Part 1
Two days had passed since the arrival of the Valemortis delegation at the Sorell estate. Time had flowed between formal diplomatic talks, elaborate dinners, and more informal moments in the gardens and libraries of the vast mansion. Now, a soft melancholy of imminent departure hung in the air.
In the richly decorated guest room assigned to her, Elyandra stood before the mirror while Siris, with agile and delicate fingers, finalized her hairstyle. Her long white hair was carefully arranged, and the familiar black velvet bow was tied with its usual precision.
While observing her reflection, Elyandra's mind revisited every interaction of the past few days, dissecting them with analytical coldness.
"The Marquess... a man made of pure ambition. He would sell his own shadow if he believed he could profit from it. His calculated cordiality does not hide the greed that moves him. This perception could be useful in the future."
Her thoughts turned to the Marquess's son.
"Arcturus... so different from his father. A nobility that is almost naive. His morality seems to be a strong point, something rare among the Great Houses. If he ever takes control of the Sorells, that integrity could be a valuable currency. But it's a long-term investment, with no immediate dividends."
Then, the image of Callen filled her mind. Her expression became more pensive, a slight furrow of the brow adorning her angelic face.
"Callen... he is the most intriguing piece on this board. A noble from another empire, used as a bargaining chip. His utility is undeniable, but his strategic value in the current scenario is still uncertain. I need to better understand his motivations, his loyalties... and how I can use him to my advantage."
Distracted by her strategic reflections, Elyandra murmured a "Yes, you may" without actually processing Siris's words.
The realization hit only a moment later, when she noticed the mischievous glint that appeared in the servant's eyes.
— Wait... what? — she asked, her golden eyes widening slightly.
Siris's smile widened. Before Elyandra could react, the servant approached quickly, attempting to hug her and rub her face against Elyandra's white hair.
— Oh, my little cotton puff! You are so adorable! Let me just... feel this softness!
Elyandra's cheeks flushed a startling crimson. She tried to pull away from the sudden embrace, her small hands gently pushing against Siris's shoulders.
— N-no! I didn't say that! I was thinking about something else! Siris, stop it! We are preparing for departure, we are on the Sorell estate! This is inappropriate!
The scene was chaotic and amusing: Elyandra, with noble attire and a usually impeccable posture, now slightly disheveled and visibly embarrassed, trying to rid herself of the affectionate embrace of Siris, who laughed softly while calling her "little cotton puff" and praising the softness of her hair. The morning light streaming through the window witnessed the brief deviation from the habitual formality between the noble and her loyal servant.
With her cheeks still slightly pink and a trace of amused indignation in her gaze, Elyandra composed herself, straightening her clothes with the help of a smiling Siris. Together, they left the room and walked through the silent corridors of the Sorell mansion.
Passing by one of the windows overlooking an internal courtyard, Elyandra's golden eyes fixed on a solitary figure. Callen was sitting on a stone bench, a book open in his hands. He flipped the pages with an almost imperceptible lightness, his expression carrying a serene peace that contrasted with the political tension hanging over the house.
Mentally, Elyandra cataloged the points she found intriguing about him.
"His stillness... it doesn't seem like shyness, but rather constant observation, an analytical mind at rest. And that serenity... it is unusual for someone in his position. There is a depth behind those cold eyes that I haven't been able to decipher yet."
Her gaze shifted to the other side of the corridor, where Arcturus drew attention. The youthful energy of moments ago had dissipated, giving way to a focused seriousness. The young Sorell wielded a wooden sword with firmness, delivering precise and fast strikes against the air.
Elyandra observed his posture, analyzing him with a critical eye.
"He has a solid foundation; his strikes are direct and his energy is undeniable. For a ten-year-old boy, his technique is impressive."
She compared Arcturus's skills with her own.
"A two-year difference and a considerable physical advantage... in a direct combat now, my chances would be minimal. His brute strength and reach would give me little room to maneuver. However..." A competitive glint appeared in her golden eyes. "In terms of pure skill, the gap isn't that large. My agility and ability to anticipate could compensate for the size difference. But... I need to intensify my training with Dalia. She has much more to teach me about hand-to-hand combat."
The vision of Arcturus practicing and the memory of the chess match with Callen reignited the flame of ambition and determination in Elyandra. The stay at House Sorell, beyond the political intrigues, had also served as a mirror, reflecting her own strengths and the areas where she needed to hone her skills.
While watching Arcturus intently, Siris crouched beside her, moving with the lightness of a shadow. Her face approached Elyandra's ear, and her voice, usually melodious, became a whisper laden with a seductive and mischievous tone.
— Lady Elyandra... watching other boys with such seriousness is strictly forbidden for little girls your age, you know? What forbidden thoughts might be roaming that clever little head?
A shiver ran through Elyandra's body from head to toe. She turned quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly.
— I-it's nothing like that! My thoughts were focused on combat techniques and how I can improve! The only mind with forbidden thoughts here seems to be yours!
Siris stood up with a soft laugh, her brown eyes shining with amusement.
— Oh, my Lady, perhaps you are right. My mind sometimes wanders to... interesting places.
Elyandra crossed her arms, making an adorable pout, clearly sulking at the provocation. Observing the little noble's expression, Siris broke her usual posture, crouched down again, and with a surprisingly quick and agile movement, scooped Elyandra up into her arms.
— You know, my little spark — Siris said, holding her firmly —, I've loved becoming your servant. It's much more... interesting than any other role I've ever had.
The unexpected affection caught Elyandra by surprise. Relaxing a bit in Siris's arms, she noticed that the collar of the servant's tunic had become ruffled. With a delicate gesture, her small hands straightened the fabric.
— I also like very much that you are my servant, Siris — Elyandra murmured, eyes fixed on the now-aligned collar. — You are... very committed and always know what to do. And you are very good at... many things.
A flash of surprise lit up Siris's face at the unexpected compliment. A genuine and warm smile spread across her lips.
— Oh, my Lady... you really are a little spark of light.
A soft, sincere laugh echoed through the corridor, breaking the formality of the environment. Siris squeezed Elyandra in a warm hug, while the little noble tried to untangle herself with a mix of childish protest and genuine affection.
The moment of relaxation was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of Lord Vaelric and Lady Altheria at the end of the hall. Elyandra's parents observed the scene with expressions that mixed surprise and slight amusement. Siris immediately released Elyandra, regaining her impeccable posture in an instant. Elyandra, her cheeks still a bit rosy, straightened her dress.
Lord Vaelric approached, his gaze sweeping the two with restrained curiosity.
— You seemed to be having quite a bit of fun.
Elyandra squared her shoulders, recovering her noble composure.
— Yes, father. We were just... discussing the schedule for the return journey.
Vaelric nodded, his attention turning to his daughter.
— Speaking of which, Elyandra, we need to discuss the timeline for our departure. We intend to leave the Sorell estate in the early afternoon. There are some final courtesies we must fulfill with the Marquess before we go. I would like you to be present to say a proper goodbye.
He paused briefly, his evaluative gaze fixed on her.
— During the morning, you will have free time, but I ask that you stay close. Siris will be with you. Is there anything in particular you would like to do before we go?
A slight smile appeared on Elyandra's lips as she remembered the literary treasures she had discovered.
— Yes, father. I would like to say goodbye to Lord Arcturus and Callen, and thank the library for its hospitality. It was time very well spent, and I would like to show that.
Her eyes sparkled slightly. Departure was approaching, but the lessons of that visit would certainly accompany her back to House Valemortis.
The morning passed with political discussions between Lord Vaelric and the Marquess of Sorell. Elyandra remained by her parents' side, observing and absorbing every nuance. The Marquess, with his calculated eloquence, presented suggestions that, beneath the polished surface of diplomacy, revealed his own interests. Lord Vaelric analyzed each point carefully, agreeing with what he judged beneficial and refuting what seemed disadvantageous or motivated by greed. Lady Altheria followed everything with elegant presence and silent insight.
Elyandra, though young, paid attention to every inflection of voice, every exchanged look. "This is the true game of power," she thought, "disguised under the mask of courtesy and cooperation."
As lunchtime approached, the tense atmosphere gave way to a more relaxed environment in the dining room. The table was richly set. Elyandra sat beside Arcturus, with Siris discreetly positioned behind her.
— Lord Arcturus — Elyandra began, her voice noble and grateful —, I would like to express my gratitude for your hospitality and for your kindness in allowing me space in the library for my studies. The books I found were... extremely instructive.
Arcturus smiled broadly, his contagious energy back.
— Oh, Lady Elyandra, you're quite welcome! I was very happy to know the library pleased you. And I'm even happier to know I could help with some aspects of the Academy exams. I hope my explanations were useful.
— They were very useful, Lord Arcturus — she replied with a slight nod. — Your perspective on some of the arcane concepts really helped me understand them better. I am grateful for your willingness to share your knowledge.
— It's the least I could do for such an... interesting guest! — Arcturus exclaimed, enthusiasm almost overflowing. — And who knows, maybe we'll meet again at the Academy! It would be a lot of fun to have classes together!
"The idea of having classes with such a hyperactive child... is not exactly my ideal scenario," Elyandra thought with a touch of dry humor, while maintaining a polite smile.
— It would certainly be... a pleasant possibility, Lord Arcturus. The exchange of knowledge between peers is always valuable.
Callen remained silent throughout the meal, his movements discreet, his attention turned toward his own thoughts, though his eyes occasionally moved to observe Elyandra with a contemplative stillness.
As the formalities of lunch began to dissipate, Arcturus said goodbye with an energetic wave, mentioning some urgent matter in the gardens. Lord Vaelric and the Marquess of Sorell retired to the host's study. Lady Altheria approached Elyandra, a proud smile adorning her elegant face.
— You behaved admirably, dear. Your composure and courtesy were impeccable throughout our stay. I am very pleased with the way you represented House Valemortis.
She then turned to Siris.
— Siris, what was your impression of Lady Elyandra's behavior during this visit? I would like to have a second perspective.
Siris straightened her posture, her smile a bit more serene.
— Lady Elyandra demonstrated a maturity and intelligence that far exceed her age, Lady Altheria. Her attentive observation and her ability to adapt to different situations were remarkable. She absorbed the complexities of political interactions with surprising insight and maintained irreproachable conduct at all times.
A smile of satisfaction lit up Elyandra's face upon hearing Siris's concise and complimentary words. It was an objective evaluation, devoid of the servant's usual teasing, which made it even more gratifying.
At that moment, the quiet of the dining room was broken by a soft but clear voice.
— Lady Elyandra.
Callen was approaching the table, his expression now devoid of the cold reserve he usually displayed in public. There was something in his gaze—a genuine curiosity and perhaps even a touch of something more.
— Lady Elyandra — he repeated, his voice a bit lower —, would there be a possibility for us to have a brief discussion alone?
The unexpected request hung in the air, surprising both Lady Altheria and Siris, who exchanged silent looks. Elyandra shifted her eyes to her mother, seeking silent guidance. Lady Altheria, after a brief moment of consideration, offered an enigmatic smile.
— The decision is yours, dear.
With a graceful nod of her head, keeping her hands together in front of her dress, Elyandra replied with her usual composure.
— Certainly, Lord Callen. I would be willing to listen to you.
Callen offered a slight nod and turned, waiting for her to follow him. Elyandra cast a quick look at her mother and Siris before following Callen's silent footsteps.
As they walked through the less busy corridors of the Sorell mansion, moving away from the social areas and into a more isolated wing, Elyandra's mind buzzed with speculation.
"A discussion alone? What could he possibly want? Has he finally decided to reveal his true purposes? Or perhaps he has some relevant information about the intrigues between the Houses? He mentioned being a hostage... or a guarantee. What is his game?"
Various possibilities danced in her strategic mind. Was Callen a pawn in a larger game, seeking an alliance? Or a piece with his own ambitions, looking for an opportunity to change his destiny? The quiet of the isolated wing only intensified the mystery surrounding the Leonhart noble's intentions. Elyandra followed him with a facade of calm curiosity, but inside, her mind was already setting up a new board, ready to analyze every move and anticipate every possible play.