"Young master we’ll be going through two cities before we reach the capital. The portal has already been prepared."
I nodded. Since we were further south, getting to the capital by carriage would take almost a month, which was ti I didn’t have. The king was wise enough to establish teleportation portals in different major cities and towns in the kingdom.
"Lucian."
Mother called behind . I had been waiting for her before I could leave since I won’t be able to see her for three to four months unless she decides to visit.
"Yes, mother."
She ran her hand through my white hair before cupping my cheek. I leaned into her touch affectionately. I hadn’t noticed it, but I had grown taller than her, but she wasn’t lacking in height either.
"Take care of yourself and your sister while in the capital. I don’t want too many reports."
I nodded and held her hand.
" I’ll miss you mother."
I said softly, I really ant that. Despite her being one of the harshest mothers, she was caring in her own twisted way. I was glad she was my mother.
"You’re not a child anymore."
She chided and pulled her hand from my grip and stepped back. I bowed to her, my left hand on my chest, before entering the carriage. That was a ceremonial thank you offered to one’s parents before leaving their wings.
Luna got in behind and closed the door softly. I watched with nostalgia as the castle disappeared, with my mother’s figure disappearing with it.
The city walls ca into view as the carriage neared the exit. The Bloodmoor city was surrounded by a huge wall built after the establishnt of the duchy. This was the last line of defense in case the duchy was ever attacked.
"Do you not want to leave ho master?"
Luna asked suddenly breaking the silence. She must have noticed my low mood. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Of course I don’t want to," I said looking out at the other carriages," it is the only place I’ve known."
Mother has never allowed any of us to leave the Ducal until we were sixteen which is an adult. The Bloodmoor had many enemies ready to pounce at any chance, and her offspring would be the best bargain.
The carriage didn’t slow down like all the other travellers; we passed the checkpoint without any questions. The Bloodmoor crest was painted on the carriage and the knights who had escorted us had armor with our family crest.
The Bloodmoor crest was one of a kind. It was a broken red spider lily that looked like it was dropping blood on a dagger.
"We’ve arrived young master."
The knight’s voice ca as the carriage ca to a stop. The portal wasn’t far from the city, and mother had refused any negotiations to place the portal in the city since one wouldn’t know what would co through.
"Let’s get off."
I said to Luna who nodded and got out of the carriage with following behind her. The teleporter was inside a small building with several guards patrolling the periter checking anyone who ca through.
The mont I got off the head guard ca running towards and bowed.
"Good morning young master."
I looked at his shaking back and shook my head. Just what made them fear so much, I had done nothing to them and it was getting more absurd. This had been an ongoing occurrence and I couldn’t place my fingers on it.
"Is the portal ready?"
The guard stood upright and nodded.
"Yes, young master."
I looked at his still figure wondering why he wasn’t moving.
"Lead the way then"
I said pointing at the building behind us. Everyone was quietly looking ; traders and all the people I presud had co for the portal.
" Yes...yes young master."
We passed through a small corridor that could only fit one person before stepping into a much larger room. On the floor in the middle of the room was a large pulsating red circle with intricate patterns drawn inside. It was a magic circle that helped to anchor us to the next city.
"Please step into the circle young master. The portal will lead you to Rothvale."
I nodded and stepped into the magic circle with Luna and all the knights joining . This was goodbye to the duchy for the next few months.
A white light flashed blinding us. It felt as though I was pulled through sothing forcefully. Before I could register, my vision was back, and we were standing in a completely different room.
We had arrived at Rothvale.
"That was unpleasant."
I said pushing the bile back. I could never get used to the feeling of teleportation, it was too unpleasant. It was probably my body rembering trauma from mother’s training.
She wanted to be able to teleport so she chose the most crude and cruel thod one would use on a child. She would hold my hand and teleport herself over and over again with in tow until I could get the chanics.
I was lucky, I was talented, since I was able to do it after a week. Teleportation uses too much magic power, or I would have teleported directly to the capital, that is, if I knew where the capital was physically.
"Welco to Rothvale, young master Lucian."
One of the guards among the many surrounding the teleporter said. He had a different armor on, he stepped forward and extended his arm to . I looked down at his hand, then back at him. I hated unnecessary physical contact.
I smiled and shook his hand briefly before letting go.
"Thank you for the warm welco, Captain..."
I didn’t know him, and since his armor was black while the other guards were dark blue, he had to be their leader.
"Calder... The count wanted to know if you would love a cup of tea."
The man said respectfully.
" That would be a pleasure. My throat has gotten parched, tea will help soothe it."
I nodded and stepped out of the circle. The captain glanced at Luna behind before shaking his head.
"Is sothing the matter captain ?"
I asked. His eyes widened before he smiled and glanced at Luna again.
" It’s nothing young master."
I didn’t push the issue. We were visitors and causing a ruckus just after leaving will not be a good look. We were led to the already prepared carriage; they seed to have planned ahead of ti. It wasn’t a secret that I was going to the academy.
The ride was not long, the carriage slowly ca to a stop.
"We’re here young master."
The captain’s voice ca from outside. Luna opened the door and stepped out with following right behind her.
The place wasn’t that impressive. A small mansion with an ugly fountain in front of it. There were colorful flowers around the house, a clear sign of a female touch.
The captain led us to the front door where a butler bowed and took over the task of escorting us.
"Welco, young master Lucian. I’ve been expecting you."
A voice bellowed from down the hallway. A short man with an extended..hhmm..stomach that peaked through the barely holding shirt was standing. Behind him was a middle-aged woman and a younger woman who seed to be his daughter.
"You must be Count Julian, it’s a pleasure eting you."
I said coldly. The count acted as though my tone was normal and turned to the two won behind him.
" Young master, I would love to introduce my darling daughter Emilia Belmont and my dear wife Lucinda. We are all happy to see you. "
He said excitedly. I frowned but put on a smile and nodded at the two won.
" How about the tea count , I’m quite patched."
I said softly. His eyes widened as if rembering who he was talking to.
"Yes young master, this way."
He took over from the butler and led to an outdoor sitting area that faced those obnoxious flowers. A servant ca and poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of . I didn’t touch it.
"The flowers are beautiful."
The count smiled happily and turned to his daughter who was blushing and glancing at occasionally.
’Ha! I should have expected this ’
"This was designed by my daughter, she is very good with flowers and..."
I zoned out as he overpraised his daughter. He was clearly pitching her to . A toad wants to eat swan at.
"Such artistic mastery."
I said after he finished his monologue. The girl, bless her little heart, blushed at my supposed complint.
"Young master what do you think of my daughter?"
The count asked directly after a bout of awkward silence.
"She’s a beautiful young woman."
I simply said. The count nodded vigorously his cheeks shaking from all the movents. He seed to have gotten what he was looking for.
"I would love to propose a marriage."
The man really thought of him as a child. A count’s daughter marrying a duke’s son would elevate his status from the ground to the sky. I looked at the blond woman, his daughter, I wasn’t lying when I said she was beautiful, she really was, clearly taking after her mother.
"Have you asked the duchess?"
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