56 years ago...
The early light of dawn crept on the horizon. Elzri sat on his bed, he hadnt been able to sleep. A servant had inford him of his fathers passing last night. Esletha was already busy preparing the morial service that would be held later this afternoon.
He was grateful to her, as the family leader the responsibility should have fallen on him. But, he couldnt even muster the energy to get out of bed, let alone arrange a morial.
Just another reason why I shouldnt be the family leader, he thought.
His father Alastair may have wanted him to inherit the Noir throne, but the last thing Elzri wanted was to be the family leader. He needed to pass on that position to one of his siblings. The problem was, he wasnt sure which one.
His older brother Aiden had proven himself to be a competent leader as general of the Noir armies. Unfortunately, Aidens magical talent was lacking compared to his siblings. Despite being the eldest, he was still only a master mage.
Worse, Aiden was too rigid in his ways, too focused on his honor, and too blind to distinguish the subtle greys of a situation, preferring to see everything in white and black. Such inflexible leadership would prove problematic.
Elzris older sister Esletha, on the other hand, showed great magical promise; a high-master well on her way to the rank of arch-mage. In terms of magic, she would be a suitable leader for House Noir. She was also popular among the aristocrats and a skilled diplomat when she wanted to be. But Esletha could be petty and had a vindictive streak that often caused great harm to others. A family leader couldnt afford to make enemies recklessly.
Then there was the youngest, Una, Elzris only full-blood sibling. But no, he refused to consider her for family leadership. He would never let his sister take on such a heavy life-long burden. He wanted her to live her life freely, away from the confines of this aristocracy.
The door burst open and slamd into the wall.
Elzri looked up in surprise, Isne?
His lover stood in front of the doorway, breathless. Tears had ford at the edge of her beige eyes.
Isne ran to him and hugged him tight, I ca as soon as I heard! Are you okay? I an, I know you're not. Im just How are you holding up?
Elzri closed his eyes and enjoyed the comforting warmth of her body pressed to his, A little better now.
She sat next to him in bed and gripped his hand tight, Why didnt you send a ssenger to earlier?
ssenger? Elzri blinked, Sorry, I was just busy processing.
Gods, you dont have to apologize, she winced. I just hope you know Im here for you, you dont have to go through this alone. We tell each other everything, rember? Una is really worried about you.
Una? Elzri thought. So thats who sent the ssenger.
Losing your father, Isne muttered, I cant imagine what that's like.
Neither can I. None of this seems real, he said ruefully.
...How did it happen? she whispered.
Elzri recalled the cover story his siblings and he had put together. If people knew the truth of Lord Alastair Noirs demise, it would make House Noir appear weak, and more vulnerable to attacks than it already was.
Elzri swallowed, My father was sick, he had been for quite so ti. The doctors and white mages couldnt find a cure. My father kept his illness quiet and kept serving as the family leader as long as he could. Last night the illness beca a lot worse, his body couldnt keep up.
Isne rested her head on his shoulder, Im so sorry.
He swallowed hard, The funeral is later this afternoon. I know its very last minute, but it would an a lot if you could be there.
Of course, she gripped his hand tight. I wouldnt miss it for the world.
...Im so tired, he sighed.
Then sleep, Ill watch over you. I promise Ill keep you safe, she smiled.
My hero, he smiled and closed his eyes.
~~~
Is this normal? Isne whispered. For drow? Or aristocrats?
Do you an the funeral or the wake? Elzri asked.
I an is the wake always this fancy?
Not usually, but Esletha seems to be going all out, he whispered.
Elzri, Isne, and Una stood in a waiting room, behind the Noir mansions ballroom. Alastairs funeral had been a solemn affair, with aristocrats from all over the city attending, including a family representative from each of the other Seven Ruling Houses.
It had been difficult for Elzri, he had barely been able to get through the funeral without breaking down. Every ti soone ntioned his father, all he could think of was how he had failed to save him.
Once the funeral had ended, Elzri thought he could finally seclude himself in his rooms. To his bitter surprise, Esletha had organized a large wake in the form of a ball in their ho in mory of Alastair.
The last thing Elzri wanted to do was attend, but hed seem like a horrible son if he didnt. So instead he found himself here, next to Isne, who wore the most beautiful blue dress he had ever seen or perhaps her wearing it made the dress beautiful? He was inclined to believe the latter.
Miss Una Noir, daughter of the Great House of Noir! yelled the master of ceremonies from behind the door.
Thats . Una glanced back at Elzri and Isne, she tried to put on a smile, Wish luck.
Good luck, Elzri and Isne said.
The double doors swung wide open. Una walked right out to the balcony and waved down at the guests on the ballroom floor. They clapped and cheered for the Noir princess as she made her way down the stairs to join them.
The master of ceremonies stood upright and glanced at his scroll, Sir Elzri Noir, son of the Great House of Noir, and Miss Isne!
Ive never done this before, Isne said nervously from behind the doors.
Elzri wrapped his arm around her own, Itll be fine. Just follow my lead.
I trust you, she nodded with a smile.
The double doors swung wide open once more. Elzri walked out with Isne and stepped up to the balcony. Before they had a chance to wave at the crowd, Esletha pushed the master of ceremonies aside.
Excuse ?! Can I have your attention, Esletha called out.
What is she doing? Elzri frowned.
Im sorry folks, our announcer got it wrong, Esletha said. Allow to reintroduce to you the lovely Miss Isne and my brother, Lord Elzri Noir, leader of the Great House of Noir.
Elzri stiffened, no fucking way shes doing this here.
The guests laughed.
Isne glanced at Elzri and gripped his arm. What is your sister talking about? she whispered, panic rising in her voice.
Esletha shook her head, This is not a joke, my fellow aristocrats. My sick and ailing father nad Elzri his heir at his deathbed. So, please, a toast to our newest Lord Noir!
The guests looked at each other uncertainly, before slowly raising their cups.
Elzri held back his scowl and tried to appear unfazed. He glanced at Elsetha, a calculating smile was plastered over her cold expression.
So this was your plan, Elzri thought. To catch off guard in front of all our peers. To call our father sick, practically incapable of making a proper decision when he chose as heir. You want them all to think our father made the wrong choice.
Esletha thought she was getting back at him. She didnt understand, as embarrassing as this was, he agreed with her, their father had made the wrong decision.
Elzri suddenly noticed the trembling in Isnes arm. Follow , he whispered.
The couple walked past the balcony and down the stairs with slow steps. Elzri tried walking faster, but Isnes legs had gone rigid. The crowd of guests clapped without rhythm, most of them whispered amongst themselves, a few even outright looked at Elzri with pity.
Aiden clapped his hands loudly above his head, Thank you, little sister, for your untily
Announcent
. Always appreciated. Now, on to what really matters; Tonight is about rembering my father and celebrating his life. Musicians, if you please.
The lead musician nodded and ordered her group of minstrels to begin playing. The guests began to spread out and find their partners on the dance floor.
Esletha rolled her eyes at Aiden and went off to find her fianc, a young man of House Glaz, Hollow Shades most powerful family.
Aiden walked over to Elzri and Isne and bowed his head, Im sorry for my sisters conduct, Isne.
Its fine, her lips curled in a strained smile.
Yeah, thanks, brother, Elzri bowed his head.
I didnt do it for you, Aiden said. If it sses with whatever Esletha has planned, Im all for it. If youll excuse , the dance is about to begin.
Aiden bowed curtly and walked off into the crowd.
Elzri sighed, just two days ago he had been joking around with both his older siblings. Now it seed that they both hated him. He should have announced his successor imdiately before anyone on the outside had found out. Thanks to Esletha such a plan would no longer work.
Is it true? Isne said quietly.
Hm? Elzri looked at her.
Are you actually a lord now?
Well, technically, no. Im not a mage lord, Id have to be an arch-mage. And I still havent been inducted into the citys council, so Im not a city lord either.
But you are the leader of House Noir?! she whispered.
...Yes, for now, he mumbled.
What does that even an!? Did you ever plan on telling ? Or were you just going to conveniently forget about our plans to leave this city and travel the world in a few days?
Isne, it wasnt like that, he grimaced.
I thought we were in this together, we tell each other everything, she bit her lip. Im going to get a drink.
Isne, wait! he reached out to grab her hand, but she slipped away into the crowd.
The guests wrapped their arms around their partners and began to dance to the rhythm of the music. Elzri looked around for Isne. He spotted Esletha dancing with her Glaz fianc and Una dancing with their brother, Aiden. Isne was nowhere in sight.
The thought that he was alone on the dance floor suddenly struck him. Elzri stood still, awkward and uncomfortable, as hundreds of eyes stared at him, standing at the center of the dance floor.
A light touch tapped his shoulder. He turned around. A beautiful vampiress in a scarlet dress t him with a smile. Her dark hair fell down in silky waves that shimred in the light and frad her pale face in a stunning image.
She curtsied and offered her hand, May I have this dance?
Elzri swallowed and hoped the warm feeling in his cheeks wasnt showing.
He reached out and grabbed her hand, ...Yes, thank you,.
She suddenly pulled him in close, placed his arm around her small waist, and began to sway to the sound of the music.
The crowds gaze slowly shifted away from him and moved to the gorgeous vampiress in his arms. He was grateful for the reprieve of the spotlight.
The vampiress danced with a lithe grace that made his own dancing seem like a child fumbling in the dark. Elzri tried to look everywhere but at her low cut dress and her ample cleavage.
Ahem, he cleared his throat. It just occurred to , I dont know your na.
The vampiress said nothing, her scarlet eyes simply watched him as her body danced to the rhythm of the music.
Elzri narrowed his steel-grey eyes, Why did you ask to dance with you?
Her red lips curled into a smile, but she did not answer.
I see, he muttered. Youre here to find out if my sisters
Announcent
was true. Well, get a good look at the simple adept mage, the mundane Elzri Noir himself. Now you have a story to tell all your friends.
...So, this is how Lord Noir conducts himself? she said with a quizzical look.
You actually believed my sisters lie? he chuckled. Im not the leader of this family.
Odd, none of your siblings were introduced as Lord or Lady Noir, she pulled in close enough that Elzri could feel her breath on his lips. Just you.
He swallowed, ...An elaborate prank by my sister.
She stepped back, but kept Elzris hand around her waist, their bodies dancing in the musics flow.
Im Holly, she said.
He tilted his head, Just Holly?
Oh, I have many nas, but Holly will have to suffice for tonight.
He smiled wryly, A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Holly Veres? Ashe? Gale? Im still trying to decide which House you belong to. Im leaning towards Veres.
Alastair Noir was known as a shrewd man. If he chose you as his heir, I doubt it was based on the spur of the mont.
This again? Elzri thought. Which is exactly why Im clearly not his heir. Im an adept, Im not fit to rule the most prominent mage Great House of Hollow Shade. As I said, a prank by my sister.
Are you sure?
Elzri shook his head, Is that really a question? Now Im beginning to think youre an Ashe.
I suppose youre right, she shrugged. You are only an adept, itd be very strange if you took over the Great House of Noir.
Precisely, he nodded.
The leader of House Noir, such a heavy responsibility, Holly whistled, Daunting at best, impossible at worst. It couldnt be you.
Your belief in my abilities is truly inspiring, Elzri said wryly.
Have you ever heard the story of lantha the Blue?
Hm? I cant say that I have. Is it long?
That depends.
On what?
How good of a listener you are.
Point taken, he conceded with a smile.
Holly smirked, lantha was a commoner born in the Jade Realm centuries ago. She was also a mage, a very talented chromatic true-blue at that. But lantha was shy, she worried what her abilities ant for the lives of her family and herself. One day, a pri arch-mage ca to the city where she lived. He was powerful, yes, but more than that he was charming, and the people loved him for his charm. So, lantha, confident in the arch-mages powers to protect her city and people, left to explore the rest of the kingdom and enjoy her youth.
Holly glanced at the other dancers, War eventually reared its ugly head at the kingdom. The people were scared for their lives. The land beca torn by armies and magic. It was no longer safe to travel the countryside for an adventurer, so lantha decided to go back ho to her family.
Holly smiled sadly, But when she got there, she found out that the charming arch-mage had been exploiting the people during the war. When the people had looked to the arch-mage for help the most, he had stolen from them; their lands, their wealth, even their lives.
lantha had failed her people, she hadn't been able to protect them, not even her own family. Distraught, she decided to take a stand, to defend her people once and for all. Her own people laughed at her, they didnt think a simple, mundane commoner girl could lead them, protect them. But you know what? lantha ignored their words of ridicule. Because it didn't matter what others said she couldnt do. All that mattered was her own belief in what she could do.
...What happened to lantha? Elzri asked.
Holly smirked, She walked into the charming arch-mages castle and killed everyone, guards and arch-mage alike. She went on to save not just her city but her entire kingdom. She beca lantha the Blue, Paramount Knight of the Jade Realm.
Why are you telling this story? he said softly.
Holly stared into his eyes, lantha ran from her responsibility because she feared what it might cost her. She was right, the cost would indeed be great. As were the thousands of lives lost because she ran away in the first place. People in your position always have to make a choice, a sacrifice even, whether they want to or not.
Elzri frowned, I told you already, Im not the family leader.
Yes, of course not, Holly smiled. If I had to guess, the actual leader of House Noir is your elder sister, Esletha. She fits the role nicely, a powerful mage and a popular aristocrat, Id even say shes quite charming.
The music ended with a last resounding note. Elzris movents had turned stiff long before the song was over.
Holly took a few steps back and curtsied, Thank you for the dance, Lord Noir.
Yes My pleasure, he mumbled.
Riri! Una strolled over. She passed by her brother and grabbed the vampiress arm instead. Una grinned wide, I see youve already t my friend.
You two know each other? Elzri glanced between them.
Yeah, we t last year, Una nodded enthusiastically. Hey, Holly, may I have the next dance?
Id love to, Una, Holly smiled. Lord Noir, if youll excuse us.
Yes, um, goodbye, he bowed stiffly.
Esletha sauntered over, two glasses of wine in hand. Who was that?
A friend of Unas, Elzri muttered.
Ill have to ask Una to find out how that vampire keeps her hair so fabulous, probably so secret red magic potion.
What do you want, sister? he sighed.
Esletha gasped dramatically, Oh, brother, you sound almost as if youre angry with . And here I was, bringing you a drink.
Elzri snatched the offered glass and glared at her, Its pretty common for soone to be angry when you embarrass them.
Embarrass you? Elz, I was trying to honor you, the chosen heir of our father. I should be the one whos angry, you took my birthright. You on the other hand should be happy, you won everything.
I didnt win anything, Elzri shook his head.
Esletha placed a finger to her grey lips, Then again, I can understand why youre embarrassed. Id be too if I had to walk into the ball with a wretched commoner.
He clenched his jaw, ...What did you say?
I an shes nice, pretty face too, but at the end of the day, her blood is as common as it cos. Not to ntion shes human, most of them are quite stupid, she laughed. I an, Isne is so dull that she still thinks I actually like her. Oh, I pity her.
Elzri threw his glass of wine at his sisters face. The dancers all stopped moving and the room suddenly grew quiet.
Dont you ever insult her again, she deserves better than your backhanded remarks, Elzri snarled.
Esletha clenched her eyes shut and opened them with disbelief. She wiped her face and glanced at her ruined dress.
You arrogant son of a bitch! Esletha scread. You strike at ?! Today of all days!? You dare disrespect our fathers morial!? I wont let you dishonor our fathers mory! I will see you on the dueling grounds!
Elzri blinked, What?
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