Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Chapter 134: Exchanging Pleasantries

Ever since Maverick alighted from the carriage, Lady Seraphina had also been observing him alongside the Elders.

Although her expression remained serene and gracious on the surface, beneath that composed exterior, her thoughts churned relentlessly.

This was because there was one matter she simply could not reconcile.

The moment she learned that Goldric and his son were making their way back to Valor, she had acted without delay. A confidential letter had been dispatched to House Noctivane, detailing the route they would likely travel and subtly requesting that the journey be... Interrupted.

When days passed without a reply, she had not been overly concerned.

After all, House Noctivane was not known for excessive correspondence. They preferred results over promises. In her mind, the absence of a response merely meant that they had already acted.

Or so she had believed.

Yet now, both the father and son stood before her completely unharmed. Not only were they unharmed... They also looked impeccably composed.

Their robes bore no signs of battle and their expressions lacked the slightest trace of exhaustion beyond what one would expect from a lengthy journey.

If anything, they appeared unassailable.

For the first time in the past week, Lady Seraphina found herself genuinely perplexed. Either her plan had failed... Or House Noctivane had never carried it out.

Yet that possibility only deepened the mystery.

House Noctivane was not the sort of organization that simply ignored correspondence from another Great House. Had they declined the request, they would have sent word. Even a brief refusal would have sufficed.

Instead, there was only silence. A complete one.

She had even taken it upon herself to write a second letter several days later. But still, there was nothing; she saw neither a single reply nor a single messenger.

There wasn’t even an acknowledgment that her letters had reached their destination.

And the more she reflected upon it, the more unsettling it became.

House Noctivane was many things... Secretive, ruthless, and calculating. But never unprofessional.

Something had definitely happened... Something significant enough to disrupt the normal operations of one of the greatest assassin Houses on the continent.

Eventually, Lady Seraphina arrived at a conclusion. It seemed she would have to visit House Noctivane personally.

Whatever had transpired, she intended to uncover it herself. Because this... This was so unlike them...

Having reached that disquieting conclusion, Lady Seraphina gently recomposed herself before allowing her attention to settle fully upon Maverick.

If House Noctivane had failed... Then perhaps she ought to assess the young man with her own eyes. After all, this was the youth who would soon become Cedric’s greatest rival.

Her emerald eyes quietly studied him, assessing him. His posture, his breathing, and the subtle fluctuations surrounding his body.

Though Maverick was quite perceptive as to withdraw his aura, as the matriarch of House Valehart, Lady Seraphina’s cultivation was naturally extraordinary.

Therefore, it took only a single glance for her to discern that he was an Initial Stage Rank One Etheryean.

Furthermore, upon discovering this, a flicker of surprise passed through her heart.

That cultivation realm... Was precisely Cedric’s current cultivation.

Had it been anyone else, she would have immediately praised such an achievement as the mark of an exceptional genius, just like her son.

However, this was not just anyone. This was Maverick...

The boy who, according to every report she had received over the years, had failed to awaken not once... But twice, just like a certain someone.

This was also the same boy who had supposedly spent years unable to cultivate. Yet now, not only had he awakened, he had somehow crossed the enormous gulf separating an Awakener from an Etheryean.

Something about it refused to sit well with her. The timing, speed, and the circumstances...

In fact, everything surrounding his cultivation seemed and even his awakening seemed... Unnatural.

However, she had no choice but to bury those suspicions deep within her heart. Whatever answers existed could be uncovered later.

For now, she was not merely Seraphina; she was the Matriarch of House Valehart. And appearances had to be maintained...

After exchanging several more pleasantries, Valdric finally released Goldric’s forearm before shifting his attention toward the young man standing quietly behind him.

His warm golden eyes swept over Maverick from head to toe before a smile slowly appeared.

"I assume this is your son... Maverick?"

Goldric’s expression visibly softened. There was an unmistakable pride in his eyes as he nodded. "Yes. He is."

Then turning slightly, he looked at his son.

"Maverick. Greet your uncle."

Maverick remained silent for the briefest moment.

Truthfully, if circumstances permitted, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with House Valehart; not with the man standing before him nor with anyone else carrying the Valehart surname.

The memories of his childhood within these walls had left behind prejudices that time alone could not erase.

Moreover, to him, this estate represented rejection more than family or a home. Yet, he also understood why they had come.

This journey was important to his father, no matter what he might have said back at the carriage. And for that reason alone... He forcefully swallowed the resentment simmering within him.

Stepping forward, he bowed respectfully and spoke rigidly. "Greetings, Uncle."

Goldric noticed the stiffness hidden beneath his son’s respectful tone. As his father, he understood where it came from but he chose not to comment.

Valdric, likewise, was no fool. He had governed one of the greatest noble Houses in the kingdom for decades. So reading people had long since become second nature.

He could naturally sense the invisible distance Maverick maintained. Ordinarily, such coldness from a junior would have earned at least a mild reprimand.

Instead, he didn’t mind it and smiled.

"Good. Very good."

Looking back toward Goldric, he remarked with genuine admiration.

"You’ve raised him well. He’s grown into a fine young man."

A nostalgic smile crossed Valdric’s face as he spoke further.

"I still remember when he barely reached my waist, always following after you whenever you visited the main estate. And now..."

He chuckled softly.

"Look at him. Time truly waits for no one. I’m sure he would grow up to become a honourable knight for House Valehart."

Maverick offered another courteous bow.

"Thank you for your kind words, Uncle."

Although his voice remained respectful, his expression was one of restrained politeness, revealing little beyond the etiquette expected of a noble.

Valdric nodded twice in satisfaction. "Excellent."

His gaze then shifted toward the young man standing beside him and called out. "Cedric."

He gestured lightly.

"I’m certain you remember your cousin. You were both rather young when you last met... But surely not so young that you’ve forgotten one another."

Before Maverick could respond, Goldric laughed. "Forget him? I highly doubt that. I think they were old enough that they would still remember each other."

Turning toward his son, he smiled. "Isn’t that right, Maverick?"

Maverick’s eyes settled upon Cedric. For several seconds, neither cousin spoke as they quietly evaluated one another.

Finally, Maverick nodded.

"I remember. If I’m not mistaken... This is Cedric."

The young heir smiled faintly.

"And I remember you as well."

Valdric burst into hearty laughter.

"Wonderful! It seems the two cousins haven’t forgotten one another after all, despite the passage of the years."

His eyes moved between them before he spoke again.

"Go on, Cedric. Take your cousin around the estate. I’m certain there are many things the two of you can learn from one another."

Cedric immediately bowed.

"As you wish, Father."

Straightening, he turned toward Maverick before making an inviting gesture.

"Come, Cousin. I’ll show you around Castle Valehart."

Maverick instinctively glanced toward his father. It was only after receiving Goldric’s subtle nod that he finally reply.

"Lead the way... Cousin."

Then without another word, the two young men departed side by side, disappearing deeper into the sprawling estate.

The adults watched them leave in silence...

Only after the cousins had disappeared beyond one of the marble colonnades did Valdric turn toward a nearby maidservant.

His authoritative voice echoed calmly across the courtyard.

"You, inform the kitchens. We shall be holding a banquet tonight in honour of my brother’s safe return from the Frozen North."

The young maid immediately bowed.

"As you command, my Lord."

Without wasting another second, she hurried away to relay the Patriarch’s orders.

Watching her leave, Valdric laughed warmly before turning back toward Goldric.

"Come, Brother. You’ve spent an entire week upon the road. So, you must be exhausted..."

He gestured toward the grand entrance of the manor. "Let us continue this conversation inside. I believe there is much we have to discuss and catch up to."

Goldric smiled. "I was beginning to think you’d never invite me in."

The two brothers laughed quietly together...

Surrounded by the Elders, Lady Seraphina, and the assembled knights, the welcoming procession gradually made its way across the marble courtyard toward the towering doors of Castle Valehart.

As the massive doors slowly opened before them, the gathering disappeared into the magnificent estate, while behind them, the courtyard slowly returned to its usual rhythm, as though nothing extraordinary had happened.

Yet everyone present knew, the return of Goldric Valehart and his son marked the beginning of something far greater than a simple family reunion...