6.

“Wow… I still cannot comprehend that Myr Seylafina Blackmoon, Mortimer Blackwood and Indra Blackwell are your Ward-Siblings. I mean, it’s pretty obvious, with their surname starting with black. But still!”

Aeron grins, amused at Leona’s shocked astonishment. “It’s okay. It’s understandable.”

“Wait… I just realized something.”

Aeron arches a brow at her, inquisitive. Leona holds her chin with her fingers, putting on a pensive look.

“According to the books, Seylafina’s Ward-Mother, which I now know is Lady Blackwater, made Seylafina her ward at the young age of eight and right now she’s forty-five… how old is your mother exactly?” Leona looks at Aeron with a funny look on her face, eyes questioning.

“Mother keeps her age close to her chest. And I… I am not brave to ask. I still remember the time I asked Seylafina about her age. The woman put me through a week training schedule as punishment. I can still feel the phantom pain throughout my body.” Aeron says with a grimace, making Leona wince in sympathy. “So for my safety and sanity, I am never asking my mother about her age. I am too young to die.” He finishes with a flat tone.

“Hmm, fair point.”

If Seylafina’s reaction to her age being questioned was to train her Ward-Brother to exhaustion, then Leona can’t imagine what Arkona’s reaction will be like. That woman put the fear of the Goddess into her with that unnerving smile of hers.

“I hope to meet your Ward-Siblings, Mr. Aeron.”

“As do I. Your Ward-Sister Liliane and cousin Raemon sound pleasant.” The corner of Aeron’s lips tilts in a shadow of a smile.

The comfortable silence they descend into was broken by the arrival of a maid, one wearing the same attire like Mora’s. Her head was bowed and her hands were clasped in front of her ankle length maid dress.

“Young master Aeron, Lady Vermilion; lunch is ready. Your mother and the other guests are awaiting your presences.”

“Thank you, Heityr.” The Blackwater heir inclines his head at her immediately she raises up her head.

So, this is the Floramancy. She certainly screams it, seeing as there are vines and flowers intertwined in her spring green coloured hair.

Aeron stands up, extending a hand to Leona. “Shall we?”

The Vermilion lightly rolls her eyes, making him grin, before taking hold of his outstretched hand.

___________________

Lunch is a quiet affair. Only the clicking of cutleries softly meeting plates could be heard. It doesn’t take long for it to be over. The table is cleared and the occupants are nursing various flavored tea to help settle their foods.

“Now then,” Arkona starts, “Let’s get down to business.” She snaps her fingers and her butler walks out of the room.

“Yes, let’s.” Marbethta takes a last sip of her tea before setting it aside. “There are some few things we should make note of-“ She stops when the doors opened. Stepping into the room were the butler and a man who holds a briefcase.

“Ah, Robert, come in.”

The man inclines his head, greeting them once he entered their hearing vicinity.

“Please, sit.” She gestures at the seat beside her son, facing Leona.

“Thank you.” He nods before sitting down.

“I will like to introduce Robert Harrison. From what I’ve heard, he’s one of the best Notary in Durien. He is here to write down our agreement, draw up a suitable contract for us and witness to our signing.”

While she says all this, Robert was setting up his equipment. He brings out a thick parchment, an ink bottle and a quill from his bag.

“I… see...” Marbethta trails off, throwing a glance at said Notary.

“Now then, let us begin.” Arkona crosses her fingers together, resting her chin on them.

The discussion lasted for an hour, and by the gods was it grilling. It's a battle of wits between Arkona and Marbethta. Both women kept on countering their requests until they had to reach a compromise. When all is said and done, Leona is honestly pleased with the contract. She even sends a thankful smile at Arkona when her uncle and grandmother weren’t looking, and the matriarch replies with a wink.

The Vermilion lot are lead back to their carriages by mother and son, the Notary behind them. He says his goodbyes to his employers before entering his carriage and taking off. Arkona and Aeron escorts the Vermilions to their vehicle personally.

“I await your visit again Lady Leona. Have a safe strip.” The heir holds her hand once more and kisses the air above the back of her palm. Leona inclines her head in response.

As she’s about to enter the mobile, her uncle and grandmother already seated in, something catches her eyes. She pauses, eyes trained on a window of the manor. She squints, trying to get a good look at what is in the room.

Suddenly, red eyes are staring into hers, and her heart skips a beat. She flinches back, eyes going wide a little.

“Leona.”

Her grandmother’s impatient call snaps her out of her brief trance and she hurriedly walks into the vehicle.

With a final bow, Aeron helps shut the doors and they are off.

Mother and son watch as the carriage rode off before taking off into the sky, faces utterly blank.

“Mother.”

“I know.” Arkona folds her arms, eyes hard and cold. “A soul is about to meet Mistress Helma tonight.”

A soft smile stretches Arkona’s lips, cold emotionless eyes staring ahead.

“How unfortunate.”