Chapter 479: Teasing the Old Man
"Come now," Eradarin said, his dignity somewhat ruffled as he distributed the teacups.
"Let us speak of more... pressing matters. The old days, perhaps. Diana should know something of the family history, of the bonds that tie us all together."
As they settled back with their tea—a blend that carried hints of magical herbs and tasted like sunshine distilled into liquid form—the sage’s eyes took on the distant look of someone reaching far back into memory’s vault.
"Angelina and I were students together, you know," he said to Diana, his voice growing softer with remembrance. "Along with Angelina and several others who have since... moved on to different paths. This was back when the Cledwarys Academy still stood, before the great war scattered us all to the winds."
Jaegar leaned forward, always eager to hear stories of the family he had never truly known. "Tell her about the time you tried to impress Grandmother with that ridiculous flower spell."
The sage’s teacup rattled against its saucer, and his flush deepened perceptibly. "That was... an educational experience."
"Oh, this should be good," Bruna said, settling back in her chair like a cat preparing to enjoy a particularly entertaining show.
"I love watching Eradarin squirm."
"It wasn’t squirming," the sage protested with wounded dignity.
"It was... strategic repositioning in the face of unexpected circumstances."
"You turned every flower in the academy’s garden into butterflies," Jaegar said with barely contained glee.
"Grandmother told me the story herself. The entire courtyard was filled with thousands of confused butterflies that couldn’t figure out why they suddenly had roots instead of wings."
"The spell was theoretically sound," Eradarin muttered into his teacup.
"The execution may have been... overly ambitious."
"And Angelina spent the entire afternoon trying not to laugh while helping you reverse the enchantment," Ironshade added, his own rare smile making an appearance.
"Though she did mention later that it was the most creative courtship display she’d ever witnessed."
"Courtship display?" Diana asked, genuine curiosity overcoming her earlier nervousness.
The sage’s flush now rivaled the roses climbing the walls outside.
"I may have... harbored certain feelings... that were perhaps... not entirely reciprocated with the same intensity."
"He was completely besotted," Bruna translated cheerfully.
"Followed her around like a lost puppy for the better part of three years. It was actually quite sweet, in a hopelessly romantic sort of way."
"She knew, of course," Eradarin said quietly, his old eyes growing distant with memory. "Angelina was far too perceptive not to notice. But she was... kind about it. Never made me feel foolish, even when I clearly was being exactly that."
Diana’s expression softened, understanding passing between the generations like a shared secret. "But you never stopped caring for her."
"No," the sage admitted, his voice carrying the weight of decades of unspoken devotion. "Some feelings are too deep to simply fade away. They become part of who you are, woven into the very fabric of your soul. I learned to treasure the friendship she offered instead of mourning what might have been."
Diana felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, moved by the quiet dignity of long-held love that asked for nothing in return.
In this room full of legends and magical beings, it was this simple, achingly human emotion that touched her most deeply.
"And now you ensure her house runs smoothly and that she has fresh flowers every morning," she said softly, understanding blooming like dawn over still waters.
The sage met her eyes, and in that moment, she saw not the legendary keeper of ancient wisdom but simply a man who had learned to find joy in service to someone he could never possess but would always love.
"It is," he said simply, "enough."
Their peaceful conversation was suddenly interrupted by the soft flutter of wings against window glass.
A pristine white magical bird, its feathers gleaming like freshly fallen snow, swooped through the open casement and landed gracefully on Sage Eradarin’s shoulder.
The bird’s intelligent dark eyes fixed on the sage with an urgency that spoke of important tidings, while around its leg was tied a small scroll bearing the unmistakable crimson seal of the Angelina—a crimson crescent moon intertwined with a vine that had flowers.
Eradarin’s expression shifted instantly from relaxed storytelling to sharp alertness.
With practiced efficiency, he untied the message and broke the wax seal, his amber eyes scanning the contents with increasing gravity. The others watched in tense silence as his weathered features grew more troubled with each line.
"What is it?" Bruna asked, her enhanced senses already picking up the change in his emotional state, the spike of concern and urgency that radiated from him like heat from a forge.
The sage looked up from the parchment, his ancient eyes now hard as flint.
"Angelina requires our immediate presence at the ruins. All three of us."
His gaze moved meaningfully between Bruna and Ironshade, and something unspoken passed between them—the kind of wordless communication that came from decades of facing danger together.
Ironshade was already rising, his hand instinctively checking the position of his great sword. "How immediate?"
"Now."
Eradarin stood with quick poise despite his age, the scroll crumpling slightly in his tightening grip. "If she says it’s urgent, then she must have stumbled upon something serious."
"You two will stay here," the sage said firmly, his tone brooking no argument as he looked between Jaegar and Diana.
"Jaegar, you should stay with your aunt. It is not safe for either of you to go outside right now, as you know about the dangers."
Jaegar pursed his lips in frustration but nodded in reluctant agreement.
Diana’s face had already filled with worry.
"The house is warded beyond anything that walks this realm. You’ll be safe within its boundaries."
Diana felt a chill that had nothing to do with the morning air. "What kind of danger—"
"The kind that’s better faced by those with centuries of experience," Ironshade cut her off gently but firmly.
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