The Sage's Valley was engulfed in a frantic atmosphere. You could see hundreds of the sect's servants running back and forth around the sect. The kitchens were performing at full capacity. The gardens had been completely remodeled with the gardeners in the midst of their final checks and adjustments. The buildings within the sect had been scoured from top to bottom to ensure not even a single speck of dust remained. The building's exteriors had been completely repainted.
While the sect was never in disrepair and was actually quite well maintained. The beautification of the sect grounds made everything look brand new rather than its actually age of a few decades.
It was clear to see that this day within the Sage's Valley was especially important. After all it was their young miss's Heavens day as well as her introduction to the world. The sect was determined to make this day one for the history books.
A celebration for the ages.
*
At the rear of the Sage's Valley on a hill overlooking the entirety of the sect. there existed a grand estate. Not overbearing in its extravagance, but rather it projected a subdued majesty and noble prestige. More akin to country manor rather than a royal castle.
This manor was the personal abode of the two leaders of the Sage's Valley. The Ocean King of the West, Zander Libertas and his wife The Guardian of the South, Charlotte Sapientiae.
Right now, the atmosphere within the manor was one of serenity. There were no servants within the manor (presumably they were elsewhere performing tasks), leaving only the family of three to enjoy its beauty.
Contrary to the norms of this era, one of the most beautiful spaces within the property was its kitchen. It was spacious and airy decked out with the finest appliances, equipped with a hand-crafted frosted skylight that dappled the light as it shone through creating an exquisite ambiance. The entire room was like a piece of art. At the moment the kitchen was occupied by two figures.
One was a man who looked to be in his mid to late twenties, he was relatively tall standing at around 1.9 meters. He was handsome, with a tall nose and defined jawline. His eyes where the color of sapphires and he had shoulder length black hair that was currently tied up in a loose ponytail. He was dressed in a set of loose-fitting black robes with a Bodhi tree embroidered in silver above the heart (this was the symbol of the Sage's Valley).
Overall, his appearance gave off the impression of a laid-back person who didn't take themselves too seriously. This was Zander Libertas the Ocean King of the Acies continent.
The other individual in the room was a woman who appeared around the same age as the man. She was shorter than the man only standing a bit over 1.8 meters and possessed a slim athletic build. She wasn't exactly what one would call curvy buy she wasn't flat either, one thing that she was however, was stunningly beautiful. She had back length brown hair that was made up of loose curls. Her skin was a flawless light bronze, and coupled with her green eyes that had golden flecks. She completed the image of a super model.
She was similarly dressed in the robes of the sect only hers were in a sky blue and the sect's emblem was stitched in yellow-gold. Her appearance gave one a feeling of elegance and motherly charm. This was Charlotte Sapientiae the Guardian of the South.
The husband and wife pair were casually conversing as Zander prepared hearty breakfast for his family.
"You know you could have gotten the chief to make breakfast for us" said Charlotte.
"Well I wanted to make breakfast for the three of us today, it's not often that we have the free time to have meals together. And I don't know why you're complaining I thought you liked my cooking?" replied Zander.
"Well I'm sorry that I kept it a secret for so long, but I lied" joked Charlotte.
"Ahh!" Zander suddenly yelled out in pain as he fell to the floor.
"Ah! Zander what's wrong?" Charlotte yelped in surprise.
"It's my heart… I think it's broken" said Zander as he burst into a fit of laughter.
"…"
Suddenly Charlotte gave Zander a forceful kick to the gut.
"Ahh, Charlotte what was that for?" grumbled Zander as he rubbed his aching midriff.
"That was for fooling me" pouted Charlotte.
Zander could only grumble about how violent and unable to take a joke Charlotte was as he dusted himself off and went back to cooking. Charlotte could only laugh out loud when looking at his downtrodden appearance. As someone who had spent the last couple centuries as the leader of one of the continent's strongest forces, it was very unusual to see Zander as anything but regal and dignified. The only people that would see this side of him were his family and his closest friends.
As Zander finished preparing breakfast his ears were greeted by the pitter patter of a child's feet running across hardwood.
This child was Isabella Libertas- Sapientiae. The young miss of the Sage's Valley and the person who was fast becoming the hottest topic on the continent. She had inherited her mother's curly brown hair as well as her father's sapphire eyes. While her features had yet to fully develop and where still covered in baby fat. One could see that had inherited a perfect mixture of her parents features and would become a stunning beauty when she grew up.
"Good morning mummy!" Said the little girl as she jumped into her mother's arms.
"What no good morning for me?" Muttered Zander under his breath.
Charlotte didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Zander's childish antics.
"Good morning Bella, did you have a good sleep? Don't forget to say good morning to your father." Said Charlotte as she gave her daughter a hug.
"No mummy, I was too excited to sleep daddy said that today was going to be the bestest birthday ever!" exclaimed Bella as she jumped out of her mothers embrace and gave her father a hug.
Charlotte and Zander were all smiles as they looked at their daughter. They couldn't help but think that the hundred years of struggling to conceive were worth it. The heartache and arguments, the miscarriages and the times they almost gave up as well as the consulting of countless experts that drained them physically and emotionally. Through all that they persevered and were in the end rewarded with their greatest treasure.
It was worth it. She was worth it.