A Father's Summon
The ride in the carriage was even as Orion leaned back on his seat, feeling the soft bounce of the wheels on the stone-paved path. The darkness had descended in full, and the chilly air was filled with peace. Beside him, Lyra had dozed off, her breathing gentle and in soothing rhythm. Orion couldn't suppress a smile—she must have been too tired from what happened during the day.
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the elegant Thorne mansion, Orion leaned forward and shook Lyra's shoulder gently.
"We're home," he whispered.
Lyra shifted, her bright blue eyes blinking open. She rubbed sleepily before nodding. They stepped out of the carriage together.
Waiting at the front of the estate were Lady Aria and Lady Liren, their faces glow with pride. The guards and maids of the estate stood in rows, making respectful bows and curtsies.
"Congratulations, Young Master Orion and Young Miss Lyra," one of the guards declared with profound respect.
The maids repeated the same thing, smiling wide. "We're so proud of you both, Young Master and Young Miss."
Orion nodded, greeting them with a slight smile. It was. different. For all those years, he had walked these corridors feeling invisible, but tonight, everything had shifted.
Inside, the manor was redolent with the aroma of roasting meats, warm bread, and sweet spices. A sumptuous feast had been laid out to celebrate their awaking. The great dining table was lit with silver candlesticks, and there were platters of the finest dishes that seemed to extend as far as the eye could see.
As they sat down, Orion's stomach rumbled audibly.
There was a solemn silence after that.
Then—
"Pfft—" Lyra suppressed a laugh.
Lady Liren hid her mouth, attempting to suppress laughter.
Lady Aria, though, laughed freely. "It appears someone has gotten quite the appetite!"
Orion's face flushed. Damn it.
Even the maids smiled as they placed the last dishes on the table.
"Dinner is served, Madam," one of the maids announced politely.
Lady Aria smiled. "Thank you. Let's eat, shall we?"
As the four of them walked over to the table, Orion inhaled deeply, shoving his embarrassment aside. He was too hungry to be bothered now.
The dinner was a joyful occassion. Clinking knives and the hum of friendly conversation hung in the air. Orion and Lyra's awakening was the subject of the evening.
"A dual affinity wielder…" Lady Liren mused, while cutting a chunk of meat for Orion. "this is very rare event."
"And Lyra awakened Water," Lady Aria feeding Lyra a Small bite of fruit. "Both of you are blessed indeed."
Orion tried to protest, but before he knew it his two mothers were insisting on feeding him, trying to feed him bites of food as if he were a baby. Lyra, laughing, caught on and spooned up some soup and held it up to his mouth.
"Eat well, Brother Orion. Grow strong!" she teased.
Orion grunted but couldn't stop a smile forming. It was too long since he had been this warm.
Just as the joyful dinner went on, a sudden thought struck to Orion, and he became serious in an instant.
"Mother, Father has invited me to see him tomorrow."
The mood changed in an instant.
Lady Aria and Lady Liren were frozen. Lyra, mid- bite suspended in air and she gradually placed her fork back on her plate. Both sisters looked at each other, their faces unreadable.
Lady Liren spoke first to turn toward Orion. "Why would he invite you?"
Orion shook his head. "I don't know, Mother Liren. The butler only told me Father wanted to see me."
Lyra frowned, her brows furrowing in puzzlement. "Father never speaks to you… or me… or Mothers in years."
Lady Aria sighed; her gaze distant. It was true—Viscount Thorne was a man of few words, and those few were always reserved for Edric and Arin. His lack of interest in Orion and Lyra had been evident since childhood.
So why now?
A heavy silence settled over them as they all pondered the question.
Finally, Lady Aria exhaled softly. "Don't worry. Just go, and we'll find out why he called you."
Lady Liren nodded, trying to lighten the mood. "She's right. He is your father, after all. And now that you've awakened a dual affinity, perhaps he wishes to speak about your future."
Lyra said nothing, but she clutched her fork tightly, clearly uneasy.
Orion forced a small smile. "Maybe. I'll find out tomorrow."
After dinner, Orion headed back to his room. He changed into nightclothes, exhaling slowly as he reclined on his bed.
"Tomorrow… my life new journey started."
His journey to power had just begun.
Closing his eyes, he let sleep take him.
But once more, the nightmare presented itself.
—A battlefield.
Flames engulfed the world, the sky resounding with purple thunder. One warrior fought alone amidst the carnage, holding a sword that flashed fire and lightning. His blades sliced in brutal arcs, obliterating grotesque enemies with horrible precision.
Orion watched that warrior moment in amazement—until the warrior turned toward him.
A flash.
An searing pain.
Then Darkness.
Orion woke up, gasping. His heart racing.
Someone knocked on the door, jolting him awake.
"Young Master, breakfast is ready. Lady Aria sent me to wake you."
Orion sighed, rubbing his temples. That dream again…
"Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes."
He quickly washed up and changed into a fresh outfit—a white and blue tunic with silver embroidery. His shoulder-length hair was tied neatly behind him.
As Orion entered the dining hall, he saw his family already seated. Lady Aria was dressed in a beautiful yet elegant blue and white gown, her silvery-blue hair falling over her shoulders. Lady Liren, clad in a softer white dress, exuded mature elegance. Lyra, in white and gold, resembled a fragile flower, her raven-black hair framing her bright blue eyes.
Lady Aria smiled. "Did you sleep well, Orion?"
Orion nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Lady Liren smiled playfully at him. "You're look quite handsome today."
Orion chuckled, in little embarrassed. "Thank you, Mother Liren."
Lady Aria pointed to the meal. "Eat a good breakfast before you go see your father."
Orion nodded his head in acknowledgment then he took his seat, savouring the peaceful moment spent with his family. But the tension bubbled just under the surface.
After breakfast, Orion stepped out and proceeded towards the grand manor—his father's residence and office. As he walked along, thoughts danced in his head.
"Why did he contact me? He's igmpre me my whole life. Is it because of my dual affinity? Or does he wish to talk about my cultivation journey? Or… something more?"
The central manor then appeared on his view, its imposing structure a testament to power and status. Orion couldn't help but be in awe of its enormity and beauty. The guards at the gate straightened as he approached.
"Greetings, Young Master," they said together.
Orion nodded and entered.
There was the butler from yesterday, smiling politely inside of entrance of mention.
"Good morning, Young Master Orion. Lord Thorne is waiting for you. Follow me, please."
Orion silently trailed behind. The halls were silent, the air heavy. Before long, they arrived at the study.
The butler knocked twice. "My Lord, Young Master Orion has come."
A deep voice called from the interior. "Send him in."
The butler opened the door and gestured Orion to stepped inside.
Bracing himself, Orion went inside.
The study was enormous and impeccably decorated, with rows of bookshelves on the walls. At its centre, there was a massive desk piled with letters and papers. Behind it, there sat a man with sharp angles to his face, black hair, and dark, piercing eyes writing something without looking up once.
This was Theo Thorne, Viscount of Valeria City.
Orion stood firmly.
"Greetings, Father."
Viscount Thorne finally looked up, nodding slightly. "Greetings, third son."
Orion's eyes narrowed. "You summoned me. May I know why?"
His father laid his pen aside, corrected his posture, and gave Orion a long look.
"I summoned you because we have something to discuss."
Orion narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Discuss…?"
He had no idea what was in store for him.
(To be continued….)