Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Chapter 137: Bedroom Conversation

The night lingered long after the banquet had drawn to its conclusion.

One by one, the crystal chandeliers illuminating the grand corridors of Castle Valehart were extinguished, leaving only enchanted wall lanterns to cast a mellow amber glow across the sprawling estate.

The laughter and spirited conversations that had once filled the Grand Banquet Hall gradually dissolved into silence as servants cleared away the final remnants of the feast before retiring to their respective quarters.

Outside, the moon hung serenely above the capital.

Its silvery radiance washed over the towering spires of Castle Valehart, bathing the magnificent estate in an almost ethereal glow. A cool breeze wandered through the palace gardens, carrying with it the delicate fragrance of blooming night lilies while marble fountains continued their endless melody beneath the starlit heavens.

Within one of the castle’s innermost chambers, Lord Valdric and Lady Seraphina prepared to retire for the evening...

The room itself was a testament to the immeasurable prestige of House Valehart.

Its expansive walls were fashioned from polished white marble adorned with intricate golden inlays depicting the illustrious history of the House across countless generations.

Towering windows framed by rich crimson draperies overlooked the illuminated gardens below, where moonlight filtered through flawless crystal panes before mingling harmoniously with the warm glow of enchanted lamps suspended from the ceiling.

At the heart of the chamber rested an enormous four-poster bed crafted from ancient whitewood, its ornate frame embellished with delicate golden carvings. Luxurious crimson curtains cascaded gracefully from each post, while silk sheets embroidered with silver threads shimmered faintly beneath the gentle light.

An elaborate fireplace crackled softly nearby, filling the chamber with a comforting warmth that dispelled the evening chill.

Bookshelves lined one side of the room, each overflowing with ancient tomes, historical records, cultivation manuals, and priceless manuscripts accumulated over centuries.

Opposite them stood an elegant sitting area furnished with sumptuous velvet sofas surrounding an ebony table upon which rested a crystal decanter filled with aged wine.

Every ornament, furnishing, and decoration, spoke of centuries of accumulated wealth, influence, and authority.

Valdric slowly removed the crimson mantle draped across his shoulders before handing it to a waiting maidservant.

"You may leave."

"Yes, my Lord."

The maidservant bowed respectfully before withdrawing in silence.

The heavy doors clicked shut behind her.

Only then did Valdric loosen the collar of his robes before lowering himself into one of the velvet chairs.

Nearby, Lady Seraphina removed the sapphire necklace adorning her neck before placing it inside an exquisitely carved jewellery casket.

For several long moments, neither of them spoke...

Eventually, Lady Seraphina was the first to break the silence.

She walked toward the edge of the bed and seated herself gracefully before turning toward her husband.

"So... What do you think about them?"

Valdric lifted his gaze, looking at her with mild perplexity.

"Who? Goldric?"

Lady Seraphina nodded.

"Not just him. I’m referring to Maverick as well."

Valdric released a quiet sigh.

"What concern do you have with either of them? Although I know you may not be entirely reconciled with their return, I’ve already assured you that everything will be fine."

"This isn’t about reassurance," Lady Seraphina countered evenly.

She shifted slightly toward him before continuing. "Don’t you find the timing of their return... remarkably convenient?"

"There we go again..." Valdric exhaled wearily.

His golden eyes settled upon his wife as he spoke further.

"Seraphina, how many times must we have this discussion? You truly have nothing to worry about. We’ve already been over this more times than I can count."

She inclined her head. "I know. But I simply cannot dismiss it."

Her voice grew firmer as though emphasizing her words through her tone.

"You, of all people, should understand the situation currently transpiring within Valoria."

Valdric rubbed his forehead before replying with restrained exasperation.

"And what exactly does that have to do with my brother? If anything, I believe our attention should remain fixed upon matters of genuine consequence rather than... these inconsequential speculations."

"They are matters of consequence."

Lady Seraphina’s voice remained unwavering.

"You see... I spoke with Cedric today."

Valdric raised an eyebrow.

"After he showed Maverick around the estate, he came to me." She paused briefly. "You know, there’s something about that boy that simply refuses to sit right with me."

"And what might that be, my dear?"

Valdric asked patiently.

"Are you truly going to pretend you don’t know?"

"Know what?"

"His awakening."

She looked directly into his eyes and spoke with an undertone of certainty in her voice.

"I mean, just think about it. The boy failed the Awakening Ceremony not once, but twice. And then after surpassing the customary age for awakening... He suddenly awakens? Just like that."

Her emerald eyes locked onto Valdric’s golden ones as she asked. "Tell me, doesn’t that strike you as... Profoundly anomalous?"

Valdric remained silent for a brief moment. Eventually, he spoke.

"I fail to see your point, Seraphina. If anything, House Valehart itself has already witnessed an exception before. And you yourself bore witness to this precedent."

"I know." She nodded.

"But his awakening isn’t the only thing troubling me. It’s also the quality of his Soul Essence. You know as well as I do that King-Tier Soul Essences and those above them are almost exclusively awakened by Natural Awakeners or truly extraordinary prodigies."

She folded her hands neatly upon her lap and leaned in.

"However, the last time I checked, Maverick was neither. So tell me... How does someone who failed to awaken twice suddenly manifest King-Tier Soul Essences?"

Silence settled over the chamber once again.

Then several moments later, Valdric also leaned forward and began.

"Love..."

It was the first time since the conversation had begun that he addressed her so affectionately.

His voice softened as he continued.

"I understand your concerns; I truly do. But attempting to scrutinize every aspect of Maverick’s awakening is simply chasing shadows. Aetherium is unimaginably vast. And trust me when I say that there are countless inheritances, opportunities, and methods that remain beyond even our comprehension. So I don’t think it’s wise to become overly fixated on circumstances whose explanations may simply lie beyond our current understanding."

Lady Seraphina remained silent.

Truthfully, she had already anticipated precisely this response. After all, this was hardly the first time they had discussed the matter. In fact, ever since the matter concerning Maverick’s awakening came to light, she has been unable to rest.

Still, despite already anticipating her husband’s response, disappointment quietly settled within her heart.

She had actually hoped this conversation would help her husband notice the subtle irregularities she herself had begun to perceive.

Yet judging from his expression, it was evident that his trust in Goldric remained fundamentally unshaken. Or perhaps, it wasn’t just trust... But something deeper.

Several minutes passed. Eventually, she released a quiet sigh before steering the conversation elsewhere.

"Very well. Perhaps I’ve simply been too circumspect."

She lifted her gaze and asked. "So... How was your conversation with Goldric? Did the two of you discuss anything of significance?"

Earlier that day, after Goldric’s arrival at the castle, she had deliberately afforded the two brothers the privacy to reunite after nearly a decade apart. Rather than intruding upon what was undoubtedly a long-overdue reunion, she had quietly withdrawn to her personal study.

Even so, that did little to diminish her curiosity regarding what had transpired between them.

Valdric leaned comfortably against the back of his chair, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Actually... It was a pleasant conversation. We spoke about quite a number of things."

Hearing that, Lady Seraphina’s emerald eyes became imperceptibly intent. So leaning forward ever so slightly, she said with measured curiosity,

"Then, please tell me everything..."