Chapter 61: Official Departure
Lord Ashbourne dressed with a refined elegance that spoke of both power and wealth. He wore a finely tailored tunic of deep indigo, its fabric woven from rare silken threads that caught the light with a soft sheen.
The high collar was trimmed with delicate silver embroidery in patterns resembling the constellations — a subtle nod to his family's storied lineage. Over his shoulders, he draped a cloak of dark gray velvet, fastened with a brooch of polished obsidian carved into his family crest.
"You look good." Osbourne complemented his twin brother as he stood before him. He moved back a little, taking his brother's dressing into observation a second time only to nod approvingly. "Yup! You definitely look good."
"Haha… Thank you for those words, Osbourne." Lord Ashbourne patted his brother's shoulder forcing a dry smile.
Lord Ashbourne was ready to leave for the mission he'd been assigned and so he added the final touches of his attire and looked at Osbourne one more time.
"Good?" Lord Ashbourne asked his brother.
His boots, crafted from supple leather, bore a simple silver inlay at the cuffs. Lord Ashbourne's only adornment was a slim, silver signet ring, engraved with the mark of his house, worn proudly on his left hand. His attire exuded dignity and strength, commanding respect without excess.
Osbourne grinned, pointing out a thumb toward his twin. "Perfect. Now, let's head to the teleportation hall." He gestured, picking up a small box that belonged to Ashbourne. It was a luxury spatial item that could easily hold up to ten times its observed space and was used by Noblemen and women to look more…noble.
Without needing to speak further, Lord Ashbourne followed behind his brother, both of them heading toward a certain seldom used building of the estate.
As they exited the main building, Lord Terrace found his wife and two children awaiting him. Seth, their third son stood by his mother's side while Emile, their five years old daughter, stared at her father from her mother's loving embrace.
Lord Terrace stretched forth his hand toward his daughter and without hesitation, she leapt from her mother's arm into her father's. "That's my baby girl!" Lord Terrace said with a chuckle, patting her head with a small smile on his face.
He turned to his wife, Lady Danyel. "I'll be there for a week at most and while there, I'll make use of that opportunity to see Damon. It's been a while since I last spoke to him after all." He revealed his intentions to get and she quickly nodded.
"While you're at it, please give this to him for me, will you?." Lady Danyel requested, handing over a small box to her husband then she smiled lightly. "Don't go looking inside unless you want to turn to stone."
Lord Terrace nodded, submitting to his wife's warning. He received the small box and handed it to Osbourne who swiftly placed it inside the bigger box in his hand.
Lord Terrace moved closer to his wife and drew her nearer. Emile, who already expected what came next, closed her eyes just before the couple shared a deep kiss. "Eww…" Emile's voice cut through their kiss, force-stopping both of them from stretching it any longer than intended.
"While I'm away, the family will be in Osbourne's care and according to Duke, he's scheduled to return to the family this evening." Lord Terrace explained to his wife who nodded obediently.
Hearing that Duke would be arriving that evening, Seth's face twisted into a delightful grin.
"Hmm… You seem to be in a good mood, huh, Seth?" Lord Terrace caught sight of his son's grin and posed a question to the young boy.
"Well, you just said uncle Duke is coming. Of course I'll be in a good mood. He's finally returning with the souvenirs he promised me after all." Seth nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Lord Terrace smiled, rubbing his son's head full of silver hair with one hand while still holding on to Emile with the other. "Don't cause a ruckus while father is gone. Protect your mother and sister at all costs too. That is your duty in the absence of your older brother as well as your father."
"Older brothers you mean. They're two after all. Even though big brother Damien is gone, he'll remain a big brother to me." Seth answered innocently which led to a momentary pause in Lord Terrace's movement.
He smiled at his son and nodded. "Of course, of course! You are correct."
Having left a few final words with his wife and two children, it was finally time to depart for his next destination. There were people awaiting him after all.
"I'll be back soon." He said once again to his wife, handing Emile back to her.
Lady Danyel nodded believing in his words. "Go well and return safe as well."
Lord Terrace smiled and walked away, his brother following closely behind him.
They soon arrived at a smaller building within the family estate. It was more like a hall than an accommodation area and only featured one very large hall within. Lord Terrace and his brother walked in and found a few of the guards tending to their various duties. Immediately they saw him and Osbourne, they bowed and then returned to their duties after he dismissed them.
Lord Terrace walked toward the very centre of the large hall where a large magic circle or rather circles were inlaid atop each other. He received his box from Osbourne and smiled one last time. "I'll be back soon." Lord Terrace informed his twin as the magic circles lit up, an array of multicoloured blinding lights.
Swooosh…
The light suddenly died down and Lord Terrace was gone.
He arrived at a different location seconds after the lights died down and surrounding him were three other figures inside of a hall similar to the one he'd just left. Great Elder White Fang, Lord Acheon, and Lord Leah, a female Lord of the Bethral Family.
"You're a minute late. That's unusual." Lord Acheon was the first to speak as he was the closest to Lord Terrace.
"I was caught up in something. My apologies." Lord Terrace said with a subtle bow.
"Save the chitchats for later." Elder White Fang interrupted. "We're off to the Northern Ireleone Continent." Elder White Fang declared and a magic circle was activated with all four figures in the middle.
"They better be expecting us." Lord Acheon mentioned.
"About that…" Elder White Fang's voice was cut off by the teleportation.