A sprawling villa was enclosed by high walls, with black iron bars forming the outermost gate. Two soldiers in silver-grey chainmail stood guard at the entrance, opening the iron gates for an ornate nobleman's carriage.
"Is there a ball going on?" Lucian was not the kind of research-obsessed mage who lacked common knowledge about noble society. Combining that with the brightly lit state of the villa, he could tell at a glance what was happening inside.
After a brief hesitation about whether to come back later, Lucian quickly made up his mind. He was already at the gate — what was there to worry about?
A faint ripple of arcane energy flickered almost imperceptibly across his body, and Lucian walked toward the gate at an unhurried pace.
Because nobles placed great importance on dignity and decorum, they would always arrive at a ball by carriage no matter how close it was to their own home. So Lucian, walking up on foot like a commoner, was clearly not an invited guest, and the two soldiers moved to stop him.
But at that moment, they suddenly felt that Lucian radiated an imposing air — refined and elegant, with the Hoffenberg family crest on his chest, marking him as a noble of considerably high standing. So they lowered their heads, opened the gate, and welcomed him in.
"A simple spell is enough to get past guards..." Lucian shook his head slightly as he entered the gate. Using knight squires as sentries could only defend against ordinary people. Fortunately, there were also knights from the Kingdom's Intelligence Department lurking in the shadows — but they would certainly recognize him. "I should find a chance to set up some warning-type arcane traps, in case the Church moves against Uncle Joel and the others."
Though the Church didn't act as brazenly as heretical organizations like the Silver White Horn, it was always better to be prepared. There was no shortage of madmen among the Night Watch.
July weather was scorching, but Lontart — only a few hours from the coast — grew pleasantly cool in the evenings. Lucian strolled along the garden avenue, bathed in the evening breeze, breathing in the rich fragrance of flowers. He seemed to merge into the Shadow, so much so that the several noble carriages arriving behind him for the ball failed to notice the lone figure walking by the roadside.
The garden wasn't large, and Lucian quickly reached the three-story villa. Inside, crystal arcane lamps blazed in every room, dazzling and resplendent, lending the villa a magnificent beauty. Where ordinary Earth landscapes might evoke city nightscapes, here everything radiated a gilded, palatial splendor.
At the top of the villa's steps, Elisa — still as robust as ever — filled out an Altor-style court gown to its limits. She stood with several maids, greeting guests one after another.
"There are more noble ladies than usual..." Lucian felt a flicker of puzzlement, then took a light breath and walked straight toward Elisa.
Elisa's face was wreathed in smiles as she beamingly appraised each noble lady arriving for the ball, warmly greeting her guests. After years of life among the nobility, she was no longer as stiff and awkward as she had once been, carrying herself with poise and grace. And her son John was a Great Knight whom Her Majesty had brought from Altor — clearly trusted and put to important use, managing several squads within the
"Viscount Turner, madam, Miss Kaelin — welcome to the ball," Elisa greeted the newcomers with a radiant smile, showing particular warmth toward the tall, slender young lady with gentle features and golden hair and blue eyes — a look quite different from the Holme style.
Viscount Turner knew the purpose behind Elisa's ball and nodded with a smile: "It is our honor to attend your ball, madam."
Kaelin responded with a gracious and courteous noble's curtsy.
"The ball won't begin for a while yet. Please escort Viscount Turner and his family to the sitting room to rest," Elisa instructed a nearby servant.
After the Turner family was shown inside, Elisa once again arranged her smile, ready to welcome the next guests. But the familiar black-haired, dark-eyed man on the steps made her freeze. The smile on her face solidified, and she rubbed her eyes in disbelief, looking as though she were still dreaming.
She had never seen him wear a black double-breasted formal coat, yet it fit him perfectly, complementing his bearing. The little boy in her mind seemed to have transformed in an instant into a mature, steady gentleman. Emotions surged within Elisa, her eyes suddenly reddening. Her lips parted, and she stammered: "Little Evans?"
"Aunt Elisa." Lucian steadied his emotions and walked toward her with a smile.
Elisa still looked as though she were in a dream, shaking her head in disbelief. The joy of their reunion tangled with the shame of having once betrayed him: "Little Evans?"
"What's wrong? Aunt Elisa, don't you recognize me?" Lucian chuckled.
Lucian's warm, unguarded manner swept away Elisa's other emotions, leaving only excitement and joy. She forgot the noble composure she had painstakingly cultivated over the years and began to cry, just as she had back in the slums.
Rubbing her eyes, she spoke at a rapid clip: "Little Evans, you really came back to see us? I thought you hated me for betraying you."
"That was what I asked you to do, wasn't it?" Lucian smiled and gave Aunt Elisa a brief hug. "In my heart, you're family."
"Oh, this — this is just wonderful." Elisa examined Lucian with trembling excitement. "Little Evans, you've grown so much taller! So much taller than before!"
Her right hand shook as she held it up to indicate his former height. Years of suppression and guilt finally spilled out. Before Lucian could answer, she grabbed his arm and pulled him inside: "I have to — I have to tell Joel, tell little John — little Evans is finally back!"
The nearby servants watched their mistress with tears streaming down her face, curious but not daring to remind her that she still had guests to receive. They hurried off to find the butler to hold the fort.