"Please await your mother, she'll be with you in a moment, young master."
"There will be no need for that, Sorlei. Thank you for bringing him home in such a timely manner." A soothing voice echoed from the halls that lead to the gilded main door.
"Oh, my Lady. If you'll excuse me I'll take their luggage inside now."
"Very well, Sorlei. Now are you just going to stand there mister or are you going to give your mother a hug?"
"Mother…" Tersia's face was struck with awe as the visage of the approaching figure filled her eyes.
"It has been far too long." Approaching her as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I trust everything has been well while I was away?"
"All is well, my child. It's so good to see you looking healthy. I would not stand to have any child of my starving or sick under the watch of someone else." She ran her fingers through his jet-black hair while she embraced him.
"I've so missed my little knight." Her kisses brought his cheeks to a beet red hue.
"Mother...there's a guest." Vauntuss bowed before his mother as he presented his companion before her.
"I present to you, Lady Tersia...eh...Lamia."
"Oh my. Lamia is it? You're Tersia Lamiastell of House Lamiastell, it's a pleasure to meet you, young lady. I am Lady Luvia Inro Strum."
Greeting Tersia with a glimmering aura akin to the silver light of the moon that hung brilliantly above the manor. The auburn light of the courtyard lanterns gave her honey-coloured locks an amber tint that matched that of her gentle eyes.
With a visage that betrayed any attempt at reasoning her age, her presence was commanding and fierce while remaining reserved, speaking with alluring clarity. However, at the same time, her youthful appearance made it difficult to believe she was actually a mother.
"Apologies for starring, Lady Strum."
"It's quite alright. I hope you enjoy your stay in my home." She asked with a gentle smile and bright amber eyes
"Oh it's a pleasure to meet you Lady Strum...I'm honoured to be your guest tonight." Tersia responded while she curtsied to meet her surprisingly grand air.
"By the way Mother, is Val home today? He didn't come to meet us when Ves led Princess Charlotte home." Vauntuss asked in a hopeful tone
"I'm sorry, dear but he hasn't returned yet, last we spoke he said he was completing his mission from our King."
"...I understand. I will excuse myself. Goodnight." He said, showing an unexpected display as his expression turned solemn for a moment, before entering the manor without another word.
"Vauntuss wai…"
"It's alright Tersia, he just misses him, he was looking forward to seeing him after so long. Why don't we get you settled in for the night." Lady Strum comforted the worried Tersia.
"...Okay." Tersia attempted a smile as Lady Inro's warmth washed over her, leading their guest on their way into the manor.
After Tersia settled into her room, Lady Inro left her to her own devices but not before giving her a surprising bit to think about.
"If you're still worried about my dear son, you can check on him. His room is the furthest door down this corridor. Once you reach the stairwell, make your way to the second floor. You'll know you're close the moment you can see frost on the walls."
"Frost…I don't believe winter has reached the Capital."
"Oh no, it's simply his magic unbounded. It tends to happen as he sleeps. Best to give his door a loud knock or you'll catch a cold waiting on him. Of course, if he had you waiting, I would be most disappointed in him."
Thanking Lady Inro for her hospitality before seeing her off, she walked about the room, taking in the elegance and prestige present in the décor and interior that demonstrates the vast splendour of the household, from the artwork to the decorative panels.
She eventually leaves her room and ventures down a few halls before arriving at a room on the west side of the Manor on the second floor, towards the very end of the wing.
"Vauntuss, it's me...can I come in?" Rushing to rub her hands together after she palmed the chilling surface of the door.
The sound of leaden footsteps on the wood floor could be heard slowly approaching the door. Before he unlocked the door, opening it ever so slightly, allowing an even colder chill to escape from the gap and past Tersia,
"L...Lady Lamiastell? Do you have need of me?" His formal tone caused her to pout.
"Are you going to let me in, or do you prefer we speak as I slowly freeze to death?"
"If you wanted to speak, I would have gladly seen you in the study. It is far more hospitable there."
"Something told me that what I had to say couldn't wait till the morning so I'm here. You can thank your lovely mother for guiding me here. Now, I'm sure you have a cup of delicious tea in a pot just waiting for a lady like me."
"Apologies, Lady Lamiastell–"
"What did I say about calling me that?"
"Right. I am sorry about that, Lamia. My mind is elsewhere at the moment. Please come in, though I fear I may not make adequate company at the moment."
"Please sit."
"Thank you."
Vauntuss offered her a seat by the bedside ottoman that faced the hearth in his room. As he worked at it, birthing a flame that eventually consumed the tinder, Tersia instead sat herself comfortably on the bed remarking,
"This seat is not taken, is it?" Her charm lessened the tense expression on his face as Vauntuss was able to let slip a smile before he took to the ottoman causing her to pout, before she continued in her attempt to warm herself as the fire steadily grew.
"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" She asked him between breaths she forced into her cupped hands, watching as the blush returned to them.
"If I can tell you about my troublesome family, then you can tell me what has you so upset. Aren't knights supposed to be stern and unshaking?" She teased in her trembling state which she paired with a rosy-cheeked smile
"Worry not. It is nothing of concern–"
"Don't! Don't tell me it's nothing." Raising her voice so suddenly.
"Look, if something is bothering you then I'm going to notice and if I do, I'm going to try and help."
"Why would you concern yourself so? All that should matter to you is whether or not I am sound of mind and capable in my duty."
"I don't care about your duty, because I don't care about the knight that you think you need to be. I care about my schoolmate. That's the only person I've known."
"It must be a symptom of Class F to have such a bleeding heart. Do you not recall that before today, our last encounter ended with you burying me beneath rubble on school grounds? What sense is there in doing that, and then turning around, claiming such compassion."
"What I did then is no different from what I am doing now, being there for my friends. Whether it's to stand up for them against your slandering, or lending you an ear to hear about your troubles…it's...what friends do."
"Lamia, you consider us friends?" Looking up at her with a perplexed expression.
"I've been scolded by Vaceris enough for a lifetime, so I don't think learning to play nice with you is all that bad." Watching her brush her dark locks over her shoulder to reveal her fluttering ears, unknowingly showing a side that remains hidden to most.
"Beside, if two people can exchange tragic familial tales with one another, have casual conversations and even visit each others homes, then don't you think they qualify as friends...hell most would say it's fair to assume some courting affair took place between us–" Her words followed her sincerity as she brought her hands to rest on her lap, putting her fluffy ears on display.
Just as the last words were uttered by her, Vauntuss casts a stream of frigid air towards her left ear, almost shocking Tersia off the bed.
"What kind of reaction is that? Don't you find my appearance off-putting?"
"You're pretty red-blooded for a noblewoman." He teased as she recovered from the chill and began assaulting him with his pillows, which only made him chuckle even harder at her reaction.
"You're incredible." He said under his breath, realising far too late that those words had slipped out his mouth. His sudden honesty completely distracted him from the twitch of Tersia's ears as he spoke.
'He actually said that…' For a moment, as if the frigid air had frozen them solid, their gaze was looked before the crackling of the vibrant flames brought them to their senses.
Once they had all been discarded, and Vauntuss was thoroughly bruised, she returned to her seat and urged him to join her. The bruised and still grinning Vauntuss sat beside her and she asked him once more,
"There is…was someone I had not seen in a very long time. I thought he would be here this time." His joy simmered as the look in his eyes deepened before turning away, hoping to hide from her inquisitive gaze
"Was it that Val person you were asking Lady Inro about?"
"Validus, yes. He is my eldest brother."
"Hang on, eldest? So that guy who came to fetch the princess, was he your brother as well?" She moved closer as her eyes widened with curiosity.
"Ves? You are probably thinking of Vysandr."
"Interesting. Validus and Vysandr, those are some names though it seems you're no different yourself, Vauntuss."
"An entire family of beautiful and talented individuals, I'm sure the other nobles..."
"Beautiful? You think so? Perhaps Mother and Saevess…"
"Your mother has a literal glow about her. When she introduced herself, I honestly thought that you had a princess living in your manor."
"Mother would be pleased to hear you say that. Really, any compliments that aren't a reference to her ferocity are ones she wholeheartedly welcomes."
"Hey what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing nothing. Alright, so you didn't get to see your older brother, I still think there's more going on, so tell me, Vauntuss." Placing her hand on his shoulder as she motioned him to continue, having him look her in the eyes.
Staring deeply into them, Vauntuss found himself turning towards her before he told her why it meant so much to him that he saw Validus, true to Tersia's suspicions, the matter was not a simple or short one with the exchange long into the night.
So long did the conversation run that by its end, morning had already brought its respite with Tersia asleep atop his bed and Vauntuss laying soundly, somnial in the ottoman with one of the sheets to keep him warm.
Despite how exhausted the two seemed, beneath the embrace of the sheet was the sputtering of newly formed embers spurred by the two as Vauntuss' retelling of his troubles was slow to start, as his nature was not a burdensome one.
Taking Tersia's patience and gentleness several attempts to reassure him that he may speak without restraint.
"What would make you so repressed? Just talking to you I can tell that you're so used to holding things back, almost like you're worried about burdening someone else, is it exhausting?"
"My duty is arguably the most fulfilling part of my life." Furrowing his brow at the look on her face as he spoke.
"You can't be serious…"
"Very."
"Then what do you do when you aren't working, you have friends, I'm sure you at least spend some time with them?"
"When I am not working, I am training. It is important that I hone my skills so that I continue to perform adequately…"
"No. That's not what I am asking. It's no wonder you can't bring yourself to speak selfishly." While her tone was callous, it was clear that she stood more confused than anything else, with Vauntuss detecting not a hint of judgement from her…in fact, he was hesitant in his thinking, almost convinced that Tersia may be concerned for him.
'Lucky for you, I know a princess with a knack for dealing with the emotionally distant type. Taking a page from Vaceris' book means being a little more pushy than I would like.'
"Then just for today. I order you, speak and do it honestly. I would like to hear what troubles you. And once you are done, it'll be up to you to decide how we proceed."
"Why would you ask that of a knight…"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm not asking a knight, I'm asking my friend to trust me." Darting her eyes away after mentioning the last part.
"Come on, it's already embarrassing that I've had to say all of that. It's just going to make me feel worse if you stay quiet like that."
Oddly enough, as he began speaking, the unnatural chill surrounding Vauntuss would fade, so much so that Tersia was actually able to hold his hand, a gesture that either of them was too nervous to be the first one to let go of first, falling asleep locked in this embrace.
Only separating once the sound of the Head Butler, Sorlei came knocking. His request for them to join breakfast woke Tersia and left her wide eyed and stunned at the thought of previous day's events, though the sight of the resting Vauntuss brought the reddened Tersia to a calm blush as a smile of relief revealed itself.
"Apologies for the interruption, Lady Lamiastell." She let the door open just enough for her words to reach him on the other side.
"That is all right, you were not interrupting anything." She answered flustered as she straightened .
"Thank you, my lady. Then would you and the young master join us in the main dining hall. I have prepared a welcoming breakfast in his honour at the request of the lady of the House."
"Definitely, right, I'll...eh, we'll be right there Mr. Wyndrest." Her hushed voice responded, with the sound of ruffling clothing comin from the slit in the door she opened, once it stopped so did her unsettled tone in her voice.