Noah was deep in a peaceful sleep, unaware of the flurry of activity that had overtaken the mansion. Servants rushed through the halls, ensuring every detail was perfect for the arrival of important guests. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, but the mansion remained brightly illuminated, exuding an air of grandeur and anticipation.
Outside, the sound of hooves came to a stop as a luxurious carriage pulled up at the gate. The knights on duty immediately moved to the door, bowing low as they opened it. From within stepped a stunning woman, her figure elegant and refined, holding a baby girl in her arms. Following her was a stern-looking man with fiery red hair and eyes that blazed like embers in the dim light.
A middle-aged butler, dressed in impeccable attire, approached and greeted them with deep respect. "Welcome, Duke and Duchess Asvold. The master and mistress are eagerly awaiting your arrival. If you'll allow me, I'll guide you to the drawing room."
With a silent nod, the Duke and Duchess followed the butler through the grand entrance.
Inside the Mansion
Lilith and Lucious were enjoying a quiet moment together, sharing light conversation over tea when a maid entered, bowing deeply before speaking.
"Master, mistress, your guests have arrived."
Lilith's face brightened immediately. She stood up with excitement barely contained and hurried toward the main hall, leaving Lucious to follow at his own pace. He sighed softly, a trace of amusement in his eyes, before rising from his chair to trail after her.
Lilith entered the hall, her gaze falling on her long-time friend. The woman had silver-white hair and piercing blue eyes, as beautiful as she remembered, and she was tenderly soothing the baby in her arms. Beside her stood a tall man with a stern expression, but his gaze softened as it rested on his wife and child. Lilith couldn't help but smile.
But the calm was short-lived. Lucious, who had just arrived, couldn't resist teasing his old friend.
"Is that a smile I see on your face, Ethan?" he said with mock astonishment. "If I told anyone that the Flame Emperor himself was capable of smiling, they'd call me delusional."
Ethan Asvold's expression shifted, his features hardening as he met Lucious's gaze. "Lucious Vestron, finally decided to grace us with your presence, have you? I half-expected you to keep us waiting."
Lucious chuckled. "Still upset about me missing Alicia's birth? Come now, surely you're not holding a grudge."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "An apology wouldn't kill you."
While the men continued their playful banter, Lilith turned to her friend, her face glowing with warmth. "Elena, she's absolutely beautiful," she said, gently brushing her fingers over the little girl's cheek.
Elena's eyes sparkled with pride. "Well, she is my daughter, after all."
Lilith let out a light laugh. "Ever the narcissist, aren't we?" she teased. "What's this little angel's name?"
"Alicia. Alicia Asvold," Elena replied, her voice tender.
Lilith smiled. "It's perfect. Such a lovely name. But speaking of names, where are you hiding your son? I've been waiting all day to meet him."
"He's fast asleep in my room," Lilith said, grinning. "But come, we can go see him. He should be waking soon."
The two women stood, chatting animatedly as they made their way toward the bedroom, with Ethan and Lucious following behind, still caught in their friendly bickering.
When they arrived in the bedroom, Noah was still sound asleep, his tiny figure barely moving as he lay curled in the soft bedding. His peaceful slumber made both women's faces soften.
"He's adorable," Elena said, her voice full of admiration. "He'll grow into a fine young man, I'm sure of it."
Lilith's eyes gleamed with pride. "Of course, with parents like us, what else could you expect?"
Without a word, Elena gently placed Alicia on the bed beside Noah. The baby girl gazed curiously at Noah, her little hands reaching out to touch him.
Still, Elena couldn't help but smile mischievously. "You know, I think Alicia's the cuter one."
Lilith shot her a playful glare. "Bias much? My son is clearly the cutest."
As the women continued their light-hearted bickering, Ethan turned to Lucious, his tone dropping into seriousness. "You remember the agreement we made, don't you?"
Lucious gave a slow nod. "Of course. I haven't forgotten."
This caught the women's attention. They both turned to the men, curiosity piqued. "What agreement?" they asked, almost in unison.
Ethan cleared his throat. "Back when we were young, Lucious and I made a pact. If one of us had a son and the other had a daughter, we'd betroth them to each other."
Elena and Lilith exchanged a glance, smiles breaking across their faces. "Well, I can't see any objections to that!" Elena said.
Lilith nodded. "I think it's a wonderful idea. Our families have always been close."
The men sighed in relief, clearly pleased their wives were on board with the old agreement.
Meanwhile, Noah, still groggy from sleep, felt a soft tugging on his cheek. His eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing a pair of wide, curious eyes staring back at him. The little girl next to him was pulling at his cheeks, giggling in amusement.
"Who is she? And why is she lying next to me?" Noah wondered, still half-dazed from sleep.
Before he could make sense of it, his mother's familiar voice came from above him. "Oh, my little angel is awake!" she cooed. "Look who's come to see you."
Noah's gaze shifted, taking in the faces of two strangers—a beautiful woman with silver hair and striking blue eyes, and a man with fiery red hair and a stern, yet not unkind expression. Something about the woman stirred a feeling of recognition within him, though he couldn't quite place it.
"This is my dear friend Elena Asvold and her husband, Ethan Asvold," Lilith said, introducing the couple.
Although he didn't fully understand the language yet, Noah managed to catch their names. Asvold... Asvold... The name struck him like lightning. He knew it from somewhere. Then it clicked—Alicia Asvold.
Sword Saint's Legacy—the novel where Alicia Asvold was a key figure. She wasn't the main female lead, but she was beloved by readers for her depth and influence on the plot.
"If this couple is related to that Alicia Asvold, then I'm in the plot of Sword Saint's Legacy," Noah thought. "But when? How far back?"
His thoughts were interrupted as his mother's voice cut through his contemplation. "And this little angel here," Lilith said, motioning toward the baby beside him, "is their daughter, Alicia Asvold."
Noah's heart skipped a beat. "What?! This little girl is Alicia Asvold? The future Ice Witch? The cold and ruthless girl who shaped the story?"
The idea was hard to reconcile. The innocent baby girl pulling at his cheeks was destined to become one of the most formidable characters in the novel.
"If she's Alicia, then I'm at least fifteen years before the plot begins," Noah realized. "The storyline doesn't start until she turns fifteen... I have time. Time to prepare."