A woman in her forties stepped into the room, deep dark circles under her eyes betraying sleepless nights, and a voice tinged with fatigue. "You're back, Taylor. I'm glad," she said, her gaze overflowing with emotions she tried to contain.
Taylor turned to her, his face as impassive as ever. "Mother, why did you ask me to return so urgently?" he asked, his voice cold, almost detached.
Accustomed to her son's cold demeanor, Celestine showed no surprise. With a nod, she addressed the maid who always accompanied her. "Go fetch his favorite dessert."
She seated herself at the head of the table, Taylor to her right, as the servants arranged breakfast before them.
When the maid returned with the dessert, she placed it in front of him. Taylor, pausing his meal, immediately indulged in it without a word.
After finishing breakfast, Celestine rose and gestured for Taylor to follow, walking toward her study in silence.
Once inside, Celestine fixed him with a grave gaze. "Changes are occurring in Thaloria."
Thaloria, a planet of nine continents inhabited by various species, was far from simple. Their own continent consistently ranked last in strength compared to the others.
Taylor didn't pause to question the anomaly. With a decisive, pragmatic tone, he asked, "What do I need to do?"
Knowing her son well, Celestine skipped the long explanations. "Do you want to try attending an academy?" she proposed firmly.
Taylor's crimson eyes met his mother's deep blue ones. After a brief silence, he replied in his usual cold tone, "Fine."
After giving him a few brief instructions on what to expect, Celestine ordered him to prepare for the journey the following day.
In the evening, after settling in, he dined with his mother. When she suggested he bring soldiers to the academy, Taylor refused immediately.
The next morning, after a relaxing bath, he prepared calmly before heading down for breakfast. Just as he was about to leave for the dining hall, Rebecca arrived to inform him that there was a guest.
Crossing the threshold of the formal meeting room, he was greeted by an atmosphere of refined elegance: measured conversations, full of passion and subtlety, wrapping around him like an invisible veil.
Ignoring the person seated across from Celestine, Taylor addressed his mother calmly: "I'm about to depart."
Before Celestine could react, the young woman standing before her rose. A perfect, measured smile graced her lips. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Jessica," she said, her voice clear and confident. "It's an honor to meet the heir of House Flame."
Taylor looked at her: hair like sacred gold, eyes glowing like divine sunlight. Her figure moved with natural grace, curves delicate as if sculpted by an artist.
With a cold expression, he replied, "I hope you feel comfortable here." He was about to turn and leave when Celestine stopped him firmly. "Wait, Taylor. Jessica will come with you."
Taylor halted, turned, and nodded. Then, approaching Jessica, he gently took her hand and led her toward the door.
Hand in hand, they reached the carriage prepared for the long journey ahead. Taylor glanced at her and asked calmly, "Do you need to bring anything else, or are you only taking the bag in your hand?"
Jessica's cheeks flushed slightly, but a gentle smile curved her lips. "No, I'm ready. Let's go," she replied softly.
And so, without further hesitation, the two departed—leaving Celestine standing there, stunned by what she had just witnessed.