The echoing voices of Arthur and Senna filled the chamber as they engaged in a heated argument. The topic of their dispute was Neah, the young man who had demonstrated an imitation of a form-fitted aura.
Senna's voice was laced with determination as she insisted, "We must secure a marriage between Neah and the princess. It's an opportunity we can't afford to pass up."
Arthur, his expression stern, responded firmly, "I won't allow it. Marrying a hollow like Neah into the royal family would be a disgrace."
But then Varian, who could no longer tolerate the harsh words being thrown at his son, finally spoke up, his aura manifesting and casting a heavy gravity on his every word. "Father, I would appreciate it if you stopped talking about my youngest like that."
Seraphella, her voice resonating with enhanced mana, echoed throughout the training ground: "And you, Mother, when will you stop deciding the marriages of my children? Should I remind you that the moment you arranged a marriage between the Cornelia family and me, I severed all our connections?"
Senna replied, her tone unyielding, "I only did it for your own good. Look at how well your life turned out after I married you to Varian Cornelia."
Arthur chimed in, his voice filled with the weight of tradition and expectations: "Varian, my son, our family has always been led by power, and you know that. Neah might be somewhat decent, but a hollow is still a hollow. Once everyone learns the truth, not only will he disgrace our family, but he'll also tarnish the royal family."
Varian met his father's eyes, both unyielding. Varian replied with a hint of authority, "Led by power? I am very well aware of that. Isn't that the reason why I am the current family head of the Cornelia family? So please, Father, now that I am still the current head of the family, do not overstep your boundaries."
Varian's eyes bore into his father's, an unspoken threat in his gaze, a simmering intensity that sent a chill through the room. He stood ready, a coiled force, poised to draw his sword at any moment, a silent promise of confrontation hanging heavy in the air.
Senna was about to say something, but then she felt an unnerving presence that sent shivers down her spine. A piercing gaze seemed to surround her, and as she realised it, she looked around and saw all her grandchildren along with their parents. Their eyes glowed with an intensity akin to that of a pack of hunters, fixated on their prey. The collective determination in their gaze was a formidable force, and it left Senna speechless, realising the united front that stood against her.
Arthur, feeling the weight of his son's resolve, took a step back and turned around, his expression still resolute.
"He won't get married to the princess, no matter what happens," he declared firmly. "Even if he agrees, I will bring up this matter to the king."
The ultimatum hung in the air, signalling a potential clash with higher authority in the kingdom. The family's fate was now intertwined with the politics of the royal court, and the battle for Neah's future had only just begun.
Not long after, Senna also fell back, her brow furrowed in contemplation. The weight of the family's divisions and the impending clash with higher authority had left a lasting impression on her as well. The battle for Neah's future had cast a shadow over the entire family, and Senna was not exempt from its influence.
As the night came to a close, they all dispersed with a heavy feeling, each family member bearing the weight of their unspoken convictions. No words were exchanged, but the tension and unresolved issues lingered in the air, leaving them with a sense of unease that would haunt them in the days to come.
A week had passed, and the family members continued with their lives, choosing not to mention the events that had transpired. Neah, in particular, persisted in his relentless training, as he always did, early in the morning, honing his skills with various weapons.
In front of the estate of the Cornelia family, the king and his daughter arrived, escorted by formidable royal knights. Arthur, showing the respect and formality befitting a former knight commander, greeted the king, "Your Majesty, it is an honour to welcome you to the Cornelia estate. We are most grateful for your presence."
Not long after Arthur greeted the king, Varian and Seraphella also arrived, their expressions composed and respectful. Varian, with a deep bow, addressed the king, "Your Majesty, it is an honour to have you grace our home with your presence. And Princess Elara, your radiance illuminates our humble estate."
Seraphella, with a graceful curtsy, added, "Indeed, Princess, we are deeply honoured by your visit. May your stay be pleasant and memorable."
Their words were steeped in deference, acknowledging the royal presence with utmost respect and courtesy.
They immediately invited them to go inside, and as they walked, the king waved his hand, signalling his escort knights to stay and let them be alone. The king snickered, "What was that, Varian? That was way too polite; it doesn't suit you."
Varian chimed in, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Your Majesty, your subjects were watching us. What else am I supposed to do? "
"Come on, Varian, it's not like we're not friends. Just address me by my name," the king said with a playful tone.
Varian looked at him, his expression softening. "Very well, Lucius, you haven't changed at all."
As they continued walking, King Lucius mentioned Neah, with a hint of curiosity in his tone: "So, Varian, where is your youngest child? "
Varian hesitantly replied, slightly taken aback by the question, "And why was my youngest brought up in our conversation, Lucius? "
Lucius, with a mischievous glint in his eye, commented, "Nothing much; it's just that I've been hearing about this young man from a certain someone."
He glanced at his daughter, Princess Elara, with a teasing smile. She responded with a faint blush, making it clear that Neah had indeed been a topic of conversation.
Varian continued, acknowledging the purpose of the royal visit: "Well, I already have a gist of your visit. Neah is on the training ground. We'll be there in a minute."
As they arrived at the training ground, all they saw was an empty space. King Lucius inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice, "Well? Hmm, where is the young man? "
Varian calmly responded, "He's just there. We'll see him as we get closer."
As they approached, they saw a boy with a bow in his hands, displaying impressive skill in archery. Lucius remarked, impressed, "Ah, that kid is good with archery. So where is your son? "
Varian replied with a touch of pride, "That is my youngest, Neah."
"Hmm? But I heard he's a swordsman. "King Lucius questioned, a note of confusion in his voice. He turned to his daughter, Princess Elara, and asked, "Elara, is that the kid you've been telling me about? "
Elara, her eyes fixed on Neah's performance, replied with a hint of excitement, "Yes, that's Neah." She rushed in, swiftly grabbing a sword from the weapon rack and shouting, "Neah, let's fight again! "
Neah, startled by her sudden appearance, managed to dodge her attack gracefully. As he stood up, he glanced around and spotted his father on the side of the training ground with the royal guests. He then turned his attention back to the person who had just attacked him.
Neah: "Princess, you know you shouldn't attack anyone like that all of a sudden."
Elara, undeterred, grinned and said, "Well, if it's you, I know you can dodge it. Never mind that; let's spar. It's been so long since our last spar."
As they watched their bout, the king couldn't help but notice something, and he addressed Varian, "Hey, Varian, this might sound rude, but I can't see it."
Varian, with a curious look, replied, "I don't quite understand what you mean by that, Lucius."
Lucius elaborated, "I heard from Elara how great Neah is, how he alone among their peers is the only one who can match and defeat her."
Varian, with a sense of pride in his voice, admitted, "To be honest with you, this is also my first time seeing my son fight."
Lucius added, "Elara also mentioned that even Cedric's daughter couldn't match Neah."
Varian, slightly surprised, asked, "Cedric? That one-eyed strategist of yours? His daughter, do you mean Rosalia? "
Lucius chuckled and said, "Come on now, Varian. We have been friends for decades now. Don't just call him like that."
They shared a moment of laughter, reminiscing about their long friendship. However, their jovial mood was abruptly shattered by a loud crash, and they were all taken aback by the unexpected outcome of the bout.
They were shocked to witness Elara on the ground while Neah stood above her, holding his bow and pointing it directly at her, creating a tense and unexpected situation.
Lucius inquired, "Varian, have you seen what happened? "
Varian, still taken aback, stammered, "No, no, I... I didn't."
Arthur, who had been attentively watching the entire bout, stepped forward and solemnly stated, "Your Majesty, I've seen what happened."
Lucius asked, "Then, can you please tell us what just happened? "
Arthur replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. It started with the princess lunging towards Neah. He tried to keep his distance from her and shot arrows at her. When he ran out of arrows, I thought that would be the end of it, but then..."
Varian inquired, "But then what? "
Arthur continued, "Neah suddenly changed his grip on the bow, holding it as if it were a sword. He rushed towards the princess but didn't try to clash with her directly. He focused on dodging and parrying her attacks. Then, the princess made a big attack—a large swing—which Neah dodged by stepping back. The princess followed with a vertical slash, and there, Neah took advantage of her openings. He used the curve of the bow as a hook, entangling her legs, which led to Neah winning the bout."
While they were listening to Arthur, Neah and Elara were laughing about the result of their bout.
Elara remarked, "It's the same result, huh? But you know, it's very impractical to use a bow like that and swing it like a melee weapon."
Neah chuckled, replying, "Well, I was out of arrows. Should I have just admitted defeat there? "
Neah and Elara shared a playful smile, enjoying their banter. However, their conversation was interrupted by the king.
"Young man, may I interrupt your conversation with her? It's fine, right, Elara? "King Lucius said with a courteous smile. "I'll just borrow him for a while."
Elara nodded, also smiling. "Of course, Father. Please, go ahead."
Neah gave Elara a reassuring smile before turning his attention to the king, ready to hear what he had to say.
Lucius looked directly at Neah and inquired, "I heard that you are quite intelligent, so I won't beat around the bush. What do you think about marrying my daughter? "Both the king and Neah's gazes turned to Elara.
The king expected Neah might take some time to contemplate, but to his surprise, as soon as Neah heard the question, he immediately bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is my greatest honour to have this opportunity, and I would gladly marry her." He looked at the king, his expression earnest and respectful.
Arthur was clearly frustrated by what he was hearing, and Senna, who was rather amused, stood by the king's side. Arthur was about to interfere, but Neah continued speaking, "But there are two things that I would like to ask."
Neah, maintaining his respectful demeanour, continued, "First, I would like to know the princess's opinion about this matter."
The king smiled and called for Elara, "Elara, can you come here for a second? "
Elara approached the king and Neah, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. The king gently asked, "Elara, how do you feel about the idea of marrying Neah? "
At first, Elara stuttered, unsure of how to respond. "I, um, well, Father, I haven't really thought about it, and I'm not sure if..." She hesitated, attempting to deny the idea, but her voice trailed off.
As she continued to contemplate the prospect of marrying Neah, her cheeks gradually turned a shade of pink. Unbeknownst to her, the thought seemed to evoke an unexpected feeling within her. Eventually, she looked down, her voice barely audible. "I... I suppose... I agree."
The king and Neah exchanged glances, acknowledging the significance of Elara's response, while Senna couldn't help but smirk, noticing the princess's subtle blush.
Arthur attempted to intervene once more: "B-but, Your Majesty, could you please hear me out?"
Before Arthur could finish, Neah stepped forward and held out a bracelet. He asked, "I know this is a stupid question, but, Your Majesty, do you happen to know what this is? "
The king carefully examined the bracelet and responded, "You see, I'm a mage, and I'm quite knowledgeable about items related to magic. Based on the runes on it, the crystal on the bracelet is a seerstone, isn't it? "
Neah's family, especially Senna, was shocked by the item Neah had brought out, and Senna had gone pale upon seeing it.
Neah explained, "Your Majesty, you see, the other day, I visited our family's armoury to look for a new weapon, and I found this."
Lucius inquired, "I see, so why did you bring it out? Is there something you wish to use it for? "Neah posed the question, "Well, would you still propose our marriage if you saw the result of the seerstone? "
He then looked at Elara directly, brought out a dagger, and cut his fingertip. He let a drop of his blood fall onto the stone. To everyone's surprise, the seerstone remained unresponsive, indicating that he was hollow.
The king explained, "Blue is for mana and red for warriors, and depending on how bright it is, it indicates their latent potential. On the other hand, it didn't react to you."
He glanced at his daughter for a brief moment before continuing, "I need to talk to my daughter. Varian, we will be going now. Thanks for the warm welcome."
Varian nodded and escorted them out. Arthur's expression had changed from disdain to a sense of pride as he looked at Neah, acknowledging his strength and determination. Meanwhile, Senna had already left a long time ago, unable to bear the situation.
The echoing voices of Arthur and Senna filled the chamber as they engaged in a heated argument. The topic of their dispute was Neah, the young man who had demonstrated an imitation of a form-fitted aura.
Senna's voice was laced with determination as she insisted, "We must secure a marriage between Neah and the princess. It's an opportunity we can't afford to pass up."
Arthur, his expression stern, responded firmly, "I won't allow it. Marrying a hollow like Neah into the royal family would be a disgrace."
But then Varian, who could no longer tolerate the harsh words being thrown at his son, finally spoke up, his aura manifesting and casting a heavy gravity on his every word. "Father, I would appreciate it if you stopped talking about my youngest like that."
Seraphella, her voice resonating with enhanced mana, echoed throughout the training ground: "And you, Mother, when will you stop deciding the marriages of my children? Should I remind you that the moment you arranged a marriage between the Cornelia family and me, I severed all our connections?"
Senna replied, her tone unyielding, "I only did it for your own good. Look at how well your life turned out after I married you to Varian Cornelia."
Arthur chimed in, his voice filled with the weight of tradition and expectations: "Varian, my son, our family has always been led by power, and you know that. Neah might be somewhat decent, but a hollow is still a hollow. Once everyone learns the truth, not only will he disgrace our family, but he'll also tarnish the royal family."
Varian met his father's eyes, both unyielding. Varian replied with a hint of authority, "Led by power? I am very well aware of that. Isn't that the reason why I am the current family head of the Cornelia family? So please, Father, now that I am still the current head of the family, do not overstep your boundaries."
Varian's eyes bore into his father's, an unspoken threat in his gaze, a simmering intensity that sent a chill through the room. He stood ready, a coiled force, poised to draw his sword at any moment, a silent promise of confrontation hanging heavy in the air.
Senna was about to say something, but then she felt an unnerving presence that sent shivers down her spine. A piercing gaze seemed to surround her, and as she realised it, she looked around and saw all her grandchildren along with their parents. Their eyes glowed with an intensity akin to that of a pack of hunters, fixated on their prey. The collective determination in their gaze was a formidable force, and it left Senna speechless, realising the united front that stood against her.
Arthur, feeling the weight of his son's resolve, took a step back and turned around, his expression still resolute.
"He won't get married to the princess, no matter what happens," he declared firmly. "Even if he agrees, I will bring up this matter to the king."
The ultimatum hung in the air, signalling a potential clash with higher authority in the kingdom. The family's fate was now intertwined with the politics of the royal court, and the battle for Neah's future had only just begun.
Not long after, Senna also fell back, her brow furrowed in contemplation. The weight of the family's divisions and the impending clash with higher authority had left a lasting impression on her as well. The battle for Neah's future had cast a shadow over the entire family, and Senna was not exempt from its influence.
As the night came to a close, they all dispersed with a heavy feeling, each family member bearing the weight of their unspoken convictions. No words were exchanged, but the tension and unresolved issues lingered in the air, leaving them with a sense of unease that would haunt them in the days to come.
A week had passed, and the family members continued with their lives, choosing not to mention the events that had transpired. Neah, in particular, persisted in his relentless training, as he always did, early in the morning, honing his skills with various weapons.
In front of the estate of the Cornelia family, the king and his daughter arrived, escorted by formidable royal knights. Arthur, showing the respect and formality befitting a former knight commander, greeted the king, "Your Majesty, it is an honour to welcome you to the Cornelia estate. We are most grateful for your presence."
Not long after Arthur greeted the king, Varian and Seraphella also arrived, their expressions composed and respectful. Varian, with a deep bow, addressed the king, "Your Majesty, it is an honour to have you grace our home with your presence. And Princess Elara, your radiance illuminates our humble estate."
Seraphella, with a graceful curtsy, added, "Indeed, Princess, we are deeply honoured by your visit. May your stay be pleasant and memorable."
Their words were steeped in deference, acknowledging the royal presence with utmost respect and courtesy.
They immediately invited them to go inside, and as they walked, the king waved his hand, signalling his escort knights to stay and let them be alone. The king snickered, "What was that, Varian? That was way too polite; it doesn't suit you."
Varian chimed in, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Your Majesty, your subjects were watching us. What else am I supposed to do? "
"Come on, Varian, it's not like we're not friends. Just address me by my name," the king said with a playful tone.
Varian looked at him, his expression softening. "Very well, Lucius, you haven't changed at all."
As they continued walking, King Lucius mentioned Neah, with a hint of curiosity in his tone: "So, Varian, where is your youngest child? "
Varian hesitantly replied, slightly taken aback by the question, "And why was my youngest brought up in our conversation, Lucius? "
Lucius, with a mischievous glint in his eye, commented, "Nothing much; it's just that I've been hearing about this young man from a certain someone."
He glanced at his daughter, Princess Elara, with a teasing smile. She responded with a faint blush, making it clear that Neah had indeed been a topic of conversation.
Varian continued, acknowledging the purpose of the royal visit: "Well, I already have a gist of your visit. Neah is on the training ground. We'll be there in a minute."
As they arrived at the training ground, all they saw was an empty space. King Lucius inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice, "Well? Hmm, where is the young man? "
Varian calmly responded, "He's just there. We'll see him as we get closer."
As they approached, they saw a boy with a bow in his hands, displaying impressive skill in archery. Lucius remarked, impressed, "Ah, that kid is good with archery. So where is your son? "
Varian replied with a touch of pride, "That is my youngest, Neah."
"Hmm? But I heard he's a swordsman. "King Lucius questioned, a note of confusion in his voice. He turned to his daughter, Princess Elara, and asked, "Elara, is that the kid you've been telling me about? "
Elara, her eyes fixed on Neah's performance, replied with a hint of excitement, "Yes, that's Neah." She rushed in, swiftly grabbing a sword from the weapon rack and shouting, "Neah, let's fight again! "
Neah, startled by her sudden appearance, managed to dodge her attack gracefully. As he stood up, he glanced around and spotted his father on the side of the training ground with the royal guests. He then turned his attention back to the person who had just attacked him.
Neah: "Princess, you know you shouldn't attack anyone like that all of a sudden."
Elara, undeterred, grinned and said, "Well, if it's you, I know you can dodge it. Never mind that; let's spar. It's been so long since our last spar."
As they watched their bout, the king couldn't help but notice something, and he addressed Varian, "Hey, Varian, this might sound rude, but I can't see it."
Varian, with a curious look, replied, "I don't quite understand what you mean by that, Lucius."
Lucius elaborated, "I heard from Elara how great Neah is, how he alone among their peers is the only one who can match and defeat her."
Varian, with a sense of pride in his voice, admitted, "To be honest with you, this is also my first time seeing my son fight."
Lucius added, "Elara also mentioned that even Cedric's daughter couldn't match Neah."
Varian, slightly surprised, asked, "Cedric? That one-eyed strategist of yours? His daughter, do you mean Rosalia? "
Lucius chuckled and said, "Come on now, Varian. We have been friends for decades now. Don't just call him like that."
They shared a moment of laughter, reminiscing about their long friendship. However, their jovial mood was abruptly shattered by a loud crash, and they were all taken aback by the unexpected outcome of the bout.
They were shocked to witness Elara on the ground while Neah stood above her, holding his bow and pointing it directly at her, creating a tense and unexpected situation.
Lucius inquired, "Varian, have you seen what happened? "
Varian, still taken aback, stammered, "No, no, I... I didn't."
Arthur, who had been attentively watching the entire bout, stepped forward and solemnly stated, "Your Majesty, I've seen what happened."
Lucius asked, "Then, can you please tell us what just happened? "
Arthur replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. It started with the princess lunging towards Neah. He tried to keep his distance from her and shot arrows at her. When he ran out of arrows, I thought that would be the end of it, but then..."
Varian inquired, "But then what? "
Arthur continued, "Neah suddenly changed his grip on the bow, holding it as if it were a sword. He rushed towards the princess but didn't try to clash with her directly. He focused on dodging and parrying her attacks. Then, the princess made a big attack—a large swing—which Neah dodged by stepping back. The princess followed with a vertical slash, and there, Neah took advantage of her openings. He used the curve of the bow as a hook, entangling her legs, which led to Neah winning the bout."
While they were listening to Arthur, Neah and Elara were laughing about the result of their bout.
Elara remarked, "It's the same result, huh? But you know, it's very impractical to use a bow like that and swing it like a melee weapon."
Neah chuckled, replying, "Well, I was out of arrows. Should I have just admitted defeat there? "
Neah and Elara shared a playful smile, enjoying their banter. However, their conversation was interrupted by the king.
"Young man, may I interrupt your conversation with her? It's fine, right, Elara? "King Lucius said with a courteous smile. "I'll just borrow him for a while."
Elara nodded, also smiling. "Of course, Father. Please, go ahead."
Neah gave Elara a reassuring smile before turning his attention to the king, ready to hear what he had to say.
Lucius looked directly at Neah and inquired, "I heard that you are quite intelligent, so I won't beat around the bush. What do you think about marrying my daughter? "Both the king and Neah's gazes turned to Elara.
The king expected Neah might take some time to contemplate, but to his surprise, as soon as Neah heard the question, he immediately bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it is my greatest honour to have this opportunity, and I would gladly marry her." He looked at the king, his expression earnest and respectful.
Arthur was clearly frustrated by what he was hearing, and Senna, who was rather amused, stood by the king's side. Arthur was about to interfere, but Neah continued speaking, "But there are two things that I would like to ask."
Neah, maintaining his respectful demeanour, continued, "First, I would like to know the princess's opinion about this matter."
The king smiled and called for Elara, "Elara, can you come here for a second? "
Elara approached the king and Neah, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. The king gently asked, "Elara, how do you feel about the idea of marrying Neah? "
At first, Elara stuttered, unsure of how to respond. "I, um, well, Father, I haven't really thought about it, and I'm not sure if..." She hesitated, attempting to deny the idea, but her voice trailed off.
As she continued to contemplate the prospect of marrying Neah, her cheeks gradually turned a shade of pink. Unbeknownst to her, the thought seemed to evoke an unexpected feeling within her. Eventually, she looked down, her voice barely audible. "I... I suppose... I agree."
The king and Neah exchanged glances, acknowledging the significance of Elara's response, while Senna couldn't help but smirk, noticing the princess's subtle blush.
Arthur attempted to intervene once more: "B-but, Your Majesty, could you please hear me out?"
Before Arthur could finish, Neah stepped forward and held out a bracelet. He asked, "I know this is a stupid question, but, Your Majesty, do you happen to know what this is? "
The king carefully examined the bracelet and responded, "You see, I'm a mage, and I'm quite knowledgeable about items related to magic. Based on the runes on it, the crystal on the bracelet is a seerstone, isn't it? "
Neah's family, especially Senna, was shocked by the item Neah had brought out, and Senna had gone pale upon seeing it.
Neah explained, "Your Majesty, you see, the other day, I visited our family's armoury to look for a new weapon, and I found this."
Lucius inquired, "I see, so why did you bring it out? Is there something you wish to use it for? "Neah posed the question, "Well, would you still propose our marriage if you saw the result of the seerstone? "
He then looked at Elara directly, brought out a dagger, and cut his fingertip. He let a drop of his blood fall onto the stone. To everyone's surprise, the seerstone remained unresponsive, indicating that he was hollow.
The king explained, "Blue is for mana and red for warriors, and depending on how bright it is, it indicates their latent potential. On the other hand, it didn't react to you."
He glanced at his daughter for a brief moment before continuing, "I need to talk to my daughter. Varian, we will be going now. Thanks for the warm welcome."
Varian nodded and escorted them out. Arthur's expression had changed from disdain to a sense of pride as he looked at Neah, acknowledging his strength and determination. Meanwhile, Senna had already left a long time ago, unable to bear the situation.
