At the edge of Velthoria, inside a well-kept garden, two young women sat at a small round table, speaking quietly as they sipped their tea. The garden was calm and carefully maintained, with trimmed hedges, blooming flowers, and a cobbled path that curved between small fountains and patches of soft grass. A warm breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the light scent of lavender through the air.
One of them wore a beautiful Victorian-style dress with soft flowing fabric and small flowers sewn into it. Her shiny blonde hair was tied up with care held in place by a decorative hairpin covered in delicate patterns. She had striking features and bright blue eyes that clearly resembled her father.
Sitting across from her was a young maid in a simple dress about the same age. Despite the difference in status their conversation felt easy and relaxed like something they had done many times before.
"I'm not sure what to do. He's locked himself in his room for almost a week now… only leaves when he goes to the library."
Aveline's voice trailed off as she stared into her teacup, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around its delicate rim. Her teeth pressed gently into her lower lip, leaving a faint mark.
Across the table, the maid's eyes lingered on her for a moment. Then, without a word, she reached out and placed a hand over Aveline's. The simple gesture grounded her, easing the tension in her shoulders as her grip on the teacup slowly relaxed.
"I think you should pay him a visit. Even if he insists on being alone, after everything…" Her voice faded for a moment, before she continued softly, "After everything he's been through, the least we can do is be there. Especially you, his sister. Even if he won't say it, I think it would mean a lot."
As the maid spoke, Aveline gently placed her hand over hers.
"I think you're right."
After Aveline had spoken, the maid smiled warmly at her, then rose and gave a polite curtsy. She gathered the tea set and quietly left to return to her duties.
Aveline sat in silence for a while, letting her thoughts settle as she took in the garden around her. After some time, she let out a quiet sigh and rose to her feet. With a graceful motion, she lifted her skirt slightly and began making her way toward the main house.
She walked the winding garden paths with familiar steps. Along the way, gardeners and maids passed by, each offering a respectful bow or polite curtsy as soon as they noticed her. Aveline acknowledged them with a soft nod, her expression calm.
Now and then, she passed esteemed guests from various noble houses in the city. To each, she offered a polite curtsy before continuing on. The men returned the gesture with a bow, and the women responded in kind with curtsies of their own.
Before long, a grand building came into view, its white stone walls catching the light, giving it an almost sacred glow. As Aveline stepped inside, the warm sunlight and gentle breeze faded behind her, replaced by the quiet stillness of a sunlit room. Without pause, she made her way toward the staircase and began climbing to the second floor.
Standing in front of a simple door engraved with the crest of the Valthorne family, Aveline raised her hand to knock. She paused, hesitating for a moment before shaking her head gently and gathering her resolve once more.
Knock. Knock.
"Hi Aven, it's me, Aveline. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go for a walk, or take a ride along the lake?"
Her voice was soft and warm as she spoke, lingering outside the door with quiet patience. After waiting a few minutes with no reply, she spoke again.
"I'm coming in."
She turned the handle and stepped inside. The stale air clung to her senses. Unwashed dishes, stale clothes, and closed-off air. The room was large. A bed, a desk, a sofa facing the fireplace, and an attached bathroom. But it was in complete disarray. The bed was unmade. Half-finished meals cluttered the desk. Books lay scattered haphazardly across the room, and the curtains were drawn tight, letting in almost no sunlight.
She glanced around, calling Aven's name a few times, but no response came.
"He must be in the library, then."
With a quiet sigh, Aveline stepped back out and began making her way toward the stairs leading to the third floor, intentionally leaving the door wide open in the hope that a maid would notice it.
The Valthorne family had existed for thousands of years. With each generation, they gained knowledge and experience. Every era made sure to record its findings and insights for the next. Over time, they traded and acquired rare books from other noble houses, building a vast collection that reflected how deeply they valued knowledge.
In truth, the mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.
Soon, she reached a pair of tall oak doors. She paused briefly, then placed her hand against one. A faint glow rose from her palm, and the heavy doors slowly began to open on their own.
"I understand why, but I still think this information should be open to the public," she said softly.
Even with the mansion's immense size, almost half of the third floor was restricted. Guests, maids, and most nobles were not allowed past a certain point. The library was private, open only to those with direct Valthorne blood. Inside were countless texts, preserved and protected, a legacy of generations past.
As soon as she stepped inside, the doors closed behind her with a soft thud. Aveline continued deeper into the library.
The space was immense, almost overwhelming at first glance. Towering shelves stretched toward the high ceilings, each packed tightly with books of every shape and size. But Aveline was familiar with this place. She had spent countless hours within these walls, studying everything she could get her hands on. What made it manageable was the meticulous organization. For those who knew the layout, even the most obscure books could be found without much trouble.
"This brings back memories," she said quietly, a soft smile touching her lips.
It had been some time since she last visited. After so many years spent studying, she had promised herself she would only return if she truly needed to. Over the past year, she had focused on herself—traveling, riding, and enjoying the simple things she had once pushed aside.
After wandering through the vast library for some time, Aveline finally reached its far end. There, set into the wall, stood a towering stained glass window, the Valthorne family crest woven into its colorful design. Sunlight filtered through the glass, casting fragments of colored light across the floor and onto a single table below.
At that table sat a man, surrounded by a mountain of books, completely absorbed in the pages of the one before him.
Upon seeing this, a warm smile spread across her face. Though the library was vast, she had made her way to this table without hesitation. It was the same spot where they had studied and played as children. Knowing he still chose this place, even after all these years and everything that had happened, filled her with quiet joy.
She lifted her skirt and quickened her pace, nearly breaking into a small jog, her hair swaying gently with each step.
As soon as she reached him, Aveline opened her arms and wrapped them tightly around Aven's head.
"Oh, Aven. My dearest brother."
It had been a year since she had last seen him. After he declared he no longer wanted to be part of the family, their father—the family head—had made it clear that no one was allowed to contact him. She had missed him deeply.
Aven placed one hand gently on her arm, and she loosened her grip, pulling back just enough to hold his face between her hands. She looked into his eyes, holding back tears, forcing a smile instead.
He looked awful. His hair was a mess, and dark bags hung under his eyes.
Aven was a bit startled, clearly not expecting anyone in the library. But the moment he saw who it was, the confusion in his expression faded, and he stepped forward to return the hug. They stood like that for a while before finally letting go.
Aveline was overwhelmed by a mix of joy and sadness. Joy at seeing him again, and sadness knowing everything he had lost. But she didn't let any of it show.
"What are you reading?" she asked gently.
"Oh. It's nothing," Aven replied, brushing the books away with a quiet motion.
She caught a glimpse before he pushed them aside, titles on religion, history, and different pathways.
Her brow lifted slightly.
'Religion? Pathways?'
Before she could say anything, Aven spoke again.
"What are you doing here, anyway?"
"What? Do I need a reason to visit my brother?"
She kept her tone light, her eyes playful.
"Let's do something. I'm so bored."
Aven scratched the back of his head, his expression sheepish.
"I don't know. I've been kind of tired lately and—"
Aveline rolled her eyes and grinned, cutting him off as she grabbed his wrist and turned towards the exit, dragging him along without slowing her pace.
"Now, now. Don't be like that. Come on."
"We actually just bought a new horse. It's so well trained, I'm almost jealous of how polite it is—not to mention how fast! You'll ride that one, and I'll take my own, even though it's awfully slow."
She beamed as she spoke, not giving him a chance to argue.
Aven didn't protest. He simply followed her lead, the corner of his mouth lifting in a quiet smile. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, a softness in his eyes that hadn't been there in days. Whatever weight he had been carrying, even if just for now, felt a little lighter.