The man's piercing gaze bore into Ethereal. "Serelaithe, I know you are soft-hearted, but not everyone can become a Dane. There is no place for weaklings in this villa."
Ethereal's fists clenched, frustration sparking in her eyes. "I am not weak! I am not what you all think! As my aunt Serelaithe Silith said—I am Ethereal Deus Dane! And I will prove myself! Only after that… will I call you my father!"
Her challenge rang through the grand hall, direct and unwavering. Serelaithe's smirk widened, pride crossing her face as she folded her arms.
Ruceous Dane's piercing glaze dulled slightly. "Fine. As you wish. Come, Tahoron—we don't have time to waste here." With that, he and her brother departed, leaving Ethereal standing tall, her heart pounding with both defiance and excitement.
Ethereal lowered her gaze, momentarily overwhelmed. Serelaithe noticed and gently placed her hand on her shoulder.
Ethereal's eyes lifted slightly, a spark of ambition lighting her gaze. "Serelaithe… what is the most powerful position in this realm?"
Taken aback, Serelaithe whispered, "…the Protector of the Realm. Don't tell me…?"
Ethereal's lips curved into a determined smile. "Then I will become the Protector of the Realm."
Serelaithe let out a quiet sigh of relief. Despite the harsh words from her father and brother, Ethereal had not wavered. Instead, she had been galvanized. "It will not be easy, my love. To reach that position, you must first prove yourself… as a Silithrae."
Ethereal nodded firmly. "Then I will. First, I want to go to Elarion… to learn more about my powers."
She raised her hands, focusing intently on the energy flowing through her palms. A faint glow shimmered across her skin, and Serelaithe's lips curved into a smile. The sense of presence and raw potential reminded her of her best friend—just like Ethereal.
The head butler bowed slightly before departing to prepare a room for her. Serelaithe lingered a moment longer, brushing Ethereal's cheek with a tender kiss. "Okay, kid. You leave for Elarion tomorrow. Xero will show you the way."
Ethereal nodded, and Serelaithe left the hall, her figure dissolving into the golden light of the chandeliers.
"Young miss, please head this way," a soft voice came. One of the maids stepped forward and guided her up the grand staircase. Ethereal's small footsteps echoed against the marble floors until the maid stopped before an ornate double door.
With a gentle push, the doors swung open. Ethereal froze in the doorway.
It was the most luxurious room she had ever seen. Rich, lavish colors covered the walls, a bed so vast it looked like a kingdom of pillows stretched across the room, and the softest Couch gleamed under candlelight. A polished table in the center was laden with plates of cookies, delicate sweets, and steaming tea.
"What is this!!?" Ethereal's voice cracked with nervous disbelief.
The head butler, who had joined them, bowed respectfully. "This is your room, my lady. You may use it as you like."
"No way I can accept this!!" Ethereal waved her hands frantically. "Mr. Xero, I'm only staying for one night in this place! I can even sleep on the sofa, you know!"
Xerofin's face tensed, as if the very idea was unthinkable. "My lady, we cannot allow the heiress of the Dane family to sleep on a sofa. Our master would punish us."
Ethereal's lips curved into a pout, her gaze falling to the floor. "But your master doesn't even care about my existence…"
For a moment, the butler's stern demeanor softened. A small smile tugged at his lips. "My lady… our master is like a hard shell. But inside, he is very soft. You know, it has been eleven years since he last spoke to us—or even to young master Tahoron. Since our madam passed, he has not lived like a normal man."
Ethereal's head snapped up, her eyes wide with a fragile hope. "Really? Do you think he will accept me as his kid?"
Xero bent down, lifting her with surprising gentleness, and placed her carefully upon the enormous bed. He tucked the edges of the blanket beside her as if she were something precious. "Whether he accepts you or not, my lady… you will always be our young miss."
His hand came to rest on her shoulder in a soft, reassuring tap.
Ethereal's lips trembled, then curved into a bright, childlike chuckle. Her laughter filled the room, and the maids standing nearby couldn't help but smile along with her. For a brief moment, the entire villa felt warmer, as though the frozen halls themselves had stirred awake at the sound of her joy.