Jaden's eyes gleamed with recognition for a moment, but they soon turned dull as before. He looked at the strange box-like object in confusion and questioned.
"What is this?"
He stared at it for a moment and put it back in his pocket, thinking that it may have been one of the gifts he had got from the civilians.
"What a strange gift…" he muttered with a frown, but didn't think about it anymore and continued on his steps.
He moved with the grace one would expect from the son of the distinguished mayor of Nightshade City. A small smile was always tugged at his lips, radiating a pleasant charm, but today it was different because his face had a grimace due to his sore legs.
He didn't know the reason behind it; he hadn't even done much. Only the usual roundings around the city and the knight training.
Today was truly a strange day, first that strange gift and now this strange soreness out of nowhere.
Once again, he didn't think much of it and stepped inside the doors of the mansion.
Stepping inside, his gaze landed on a wide hall, a wide bronze table with an intricate design, and similar sofas were placed near the left corner beside the entrance; the walls themselves were padded with black leather and intricate golden designs adorning them.
At the centre of the hall was a wide castle-like staircase that had a purple carpet covering its floor. Jaden ascended the steps and made his way towards his room.
Moments later, he stood before the door of his room and opened it with a slight push. The room, which was dark till now, suddenly brightened as the magical lanterns around the room began to glow.
He walked inside and took a deep breath as he moved towards his velvet bed and collapsed on it. He was about to close his eyes, but stopped as he felt something in his pocket. He took out the strange box and like object and placed it on the small table beside the bed.
He closed his eyes as he rested in his comfortable bed.
A few moments later, someone knocked on his door and spoke in a soft, feminine tone.
"Young master, the dinner table will be set within the next half hour."
Jaden opened his eyes and replied as he stood up from the bed.
"I'll be at the table in time. Thanks, Shelly."
Shelly, the maid, didn't say anything and left.
Jaden took out a set of clothes to wear for tonight's dinner. He was going to have dinner with his father after so many days, after all.
He took out a tailored black coat with dark trousers. The black coat had intricate golden embroidery, which enhanced its aristocratic accent.
This outfit was gifted to him by his fiancée, whom he would meet tomorrow at the awakening ceremony.
His lips unknowingly blossomed into a sweet smile as he thought about the regal-mannered girl. He shook his head and walked into the bath beside his room.
He checked himself in the mirror within the bath and frowned... he didn't know how to say it, but he was wearing something strange. His attire held no aristocratic grace at all... heck, he hadn't even seen commoners wear something like this.
He heaved a heavy sigh as he removed his strange clothes and thought how strange today was.
Soon, he was in his undergarments only. He stepped into the main bath, whose walls and floor were made of white marble, and golden designs covered the walls. He looked at the golden bathtub, which was already filled with warm water. He stepped into the bathtub and let himself collapse in it.
A few moments later, Jaden stood before the wide mirror as he checked himself out. He had already worn the tailored coat and trousers.
"Much better," he commented as he left the room, his steps echoed throughout the hallways as he made his way to the dining room. The servants bowed towards him as he went past them, and Jaden replied to them with a slight nod.
He soon stood in front of a large wooden door. He was excited to meet his father, but at the same time, he was scared of him; it was such a paradoxical feeling, but he couldn't help but feel both scared and excited.
Jaden heaved a sigh and slightly pushed the door; the dining room came into view as he did so. The walls were the same as the hall, but there was a large crystal chandelier illuminating the room. An exquisite dining table was placed at the centre of the room, and three chairs were placed around it, one at the end and two at the sides.
He first looked at the man he had wanted to have dinner with for so long - his father.
He was the stern man sitting at the head of the table; his raven hair had a few white strands, indicating his life experience. His sharp blue eyes studied Jaden without any change in his expression. He wore a dark suit with red gems as its buttons.
Jaden shifted his eyes and looked at his mother.
She was as beautiful as always, and she also had long, raven black hair, but her eyes were not blue like Jaden's or her husband's; no, they were brown with a bit of red hint. Her eyes were so beautiful that they could enthral anyone, let alone her hourglass figure. She wore a blue gown with intricate floral embroidery.
He smiled at her and called out. "Mother."
He turned his head towards the man and called out. "Father."
"It's a pleasure to dine with both of you," he commented as he bowed to them.
The woman looked at him with a motherly smile, she chuckled and spoke in an amused tone.
"Oh my Judy! You don't have to bow to your own parents."
"Elara is right, Jaden. You don't have to bow," The man commented without any change in his expression.
"See, even Theron agrees with me," Elara added with a chuckle.
Jaden lifted his head and looked at Elara and Theron with a smile as he spoke.
"I just wanted to show how happy I feel about this."
Elara nodded at his words and gestured at the chair before her as she stated.
"Take your seat."