A delightful afternoon in the estate should have nothing short of a good read, a cup of tea and some biscuits on the side.

  Alessandre sat in the garden bench, staring blankly at the flowers. His teaspoon lay motionless in the coffee cup, the black, menacing liquid inside looked even more threatening without the companion of milk. The boy's once beautiful blue eyes were dull, and an ominous dark ring now adorned his sunken sockets.

  The dry-land with a dry tree was the dream the boy has had for the past ten days. Needless to say, insomnia was like a shadow, following poor Aless whenever he tried to sleep - or rather, whenever his brain would remind him of that dream.

  The boy raised the cup to take a sip, letting the bitterness sear through his barely conscious mind.

  Sylphiette also sat in the bench, next to the boy. Quiet as usual, she fiddled around with a flower she picked and admired the lively spring garden. Her feet swung back and forth under the bench, almost, but not quite touching the ground.

  A maid jogged into the garden, panting slightly as well as frantically fixing up her attire.

  "Thank goodness...Aless, finally found you," she said in between breaths, "Elysande is looking for you everywhere."

  Alessandre looked up from his book, the maid winced at the sight of his black-eyes.

  "Is there something she needs? I'll be there in a bit, please tell her," He yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I'll just be here for a few minutes more."

  Sylphiette turned to the boy, tugging at the edge of his deep blue waistcoat.

  "Say, why don't we pay the bookstore another visit?"

  "And why is that?" Alessandre stood up, adjusting his waistcoat.

  "The Felix guy, you keep telling me about him...I figured we should go see him again." Sylphiette blinked, confused.

  "Since you get so weirded out about that guy."

  Alessandre sighed, shrugging inelegantly, "I do suspect some things, that he's perhaps hiding something."

  "There was no hostility in his eyes whatsoever, though."

  The boy chugged down the last of his coffee in large gulps before leaving. Of course, as usual, he would mess up Sylphiette's hair before leaving. Sylphiette scowled, but did nothing to resist.

  The boy opened the garden gate, which revealed the gloomy hallway which led into the main hall. At the end of the hallway stood Elysande and a strangely dressed man in a top hat, they seemed to be conversing about something, and the man pushed a sheet of paper into Elysande's hands almost demandingly.

  "Elysande, you were looking for me?" The boy raised his voice slightly so he could be clearly audible at the end of the hallway, which had great avail as Elysande's face lit up with excitement.

  "Ah! Young master, there you are!" She drifted in front of Alessandre in a speed that seemed impossible for such an elderly lady.

  "This, this is the Mr. Wilhelm," the head maid explained excitedly as she gestured towards the man, "Please, introduce yourself to the Lord."

  "Lord Alessandre, it is truly a great pleasure to meet you," The man smiled as he brought his hat to his chest and bowed like a gentleman, "You're even more good looking than they tell me!"

  "Might have to close down whatever false news they're spreading!" Alessandre responded with a light laugh.

  "You have a great sense of humour for someone your age," the man chuckled, "Forgive my frankness, but how old might you be in your next birthday?"

  "Ten," Alessandre sighed, "only seventy more to go."

  The man laughed heartily, there is a soothing melody in his deep voice. He quickly realised his composure slipping away, clearing his throat awkwardly.

  "Anyways, Lord. I am Cleide Wilhelm, you may just call me Cleide, of course. I come to inform that you, along with a couple other houses have been invited to a great trip. It is hosted in Luthenburg, by the Emperor himself, his majesty Alexander Heiter, the Fifth."

  Alessandre felt his eyes widen, a surprised smile hung at his lips. "You're from Cranes! What business would his majesty, the Emperor of Cranes have with me?" However, Alessandre can't help but notice the eavesdropping of other servants that seem to crowd around the man, especially at the mention of the other houses.

  "Well, Lord Alessandre, as you know, it is one of our country's greatest values to establish a friendly and prosperous relationship with that of Aetherune. We would also like to discuss some further trades and agreements in this trip. And worry not, the emperor himself will cover the entire trip, of course, I mean not to diminish the extent of your wealth."

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  Alessandre narrowed his eyes, "I hope you do realise that the Vera family rarely take part in politics, especially after my father's disappearance. If you are looking for political cooperation, it'd be best to look for other houses that have great influence in politics. We have fairly limited political power, unless you are seeking to discuss business with the Aetherune navy? In that case I could assist."

  The man shook his head frantically, "Oh no, no, no! It is simply a gathering, lord, we value friendship over business! In two weeks, our emperor will be expecting the gift of your visit, please do come." The man shook Alessandre's hand with both of his, "the emperor has explicitly stated there needn't be any presents, so please keep that in mind. As of now, I will be taking my leave." The man turned around, a servant quickly followed to help him navigate to the exit.

  Alessandre turned to Elysande, the stared back with great enthusiasm. "What do you say, young master? I've always wanted to pay a visit to Cranes. It's such an advanced city, old me has stayed in this village my whole life..."

  "O-of course! If you wish to go, then we will go. However..." Alessandre paused,

  "Are you worried about the next Lunston Gathering?" Elysande saw right through the boy's hesitancy.

  The Lunston Gathering is the pinnacle of Aetherune's aristocratic ritual, held annually in the sacred city's marble hall. The sacred Lunston temporarily transforms into a nightless city, and the stars would often be outshined by the dense fireworks. The gathering is held to honour Luminach, the goddess of Art, Culture and scholarship, as well as discuss Aetherune's foreseeable future and political plans, benefits, trades, and so on. The Gathering includes several events such as hunting and polo. As tradition, the house that comes out victorious is often regarded with more power during discussions.

  Of course, the undercurrents are also unavoidable in such a stressful event. Some small houses become desperate, large houses wish to keep their place. Often times, morals are placed beneath benefits.

  To Alessandre, this dreadful event hung just a fortnight away.

  Alessandre sighed yet again, folding the invitation to Cranes carefully, "Elysande, prepare our travel papers. We'll take a couple people with us. Choose whoever you think has worked the best, or whatever." Alessandre shook his head tiredly, "as for me, I'll pay the bookstore a visit with Sylph, after that I'll go to sleep early. Don't prepare my dinner."

  The bookstore smelled normal, an old, pungent mix of ink and papers. Felix Viren glanced up from his papers and greeted the two as he fumbled with another stack.

  Mr. Blake is here too, napping in his chair with a stack of newspapers over his face.

  "Oh, it's you two." Mr. Blake rubbed his forehead under the newspapers, "look, I'm not going to repeat myself. Take your books and leave, don't disturb my nap."

  "Apologies Mr. Blake. We'll just take a look around, thanks!" Alessandre smiled politely, Sylphiette followed suit.

  "Also, Mr. Blake, I wouldn't suppose you'd be interested in a trip to Cranes?" Alessandre reluctantly asked,

  "Too old for that crap. Let me rot in peace." Blake muttered bluntly as usual, "if you want someone to take, go bother Felix instead. He's young and alive."

  Alessandre turned to Felix, "Well, Cranes, ever been?" Felix went red, "I-I um...my family isn't well off...so I've never left Aetherune...."

  Alessandre shrugged, "Wanna tag along then? Emperor's invitations~"

  "I'd love to but..." Felix seemed reluctant, "I've got to go back to school..."

  "Elysande could probably get you a few weeks of vacation. Money talks, no?"

  "But...I, um...can't." Felix doubled down, "I've got Mr. Blake to take care of, no? And this bookstore too!"

  "Old me can handle myself kid! I've been in this bookstore longer than you existed." Mr. Blake's rough voice boomed.

  Felix sighed. "If that's the case, then yeah, I'll tag along. When's the trip?"

  "In two weeks, prepare your luggage. We'll do your papers." Alessandre smiled politely.

  "Felix!" Suddenly, a beaming voice broke the awkward interaction. A girl stood at the door, holding a tray of cookies, a light blush colouring her cheeks. "I brought you some cookies...thought you'd like them. I baked them myself" She spoke proudly with an air of extroversion that seemed to overpower the very presence of Felix himself.

  "Oh, Alessandre and Sylphiette, you guys are here too!" She took two cookies from the tray, bent down and handed one to each. "You've got to enjoy them when they're still hot. I put extra butter in too! And you, Mr. Blake. Have some as well!"

  Sylphiette accepted the cookie solemnly, nibbling on the edge of it. "It's...warm." She declared. Alessandre bit into his too, feeling the buttery crunch while his eyes darted to Felix, suddenly busy rearranging shelves.

  "Thank you Suzie," Alessandre looked at the 'busy' Felix, "Come on, Felix. Don't get so nervous over it. Suzie's baked them for you, it's not gentlemanly to avoid a gift from a girl now, is it?"

  "I-I, um..." Felix stammered, but gave in to Alessandre's tease. "I, um...will have some. Thank you very much, Suzie."

  Suzie's smile lit up as she pushed her tray in front of Felix.

  Alessandre grinned, unable to resist his own mischief, "Now, if I were you, I would have invited her to have some coffee. There's a nice café down the street. You know, just to be a gentleman. But that's just me." Alessandre raised his hand in the air, as if avoiding any sort of responsibility. Sylphiette nodded next to him, still nibbling on the cookie, as if were too precious to finish in one go.

  Felix's fingers whitened on the shelf-edge, his eyes darting to Suzie before it becomes fixated on the dust-clad shelf. "Coffee...? I-I um, schoolwork. You know how it is..."

  Alessandre's eyes lit up. There it is. That familiar blue glint, he turned to Sylphiette, who stared back at him. Her eyes in a mix of confusion and shock. She opened her mouth to say something, but was seized by a trade of glances.

  "Even the mightiest of warriors has a weakness for women. That much is true. Not to mention someone like Felix." The boy thought to himself.

  "Boy, take her to the coffee shop will'ya? Kids these days have no clue what they're doing in life." Mr. Blake's voice rang out and nailed the coffin shut. Felix turned to stone, but quickly hid his embarrassment in a cloud of dust.

  "T-then what more is there to be said, haha..." he laughed to himself, "see you guys later then...I'll be having a cup of coffee with Suzie..."

  Suzie's smile practically lit the room. She quickly dragged Felix out of the dusty cavern before the young man could react, before leaving, she turned around and gave Alessandre a thankful wink.

  "Remember to pack your stuff for Cranes! Suzie will be coming along too!" Alessandre and Sylphiette yelled in sync.

  "Boy's got some stuff he's hiding. You guys see it too, hm?" Blake muttered quietly.

  "Mhm." Sylphiette nodded again, licking the last few crumbs off her fingers, "Alessandre has been telling me about it, I believe him now."

  Mr. Blake chuckled, a little more lively than before, "You believe ...now? What about before? I thought you two trusted each other with practically anything."

  Sylphiette panics slightly, puffing out her cheeks, "It didn't make sense to me before..."

  "You kids are too sharp. Learn from him." Blake leans back. Sighing tiredly.