Elyandra's room was, by definition, an architectural paradox.
Spacious, well-lit, with beige marble walls ornamented with golden spiral carvings, and crimson velvet curtains that glided down to the floor, it exuded the nobility of House Valemortis. Imported carpets covered parts of the polished stone floor, and the air carried a faint scent of lilies and mint—refined but subtle.
But at the center of all that sophistication were small details that told another story, a teddy bear in custom-made magical armor rested on a reading armchair, cushions embroidered with bunnies in heraldic poses adorned a chaise longue, and a dark-wood shelf, carved with ancient runes, boasted an impeccably organized collection of arcane grimoires side by side. The balance was meticulously perfect, childish, yes... but with the dignity of someone who, theoretically, could have a duke executed with a snap of his fingers.
And there, in front of a full-length mirror framed in pure silver—tall enough to reflect two stacked Elyandras—was her.
With her white hair, her upright posture and golden eyes analyzing her own reflection with the precision of a military strategist, Elyandra Valemortis seemed to be about to make a geopolitical decision of continental impact.
"There is an issue that can no longer be ignored...", she thought, serious, with a slightly furrowed brow.
"A question that troubles even the deepest corners of my soul. That defies logic, transcends time and... threatens the order of things as we know it."
Silence.
The tension was palpable.
She took a deep breath. He closed his eyes. He opened them with determination.
— ... Until I'm a very cute child.
A pause. A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
" Maybe I'm eye candy." No... A heavenly balm of immaculate cuteness.
He raised his little hands and placed them on his head, shaping imaginary little ears. With a clumsy jump, he enthusiastically declared:
— Pyongyang, Pyongyang!
He jumped again, now tilting his head sideways and letting out a light chuckle.
" Kufufu... so cute... yes, yes... very cute... maybe I should be canonized as a Saint of Absolute Cuteness. No one would survive my lovely aura...
" Well, well... But what do we have here...? said a slurred, almost singing voice, rising behind the little noblewoman.
Elyandra congelou.
Turning around as if she had been caught summoning demons in the middle of the sanctuary, she came across Siris, casually leaning against the doorframe of the half-open door. Her dark hair tied up in a loose bun was beautiful, as always, and there was a wide, mischievous smile painted on her face.
" Are you... Testing rabbit-based combat strategies right now? Should I inform the Lord that the future of House Valemortis depends on strategic jumps and enchanted "pyons"?
Her golden eyes, once twinkling with the self-confidence of a goddess of cuteness, widened like porcelain plates. His mouth parted in a mute "o". And then—as if all the cosmic forces had decided to mock her imperial dignity—she blushed. Not a discreet red. Not a noble blush. But a shade so outrageously crimson that it would be plausible to mistake it for a ceremonial tomato from the summer harvest.
"N-NO, IT'S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS!" She burst out, in a desperate tone that didn't match her usual composure at all.
On an almost instinctive impulse, Elyandra ran to the door with short, determined steps, bare feet hurriedly tapping tap across the marble floor. Grabbing Siris by the sleeve with her tiny hands, she pulled her tightly into the room—the poor servant stumbling lightly in the process.
"UWAH—?! Siris lost his balance, but managed to stay on his feet, laughing openly.
CLACK!
The door was closed with a thud, as if the outside world needed to be sealed forever away from that compromising scene.
"You did NOT see anything, you see?! — Elyandra declared, her face still absurdly flushed, pointing an accusing finger in the direction of her chest.
Siris raised his hands as if surrendering in a siege, but the mischievous smile refused to leave his face.
"As you wish , Miss Valemortis." I'm going to keep your little jumps and "pyons" inside my mind in complete secrecy.
"Don't make fun of me!" She screamed, running after Siris frantically (and totally harmlessly), like an angry puppy trying to bite the hand of the feeder.
"I surrender, I surrender!" Siris laughed, trying to elegantly dodge the onslaughts of the small, white-haired fury. "Be careful, or you'll kill me with so much cuteness."
" Aaargh!" Elyandra turned her back with a dramatic turn and crossed her arms, still huffing.
Siris watched her for a moment, a tender warmth rising in her brown eyes, even in the midst of the ridiculous scene. She was so controlled, so noble, so strategist... and sometimes she forgot that she could still just be a little girl.
"It was lovely, by the way. She added, adding fuel to the fire.
— ... You need to be punished. Said Elyandra still pouting.
Siris crouched softly behind Elyandra, her brown eyes shining with a tenderness that hardly matched her usual expression of slight sarcasm.
"A punishment?" And what has your lovely mind prepared for me, miss? He asked, in a low and musical voice, almost defiant.
Elyandra remained on her back for a moment, still with her arms crossed, her head down. A long sigh escaped her lips. Her mind was swirling with strategic ideas, trying to disentangle herself from the shame still pulsing on her face. Siris' tone, her presence... Everything was confusing. It wasn't enough just to be a shrewd and calculating noblewoman, she had to be too... adorable. And perhaps a little dizzying, if the thing were really analyzed more carefully. Elyandra bit her lower lip, forcing her focus.
Finally, she turned with a determined gaze, her face serious as if facing a major political decision. She pointed to Siris, her golden eyes still firm and resolute.
"I want to see you doing the same moves." The same gestures," he said firmly, in a low and almost arrogant voice. "In front of the mirror."
Siris was silent for a moment. She seemed to analyze the order for a second, as if considering the possibility of playing more with the situation. Then, without Elyandra being able to react, a seductive smile appeared on her lips. She remained still, not taking a single step away from the little noblewoman.
With a gentle movement, Siris brought her hands to her head, with the delicate gesture of imaginary little ears, and then, in an unusually soft and seductive tone, said:
"Pyon."
The word sounded like a melody, falling into the environment like a sweet, almost fatal spell. Elyandra froze. The reaction was almost immediate. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she couldn't look away from Siris. Confusion took hold of her, and the shame that was already stamped on her face deepened. Before she could fully process it, a small gush of blood dripped from her nose.
The mirror reflected the scene of Elyandra, who, now slightly dizzy and astonished, touched her face. Siris, in turn, furrowed his brows when he realized what had happened. She immediately approached Elyandra, her brown eyes worried.
"Elyandra!" Siris exclaimed, rocking the little girl slightly by the shoulders. "Okay?" What happened?
As Elyandra felt Siris' genuine concern, inside her head, a storm of thoughts was forming. "What... Was that it?" She tried to rationalize, but the truth was that the woman in front of her... was leaving her completely speechless. Siris' every movement, every gesture, seemed so natural, so perfect, that Elyandra could hardly understand how it could be so... seductress. The way she moved, the mischievous yet soft smile, everything about her was... Sweeping.
Siris, for a moment, seemed something like a storm of beauty and charm, shrouded in a calm and seductive aura, and Elyandra found herself almost overwhelmed, lost in the details. She tried to push those thoughts away, but it was impossible.
Elyandra blinked a few times, still dizzy. Siris' pressure on her shoulders, soft but present, brought her back to reality little by little. The blood that had been discreetly dripping from her nose now dripped onto the sleeve of her light-colored blouse, and the mirror in front reflected her astonished expression—wide eyes, red cheeks, and an air of complete emotional surrender.
"... Oh my god. I really have a nosebleed because of a "pyon". I completely lost control."
With the hurried elegance of someone who needs to regain her dignity, Elyandra brought the sleeve to her face and wiped the bleeding with a quick and discreet gesture. Despite his small body, his movements were charged with an almost desperate attempt to appear unshakable. Still, her golden eyes remained fixed, astonished, as if they had just witnessed a sensual eclipse in the form of a personal maid.
She took a deep breath, forcing a small smile — more out of an attempt at emotional survival than out of real conviction.
"I'm... I'm fine," he said, his voice low but firm enough to sound convincing. "It was nothing. Only... a slight mana imbalance. Don't worry, Siris.
Siris narrowed her eyes, clearly doubting the excuse, but she respected the space. Still kneeling in front of Elyandra, she kept her hands close, as if ready to hold her in case she fell.
"A mana imbalance?" He murmured in a light tone. His gaze, however, remained attentive, protecting the little noblewoman with the same intensity as someone who would protect something sacred.
Elyandra, in turn, looked away, trying to control the heat that still burned on her face. The head still echoed with the thoughts of before, but now, along with them, came a new determination.
"I need to get used to the dangerous beauty of this woman... Or she'll kill me before I even take over the world."
With that, Elyandra pulled herself together, straightening her posture. His nose was already clean, his breathing was controlled. Still blushing, yes. But now, with pride duly restored.
Elyandra straightened her shoulders with almost ceremonial slowness with the composure of a lady who had just chased away a passing inconvenience.
The mirror now reflected no longer the adorable child of before, but the heiress of House Valemortis—steady golden eyes, impeccable posture, and an aura of authority that seemed to emanate directly from the marble floor beneath her feet.
Siris watched the transformation with a softer expression. The sarcasm gave way to something more serene, respectful. She stood up lightly, the loose bun swaying gently, and straightened the folds of her tunic with an automatic gesture before turning her gaze to the girl before her.
"Are you better?" He asked, now in a gentle tone, devoid of the previous provocation.
"Perfectly," Elyandra replied, her voice already controlled and her eyes serious. "Thank you for worrying, Siris."
A brief silence settled between the two. It was not uncomfortable, but charged with a solemnity that seemed to announce the change of tone.
Siris then positioned himself next to Elyandra, leaning slightly to be at her gaze.
"In that case... I must inform you of the real reason for my visit. Her brown eyes became firmer, now reflecting the professionalism of a high-ranking personal servant, not just a captivating presence.
Elyandra frowned slightly, already anticipating that the moment of distraction was over.
"There was a decision," Siris continued. "Your parents will be visiting the estate of the Marquis de Sorell on behalf of Casa Valemortis. And you will go with them.
The young noblewoman kept her face impassive, but her brain was already buzzing with analysis.
"Is this just a diplomatic visit?" She asked, not showing surprise, but already connecting pieces of the invisible board.
"Officially, yes. A gesture of courtesy between two allied houses. Unofficially—" Siris hesitated for a moment, but went on. it is an opportunity for you to closely observe the ways and traditions of House Sorell. Your father wants you to begin to understand, with your own eyes, what the Empire is beyond the walls of this mansion.
Elyandra nodded slightly, her golden eyes already acquiring that sharp glow that appeared whenever something instigated her intellect.
"When will we leave?"
"At dawn," Siris replied. "The Lord wants you to be rested and wearing something worthy of your position." I've already talked to the seamstresses. The dresses are being prepared and the maids have already been instructed. I will be by your side throughout the trip.
Elyandra was silent for a brief moment, absorbing the information. Finally, he looked one last time at the mirror. Her image was there, between the reflection of a cute child and the outline of an imperial strategist.
"Very well," she said, turning to Siris firmly. "Then let's show them the future of House Valemortis."
Siris arched an eyebrow, a discreet smile returning to his lips.
"As you wish, miss."
The sky still carried the pale blue of early morning when Elyandra opened her eyes, awakening without the need for maids or calls. The soft scent of jasmine, which came from the fresh flowers in the vase by the window, mingled with the light chill of the dawn that came in through the half-open curtains.
Siris was already waiting for her, with the impeccable posture of someone who didn't seem to have slept. Her loose bun was perfectly arranged and her brown eyes conveyed that insightful serenity that only she possessed.
"Good morning, miss," he said with a faint smile. "Did you sleep well?"
Elyandra nodded with a brief nod before getting up from the bed.
Siris smiled with her eyes and extended her hands, leading the little one to the screen. There, he began to dress her with care. The dress chosen was a deep blue, with hand-embroidered silver details — discreet, but worthy of her lineage. The fitted bodice enhanced the girl's upright posture, while the long silk sleeves gave her an air of classic elegance.
"Hair down or up, miss?" Siris asked, holding the black velvet ribbon.
"Loose." Elyandra replied firmly.
"As you wish."
With nimble and delicate fingers, Siris combed Elyandra's long white hair in a sophisticated way, intertwining threads with the ribbon as if weaving the frame of a crown. When he finished, he knelt down to adjust his shoes.
"Ready," she declared, rising with a slight shake of her head. "It will dazzle even the mirrors in the main hall.
Elyandra smiled slightly, satisfied, and the two left the room.
The main staircase of the Valemortis mansion was a work of art: polished white marble with gilded ribs, balusters carved with heraldic symbols, and a colossal crystal chandelier suspended in the center of the atrium. Siris's steady footsteps and Elyandra's light ones echoed down the steps, while the dawn light pierced the stained glass windows, tinting the hall with bluish reflections.
At the bottom of the stairs, Lord Valemortis and Altheria awaited.
The patriarch wore a dark military-court robe, with golden shoulder pads and the insignia of House Valemortis embroidered on his chest. Her countenance was austere, but her eyes shone for a moment at the sight of her daughter. Altheria, on the other hand, wore a ceremonial ensemble in light shades of ivory, embroidered with ancient symbols of faith, and wore a thin tiara that highlighted her noble and delicate posture.
"Hm. It's punctual. Great," said the father, with a brief nod of approval. "Today we will visit the estate of the Marquis de Sorell. It will be brief, but important.
He paused, going down a step to put himself up to Elyandra.
"Visits like this are part of the fabric that sustains the Empire. Public courtesies, exposed morals. We are not selling favors, but displaying balance," he said, with the coolness of a general. "I want you to behave like a Valemortis. Noble. Respectable. Flawless.
"Yes, Dad. Elyandra replied, with a firm voice and ceremonial tone.
Before her father could say more, Altheria approached, softening the mood with an affectionate smile. His eyes scanned his daughter with the trained eye of someone who knew every fold of a noble fabric and every detail of etiquette.
"Hmm... This ribbon on the braid is a lovely choice," she said, lightly touching her daughter's hair. "And that shade of blue... sophisticated, without being pretentious. As it should be. Siris has good taste.
"I just followed your preferences," Siris replied with a discreet smile.
Altheria then lowered herself a little, looking into Elyandra's golden eyes tenderly.
"Today will be a good day to observe and learn, my little light. And, if the opportunity arises, delight too.
Elyandra nodded with a suppressed twinkle in her eyes, the kind of sparkle her parents still couldn't fully decipher—but that Siris recognized well.
The butler appeared in absolute silence, opening the double doors of the entrance hall. A light breeze entered the mansion, carrying the perfume of the gardens, and revealing the noble carriage waiting before the outer steps.
With one last glance at each other, the four walked out of the House Valemortis.
The dawn still tinged the sky.