"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 time 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 me. 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 meant 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 me and closed the door softly. I watched with nostalgia as the castle disappeared, with my mother’s figure disappearing with it.
The city walls came into view as the carriage neared the exit. The Bloodmoor city was surrounded by a huge wall built after the establishment of the duchy. This was the last line of defense in case the duchy was ever attacked.
"Do you not want to leave home 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 came as the carriage came 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 come through.
"Let’s get off."
I said to Luna who nodded and got out of the carriage with me following behind her. The teleporter was inside a small building with several guards patrolling the perimeter checking anyone who came through.
The moment I got off the head guard came running towards me and bowed.
"Good morning young master."
I looked at his shaking back and shook my head. Just what made them fear me 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 presumed had come 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 me. 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 something 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 remembering trauma from mother’s training.
She wanted me to be able to teleport so she chose the most crude and cruel method one would use on a child. She would hold my hand and teleport herself over and over again with me in tow until I could get the mechanics.
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.
"Welcome 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 me. 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 welcome, 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 me before shaking his head.
"Is something 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 seemed to have planned ahead of time. It wasn’t a secret that I was going to the academy.
The ride was not long, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
"We’re here young master."
The captain’s voice came from outside. Luna opened the door and stepped out with me 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.
"Welcome, 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 seemed to be his daughter.
"You must be Count Julian, it’s a pleasure meeting you."
I said coldly. The count acted as though my tone was normal and turned to the two women 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 women.
" How about the tea count , I’m quite patched."
I said softly. His eyes widened as if remembering who he was talking to.
"Yes young master, this way."
He took over from the butler and led me to an outdoor sitting area that faced those obnoxious flowers. A servant came and poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of me. I didn’t touch it.
"The flowers are beautiful."
The count smiled happily and turned to his daughter who was blushing and glancing at me 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 me. A toad wants to eat swan meat.
"Such artistic mastery."
I said after he finished his monologue. The girl, bless her little heart, blushed at my supposed compliment.
"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 movements. He seemed 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?"