Guests Arrival

The grand hall of the Alaric estate was adorned in its full splendor to celebrate the arrival of the Elendor family. Servants bustled around, ensuring every detail was perfect, while the household members gathered to greet their guests. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Lord Alaric, the head of the most powerful family in the world, stood at the forefront, a rare trace of nervousness flickering in his otherwise stoic demeanor.

The grand doors opened, and Kefka Elendor entered, her presence commanding the room effortlessly. Her beauty was ethereal—silken black hair cascading down her back, piercing emerald eyes that seemed to hold secrets, and a calm, graceful demeanor that instantly captivated everyone. Beside her, her father, a humble lord from a lesser-known territory, looked visibly overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Alaric estate. He greeted everyone with excessive politeness, bowing frequently and expressing gratitude for the invitation.

Kefka, on the other hand, carried herself with an elegance that belied her background. She met each member of the Alaric family with poised composure, her gaze sharp but respectful. Most of the household was too distracted by her beauty and grace to notice anything else, but three individuals saw beyond the surface: Lord Austin Alaric, his Dragon Wife Dracona, and the Elf Wife Elenora. As the trio exchanged subtle glances, it was clear that they all recognized something unusual about Kefka.

Dracona leaned slightly toward her husband, her voice low but filled with intrigue. "So this is the girl our son has chosen for himself? Not bad."

Elenora, always perceptive, added, "She is something else entirely. There is more to her than meets the eye."

Austin nodded, his expression unreadable. "Interesting. Let's see how this plays out."

Upstairs, Leon finally emerged from his room, still lost in thoughts about Kefka's hidden identity. When he stepped into the hall and laid eyes on her, all his musings were swept away. He froze mid-step, utterly mesmerized by her unparalleled beauty. Before he could stop himself, the word slipped from his lips: "Beautiful."

The room fell silent. Every head turned toward Leon, whose face flushed crimson as he realized what he'd just said. Awkwardly, he tried to hide his embarrassment, mumbling an excuse and stepping back. Lord Alaric's booming laugh broke the tension. "My son is just like me, I see. Captivated at first sight."

Dracona's sharp glare silenced him instantly. "I don't want him to become like you," she retorted, her tone laced with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

The exchange drew a small wave of laughter from the gathered crowd, lightening the mood. Leon's siblings chuckled quietly, and even Kefka allowed a faint, polite smile to grace her lips. Leon, however, was too mortified to enjoy the moment and retreated to a quieter corner of the hall.

As the banquet began, the Alaric family and their guests dined in style. Plates were filled with the finest delicacies, glasses clinked with aged wine, and the hall buzzed with conversation. Leon kept stealing glances at Kefka, unable to shake the image of her from his mind. Yet, she remained calm and collected throughout, her behavior impeccably polite. It was clear that she was no ordinary girl from a backwater territory.

After the meal, Kefka rose to retire to the guest quarters. As she made her way out of the hall, she was intercepted by Dracona, who stood directly in her path. Kefka stopped, her emerald eyes meeting the dragon's golden gaze.

"You hide it well," Dracona said, her voice quiet but carrying an undeniable weight.

Kefka's composure faltered for a split second before she replied, "I don't know what you mean, Lady Dracona." Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of tension.

Dracona's eyes narrowed. "Don't play coy with me, child. I'm not human; I'm a dragon. I see things others cannot." Her words were laced with warning. "If anything happens to my son—if even a single hair on his head is harmed—you will face a disaster unlike anything seen in history."

With that, Dracona allowed a sliver of her true power to radiate from her, the sheer intensity of it suffocating. Kefka's calm demeanor cracked under the overwhelming pressure, her breath hitching as she struggled to maintain her footing. The weight of Dracona's presence was like a tidal wave crashing down, leaving no room for resistance.

"Do I make myself clear?" Dracona asked, her voice deadly soft.

Kefka swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Yes, Lady Dracona. Crystal clear."

Satisfied, Dracona withdrew her aura, the oppressive atmosphere vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Kefka took a shaky breath, her mind racing. As she turned and continued toward her room, she couldn't shake the realization that she had severely underestimated the Alaric family. This was no ordinary household, and Leon's mother was no ordinary woman. If she wanted to survive here, she would have to tread carefully.

From a distance, Leon watched the interaction, unable to hear their words but sensing the tension. A strange mix of emotions swirled within him—curiosity, concern, and something he couldn't quite name. He resolved to learn more about Kefka Elendor and her true nature. After all, if she truly was the Incardia Witch, as he suspected, her presence here could mean far more than a simple arranged marriage.

The night deepened, but for both Kefka and Leon, sleep would not come easily. One wrestled with the weight of her secrets, and the other with the burden of his knowledge. The stage was set for a collision of destinies, and the Alaric household was about to become the epicenter of a storm that would shake the world.