Sylvette stormed back to the Pyro Academy, her footsteps echoing through the grand halls. Her mind seethed with anger and frustration. She couldn't believe how that insolent child, Andromeda, had treated her. She had been insulted, mocked, and challenged in her own domain. It was an affront to her dignity, and she refused to let it stand.
With fire in her eyes, she barged into her father's office, uncaring of the startled looks from the students. Lord Joss LeBlanc, a man of great knowledge and wisdom, sat at his desk, engrossed in a tome of ancient texts. He looked up in surprise as his daughter burst into the room.
"Sylvette, what in the world—" he began, only to be cut off by her furious tirade.
"Foolishness, Father! Utter foolishness!" Sylvette ranted, her voice sharp with anger. "You wouldn't believe what that wretched Andromeda put me through. She insulted me, you, and our entire family's legacy. A mere child! She dares to challenge the LeBlanc name!"
Lord Joss LeBlanc, usually the embodiment of calm and wisdom, was utterly taken aback by the foolishness of his daughter's outburst. He hushed her down and gestured for her to take a seat, trying to maintain his composure. He put his monocle down and pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't understand just could she raise her voice in the sacred knowledge grounds of academy. If anyone heard her voice and how she was talking about the first princess of Bethel duchy, the very lord they served, she could get in so much trouble and might ruin her future.
"Sylvette, my dear, please calm yourself," he said with a heavy sigh. "You mustn't let the actions of a child rile you so. It's beneath you to be drawn into petty squabbles. Besides, it's the child of His grace. You are talking about the princess. Please be more careful."
Sylvette, however, was in no mood to listen to reason. Her flushed cheeks and trembling hands betrayed her anger as she lashed out emotionally. "Calm myself? You expect me to remain calm when I've been humiliated by that child? She has no respect for knowledge or tradition. She called me worthless, Father!"
Tears welled up in Sylvette's eyes, and her voice quivered as she continued, "And you... you've never shown me any support. You don't care what happens to me, do you? You'd rather I suffer this indignity and disgrace our family name."
Lord Joss LeBlanc was torn. He cared deeply for his daughter and had always encouraged her pursuit of knowledge. However, he also understood the importance of diplomacy and restraint. He knew that challenging a child, even one as arrogant as Andromeda, could lead to disastrous consequences.
"Sylvette, please, hear me out," he implored, trying to reason with her. "I understand your anger, but this is not the way to handle it. You must rise above her provocations. Go back, talk to the Duchess, and resume your lessons. Do not stoop to the level of a child."
Sylvette, however, was not in a mood to be reasoned with. She felt insulted, hurt, and dismissed by her father's words. Her tears flowed freely now, and she cried, "You've never loved me, Father! You care more about your precious knowledge and books than your own daughter's honor. I won't let this go. I will challenge Andromeda, and I will make her apologize."
Lord Joss LeBlanc watched his daughter with a heavy heart, torn between his duty as a father and his belief in the importance of intellect and restraint. He knew that Sylvette's path would only lead to more conflict and pain, but her resolve was unyielding.
"Sylvette, please reconsider," he pleaded, but her wounded pride and stubbornness only grew with each passing moment.
Frustrated and disappointed in her father's lack of support, Sylvette stormed out of Lord Joss LeBlanc's office, her footsteps echoing down the grand halls of the Pyro Academy. She was determined to challenge Andromeda and make her pay for the humiliation she had endured. The anger and resentment burned within her, overshadowing any rational thoughts.
Inside his office, Lord Joss LeBlanc watched his daughter's retreating figure with a heavy heart. He knew the consequences of her impulsive decision could be dire, not just for her but for their family and the academy itself. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as both a father and a scholar.
With a sense of weariness settling over him, he knew he had to act swiftly to prevent this situation from escalating further. He began to chant softly, his voice carrying a hint of ancient power:
"Your master summons you, the fiery cinder, Talia."
In response to his chant, a shimmering figure of fire and wisdom materialized before him. It was Talia, a being of flame and loyalty, her fiery form dancing with grace. Being a lesser elemental, she was merely the height of a three year old with a body of fire, slim and floating in the air.
"Talia," Lord Joss said, his voice tinged with concern, "I need you to find my son, Edwin LeBlanc. Bring him to my office immediately. There's a situation that requires his presence."
Talia, ever obedient to her master's commands, nodded and disappeared in a burst of fiery sparks, leaving a faint scent of smoldering embers behind.
Lord Joss leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his thoughts a turbulent storm. He prayed silently that this impulsive challenge between Sylvette and Andromeda wouldn't escalate into something much bigger, threatening the harmony and reputation of the Pyro Academy and their noble family.
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In the heart of the Embercliff Citadel's training area, Duchess Anastasia Bethel stood tall and formidable, an imposing figure in her brown tunic, trousers, and a leather suit adorned with powerful enchantments. Her attire was practical, befitting the training grounds, but it did little to conceal her regal presence. Her long, obsidian-black hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, and her every movement exuded a grace that was reminiscent of the sirens that lurked in the depths of the Poison Ocean.
Duchess Anastasia was known for her beauty, which was as enchanting as it was commanding. Her striking features, framed by a sense of authority, drew attention wherever she went. Today, however, her elegant countenance was marked by a certain sternness, her usually warm eyes masked by an aura of anticipation.
As she waited in the training area for her daughter, Andromeda, a deep frown etched into the Duchess's features. She had expected Andromeda to arrive promptly for her training session, and any delay was a cause for concern.
It wasn't long before Head Maid Mariglen, a woman of unwavering loyalty, approached the Duchess with a troubled expression. Her gaze met Anastasia's, and without a word, the Duchess knew that something had gone amiss.
Mariglen hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice laced with a mixture of apprehension and respect, "Your Grace, there's been an incident involving Lady Sylvette and Princess Andromeda."
Duchess Anastasia's eyebrows furrowed, and her normally warm, almond-shaped eyes turned into icy pools of determination. She knew her daughter was in a difficult position and might have lost control of her powers, but Sylvette's involvement in an incident was unexpected.
"Tell me everything," the Duchess demanded, her voice steady as she prepared herself for the details of the situation. Mariglen proceeded to recount the confrontation between Sylvette and Andromeda, the challenge issued, and the apparent humiliation that had befallen her daughter.
As the Head Maid spoke, the Duchess's expressions grew progressively colder. The news of her daughter's involvement in such an incident was deeply unsettling, and the potential ramifications weighed heavily on her mind.
When Mariglen concluded her account, Duchess Anastasia remained silent for a moment, her thoughts a tempestuous sea. Then, with a resolute tone, she issued a command to Mariglen, "Gather Lady Sylvette, Lady Andromeda, and Lord Joss. I will meet them in the study. It is time we resolve this matter swiftly and firmly."
With that, the Duchess turned and began her swift stride towards the door of the training arena, her heart heavy with concern for her daughter and the determination to restore order to her family's name but her expressions remained ice cold.
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Duchess Anastasia entered her daughter's room with a mixture of love and concern in her heart. Andromeda lay in her bed, her delicate features softened in slumber, the long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. The Duchess couldn't help but lean down and place a gentle kiss on Andromeda's forehead. It was a moment of motherly affection, a brief respite from the troubles that had befallen their family.
The soft touch stirred Andromeda from her sleep, and she blinked her eyes open, her gaze meeting her mother's. For a fleeting second, there was vulnerability in Andromeda's hazel eyes, like a child who had awakened from a nightmare seeking comfort. It was a look that would melt any mother's heart, and Duchess Anastasia's love for her daughter surged.