After ascending a flight of marble stairs, they returned to the upper floors of the manor.

"I'm sure your journey must have been tiring," Baron Rivelle began with a genial smile. "Join us at the table. It would be cruel to let such fine food go to waste without your company."

It was already afternoon. William, Asher, and Finch had only eaten breakfast before attending their first class that morning, and since then, nothing else had passed their lips.

"Happily," Finch replied at once, his voice bright, as though he had been eagerly awaiting the invitation.

Asher's purple eyes flicked toward him, his gaze wordlessly teasing: That's why you're fat.

However, Asher knew Finch's rounded physique had little to do with food. He was well aware that Finch's chubbiness persisted not from gluttony but from his natural build. The boy had been training tirelessly since childhood; if exercise alone could have reshaped his body, he would have been slender long ago. It was simply his fate, his physical constitution was such that, no matter how much effort he exerted, his body refused to shed its soft curves.

With that, they followed Baron Rivelle through a set of ornate double doors into the grand dining hall. The long table stretched across the chamber, covered with a gleaming white cloth embroidered with gold thread. Dishes of steaming food were already laid out, platters of roasted game, golden loaves of bread, glistening vegetables seasoned with herbs, and silver pitchers filled with ruby-red wine.

Three new presences were already seated at the table. Asher's sharp perception immediately identified who they were even before the Baron spoke.

"This is my wife, Eleanor," Baron Rivelle said warmly, gesturing toward the elegant woman seated near the head of the table.

"Lady Rivelle," Asher greeted with a courteous nod. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"The honor is mine, Tenth Sun," Eleanor replied gracefully, her smile soft yet dignified. "After all, this is the first time we've had the privilege of welcoming a Wargrave into our home."

Asher did not smile in return, his expression remained calm and unreadable. Yet Eleanor took no offense. She had heard much about the Wargrave family; their members were known for their poise and cold reserve. Whether their faces were stoic or expressionless, their silence often spoke volumes.

"Young Lord Canestane, Young Lord Whale, it has been some time," Eleanor greeted next, turning to William and Finch with a welcoming expression.

"Lady Eleanor," both boys replied politely, inclining their heads in respect, though their smiles were much warmer than Asher's.

Once the greetings were exchanged, Baron Rivelle gave a satisfied nod and turned toward the two remaining figures standing near the table.

"Tenth Sun, these are my children, my son, Caldor, and my daughter, Annabelle," he said proudly. He had no intention of wasting such an opportunity; introducing his entire family to a Wargrave was a moment to be remembered.

Caldor and Annabelle stepped forward with refined grace, every movement exuding the etiquette of high nobility. Caldor placed his right hand over his chest and bowed slightly, while Annabelle lifted the hem of her gown delicately and curtsied, her head lowered in perfect decorum.

"It is an honor to be in the presence of the Tenth Sun," they both said in unison, their voices clear and respectful.

"Nice meeting you both, Young Lord Caldor, Young Lady Annabelle," Asher replied with measured politeness.

'Both are at the Kindlestar Life Rank,' Asher noted silently, his eyes glinting with faint approval.

"It seems Baron and Lady Rivelle have raised remarkable children," he added aloud, a faint smile curving his lips for the first time.

Eleanor and Rivelle exchanged pleased glances. "Although they are talented," Baron Rivelle admitted modestly, "it seems they were not quite qualified enough for the Star Academy."

"They participated in the entrance exam?" Asher asked, turning his gaze back to the Baron.

"Yes," Rivelle confirmed with a sigh, "but it appears the Empire produced a particularly gifted generation this year. Even noble-born children of talent found themselves outshone."

Asher merely nodded in response, offering no judgment.

'Only if they had been accepted,' Baron Rivelle thought privately, 'they might have forged a bond with the Tenth Sun by now. My daughter, at the very least, is beautiful enough to catch his attention.'

He exhaled softly, hiding his thoughts behind a pleasant smile. Though he knew that no Wargrave beneath the Duke himself was permitted marriage or heirs, it didn't mean they were forbidden from having companions or lovers. The thought lingered in his mind like an unspoken ambition.

Caldor and Annabelle were already acquainted with William and Finch. They had met many times before at noble gatherings, banquets, and formal events. As heirs of baronies, their social circles often intertwined; their families shared the same level of influence, and such ties were necessary to preserve unity among the lower nobility.

Once everyone was seated, the meal began. Servants moved gracefully between them, pouring wine, refilling plates, and replacing dishes with seamless precision. The soft clinking of cutlery against porcelain filled the air, accompanied by the quiet murmur of refined conversation.

Their discussions drifted from polite courtesies to matters of the territory, yet the focus inevitably returned to Asher. The presence of the Tenth Sun, a direct scion of the Wargrave Ducal House, was both an honor and a fascination. The Rivelle family, accustomed to the company of fellow barons, rarely dined beside someone of ducal blood.

Finch and William, though well-mannered, found themselves momentarily forgotten. The Rivelles already knew them well enough, and their families could visit one another at any time. But the Wargrave territory, now that was another matter entirely. No invitation could reach that sacred land without immense privilege.

Asher, for his part, maintained his calm composure, answering questions with brevity and quiet authority. At one point, he discussed the defense strategies Baron Rivelle had put in place for the coming Monster Tide. The Baron listened intently, pleased that Asher not only approved but even offered minor insights that validated his own planning.

Minutes passed swiftly as the meal concluded. When the last of the dishes had been cleared, Baron Rivelle excused himself, returning to his study where a mountain of paperwork awaited him. Lady Eleanor soon followed, explaining that she had pressing matters to attend to. Before departing, however, she left her two children, Caldor and Annabelle, with a meaningful glance. They understood her silent instruction well: Establish a connection with the Tenth Sun while you can.

"How about I show you around the Barony, Tenth Sun?" Caldor offered politely, straightening his posture as he spoke.

Asher glanced at him, his expression neutral. "The knight who escorted us here already gave me a tour," he replied. "I think I'll retire to my room for now."

"Then allow me to guide you there," Annabelle suggested softly, her tone polite but carrying a subtle eagerness.

Asher gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Together, they walked through the corridor, the soft rhythm of their footsteps echoing against the floor until they reached the room that had been prepared for him.

Meanwhile, William and Finch remained behind, chatting with Caldor and Annabelle. Laughter filled the dining hall once more as the four caught up, reminiscing about past gatherings and recent academy tales.

In his chamber, Asher stood by the window for a moment, gazing out at the Baron's vast estate bathed in the golden afternoon light.

'Let's get this over with,' he thought. 'After this, I'll have to go see Lyra.'

His expression softened slightly. The anticipation of tomorrow stirred faint excitement within him. He wanted the Monster Tide to come soon, he was ready for it.

Turning away from the window, Asher loosened his collar and sat on the bed. Though the sun still hung high, he intended to sleep until morning. Laziness wasn't foreign to him, it was a habit, almost a luxury he embraced when not on duty.

He might have trained to pass the time, but this wasn't the place for that. He had a mission to complete, and it required him to conserve his strength.

Lying back on the soft sheets, he exhaled quietly, allowing the weight of the non-existent fatigue to sink in. His breathing slowed, and within moments, his consciousness drifted away, claimed by the quiet embrace of the dream realm.

________

AUTHOR'S NOTE: At the moment, we are ranked 37th on the Golden Tickets ranking. Let's climb higher, shall we? Also, this chapter is the bonus chapter that I spoke about yesterday. Thanks for reading.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.