After lunch, there was only one more class—a mind-numbing recap of summoning basics that I already knew by heart. I spent most of it doodling absent-mindedly in my notebook, my thoughts drifting to the events of the day.
Then, mercifully, the bell rang, signaling the end of classes.
Kael and I made our way to the waiting carriage, the familiar emblem of House Veylin gleaming on its polished side. The journey back to the estate was quiet at first, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on cobblestones filling the space between us.
"I heard you had lunch with Prince Valkas," Kael said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, arms folded across his chest.
"I did," I replied, glancing at him warily. "What about it?"
"You do know why he's approaching you, don't you?" Kael asked, his tone measured but pointed. "It's because you're a Diamond-grade summoner. And because you're a Veylin."
"I know," I said, rubbing my arm awkwardly. "I'm not stupid, Kael. What was I supposed to do? Kick him off the bench?"
Kael sighed, shaking his head. "Father's going to have a headache with all the proposals coming in for you now."
I winced. He wasn't wrong.
Kael had dealt with his fair share of proposals already, being the future Marquis of House Veylin. But now, with my newfound status, the floodgates would open. Proposals had trickled in before, even when I showed no talent, purely because of my family name. Now that I was the first Diamond-grade summoner in the kingdom's history, it would be relentless.
The carriage slowed and then came to a smooth stop in front of the estate. Kael and I stepped out, the familiar sight of our home rising before us—a grand manor surrounded by sprawling gardens.
"Both of you are finally here," a mellifluous voice greeted us, stopping us in our tracks.
I turned to see a figure standing at the top of the steps, her presence commanding and elegant. Dressed in a resplendent gown adorned with intricate embroidery and a diamond necklace that caught the afternoon light, she looked every bit the noble she was. Her blonde hair was perfectly coiffed, and her piercing blue eyes surveyed us with a mixture of pride and scrutiny.
This was our mother, Marchioness Delilah Veylin.
"Mother!" I exclaimed, my heart leaping as I moved to rush to her. But her sharp gaze froze me mid-step.
"Inside first," she said with a sigh, gesturing toward the entrance.
We followed her into the manor, my giddiness bubbling just beneath the surface. The sound of our footsteps echoed softly against the marble floors.
"It's been a long time, Mother," Kael said, his usual stoicism tinged with a hint of excitement.
"Well, it was going to be even longer," she replied, glancing back at us with a small smile. "But then I heard what you both achieved. A Gold-grade summoner and a Diamond-grade summoner. Well done, both of you. Truly. Though, you've made my job much harder."
"I didn't mean to cause trouble," I said, my voice softening with guilt.
The sound of her heels on the marble floor stopped abruptly. She turned, her presence filling the space. Then—flick!
"Ow!" I yelped as she flicked me squarely on the forehead.
"Elara Veylin," she said, her voice firm but not unkind, "what was the first thing I taught you?"
I rubbed my forehead, muttering reluctantly, "Never be sorry for doing something great."
"Exactly," she said with a sigh, crossing her arms as she looked down at me. "Why should you be sorry for being the first Diamond-grade summoner this kingdom has ever seen?"
Her gaze softened, but the steel in her tone remained. "Yes, it makes life harder for us grownups, but that's our burden to carry. We'll handle it, Elara. That's what we're here for—to support you until you're ready to handle it all yourself."
Her words settled over me like a warm blanket, both comforting and grounding.
"Thank you, Mother," I said quietly, my chest tightening with a mixture of gratitude and determination.
She reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "Good. Now, no more apologizing for being extraordinary. It's unbecoming of a Veylin."
Kael smirked faintly at her words, though he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
"Come," she said, turning back toward the grand staircase. "Dinner will be ready soon, and your father will want to discuss your progress. But for now…"
Her voice softened as she glanced back at us, a rare smile playing at her lips. "…I'm proud of you both."
The words hung in the air, rare and precious. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt truly seen—not as a burden, not as a disappointment, but as someone worth being proud of.
After freshening up, I was escorted to the dining room by my maid. The soft patter of her footsteps on the polished marble floor was almost drowned out by the anxious rhythm of my thoughts. When we arrived, I found the others already seated—father at the head of the table, mother at his right, and Kael opposite her, his posture as straight as ever.
"Sit, dear," my mother said with a warm smile, gesturing to the seat beside her. Her tone was gentle, but her eyes carried that ever-watchful glint, as though she saw everything at once.
I complied, settling into the chair beside her while Kael offered me a faint nod from across the table.
Then, without warning, the Diamond grimoire in my lap fluttered open, its pages turning of their own accord. A single word etched itself on the first few pages, glowing faintly in a font that seemed almost alive.
Food.
"Well," my mother said, tilting her head with a bemused smile. "I was going to ask you to show me your grimoire, but I suppose it has other priorities." Her sapphire eyes gleamed as she took in the sight of the artifact, its crystalline surface shimmering in the soft light of the dining room. "Go on, dear. Your summon is hungry."
I nodded, slightly flustered, and focused on the grimoire. With a thought, I willed Aria out of the subspace within.
The air seemed to shift as she emerged, her small frame stepping gracefully into the room. She was dressed, as always, in her flowing black dress, its fabric rippling faintly as though alive. Her dark eyes blinked once, taking in the surroundings with a detached curiosity before she quietly seated herself beside me, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
There was a moment of silence, the kind that felt like the room itself was holding its breath.
"Butler," my mother said, her voice cutting cleanly through the stillness. It was a single word, but it carried the weight of an unspoken command.
Within moments, a plate was set before Aria.
"So," my mother began, her tone poised and conversational, though her gaze was sharp as a blade. "You are the Prime Eterna, the Heavenly Demon. How fascinating."
Aria turned her head to face my mother, her expression calm and unreadable. "Nice to meet you," she replied, her voice as smooth as polished stone. "I am Aria."
There was a pause, and I held my breath, unsure how my mother would react to Aria's bluntness.
To my relief—and slight surprise—my mother chuckled softly. "A straightforward one," she said, leaning back in her chair with an air of amusement. "Well, Aria, I am Marchioness Delilah Veylin, the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Thane. Welcome to our home."
"Okay," Aria said simply, then turned her attention to the plate in front of her.
I winced internally, casting a cautious glance at my mother. But instead of offense, her expression softened with something that looked suspiciously like approval.
"Efficient," my mother remarked lightly. "I can respect that."
Aria, unfazed by the exchange, began to eat. Her movements were precise, methodical, as though she were dissecting the concept of food itself.
Father, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat, drawing the room's attention. "It is extraordinary," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of reverence, "to have a Prime Eterna under this roof. Your summon is a marvel, Elara."
"She is," I murmured, glancing at Aria, who was now curiously examining a piece of bread as though it held the secrets of the universe.
Kael, ever the skeptic, leaned forward slightly. "But will she obey?" he asked pointedly, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Aria.
Aria looked up at him, her dark gaze meeting his unflinchingly. "Yes," she said simply.
Kael leaned back, his expression unreadable.
"Good," my mother interjected smoothly, her voice cutting through the tension like silk over steel. "Because she is not merely a summon, Elara. She is your partner, your responsibility. The two of you will rise or fall together. Never forget that."
I nodded, her words settling heavily on my shoulders.
Aria, seemingly unconcerned by the gravity of the conversation, reached for another morsel of food, her movements as fluid and deliberate as ever.
As the meal continued, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pride and unease. Aria was extraordinary, yes, but she was also an enigma—one I was still learning to understand.
And as I glanced around the table at the faces of my family, I realized that her presence had already begun to shift the delicate balance of our lives in ways I couldn't yet predict.