Free Web NovelChapter 53: Chapter 53: Farewell to Darkmoor
Chapter 53: Farewell to Darkmoor
Andras and Seraphina joined Evelyne for dinner.
The atmosphere around the table was noticeably more relaxed than it had been just a few days earlier.
Soft candlelight danced across the polished dining table as servants quietly brought out one course after another.
Evelyne listened with quiet amusement while Seraphina recounted their visit to Nightfall City.
"You even visited the artisan district?" Evelyne asked with a smile.
Seraphina nodded.
"Andras insisted on showing me Darkmoor’s finest workshops."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"It was... surprisingly enjoyable."
Evelyne’s eyes shifted toward the painting brush resting beside Seraphina’s seat.
"And he even bought you a gift."
Her smile deepened.
"I noticed the brush."
A faint blush spread across Seraphina’s cheeks.
"It wasn’t necessary..."
"But I’m grateful for the thought."
Without looking up from his meal, Andras replied calmly,
"I simply thought it suited your hobby."
The conversation drifted effortlessly from one topic to another.
Occasionally, laughter echoed through the dining hall.
For a brief evening, titles and politics seemed far away.
They were simply enjoying one another’s company.
Before long, the meal came to an end.
After exchanging goodnights, each retired to their respective rooms.
Morning arrived beneath a cloudless sky.
Golden sunlight poured through the manor’s towering crystal windows, bathing the marble corridors in a warm glow.
After washing and changing into fresh clothes, Andras stepped out of his room.
By the time he reached the main hall, Evelyne and Seraphina were already seated together, enjoying tea.
Both looked up as he approached.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Good morning, Seraphina."
Evelyne smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Andras."
Seraphina returned the greeting with an elegant nod.
"Good morning."
After a brief silence, she spoke softly.
"My carriage is ready."
"It’s time for me to return to Valebright."
Andras nodded.
"I see."
Without another word, the three walked together toward the manor entrance.
Outside, an elegant carriage bearing House Valebright’s crest waited before the estate gates.
Several knights stood nearby, already prepared for the journey.
The cool morning breeze carried the fragrance of dew-covered flowers through the gardens.
Before stepping inside the carriage, Seraphina turned toward Andras.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay in Darkmoor."
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"I did."
"Far more than I expected."
Evelyne chuckled softly.
"You’ll always be welcome here."
"I’ll remember that."
Seraphina inclined her head respectfully.
Then she looked back at Andras.
"We’ll meet again in the Royal Capital."
"At the Imperial Princess’s birthday banquet."
Andras gave a small nod.
"I’ll see you there."
She offered one final graceful bow.
"Farewell, Duchess."
"Farewell, Andras."
Evelyne smiled warmly.
"Travel safely."
The carriage door closed.
Moments later, the horses set off.
The carriage gradually disappeared beyond the estate gates until it vanished from sight.
Only Andras and Evelyne remained standing beneath the manor’s entrance.
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Evelyne let out an amused laugh.
"I still find it hard to believe."
Andras glanced at her.
"What?"
"You behaved yourself."
"There wasn’t a single scandal."
"No arguments."
"No outrageous incidents."
She shook her head with exaggerated disbelief.
"I was beginning to wonder if someone had replaced my son."
A faint smile appeared on Andras’s face.
"I told you before."
"I have no interest in creating unnecessary trouble."
"You certainly proved that."
She studied him for a moment before asking,
"So..."
"What do you think of Seraphina?"
Rather than answering immediately, Andras looked back at her.
"What do you think of her?"
Evelyne blinked before smiling knowingly.
"Answering a question with another question?"
"Very well."
She folded her hands together.
"I like her."
"She’s intelligent."
"Graceful."
"And despite her extraordinary talent, she’s remarkably humble."
"I think she’s a wonderful young lady."
Her smile grew a little more playful.
"Now..."
"Your turn."
Andras’s gaze drifted toward the distant road where the carriage had disappeared.
After a brief silence, he answered simply,
"I like her."
It was only three words.
Yet Evelyne sensed there was no hesitation behind them.
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
"I’m glad."
Together, mother and son turned and quietly walked back toward the manor.
Seraphina’s Pov :
The steady rhythm of carriage wheels echoed softly along the stone road.
Seraphina rested her chin lightly against one hand as the scenery beyond the window slowly drifted past.
Three days.
She had spent only three days in Darkmoor.
Yet somehow...
They felt much longer.
When her father first proposed the visit, she had agreed for only one reason.
She wanted to judge Andras Darkmoor with her own eyes.
The rumors painted a very clear picture.
Arrogant.
Violent.
Difficult.
She had even prepared herself mentally.
If he truly was the man everyone described...
She intended to recommend ending the engagement.
Instead...
She had met someone entirely different.
Andras rarely displayed unnecessary emotion.
He seemed detached from almost everything around him.
Yet he noticed details most people overlooked.
He spoke honestly.
Sometimes...
Almost brutally honestly.
There were no rehearsed compliments.
No attempts to impress her.
No carefully crafted charm.
If anything...
He simply said whatever he genuinely thought.
A faint smile found its way onto her lips.
Then her thoughts wandered to the moving picture play he had shown her.
The story still lingered vividly in her mind.
The Astral Sea.
Dream Layers.
That final unanswered question.
It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
She never would have imagined such a story could come from Andras.
Then there had been their duel.
A mage only at the Low Third Circle...
Yet capable of pushing her into a serious battle despite the difference in cultivation.
Even now...
Remembering it made her heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.
"...You’re certainly an unusual person, Andras."
Her thoughts shifted once again.
This time...
To Evelyne.
The Duchess had treated her with warmth from the moment she arrived.
Not because of politics.
Not because of the engagement.
But simply because that was the kind of person she was.
Watching the relationship between mother and son had surprised her as well.
The rumors described House Darkmoor as cold, divided, and lifeless.
Reality had been the complete opposite.
Perhaps...
Rumors really were nothing more than convenient stories people chose to believe.
She looked out through the carriage window once again.
The engagement still remained.
But now...
She no longer wished to find a reason to end it.
Instead...
She found herself wanting to understand Andras better.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"...We’ll meet again soon."
Ahead lay the Royal Capital.
And with it...
The Imperial Princess’s birthday banquet.
The next Chapter of their story was about to begin
