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Bane Dukedom, Bloodhaven
Main Residence
Upper Sanctum
North Gregoria
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One minute they were in the forest, and the next minute the halls of the Bane Estate laid out before Ishmael.
The polished marble floors, the dark towering pillars, the soft golden light cast by crystal chandeliers overhead, it was exactly as he remembered.
Years had passed.
Entire parts of his life had changed.
Yet somehow, walking through these corridors made it feel like no time had passed at all.
Beside him, Ezekiel strolled lazily with both hands buried inside his pockets while Alistair followed a short distance behind them, his posture as immaculate as ever.
The three moved through the estate in comfortable silence. They passed servants who went about their duties
Then suddenly
A white blur appeared from around the corner and something slammed into Ishmael, faster than his tired body could react.
"Ugh—"
He stumbled backward from the impact.
Two arms wrapped around him tightly.
For a moment, he blinked in confusion.
Then recognition hit.
"…L-Lia?"
The figure froze.
Then slowly pulled back.
Emerald-green eyes widened.
The young woman standing before him looked completely stunned.
As though she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.
"You're back…"
Her voice came out softer than expected.
Almost fragile.
"You're really back."
Ishmael blinked.
Ezekiel stunned finally spoke " Wait, how did you….? "
Aurelia stared at him and spoke again " Thank you Uncle Alistair "
"Of course" Ezekiel said with a sigh
"My pleasure little Lia"
Her grip tightened slightly around Ishmael's sleeves.
"I didn't believe it at first but you're really back."
Only now did Ishmael properly take in how much she had changed.
Aurelia stood slightly taller than he remembered. Long white hair flowed elegantly down her back, reaching her waist. Her emerald-green eyes were brighter than before, carrying a maturity that hadn't existed when they were younger.
She wore a beautiful dark-blue dress that reached all the way to her feet, its elegant design fitting perfectly with the noble atmosphere she naturally carried.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
They simply stared.
Trying to reconcile memory with reality.
Then Aurelia laughed softly.
"You look completely different."
Ishmael couldn't help smiling.
"I was about to say the same thing."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
He gestured vaguely toward her.
"You got taller."
Aurelia raised an eyebrow.
"That's your observation?"
"It's the safest one."
She rolled her eyes, then her gaze traveled over him. Slowly, Carefully.
Her expression softened.
"You really changed."
Ishmael looked away slightly. "I had to."
The words carried more weight than he intended. But they all understood what he meant.
Years apart.
Years of experience neither of them had shared.
Years they couldn't get back.
Thankfully, Ezekiel chose that exact moment to ruin the emotional atmosphere.
"He's also uglier."
Ishmael immediately looked at him coldly.
Aurelia snorted.
Alistair politely looked away.
"That's rich coming from you," Ishmael shot back.
Ezekiel placed a hand over his chest. "Blasphemy, I look amazing." He added, with a dramatic gasp
"You look like a homeless person," Ishmael added dryly
" Correction, a handsome homeless person " Ezekiel retorted.
"Yeah right," Ishmael said, rolling his eyes.
Aurelia sighed.
"Haaa, something's never change…why are you both always like this?"
"Genetics," Ezekiel added with a shrug
"Don't blame the family." She retorted.
"I blame Father."
"That's fair."
The siblings shared a brief laugh.
The tension eased immediately.
For the first time since arriving home, Ishmael felt himself genuinely relax.
Aurelia studied him for another moment.
Then frowned.
"Hm."
Ishmael immediately became suspicious.
"What?" He asked
"You look terrible." She added as she scanned him from head to toe.
"…"
"You need sleep."
"I just got here."
"Yeah he does look like he's been fighting for weeks, doesn't he?"
Ishmael slowly glanced toward Ezekiel, gaze sharp enough to cut steel.
Ezekiel whistled innocently and looked away, suddenly finding the walls interesting.
Aurelia noticed the exchange and her eyes narrowed. "What happened?"
"Nothing," Ishmael replied dryly.
"What happened?" She asked again….her warm green eyes turned ice cold
"Nothing important." He reiterated
Aurelia folded her arms and turned to her older brother. "Ezekiel?"
"Nothing important happened Lia." He replied as he mirrored El's answer.
Aurelia stared at him "That's not reassuring." Then decided she probably didn't want the answer right now.
Instead, she turned back toward Ishmael.
"Go freshen up, you stink." She added playfully pinching her nose
Ishmael sighed. "Fine, I do need a warm bath"
Aurelia smiled triumphantly. "Take a bath. Change clothes. Rest for a bit." Then she added casually, "We'll all be having dinner later."
Ishmael froze.
"Dinner?"
"Yes."
Something about his reaction made Aurelia immediately understand.
The small smile on her face softened slightly.
"Oh."
Ishmael rubbed the back of his neck.
A little awkwardly.
"It's just…" His words trailed off.
Aurelia nodded.
She understood.
The person neither of them had mentioned.
Their father, the Duke.
"I know."
Ishmael remained silent.
For several moments neither sibling spoke.
Then Aurelia stepped closer, Her voice became gentler.
"You don't have to open up completely…not so soon."
Ishmael looked at her.
" Just show up."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"A very long conversation is overdue, don't you think?"
He exhaled slowly. "Yeah."
"It'll be fine."
"You don't know that," Ishmael added dryly.
"No." Aurelia laughed. "I really don't." She admitted
That earned a small chuckle from him.
"But you'll still be there."
It wasn't a question.
Ishmael knew that.
Eventually, he nodded.
"I'll be there."
"Good."
Aurelia smiled. Satisfied.
Then she turned toward Alistair.
"Alistair."
The butler immediately inclined his head. "Lady Aurelia."
"Please make the necessary arrangements." She added, smiling more than she had in the last few days.
"Of course." A small smile appeared on the old butler's face. "I shall inform the staff immediately."
Aurelia nodded.
Only then did Alistair excuse himself with a respectful bow before heading deeper into the estate.
Once he was gone, Aurelia turned back toward her brothers.
"Now go."
Ishmael raised an eyebrow.
"You're kicking me out already?"
"Yes."
"Harsh."
"You need rest."
"Fair."
With one final glance toward both of them, Ishmael started walking toward the wing where he remembered his room to be.
As he disappeared around a distant corner, silence settled briefly between the remaining siblings.
Then Aurelia slowly turned toward Ezekiel.
Her eyes narrowed.
Dangerously.
Ezekiel immediately sighed.
"Ah."
"Ah?"
"You're about to accuse me of something, aren't you Lia?" He said with his signature lazy smile.
Aurelia folded her arms.
"You disappeared for a while."
"Already established."
"You hate missions."
"Mostly." He retorted casually, that annoying smile still on his face.
Aurelia continued.
"Then suddenly you volunteer for a mission."
"A tragic lapse in judgment."
"And somehow…"
She pointed at him.
"That mission just happens to end with Ishmael returning home."
"What a coincidence."
Aurelia stared.
Ezekiel stared back.
Several seconds passed.
Neither moved.
Finally, she spoke.
"You know exactly what happened."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You're lying."
"Probably."
"Zeke."
"Nope."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes further.
Ezekiel simply flashed his trademark smirk.
Then turned around and began walking away.
Hands in his pockets.
Completely unbothered.
"Goodbye, Lia."
"I'm not done questioning you."
"That's unfortunate."
"Ezekiel."
"Love you too."
Aurelia watched him disappear down the corridor.
Watched that infuriatingly relaxed walk.
Watched that stupid smirk.
Then she looked toward the ceiling and sighed.
A long, tired sigh
"I hate this family."
The small smile tugging at her lips suggested she didn't mean a word of it.