The sun slowly rose, casting golden light over a small manor's rooftops.
A butler with a white moustache in his late 40s, dressed in his usual attire, was walking along the hallway of the house. His shoes clicked softly as he reached in front of a locked room.
With a sigh, he gave a double tap on the door.
Knock. Knock.
He shouted out, "Master? You need to wake up. I hope you didn't forget that you have an important conclave to attend."
Meanwhile, in the room,
A teenager around 17 years old was in a deep sleep, snoring loudly with each breath, and was suddenly startled by the call from the butler. His name is Ashen, and our sole protagonist.
He murmured while drawing up his nice, huge blanket over his head,
"I was just having a good dream. At least you could have waited till it ended..."
The butler's face turned serious.
" I hope you don't forget this was an order from the Patriarch."
Ashen replied with a careless look,
"That old geezer has no job other than bothering me. I just want to sleep peacefully."
"Then, I will have to report this to the Patriarch."
"Ah, not again. Fine, just give me five damn minutes," saying this Ashen woke up from his bed with a small yawn.
He opened the door, and the butler was standing right in front of him.
The butler looked at Ashen and said,
"We have no time to waste, Master. You'd best hurry. And by the way, your bathing essentials are ready."
"Alright, " Ashen responded with his head nodding.
After an hour...
Ashen got himself ready. He donned a blue and gold robe with a silver sigil. He gazed at himself in his mirror while he was combing his golden hair.
"Why did Grandpa ask me to attend the conclave? He usually doesn't invite me into anything related to the family. What is he planning?" he thought.
The House of Lucifer, which Ashen belonged to, was one of the prestigious Noble houses comparable to a Royal family. It had one of the strongest and most unique "vix."
But for Ashen, it wasn't the case. He was born with the weakest vix among his family. Even though he had the same type of vix as other family members, it lacked in terms of energy.
His siblings and cousins were more powerful than he; therefore, he was generally regarded as a disgrace to the family. And he wasn't included in any of the family matters. So, it was natural for him to be suspicious.
His red ruby eyes glinted.
"House of Lucifer....", he whispered.
Ashen stepped outside, where his carriage awaited—onyx-black with silver designs, its windows had a smoky tint. The butler gave a deep bow and gestured toward the door. "Master, your carriage is ready."
They set off for Laikan City, where the House of Lucifer stood—it was a journey that would take time, given that Ashen's manor was far from there. This isolation was not an accident. His family had seen him as a hindrance to their ambitions, a risk to his siblings and cousins' future. Now, only Ashen and his butler remained in that Manor. And though the butler served as both attendant and caretaker.
They had to go through Beren Valley—a breathtaking plain of sparkling streams, vibrant blossoms of flowers, and ancient trees. It wasn't merely a valley; it was a hidden paradise.
After sometime, Ashen pulled back the carriage curtain. They reached Laikan City. Outside, the people of Laikan filled the streets—laughing, eating, enjoying life. But his eyes locked onto the small shops. There, children scrubbed floors and polished tools under the watch of noble lords who owned the shops, like slaves. His grip tightened on the curtain as he saw their tiny hands were red and cracked. And no one gives a sh*t.
"Some things never change, is it?" Ashen thought.
Then he turned and asked the Butler who was sitting opposite, "Maxwell, is the Conclave being held at the House of Lucifer?"
"Yes it is. Master, the message I've received indicates that this Conclave is very significant. It will include the House of Balan and the House of Ferin."
"House of Balan? Why is our sole enemy joining in this? Ah, why does it even matter to me? I am not even considered a member anymore."
In less than an hour, they reached in front of the House of Lucifer. It was a complete white marble fortress-like mansion with silver edges. It's each window, pillars screamed and proved how much wealth the Lucifers had. The guards were lined in 2 groups to greet and say farewell to VIP's.
Ashen got out of the carriage. He gave a slight yawn and whispered, "It's been a long time, Lucifers. Let's see what you got for me in there."