Caulem Manor’s majestic entrance was illuminated by millions of amps, their golden glow twinkling on the marble stairs like small stars.
Rin’s violet hair cascaded in soft waves, her sapphire dress glowing in the torchlight, and her pink eyes opened wide as she stood frozen at the door of the Valarune carriage, looking at the figure on the ground. She was shocked by the fierce light from Leo’s red eyes as he stood by the carriage.
His brow furrowed, a hint of bewildernt visible on his face. "What? "Idiot?" he said, tilting his head. in a quiet, questioning tone. "Have a problem with soone?"
Warmth flooded Rin’s face, causing her cheeks to flush bright pink and her voice to stuck in her throat. His eyes made her heart race.
His voice grew softer. "Are you going to stay up there forever, co on?"
She blinked and realized that her parents were standing calmly behind her. She moved step down, flustered. Leo extended his hand in a gesture so unexpected that it seed as though ti had stopped. She paused, her fingers shaking, then settled in his as her breath caught. As she stepped onto the cobblestone, she felt cald by his steady, warm hand.
Rin looked up at the manor, a magnificent display of the Caulem Dukedom’s wealth, with its tall spires glowed with softly pulsing lamps that woven their light through ivy and crystal garlands. Nobles in exquisite silks and jewels erged from carriages lining the path, their gentle chattering filling the air as they made their way to the stately doors.
So whispered about the young lord’s unexpected visit to the carriage and his keen elegance as they cast glances at Leo.
Elgar and Johana stepped down, and Elgar’s warm smile lit up the mont as he greeted Leo. "Young Lord Leonhardt, a pleasure to see you again."
Johana’s eyes sparkled, her voice kind. "Good evening, Young Lord."
Leo nodded, his tone polite but strong. "Mister and Mistress Valarune, thank you for attending the banquet."
Elgar’s laugh was warm, his eyes crinkling. "An honor to be invited by Caulem, Young Lord."
Rin, still catching her breath, turned to Leo, her voice shy but curious. "Leonhardt, why are you out here?" Her words were soft, almost nervous, as if scared of his answer.
Leo’s crimson eyes t hers, a small smirk forming. "I ca to escort you, didn’t I? You’re my partner tonight."
Rin’s face was burning brighter and her heart was thumping so hard she thought it might burst. She stamred, unable to respond, and her pink eyes darted away.
Johana’s laughter interrupted the mont, revealing her happiness. "You’re fortunate to have Young Lord Leonhardt as your escort, Rin."
Rin’s voice trailed off, agitated. "Go ahead, you two, please, Mother!"
Johana’s warm, playful smile widened. "Obviously, my love." Her voice was light as she linked arms with Elgar. "Co, love, let’s let them do their thing." With a mischievous smile, Johana tossed a playful wave over her shoulder as they made their way to the manor’s luminous entrance.
Leo watched them go, muttering softly, "Your mother’s quite the talker, huh?"
Rin’s voice was a whisper with shy hesitation. "Leonhardt?"
"What is it?"
She looked down, playing with her gown’s edge, her voice tiny. "You... really ca to escort ?"
Leo’s response was straightforward, and she was surprised by the warmth in his steady tone. "Yes." He didn’t ntion that Lucian had pressured him to escort Rin, sothing Leo had done grudgingly but now, standing here, he wasn’t sure why Lucian had done it.
A new carriage with the Dranemount crest—a silver hawk soaring—on its polished surface appeared before he could say another word.
His body tensed a little as his alert, focused eyes t it. Rin saw, her eyes trailing his.
Adrian Dranemount stepped out first, his tall fra steady as he offered a hand to his sister.
Erin, her silver hair glowing like a halo, stepped past him with a graceful but stubborn move. "I can manage, Adrian," she said, her voice light.
Adrian grinned, not bothered, his tone playful. "Just trying to be courteous, Erin."
His eyes t Leo’s, and he waved, his voice cheerful. "Leonhardt! Good to see you!"
He took a step forward, but Erin grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the manor. She walked quickly and said, "You’ll have plenty of ti to chat inside." Adrian was pulled along in confusion as her violet eyes briefly shifted to Leo with an odd intensity before quickly turning away.
Leo’s brow furrowed, his mind puzzling over Erin’s odd behaviour. What’s her deal tonight? he thought.
Rin’s gaze shifted between them as she spoke in a cautious, quiet, and slightly inquisitive tone. "Has sothing happened between you and Erin Dranemount, Leonhardt?"
Leo looked at her. "Yes, a little drama." For a mont, his frown grew deeper as he followed Erin’s disappearing figure.
Rin’s lips pursed in a pout for a mont, a hint of sothing—perhaps jealousy—crossing her face, but when Leo looked back at her, her smile was warm and soft again.
With a steady, slightly benevolent voice, he held out his hand. "Co on, let’s go inside."
She put her hand in His, who held it steadily and firmly, and her face lit up with a shy but kind smile. Nobles in glittering silks turned to gaze as they approached the building, their whispers echoing through the darkness.
"The first heir, still unbetrothed, right?"
"Who is the girl next to him?"
"Maybe his lover?" The words lingered, bold and inquisitive.
His face remained composed and his red eyes remained fixed forward, as though the whispers were insignificant. But Rin’s cheeks turned a gentle pink as she listened to every word. The thought made her heart skip a beat, but she pulled herself together, raising her chin and following His lead.
Rin looked at him as they got closer to the carved doors of the manor, her voice soft but concerned. "I learned of your sister’s disappearance, Leonhardt. Is she alright now?"
There was a hint of softness in His sharp features as his lips curled into a rare, warm smile. "She is secure. Now that the little devil has returned ho, everyone is happy."
Her pink eyes lit up with relief, but asked with curiosity. "What happened to her? Who would dare take her?"
As he looked at her, his smile dimd and his eyes grew piercing. "Rin," he said softly, "it’s a tangled ss."
"When the ti is right, I shall inform you. Not this ti."
A flashy carriage with an alternative crest stopped at the gate, its gleaming fra reflecting the light from the torches. Nobles leaned forward to look as the news spread like a wildfire, their voices a blend of awe and concern.
"Foreigners?" one murmured.
"That crest... it’s not from our lands."
First to step down was Selen Threx. After looking around the building with his eyes, he turned to give his wife a hand. Lady Threx stepped down.
A Caulem servant hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Welco, Lord and Lady Threx. Your arrival has been eagerly anticipated by the Dukedom."
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