[Kingdom of Rymis, Village of Iraclif]
The village was characterized by its enormous mansion that stood at its heart; it was unmistakably the Cleared Manor. The Cleared family, renowned for their wealth and nobility, had ruled these lands for generations. Their mansion, an architectural marvel, stood tall like a mountain, majestically overlooking the village and offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding lands.
The Cleared Manor was surrounded by a vast, lush park, where flowers of dazzling hues bloomed under the warm rays of the sun. The gardens were meticulously maintained with intricately shaped hedges and fountains that added a refreshing touch to the atmosphere. Paved pathways winding through the park led to magnificent groves, tranquil ponds, and romantic gazebos where family members could retreat for moments of serenity.
Finally, after several days of journeying, Lana and Rogue, aboard their carriage, reached their destination. The two teenagers were tasked with defending the Cleared family, despite their strained relationship. The carriage halted in front of the grand iron gate that marked the mansion's entrance. Several guards approached and opened the door for the young pair. Rogue, ever the gentleman, let Lana step out first with her suitcase, even though she was being rather disagreeable, before following her.
With a haughty gaze, she scanned the mansion and remarked with a smirk:
"So, this is the famous manor I'm supposed to defend? It's pathetic. The mansion of my lineage is far grander than this crude architecture! What a disgrace for Trillia's wealthiest family!"
Rogue shot a cold glance at Lana, disgusted by her behavior.
Why does she always compare everything to herself?! This spoiled rich girl is getting on my nerves!
A guard opened the gate, allowing the teenagers to enter the splendid Cleared gardens.
"Please, follow me," beckoned a guard.
Without hesitation, Rogue and Lana trailed the guard toward the manor. Along the way, Rogue appeared captivated by the opulent fountains and ornate hedges adorning the garden. Lana, maintaining her aloof demeanor, merely walked with an upright posture, following the guard.
So, this is where I'll be living? It's certainly a change from our home in Érétide...
Regardless of the residence's splendor, Rogue couldn't help but think of his friends on the other side of the world, far away from him. The only Lost One still in the Kingdom of Rymis was Jacob, but it had been weeks since he'd heard from him. It was hard for Rogue to envision a life without them, but he had no other option. He would have to set aside his doubts and fears for quite some time. In truth, the real challenge for him wasn't potential demon attacks on the manor, but rather enduring weeks with the heiress of the Temparus and her contemptuous behavior.
After a lengthy walk, they finally reached the main entrance of the mansion. The guard swung the door open, unveiling the grand hall. The Cleared family's mansion hall was an architectural marvel, breathtaking in its scale and splendor. The two teenagers stepped through the intricately carved wooden doors, and Rogue was immediately struck by the magnificence of the surroundings.
"Wow... this is something," Rogue remarked.
The hall stretched out for several yards, its vaulted ceiling adorned with delicate frescoes depicting mythological scenes. Dark wood panels, finely crafted and enhanced with subtle gilding, dressed the walls. Stained glass windows bathed the area in daylight, casting shimmering patterns onto the tiled floor.
At the hall's center stood a grand marble staircase, which gracefully led to the upper floors. Wrought iron banisters, intricately designed, lent an elegant touch. The steps, worn smooth by time, seemed to echo the countless footsteps that had tread upon them over the centuries.
On either side of the hall, stately wooden doors led to various rooms of the mansion. Some boasted lavish decorations, with gilded designs and silver handles. Others were more understated, perhaps concealing the mansion's deepest mysteries.
The hall was tastefully furnished; cushioned armchairs were placed strategically, inviting visitors to sit. A large wooden table dominated the center of the space, atop which sat delicate porcelain vases filled with fresh flowers from the surrounding gardens. Above the table, a dazzling crystal chandelier hung, casting brilliant reflections on the walls. The atmosphere was solemn, filled with a timeless majesty. Rogue could almost sense the mansion's history seeping from every corner, as if the walls whispered tales of the Cleared ancestors.
Lana let out a sigh and remarked on the mansion's splendor:
"I have to admit... it's quite impressive."
"You can be pleasant when you try," Rogue replied.
"What are you implying? That I'm usually not?" she retorted sharply.
Rogue looked away, thinking, Of course, you are! How do you not see your own behavior?
Dropping her suitcase on the red carpet, Lana crossed her arms and shot Rogue a demanding look, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Come on! Speak up!"
"Just forget I said anything..."
"Hmph! Just as I thought! You can't even muster the courage to explain yourself! I find it hard to believe they've chosen you as the savior of the multiverse."
Rogue rubbed his arm, avoiding Lana's piercing gaze.
No matter where I am, I always end up feeling belittled...
Then, a mature woman's voice echoed through the hall, filled with excitement: "There they are! I'm so delighted to see you, my dears!"
As Rogue looked up, he was stunned by the beauty of the Cleared matriarch, radiant in her elegant gown. Her outfit seamlessly blended black and yellow, intertwining like the waters of a fountain. She descended the staircase gracefully, her stiletto heels tapping rhythmically, reminiscent of a dancer's steps.
Rogue's cheeks flushed as red as a tomato while he admired the woman's delicate features. Her long, blonde hair, perfectly smoothed like silk, complemented her delicate skin wonderfully. Her green eyes lit up her face, bringing an extra glow to her mature beauty.
The woman leaped at Rogue, arms wide open, embracing him as if the end of the world were imminent. She seemed so overjoyed to see them that she yelled in delight, caring little about the impression she might be making.
"Are you Rogue Grimez?" she asked.
"That's me, yes..." he stuttered, his head buried in the woman's chest.
Why does this kind of thing always happen to me?
"You're a handsome boy! The girls must be envious!"
Rogue turned his head towards Lana, only to find her mocking the woman's remark. He grumbled softly, still enveloped in the woman's bosom.
She always finds a way to mock me. It's not possible to be this obnoxious! Does she have nothing better to do?!
Eventually, Rogue found some air when the woman finally released him from her embrace. The mother figure continued to hold him by the shoulders, sizing him up, leaving Rogue perplexed by her scrutiny. After finishing her once-over, she inquired, "Do you eat well? You look rather thin, my dear...
"The past few days have been very tough... I haven't had much of an appetite."
"Speaking of which, I want to apologize for recruiting you so swiftly despite your circumstances... However, I will do everything in my power to ensure you feel comfortable here. I'll be here for you, like a mother, if you need one. Even if your real mother is far away from you..."
"Thank you, ma'am."
On the sidelines, Lana stared into space, her face no longer arrogant, but instead, marked with a semblance of sadness. Rogue's eyes widened at this rare sight.
Am I dreaming, or does she look sad? It's the first time I've seen her like this... Did the mother say something that affected her?
The mother noticed Lana's burdened by some deep-seated sorrow. She immediately went over to her, stroking her hair in a comforting gesture.
"What's the matter, dear? You look so sad. Is there something I can do for you?"
But Lana's cold demeanor snapped right back into place, and she brushed the mother's hand aside by pushing her arm gently away.
"I don't need your sympathy, let alone your pity! I am the heiress of the Temparus, and I am here to do my job!"
"Yes, I understand... In that case, I'll start by showing you to your room."
*
he mother, with Rogue and Lana in tow, ascended to the second floor of the mansion. The hallways were expansive, both in length and width, adorned with elongated red carpets that bore slightly yellowed edges. Several white doors, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the windows, led into other rooms that lined the corridor.
After walking for what seemed like forever within the mansion, they halted before two doors, intricately crafted from wood and marble and decorated with inscriptions in gold. The door to the right bore the name "Lana Temparus", while the one on the left read "Rogue Grimez". The mother glanced from Rogue to Lana and then declared, "These are your rooms! Make yourselves at home and unpack. Once you're settled, meet me in the garden so we can discuss the roles you'll be taking on. Alright, my dears?"
"Yes, ma'am," Rogue replied.
"You can be informal with me and call me by my first name: Eliana."
"Uh... okay, Eliana."
Eliana responded to Rogue's acknowledgement with a bright smile before she made her way to the mansion's garden. Out of the corner of his eye, Rogue noticed Lana standing still in front of her door. Seizing the moment, he tried to break the palpable tension between them, "Impressive mansion, right?"
"Shut up. I'm not here to be friends with you."
"Listen, Lana," he began cautiously, "I just want us to get along, so the next few weeks go smoothly... Why are you so distant?"
"You should know I didn't want to be here, especially not with a guy like you. Any attempts to connect with me will be in vain. So, back off before I get really angry, got it?"
"Yeah..." sighed Rogue. Great... The upcoming weeks are going to be quite a stretch, he mused internally.
Pushing the awkward moment aside, he opened his room's door and was stunned by its grandeur and opulence. The room was arranged in such a way that he could personalize it to his liking. An immense window allowed the sunlight to pour in, providing a spectacular view of the Cleared's garden. A desk, littered with pens, books, notebooks, and sheets of paper, was also at his disposal. The gigantic green bed against the wall was a sight to behold, draped in luxuriously laid blankets.
Stepping into the room, a pleasant scent of newness, coupled with a soothing undertone, eased his inner turmoil. "Wow... it's so calming," he whispered in awe.
After expressing his admiration for the room, Rogue placed his suitcase on the bed and then strolled over to the window. From his vantage point, he marveled at the Cleared's garden, which seemed to shimmer under the sun's rays. The fountain stood regally at its center, its flow of water as mesmerizing as it was serene.
If only you were here to see this, my friends...
*
When Lana and Rogue had finished packing away their belongings, they made their way to the garden where the Cleared family awaited them. Standing centermost was the family's patriarch, his stern smile framed by a tailored black suit, appearing imposing sandwiched between his wife and son. His chest was thrust forward, blue eyes almost blending into his face, and brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Paul Cleared. And this," he gestured to his wife, "is Eliana Cleared. But I assume you're already acquainted with her."
"I believe I've got the measure of her," Lana replied with a sigh.
Paul paid no mind to Lana's comment, instead placing his hand on his son's shoulder. The boy, barely ten, gave off an icy aura to those around him. He clutched his chest tightly, eyebrows furrowed in a constant scowl. His fiery red hair sharply contrasted with his pale blue eyes. Dressed in a simple blue t-shirt and shorts, he was a mix of haunting and endearing.
"And lastly, this is my son, Adrien Cleared. Say hello, Adrien."
"Hello..." he mumbled.
"Adrien doesn't have many friends at school, so he can sometimes come across as a bit aloof. Please forgive him, heh..."
"I don't need friends! That's why!"
Deep down, Rogue couldn't help but draw parallels between Lana's dismissive attitude and Adrien's, imagining countless potential confrontations between the two. They might actually get along...
"Alright, now that introductions are out of the way, let's discuss the matter at hand. As you know, following the Haradi incident, demons are orchestrating massacres globally in pursuit of the transcendental archdemon stage. We've recruited you because we believe you're the strongest in the Rymis Kingdom. Considering our family's pivotal significance, we want to ensure our safety at all costs.
"As for your duties," Eliana continued, "you will be guarding the mansion from the back, meaning the garden. This is also why your rooms offer a full view of it. Moreover, you will have access to a training ground, a swimming pool, libraries, and a study room for you to go about your tasks."
"And to conclude, guards and maids will be available should you need assistance. Any questions, youngsters?"
Rogue and Lana locked eyes, searching for questions. After a long pause, Lana finally spoke up:
"How long are we staying?"
"Until global tensions settle," Paul replied.
"The world has always been under the demon threat, and you're only noticing now?"
Rogue tried to calm Lana, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Enough, Lana. Stop it."
"Don't touch me. I despise physical contact!"
Lana swatted Rogue's hand away. Before Paul could interject:
"Regarding your comment, dear Lana, our guards have always successfully defended the mansion against demons. However, those days are gone. After the Haradi events, many guards resigned. That's an added reason why we've hired you."
"I guess I have no choice but to accept your words... Fine, I'll do my job... Even if it means working with this Lost One."
With a piercing glare, Lana looked at Rogue, filling him with overpowering shame. Rogue looked down, choosing to avoid her gaze rather than confront it.
Yanis... If you were here, you would've put her in her place... I don't have the mental strength you do... How do you manage to be so intimidating?