The doors swung open before them, revealing a room steeped in darkness and the faint scent of aged leather and parchment. A large fireplace roared at the far end, casting flickering shadows across the floor. Lord Meredris sat at his desk, the candlelight illuminating his stern features as he studied a map sprawled before him. He looked up as Aldwyn entered, his eyes flicking over his son with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Aldwyn," he said, his voice a gruff acknowledgment. He rose, his movements stiff. "Your victory is a testament to the Lyrendis name."
Lord Meredris was a man carved from the very essence of nobility, his broad shoulders and proud bearing speaking of his lineage. His hair, once as vibrant as Aldwyn's but now a distinguished silver, was cropped short and meticulously combed back. His beard was trimmed to a sharp point, emphasizing his strong jaw and stern countenance and his eyes are dark blue. He wore a tunic of the finest quality, the fabric shimmering with threads of gold that danced in the firelight, and a heavy fur cloak that spoke of his rank and power.
Aldwyn took a deep breath and stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Father," he said, his voice steady despite the tumult of emotions within him. "But we must not forget, the war is not won. The enemy is defeated for now, but they will regroup. We must remain vigilant."
Lord Meredris's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Vigilance is a virtue," he said finally, his voice measured. "But so is the ability to recognize when to strike and when to rebuild." He gestured to the map before him, the lands of Sylphora laid out in intricate detail.
"But that doesn't matter for now. The king requires your presence at today's banquet. The personal invitation arrived shortly before your arrival," he said in a firm voice. "I have already made sure that proper clothes have been brought to your room. I don't need to explain to you, how important this event is for the Lyrendis family."
„A banquet? In this situation?"
Aldwyn nodded and swallowed a sigh. "I won't disappoint you, Father," he said, his voice strained as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Mariel stepped in gently. "If you'll permit me, my lord, I shall help you prepare for the evening." Her touch was light on his arm as she guided him away from the cold gaze of Lord Meredris and back towards his quarters.
The room was vast and unchanged, a bastion of order and opulence. The bed was made with military precision, the velvet curtains drawn back to allow the fading light to cast a soft glow across the polished floorboards. A steaming tub of water had been drawn for him, scented with the sweet fragrance of lavender and mint, a rare luxury after the harsh realities of the battlefield.
Mariel helped him out of his armor, removing each piece with a gentle touch and murmuring a bit of sympathy for the bruises hidden beneath. He felt a pang of gratitude for her kindness, a stark contrast to the coldness of his father's words. As the last piece of metal clattered to the floor and he stood there in only his underwear, he spoke up. "That's enough, I'll manage on my own from here on."
Her eyes met his, understanding and a hint of sadness in them. "As you wish, my lord," she said softly, leaving him to his solitude.
Aldwyn approached the tub with a weariness that seemed to seep into his very bones. He eyed the steaming water with a mix of longing and dread.
He sank into the tub with a sigh, the warmth enveloping him like a comforting embrace. The water stung against his bruises, but it was a pain he welcomed, a reminder that he was alive, that he had survived. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to sink deeper, the scent of lavender and mint soothing his frayed nerves.
After he had finished, he dried himself off and looked at himself in the mirror. His reflection stared back at him, a warrior's body marred by battle.
His long silver hair hanging partially over his face and covering his green-turquoise serpentine eyes. The stark contrast between his pale skin and the blackness of the bruises spoke volumes about the battles he had fought and the price he had paid for the victory they now celebrated. The muscles on his body were lean and defined, a testament to the hard training he had undergone since childhood.
The clothes laid out on his bed were a symphony of colors and textures that sang of his high birth and recent victory. A tunic of deep, royal blue adorned with intricate silver threading lay atop a pair of black trousers made from the finest velvet. The tunic was cinched at the waist by a belt of gleaming steel, the buckle shaped like a dragon's head that breathed a fiery sapphire. The material was softer than the finest silk. It whispered of his valor and the weight of his family's legacy.
Aldwyn took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship before donning the garments with a practiced ease that belied his exhaustion. He felt the fabric settle around him like a second skin. He tied his long silver hair into a manbun, the strands glinting in the firelight like a crown of moonlit ice.
His thoughts wandered to the banquet and the king's expectations. Would he be called upon to recount his tales of valor? Or would he be a mere prop, a symbol of the kingdom's victory to be displayed and admired? Either way, he knew he had a role to play, and he would perform it flawlessly, as he always did.
Mariel entered the room, her footsteps silent on the plush carpets, and paused at the sight of him dressed for the occasion. "You look every inch the hero, my lord," she said, a genuine smile lighting her face. She approached, holding a scroll sealed with the royal crest of Sylphora.
"Your invitation to the banquet," she said, extending the parchment. Her hand trembled slightly, hinting at her own anticipation of the evening.
Aldwyn took the scroll, his eyes lingering on the crimson wax seal. "Thank you, Mariel," he said, his voice a soft rumble.
Mariel nodded. "I will see to it that your armor is cleaned and polished, my lord," she said, gathering the discarded pieces. "Your valor deserves to be reflected in every aspect."
....