Chapter 160:
After leaving the café the group headed toward the du Nova's Botrel estate.
They rode in an open-top carriage—the carriage's wooden wheels clacked rhythmically against the polished streets.
Street lamps flickered along the road, with cool air whipping around them.
Alexander sat beside André, resting against him as he fumbled with his thumbs.
Béatrice and Louise sat across from them, both women quiet.
Their faces bathed in golden pools of light.
The du Nova estate loomed ahead, a sprawling manor of white stone and arched windows.
Its gardens were vast, decorated with rose beds and manicured hedges.
The carriage rolled to the iron gates—a pathfinder pushed them open before saluting.
Alexander glanced around quietly.
"Welcome to our home away from home."
André said with a grin, shaking Alexander awake.
He was the first to hop out of the carriage, before reaching a hand toward Béatrice.
Béatrice took it with a nod.
Louise stepped down next—glancing at Alexander before hopping down.
When Alexander finally jumped down, Béatrice was already stepping up a sweeping staircase.
André took both Alexander and Louise's hands, leading them behind Béatrice.
As the group stepped into the foyer they were greeted with a blast of warm air.
Alexander shivered as his boots clicked against the polished floorboards.
"You kiddos hungry for dinner? Or… a bath?"
André smirked—unbuttoning his overcoat before tossing it onto the coat rack.
He stretched his arms high, grunting and yawning.
Alexander nodded.
"Both, please."
He answered, sliding out of his robes.
They dropped to his feet with a plop—revealing his chinos and long-sleeved undershirt.
Louise watched him slide out of his worn boots, her gaze lingering too long.
She then looked up at André, who met her gaze with a knowing grin.
Louise blushed—before marching out of the foyer.
"I'll set my own bath, uncle." She mumbled.
André raised an eyebrow, before glancing at Alexander.
He had his boots and robes in hand.
"I'm ready."
André nodded. "Come on, buddy."
He led him into the living room—a white carpeted space illuminated by an ornate chandelier.
A fireplace was tucked in the back wall, with couches arranged in a semicircle.
Bookshelves lined the adjacent walls.
Filled with leather-bound books, wooden figures, and photos.
Past the living room was a large spiraling staircase, its banister carved with intricate patterns.
André led the way, his steps muffled by the plush runner.
"You can have my old room," he said, stepping onto the second floor.
"I used to stay here when I attended Loire Academy."
Alexander blinked, clutching his boots.
"You went to Loire Academy?"
He asked, following André down a hallway lined with heavy wooden doors.
André stopped before one of the doors, placing a hand on it.
"Yeah," he nodded, reaching for the brass knob.
Alexander tilted his head.
"Oh, well I thought… It's just that… I uh…"
André chuckled, twisting open the door.
"I didn't wanna go to François, my brother went there, you know?"
Alexander's expression softened as he averted his gaze.
"Oh."
André stepped inside, "This was before he died, buddy. I had already graduated when that happened."
He gestured for Alexander to follow.
"Come on."
The room was spacious—a high ceiling, a tall window overlooking the gardens, and a four-poster bed sat at the corner of two walls.
A wooden desk sat adjacent, neatly stacked with books and faded maps.
Alexander dropped his boots and robes near the desk.
"This is nice."
André clapped and rubbed his hands together.
"And it's yours for the night—Bath is the second door to the left and dinner in an hour, okay?"
Alexander nodded.
"Thanks, André, for everything."
André smirked, ruffling his hair.
"Anytime, buddy."
He then stepped out of the room, closing the door with a click.
Alexander sighed, looking down at his palms.
So much had happened that today felt like a dream.
The pathfinder match, the argument, the breakdown, the apology…
And finally finding a path to achieve his dream.
He didn't want to admit it, but he truly had no idea how to accomplish any of it.
And yet, André made it clear.
Like there was a path.
Alexander smirked as he tightened his fists.
A surge of confidence swelled in his chest.
He raised his head, narrowing his eyes as he peered out the window.
He knew the road ahead was grueling, but for the first time in a long while—he felt pumped.
"I am Alexander Von Daname…"
His resolve hardened as he spoke, the weight of his expectations settled on him like armor.
"…and this is my legacy."
— — —
Dinner was a quiet affair.
Béatrice ate a little, before heading to the third floor—which held the master bedroom.
André stayed and chatted a bit.
He talked about all sorts of topics, from shipbuilding to his childhood.
After a while Alexander excused himself, heading to his room.
Once inside, he crashed against the bed with a groan.
He squirmed around for a bit, attempting to find the most comfortable position.
Eventually, he lay with his right arm and leg dangling off the side.
He yawned, closing his eyes.
But just as sleep reached to claim its prey, there was a soft knock on the door.
Alexander's golden eyes fluttered open.
"It's open." He grumbled, raising with a frown.
The door pushed open to reveal Louise, draped in a simple nightdress.
Her hair rolled down her back—her arms crossed tightly against her chest.
"Are you awake?" She asked, eyes honed.
Alexander blinked twice, like he was shaking off a daze.
"Are you serious?"
He finally asked.
Louise let out a sharp huff.
"Do I look like the type to jest at such an hour?"
Alexander rubbed the back of his neck.
Oh boy… here we go.
"Louise, it's a little late to argue."
Louise's scowl deepened as she stepped into the room.
The door clicked shut behind her.
"Who said I came to argue? I haven't been hostile, yet."
Alexander raised a hand to his face, gripping the sides.
"Then what do you want? I already apologized."
He murmured against his hand.
"And clearly you didn't mean it."
Louise sassed, lowering her hands to her hips.
"You can lead a fool to knowledge but you can't make him think."
Alexander pressed his lips—furrowing his brow.
You know what, screw this.
"You can't talk like a normal person? Come on, you can insult me, at least be real about it."
Louise scoffed.
"Ah, I see your words were as fleeting as your temper."
She stepped closer, "You claim you want to make a change. Did you think a hug and a few kind words would do that?"
She pressed a finger to his chest. "You've been running from the truth so long you forgot what it looked like."
Alexander sat up fully, his golden eyes narrowing.
"And what's the truth? You? I meant what I said, but I'll be damned if you think I'll grovel."
Louise's eyes flashed with anger, "Grovel? Your knees are so dirty I'm surprised you know how to stand."
"You praise Elizabeth like she's a goddess, while she strings you along like the pup you are."
Alexander's jaw tightened, his fist gripping his sheets.
"She doesn't string me along."
He warned, his voice low.
She huffed with bitter amusement.
"Ah, because that's why you slept with her, right?"
Alexander's face flushed as he hopped to his feet.
"How do you… That's… that wasn't what it looked like! How the hell did you even know?"