"That is the reason why we cannot let you kill that boy, it harms our image, and that is something the Vesta Family cannot afford."
After the long explanation, Astra concluded. Orion, who was sitting beside her nodded as well. The Husband and wife were happy, it has been a long time since the family of three had sat together like this. Even though the topic was a little heavy, with how Vaan was reacting to their words and was trying to understand everything from a new perspective, they believed that this was going to be a fruitful conversation.
"I understand."
After thinking about all this for a while, Vaan nodded. Smiles appeared on Astra's and Orion's faces.
But then,
"So when Roland regains his consciousness, his family would be called and his punishment would be discussed, correct?" Vaan questioned.
"That is correct." Astra nodded.
"What are the chances that his punishment would be death?"
"He will not die." Astra didn't bother hiding.
"But what if I want him dead?" Vaan, however, didn't give in.
Hearing his question, both Astra and Orion narrowed their eyes but then,
"Don't look at me like that, you two. I completely understand what you were talking about and how I cannot harm the family's reputation no matter what. Killing Roland right now is a foolish move and I won't do it.
However, Roland is someone who has to die. I have my eyes locked on him and I refuse to believe that the Vesta Family does not have a way to 'solve' some people using some underhanded means.
Assassination, poison, accidental death, I am sure there are many other ways to do what I want without harming the Family Image, what are those ways?" Vaan questioned as he looked into his mother's eyes.
Just like he said, he understood how the politics in the Vesta City worked, the huge 'net' the Vesta Family has created, he knew that he wasn't allowed to create holes in that net. However, the Christopher in Vaan hadn't died yet.
His motto of not sparing any of his enemies was still there and no matter what Astra or anyone else said, he was going to live by this motto.
"Vaan you-"
Orion wanted to jump in and shout at Vaan, but then,
"Magic Duel."
Suddenly, Astra spoke up.
"Astra…"
"Magic Duel?" Vaan frowned.
"We have our ways to 'solve some people', however, we will not be using the Family resources for a fight between children. You want to kill Roland? Do it openly and fairly.
Challenge him to a Magic Duel, win against him, and if you want… kill him."
"And the Frostmoon Family won't react if I do that?"
"We do not fear Frostmoon Family, Vaan. What we fear is the message that would spread after you kill Roland the way you were trying to. Magic Duels, however, are different. How do you think those friends of yours got away after ganging up on you like that? That was because they said it was a Magic Duel, a duel that you foolishly accepted, a duel that couldn't even be called a duel.
They had the reason, so they were spared, challenge that boy and kill him, then you would have the reason, even if the Frostmoon Family is dissatisfied, they wouldn't be able to do anything because all other families would side with us."
"A Magic Duel huh…" Vaan muttered.
"But how is he supposed to defeat that boy? He is a 3rd Circle Mage."
"Well that is something he would have to figure out, won't he?" Astra chuckled.
A smile appeared on Vaan's face as well,
"Leave that to me." He spoke with a confident look on his face.
Astra smiled, a few moments later, a smile appeared on Orion's face as well.
Then, with a motivated look on his face, Vaan stood up.
"Now if you two will excuse me. I have already wasted enough time as is, so I will be going to the library."
"Huh? Library? It has been so long since all three of us sat together like this. Why don't you have some lunch with us?" Orion questioned. He had to settle a few things so he was not in the family for a while, to make up for that time, he wanted to spend some more time like this, however,
"I apologize but I cannot have lunch right now, Father."
"Why is that?"
"Well since I haven't moved much for the last few days, I feel quite full and…
I and my fiancé would be going out for dinner tonight, that girl won't eat if she realizes I am full so…"
Vaan smiled playfully as he glanced at his mother, and just as he expected, the moment he revealed that, Astra's face brightened up.
Her foolish son was finally making some moves!
And this time, on the right girl!
She couldn't be prouder.
"You are going out with Elara…?" Orion, on the other hand, was surprised.
"Fufufu~ There are a lot of things you have missed, darling. Come, let me help you catch up, Vaan, you can leave."
Astra spoke as she gently held Orion's hands. Seeing her acting like that, Orion couldn't help but smile, he had been here for 2 days now, however, he only saw a solemn, strict, and gloomy Astra, this was the first time in a while that Astra was making this face.
Orion couldn't be happier.
Seeing his parents like that, Vaan smile as well, then, he walked out of the ward and made his way toward the library.
'A Magic Duel huh…
I am going to destroy that bitch and this time,
He won't be regaining his consciousness.'
With that thought in his mind, Vaan entered the library and continued his research from where he had left.
Time passed and Vaan then heard a knock.
"Young Master Vaan."
Gabel called out.
"Enter." Vaan ordered.
"Young Master Vaan, you should get ready now, I believe it would be rude to make Lady Elara wait tonight."
"How is Elara?"
"She has just woken up."
Vaan nodded, then, he closed the book and stood up.
"I will get ready now, book the best restaurant in the City."
"I have already arranged that, Young Master."
Gabel was indeed competent.
Vaan nodded and then walked away.
On his shoulders, there sat two adorable creatures, both Flamey and Splashy were extremely worried when Vaan passed out. They wanted to appear when Elara was gone, however, when they saw how Vaan was reacting, both of them were intimidated and decided to wait till he calmed down.
Later, Vaan calmed them down and fed them, which led to the current situation where the two spirits were sitting on Vaan's shoulders and sleeping peacefully.
Vaan returned to his room, freshened up, wore the clothes that Astra had picked out for his 'date', and walked out.
*Knock* *Knock*
10 Minutes later, Vaan stood in front of Elara's room and knocked, "Elara."
"I-I am here!" Elara's voice was heard, Vaan could hear rushed footsteps, Elara was running towards the door.
Vaan chuckled, the doors were then opened and,
"I-I am ready," Elara spoke up.
"…"
Vaan, on the other hand, just stared at Elara and didn't say anything, or more accurately, he couldn't say anything…
Elara was wearing a Black gown, her hair was tied into a low bun, making her face more visible, her clear red eyes and the slight blush on her face enhanced her beauty to another level. Usually, Elara preferred to be simple and didn't focus much on her appearance, today, however, she had applied some light makeup as well, boosting her beauty to another level.
"You look stunning." Vaan complimented.
Elara blushed a little and, "Y-You look g-good as well…" she replied.
Vaan smiled, then, he extended his right hand and, "Should we leave? I am quite hungry."
Elara simply held Vaan's hand and didn't say anything. The two then walked into their carriage, throughout the ride, Vaan made sure not to leave Elara's hand, Elara didn't resist either, her mind was preoccupied with too many things to even think about resisting right now.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a restaurant, Astral Alehouse, it was the biggest restaurant in the Vesta City, even people from other continents often came here to enjoy the delicacies it served. The restaurant was so busy that one had to make a reservation 1 month in advance to get a table, of course, Vaan and the Vesta Family were an exception to that rule.
Vaan and Elara walked into the restaurant and were taken to their table,
"What would you like to eat?" Vaan questioned.
Elara chose a few dishes she wished to eat, the waitress nodded and left, then, silence fell.
The two of them had no topics to talk about. None of them knew what to talk about at times like this.
"H-How is your magic study going?" in the end, Elara started with the topic she was most familiar with.
Not the best choice for a romantic dinner, but as long as it broke the ice.
"Haaahh…" Vaan sighed.
"I barely managed to learn one basic spell after studying for more than 14 hours."
"…"
Elara didn't know what to say…
Mages spent months learning different spells and… then there's him…
However, she could understand where Vaan was coming from, he was someone who learned all the spells she gave to him within 2 weeks, obviously, he would feel slow when he doesn't see progress after so many hours.
Therefore, Elara had come up with a plan.
"I-I have a way to help you…"
