Free Web NovelChapter 7: Stillness Before Terror
Rian kept her gaze fixed on the nobles and high class officials attending today’s banquet.
Soon they will receive the news about House Morgrath.
Their carefree expression would flip in seconds.
The once five great houses of the Dark Empire were now reduced to just four.
Bringing the glass close to his lips, Rian sipped what tastes like blueberry wine.
On mid occasion, some even approach Rian just to wish him and congratulate him for the invitation he got from Caelistra Academy.
It was almost funny though, because ever since his dance with Mara, the very people who’d whispered behind his back had started lining up to do exactly that.
It seemed they’d all decided his lunatic reputation must have been blown out of proportion.
After all, how could a real lunatic dance so gracefully, hold his partner so gently?
Surely the rumors were exaggerated.
And he had been praised by the Empress herself, hadn’t he?
So one by one, other girls came to get on the good side of House Orlok’s prodigy.
Rian almost wished Jeanne could see it.
That woman had always assumed he’d been some friendless loner throughout their academy days, just because he sat alone and rarely showed up to class.
But that hadn’t been his fault.
The lessons they taught in class were a joke to him.
Why would he waste his hours learning the alphabet when he was already leagues beyond every other student in his year?
Gladly, the headmaster of Caelistra had recognized as much, and even granted him access to the restricted library.
Rian had simply chosen to spend his time on knowledge that actually mattered at that time.
And that was precisely what had made him the Legendary Dark Mage.
That being said...
Rian glanced to his left.
Right beside him stood Lilly, Mara, and Juliana, drinks in hand, chatting away among themselves.
Rian could hear every word of it. And the more he listened, the more a whole new understanding dawned on him.
Apparently, these girls had quite the appetite for gossip.
Lilly whispered, leaning in.
"...and did you see Lady Hargrove’s dress? She’s worn that exact same one to three banquets now!"
"Maybe it’s her favorite," Mara offered gently.
"Mara, it has a wine stain on the hem. Look, look. Do you think Sir Hargrove didn’t favor her anymore?"
"...Or, it could be that the rumours about their financial condition were all true."
Mara took a slow sip of her drink listening to the two.
"Ah well, at least she showed up."
Juliana leaned in a bit.
"By the way, did you guys hear?"
"...?"
"Heard what?"
"Aparantly Lord Pembert’s been hiding by the dessert table since he arrive here, because he proposed to two sisters of Sir Jonson in the same week and now neither will speak to him."
"No way." Lilly’s eyes went wide and delighted.
"Pfft—"
Mara nearly choked on her drink.
Rian stared at the three of them.
’Exactly where did they get their info from?’
These were the same girls who, two minutes ago, had been smiling warmly and curtsying to every noble who walked past.
’...So this is what they were really thinking the whole time.’
Honestly, it was a little terrifying.
Lilly suddenly turned to him, all innocent sweetness.
"Oh, Rian! You’ve been so quiet. Anything you want to add?"
Rian finished his wine.
"Yeah well, why exactly are you three gathered around me again?"
There was an entire hall they could gossip in.
Lilly waved a dismissive hand.
"Obviously because you’re the safest spot in the room."
Rian sighed.
Mara set her drink down, and after a moment, spoke up again.
"Lilly I’ve been thinking, why don’t we head to Caelistra together?"
She said it casually enough, but Lilly caught the way her eyes flicked toward Rian as she did.
A faint smile tugged at Lilly’s lips.
"I was going to ask you the same. What do you think, Rian?"
It hardly mattered to him either way, if it were up to him alone, he’d have left early too.
"I’ve no problem with that."
Mara gladly nodded.
"Then it’s settled. We leave in three days."
Lilly blinked.
"Three days? Why so soon? The session doesn’t start for another week, there won’t even be any classes yet."
Before Mara could answer, Rian did.
"The earlier you arrive, the more time you get to learn the academy, and the city around it. Once the session starts, you won’t have much time to explore around."
Mara nodded along.
"That’s what I was thinking. I’d like to roam Caelistra a bit and get familiar with the place."
Lilly hummed thoughtfully.
"Hmmm... Fair point."
Beside them, Juliana, who’d been quietly listening the whole time, let out a small sigh.
"So... I only get two more days with you two, then?"
"Ah."
Mara and Lilly both turned to her at once.
"Aww, Juli! I really wish you’d picked the academy instead of the apprenticeship. I’m going to miss you so much."
Mara added, too.
"You put a lot of thought into your decision, so don’t look so down about it. Besides, you’ll be studying under Lady Shinon herself."
Rian’s ear perked at the name.
"...You became Lady Shinon’s apprentice?"
Juliana nodded.
"Mhm. She came to my father herself and asked for me."
Lady Shinon Exaver.
One of the Dark Empire’s most formidable mages, known across both empires as the Witch of Calamity. In his past life, she and Rian had worked side by side on more than a few missions, and he had to admit, she more than lived up to her title.
For a figure like that to personally take Juliana as her apprentice meant she’d seen something rare in the girl.
But that was strange.
Rian couldn’t recall the name Juliana anywhere in his past memories.
’...Did she go by a different name after becoming an apprentice?’
It was possible.
People in Lady Shinon’s line of work often did the same.
As the four of them chatted, the entire hall fell silent all at once.
Rian blinked and turned around for the reason, only to find a very familiar couple descending the grand staircase.
A woman descended the staircase first.
Long blonde hair spilled past her shoulders like threads catching the chandelier light with every step. Her eyes were as clear as a depthless blue, her skin was pale and flawless against the white of her corset gown.
Beside her, locking with her arm walked a man with black hair and deep blue eyes, his posture was refined.
Rian’s breath caught.
It had been a decade since he’d last laid eyes on them.
His mother, and his father.
