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Chapter 8 - Chapter: 8 Departure

A week had passed in the blink of an eye, and the day finally came for Vivian to leave the estate and attend the Akron Academy.

He had carefully packed his belongings, making sure to include the sword his father had gifted him on his tenth birthday.

The night before, he had spoken with his family, and this morning he had bid farewell to the loyal servants and knights who had watched him grow.

Now, standing at the gates, it was truly time for him to depart—but…

"Why do you have to go? Sniff… sniff… I'll be all alone! Brother, please don't go!" Edward wept, tears streaming down his face as he clung tightly to Elena, who was weeping just as bitterly.

Vivian glanced at his father, who only smiled bitterly, choosing silence over words.

'Sigh… They had been fine just yesterday, laughing together as if nothing would change.'

But now that the moment of parting had come, they couldn't hold back their tears. One by one, their emotions spilled over pitifully.

His mother had begun weeping the moment he started preparing to leave, while Edward… Edward had been crying since morning without pause.

"Mother, I'm not leaving forever. I'll return after six months, so please don't cry," Vivian said gently, trying to comfort her. But as the words left his lips, his chest tightened.

The thought of not seeing them for half a year weighed heavily on his heart, threatening to undo his own composure.

"Sniff… sniff… but… but I won't be able to see my son for six whole months…" his mother choked out between sobs.

Beside her, Edward was even worse off, his tears streamed endlessly, his voice breaking so much that he could barely form words.

Vivian pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped their eyes. Without speaking, he drew both of them into a warm embrace, holding them close.

"You don't have to worry about me," he said softly. "I'll take care of myself."

Then he bent down, meeting Edward at eye level. "Edward, make sure to practice your sword diligently. When I return, we'll spar, and I expect you not to disappoint me."

"Hic… hic… I—I won't disappoint you! Sniff…" Edward managed between sobs before collapsing deeper into his brother's embrace, his small frame trembling with emotion.

After finally calming his mother and brother, Vivian turned to his father. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and embraced him tightly, clinging to the strength he had always relied on.

"I… I will make sure to make your name even more honorable," Vivian said, his voice trembling, his nose tingling as he fought back the tears threatening to spill. "I'll bring glory to our family."

His father's arms tightened around him, steady and reassuring. "Yes… I know," he replied softly, his own emotions wavering. "And I'm grateful that you are my son." He paused, taking a steadying breath before continuing, "But remember, you don't need to chase honor for us. Live as you wish, and do what makes your heart proud."

Charlotte, who had been quietly watching from the side, made no sound. She simply observed the warmth of their bond, a rare sight in this age.

Families like theirs were almost impossible to come across, most were riddled with bitter struggles for power, torn apart by greed and rivalry between siblings.

Her own family was no exception, its foundation cracked by ambition and endless schemes.

Compared to that, the Zenithara household stood like an untouched haven, bound together not by duty but by genuine affection.

For a fleeting moment, Charlotte felt something stir within her, a quiet envy she couldn't quite suppress.

"Shall we depart?" Charlotte asked softly as Vivian approached her after finishing his farewells.

"Yes," he nodded, forcing a smile.

With one last wave toward his family, Vivian stepped into the carriage Charlotte had arrived in. She followed after him, her expression calm as ever.

"Make sure to write letters," his mother called out, her sobs finally quieting, though her eyes still glistened with tears.

"Yes, I'll write," Vivian replied gently from the window.

"Br–Brother," Edward managed to choke out between hiccupping sobs, "don't you dare get weaker! Next time we meet… I'll win!"

Vivian's lips curved into a tender smile. "I'll bring you a gift when I return. So don't slack off in training."

Edward nodded furiously, his cheeks wet and swollen from crying.

"Son," his father said, his voice steady, carrying no weight of expectation, only warmth. "Don't worry about us. Just enjoy yourself at the academy."

"I will, Father," Vivian answered firmly.

After exchanging their final goodbyes, he turned toward Charlotte and gave her a small nod.

"Set off."she instructed the driver holding the reins.

The carriage lurched forward, wheels creaking as the estate slowly began to fade into the distance.

Behind their carriage rode ten of House Zenithara's most elite knights, their armor gleaming in the sunlight as they escorted not only the heir of their house but also the princess of the Indrath Empire.

"Haa… that was hectic." Vivian sighed as the carriage finally rolled past the gates of the estate.

"You should be happy to have such a caring family," Charlotte replied, her tone calm but not without warmth.

"Well, that's true," Vivian admitted with a soft chuckle. Though his future remained uncertain, the luck he had cursed all his life must have taken pity on him, at least enough to grant him a family that loved him so deeply.

"How many days will it take to reach the capital? I've never been there before, so I can't really estimate," Vivian asked as he gazed out the carriage window.

They were passing through the bustling shopping district of the Zenithara estate, where merchants called out their prices and customers haggled eagerly.

The streets were alive with voices, color, and movement.

"It will take two days," Charlotte replied.

"We'll be stopping in nearby cities to rest for the night at an inn along the way." Her words were steady, but her eyes remained fixed on him, filled with an affection that went beyond what simple companionship could express.

"Well, two days isn't that long," Vivian replied. "So… are there any exceptional students in the academy?" he asked, turning toward Charlotte.

In truth, he wanted to confirm whether the main leads of his book had already enrolled.

"There are a few," Charlotte said after a pause. Her tone was casual, almost dismissive.

"But I don't remember their names." From her expression, it was clear she truly hadn't bothered remembering, such details didn't interest her in the slightest.

Seeing her expression, Vivian didn't press the matter any further. Instead, he leaned back against the seat, letting the steady rhythm of hooves and the creak of wheels echo in his head. Slowly, the sound carried him away from the weight of farewells and into the uncertain road ahead.

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