Chapter 75: House of Seraphim

"James—"

I opened my mouth to reprimand the bratty child, but Williem simply waved a hand.

"Don't worry, Marta.", he said with a calm smile as he rose to his feet, "It's only natural for a brother to protect his sister. It's a commendable trait."

James puffed out his chest at the indirect praise, but Williem's teasing smirk didn't go unnoticed.

"James, was it?", Williem asked, leaning slightly forward as if sharing a secret.

"That's my name!", James huffed, his small wings twitching in anticipation.

"Let's play a game."

I tilted my head, both intrigued and wary of Williem's intentions.

"Hmm?" James blinked, curiosity momentarily overriding his indignation.

"If you can catch me, I'll leave your sister alone.", Williem said, standing tall and mockingly brushing off his cloak, "But if you fail, you'll have to become my friend. The time limit is five cycles."

James's eyes lit up with competitive fire, "Deal! But don't cry when I win!"

Without waiting for a signal, he launched himself into the air, wings flapping furiously.

Williem chuckled, stepping back, "Catch me if you can!"

WHOOSH!

James shot forward like a streak of light, his speed astonishing even for a young seraph. I watched with mild amazement as the boy zigzagged through the garden, his movements fast and erratic.

Yet...

SWISH!

With a single, effortless sidestep, Williem dodged him. James whizzed past, careening into a bed of ferns.

I sighed, bringing a palm to my face, "Williem, must you antagonize him?"

Williem glanced back at me, a playful glint in his eyes, "It's character building."

James scrambled out of the ferns, his face red with frustration, "You're cheating!"

"Cheating?", Williem smirked, "You'll need to be faster than that, little seraph."

The game continued, with James growing more determined and Williem evading each attempt with infuriating ease. The garden seemed to come alive under Williem's influence—vines and flowers shifted subtly, creating obstacles that forced James to adjust his trajectory again and again.

Finally, the time was up. Williem stopped in the center of the garden, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders.

"Well, James?", he asked with a grin, "Looks like you're my friend now."

James landed heavily, his wings drooping in defeat.

"Fine.", he muttered, avoiding eye contact, "But I still don't like you."

Williem crouched down, his expression softening, he placed a hand on James' head and said,

"That's fine. Protecting Marta is a good instinct. Just remember...sometimes, you need to trust the people she chooses to have by her side."

James frowned but said nothing. His wings folded neatly against his back as he stomped off toward the manor.

...

Not long after, Williem and I made our way to the grand hall of the Seraphim Manor. The air inside was cool and fragrant, the high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of winged figures.

My home, despite its splendor, never failed to feel imposing.

At the head of the hall sat Lady Madeleine, the Gray Witch.

A woman whose understanding of magic is stated to be second only to the great Aula D. Nightingale and whose power could shake the entire Floating Palisades.

Outside from being a literal force of nature, she was my very own mother and a caring one at that.

Draped in robes of gold and silver, she exuded an aura of authority, her wings glimmering faintly in the dim light.

She rose from her seat as we approached, her piercing gaze sweeping over us, "Marta, you've brought quite the unexpected guest."

She said as she clapped her hands twice, clearing the room.

"Williem Nightingale", he introduced himself, bowing with a flourish, "A pleasure to meet you, oh Great Gray Witch."

Mother chuckled softly and smiled, "Ah...Williem Nightingale, third heir of the mighty Ice Flower Sect. Do send your mother my regards."

Williem replied with a smile, "I definitely will, Lady Gray Witch."

"Oh, please call me Madeleine."

Her eyes then turned to me and narrowed slightly, "I am aware of the situation at the amphitheater. You two caused quite the stir."

Williem smiled, unbothered by her sharp tone, "Circumstances demanded it, I'm afraid."

She chuckled slightly but then paused for a moment before asking, "Where is Albert?"

"He's dead.", I replied, blandly.

Madeleine remained silent for a moment before saying, "We'll have to compensate his family and offer up incense for him then."

Although her words meant well, her tone was unfeeling. Mother who had seen so much death in her life was naturally unbothered by the loss of a mere bodyguard.

I guess...I picked that trait as well...

Chasing away those thoughts, I stepped forward, meeting her gaze, "Mother, we've uncovered some troubling developments. I thought it best to bring them directly to you."

Her expression softened as she turned to me, "Might as well discuss them over tea."

A few minutes later, the three of us were seated on the dining table in the garden.

TINK!

Mother placed her elegantly crafted cup back in her saucer after taking a sip of the golden liquid before turning to us.

"So, what are these troubling developments?", she asked as she leaned back in her chair, interlocking her fingers.

"Mother, I think we have reason to believe that Williem was nearly the victim of an assassination."

"Hmm?", she raised an eyebrow.

Williem placed down his cup and sighed, "Two unidentified figures along with a woman who called herself Elise staged an attack on me during my play."

"Elise, huh?"

"Yes mother, she's a vampire who claimed to be from the Crescent Moon Sect.", I paused before continuing, "She also claimed to be working under the orders of the Fourth Progenitor."

"I see."

"Indeed, another strange fact is the vampire, Elise.", Williem spoke after taking a sip from his cup.

"And what is that?", Mother asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She vanished.", I said plainly. "We suspect the use of teleportation magic or some sort of esoteric artifact."

"I see.", Mother muttered softly as she took a sip of her cup before speaking, "Considering their reputation, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to assume that the Crescent Moon Sect did indeed stage this assassination attempt, but that's the issue..."

She placed her cup back in the saucer and said, "If the Crescent Moon Sect really did stage the assassination attempt then they wouldn't have done it in Lord Boetus' domain."

"His artifact is common knowledge.", she took another sip.

"So, what's your take on this, Lady Madeleine?", Williem asked in anticipation.

Mother turned to him and said in a serious tone, "I believe someone else is behind this assassination attempt and they weren't just targeting you alone."

"They were also targeting the Crescent Moon Sect."

Leaning back, Williem crossed his legs and brought a hand to his face, "I believe we should pay Lord Boetus a visit, he was rather quick to handle the matter."

I clarified Williem's statement, "He sent a hired surveyor who goes by the name, Galter Droet."

Mother's eyes widened at the mention of his name, "Galter Droet?"

"Yes, an infuriating fellow.", Williem affirmed with barely-concealed disdain.

Their meeting was after all not a pleasant one.

I agree with him though...

Mother stared at us for a moment and then tilted her head, "Do you two not know who is Galter Droet?"

"No..."

"Are we supposed to?"

Mother stared at us in bewilderment before letting out an exasperated sigh, she muttered something under her breath and turned to us.

"What did Galter Droet refer himself to when you met him?"

Williem raised an eyebrow, "He called himself a hired surveyor, employed by Lord Boetus."

Mother massaged her brows in exasperation and sighed once again.

"Mother, if you know something then please don't beat around the bush."

I felt slightly uneasy.

Why is she giving him so much thought?

"Marta, Williem. Galter Droet has a reputation in the Floating Palisades and even probably beyond it."

"WHAT?!", Williem and I exclaimed in bewilderment.

She remained silent for a moment before saying, "The man, Galter Droet is also referred to as the..."

"First Architect."