CHAPTER 54: SILBERHAIN MANSION

How could he forget?

One of the main bases of the plot was that the Silberhains were the owners of Evergreen Forest.

’Fuck...’ Lucius’s mind cursed as he stared at the ticket in his hand.

Evergreen wasn’t just a forest, it was the forest.

The purest in the world, overflowing with elemental energy, a sanctuary that could make even the harshest affinities bloom.

Of course, the Silberhains guarded it like a family treasure.

And he? He wanted nothing to do with them.

Maybe he could sneak into one of the other forests instead.

Evergreen might be the purest, yes, but surely there were alternatives.

Any forest with enough space mana would do.

Anything to avoid standing within breathing distance of the Silberhains.

Vanessa’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"I know you have history with them and probably want to avoid them," she said, her tone softer than usual.

Her eyes, however, stayed sharp on him. "But the Clan Head requested a brief interview with you. And I’ll be sending Villy with you."

Lucius clicked his tongue and slipped the ticket into his pocket.

"Alright," he muttered.

It wasn’t as if the world would end just because he saw them.

Right?

He began to hover up the stairs, his body lifting lazily with the flow of space particles.

Sleep tugged at him, exhaustion finally catching up.

But Vanessa’s hand shot out and closed around his wrist.

"Please rest properly," she said, her grip firmer than expected.

She pulled him gently back to the ground. "Let me take you to your room."

Lucius didn’t protest. He let her guide him down the hall.

When they entered his room, Vanessa froze for a heartbeat.

Elara and Luna were sprawled across his bed, both fast asleep.

Their breathing was soft, even, their expressions unguarded in rest.

Vanessa instinctively reached to wake them, to tidy the situation before Lucius noticed — except Lucius simply raised his hand.

The air shimmered, space itself responding to his will.

The girls floated lightly, lifted by invisible strings, and then descended back down onto the bed.

Elara on his left, Luna on his right.

And then he collapsed onto the mattress between them.

His body sank deep into the covers. Within seconds, his breathing evened out.

As if his exhaustion had swallowed him whole.

Vanessa stood there in silence, her hand still half-raised.

’It must feel nice...’ she thought.

The way Lucius’s arms had settled around the girls, holding them comfortably, almost instinctively.

He looked peaceful like that.

And deep in her chest, a pang of envy stirred.

’I want to be held the same way.’

She turned before the thought could bloom further, walking out quietly and closing the door behind her.

He needed all the energy for tomorrow.

...

The next day, Lucius adjusted his tie with a sharp tug, the knot sitting a little too tight at his throat.

The morning sun streamed down on the polished black car speeding along the road.

He sat in the passenger seat, legs crossed, his gaze flicking toward the driver with visible doubt.

"Are you sure you should be driving?" he asked dryly, watching as Villy gripped the wheel with both hands.

Her maid outfit, frills and all, looked completely out of place behind a steering wheel.

Especially when she swerved suddenly to avoid a pothole.

And she could barely see the road too at her height.

"Of course I have a driver’s license," she said primly, though her grip tightened.

Another swerve made the tires squeal before she slowed down. "See? Perfectly safe."

Lucius arched a brow. "Safe. Right."

Villy beamed, proud of herself, and pointed ahead. "We’re here!"

Lucius looked out the window and his lips pressed thin.

The Silberhain estate rose before him like a fortress.

A sprawling mansion of pale stone, its towers glimmered with silver runes.

Manicured gardens stretched in every direction, and the air itself seemed thicker with energy.

It rivaled even the Hohenberg estate in scale, though with less charm and more intimidation.

The car rolled to a stop before a long iron gate where two guards stood, armored and stern.

Their posture screamed training, and the moment their eyes locked on Lucius, they gripped their weapons tighter.

"Who are you," one demanded, "and what’s your business here?"

Lucius opened his mouth, but Villy was already stepping out of the car, brushing off her skirt with perfect poise.

She presented herself with a practiced bow.

"My name is Villy, and I am Lord Lucius’s personal attendant," she said smoothly. From her apron pocket, she withdrew the ticket and handed it over. "We have an appointment."

The first guard took the ticket, scanned it, and visibly paled.

His eyes darted back to Lucius, and before Lucius could blink, both guards bowed deeply.

One even forced his colleague’s head down lower.

"Welcome, Lord Lucius von Hohenberg," the first guard stammered. "You look... different."

"Awakening," Lucius said curtly, brushing past them as the gates swung open.

The guards scrambled to clear his path.

He stepped forward with Villy at his side — only to stop dead.

Right there, in the open courtyard, a young woman with flowing silver hair was pressed against a black-haired young man.

The two were locked in an unashamed kiss, oblivious to the world around them.

Lucius’s jaw tightened.

The woman was Lily Silberhain.

And the man? Cayden/Elliot, the Protagonist.

Lucius felt a jolt of conflicting emotions.

On one hand, awe.

He was finally face-to-face with the boy the entire story revolved around, the one destined to carve through every obstacle.

On the other hand... disgust.

’And to think she was my favorite heroine,’

he thought with a sigh, averting his gaze.

Villy gave him a puzzled glance, but Lucius ignored her.

A maid rushed toward them from the mansion, her skirts swishing as she skidded to a halt.

She bowed deeply, hands clasped in front of her.

"Greetings, Mr. Lucius," she said quickly. "The Clan Head has instructed me to show you inside."

"Lead the way," Lucius replied, his tone calm and clipped.

He followed her steps toward the grand entrance, Villy trailing behind. And soon he found himself in a big room seated across the head.