CHAPTER 244: FIVE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

Raegar and the girls slept off the booze well into the morning, but once they were up, they were all set and raring to go. The group was traveling along the road, passing by merchants and traders heading toward Bloodriver City, where his grandparents’ place was. It was only a day’s journey from where they were now.

Selene and Alice were in front of them, looking at the fields of flowers that covered one side of the road. When they reached them, the Demoness turned to him with a toothy smile. ’’This place is beautiful, Rae!’’ she exclaimed.

’’Yes, the local towns and villages love planting these every year,’’ he revealed. ’’It’s a tradition of sorts, mother told me it’s been happening since the year I was born.’’

When the girls heard this, their faces lit up as Zahara commented. ’’That’s lovely, it makes traveling so much better.’’

Raegar agreed, smiling. ’’It does, Za, wait until you see my grandmother’s garden. She used to tend to it all the time,’’ he said.

After their journey, the six continued through the night. Dawn broke over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the rolling hills as the estate came into view. Its ivy-clad walls loomed high above them. As they approached the Aether-infused iron gates, flanked by ancient oaks, a group of Vaelthorne guards barred their path, their polished armor glinting in the morning light.

The guard commander, a tall figure clad in plate armor decorated with the sigil of the family, stepped forward. His gaze scrutinized the group, and his hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword. In a voice that carried the weight of authority, he demanded, ’’State your purpose. What brings you to the gates of Vaelthorne Manor?’’

’’Come to see my grandparents,’’ Raegar said, stepping forward and removing his hood.

As the commander’s eyes fell upon Raegar’s face, a flicker of recognition sparked in his stern gaze. His weathered features softened, and a look of surprise briefly crossed his face, as though time itself had stirred a long-buried memory. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow.

When he spoke again, his voice carried a warmth and deference reserved for one of high standing. ’’Young Master,’’ he said. ’’It is a great honor to see one of the youngest members of the family return to Vaelthorne Manor. It has been far too many years since you last graced these grounds.’’

Raegar chuckled in response. ’’It’s good to see you, Cedric. How has my grandfather been? Still working you hard?’’

Cedric nodded, a flicker of pride shining through his expression. ’’Of course, young master, when hasn’t he? But it looks like you’ve been busy, are these your girlfriends?’’

He felt his cheeks go red, but Selene, the ever-excited girl, stepped forward. ’’Yes, we’re his harem. Zahara here has come to heal Duchess Vaelthorne,’’ she revealed.

The older man’s eyes widened before leaning down, whispering. ’’Are you sure about this, young master? Your grandfather has been angry whenever a healer has failed, what makes this any different?’’

Raegar’s expression darkened, a flash of anger sparking in his red eyes as he stepped forward. His voice cut through the tension as he defended Zahara. ’’You speak out of turn,’’ he said, annoyed. ’’She is skilled, one of the rarest talents the Academy has seen, as attested by the Headmistress herself. That is why the most esteemed professor in the field personally guides her studies, shaping her into a master of her craft.’’

Cedric looked shocked, but soon a powerful aura descended on all of them as Duke Griffin Vaelthorne descended from the sky. Raegar smiled when seeing his grandfather, as he hadn’t changed apart from looking stressed. The older man was still muscular and had a big white beard and the same glowing red eyes as his own.

’’Look at that,’’ Griffin finally spoke, a big grin stretching across his face. ’’Looks like my grandson brought home five beautiful flowers.’’

Raegar chuckled as the older man turned to the girls and bowed dramatically. ’’I am Griffin Vaelthorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you ladies.’’

A flush of embarrassment colored the cheeks of the other girls, their gazes briefly flickering to the ground under the weight of Raegar’s fervent defense. Alice, however, composed herself with grace and stepped forward, her movements fluid and deliberate. She dipped into a refined curtsy, her skirts rustling softly as she inclined her head with poise.

’’We are grateful for your kind words and support, Duke Griffin,’’ she said, her voice clear and melodic. ’’Indeed, each of us is bound to Raegar in our own way, through loyalty, friendship, or shared purpose. We stand with him, as he does with us.’’

The other four nodded as Drusilla transformed into her human form, shocking the older man as his bushy eyebrow shot up. ’’A Dark Fairy is tied to my kin?’’

’’Yepp!’’ she replied, defiance in her eyes. ’’We love each other and I’d do anything for him.’’

When Griffin heard this, a big smile appeared as he suddenly hugged Raegar while slapping his back. ’’Well done, my boy! Looks like you’ve found yourself some lovely girls, you better take care of them or I’ll throw on the Death Continent to survive.’’

Raegar shivered at his words, but Drusilla warned the older man. ’’You better not, you old fart! Look at his face, hasn’t he been through enough?’’

Griffin offered a reassuring smile, his weathered face softening as he addressed Drusilla with a gentle, almost fatherly tone. ’’Fear not, young lady,’’ he said. ’’The lad will pull through, and you’re all welcome to accompany him inside.’’

His jokes enticed a ripple of laughter from the group, easing the tension that had lingered at the gates. As the heavy iron gates creaked open, the group was ushered through the grand courtyard, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestones.

The mansion loomed before them, its stone façade decorated with detailed carvings of hawks and vines, proof of the Vaelthorne lineage’s storied past. Griffin led the way, his armored boots clanging with purpose, but his gaze kept drifting toward Zahara, the brown-skinned healer among the group.

His eyes, sharp and inquisitive, studied her with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. As they crossed the threshold into the mansion’s opulent foyer, where chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over marble floors, Griffin turned to Zahara, his expression one of fascination tinged with skepticism.

’’So,’’ he said, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. ’’You’re the one who claims she can heal my lady wife? The one whose skill has the Academy buzzing?’’

Zahara fidgeted, her nerves evident, but Raegar grabbed the blonde’s hand and steadied her. She took a deep breath and spoke with quiet conviction. ’’I’ve scoured the ancient tomes in the library and discovered one that describes Devil infections. I’m certain the Duchess is afflicted by one. I also believe she can heal Rae’s face, he’s earned that much for all he’s done.’’

Griffin’s face lit up with a wide grin as he urged them toward Elysia’s bedroom. ’’Hurry up, all six of you! I’ve got a great feeling about this!’’

Following a ten-minute walk, they appeared outside a wooden door where the older man opened up only for Raegar to see his grandmother lying in bed fast asleep, but something strange was radiating from her body. His eyes narrowed when sensing the Devil’s touch on her.

Raegar’s frustration boiled over, his jaw tight with anger, but Zahara’s gentle hand on his calmed him. She met his gaze with quiet confidence. ’’We’ll handle this, Rae. Remember all the research I’ve done.’’

Her words eased his tension, and he let out a relieved sigh. ’’I know. Thank you, Zahara.’’

A few moments later, Griffin’s big hand landed on Raegar’s and Zahara’s shoulders, his grip both commanding and encouraging as he guided them toward the slumbering Elysia. His eyes sparkled with a mix of hope, as if he could already sense the tide turning. ’’Come on, you two,’’ he urged, his voice warm but insistent, "let’s not keep her waiting."

As they approached the bedside, the blonde’s breath caught at the sight of Elysia, pale and still, her chest rising faintly beneath the weight of her affliction. The young scholar steadied herself, drawing on the countless hours spent poring over dusty tomes in the library’s shadowed alcoves.

With a determined glint in her eye, she extended her hands over Elysia’s form, fingers trembling slightly as they hovered in the air. In a low tone, she began to chant, her voice weaving words from an ancient tongue, magic drawn from a time long forgotten, their rhythm carrying the weight of time.

The room seemed to hum with the power of her words, as if the very air responded to the call of her spell. Raegar and Griffin stepped back, looking amazed, shocked, and also confused by the language Zahara was speaking, as they couldn’t understand it, but it seemed to be working.