Tiriara's Day

The next day was a normal day for the people in the Caspius manor. Arsen and his knights conducted their daily training, and Aeneas and Tiriara joined them. Much later in the afternoon, Tiriara said her farewell as she needed to return home. The girl invited everyone with glee to attend her celebration for her thirteenth birthday in the morrow. She insisted that everyone must be present even if they don't bring gifts along with them. Her celebration starts around six in the evening.

When the next day came, Arsen, the knights, and Aeneas did their training. They ended it much earlier to prepare before attending Tiriara's birthday.

Under the dim light of the moon and stars observing from the Panteran night sky, people of popularity, wealth, and power started to flock the halls of the Chronis manor. Most arrived in their finest attire, suits and gowns woven with the best quality silk and designed with patterns of gold and silver. On their bodies are multiple pieces of jewelry reflecting the soft moonlight from above. Their luxurious carriages adorned with gold layers and other magical gemstones, filled the streets leading to the manor.

Nireus Chronis wore a simple blue vest and suit. His eldest daughter, Theresa, wore a fine white gown only centimeters before reaching the ground. Her hair interwoven into several braids pulled at the back. On the other hand, her little sister, the celebrant, Tiriara, wore the yellow dress she received from Lyra as a gift. Atop her head is a silver tiara given to her by her father hours ago, while her golden straight hair falls freely past her shoulder.

Lords of towns close to Heos attended the celebration. Alcon Relleas, the lord of Pergis town and a Chiliarch of Bronze in the order of knights that has a bald head, has come with his wife and young son. The lord of the town of Oraza, Marnes Tolas, has come with his daughter as well. And many other lords of neighboring towns, like the old Maron Manea the lord of the town of Katydon who was past the age of a hundred.

Of course, city lords and ladies from the region of Arsida have come as well. One of them was the lady of Sinamos City, Helice Xena. She is one of the few female knights of the rank Chiliarch of Silver and has a city to govern.

Although most of them were there to greet the guardian of Arsida and establish a good relationship with him, some were also there to try and match their sons with the eldest daughter of Nireus. Some even tried to pair up their younger sons with Tiriara.

As it is the norm for the rich and powerful, even in Pantera, Nireus didn't find it insulting and was entertaining the offers with a smile. But, in the end, the Guardian of Arsida will always say that the final decision will still be made by his daughters.

Most of them took Nireus's answer as approval of letting their sons have a chance with his daughters. Since being connected to the guardian of Arsida is a great honor, the sons were also fond of this idea.

One by one, male suitors of varying age from twenty to thirty, approached Theresa who was standing outside the manor looking for someone. She appeared graceful just by standing. The suitors didn't need any forcing from their families the moment they saw Theresa in her white dress.

A young man wearing a black vest and red suit approached Theresa. He was charming. His blond long hair was tied on the back, his eyes were red, he was tall and was someone who would make most ladies turn to take a look at him. Once other potential suitors saw him approach Theresa, some walked away to talk to other people and the others, who still wanted a take their chances with Theresa, waited from afar. 

Their reactions weren't just because the man was great-looking, but also because they knew him. Azeus Aurusmane, a prominent young knight who achieved the rank of Chiliarch of Bronze at the age of twenty-four. He was knighted at the age of sixteen by winning ten tournaments from different towns and cities. And aside from that, he is from the Aurusmane family.

True descendants of the proud Lion, is how the Panteran people view the Aurusmane family. A family filled with great warriors and geniuses. Throughout the history of Pantera, an Aurusmane has always sat on its throne. And it was not because of their name, but because an Aurusmane has always come on top of the enthronement ceremony.

Once the current king has reached a certain age, or has announced that he would be stepping down of the throne, a year of enthronement will occur. Anyone who bears the Lion's Zeal and the age of twenty to forty could register for it. A series of tests assessing the candidates' wisdom and physical prowess would be conducted within the enthronement. And in all of the history of Pantera, an Aurusmane has always shown how far above they were against other aspirants. Some enthronement was recorded to have ended within months since most had given up as they were greatly overwhelmed.

Because of that, Panterans believed that the family were the true descendants of the Proud Lion and was always destined for the throne of Pantera. They believed that there wouldn't come a time when someone not bearing the name Aurusmane would sit on the throne, and almost everyone was happy about it. That was until a young kid from the outskirts of Pantera set the record for being the youngest to be knighted in all Panteran history. Although people were always contented and felt fair with the ruling of an Aurusmane, the thought of seeing Arsen compete in the enthronement gave many people uncontrollable excitement, and also great disappointment as the current king was still at the young age of fifty and the moment he might go down the throne, Arsen could've been too old to participate.

"You are as beautiful as the word of mouth portrays you, my lady," Azeus said as he stood beside Theresa who turned to him with a smile.

"You flatter me, my lord," Theresa responded.

Azeus stared at her, but she averted her gaze and looked towards the opened gates of their manor, "Were you waiting for someone?"

Theresa nodded in reply.

"I see," Azeus muttered, "But, lady Theresa," he paused and reached for Theresa's hand, "I am here to ask your hand for marriage," he continued.

Theresa had a nervous expression, but, she removed her hand from Azeus's grasp, "Forgive me, my lord. But, I am already promised to another," she said.

"Is that so? Was he the one you're waiting for?"

"Yes."

Azeus sighed, "If you don't mind me asking, who is this man who thinks he's qualified to marry the daughter of lord Chronis?"

Theresa's mood turned foul as she heard what Azeus asked. But, joy returned to her as she saw her fiancé enter the gates of their manor with his family and knights. Azeus noticed how Theresa's face lit up, he turned to the direction where she was staring and saw Arsen, walking with powerful strides while telling some of his knights to behave. 

No one was left at the Caspius manor since Tiriara said that she would be angry at the person who wouldn't come. But some of the knights and Crisa plan to just see Tiriara and make a short visit before returning home.

Theresa turned to Azeus, with a big smile, "Forgive me my lord, but my betrothed has just arrived. I wanted to greet him and his family," she said before walking towards Arsen.

When Arsen saw Theresa in her white dress, walking with graceful steps towards him, and having the most gorgeous smile, he blushed. Lyra saw it and asked everyone else to leave the two and for them to go see Tiriara and give her their gifts.

"You look handsome, my lord," Theresa said.

Arsen gulped, he stuttered for a bit before he managed to say, "You're as beautiful as always, my lady."

His words were music to Theresa's ears. Her face also turned a bit red. After that short exchange of pleasantries, they were left staring at each other. Until Arsen averted his gaze and while still stuttering, "S—so, how are you, my lady?" he said.

Theresa chuckled, "You just saw me the other day, my lord," she replied.

"R—right," Arsen said accompanied by a weird laughter.

Azeus walked towards them. He might be someone with great pride because of bearing the name Aurusmane, but he also acknowledges those who possess greater capabilities. He, together with the last participant for the next summit, lost to Arsen in a free-for-all match. Due to that, Arsen became the leader of their three-man squad. 

"It was great meeting you here, sir Arsen," Azeus said.

Arsen bowed, "Chiliarch Azeus, I didn't know you were here," he said. 

Azeus returned the gesture and also bowed to Arsen, "I was acquainted with the guardian of Arsida and wanted to ask his daughter for marriage, but it seems that you've again bested me," he said with a smile.

Arsen chuckled, "I guess, I did," he said.

"Well then, since it appears that Lady Theresa's mind won't change, I guess I'll let the two of you talk in privacy," Azeus said. He looked at the two of them, bowed with his head alone and walked away.

Other suitors who heard that Theresa already had a betrothed and that it was Arsen, gave up and looked for other ladies present at the manor.

On the other hand, when Tiriara saw Aeneas and the people from the Caspius manor, she ran to them. The girl jumped and hugged Aeneas, shouting his nickname on the way.

"H—hey, what are you doing? Let me go, people are looking," Aeneas said.

Around them are the stares of other people, some have the face of disdain towards the girl's action. On the other hand, Nireus saw them and just laughed.

Unlike Aeneas, Tiriara wasn't embarrassed and was still clinging to him like a leech. 

With a grin, "I'll let you go when you give me your gift," Tiriara said.

Aeneas explained that he doesn't have one yet, and would give one to her when he managed to prepare one. Meanwhile, Lyra and the others gave their gifts to her.

"I won't let you go then."