The soft clink of porcelain echoed faintly across the terrace as Luna placed her cup down, the tea inside barely touched. A gentle breeze swept through the sprawling estate, rustling the leaves of the ancient oaks that lined the horizon. The sun hung low, casting a warm, amber glow that softened everything it touched. But Luna's thoughts were far from calm.
Across from her sat Mr. Northan, his face lined with years of wisdom and weathered by the life he had lived. His sharp, gray eyes twinkled with pride as he continued recounting the history of his family's estate. His voice, steady and rich, wove stories of times long past, and for a moment, Luna let herself be drawn into them.
"This land," Northan said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edge of his own teacup, "it's more than just dirt and grass, you know. It's legacy. My family has guarded it for centuries since the days of King Reinhardt. My great-great-grandfather saved the king's life during a battle, and this land was his reward."
Luna's interest piqued at the mention of ancient history. She had always been drawn to stories like these tales of bravery, of kings and castles. There was something about the past that fascinated her, the way it seemed to linger in certain places, like an invisible thread connecting everything.
"And it's been in your family ever since?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Northan nodded slowly, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Indeed. My father always said there was something special about this place. Some would say magical, even. There are old legends, you know, stories about this land being sacred long before my family came into possession of it. They say the earth here... it has a kind of power. Of course," he added with a chuckle, "those are just stories. But there's no denying the feeling you get when you walk these grounds."
Luna's gaze drifted out toward the rolling hills that stretched beyond the estate, the same land she would soon transform into her Dreamland project. She had felt it too, from the moment she set foot here. There was an energy, a pull she couldn't quite explain. It wasn't just about the beauty of the place—it was something deeper, something unspoken.
"You believe in those legends?" Luna asked, half-smiling, though her curiosity was genuine.
Northan shrugged, his smile deepening the creases around his eyes. "Believe? No, not exactly. But I've lived long enough to know that there's more to the world than meets the eye. And this place—well, it has a way of making you feel like you're part of something bigger."
Before Luna could ask more, Grace approached from the side, her heels clicking softly against the stone floor of the terrace. As always, Grace moved with a sense of purpose, her clipboard in hand, her expression calm but efficient.
"Miss Luna," Grace began, her voice smooth but professional, "I wanted to give you an update on tonight's arrangements."
Luna nodded, pulling herself back to the present. She had nearly forgotten about the evening's party, though she knew it was important. Investors would be arriving soon, and tonight was her opportunity to show them why this land was so special. She needed them to see it the way she did to feel the connection, the potential.
"Go ahead," Luna said, motioning for Grace to continue.
"The party will take place at the Dreamland site, as requested. We've arranged for the lighting to highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings, and the catering team is setting up as we speak. Everything should be ready by sunset," Grace reported efficiently.
Luna nodded again, satisfied with the arrangements. This evening had to be perfect. It wasn't just about securing more investments it was about proving to herself, and to everyone else, that she could turn her vision into reality. But before Luna could respond, Grace hesitated slightly, her eyes flickering toward Northan for just a moment before returning to Luna.
"There's one more thing," Grace said carefully. "Mr. Kiad will be joining us tonight. His jet is expected to arrive at the city port within the next hour."
The mention of Kiad made Luna pause. She had not expected him to show up he rarely attended events in person unless it was absolutely necessary. Luna's expression remained neutral, but inside, her thoughts raced. Kiad was an unpredictable force, and his sudden decision to attend the party didn't sit well with her.
"Kiad?" Luna echoed, keeping her voice calm. "I didn't realize he was coming."
"Neither did I," Grace replied, her tone equally measured. "It was a last-minute arrangement, apparently."
Luna's lips tightened into a thin line. Kiad had always been difficult to read, and she had learned long ago not to expect transparency from him. He was a man who thrived on control, on keeping people guessing. And while their business relationship had always been professional, there was an unspoken tension that seemed to linger in every interaction they had.
"Make sure everything is prepared for his arrival," Luna instructed, her tone clipped but polite.
Grace nodded and excused herself, leaving Luna and Northan alone once more. Northan, ever the keen observer, chuckled softly, breaking the brief silence.
"This Kiad fellow," Northan said, amusement dancing in his eyes, "he sounds like a handful."
Luna allowed herself a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "He's... complicated."
"Aren't they all," Northan mused, his smile widening.
Luna stood, smoothing the front of her dress, her mind already drifting back to the evening ahead. There was something about Kiad's sudden appearance that unsettled her, though she couldn't quite place why. He had always been an enigmatic figure in her life distant, cold, yet undeniably influential.
But tonight wasn't about Kiad. It was about the land, the dream she had poured so much of herself into. She couldn't afford to be distracted.
"Thank you for the tea, Mr. Northan," Luna said, her tone polite but distant now. "I'll see you at the party later this evening."
Northan rose from his seat, nodding respectfully. "I look forward to it, Miss Luna. It'll be quite the evening, I'm sure."
As Luna walked away, she felt a strange weight settle on her shoulders a mixture of anticipation and unease. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lawn. The evening was fast approaching, and with it, the sense that something was shifting, something she couldn't quite understand.
By the time Luna returned to her suite, the first hints of twilight had begun to settle over the estate. The sky had turned a soft lavender, and the distant hills were bathed in a dusky glow. She stood by the window, gazing out at the view, her thoughts lingering on the past and the stories Northan had shared.
The legends, the magic—it was all nonsense, wasn't it? And yet, as she looked out over the land that would soon become Dreamland, she couldn't help but feel that there was more to this place than meets the eye. A history that had not yet fully revealed itself.
And then there was Kiad. His presence always seemed to bring with it a storm whether it was a calm one or something more dangerous, she couldn't be sure. But tonight, she had a feeling it would be the latter.
With a final glance at the darkening sky, Luna turned away from the window. The night ahead was bound to be more than just a celebration. It felt like a turning point, a shift in the air, and Luna had learned to trust her instincts when it came to such things.
Something was coming. And whatever it was, she wasn't sure she was ready for it.