The carriage stopped, Vaan and Elara glanced out of the window and?seeing?the familiar giant door, that, unlike the Academy's modern door, had a more ancient touch to it, they couldn't help but smile.
They were finally back.
Back where they belonged.
Orion was the first to exit the carriage, Vaan followed,?then, he turned and extended his arm towards his fiancée.
"Lady Elara."
He chuckled.
With a smile on her face, Elara held Vaan's hand as she stepped out of the carriage as well. Furr was on top of Elara's shoulders, despite having rested for the entire night, he still seemed tired, so although he was awake, he wasn't as energetic as his normal self.
The last one to exit the carriage was Seraphina, who was so confused that Vaan asked her to follow him instead of returning to her house.
When she asked the reason, Vaan just smiled and,
'It is time you understand what is happening.
I believe you will be more useful that way.'
Seraphina didn't know how to feel when she heard that answer, at one side, she wanted to complain since it meant that she wouldn't be able to rest as she was expecting to, but on the other side, she was also glad, she could feel that Vaan had started to trust her.
Of course, the fact that she was bound by the contract was still there, but that alone didn't ensure her security and Seraphina knew it. She knew that despite being his 'secretary', Vaan didn't reveal many things to her.
Now, however, it seemed like that was going to change.
After a long time, Seraphina felt that she was being valued and this time, she was being valued by someone who had the power to shock the entire world.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Seraphina couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement, something that placed a smile on her face.
…
With different thoughts, the group entered the Vesta Mansion, then, they were taken to the Hall where Astra and the rest of the higher-ups of the family were gathered and Vaan, Elara, and Seraphina knelt.
"Family Head."
"Lady Astra."
They greeted simultaneously.
"You are back."
Astra spoke with a light smile on her face.
"I promised I would, did I not?" Vaan answered with a confident grin on his face.
"Getting confident now, are we? Is playing around with some kids making you arrogant?" Astra questioned back with an amused look.
"I was always arrogant, Mother," Vaan answered.
A statement the rest of the people present in the Hall agreed wholeheartedly.
Made?him?arrogant? Since when was this little bastard not arrogant?
They still clearly remembered the day this boy woke up after getting beaten by those 5 boys and after that… as if everything about him changed and he turned into a freak.
Honestly, the people had already started missing the previous Vaan.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})So what if he was an alcoholic, talentless boy who liked to use his status to oppress others? At the very least, he knew his place in the family and never once raised his head in front of others from the family.
But now…?
That damn boy had become so arrogant that let alone not being able to raise his head in front of the family members, some of the family members started to bow their heads whenever he is around them.
The brat had become so arrogant that even the blood brother and sister of the Family Head, the Advanced Circles Mages and this brat's blood Uncle and Aunt, were having a hard time dealing with him.
Even now, the boy completely ignored everyonepresentaround him, it was as if he didn't even consider anyone else other than his mother's presence.
An act they all wanted to bash him for but…
They just couldn't find an excuse to do it.
After all, with the Academy allowing Big Powers to contact the Academy Students after the recent incident where Vaan and Elara found a demon in the Ancient Ruins, they were up to date about everything the boy had done in the Academy.
Defeating Swordsmen in duels, gathering 5 Excellence Stars after a single battle, being called Celestial Standout because of his exceptional abilities, all of this was something they couldn't even fathom.
Even Astra, the current Family Head wasn't this monstrous.
Just what in the hell was this boy made of!?
Honestly, Draven and Risia wanted to talk about how Vaan had made a reckless bet where they would lose the Vesta House if he lost but…
Both of them knew it was better to stay silent right now.
Yes, they understood how grave the matter was.
The Vestas losing another House when they already lost one a few months ago,this wouldturn the entire family into a joke in the eyes of the powers all around the world, not only that, it would also affect the business since many would doubt their futures and would look for other options.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})This could very much lead to the downfall of the family.
However, even when they knew all that…
Risia and Draven decided to stay silent.
Draven because, well… hisownson was responsible for losing the first Vesta House, despite being as shameless as he was, his skin wasn't thick enough to ignore something like this and question Vaan.
As for Risia… the woman had herownshare of problems to deal with.
Astra knowing her 'secret' was one of them. Not to mention that this advancement was something that would benefit her son if everything went as she was expecting it to be.
Sure, the Family might make some losses, but Risia believed that they would be able to recover. After all, a Family that has been standing for 5000 years couldn't possibly lose its position just because of what happened in a place where children are gathered.
Astra observed the silent tension around her and then glanced at Vaan, who despite noticing everything, completely ignored it, nodded in satisfaction.
"You must be tired after a long journey, go rest.
We will talk tomorrow."
She spoke.
"Yes, mother." Vaan nodded as he stood up, Elara and Seraphina followed.
Orion looked at his wife for a moment,then, a playful smile appeared on his face as he walked away as well.
Looking at that smile, Astra momentarily paused, then, the family head looked around and,
"Today's meeting is adjourned.
We will pick the left-over matters tomorrow."
The other family members just rolled their eyes.
