Valeriana and Alovia's heated exchange went unnoticed. Corvan and she were both guided to take their seats. The lounge was furnished especially to be able to house a large seating capacity, yet in a cozy and non-meeting room kind of way.

The curtains were drawn open, allowing an ample amount of sunlight to flood into the room. Secondary sources of light such as candles classily scattered to every corner for an extra dash of illumination.

Saskia led Corvan and Valeriana to an open sofa where they sat beside each other. The woman then reclined back on the seat next to her husband. Valeriana squirmed uncomfortably the moment she felt Corvan's father's eyes on her--they were scrutinizing and so sharp it seemed to look straight into her soul.

She busied herself with a tall tray of sweets standing in the middle of the room. It had layers and layers like a fountain, only that the plates resembled a skewered barbeque and got smaller as it got higher--sort of like those movies she saw with those beautiful cutesy arrangements. The treats it held were more than appetizing to look at. Some had strange appearances, like caramel-covered nuts of some sort.

Too bad she didn't like sweets much.

She saw Corvan reach for two, one of which he handed over to her. "They're almond-dates."

Her mouth formed an 'O' in wonder. It was sprinkled with chocolate and had a drizzle of caramel or whatever. Curiously looking up at her companion, he popped it into his mouth. She sweated slightly, knowing her detestation of sweets could potentially make her barf before this entire thing was done. Even so, as she looked around the room and saw that they were observing her actions, she did what she thought she should do. Following Corvan shortly, she did the same and let her teeth crush the treat. It had a very sweet edge when it exploded inside her mouth and a fruity tang afterwards, also . . . there was a dash of salt somewhere. The first few moments was a bit unbearable, but she did what she always did--focus on finding the balance. The aftertaste was more calming, especially after she got to the nutty bit.

The nutty bit was the best. It balanced the whole thing. It was actually good.

Was there a pinch of cinnamon here, somewhere?

"Mm." She uttered softly.

"Isn't it delightful?" Saskia was holding her own share. She slipped it between her lips.

Valeriana nodded. "Yes . . . yes, it is."

Saskia smiled. "I believe you can say more than that. Well, what do you honestly think of them?"

Corvan shot her a glance. Alovia had a cunning look in her eyes, as though she was waiting for Valeriana to embarrass herself the coming moments.

She stammered. "Um . . . well, honestly speaking, I'm not really fond of very sweet things." She looked over to Corvan, but the look he had on was very impassive it was impossible to read him. "But the whole thing was balanced. Salty on the side . . . the almond part was the best. Also, I could taste a bit of cinnamon."

The woman brushed back a stray curl that fell on her face and laughed, melodic and controlled that it wasn't unexpected from someone of her stature. "Very good. You have sharp senses. Yes, I put cinnamon. You caught me."

She said 'I put cinnamon'. Valeriana repeated. Don't tell me . . .

Seeing the dubious look on her face she continued. "Oh, yes, I have taken the liberty of trying my hand on these." She answered. "I have a hobby of whipping up desserts. The natural sweetness of dates is sometimes unbearable for me as well. It tastes much like honey, does it not?"

"Honey mixed with . . . fudge." She muttered thoughtfully.

"Fudge?" Saskia's brows rose to her hairline.

"Chocolate fudge." She quipped. "Ever heard of fudge volcanoes? They're my brother's favorite but I only like them when they're drizzled with nuts and cheese. A little bit weird, but it actually goes well."

"I have not actually heard of these fudge volcanoes. We do have chocolate fountains, anyhow."

"Ooh." She smiled. "I guess there are more differences between Earth and Valemnia than I knew. Well, it's called fudge volcanoes because it's a cake and it's hollow in the middle where the softer . . . liquidy chocolate is in. It sorts of drizzles and flows out on your plate the moment you slice the cake open? Like lava . . . so I guess that's where the name came from."

"Interesting. We might have something similar, but it's called differently."

Corvan cleared his throat.

Saskia shot his son a look. "And it happens to be Corvan's favorite."

Valeriana's brows rose at this as she dragged her gaze over to the first-ranker. "I didn't know fudge volcanoes were your thing."

"That information is hardly updated." He anwered. "That was before, when I was a kid. People change." He quickly added.

Valeriana tried not to snort, instead, she gave him a knowing grin. "Look who's in so much denial."

"Yes." Alovia piped in, her lips thinning out into a smile that didn't seem to genuine. Eyes were automatically drawn to her direction and Valeriana could not help but inwardly sigh and seeth. "I remember when he would slice that cake and just watch the chocolate flow out." She said. "He was adorable."

Corvan's mask was back on, but Valeriana could somehow make out that he was uncomfortable judging by the way his aura moved. Gavin was smiling the entire time as he relaxed on the spot he had chosen, chuckling quietly to himself.

"Those times are hard to forget."

Everyone drowned in silence the next few moments and Corvan's father did not say anything until Saskia nudged her husband with her elbow, prompting him with a short statement. "Rupert, dear, say something for goodness's sake."

Lord Rupert did nothing and instead grunted in reply. "Refrain from elbowing me, woman."

Saskia glared at him. "And this is the way you address your wife, you imbecile? Why, I should have not married you if this is the way you speak to me. Duties be damned."

Valeriana's brows flew to her hairline at the recent banter exchanged and wondered if arguing was somehow a part of the family tendencies. Lord Rupert turned away from her, as though fighting the urge to roll his eyes at his wife. Somehow, this scene was very . . . deja vu.

And while the husband and wife were exchanging death glares, the sound of pitter-pattering feet reverberated from outside and the door hatched open. Valeriana's eyes were drawn to the mahogany doors as the small gap gradually got wider. Moments later, apple-sauce curls popped through the doorframe and brilliant green eyes blinked curiously, fingers gripping the edge of the wood with flushed cheeks pressing against the pointed surface.

This must be Emmillyse. Valeriana thought, a small and genuine smile creeping on her lips.

"Emmillyse, my sweet." Saskia reached out to the child, beckoning for her to approach. "Come here, dear one."

Emmillyse broke through, leaving the door open in her wake as she ran towards her mother. Her short legs carried her over, the silky and lacy baby blue dress bobbing around her as moved. Her shoes were pearly white that it matched her fair and pinkish skin. Valeriana dared say she was too adorable for her own good. The child was an angel!

Midway, she paused and looked up at the guests, first at Gavin, then Alovia, then Corvan and Valeriana. She took them all in with her doe-like eyes under the thick fringes of her long lashes that her brows knitted together as she took in all their appearances.

"Aw." Alovia cooed as she stood and made her way over to the little girl, hand flying to caress her cheek. The fifth swore the girl's eyes had widened and a small snarl twitched on her lips. "Aren't you a sweet, little--"

Valeriana was taken aback when Emmillyse stepped forward and crushed Alovia's toe under her own. The wannabe gasped at the suddenness but covered it up with a shrilly laugh as the little girl slipped from under her and reached up to the multi-layered holder of sweets and took three with both hands.

She bit back a laugh at the expression Alovia had on her face. She had the murderous look in her eyes, her true personality and sentiments seeping out for a moment. Corvan's lips visibly turned up at the antics of his sister, but kept his silence.

The child was obviously distressed as her aura flared. Though the movement it exhbited was different. It melted into Alovia's for a brief moment, forming the quickest connection before detaching once more. Valeriana's eyes shot wide at the suddenness, an outrageous thought running through her head.

"Emmillyse!" Saskia warningly called. "That is unbecoming! Come here now!"

Valeriana made an eye contact with Emmillyse, and for a moment, she saw that her aura was reaching out until she felt a mild connection being formed between them. Her breath hitched for the briefest moment before she felt someone rummaging through her thoughts. Being familiar with this sensation somehow, she frowned.

The lessons with Lord Lienhard had been paying off, of course.

'Going through someone's thoughts without asking is somewhat rude.' She told the girl. 'Direct Controllers should not use their abilities in a very selfish manner, elsewise, consequences will happen.'

Emmillyse was startled as her thoughts came across. Luckily, she seemed to have received the message. A small smile tugged on the corners of her lips. The girl withdrew instantly, backing a few steps as she eyed Valeriana warily. After several seconds, her aura touched hers again.

For a child, Emillyse had extensive control over her ability. Valeriana was not capable of what she was doing at the moment, needing direct physical contact in order to form a connection with the person she wished to use her abilities on. Emmillyse was strong, that fact could be established with no doubt.

Seems as though the prodigious genes ran in the family.

'H-how did you know I was listening?' A voice projected inside her head.

'Well, for one, I can feel you.'

'Nobody else can do that.'

'Oh, yes, you smart girl. I'm a Direct Controller like you.'

Using common sense as she tried to deduce how they could telepathically communicate with each other so well, seeing as a Direct Controller could only either be a Manipulative or an Altruistic, Valeriana assumed Emmillyse to be under her kind--an altruistic.

Only altruistics could possibly communicate with each other. One could only hear the thoughts of the other and not direct project their voices, as that would a Manipulative characteristic.

Even so, Valeriana had never ever heard a single thought from another being that wasn't an animal before. Though she could technically hear the animals talk, she was incapable of talking to them telepathically. Her ways of communicating her side of the conversation was and had always been verbal. She could only assume that Emmillyse's extraordinary connection with her was the reason. Besides, she welcomed her obtrusive rummaging. The child was a bit uneducated in terms of the ettiquette required from Direct Controller, much like she was during her earlier discovery.

That wasn't so bad, though.

'Can you really hear me?' Emmillyse had a hopeful look in her eyes.

'I wouldn't be talking to you if I didn't.'

Emmillyse's face went red and her tears started filling her eyes. Valeriana felt compelled to comfort the girl so she reached out with her gloved hand and took her fingers.

'Why are you crying?'

'I never met another one like me before.' She approached Valeriana and stood before her, their eye-contact unwavering.

Everyone else around them had been long since forgotten.

'What's a Direct Controller?'

'Don't you know? Now, stop crying.'

'I don't attend classes. They make me feel so bored.' Emmillyse's bottom lip protruded at this. 'I just want to play all day and be left alone.'

'Yes, I get you somewhat.' She paused as her brows knitted. 'How old are you?'

'I'm seven years old.'

'Corvan said you were six.'

'I turned seven last spring.'

Valeriana nodded with her brows raised, chuckling quietly to herself. Corvan, who sat beside her, could only wonder what in the name of the gods was going on. Both of them were stuck into a staring contest and Valeriana broke off with a chuckle to herself for no reason plausible--at least to his point-of-view.

'You're pretty smart for your age. Judging through human standards, you're just about three and a half. That's pretty amazing.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.'

Valeriana stood and knelt before Emmillyse. 'Don't use an ability you don't know about carelessly, okay?'

'But why?'

'It's hard to explain.'

"Promise me." Valeriana said aloud. "Here, we'll do it with our pinkies." She held out her pinky finger in a pose.

Emmillyse gave her a confused look. 'Pinky?'

"Pinky promise. Don't you know that?"

Emmillyse shook her head.

"Pinky promise me you won't use that ability of yours selfishly for no good reason because that's the number one rule." She sternly told her, grabbing her hand and forcing their pinkies to entwine. "There. You can't break that. I promise to tell you more in return. Okay?"

Emmillyse hesitantly nodded. 'Okay.'

"You can talk to me using your mouth, you know. This whole thing is kinda awkward."

'I can't. I can't talk.'

"What?" She gaped at her.

'I can't talk. I have no voice.'

Valeriana looked up to meet Corvan's bewildered eyes. "She doesn't have a voice?"

Rupert took the chance to speak. "Our daughter is incapable of speech. She hasn't talked since the day she was born."

Valeriana gazed at Emmillyse and felt the sadness breaking her heart apart at the news. "God really doesn't give you everything." She whispered to herself before raising her voice for the next comment. "But you're blessed a lot. Your daughter's a Direct Controller. Did you know that?"

Saskia shook her head lightly. "We weren't sure. She's still too young for us to know. We did suspect, however . . . seems it really is the inevitable truth."

"Well, she's one heck of a talented one! Her control is amazing already! She can even form connections with auras without direct skin contact and that takes a lot of focus! Not to mention she's able to communicate straight without stammering."

"Communicate?" Gavin was dubious and Alovia wad furious.

"Telepathically." She supported, sitting.

"I suppose that's only because speech impediment really does not occur in the brain in exception for incoherent thoughts. The tongue twists unexpectedly when it isn't too flexible, especially when the muscle is tense there due to anxiety and stress so the stuttering manifests in the language produced--"

"Stop sounding like Charles! I get it, okay? So you don't stammer in your brain. Say it simply that way!" She frustratedly glared at her companion and rolled her eyes at his smarty-pants reply.

Emmillyse giggled.

"I just felt the need to prove the wrongness in your statement."

"I don't need an explanation as long as goddamned Chronicles of Narnia--heck, Harry Potter series. Stop treating me like some sort of idiot."

"I have been told that when you desire to prove something, you should provide a detailed explanation." The young lord argued.

"Well, this isn't Miss Universe and this isn't an essay which has a word minimum limit so just stop."

Gavin chuckled at their exchange and shook his head to which Corvan shot him a glare. "So it is true after all."

"What is true?" Alovia inquired.

"Their notorious tendency to argue, of course." Replied the gentleman.

Alovia gritted her teeth angrily, gripping the folds of her dress as she spread out her fan abruptly that it made such a loud noise. The doors were then spread open with a loud creak and footfalls resounded.

"Spreading your fan is not done that way, Alovia. Being raised anong nobility should've have bestowed you this knowledge." A sophisticated voice, a bit on the nasal side, stated.

Valeriana erected her back and stiffened at the sight of a woman entering the vicinity. Her long, flowing dress trailed behind her, navy blue in color with laces decorating the material. Her waistline was to die for and her posture was perfect, emphasizing all the curves in the right places.

"Grandmother!" Exclaimed Alovia. "I'm glad to see you."

Of course, she was nothing close to posing for a playboy magazine, but the old woman didn't really look that old. She possessed a youthful appearance thwarted by the lines on the corners of her eyes and mouth, with a pair of bright silver eyes the color of sterling sitting on both sides of her face. Tall nose, red lips . . .

"I'm glad you heeded my invitation for tea, Alovia." Said the woman.

At her appearance, Emmillyse retracted and hid behind Valeriana, bouncing on the seat beside her.

She sat on the coziest looking armchair by the windowside as a girl dressed in formal servant clothes rolled a tray with a complete tea set into the room. She poured the woman a cup of tea and handed it over to her in a saucer.

They were all in utter silence as she sipped the hot beverage. As her lips touched the corner of the cup, her eyes scanned the room and landed on Valeriana's dumbstruck form.

"I see we have a stranger. Who are you?"

She cleared her throat. "Valeriana Kerrigan."

"You aren't nobility?" She asked, setting down the cup on the end table next to her.

"I'm no--"

"She's a cousin of Lord Charles." Corvan corrected.

Valeriana glared at Corvan. "No one knows that yet."

"Her father is Sir Garvyn Edgar."

"I see." The woman was unimpressed. "Hadn't that man went missing?"

"Investigations are underway to determine what really happened." Corvan, once again, answered. "It isn't really clear."

"Hmh."

There was a pause.

"I still don't see the reason why you brought her here. There's a reason why only family members are invited." She sipped again. "Unless, of course, you are planning to take her as your wife."

Valeriana flushed in embarrassment at this while Corvan continued his facade. "That's correct, Grandmother."

"Hmh."

'She keeps making that sound.' Said Emmillyse. 'It's really scary.'

"I thought you were planning on Alovia."

"The intention has never crossed my mind." He answered and it was Alovia's turn to go beet red in shame.

"Well, then, since you go off making ridiculous demands, have you found the family ring?"

Valeriana's hand was tilted to show the ring she was currently wearing. Still, the grandmother was unimpressed as she caught it at the corner of her eyes. Her nose disappeared once more into her cup and silence awkwardly ruled the room.

"I was asking for the Wylden Cosmos, Corvan."

"Valeriana bears it." He told her.

"I have worn that ring for over a decade. I know what I see." She replied. "That is not the Wylden Cosmos but merely a replica. Nice try, young heir, but you'll have to try harder. If you really wish to take this girl and make her lady of these lands, find the true ring and bring it back to me."

Corvan looked as though he had been doused by cold water at the revelation and Valeriana herself was so shocked her mouth had flapped open. The heir didn't seem to know it was a fake.

"Aren't you going to oppose his decisions? Family ring or no family ring." Gavin trailed off.

"You are to be lord of these lands." She told Corvan. "My time has long since passed and I do not desire to be stressed by petty subjects such as marriage. You are old enough to know what's right from wrong and you are no fool, young heir. Doom yourself and these lands, for all I care."

"Grandmother!" Alovia screeched. "You cannot be serious."

"It is unbecoming to raise your voice in such manner." She replied. "Do me a favor, Alovia, and address me properly as the former lady of these lands. Corvan makes his own decisions. Should you have any protests, take it up to him and not to me."

She finished her cup of tea and set it down before she stood up and smoothened the wrinkles on her dress. She then began to walk out of the room, her shoulders thrown back and her nose turned up.

"I shall take my leave if that is all. An old woman needs all the rest she can get. This room makes me feel suffocated." She swept through the room and left in silence, leaving everyone shell-shocked at her attitude.

"That was fast." Valeriana commented.

She just drank a cup and left. She thought.

Corvan himself thought this to be very unusual.

Alovia was very frustrated she actually came half-running and half-stomping out a few moments after the grandmother left, huffing and flushing at the same time.

As soon as both had disappeared, Corvan shook off his reaction. "Father. What of the phenomenon observed around the nest of the guardians? I was compelled to come because of the report."

"I am sending you off to find that out as I cannot give you an answer I do not know."

Corvan rose from where he sat. "We shall occupy two different bedrooms for the moment before we depart. Seeing as we are running after a schedule and we need to return in as short as four days or less, we will waste no time. Valeriana, go and rest for five hours. I shall come and find you later at six sharp."

Valeriana stood. "Can't we go now?"

Emmillyse tugged on her sleeve. 'You're leaving so soon?'

Valeriana felt a small twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry . . ."

'You can't leave though! I won't have anyone else to talk to!' Her bottom lip quivered.

She gingerly pulled on the little girl's cheeks."I'm really sorry, sweetcheeks. I promise to come and visit and you'll have someone to talk to again. I got really important things to do."

'Do you really have to . . . ?' She huffed.

"Do you not desire to rest?" He asked her. "You haven't gotten any since we left at midnight."

"You didn't too. I'm fine." She said. "I'm used to staying up late. Besides, you said it yourself. We have no time left."

"Dear, are you both sure?" Asked the current Arlandian lady. "Come here now, Emmillyse." She beckoned her daughter before turning to look at the two. "Won't you stay for dinner?"

Corvan gave her mother a sigh. "It depends." He told her, before scrutinizing Valeriana. "Do you mean what you say?"

"I would be complaining if I didn't." Valeriana replied. "I'm sorry, Lady Saskia."

"It is understandable." The woman nodded, craddling little Emmillyse on her lap.

He eyed her for a moment, watching the dark circles under her eyes beginning to form. "Alright. We then depart in an hour. I shall have two horses ready and our things packed."

"Wait." Gavin stood. "You say you'll leave? To where shall you go?"

"That is none of your business."

"Corvan, cousin . . ." He chuckled. "Know that I know by heart the lands of this continent as I take it seriously to explore every inch of it! Take me with you, I desire adventure."

Corvan was obviously irritated. "Find your adventure elsewhere. Your company is not desired."

"Harshness!" The other exclaimed. "Well, then, give me the honor of knowing the place you shall depart for and if I know the way there, you shall have me accompany you. It is better than looking at a map!"

Valeriana raised a brow at the exchange. "A walking GPS, then?"

Gavin was confused at her statement. "I am unfamiliar with the thing you speak of. Is it alive?"

The girl waved her wrists dismissively. "Never mind."

"We shall depart for the rigorous red valleys of the Ash Canyons, to the west of the Golden Desert."

"The path there is full of hotspots and is dangerous to navigate." He informed them.

"Corvan." Rupert called. "Take Gavin with you. He will be a useful addition. It will make things faster than having you stubbornly refuse the aid of one of the best wanderers."

"You flatter me, uncle." Said Gavin.

Corvan huffed as he swiftly turned and exited. "Suit yourself. As long as we leave on time."

"I shall assist with the preparations!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.

Valeriana blindly followed the two as they disappeared, giving nods to both parents and Emmillyse before departing herself.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Saskia nodded with a smile before carressing the hair of her daughter, watching the little girl waving her hand at Valeriana. Emmillyse reached out with her own aura and left her voice reverberating inside Valeriana's head.

'Remember your promise.'