Chapter 17: News Of Another Genius
While the eight forgotten children struggled within the Nether Lands, back in Valoria, life continued as though nothing had happened.
The skies above the kingdom remained clear and beautiful as golden sunlight bathed marble towards and noble estates while banners fluttered proudly in the wind.
In Castle Valehart; servants moved through grand halls carrying trays of silver and crystal.
Knights trained within expansive courtyards beneath the watchful eyes of commanders while Elders discussed politics and trade within luxurious chambers...
Laughter echoed, music played, life went on and within all of it... Regaleon Valehart no longer seemed to exist.
It had been a day since he was sent away to die and yet within the mighty castle of House Valehart, not a single servant whispered his name anymore.
It was as though the boy had been erased from memory itself as:
No one mentioned the failed heir, no one spoke of the boy exiled to die as the world had already forgotten about him... Or perhaps, it merely pretended to.
Within the inner gardens of Castle Valehart stood a beautiful pavilion overlooking the training grounds...
The garden around it was breathtaking as white flowers bloomed beside winding stone paths while crystal streams flower gently beneath the elegant bridges.
Knights could be seen training below in disciplined formations beneath the golden afternoon sun...
At the center of the pavilion sat Lady Seraphina. The matriarch of House Valehart. She was graceful, elegant and... Dangerous.
She sipped tea calmly while observing the training grounds with serene eyes. Every movements she made carried refined nobility and every gesture radiated control.
Beside her rested several parchment scrolls and letters sealed with noble crests. And at that moment...
Footsteps approached the pavilion. Lady Seraphina looked upward and her eyes softened instant.
Entering the pavilion naturally was the pride of House Valehart, Cedric Valehart. The proclaimed genius of the century.
Even standing there casually, he radiated an air of superiority; with golden hair that glistened like molten gold under the sun, sharp features that seem carved by whatever godly artists took his time to mold him and a straight posture.
Everything about him screamed nobility. And unlike Regaleon’s quiet intensity, Cedric shone brilliantly beneath attention.
"You called for me, mother?" He asked, his voice respectful.
Lady Seraphina smiled warmly. "Of course..." Her eyes lingered upon him proudly as she praised. "How could I not call my greatest treasure."
Cedric smiled slightly before taking his seat opposite her.
Immediately, a maidservant stepped forward and poured tea for him carefully. Only after the cup settled did Lady Seraphina dismiss the servant with a wave of hand.
The maidservant bowed before leaving and afterwards, the pavilion became quiet.
The distant sounds of clashing swords echoed faintly from the training fields below as knights practiced with their Knight Essences.
Finally, Lady Seraphina spoke. Her voice was calm and composed as she looked into her son’s eyes.
"I called you here because something important has happened."
Cedric frowned faintly. Whatever his mother deigned important would be very serious. Yet he remained as he waited for her to continue.
Lady Seraphina folded her hands gracefully atop the table between them.
"Your uncle is returning from the north." She announced looking into her son’s golden eyes.
Cedric’s brows narrowed instantly. A few seconds passed by before he asked, "And Maverick? What about him?"
Lady Seraphina took a sip of tea before replying. "He’s returning as well."
A brief silence followed as Cedric leaned back slightly. Then his tone became serious as he asked. "What about the Tide? Has the northern situation been resolved already?"
At the mention of the Tide, even Lady Seraphina’s expression cooled slightly. The Tide was not something to joke about in the world of Aetherium as it was one of the greatest calamities that threatened the world.
Every few years, monstrous hordes descended from the Frozen North like endless waves of death. At first it occured once every century...
Then it became once every decade. And now, it was something that happened almost every year.
Entire cities had fallen to the Tide before. In fact, legends had it that the reason the Nether Lands existed might be because of past Tides erupting in the civilizations that once existed there...
The fact that House Valehart’s northern branch guarded the Frozen North was both a burden and an honor.
But Lady Seraphina merely waved her hand dismissively. "That matter dies not concern you right now."
Then her gaze became sharper. "Instead, you should focus on your cousin."
Cedric’s frowned deepened. What could possibly matter more than the Tide itself?
Based on what he knows, his uncle’s family was tasked by the king himself to go and reinforce the northern borders but now, they are coming back. And for what?
As though reading his thoughts, Lady Seraphina finally dropped the truth. "Your father received a letter this morning..."
There was a slight pause as she tapped her fingers lightly against the table while maintaining eye contact with her son.
"...and according to what was written in the letter, Maverick awakened a King Tier War Hammer..."
She had yet to complete her statement when Cedric’s eyes widened in surprise. Lady Seraphina noticed it but she continued.
"...and he also awakened a King Tier Armour."
Then silence descended instant after her words. For the first time since entering the pavilion, Cedric composed mask cracked.
It was just slightly, but it cracked nevertheless.
"...Is it really true?" He asked. Even his voice sounded quieter now as he looked at the tea he had yet to sip.
Lady Seraphina narrowed her eyes. "Yes..." She answered. Then her tone hardened. "And you know exactly what that means."
Cedric slowly clenched his teacup. Of course he understood the implications.
Actually, House Valehart was not united. At least, not truly as there were factions, ambitions and politics.
His father, Valdric Valehart, currently sat as patriarch and Lord over the House. But his younger brother, Cedric’s uncle, had always possessed ambitions toward that position.
Previously, Cedric’s awakening had secured their branch’s dominance completely. After all, a King Tier Armour and Greatsword genius appearing once every century was enough to crush most opposition.
But now, another had appeared; the same as him as Maverick possess dual King Tier Soul Essences. Automatically, this would make him another possible successor and... Another threat.
Cedric slowly lowered his gaze as he lost himself in the pool of his thoughts. If there were two kings in a kingdom, then eventually... One would have to fall.
Lady Seraphina watched her son carefully, then gently smiled. "Do not worry..." She comforted, her voice softening. "Your father already said he would handle things."
Cedric didn’t reply. But the tension within him did not lessen one bit.
Lady Seraphina continued. "All you need to focus on now..." Her eyes gleamed faintly as she said, "...is your relationship with the First Princess."
At those words, Cedric’s expression steadied once more. The First Princess was one of the royal bloodlines closest to the throne.
If Cedric secured that relationship, then his claim within House Valehart would become nearly untouchable.
Politics, marriage and power; everything intertwined together.
Cedric finally nodded slowly. "I understand." Then he rose afterward, "Forgive me, mother..."
Then his voice returned to it’s composed state. "But I must excuse myself."
Lady Seraphina smiled elegantly. "Of course."
Cedric bowed respectfully before turning to leave the pavilion...
The moment he was out of sight, the smile upon Lady Seraphina’s face slowly vanished. Her gaze lingered upon the direction her son left.
How could she not understand her own son?
Though he looked calm and steady,but beneath his composed exterior, Cedric was actually disturbed... And threatened.
And honestly, so was she. Lady Seraphina slowly sipped her tea once more while cold thoughts swirled within her mind.
First, there had been Regaleon. That irritating bastard child who stubbornly refused to break despite everything.
Thankfully, he had been discarded already... Exiled, gone and likely dead by now.
Yet before peace could even settle, another problem appeared. Maverick Valehart. Another genius. Another threat to her son’s future.
Lady Seraphina’s eyes darkened faintly. "We finally got rid one of one bastard..." She spat, fingers tightening slightly around the teacup. "...and now, another appears."
The afternoon wind brushed gently through the pavilion. It was warm, yet her expression only grew colder.
Silence lingered for several moments. Then finally, her eyes sharpened.
No! She could not allow this uncertainty to grow. If Maverick truly intended to challenge Cedric’s position, then she would act first.
Slowly, Lady Seraphina called toward the garden entrance. "Roma!"
A maid quickly rushed forward before kneeling respectfully. "Yes, my Lady?"
Seraphina’s elegant face returned completely in a beautiful, graceful and deadly way.
Then she said, "Bring me a parchment and a quill."
The maidservant bowed immediately. "At once." She said. Then she hurried away.
Seraphina turned her gaze toward the distant skies above Valoria. Her eyes gleamed coldly as she murmured. "It seems, it is finally time for me to call in that favour."
Moments later, the maidservant returned carrying a elegant parchment and a silver feathered quill.
Then Seraphina slowly began writing...
At the very top of the parchment, one name appeared:
House Noctivane.
The House of Shadows.
And somewhere far away, fate quietly began shifting once more.
