Valeriana's heart stopped when Corvan welcomed her to his continent. One reason was because she felt the sudden rush of trepidation at the thought of facing the lord and lady of Arlandia--simply Corvan's mother and father. If Corvan was this cold and arrogant . . . oh, goodness. She silently hoped the tree wasn't like the fruit--as weird as that sounded. The second reason was that Corvan smiled.

He was smiling a lot more often lately. Whereas he had become more of a jerk as well, dragging her into several of his mess and forcing her to go along. The most recent before this incident was when he pulled her into fighting with him for a certain price and he made her into some sort of ragdoll--throwing her around to all sorts of direction.

Well, she couldn't say she disliked this side of him. It was a refreshing sight to see from a person usually full of himself. As time went by, within a few months of her stay in the Academy as one of the Twelve, she was starting to see more sides to the Circle than she first saw them as.

Thinking back on those times she first met these people, she sure have gotten far.

A smile made its way to her lips as well as she looked up to meet emerald green eyes. "I just hope I don't get burned."

Corvan averted his gaze as he paused on their tracks. Valeriana stopped behind him and watched as, for the rarest of times, the sincerity seeped into his face. "First, before we continue, I want to apologize sincerely for my actions. It was very impertinent of me, not to mention, insensitive."

"Nah, I somewhat get you. I'm used to you being callous as always."

The muscle on his brow made a visible twitch at her comment. "You call me callous?"

"If not a jerk, yes." She crossed her arms and shot him a challenging look. "Besides, I thought through it, I get that you're going through a lot. It's the heir thing, yes, I know. I'm not anywhere near your position so I won't ever really be able to sympathize with you, but, seriously . . . you should stop giving me the trouble."

"And you say I bring the trouble when you yourself frequently attracts them the most?" He argued.

Valeriana gave him a weary look before flicking her wrist at him dismissively. "Don't state the obvious. Tell me something I don't know." She sighed. "Like, for example, what I'm supposed to expect walking into this hell hole."

Corvan exhaled heavily at the thought. "My father is a stern person and he expects everyone to behave around him accordingly. My mother may be the complete opposite, but she's unpredictable. My younger sister--"

"Huh. Wait. Hold on." She stared him in shock. "You're younger sister."

"That's right. Emmillyse." His smile grew more irksome. "You were unaware?"

"Heck, yeah."

"She was born three years or so before I left the palace. She was but a mere toddler." He said. "So I'm somewhat wondering how she is. Rumors say she is a demon as much as she is an angel."

Valeriana found herself laughing at that statement. "Now I see it runs in the family!" She doubled over, her laughter ceaseless. It took a while for her to recover, but as soon as she did, she was wiping off the tears from the corner of her eyes. "She must be cute though."

"Her presence is yet to be announced. Members of the noble families are usually held secret until they are at least ten years of age."

"Is that to protect them?"

"Yes. The world of the aristocrats are filled with danger from every corner. Numerous assassination attempts go about more frequently than one would know." He said. "If I'm not mistaken, Emmillyse is only six."

"She has four years to go." Valeriana whispered, under deep thought. "Are we talking Valemnian age here?"

"Yes."

"Oh, so five years old in human standards. That means your sister's around three?"

"Must be." He answered.

"Okay. So you have a younger sister, what am I supposed to do again?"

"Just be yourself. The child's said to be very sharp, and I have yet to see her after a long while."

"That isn't too comforting."

"Not to mention my Grandmother's here."

"Oh, great. The grandparents." She blew out an anxious sigh. "Usually, in movies, they're the hard ones to please."

"It may or may not apply to reality." Corvan advised.

"Puh-lease." She rolled her eyes.

"It really matters not what happens in this gathering."

Valeriana glared at him. "You saying?"

"They can't do anything about what I choose for myself, it is time I stop playing the perfect son." He told her. "If I am to be the lord of these lands, I must make it known I shall not bow down to anyone else and bend my own principles to accomodate their likes and dislikes."

"Well, I guess that makes sense."

"I have learned a lot during my time away." Corvan's shoulders visibly tensed. "I must show it is so."

Valeriana bit down on her lip as she saw the pressure on him flaring in his aura. It was obvious. Hesitantly reaching out to him with her gloved hands, she lightly touched his shoulder and instead gave him the biggest smile she had.

"Don't worry about, idiot jerk. I'll help you with it. I'm not sure I can do much but whatever."

He gave her a neutral look, his brows rising to his hairline. "If you mean to comfort me, why must you call me such a degrading name?"

"'Cuz I like it." She told him. "And it helps remind you whatever kind of lord you'll be, you'll always be the Corvan I know. Keeps you from inflating too big." Valeriana grinned. "Isn't that what fiancees do, though?"

He faced her fully. "Yes, I suppose."

That triggered an awkward atmosphere. Valeriana found herself turning beet red and averting her gaze. She never knew it would make her so embarrassed.

"Let us go." Corvan told her, advancing forward.

His statement caused a disturbance which the girl was grateful for, and she happily followed him through the back garden of his home.

"By the way," she said after him. "I expect a grand tour."

-*-

Valeriana's heart was literally pounding inside her chest as they came up to the doors leading inside. The guards spotted the young heir and stiffened at the sight of him, bowing hastily at the waist and throwing their gazes to the floor as they held the handles of the huge double doors and pulled it wide open for them to go through. They gave a questioning glance Valeriana's way, but did not speak anything else aside from a greeting.

"Welcome back, Lord Corvan." They simultaneously chorused. "Welcome to the Ember Palace, milady."

Valeriana muttered a small hello in return as Corvan pulled her to his side and took her arm, wrapping it around his. She gave him a raise of her brows which was returned by a stern look.

"Remember your part." He reminded her silently.

"Oh, um . . . okay." Valeriana nodded hesitantly, her hold on him tightening instantly. "Fine." She muttered, sighing heavily to herself as they made their way inside.

Corvan then straightened his spine and gave the guards a domineering glance. "Announce our arrival." He said simply before pulling Valeriana along and entering the halls of the grand structure he hadn't entered in over two years.

The arching ceilings seemed to stand over a hundred feet above them, with glittering lights from the sparkling chandelier and the sublime murals highlighted with brilliant shades of gold, the paint seeming to glow on its own. The interior design was appealing to the senses, the walls colored bold shades of glittering red and cream, the latter mostly dominant over the other. It was indescribable in Valeriana's vocabulary. She could only dream of being in Corvan's position--walking through these halls everyday, only to be surprised every time she would land her eyes on its aesthetic figure.

Narrow, yet, at the same time, wide. Grand and sophisticated.

The marbled floor had swirling patterns and glittering spots to it--as though imbedded by jewels.

"Who built this place?" She asked in wonder. "No wonder Raziel kept going on and on about the Ember Palace being one of the most beautiful structures that were built or something."

"Brion Jarez had a talent for creation. This place was his greatest masterpiece." He told her, their footfalls reverberating loudly as they moved in a casual pace. "A master artisan who designed several of the strongest yet resplendent buildings in the world. He crafted the Ember Palace out of flowing magma, the walls out of diamond dusts, igneous rocks, and everything under the soil. The red color was a distinct quality very unique to this place only."

"Only one person? You telling me?"

"He was a prodigy in terms of sculpture and painting. It took him several years to construct the palace. This is actually his last piece."

"He died?"

"He disappeared. Brion Jarez had the best control over the element of Earth over anyone else. He was one, powerful man."

"Seems like most famous people likes to make a disappearing act."

"Tell me something I don't know." Corvan replied.

The girl slapped his arm. "That's my line!"

"Refrain from hitting me. You haven't filed any claims it's yours." He bluntly replied, grunting at the impact of her hand on his arm.

"Shuddup. Anyway, his name sounds familiar." Valeriana thoughtfully muttered. "By any chance, is he one of the Celestial Knights?"

"I'm surprised you're aware." He told her.

"I'm not that of an idiot. I may be horribly slow, but I try to do my homework." She mentally thanked sword Cifaro. "He reminds me of Brindon. Their names sound so similar too, it's scary. He loves painting too."

"I can see the similarities."

Silence filled the gap between them for a few moments.

"Where are we going?" She finally asked.

"The tea room." He said. "Seeing as it is already around noon, I expect my family assembled in there as it is customary."

"What do they do there?"

"Family matters. They talk over nothing for a whole hour. This happens only once a month."

With the information at hand, Valeriana gulped nervously and made the sign of the cross. She disregarded Corvan's questioning look and instead tried to think how the heck she was going to survive this.

"How far 'til we get there?"

"With the size of the palace, about ten minutes, I suppose. Be at ease. It won't happen immediately."

His words gave her relief and she visibly relaxed herself at the knowledge. As odd as it sounded, she was feeling comfortable with her arm hooked around his. Corvan, contrary to his usual inclination, was actually a bit more of a gentleman currently. Last thing she could remember was that he dragged her off without even caring--by the collar, nonetheless--in order to train for archery.

Old times.

As she gave herself several ridiculous thoughts to temporarily rid her brain of the anxiety-instigating scenarios she imagined a few seconds before, she simultaneously drowned herself with the sight the Ember Palace had to offer--large windows with a view of nature past the glass, and giant columns with what seemed to her as snaking dragon sculptures.

"They aren't dragons." Said Corvan. "They're actually the twin-tailed lions. They were depicted only with long bodies."

Valeriana was shocked. She broke away from him and gave him a wide-eyed stare. "How did you know what I was thinking?"

"You were muttering to yourself. How can I not know?"

"Then stop listening." She told him.

"You cannot tell that to someone who has ears." He then stopped, making her question him as she walked a few steps ahead of him, stopping herself only when she noticed.

"Why'd you stop?" She inquired.

"We have arrived." He replied.

She gulped at this as the young heir motioned for the door they stood in front of. It was emblazoned with a crest depicting a twin-tailed lion with its jaws wide open, a ball of fire sitting between the set of narrow-edged teeth.

"Come here." He motioned for her.

She crossed her arms. "Ugh."

"Take my hand. It will not be convincing if you're standing five feet away from me."

"Good gods, Corvan von Vaushna de la Wylden." She grumbled.

"You agreed already. You cannot back out now."

She shook her wrists. "You are so goddamned dead. Why did I agree to this?"

"Come on."

Valeriana could not erase the sour look on her face as though she was going to vomit that Corvan sighed as he looked over her once. She uncomfortably shifted her weight from one foot to another, wishing she would not trip on either as soon as she walked forward.

"You stupid witch." Corvan breathed. "You're drooling."

"I-I am? Oh my god." She wiped her mouth, only to find it dry.

Corvan smirked.

Valeriana huffed at him and threw a punch to his chest. "Bastard. Don't make me worry over things like that! You're still such a jerk, I swear to god I'll shove you into some trash bin as soon as everything's over!"

"I couldn't help it. You seemed as though you were going to fall over and die any second."

"Well, give me a reason not to." She challenged him.

He drew closer to her, his eyes trained straight to hers. The difference in their height forced her to look up at him, the corners of her mouth turned down as she gazed back at him with the most heated eyes she could manage. Even so, their proximity made her breath hitch on her throat, and as he got even closer, she leaned away from him in wonder about what he planned to do.

"What are you--"

Two of his fingers flew forward and flicked her forehead, making her wince as soon as they made contact.

"You're really such a--"

"Are you better?" He asked.

Valeriana took a deep breath and realized the nervousness and anxiety were all gone that very moment, like a fleeting brush of the wind disappearing with no trace. She blinked in confusion as her arm was guided to weave with the young lord's, the doors breaking open to reveal a cozy interior hosting a group of people within.

Eyes were drawn to their arrival, a few showed slight disbelief at the sight of the two, but the reactions of the most were neutral.

A familiar face rose among the group. The man Valeriana recognized as Corvan's cousin moved forward to greet the both of them enthusiastically, his eyes first landing on the lord before the girl.

"Seems like they're here." Valeriana's head snapped to the direction of the voice and saw Alovia sipping her cup of tea. She gave Valeriana a taunting smile, her glare subtle yet sharp at the same time.

What is the biatch doing here? She thought angrily.

"Lord Corvan!" He exclaimed, hand shooting forward for a handshake.

Corvan reached out to accept, his face maintaining the same expression it had on ever since he entered--blunt, uncaring to some point, and confident.

Gavin navigated over to Valeriana like a bee to a flower and took her hand, brushing his lips against the back of it like the first time they met. He caught sight of the ring around her finger when he did, a flash of surprise briefly glazing his eyes before he looked up and let go. She hid her hand behind her back and tried not to let the inner turmoil physically manifest.

It made her a bit uncomfortable, but she chose not to comment on it. He did not give her the same impression he did like when they were first acquainted.

She receieved a squeeze from Corvan, giving her a bit of confidence.

"Milady, if I'm not mistaken . . . I remember your name to be Valeriana?" He told her, his voice as smooth as honey. The pair of glinting, emerald eyes examining her face like a soon-to-be dissected specimen of some sort.

"Yes." She answered, hiding the quiver in her voice as it faded to nothing.

"Do you remember me?"

"Yes." The fifth repeated. "Gavin, right?"

"Wonderful." He smiled.

"It's been a while." Corvan told him, his gaze traveling over to meet his.

Corvan's mannerisms turned a hundred and eighty. He was suddenly coated by a sheer layer of ice, the windows to his soul withdrawn and detached. The formality oozed off of him, and it made a chill crawl down Valeriana's back.

Lord, why so awkward? She thought to herself.

"Mother." He spoke, nodding at the woman sitting elegantly on a loveseat next to a man whose hands she held.

She had silky strawberry-blonde hair and green eyes. Obviously quite a beautiful woman with soft features and angelic face, what really caught Valeriana's attention was that among her curls was a small, golden diadem. Not to mentiom she bore characteristics similar to Keelan to some extent.

"Father."

The man beside Corvan's mother, who was also his father, was the person Corvan inherited majority of his looks from--eyes, hair, body structure, and aura. He had beard growing around his mouth and wrinkles on the corners of his eyes. He was motionless when his son greeted him, but he replied with a huff.

"Look who has come to join." His voice was rough and deeper compared to his son's.

Corvan's mother gave her husband a look before standing up, sauntering over to her son to peck him on both cheeks. He did not refuse the show of affection, allowing his mother to run her thumbs on his cheeks. She had tears prickling her tearducts and her nose visibly turned rosy along with her cheeks.

"Welcome back." She told him, pulling him to a hug and patting his shoulder. "How have you been, dear?"

The woman fluidly pulled back and regained her composure the next second, folding her hands above the flowing skirts of her dress. She gazed at Valeriana and gave a warm smile her way.

"Hello to you." She said smoothly. "My name is Saskia. I assume you are called Valeriana?"

Valeriana calmly nodded. "Yes, Your Excellency."

"Wonderful." Saskia took both of her hands by the wrist and firmly squeezed them. As she did, the ring caught her eye. Even so, she made no move to speak about it, merely motioning for the two to take their seat together.

"I am afraid we cannot start yet." Said the woman. "We still have someone to wait for."

"Um . . ." Valeriana cleared her throat. "Who?"

Alovia set down her cup and gave her the most nerve-grating, good girl smile. "Why Grandmother and little Emmillyse, of course."

I am gonna kill this girl. Valeriana thought to herself.