About forty minutes passed as a knock came at the door.
A guard from inside opened the door when no answer came, as voices continued the discussion on their agreement.
"Thank you," the man said to the guard as he passed him.
The man who entered the hall was not the same as the one who had left.
No sack over his shoulder, no ripped clothes, no dirt-stained skin. But the slight limp was still present even if he tried very hard to hide it.
Yet now, in his custom-made formal attire, the limp almost looked gracious.
With an azure high-collared tunic fitted to his shape, with a sharp cut at the shoulders, making him appear larger than he was, embroidered with silver linings across the stitches of the tunic, that, paired with his rough and short gray hair, gave him the presence of the true meaning of Noble among Noble Bloods.
His trousers were of a dark ivory, tight but flexible on his legs, putting in evidence the developed muscle and superior genetics he was bestowed with at birth.
And it was all held together by a black leather strap, with the sigil of Blood Denegis, engraved in silver, as the clasp.
The boots were made of black leather, as was the rest of the attire, handcrafted by the most prestigious of artisans in Duldera, pairing wonderfully with the trousers he had tucked inside the boots.
And the final two pieces he had on him were a long cloak of the same azure as his tunic, clasped onto his left shoulder, and a pair of white gloves he held tucked into his belt by his side, visible and not covered by the cloak, a sign used between Noble Bloods to show that no weapons are hidden behind it.
His entrance was barely noticed, with the only two people hearing his arrival being Lucien and Celine, who turned and stared at him as he walked all the way to the table, before the others present could notice him.
But none of them spoke, since the last of the terms of the alliance between Blood Seraph and Blood Denegis were currently being agreed upon.
"And the engagement ceremony with your daughter, Sera, and my son, Aidan, will proceed to happen tomorrow after the talks, agreed?" Fiamma asked, now on her feet, offering her hand to be shaken and the deal to be made.
"Agreed," Elion nodded, shaking her hand firmly.
"Lady Mera, are the terms agreeable to you as well?" Fiamma questioned, offering her hand to her, as well.
"They are, Lady Fiamma. I only ask that you take care of Sera as if she were your daughter." Mera smiled warmly, sadness visible behind her warm smile.
"With my life," Fiamma vowed, "But now that the talks are over and your son has returned, I find it distasteful for Aidan and me to linger here any longer and disturb the rest of the talks. We will rest for the night and continue our talks tomorrow," she smiled as she turned, her horns almost grazing the forehead of Lord Lucien.
"Apologies, my Lord Lucien," said Fiamma, panicking.
Lucien chuckled, hearing her, "Not to worry, Lady Seraph, I've had worse. Good night."
"Good night, Lady and Lord Seraph. Allow my steward, Drew, to take you to your rooms."
Fiamma and Aidan slightly bowed to their host for the night, "Thank you, Lord Elion. Lords, Ladies, have a wonderful evening!"
"Take a seat, Blanc," Elion invited as Blanc stood behind, waiting for the talks to conclude, not wanting to disturb the conversation from before.
"Very well," he nodded, taking a free seat between Kael and Lune.
"That was very romantic," Lune giggled in a whisper as he sat down.
"I know, right?" he grinned, patting her head.
"Well then, let us continue, now that Lord Blanc looks part of the mighty Blood Denegis," laughed Lucien, as he watched Blanc and Lune whisper.
"As you say, uh, Lucien," Blanc nodded, still unsure if he could address him casually, "However, let me apologize once more for the state I was in earlier."
"Nothing to worry about, my Lord Blanc," said Celine, petting the pelt of the lynx she had in her arms.
"As my daughter says, Blanc, your character shone brighter than the outfit you had on… or what remained of it."
Half the table laughed at the joke, before the tension slowly rose again.
"As the letter you sent suggested, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Blanc is to marry my daughter in a matrilineal marriage. Is the information accurate?" Lucien asked.
Elion sighed, perhaps still angry with the decision, but not showing it fully, "That was the decision my son took, yes."
"And is this fine with you, Blanc?" began Lucien, "No child born in such a marriage will be of Blood Denegis, are you really fine with that?"
Blanc straightened before answering with a sharp nod, "Absolutely."
Lucien stood there, watching with intense pressure, searching Blanc's eyes for half-truths. While he did not have anything to hide, ensuring he never broke eye contact, sweat began forming on his forehead, as the pressure he felt was barely visible, the stags in him telling him to run away as far as he could.
He knew the pressure of a predator; he had barely just killed one hours ago, yet he would have to fight a thousand at once to compare to the pressure Lucien of Blood Maroux made him feel.
What manner of creature is he? What monster has he confined in the shard hidden inside his heart? Blanc wondered as the eye contact kept up for another second longer, before Lucien took his eyes away, laughing.
"My Lord Lucien?" asked Elion.
"Do not mind me. It's just that your son just keeps on amazing me every time I look at him."
"What does your Lordship mean?" Mera questions, confused.
"I'll be direct," Lucien said, "A matrilineal marriage would greatly benefit us. After hearing from Bezel Domini about your situation, we understood the proposal came more from the need for survival and a strong alliance than from any form of love or interest; no shame in that. In your place, I might have done the same. So, my wives and I agreed on a small test, if you wish to call it that. To see whether the man in question is truly worthy of marrying into our Blood, or if we should simply accept the alliance and allow Celine to take as many husbands as she pleases. The alliance would still stand, but it would mean little in our daughter's life."
"And how did I fare?" Blanc curiously asked.
"Splendid! Truly splendid! So now, as the Patriarch of Blood Maroux, let me make another proposition for this alliance between our Bloods. Celine Maroux will marry the second son of Blood Denegis, patrilineally and normally, as is customary most of the time, with a single request. If Blanc and Celine are to be blessed with many sons, we only request Blood Denegis, grant Blood Maroux one son from their marriage, to be raised and nurtured as heir to Blood Maroux."
"My Lord Lucien," Elion jumped to his feet, but shut himself up before moving his head to Blanc, who was deep in thought, "Blanc?"
"Is Lady Celine in agreement with the marriage being on our side?" Blanc wondered out loud, moving his sight towards Celine.
"I'm sure our unity will bring strength to both our Bloods, Blanc. So, yes, definitely," she smiled as she did a standing curtsy.
"Then I will also agree to whatever terms my future wife chooses for us," Blanc began, "If she is willing to part with a son for your Blood to raise, then I agree as well."
Lucien, once more shocked by Blanc's words, started laughing again, "The High Monarch would have loved the boy."
A moment of silence ensued for the High Monarch's tragic passing before Lucien quietly turned toward Celine.
"So there you have it, Celine of Blood Denegis," he chuckled, "What is your answer?"
"It will be an honor to have a son raised by Blood Maroux to be nurtured as the future heir of the Blood. I accept the terms agreed upon."
"And there you have it," Lucien grinned, getting to his feet with his hands wide open, "Then tomorrow we will have two engagement ceremonies."