Mira's words hung in the air as a tangible silence fell over the room, broken only by the sincere voices of those gathered.
Sophia, her red eyes still wide, stepped forward.
"Countess Mira, I have to say, your honesty and courage are beyond impressive. Most people wouldn't reveal something like that, especially when they don't have to. You've earned my respect."
Eve added with a playful yet earnest tone, "You could've kept this secret and still gained our trust, but the fact that you chose not to? That speaks volumes about who you are. You're not just strong—you're admirable."
Adrian turned to Isabella, whose warm presence filled the room. Isabella nodded approvingly and smiled warmly at Mira.
"Countess Mira," she said, her voice resonating with motherly pride, "this openness of yours cements the foundation of our alliance. Tonight, we'll celebrate not just this union but the strength and sincerity of the Blackthorn and Everhart families."
She turned to the maid stationed by the door. "Prepare a lavish feast tonight. Let it reflect the significance of this moment."
The maid curtsied and left to fulfill Isabella's instructions. The room buzzed with quiet excitement, but Isabella wasn't finished. Her sharp eyes fell on Adrian.
"Adrian, I believe it's time you showed our guests around the estate. Let them see what the Everhart family truly has to offer."
Adrian inclined his head respectfully. "Of course, Mother. Countess Mira, Lady Lira, shall we?"
Mira nodded gracefully. "Lead the way, Lord Adrian."
Lira followed silently, her gaze flicking between Adrian and her sister, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.
Adrian led them through the estate's sprawling grounds until they reached the training fields. The rhythmic clang of swords and the booming voices of commanders filled the air.
Mira's sharp eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight before her: rows of soldiers, each moving with precision and skill. Their strength was evident, even from afar.
But what truly caught her attention were the draconian soldiers standing apart from the rest, their presence commanding and otherworldly.
Their movements were fluid yet devastatingly powerful. Each of them was at least Second Class Awakened.
Mira stopped in her tracks, her gaze narrowing. "This… this is no ordinary baron's army, she thought, her mind racing. These men could rival the elite forces of a count's household."
Her memories of a prior incident surfaced. The night she had been quietly and efficiently subdued by an unknown force.
She had suspected then that Adrian's household held more power than it let on, but seeing this army confirmed it.
It was clear now: the Everhart family had cultivated an elite force, small in number but formidable in strength.
Adrian noticed her reaction and turned to her with a knowing smile. "Impressive, aren't they?"
Mira composed herself quickly, her voice calm but tinged with genuine admiration.
"Very. To maintain such a force in a baron-ranked household is nothing short of extraordinary. This army… it's a testament to your leadership, Adrian. I am very much impressed with you."
Lira, walking quietly behind them, felt a flicker of pride at Mira's words. Her gaze rested on Adrian for a moment, her thoughts drifting.
"This person is going to be my husband, she thought, a faint smile gracing her lips."
As they continued their walk through the manor, Adrian suddenly came to a halt, turning to face Mira. His red eyes were sharp yet unreadable, a weight behind them that immediately drew her full attention.
As they continued their walk through the manor, Adrian suddenly came to a halt, turning to face Mira. His red eyes were sharp yet unreadable, a weight behind them that immediately drew her full attention.
"Mira," he began, his voice calm but deliberate, "since you've been so honest with us, I believe it's only fair that I share a secret with you as well."
Mira raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A secret?" she asked, her tone measured.
Lira, who had been walking quietly behind them, perked up at his words, her curiosity evident as she stepped closer to the pair.
Adrian nodded, folding his arms as he continued. "It's about Baron Mortimer."
The mention of Mortimer's name caught Mira off guard. Her composure faltered slightly, and she tilted her head. "Baron Mortimer? I wasn't aware there was a situation concerning him."
Adrian smiled faintly, though his tone remained serious. "Not many are. But as you've pledged yourself to this alliance by revealing your greatest secret, I feel you deserve to know the truth. The Everhart family has already dealt with Baron Mortimer."
The revelation hung in the air for a moment, the weight of his words slowly sinking in. Mira's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. "Dealt with him? What exactly do you mean?"
Adrian's gaze darkened, his voice lowering slightly. "As you know, Baron Mortimer was plotting against us. That day when we told you that the attack was called off due to my losing consciousness… in truth, we had already dealt with him."
Lira gasped softly, her eyes wide as she clutched the hem of her dress. "You already dealt with him? What does that mean?"
Adrian turned to her, his expression unyielding. "It means we eliminated the threat. Baron Mortimer is no longer in the control of the power he wields. And it wasn't just him. Three powerful reinforcements sent by Count Vortigern to assist him in case of emergency or whatever were also neutralized."
Mira froze, her composed demeanor shattering as shock rippled across her features. "You neutralized all of them? Count Vortigern's reinforcements included?"
Adrian nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile, though there was no humor in his expression.
"Yes. They were formidable, but we were simply stronger, and our attack took them by surprise. Baron Mortimer's army couldn't assemble in time. With the elite force you see before you, we swiftly dealt with his soldiers. Later, Sophia and I took care of the reinforcements personally."
Lira shook her head slightly, struggling to comprehend the scope of what she was hearing. "But… how? How did you manage such a feat? No one saw any army invading or retreating. Even if your army is small, there were no signs of large caravans. Unless…"
Her voice trailed off as realization dawned, and she looked up at Adrian in disbelief. "Unless your army was already inside Mortimer territory?"
Adrian's smile widened slightly. "Exactly. We prepared meticulously. I teleported my forces silently and swiftly, as I tore down the castle gate and attacked him. By the time anyone realized what was happening, it was already over."
Mira's eyes widened, her usually composed demeanor completely shattered. "Teleportation?" she exclaimed, her voice almost a shout. "That's… impossible. Such magic only exists in legends—fables of the gods themselves. It's the kind of power spoken of in fairy tales, not wielded by mortals!"
Lira's jaw dropped as well, her wide-eyed gaze darting between Adrian and her sister. "Teleportation magic? Are you serious? That kind of spell can't be something that a mortal can wield."
Adrian crossed his arms, his red eyes calm but unwavering. "I understand your disbelief," he said smoothly. "Such power is rare, to say the least. But it's not as far-fetched as you might think."
Mira shook her head, taking a step back as if she needed the physical distance to process his words. "Not far-fetched? Adrian, you're speaking of magic that is said to be wielded only by the gods themselves. Are you trying to tell me you've somehow unlocked divine power?"
Her words sparked an idea in Adrian's mind, his expression shifting ever so slightly as he reached into his coat.
Slowly, deliberately, he pulled out a small, radiant token etched with intricate designs that shimmered faintly with otherworldly energy.
The air around them seemed to grow heavier, and an indescribable aura of divinity filled the space.
Mira's sharp eyes locked onto the token, her voice faltering. "What… is that?"