While the duchess called a servant to prepare the tea, a small drama unfolded in the adjacent corridor.
Xue Yin, tugging at her mother’s sleeve, whispered, her face a mask of embarrassnt and faint excitent.
"Mother... that handso boy. Kyrian. I... I want him. I think I fell in love." Her cheeks were red like pogranates.
The duchess looked at her daughter’s expression, a mixture of exasperation and tenderness in her eyes.
She sighed, a light, understanding sound, as she gently patted Xue Yin’s head.
"Haha. So that’s why you brought them ho. All right, my little fool. I’ll help you as I can... but when the ti is right."
"You still need to grow a lot and beco strong before thinking about such things."
"I know, mother..." Xue Yin murmured, her dreamy gaze turning back to the door of the sitting room, where Kyrian was seated, holding the symbol of her family, completely oblivious to the adolescent heart that had begun to beat faster because of him.
After a short while.
The tea was served by the duchess, it was a gentle and aromatic infusion of flowers cultivated in the ever-clouded mountains themselves.
The atmosphere on the wide sofa was relaxed, dominated by Xue Yin’s presence. She, under the tolerant and affectionate gaze of her mother, bombarded i Li with questions about the Blood Court, about travels, about everything, except the subject that truly interested her.
That subject she contemplated only with stolen glances and rosy cheeks in Kyrian’s direction.
Kyrian participated with only one or two words or nods when directly questioned.
His attention was more focused on the duchess, who seed intent on extracting more information from him. Kyrian perceived the connection, the family dynamic that Xue Yin had with her mother.
And inwardly he wondered what it would be like if his mother were alive. The thought ca but was soon pushed to the back of his mind. For that was sothing that could no longer happen.
The duchess was a graceful and perceptive hostess, guiding the conversation skillfully, extracting non-invasive information about their stays in the city, always with a warm smile.
It was courtesy of the highest level, but Kyrian detected no falseness in her, only impeccable manners and genuine gratitude for her daughter’s well-being.
After the tea, the duchess, noticing Xue Yin’s interest in showing her ho, suggested a walk through the gardens.
The walk through the grounds of Rong Manor was a silent lesson on the stable and deeply rooted power of the empire.
Geotric gardens with high-level spiritual plants and herbs were everywhere.
In addition to training and ditation pavilions with almost imperceptible Qi-concentration formations, there was a large lake where crystal-scaled fish swam in hypnotic patterns.
Everything exuded wealth.
Xue Yin skipped along beside i Li, pointing out her favorite things, but her attention always drifted backward to where Kyrian walked with calm steps, observing the place.
When the sun began to tilt, painting the eternal clouds in shades of amber, Kyrian felt it was ti to leave.
The duchess, accompanying them to the great main gate, placed a light hand on Kyrian’s shoulder at the mont of farewell.
Her gaze was serious and direct, different from her earlier maternal tone.
"Young Kyrian," she said, her voice low but clear.
"While you are in the capital, if you encounter any obstacle that your strength or your discretion cannot resolve... rember that you may call upon us. You are now a friend of my house."
It was a powerful offer, almost like an investnt.
Kyrian held her gaze for a second, then inclined his head in a respectful gesture.
"I am grateful."
He did not promise to use the help, nor did he ask for details. He simply accepted the line that was being cast.
The walk back to the Crimson Lotus Residence was made in contemplative silence, broken only by the distant murmur of the city preparing for the night.
It was i Li who broke the quiet.
"What did you think? Of the Duke’s family?"
Kyrian looked ahead, his crimson eyes reflecting the first lights of the lanterns being lit.
"I don’t know the exact reason," he began, his voice asured.
"Whether it was because of Xue Yin, so mory of Dong Zhen, or because they saw sothing that interested them. But they seed genuine. I didn’t sense any imdiate ill intent."
i Li nodded, walking beside him.
"I agree. It’s really a very good thing in my view. They are a powerful piece in the Empire. Having a connection with them, even without knowing why it opened, is an advantage in the capital. It’s good."
Kyrian did not reply. But he thought the sa.
He touched the cold, heavy symbol in the pocket of his simple robe and stored it in his ring.
Upon entering the residence, they found the other four already gathered in the main hall.
The air slled of street food and city dust. Yan Ling was organizing notes in a small diary. Kai ticulously cleaned the blade of a short dagger. Li Fen was, as always, standing like a shadow in a corner.
Bai Zhu, for his part, seed agitated.
i Li smiled at the group.
"So then? How was the exploration?"
Yan Ling raised his eyes.
"The materials markets are well supplied, you can find everything, but prices are inflated because of the auction."
"I went to the main auction house, it’s impressive, the security is intense."
Kai rely grunted.
"There are many eyes, many people. The fifth district is quieter."
Li Fen said nothing.
Bai Zhu could no longer contain himself.
"I t quite a lot of people!" he announced, with a broad smile on his face.
"The son of the Marquis of... of sothing of the Clouds! A guy nad Tao. We’re at the sa cultivation level! We drank talked about strength techniques... he’s cool."
Kyrian listened to the information with only half an ear. He gave the group a brief nod.
Without further delay, he turned and went up the stairs toward his room, leaving the others to exchange their stories of the day.
Sleep ca quickly and without dreams, an efficient shutdown that knew the importance of rest.
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