Chapter 6 - Dinner at Caste Xalveria.

A servant walks into the room, pausing swiftly and the entrance before bowing sharply before Alina's parents.

"My Lord, My Lady." He says respectfully, before turning to Alina and Magnus as well. "Lady Alina, Lord Magnus." He bows again, then focuses on Alina's parents.

"May I humbly present the Lord Cassian and Lady Lenore of House Vorathiel, and Lady Isalda of House Morvayne." He announces before stepping aside and making room for the people walking into the room.

Lord Cassian Vorathiel, Magnus' father, enters first, his presence heavy and his stride precise. His dark blond hair is impeccably groomed, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with a careful sweep. Beside him walks Lady Lenore. She is golden and graceful, hair gleaming like sunlight, but her expression is cool perfection. The Vorathiels were just as powerful as the Xalverias. Their Wolves were a beautiful gold that matched the hair colour of the people in that House, their eye colours ranging from different shades of blue. People of the House Vorathiel had the ability of light manipulation and solar transmutation, leading them to draw on light energy to enhance their speed, strength and regenerative abilities. Magnus himself could create beautiful beams of golden light, and could even use them as projectiles, but he rarely used his abilities and preferred hand-to-hand combat.

“Lord Alinos. Lady Kaela,” Lord Cassian greets, his voice calm, but threaded with authority. “Thank you for hosting us.”

“We are honoured by your presence,” Lord Alinos replies, equally measured, just as Alina's mother and Lady Lenore exchange pleasantries as well. The tension between them is older than the walls around them, deep-rooted and heavy with history. Alina watches the exchange, noting every careful inflexion, every rigid posture. Let's just say that the two Houses tolerated each other, and only a few occasions would force their proximity.

Lady Lenore’s eyes land on Alina, and her smile, for once, seems almost genuine. “Alina, darling, you look radiant... It always leaves me shocked how you Xalverias are completely unaffected by the cold...” She chuckles, holding onto the golden fur coat scarf around her neck as she adjusts her blue coat.

“Thank you, Lady Lenore.” Alina nods her head once, a smile playing on her lips as she keeps her hands behind her. "And we can barely feel it. We have a fire going already, so that should make you more comfortable." Alina answers as she takes her place beside her parents, just as Lady Lenore responds with a quaint smile.

Meanwhile, Lord Cassian’s gaze shifts to Magnus like a hawk spotting movement. “Magnus,” he says, cool and collected. “I trust you’ve been behaving yourself.”

Magnus answers with a smirk. “Always, Father.”

Before the barbs can deepen, another figure glides into the hall... one that had not been seen since the announcement.

Lady Isalda Morvayne.

She makes an entrance like she owns the floor, her bright blond hair catching every flash of light, her olive emerald and gold gown flowing like water with each step, her beautiful olive eyes lighting up when she sees Alina.

“Alina!” she exclaims, rushing forward with outstretched hands

“Isalda, welcome," she says, arms wrapping around her friend. Her voice softens, a smile breaking through her guard. Isalda has always been sunshine in stormy rooms.

“You look gorgeous,” Isalda says, eyes sweeping over her as they hold onto her.

“As do you,” Alina replies, her smile widening, finding relief in knowing her friend is here, so maybe their dinner won't be filled with so much tension.

Isalda nods, then turns to bow politely toward the gathered nobles, her charm fluid and natural.

"Lord Alinos, Lady Kaela. Thank you for having us." She bows before smiling back at Alina's mother and stepping forward to embrace her.

"Alina darling, it's lovely to see you." Lady Kaela responds, just as Lord Alinos nods back at Isalda with approval.

After that, the Lords and Ladies retreat to the dining table, where they would begin getting comfortable, leaving Magnus, Alina and Isalda alone together. Isalda finally turns to Magnus, her grin shifting into something almost mischievous. “Magnus, it’s been too long.”

Magnus offers a polite nod. “Isalda. Lovely to see you again.”

As he speaks, he steps closer to Alina, placing a firm hand on her lower back, keeping her close to him. The touch sends a rush of heat to Alina’s face. She doesn’t need to look to know her parents noticed. And Lord Cassian definitely did.

"Come on, let's get settled..." Alina says, just as she encourages Magnus to follow after him. The three of them join their parents and make themselves comfortable around the long table where plates are served and goblets are filled. The initial minutes pass in a haze of forced pleasantries, the silver clinking of utensils the only real sound above the low hum of conversation.

But it doesn’t take long before Lord Cassian shatters the illusion...

“Alina, we heard your training earlier was... impressive,” he says, his tone deceptively pleasant. His eyes, however, narrow like a blade aimed at her throat.

Alina meets his gaze, her expression curious as he watches him. “Thank you, Lord Cassian.”

Lady Lenore’s voice floats in next, light as lace but barbed beneath. “Though one does wonder if such displays are truly necessary for a woman of your station. Surely, there are more... refined ways to secure alliances than brute strength. You are a Lady after all."

The words strike like a slap across the cheek.

Before Alina can respond, her mother steps in, her voice composed but sharp as a drawn sword. “My daughter’s strength is one of her greatest assets,” Lady Kaela says evenly. “In these times, it is better to be prepared than to rely entirely on diplomacy. House Xalveria is one of strength and power, and she displays that perfectly.”

Magnus shifts beside Alina, his hand brushing hers under the table. It's a small gesture, but it helps put her at ease. The last thing they want is their parents fighting. Alina turns to face him, finding his jaw tightened, yet his face remains calm. She knows he doesn't like his mother speaking ill of her...

The conversation veers away, but the tension only thickens. Across the table, Isalda observes it all with the amused detachment of someone watching a drama unfold, sipping her wine like she’s in the front row of a private performance.

Lord Cassian speaks again, this time with studied casualness. “In other news... the royal family of Rhaelyor has been unusually quiet. One might think there’s more to say from the Lycan King and Queen.”

Lord Alinos’ brow shifts just slightly, and his voice stays composed. “King Kalos has reasons for keeping a lower profile. The Kingdom has endured challenges of late. Especially with the rumours of treason...”

Lord Cassian leans forward, his smirk barely veiled. “Challenges, indeed. Though some might say a kingdom without a male heir is facing more than just challenges. Generations have passed, and still... only daughters. Capable, no doubt — but not exactly stabilising. One can't help but wonder where the exiled Lycan Prince is today and when he is likely to return, and that is if, he is even alive...”

The insult hangs in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.

The Exiled Lycan Prince... Valen Rhaelyor... he was the firstborn of the royal family, destined for greatness and promised the throne of his father. But when the time came for him to accept his responsibility, he refused to take on the crown. This brought great dishonour to his father and his House, and as a result, he was stripped of all his titles and names and banished from Volkan, the capital city of Lycania. People aren't sure of why he refused the throne. Some say he wanted to live a normal life outside of royalty... some say he learned vicious truths about his family, and he stood up to his father, which resulted in him being banished. Whatever the truth is, the Kingdom has not heard or seen him in almost 7 years, and some even believe he is now dead...

The absence of Prince Valen left House Rhaelyor with only 3 daughters, leaving the Kingdom divided on the topic of succession. Some believe a woman is not fit to rule the Kingdom, people like Lord Cassian Vorathiel, and the Xalverias worry for how comfortable he feels with expressing that thought...

Lord Alinos’ eyes narrow, his voice firm in his answers. “The women of House Rhaelyor are more than capable of ruling. Queen Valena is proof enough of that and I sure when the time comes, Princess Vernona will make a wonderful Queen.” Lord Alinos responds, knowing fully well that even speaking about this can be considered treason, so why is Lord Cassian so comfortable with doing so?

The shift in his tone is subtle, but the anger is unmistakable. Alina sees it clearly; her father’s loyalty to House Rhaelyor runs deep, as does his friendship with King Kalos, and Lord Cassian’s veiled insult cuts too close to the core.

Lord Cassian’s lips shift into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Of course, Lord Alinos. No disrespect intended. Merely an observation.”

But everyone at the table knows better.

Before the tension escalates further, Lady Kaela intervenes, her voice smooth and comforting.

“Perhaps we should focus on the matters at hand,” she says, tone light yet laced with enough steel to command the room. “After all, tonight is meant to strengthen bonds, not fray them.”

The room shifts, just slightly. Conversation steers itself into safer waters, but the undercurrent of unease lingers. Magnus shares a glance with Alina, his expression calm and quiet, but there’s something else behind his eyes. Concern, perhaps, or frustration... or something much more dangerous...

Alina notices. She’s been watching him too, carefully, noting the way he sits so still in the storm of tense diplomacy. Calm, collected and unshaken. That’s Magnus Vorathiel. If he can keep it together, then so can she. At least, that’s the lie she clings to...