Elias Leywin POV
Mother's hands were gentle but brisk as she tugged the last of the ribbon into place that sat around my neck. I squirmed slightly under her touch, trying to peek over her shoulder toward Ellie, who was in the middle of having her hair fussed over.
"Hold still, Elias," Mother chided softly, tucking the fabric flat across my chest. "You'll wrinkle your shirt before you even make it out of this room."
"I'm still," I mumbled, though I wasn't. My fingers twitched at my sides, and I shifted one foot against the carpet.
'I REALLY hate these damn collars.'
"You look handsome, Li," Ellie said, her voice carrying that singsong lilt she used whenever she was trying to sound older than me, even though I was older by a few seconds.
I stood up to the annoyance of my Mother and bowd over dramatically, "You look quite beautiful yourself, Lady Leywin", I complimented, lifting my head slightly.
She threw a pillow from... god knows where at my face.
"Ass..." I muttered to myself only to earn a slap on the back of my head from my mother.
"Language, Elias", she scolded as she yanked me back onto the stool before her.
"Actually, that goes for the both you." Mother hummed with a smile, her eyes warm as she adjusted the hem of Ellie's dress. "And no fussing now, Elias. You'll be glad I made sure you look your best."
I didn't argue, though the collar around my neck itched. I ran my hands through my hair as Greyish brown draped over either side of my eyebrows.
I cast a small amount of wind mana into my hair, a trick taught to me by a certain princess, to help hold it in a way I like.
[E/N: Are you sure it's not the DNA talking? *wink wink*]
Father leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed and a smile tugging at his lips. "Almost ready?" he asked.
"They're nearly done," Mother replied, fussing over a final strand of Ellie's hair. "Though Elias can't keep still."
"I can too," I muttered again, standing straighter, as if that would prove it.
Father chuckled, ruffling my hair despite Mother's sharp look. "You'll do fine, son. Come on then, both of you. Time to head downstairs."
Mother gathered us up between her and Father as we descended the staircase. The air carried a faint warm sweetness, probably some kind of cake baked with cinnamon.
The hallway felt unusually quiet, the sort of hush that made me suspicious. Normally, the house would be filled with little noises that brought the massive manor some life, whether that be the rushing of the staff or the chatter of my family.
I craned my neck toward Ellie, who had her chin tipped up, eyes glittering like she already knew something. Her lips were pressed together, but the corners curled in a way that told me she was hiding a grin.
"What are you smiling about?" I whispered.
"Nothing," she sang back, her voice bouncing lightly down the staircase.
"Ellie..." I narrowed my eyes.
"Don't spoil it," she whispered,grabbing my hand and squeezing tight.
At the base of the stairs, Father strode ahead, his boots clicking sharply against the floor.
The double doors to the dining hall loomed larger as we got closer. Normally, they'd be open this time of evening, servants moving in and out, carrying trays, laughter spilling from within.
I frowned. "Why's it-"
The doors burst open before I could finish my sentence.
"Happy birthday!"
The explosion of sound made me stumble back a step. The dining hall blazed with light, lanterns strung along the walls, candles burning on every surface.
Ellie squealed and bolted forward, her hand ripping out of mine. She spun in the doorway, skirts swishing, her laughter spilling out bright and clear.
I just stood there, my mouth open, heat rushing to my cheeks.
Ah, so that's it...
~~~
"So that's when I..." Some noble boy, who was the older brother to one of my sister's friends, went went on and on about his time at Xyrus Academy.
'I get it man. You're a mage, Big whoop
You're also weaker than a seven-year-old boy. Congratulations.'
I thought as I looked at the dark red spheroid in his chest.
'Please! Someone save me from his torture!'
I let out a sigh as a hand was placed onto my shoulder.
"May I borrow this one for a few minutes?" I look at the young man with slicked-back crimson hair. "I promise you can finish your story then."
"O-of c-course Prince C-Curtis", the bumbling boy stammered out as the prince slung an arm over my shoulder.
"Thanks, man", I whispered to my savior as he guided us over to a table where there is a mix of alcohol and various fruit juices in wine shoots.
After a quick check, the prince swiped two glasses of what I presumed to be cranberry juice, handing one over to me.
I raised it to my lips and took a sip before immediately spitting it out.
"You don't like it?" he questioned as he swirled the liquid in his glass.
"It's wine, Curtis", I murmured as I lowered the glass onto a tray of a passing maid.
He snickered to himself as he raised his own glass to his lips to take a sip, only for the now frozen wine refusing to budge from the glass.
He let out a sigh, turning to his right as he saw a girl my age holding an outstretched arm towards us with her index finger pointing towards the glass.
"Seriously, Kat..." he sighed out as he set down the glass
"Father asked me to ensure that you didn't drink." She spoke in her usual monotone voice before turning to me with a smile.
"It's good to see you, Lias" she greeted, lowering her head slightly.
I grinned, the awkward tension of the night melting away. "I'm glad to see you too, Kat."
Her smile lingered for just a heartbeat longer before she lowered her hand, the frost disappearing from the prince's glass.
"You two really saved me," I told her, leaning closer so only she could hear. "I thought I was going to wither away if I had to listen to him brag about such basic magic."
Her lips twitched into something that almost resembled a laugh. For Kat, that was the equivalent of falling out of her chair. "You did look trapped," she admitted. "I thought you were about to start chewing your own arm off."
Curtis snorted into his glass, finally picking up another glass of what looked like orange juice. "You should've seen your face, Elias. I almost felt sorry for you, almost"
"Yeah, right," I shot back, though I couldn't hide my smile.
The music swelled in the background, nobles chatting and laughing, their jewelled accessories catching the light like sparks.
Clink.
The sharp sound of probably-a-spoon on glass cut through the chatter.
Clink.
Again, louder this time. Heads turned. The music faltered.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
I stiffened. My stomach sank even before I turned to look.
'Please don't be... that fool'
"Ladies and gentlemen!" said fool boomed, his voice carrying much too easily over the now-silent room.
I let out a groan as my clearly tipsy father purposefully gathered the entire hall's attention.
"Before the next portion of the party begins, I would like to thank you on behalf of my precious Children for coming here tonight!"
'Ugh dad... do you have to be this embarrassing?'
I held my head in my hands as I felt heat rise to my face. The relentless slapping of my back by the now laughing prince didn't help my case as my father continued to embarrass my sister and me.
"I've been blessed with so much in this life, but it would bring great joy to see my beloved son and daughter have the first dance!" My father raised his glass higher, his eyes narrowing into a tipsy grin as he requested something that could potentially be disastrous to this party.
"Uuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh" I let out a long, tired groan as the prince's slaps only seem to continue.
I felt a hand swat away that of my assailant before Kat spoke up "Are you okay?"
"I am..." I responded, turning to look at her, flashing her a smile before I continued, "It's just that..."
"But we've danced plenty of times," she stated with a tilt of her head.
'Yes, that's true, Kat, but...'
"How's it any different to dance with your sister as it is to me?"
"It isn't, I guess... It's just embarrassing to do so in front of my family." I sheepishly admitted, rubbing my neck.
'And that my twin... doesn't know how...'
I felt a slight push on my back from behind me.
"Just go dance with your sister, idiot." the redhead said with a sigh as I stumbled forward.
I stuck my tongue out at the young prince as I turned on my heel and made my way towards my sister, as she complained to my mother.
Drawing near, my brother placed a hand on my shoulder, "Lias, I can if you-"
"It's fine, Art", I reassured as I slowly moved my older brother's hand from me.
He let out a sigh before he smiled at me, "Then do your best not to embarrass her"
"Of course", I laughed back.
I continue to my still whining sister.
"El", I began, causing her to turn towards me.
I held a hand towards her, "May I have this dance?"
Ellie stared at my outstretched hand, her lips still pursed from whining to Mother. For a moment, I thought she'd swat me away to prove a point.
Then, with a little huff, she slipped her hand into mine. "Took you long enough," she said, chin tilted like she was doing me a favour.
I snorted. "You act like you were the one suffering. Did you hear what Dad just said?"
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she muttered, "I did."
We stepped onto the polished marble floor, and I instantly felt the weight of every eye in the ballroom pressing down on us.
"Don't look so nervous," she whispered.
"Shut up", I snapped back verbally just loud enough for her to hear, "You know I don't like this sort of attention..."
"But aren't you always going to those Balls in Etistin?" she sneered back.
"That's different", I retorted as I spun her away from me "Kat's the one who invites me, so it's not like I could really refuse"
Ellie twirled back, her dress flaring out like a burst of white petals before she landed neatly in front of me again. Her eyes narrowing, sharp and mischievous. "So you can dance at her parties but suddenly get shy with me?"
My steps faltered for half a second. "That's not what I meant."
"Oh, but I think it is," she teased, tilting her head as we moved in step with the music. "You'd rather dance with other girls than your own twin. How cruel."
I groaned under my breath. "That's not fair, and you know it."
"Life's not fair," she sing-songs back, clearly enjoying herself.
The corners of my mouth twitch despite myself.
"You're enjoying this too much," I muttered.
"Maybe," she said with a shrug, spinning neatly under my arm. "But admit it, you are too."
~~~
"Thanks", I said as I opened another box, only to find another dress shirt within.
'Seriously... is some flowery mage playing a prank on me?'
I unconsciously frowned at the third shirt I had received in a row as my brother spotted a pair of ornate boxes.
"Gimme Gimme!" my sister remarked as she opened and closed her palms in a grabby motion.
My brother chuckled softly, walking over with two ornate boxes under his arms. Each had an envelope tied on top with a ribbon, the parchment sealed with wax in neat stamps.
The boxes themselves were made of polished wood, carved with delicate patterns that gave them the appearance of something from an elven craftsman's workshop, rather than a local Orvan shop.
Ellie's eyes sparkled, and she practically bounced in her seat as Arthur set one box in front of her and one in front of me.
"Careful," Arthur said, though there was amusement in his tone. "These aren't the sort of presents you just rip open and toss aside."
Ellie ignored him completely, her fingers already clawing at the ribbon like a wild animal trying to break free of a cage.
I tugged the ribbon loose with deliberate care, then slid the wax-sealed envelope to one side.
A wide grin grew on my face as I realised what sat in the box before me.
Inside, resting on a bed of dark velvet, was a sword.
The steel was polished to a mirror sheen, every line of the blade smooth and purposeful. The cross guard curved slightly outward, and right at its centre gleamed a gemstone of deep sapphire blue. Light caught in its facets, scattering faint reflections across the walls.
My fingers trembled as I reached down to lift it. The dark leather-wrapped hilt fit perfectly in my grip, neither too heavy nor too light.
A sharp gasp beside me made me glance at Ellie. She had pried open her own box and now clutched a bow of a similar elven style..
Her bow was made from pale, polished wood that shimmered faintly under the light, etched with elegant patterns that curled like vines. A gem of soft rose-pink gleamed at the grip, catching the fire's glow and throwing out warm, playful glints.
"Ohhh!" Ellie breathed, nearly bouncing as she lifted it higher. "It's so pretty!"
Mother made a warning sound in her throat as Ellie swung it around too quickly. "Careful, Eleanor. That is not a toy."
"I know, Mama!" Ellie protested, though her hands protectively tightened around the bow as though afraid it might be taken away.
I looked back down at the sword in my hands, the sapphire gemstone winking up at me. I ran my thumb across the hilt, feeling the way the leather gripped back against my palm.
Arthur leaned over, his eyes tracing the blade with an approving nod. "That's definitely an Elven sword and an expensive one at that." He noted as he raised a hand to his chin before he muttered to himself, "The only person I can think of who'd send something like this would be Tess or Gramps..."
I opened the letter that sat to my side.
Elias, I hope this finds you well.
I want to begin by apologising for not being there today, as I'd like to wait a bit longer to see Art Again.
'Why's that bit crossed out?'
My Parents have asked me to return to Elenoir.
Inside this box is a sword I had commissioned from the greatest smiths of this Generation that my Grandfather had recommended to me.
(This sword should hopefully be a capable conduit to your mana.)
I give this to you in the hope that you will continue to grow even further and that one day you can show up for that older Brother of yours.
I look forward to seeing you at the start of the spring term.
Enjoy the remainder of your Birthday,
'So it's from her, huh?'
I threw aside the letter as I walked over to the corner of the room, where a small Navy box was sitting.
I could hear my brother thinking aloud as I sat down cross-legged, before I called out, "It's from his girlfriend."
In an out-of-character panic, Arthur waved his arms about in distress as he began to try to defend his honour, "I Don't-"
"Oh, that Tess girl?" my mother remarked as she held one hand to her cheek
"Wait, you know Tess?" he asked, his eyes flicking between my mother and me as he began to bambart her with questions.
I slumped down in the corner and picked up the box. On the navy box was a reflective silver tag that read two names, Prince Curtis Glayder and Princess Kathyln Glayder.
As I removed the lid of the box, I found a Dark sphere inside.
It faintly gleamed under the firelight, its surface shifting between dull obsidian and muted green, as though something inside it pulsed with life. I knew what it was the moment my fingers brushed the smooth crystal.
I swallowed, holding it carefully with both hands.
Tucked into the lid of the box was a neatly folded note. I slid it free and opened it, careful not to smudge the ink.
Elias,
Happy Birthday.
We thought this core might be useful to you as you continue training.
Please use it wisely, and do not break it too quickly.
We look forward to seeing you again soon...
Sincerely yours,
Kathyln (and Curtis)
Sure enough, at the bottom of the note, Curtis had scrawled his name in oversized, uneven letters that looked more like a child's attempt than a prince's handwriting.
I couldn't help but smile.
Ellie leaned over, nearly pressing her nose to the core. "Ooooh... it's glowing. Can I touch it?"
I pulled it back instinctively, tucking it against my chest. "No way. It's mine."
Her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel's. "You already got a sword! Why do you get the shiny crystal too?"
"Because they sent it to me," I said, smirking as I carefully set the core back in its box. "Maybe next year they'll send you one if you're lucky."
Ellie crossed her arms, muttering something about how her bow was still prettier anyway. She wasn't wrong, but I wasn't about to admit that.
"Now now you two, don't fight or I won't give you my present." My brother said, smirking as he motioned a finger towards us.
Ellie and I froze mid-bicker, our heads snapping toward Art in unison.
"You got us something too?" Ellie squeaked, her earlier sulk evaporating in an instant.
Arthur's grin widened. "Of course I did."
He reached down behind the couch, where he must have stashed something earlier, and pulled out two much smaller boxes. These ones weren't polished wood or wrapped in fancy imported paper, but simple red velvet with a neat golden trim.
Arthur placed one in front of me, then the other in front of Ellie. "Now, don't tear these apart either. They're... special."
Ellie's hands were already twitching toward the lid. "Special how?"
"You'll see," Arthur remarked, gently tapping her forehead.
I ran my thumb along the soft velvet before lifting the lid. Inside, resting on a cushion of white silk, was a pendant.
A teardrop-shaped core of translucent orange gleamed at its centre, so bright it looked as though a miniature flame had been trapped within. Along each side, delicate feathers fanned outward, curving in a way that made the whole thing resemble wings cradling a spark.
Even from a distance, I could tell it wasn't some trinket bought at the market. The craftsmanship was meticulous, each line etched so fine that it almost shimmered in the firelight.
Ellie gave a sharp gasp beside me. "Oh! Lias, look! Look at mine!"
She held up an identical pendant, though hers hung on a pale chain that contrasted with the fiery orange of the core. The feathers somehow seemed softer in her hands, more delicate, though no less beautiful.
"Th-This is gorgeous..." My mother's reaction was actually even stronger than Ellie's, her eyes locked onto the light orange gem embedded on the white gold chain.
"Keep it on at all times, okay?" Arthur almost commanded as he looked between the two of us.
"O-of course", I stammered out as my sister gave my brother an enthusiastic nod as she had our mother help the pendant on her.
"Where in the world did you get something like thi-" my father began as a voice called out from behind me that caused me to tense up.
"Elias Leywin, I'm glad you seem well." I look towards the tanned dwarf who's wearing the white robes of his comrades.
My fists tighten.
"Olfred," I spat out.
He turned to my stunned parents as he lowered his head slightly, "Apologies for my late arrival"
"What are you doing here, Olfred?" I scowled as I raised my new oversized sword with my right hand.
"Elias!" my father shouted.
"Please lower your blade, Elias", he says with a tired sigh as he pulls a small box from his coat's inner pocket.
He tosses the box to me, which I catch and promptly open, revealing a golden ring inside.
"Is this-"
"It is," he said tiredly, "The ring itself is valued at around 1,500 gold, with the remaining 8,500 gold inside that was promised for your services at the human princess' birthday two and a half years ago"
I slid the ring onto my right index finger, with it automatically adjusting.
"I'm glad they made good on our deal. I was beginning to worry." I snarked, admiring my new ring as if I was a woman who had just been proposed to.
The now Lance snickered to himself as he spoke up again, "The Greysunders had to be certain that their investment was worth it; they are more than pleased with your work and are expecting their first child in the coming summer."
"Please pass my congratulations onto your masters on my behalf," I said, smirking to myself.
"Of course" he said, smiling. "As a show of their eternal gratitude, they have included an additional 10,000 gold within the ring, along with their royal crest"
"Are you serious?" I said, almost falling over.
He laughs to himself at my reaction, "I am."
"I guess this makes up for the king having you cut off my arm", I remarked, thinking aloud as I held my chin.
"WHAT?!" The collective shouts of my family filled the room
'You all stayed quiet through me becoming one of the richest people on the continent, but me losing my arm is where you draw the line...'
The dwarf sighed at me, "I've already apologised for that, Elias"
"Yea yea", I agreed, waving my hand dismissively at him.
"Anyway, Elias, His majesty would like to speak with you in the near future about hiring your services", he informed, growing more serious.
"If this is what the pay is like, then sign me up", I smiled, smirking at the snickering Lance.
"Then I'll be sure to pass that on." He said, turning to leave as he raised a hand in a sort of wave.
WC - 3784
All Criticism and feedback are welcome. Any suggestions for the story or plot are also more than welcome.
Apologies about the late upload. Everything has been ready; I just forgot to schedule it.
Sorry for the late upload, but I'm back at Uni now, so I'm going to do my best to finish as many chapters as I can over the next 2 weeks.
If there are any questions, feel free to message my Discord - Navarius13
Special Thanks to LancelotDragonroad for editing this Chapter.
If we're all still alive, the next chapter will be released at 15 likes or on Sunday.
Rius out.