Arlon froze mid-motion, his calm demeanor fracturing as Dimitri's words sank in.
I had almost forgotten—Arlon Throndsen had two blood-related siblings studying at the Empire Academy. Why now!?
"Wait..." he said, his voice rising. "When are we leaving?"
Dimitri's expression remained composed as he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves with deliberate precision. "Tomorrow morning, my lord. The journey to the Empire must begin early if you wish to arrive on time for the ceremony."
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yes," Dimitri confirmed evenly. "Preparations should begin immediately to ensure everything is in order."
The weight of the news hit Arlon like a hammer. He stared at Dimitri, his mind racing to catch up. The tranquil evening he'd allowed himself evaporated, replaced by a flurry of thoughts about the journey ahead.
"I'll... I'll figure this out," Arlon muttered, more to himself than to Dimitri.
Dimitri inclined his head with a faint, knowing smile before turning to leave. The door closed softly behind him, and silence settled over the room once more—broken only by the faint crackle of the breeze against the windows.
Ace, who had been silently observing the exchange, let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"Looks like your moment of peace didn't last long," he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.
Arlon didn't respond, his mind already turning over the logistics of the next day. He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees as he steepled his fingers.
The moonlight cast long shadows across his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his expression.
Tomorrow would be a challenge, but it wasn't insurmountable. After all, he thought grimly, challenges were nothing new.
Rustle—
The soft glow of dawn seeped through the tall windows of Arlon's chambers, painting the room in muted gold. Outside, the estate stirred to life, the quiet bustle of servants preparing for the day filling the crisp morning air.
Tap— Tap—
Arlon stood by the window, dressed in a tailored coat and sturdy boots that hinted at the long journey ahead. His sharp gaze lingered on the gardens below, their dew-kissed leaves shimmering in the early light.
Despite the vibrant hues of sunrise painting the room, a knot of anxiety tightened in Arlon's chest. He clenched his jaw, the serene beauty of the gardens below doing little to soothe the turmoil within.
Behind him, Ace stretched lazily on a velvet armchair, his red eyes gleaming with faint amusement.
"You look ready to conquer a kingdom," Ace teased, his tail flicking. "All that brooding, and it's just a trip to the Empire."
Arlon smirked faintly but didn't turn. The weight of the journey pressed down on him, each step echoing in his mind like a drumbeat. The sudden shift in the ceremony schedule sent a jolt of unease through him, a premonition of unforeseen complications.
The story's already deviating, he thought, his brow furrowing. And it's only going to get worse from here.
Ace leapt gracefully from the chair, padding over to him with an air of casual authority. "You're overthinking again," he said, his voice laced with mockery. "Try not to scare the horses before we even leave."
Arlon finally turned, his movements deliberate as he retrieved his gloves from a nearby table. "There's too much at stake to take this lightly," he muttered, slipping them on with precision. "This isn't just a trip—it's the first step toward what's coming."
Ace let out a soft huff, curling his tail around his paws. "Always so dramatic."
The faintest twitch of a smile crossed Arlon's lips, but he said nothing more. Outside, the sound of hooves stamping impatiently against the gravel reminded him that time was slipping away.
The story's already deviating, he thought, his brow furrowing. And it's only going to get worse from here.
Ace leapt gracefully from the chair and padded over, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. "You're overthinking again. Try not to scare the horses before we even leave."
Arlon didn't respond immediately, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let's go," he said calmly, gesturing toward the door.
Ace yawned, a low rumble echoing in his chest. He stretched languidly, extending his claws and arching his back before gracefully padding out of the room, trailing behind Arlon.
Ace stretched lazily before following Arlon out of the room.
They descended the grand staircase in silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly through the hall. Stepping outside, they were greeted by the bustling preparations for the journey.
Clip- Clop—
In the estate's courtyard, the carriages were lined up and ready, their polished frames gleaming in the morning sun. Servants bustled about, loading trunks and securing supplies, while the horses pawed impatiently at the gravel.
Clink— Clatter—
Arlon arrived to find Alice, Anthony, Lawrence, and Dimitri already assembled. Alice adjusted her cloak, her sharp gaze scanning the preparations, while Anthony leaned casually against one of the carriages, his usual grin firmly in place.
"Looks like we're all set," Anthony said as Arlon approached. "Though I wouldn't mind a bit more breakfast before we hit the road."
Alice rolled her eyes. "You had two helpings already."
Lawrence stood quietly to the side, his temporary sword strapped securely to his waist. He straightened when Arlon approached.
"Everything's ready," Lawrence said. "Eric's carriage is stocked with everything he'll need for the journey."
"Good," Arlon replied, nodding. "Dimitri, anything to add?"
Dimitri stepped forward, holding a folded map. "The route south is clear, but the rainy season has begun. The roads may be slower than expected."
Arlon took the map, his sharp eyes scanning the marked path. "We'll manage. Keep everyone moving—we can't afford delays."
Before departure, Arlon made his way back to the grand hall, where his younger siblings, Irish and Irien, waited. The twins looked up at him with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of excitement and worry.
Irish was the first to speak, tugging on his sleeve. "Are you really leaving for the Empire today,lord Arlon?" she asked, her voice small but filled with curiosity.
"Yes," Arlon replied, kneeling slightly to meet their gaze. "I have to go, but it won't be for long."
Irien stepped closer, his brows furrowed in concern. "Will it be dangerous?"
His gaze flickered to the twins, a flicker of doubt crossing his face before he managed a reassuring smile, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
"It's just a trip to handle some important matters. I'll be careful, I promise."
"You'll bring us something from the Empire, right?" Irish asked, her eyes brightening a little. "Something cool!"
"Something really cool!" Irien added, grinning as he mimicked his sister.
Arlon chuckled softly, resting a hand on each of their heads. "I'll bring you both something, but nothing dangerous."
The twins giggled, their excitement momentarily overshadowing their worries. Irish's gaze then shifted to Ace, who had silently followed Arlon into the hall.
"You take care of him, okay?" she said, leaning down to pat the black cat's head. "Don't let him get into trouble."
Ace blinked slowly, feigning the disinterest of a typical cat. "Of course," he murmured under his breath, audible only to Arlon.
Then, with a playful flick of his tail, he added, "And if things get really urgent, I suppose I'll have to save you too. Can't have you messing up my reputation."
Arlon shot him a sidelong glance, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. "How generous of you," he muttered dryly.
Ace stretched lazily, his red eyes glinting with amusement. "Don't mention it. Just try not to get into too much trouble without me."
Irien stepped forward, his expression serious, completely oblivious to the brief exchange of glances between Arlon and Ace. "We'll miss you,lord Arlon," he said softly. "And Ace too."
Nearby, Eric stood quietly, his ears twitching nervously. As Irish and Irien approached, they wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Goodbye," Irien said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
"I hope we see you again someday," Irish added with a bright smile.
Eric's tail wagged faintly, and he glanced shyly at the twins. "Thank you... for everything. I wish we could play again," he said, his voice small but heartfelt.
Irish beamed, her eyes lighting up. "Of course we'll play again! Next time, we'll show you all our favorite games!"
Irien nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You have to come back soon, Eric. We'll be waiting!"
Their cheerful energy seemed to lift Eric's spirits, and he managed a small, genuine smile. "I'll come back," he promised. "I'd like that."
As the three exchanged farewells, Duchess Emilia approached, her steps graceful yet measured. The quiet rustle of her dress blended with the soft wind that stirred the trees.
Her eyes, though calm, carried a weight of unspoken thoughts. She hovered for a moment, as though weighing her words, her lips slightly parted before she took a breath.
She glanced at Arlon, her gaze softening, but there was a flicker of concern beneath it—she had raised him with care, yet this journey would take him far from home. With a slight tilt of her head, she took a step closer, the faintest trace of uncertainty clouding her usual poise.
After a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice gentle yet firm, "Travel safely, Arlon. And please, contact us when you reach the Empire."
Arlon could sense her hesitation, the way her usually composed posture softened. She wasn't just the Duchess now—she was trying to be a mother, offering care without overwhelming him. He appreciated it.
The Duchess watched him with quiet resolve, her hand lingering as if to reach out, but she kept her composure.
Dimitri stood near the lead carriage, calm and composed. Alice and Anthony lingered nearby, their usual banter quiet as the weight of the journey settled in. Lawrence adjusted his sword belt, his posture steady, but alert.
Arlon took a moment to glance back at the grand estate—the place he had called home. The twins waved, their small figures framed by sunlight. The Duchess gave him one last look, her expression soft yet tinged with something unspoken.
The thought of leaving it behind, even temporarily, stirred something unspoken within him.
This is the first step, he thought. The first of many.
Without another word, he stepped toward the lead carriage. "Let's go," he said simply, his tone firm, leaving no room for hesitation.