--+--
"El, you finally made it," a calm voice remarked.
"Good morning, Elie," he replied.
"Good morning to you too. Take a seat; we should eat before the food gets cold."
"Is there an occasion?" El inquired, eyeing the lavish spread. "This seems excessive for breakfast."
Elie offered a serious yet playful smile. "No, just eat."
With a resigned sigh, he sat down across from his sister. The head of the table remained empty—clearly, their father was absent. They began to eat in silence, the only sound being the gentle clinking of cutlery. El noted where the food was going, watching as Elie devoured her meal, going back for seconds every few moments. He almost forgot that she had a penchant for food. Glancing down at his plate, he hesitated before asking, "Hey, Elie, where's Dad?"
Elie paused, dropping her utensil momentarily. She studied him before responding, "I was expecting you to ask, but I didn't think it would take you this long."
He met her gaze.
With a resigned sigh, Elie seemed to understand his unspoken concern. "He had an urgent matter on the outskirts of the northern forest."
A frown crossed his face. "What happened?"
"Nothing too serious, just a few stronger creatures emerging from deeper within the forest for reasons we don't yet understand,So it might take some time before he returns." She glanced at him, noticing the depths of his contemplation.
"Did something happen to you? You seem a bit lost," Elie's voice broke through the silence, causing him to startle.
He paused, weighing his thoughts before finally stating in a hushed tone, "I had the dream last night."
Her demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. "Was it different this time?"
He affirmed with a nod.
"What was different about the dream?"
He sighed, recounting the experience to her. As he spoke, a profound silence enveloped them; Elie's expression remained steady from beginning to end. Yet, after a lingering pause, she offered him a sympathetic smile.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
Rising from her seat, she moved around to his side. Leaning against the table, she tussled his dark blue hair, her intense black eyes locking with his glowing grey ones.
"Don't worry too much about the dreams; in time, you'll come to understand them," she reassured him with a confidence that unconsciously soothed his troubled mind since the incident.
"And don't forget about today."
He frowned, "What about today?"
She smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You're having a training session with none other than me. Did you forget?"
He returned her grin with a deadpan expression, yet she continued to beam at him.
"Anyway, meet me at seven hours into Bright Hours at the training hall. Don't be late," she instructed, already making her way out of the dining hall.
"Yes, sis," he replied, watching her retreating figure.
---+---
Elie sat at her desk, lost in thought about the conversation she'd shared with her younger brother when a soft knock on her door jolted her back to reality.
"Young miss, the head of the house has agreed to your request. He's in his office," a gentle voice rang from the other side. With a resigned sigh, she rose from her chair, approached the door, and opened it to find the maid—a young woman with short brown hair that grazed her neck, her cheeks adorned with delicate freckles, dressed simply in a black and white maid's uniform. The girl glanced up and quickly bowed her head.
"Young miss," she said.
Elie regarded her for a moment before stepping outside and shutting the door behind her. "Follow me," she instructed, leading the way down the hallway with the maid just a couple of steps behind.
As they walked, Elie spoke without turning. "What's your name? I don't believe we've met before."
The maid, glancing at Elie's back, replied, "Bely, young miss. I've only just been promoted two days ago to assist up here after working in the cellars. The previous maid has retired."
"Oh, I remember her," Elie said, turning her head slightly. "So you're her replacement."
"Yes, young miss," Bely confirmed.
Seizing the opportunity for small talk, Elie continued, "How have you been finding the work here? Have you adjusted to the responsibilities?"
Bely, unsure why the young miss was suddenly interested in her experiences, replied, "I can't say for certain yet; it's only been two days, but so far, it hasn't been stressful at all."
"I see," Elie said thoughtfully. "That's fair enough. You shouldn't worry too much in the beginning; they'll likely take it easy on you... Probably."
Bely was dumbfounded. Was that meant to be words of encouragement?she thought, but it seems the rumors were true,the young miss was really an easygoing person .
Their conversation continued as they closed the distance to the head's office, with Elie doing most of the talking while Bely offered simple responses. Once they arrived at the office door, Bely curtsied slightly. "Young miss, here is where I must turn back."
"Um, have a good day, Bely. I hope we can talk again soon," Elie said, meeting her gaze.
Bely bowed deeply this time before departing, leaving Elie alone before the door. With a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked.
--+--
The office occupies a generous corner of the mansion's upper level, featuring soaring ceilings that soar between 12 and 14 feet. Grand arched windows and sweeping floor-to-ceiling glass usher in a flood of natural light, washing the space in brightness. These expansive windows highlight tranquil vistas of meticulously tended gardens, majestic trees, and distant rolling hills, seamlessly linking the room to the beauty beyond its walls.
The lower walls are elegantly clad in deep dark walnut or mahogany paneling, giving way to softer, inviting hues above—warm taupe, aged parchment, or muted sage green. This color interplay fosters a welcoming ambiance. Distinctive crown molding and intricately coffered ceilings contribute an air of regal sophistication, echoing the mansion's opulence.
Beneath, the wide-plank hardwood floors, finished in a rich chestnut, glimmer, partially covered by a breathtaking Persian or Oriental rug woven with a vibrant tapestry of reds, blues, and golds, enveloping the room in a sense of luxurious warmth.
At the heart of this space rests a desk that embodies purposeful minimalism. This solid walnut or cherry desk, measuring between 60 to 72 inches in width, is strategically placed to receive gentle side light, avoiding glare. Its unblemished matte surface remains purposely sparse. With only a few drawers and a sleek contour, it radiates understated refinement. The desk holds merely the essentials: a slender laptop, a chic lamp with a brass or matte-black base, a leather desk mat, and a framed photograph capturing a smiling woman with blonde hair and captivating dark eyes.
The ergonomic chair, draped in supple dark-brown or oxblood leather, promises discreet comfort, gliding soundlessly atop its mat.
Encircling the desk, towering built-in bookshelves rise from floor to ceiling. These shelves are brimming with leather-bound classics, professional references, and contemporary hardcovers, accented by brass bookends, antique globes, and elegant sculptures. Soft LED strip lighting beneath selected shelves casts a warm luminescence, animating the books as dusk settles.
On one wall hangs a testament to accomplishment: framed certificates and diplomas, each piece narrating a tale of struggle and triumph, marking milestones just out of reach of the desk. Seated in the chair is a man in his early forties, fit and dressed simply in a white dress shirt with long sleeves, meticulously folded to ensure unobstructed work. He pairs this with black trousers and understated black leather shoes. With his dark blue hair and light brown eyes, he exudes a casual charm that enhances his handsome demeanor. This was Elie and El father, the head of one of the four Great houses,a man who commands a substantial portion of the continent through a dual force of military prowess and a thriving entertainment empire. As one of the rare gifted individuals at the integration stage—fewer than a dozen in the world—he stands among the most formidable figures and warriors alike,globally.
The tranquility of the room is subtly broken by a gentle knock. Glancing up from his laptop, he intuitively recognizes the presence behind the door and responds in a calm, deep voice, "Come in, Elie."
The door swings open, and a young woman, a striking resemblance to him, enters with poise. Elie approaches the desk, smiling as he greets, "Good morning, Father."
Returning the smile, he replies, "Good morning to you too, Elie. How is your day unfolding?".