't all go saving the world on a whim, there's responsibilities that come with being in our family."
"Anyways, we should go inside or mother will drag us in by the ear–" Her words were quickly silenced as the doors swung open.
"Saevess, my dear, we have a guest. I do believe that she shouldn't hear such harsh words from my own daughter, don't you think?"
Lady Inro parted the doors to the dining room, revealing both the splendour of the meal and of her regality.
Both Vauntuss and his sister stammered from their comments at the sight of their mother's frightening glare, as she reached out and grabbed both of her children by the cheeks.
The reddening and wincing pairs were saved by the intervention of Sorlei, stepping away from the long dining table to inform the lady that the master of the house was already seated.
A weight fell uponVauntuss' shoulders after hearing those words.
Both Saevess and her brother quickly prepared themselves as they followed behind their mother into the room.
Across the long table, seated by the furthest seat with a chair adorned with redwood and dark timber that was embossed with silver and sapphire, in the colours of the House Strum topping the crown of the seat with their family crest.
Saevess and Vauntuss approached the grey-haired figure, bowing before he raised his hand in acknowledgement:
"The only person you should bow to is our beloved King, my children."
"Father, it's always good to see you."
Saevess responded by giving the standing figure a hug, bringing a grand bearded smile to him as he asked her how her trip went.
"You seem well, father."
Vauntuss approached the figure's seat, speaking in an abruptly formal manner after the light-hearted exchange he shared with his mother just moments ago.
"My duties keep me both fit and able, that and your mother's care. But you Vauntuss, how have you been? Last you spoke to your mother or I, you had begun your entrance exams–"
"Oh dear, he has only been home for a day and you've already got him standing at attention. You may pick and prod him all you like after we've all eaten. We're only waiting on Vysandr and our little guest?"
"Luvia, love, I merely wish to know how well the boy has fared in his time away, but I'll stay my intentions. Sorlei, would you be so kind as to retrieve my son for breakfast?"
The sagacious butler nodded at the request and made his way.
Vauntuss took a break to feel some relief from the interaction that was cut short as his father brought on another equally challenging matter:
"Whom might our guest be?"
At his word, the doors opened to the dining hall.
With one of the many servants serving in the manor lead Tersia into the room, as she struggled to take in the surroundings, she continued onwards, surprised but trying her best to not look taken aback.
"Apologies for disturbing your home with my arrival, Lord Impetus, my name is Tersia Lamiastell. Your son took it upon himself to ferry me home after my return to the Noble Square was delayed."
"Lady Lamiastell, it's an honour. It pleases me to hear of my son's deeds, he serves our name well. You are welcome to say as long as you like, dear, but I'm sure your family would welcome your presence soon."
"My family…has been notified of my current whereabouts and trust that I will be able to return home safely in your care."
"Then I would ask that you humbly accept our hospitality during your stay."
"I will, very much so, my Lord, my Lady."
She added with a gentle smile towards Vauntuss leaving him unable to face her as he pulled out her seat, setting her down beside his mother, who seemed far too eager to learn more about her.
"Lord Impetus, young master Vysander has joined us."
"Ah...Father, if you sought me you only needed to ask."
"If I wanted to wade through the scent of my son and his thralls in heat, I wouldn't have left you in your sister's care on Sturmrinsel."
"If you'd want me driven mad, father..." The young man tossed back the black messy hair faintly obscuring his vision to take his seat beside the bearded figure.
"I shall take my leave and allow you to enjoy your meal." Mr. Wyndrest gave a slight bow before removing himself from the room with a close of the doors.
"Oh, young master, you're here—I'm sure they'll be pleased to—"
"It's all right, Sorlei. I'll see myself in."
"Yes, but young master…" The meal took a halt when the murmurs grew loud enough to eclipse the entire corridor, funnelling into the dining room.
"Mr Wyndrest, it'll be fine, you may take the rest of the morning off, father and mother won't mind. I took care of my luggage, so go enjoy yourself."
"As you wish, young master Strum."
Tersia wondered who might be so bold that they would interrupt the family's meal so casually, looking around the table only to find stunned expressions at the sound of the murmured voices pouring through the door.
"Whoah, I honestly didn't expect everyone to be up already, I was really just planning on getting something to eat before seeing everyone."
The figure spoke casually as he entered the quieted room. Lifting the dark bangs out of his sharp sterling eyes into a knot similar to the seated Impetus, sharing an even more similar hue.
"Valdius–" Vauntuss shared in his father's shock.
"My dear, you're here?"
"Yes, and it's so good to see you, mother. I've missed being home."
"If that was true then you would visit more often."
Lady Inro stood to greet her son with a warm embrace.
"Oh don't say that. I should greet father, FAE knows how long it's been since we last spoke."
"I'm glad to see that in your two years of absence you have not forgotten your manners."
Lord Impetus responded as Validus bowed beside his seat.
"Father, our traditions run deep, you made sure of it. Now are the rest of you just going to sit there or are you going to say hello?"
"Idiot, you spend your time gallivanting across the continent and not once did you come to say hello?"
A pouting Saevess spoke up as he approached her seat though a hug from her older brother quickly brought out an expression of joy onto her face, despite how hard she tried to hide it.
"Sorry about that, dearest sister, congrats on taking over the home turf for father, I always knew you would be the best pick. So are you two lightning rods also mad at me?"
Vysander fought against his brother's awkward hug as Validus chuckled before coming to rest his hand on Vauntuss, matting his fixed hair.
The two exchanging a touching greeting with Validus congratulating him on his success in entering Trinity Cross Academy.
Whispering to him that he brought along a surprise from his travels but he wants to hear more about his adventurers now that he has enough of his own for them to sit down and share with one another.
Saying all of this with a charming yet mischievous expression about him.
Before he continued, Lady Inro called for her son's attention, reminding him not to be rude as they have a guest.
Surprised to see them seated beside his obviously excited mother, Validus remarked:
"Mother, whose lovely bride has come to meet us, or could it be...Ves is wed? Outstanding, just how long have I been gone?"
"Brother, your idiocy is showing." Vysander clapped back at his stunned brother.
"Sadly Vysander has not made any substantial progress on that endeavour, son. This is Lady Tersia Lamiastell, a guest in our home for the time being and a friend of your little brother."
"It's a pleasure, my lady. Forgive my brutish words and jest. I do hope Vauntuss has done nothing to tarnish our name as knights."
"I would not, brother—" Vauntuss spoke with a reddening visage.
"Nothing I have not grown accustomed to."
Tersia added with a smirk.
Seeing their exchange brought a smirk to Validus, thanking her for her honesty as he requests the two to continue getting along while Validus sat himself beside his father and mother, asking that they all enjoy this meal together.
"Easy, Vauntuss, I'm just teasing."
The once quiet tone of the room never returned to its former state, instead taking on new life with an exchange of stories amongst the room and a surprising zeal so early in the day.
Following their family breakfast, Lady Inro was all too excited to give Tersia a proper tour of the Manor, leading her by the hand after waving away to her son.
Saevess was also swept up in the lady's exit, forcing her to drag Vysander along, who would have slinked back to his room if Saevess hadn't dragged him along.
"How odd, your brother would never willingly submit to your sister's commands. Half this room would be burning from his resistance—which tells me that you seek to have an audience with me."
Lord Impetus spoke with a growing rumble that could be heard outside.
"No need for that, father. I just want to talk to the both of you."
"You sought my attention, you have it." A crackling stroke shook the skies along with his response.
"I am going to do my best for us to have a calm conversation, can you do that?"
Validus placed a firm hand on the table, causing an azure streak to burn through the dining table, splitting it in half.
"We are knights, a reasonable conversation is obviously something that we can manage."
"Fine, then we can have Vauntuss…where did he go?"
Hosting the residence's visitors of Halycons, a blue-glass solar could be found deep within the Thunder Lily Gardens, a sanctuary planted and cared for by the matrons of the Manor as a tradition for ensuring that their kin grow strong and healthily with storm-blood coursing through their veins.
It is here where the youngest of the storm-blooded children made a place for himself.
Not to train, but to indulge his mind, away from what was required of him.
It was here that he had a small study with Mr. Wyndrest as his occasional tea guest.
"So, do you mind telling me what you're doing out here?"
Tersia stepped through the courtyard and into the solar, passing through the illusory glass planes that mimicked the bloom of Thunder Lilies, finding Vauntuss in quiet study within the garden.
"I am not going to ask how you managed to find me."
"Your scent is unmistakable."
"Father and Validus are speaking. Their talks tend to go on for quite some time so I left once they began."
"Why didn't we see you leave, I'm sure your mother would have loved for you to join us."
"You all left in quite the hurry. And they only began their talk after some time. I wasn't going to wait for things to take their usual turn so I made my way."
A look that wore away at the expression of joy he once had was hard to miss.
"Well if you wanted to join them that badly, why didn't you simply ask?"
"I shouldn't. If they needed me they would have asked for me."
"Hmm, what aren't you saying?"
She sat on a bench nearby to face him, pulling down his book to see his face, as she asked.
"Pardon me, I brought the refreshments."
Mr. Wyndrest entered the solar with a tray of treats and tea.
"Ah, Lady Lamiastell. If you, young lady Saevess, asked to see you."
The butler opened the way for her to pass through the veil of the solar.
He continued flipping through the book while she took off, with Vauntuss taking a glance as she made her way back into the manor.
"Young master, she simply sought to engage your thoughts."
Mr. Wyndrest entered with a tray in hand of quite the delicious tea.
Placing it beside Vauntuss and serving himself a cup alongside the young knight.
"Mr. Wyndrest, please speak your mind."
Closing his book and reaching for the cup only for his hand to be swatted away.
"What Lady Lamistell said is true, if you seek an audience with your father and young master Validus, then you should—"
"I should do what..."
"Worry not, your cup will be ready when you return."
The butler held his gaze against Vauntuss, before he got up and headed into the manor, passing a curious Tersia that was leaning against the wall inside, away from view.
"Don't take it personally, Lady Lamistell."
The butler left the solar, ready to present a cup to the sneaking noblewoman.
"Not at all, the outcome was achieved. The method matters not."
She shared a sly grin.
Knock Knock.
"Enter!"
"Vauntuss?"
Said Validus with genuine surprise after realising how aggressive he sounded letting him in.
"Son, is there something you need?"
Their father's gaze shifted to the entering youth.
"No, and I apologise for intruding. I simply thought that I could..."
"No no, it's fine, Erie you saved me the trouble of having to go searching for you."
"And what is that supposed to mean, Validus? I am not done with you."
Lord Impetus bellowed as he took a seat across his sons.
"What's there to discuss, you and I both know that nothing has changed. I like being out there, on the front lines where I can see my efforts actually help people. I'm not suited to rule from within castles behind stonewalls, I'm not suited to rule at all."
The eldest son said in an exhausted tone.
"You're the heir of our house…my eldest son, the one who has inherited the greatest strength of our Storm Magic. Who else will lead in my stead, son? I should like to retire soon and the only way I can do that peacefully is for you to come home, take a bride and rise to your station."
Their father urged.
"Well I'm glad you asked, if you want the best ruler excluding myself, well Saevess is currently in charge of our home back at Sturmrinsel while Ves…we both know that Ves has no interest in politics."
"My eldest son refuses, my only daughter cannot carry our name and it's as you said, Vysander shows no interest in leading our family. What would you have me do knowing that my children will not honour their legacy?"
Validus let out a huff of frustration before nodding at Vauntuss, who couldn't find a moment to speak.
"Vauntuss? He's a mere child who only just had a taste of adolescence."
"And he's already one of the strongest Ice Magic users in the kingdom, selected personally by his majesty to guard his daughter and as far as I can recall, he hasn't lost a battle in the Royal Sword Hall."
"I—brother, why would you say that? Father, I don't understand what is going on but what is this talk about you retiring?"
"Silence, both of you! I dared listen to your mother when you decided to fight as a Guardian hoping that you would come to your senses. But no, you managed to drag Vauntuss along into your delusions."
"I am an old man, and soon I'll be a hundred years too old to effectively serve his majesty in my capacity as the leader of this house. When that time comes I need to have entrusted our duty to someone capable, and someone who will do the same when their time comes."
"Vauntuss is the only reasonable option, were he a decade older he would have been the strongest one at this table, he is the one you should choose, and you know it too, father. What I do is just as important as any duty you honour, I cannot give it up."
"You would do well to watch your tone, Validus. Never presume to preach the nature of our duty to me. If the crown falls, then the realm follows, and then it doesn't matter if you're fighting inside or outside the Capital, all of it will be consumed by chaos."
"With all due respect father, I have to disagree." Vauntuss chimed
"I have chosen to walk this path, but I have never allowed it to stop me from performing my duty. I will never betray the crown, our family or you."
"Son, if you hold your brother's words so truly then why did you follow in his path? Can you honestly say that he hasn't influenced you to follow his example?"
"I can. Validus…he showed me that a path one chooses for themselves can be just as meaningful as one you are born into. Father, you and mother both gave me a gift I have been unworthy of for the entirety of my life, and I only wish to honour it."
"Unworthy—"
Validus sneered at Lord Impetus after hearing what he said, unable to hide the frustration such a comment drew out from him towards their father.
"I might not be worthy of your consideration but if there is any way for me to honour you, I will take it...even if I..."
Seeing Validus' stunned face, he quickly excused himself.
"Erie, wait!" His brother called to him but he was gone.
"I hope you're happy."
"We both know you're responsible for bringing him into this."
"What the hell, didn't you hear what he said? There is a time to be a leader and to be a father, you should know that by now."
Validus said as he too left the room.
"Where did he go—"
Stumbling upon the surprising figure, Validus was more taken aback when they approached with a stern and rising fierceness.
"What did the two of you do?"
The figure cussed at him, leaving the young master all but stunned in that moment.