A lot had happened in these six months.
In Aurora, Michael had not only awakened but fully integrated into this new world.
The once foreign air of Aurora no longer felt alien. It was his world
now.
And beyond Aurora, there was still another world, the Land of Origin.
There, Michael had lived through his first true brush with death, and after a series of events that led him to beco incredibly powerful, he had grown to the extent where he could decide the life and death of people.
Currently, it was a bright, clear day in Thornvale. Sunlight stread through the tall windows of Michael's study, casting golden lines across the polished wooden floor.
Inside the quiet room, Michael sat behind his desk, a cup of steaming tea in front of him. Before him stood two figures, Ace and Lia.
Compared to how they once were, the change in both was striking, especially Ace. His once rough look had sharpened into sothing else. His blonde hair, now streaked with faint lines of black, fell past his shoulders. His physique was tall and defined, and a calm gaze settled in his green eyes.
Ace now looked quite noble.
Michael's gaze lingered on him briefly.
It had been months since the day he rged his own blood with Ace's and turned him into a blood servant. Back then, the act had caused a stir throughout the manor. Even without proof, everyone knew he was responsible.
But none dared to question him.
That was one of the things Michael loved about the Land of Origin. Here, power dictated everything. As long as one was strong enough, no one asked why.
Unlike in Aurora, where every action was weighed, judged, and monitored by unseen eyes and powerful forces, the Land of Origin was raw and honest in its brutality. If one had power, they had freedom.
Here, Michael could do as he pleased.
Beside Ace stood Lia.
Compared to how he first looked months ago, Lia too had changed, but compared to Ace, Lia was quite lacking.
After finding out about his rge option, Michael had also wanted to do the sa for Lia but later decided against it and wanted to wait until Lia awakened his life seed.
Michael acknowledged that the cultivation path was strong, but compared to the resources he could give a cultivator, he had enough abundance of resources to support a knight.
Michael did not have clear favoritism between the two boys, but to others, it seed like he did.
These past few months, Lia had overworked himself not only in training but also in his duties.
Michael could only smile helplessly at the effort to gain his favor, but unfortunately, he was not about to turn back on his plan.
He also quite saw Lia as an unstable fellow. Though becoming a blood servant would make Lia extrely loyal to him, he would still be soone with strong thoughts.
His revenge was still deep within him, and though Michael did not want to remove it completely, he preferred it to be under control.
These few months seed to have had an effect, and Lia was calr now. Just the fact that he no longer seed to resent Michael was
enough proof.
Michael pretended not to notice anything.
In any case, what would co would surely co.
Michael let the silence sit for a breath, then looked from Ace to Lia. "What did you co for?"
Ace bowed slightly. "Another baron has brought a gift, my lord." The word carried weight.
Michael did not smile outwardly but did on the inside. A few months ago, he had paid a certain knight a cordial visit. After an exchange of pleasant words, the man had offered a generous pile of resources to tighten their bond. Michael had not called on anyone else after that day, yet the group had learned its lesson.
Every once in a while, batches of gifts ca. Since they felt joy as they gave the gifts, they could not do it all at once due to the quantity.
But there were always so bad eggs everywhere.
Out of the seven people under him, two knights and five barons, there were two barons in particular who did not respond to him. Instead, it seed they had gotten even closer to a certain count.
Michael was just about to habitually ask what gifts ca this ti
when a knock ca on the door to his study.
"Co in," Michael said without raising his voice.
The door opened, and a familiar figure stepped through. It was Captain Rohan, the head of Michael's personal guard and the commander of Thornvale's defense units. Normally composed, the man now looked oddly uneasy.
Rohan entered, bowed deeply, and waited for permission to speak. Michael gestured slightly with his hand, granting it. "What's the
matter?"
The captain straightened, his voice steady but quick. "My lord, a
ssenger just arrived from the southern road. The Duke's daughter
will soon reach the manor."
Michael's hand paused mid-movent, the cup of tea hovering an
inch from his lips.
"Which Duke's daughter?" he asked to make sure.
"Princess Arianne, my lord, youngest daughter of Duke Evermoon," he
said respectfully with a bow.
Michael set the cup down slowly, his gaze still fixed on Rohan. "How
far is she from the manor?"
Rohan straightened, still slightly tense. "Not far, my lord. She arrived aboard an airship that landed just past the southern ridge. They seem to be resting for now, but judging by the escort's movents, I estimate they'll be here within the hour."
"An hour," Michael repeated softly, then stood. His presence alone
filled the room. "Then what are we waiting for?"
His sharp gaze swept across everyone present. "A duke's daughter is on her way here, and I don't intend for Thornvale to look
unprepared."
He turned to Ace and Lia. "You two, make sure the manor looks presentable. And have the cooks prepare sothing fitting for a noble guest. If it cannot be extravagant, make it tasteful."
Both n bowed imdiately. "Understood, my lord," they said in
unison.
Then Michael looked to Rohan. "Send an escort to et her halfway. You'll go with them to extend a proper welco and guide her entourage safely here. Make sure the guards along the road stand at attention when she passes."
"Yes, my lord," Rohan replied, bowing low before turning to leave.
As the others hurried out to carry out their tasks, Michael remained
by the window, watching the sunlight over Thornvale.
"The Duke's daughter," he murmured, his tone unreadable.
"Rohan."
A gentle voice called from a fancy-looking carriage.
"Yes, Princess?"
Rohan, in armor and riding a horse, drew closer.
Right now they were already close to Thornvale and could see its walls in the distance.
The curtain of the carriage lifted slightly, revealing a young woman. Arianne Evermoon, Duke Evermoon's youngest daughter, spoke with the sa soft elegance that had made her famous across the capital.
"How does your new lord treat you, Captain?" she asked lightly, her tone polite, but her gaze sharp enough that Rohan instinctively straightened in his saddle.
He did not answer right away. For a mont, the rhythmic sound of
hooves filled the silence between them. His thoughts stirred. Though this lady was family to his forr master, she was no longer his
superior. His loyalty now belonged to the man waiting in Thornvale. Every word he spoke now mattered.
Finally, he replied, his voice even. "My lord, though new to ruling, has
been quite exceptional," he said simply.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Arianne's lips. "Exceptional?" she echoed. "Is that so?" Rohan nodded once. "Yes, Princess."
Arianne's eyes drifted toward the distant outline of Thornvale's high
walls, glinting faintly beneath the sun. Her voice, though calm, carried a note of curiosity. "I heard Thornvale was in quite a miserable state before he took over. A rich land left in disarray because of neglect and poor managent. Tell , Captain, how is it faring now?" Rohan hesitated only briefly before replying. "Better than before, Your
Highness," he said simply, his tone asured and respectful. "Much better."
"Oh?" Arianne tilted her head slightly, amusent flickering across her delicate features.
Rohan thought that would be the end of it, that the young lady's curiosity had been satisfied. But the next question, delivered with the sa soft tone yet carrying far deeper intent, made him choke. "I see," Arianne murmured, her gaze fixed on the approaching walls of Thornvale. "Then tell , Captain, has your new lord grown familiar with any woman during his ti here?"
Rohan nearly coughed on his own breath, tightening his grip on the
reins as his horse gave a startled snort. "P-Princess?" he stamred before catching himself.
Her expression did not change. She simply watched him with that serene, knowing look of hers. "It's a simple question," she said. Rohan's mind raced. Of all the things she could have asked, this was the one question he had not prepared for.
"I, uh... His Lordship has been entirely focused on his duties, Princess," Rohan said quickly, straightening in his saddle as though
posture might hide his panic. "He hasn't shown any particular interest
of that kind. At least not that I'm aware of." Arianne's smile deepened faintly, her tone light. "Not that you're
aware of, hm?"
Rohan swallowed.
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