Azaria looked up at Nolan, a soft smile playing on her lips as she gently pressed Stormfly against her, the creature's muzzle nestling against her cheek. Her eyes shone with a tender, amused light.
Azaria: "Indeed, that little angel is truly tenacious," she said, continuing to stroke Stormfly's soft, luminous fur, her fingers gliding delicately as if she were touching a treasure.
Nolan, leaning back slightly on the varnished wood of the cabin, turned his head toward her.
Nolan: "Since it's a holiday right now, why haven't you been out with your family? The castle seems... empty."
Azaria raised her head, shrugged slightly, then turned her gaze toward the manicured garden, her expression becoming more serious, almost melancholic.
Azaria: "The nobles on this side of town don't celebrate like those in the center." They're still very much rooted in ancient traditions. Here, we celebrate, yes... but in a stricter, colder way. There's not that excitement."
She paused, her gaze lost for a moment in the reflections of the pool where the swans glided slowly.
"That's why I preferred to stay here. Alone. I didn't know you were coming..."
Nolan crossed his arms with a slight smile.
— Nolan: "Well... let's just say I saved you a day of deadly boredom."
Azaria raised an eyebrow, amused, and pretended to pout. Then, with a fluid gesture, she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks a little red.
— Azaria: "Yeah... you could say that."
She looked down at Stormfly, gently picking him up and hugging him. "But I'd say that little fluff ball had a lot to do with it."
She placed a small kiss on Stormfly's forehead, and she let out a joyful squeal, fluttering her wings, earning a hearty laugh from Nolan.
Azaria, curious, her eyes sparkling:
"And you? Why didn't you go celebrate like everyone else?"
Nolan, leaning against the wood of the little cabin, replied calmly:
"Let's just say I don't like parties that much. Sure, when this kind of event happens, I don't deprive myself of a few buffets or a good wine, but that's about it. I'm not going to play the drunken elf among the crowds."
At this, Azaria burst out laughing. A sincere, lively, uncontrollable laugh that echoed throughout the garden.
Nolan, surprised, stared at her, arching an eyebrow:
"What's so funny?"
Azaria was still laughing, her head tilted back, her eyes half-closed in genuine hilarity. Her crystal-clear voice echoed in the quiet of the garden, contrasting with the surrounding gentleness.
— Azaria: "I pictured you... seriously! In a little pointy red hat with a bell on the end, staggering and dancing among the merchants... oh, that's so funny!"
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, laughing so much.
Nolan, feigning annoyance, crossed his arms and looked away, his jaw set in an exaggerated pout.
— Nolan: "Ahaha... very funny, yeah."
Storm, sensing the false tension, let out a small cry somewhere between a bark and a joyful squeak, before leaping onto Nolan's lap, shaking her wings and tail, as if to defuse the scene.
— Azaria (still smiling): "Come on, don't make that face. I just find it... adorable. Even you, the mysterious and silent type, are becoming a caricature in my mind."
— Nolan (giving him a sidelong glance): "Hey, I'm not mysterious. I'm... quietly charismatic."
— Azaria (teasing): "Mhmm... if you say so, Mr. Quiet Charismatic Party Elf."
Nolan sighed with a small laugh of his own, then stared at the slowly darkening sky.
— Nolan (calmly): "I prefer this kind of moment. Quiet, secluded, with few people... but the right ones."
Azaria was silent for a few seconds, then looked at him gently, almost touched.
— Azaria: "Me too."
And for a moment, silence reigned. Not an empty silence, but a warm silence, filled with a budding complicity. A light breeze caressed the leaves, Tempest gradually fell asleep on Nolan's lap, and the garden was bathed in a golden light.
Nolan, curious, a slight smile on his lips:
— "So? Have you made any progress since last time?"
Azaria, proudly raising his chin:
— "I'll redouble my efforts, yes. My grandfather taught me some pretty cool spells lately..."
Nolan, intrigued:
— "Your father went on a trip so that your grandfather could take care of your education?"
A veil crossed Azaria's gaze. His smile faded slightly, giving way to a gentle gravity.
— "My father... lost his life during the Great War. He was a hero, he fought for the kingdom until his last breath. Since then, my paternal grandfather has led the family. He has become my legal guardian."
Nolan, touched, bowed his head slightly:
— "I'm sorry for your loss... You have my sincere condolences." »
Azaria nodded slowly, her eyes a little darker:
— "Accepted. Thank you, Nolan."
A brief, respectful silence fell.
Azaria gently broke the silence:
— "You must know my grandfather, right?"
Nolan frowned slightly, thoughtful:
— "Honestly... no. What's his name?"
Azaria, in a calm but vibrant voice:
— "Glodius."
Nolan, frowning slightly, arms crossed:
"Glodius? I've heard stories about him... They say he's one of the most powerful men in the kingdom."
Azaria, a small smile playing on her lips, lowering her eyes slightly with pride mixed with respect:
"He's very strong, yes. But it's not just his raw power... He possesses a knowledge of magic that few can claim to match. When he speaks, it feels as if the laws of the world bow before his words."
A slight silence hung over her as Nolan observed his friend, his gaze hardening for a moment.
"Last time, during the dungeon raid... You told me you wanted to prove yourself to your family. Are... you that underestimated here?"
Azaria's smile faded. She gently turned her head toward the small pool where the swans glided peacefully, then murmured, her voice deeper:
"You know, in a noble family, where power and ambition reign, conflicts are inevitable. There's jealousy, misplaced pride. Some hated my father... so of course, I wear their resentment like a cloak I never asked to wear."
She paused, gently squeezing the hands of Tempest, who was silent on her lap.
"My older brothers and sisters look at me as if I were a burden. A weakness. The wounded sheep of the line. I wanted to prove to them that I could fight. That I was capable of shining without their shadow."
Nolan, his gaze serious, almost hard:
"And above all, you almost lost your life... You threw yourself headlong into a dungeon boss who was far too powerful, just to get their gaze. Do you think it was worth it?" »
Azaria, her eyes slightly moist, but determined:
— "At the time, I thought so... But now..."
She looked at Nolan, a shy smile emerging despite the pain.
— "...I realize that living is far more precious than their validation."
As the peaceful silence of the garden enveloped Nolan and Azaria in an almost unreal atmosphere, a small rustling sound was suddenly heard.
Storm, until then sounding soundlessly asleep on Azaria's lap, suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up, ears perked, suddenly looking very alert, and placed his little paws on the edge of the wooden table, letting out a plaintive cry while staring intently at Nolan.
Azaria, smiling tenderly at him:
— "Oh... I think your little friend is feeling a bit peckish."
Nolan, looking at him with a mock-exasperated expression:
— "But you already ate, what... two hours ago?"
Storm, his eyes narrowed in defiance, tilted his head slightly and let out another, higher-pitched cry, as if to say, "So?", while flapping his wings in a mini bout of impatience.
Nolan, crossing his arms and shaking his head with an amused sigh:
"You really are... a stomach on legs."
Azaria, standing up gracefully, laughing softly:
"I'll go get him something to calm him down, otherwise he'll end up devouring the cushions in the garden."
She walked quietly towards the small garden exit, her light footsteps barely echoing on the flagstones. Stormfly, now on the table, turned back to Nolan, staring at him as if demanding justice.
Nolan, staring straight into his eyes with a half-smile:
"If you keep this up, I'll end up sending you out to chase pigeons all by yourself, you little glutton."
Stormfly gave one last cry, softer this time, then lay down on the table, his wings wrapped around him like a blanket, looking triumphant. Nolan sighed, smiling.
Azaria reappeared a few moments later, accompanied by her faithful butler, who was carrying, with impressive poise, two enormous silver platters. One was laden with all sorts of fresh delicacies: juicy, brightly colored fruits, perfectly grilled vegetables, still-warm golden bread, slices of seasoned meat, and steaming, fragrant fish fillets. The second platter was clearly intended for Stormfly, and it seemed just as generously laden.
At the sight of all this, Stormfly leaped for joy, flapping his wings frantically and letting out little excited cries. He spun around before throwing himself onto the platter the butler had just placed on the ground, devouring without restraint as if he hadn't eaten in days. Nolan, arms crossed, his gaze half amused, half exasperated, observed the scene:
"Honestly... this isn't a meal, this is a breeding ground for starving animals."
Azaria, settling elegantly beside her, gave a mocking smile:
"Uh, stop being such a grumpy old man and eat."
Nolan, barely looking up at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, asked in a tone that was half serious, half provocative:
"Want to join me?"
Azaria, raising an eyebrow mischievously, replied in a pointed tone:
"I knew you weren't man enough to finish all this on your own."
She grabbed a slice of bread and tore it off with a delicate bite, before helping herself to the dishes with a certain elegance that betrayed her noble upbringing. Nolan, amused, shook his head and began to eat as well, despite himself enjoying this moment of calm and togetherness.
Meanwhile, Stormfly was still eating fervently, her little tail flapping with each bite, visibly in a state of absolute bliss.
The garden was bathed in soft light, the sound of water and birds giving the moment an almost surreal tranquility. Despite their responsibilities, despite the hurts of the past, here, in this secluded corner, Nolan, Azaria, and Stormfly were just... fine.
Night had fallen over the vast garden, enveloping the area in a veil of coolness and silence. The soft light from the hanging lanterns illuminated the small Japanese pavilion where Nolan and Azaria had settled. The swans slept peacefully on the still waters of the pond, and Stormfly, well-fed, slept curled up a few feet away, his quiet breathing barely disturbing the air.
Azaria, staring up at the star-studded sky, broke the silence:
"Have you noticed that a detachment of high-ranking knights has arrived in the city, directly from the capital?"
Nolan looked away from her, his thoughts returning to Grace, the mysterious knight he had briefly encountered.
"Yes... indeed," he said soberly, intrigued.
Azaria, arms crossed under his light cloak, continued:
"From what I've heard, a tournament is about to begin." »
Nolan, one eyebrow raised:
— "A tournament?... Magic?"
She nodded slowly:
— "Exactly. The knights from the capital aren't here to make up the numbers. They're here to select those they deem worthy... and send them directly to the capital."
Nolan tilted his head slightly, interested.
— "Hmm, I see..."
Azaria turned her face towards him, her gaze serious.
— "But there's a big difference between those who sign up voluntarily... and those who are chosen."
Nolan:
— "What do you mean?"
Azaria:
— "Those who sign up undergo standard tests: eliminations, duels, etc. But those the knights identify themselves... those are subjected to more specific tests. They are sent into the field, on real missions." And if they succeed, they'll be inducted into the Sentinels."
Nolan frowned slightly.
— "The Sentinels..."
Azaria:
— "A kind of special corps. Free agents under the direct orders of the kingdom. Magicians, warriors, or strategists whose missions often go beyond what the regular army can accomplish."
Nolan, staring into space, seemed to be thinking.
— "Interesting. And you? Do you plan to participate?"
A determined smile played on Azaria's lips.
— "Yes. And I fully intend to be chosen. My grandfather will be one of the judges."
Nolan turned his head toward her, a slight smile on his face.
— "It'll be interesting to see how far you can go..."
Azaria, confident, looked him straight in the eyes.
— "I have no intention of losing."
Nolan, leaning against the wooden railing of the small cabin, gazed at the stars for a moment before turning his head toward Azaria.
"Until the day of the tournament, train hard. You have to amaze your grandfather, right?" he said with a half-smirk.
Azaria, proudly raising her chin:
"That's what I do every day after lessons at the academy. I train tirelessly, and often with him."
Nolan:
"Perfect. Keep it up... Who knows, one day you might even be better than me."
He paused, then added mischievously:
"Although, between you and me, I highly doubt it."
Azaria, stung, gently nudged him with her shoulder.
"You arrogant bastard," she said, feigning indignation.
She moved a little closer, more serious:
"You know, Nolan... you have immense talent in magic. I've seen young dungeon hunters from all regions, but never one like you. You wield spells with an almost disconcerting ease. It's as if you were born for it."
Nolan, raising an eyebrow, a touch amused:
"And according to you, I should put this great talent to good use... where exactly?"
Azaria, her gaze frank and straightforward:
"Where else but in the service of your kingdom?"
She paused, her gaze wandering into the dark foliage of the garden.
"Lately, the kingdom has been unstable. There are tensions. External threats, rumors of invasions, magical anomalies. Every valiant hand counts, every experienced mage is a key player. And you... you could really make a difference." »
A silence hung heavy, soft but profound. Nolan gazed at the sky, thoughtful. Stormfly, curled into a ball, stirred slightly in his sleep. The light wind rustled the leaves around them, as if to emphasize the importance of Azaria's words.
Nolan, intrigued, crossed his arms:
— "But where did you get all this information from?"
Azaria, looking a little proud:
— "Glodius isn't just my grandfather... he's also a confidant. He considers me more than just an heir. He talks to me about everything, without filtering, and shares his worries and his plans. He believes I'm capable of carrying the torch of our family."
Nolan, giving a small, sincere smile:
— "I see. In this family jungle, you at least have someone who really believes in you. A good old man, that Glodius."
Azaria, feigning annoyance, frowned:
— "Hey! Don't call him that. And for your information, he's much more elegant than you." »
Nolan, raising an amused eyebrow, ran a hand through his hair and fixed her with a slowly deeper gaze, a little playful, a little provocative.
"More handsome than me, you say? Are you really sure?"
He gently reached out to brush a strand of hair.
Azaria, taken aback, felt her cheeks heat up violently. With a quick gesture, she gave him a light slap, barely more than a pat.
"Idiot! Why are you doing this?" she said, looking away, unable to hide her embarrassed smile.
A short silence fell, not awkward, but charged with something new. Stormfly, for her part, was still asleep, unaware of the gentle tension developing between the two.
Nolan stood up slowly, adjusting Tempest's position against his shoulder. The little companion was snoring peacefully, visibly exhausted by the long day.
— "Well... it's getting late. We're going home."
Azaria, crossing his arms with a gentle but firm gaze:
— "You don't have to cross the entire city at this hour. Besides, it's far away. There are several rooms available here, you can spend the night in peace."
Nolan, with an amused smile, tilted his head slightly:
— "And your family, will they take it well?"
Azaria, shrugging with a wry smile:
— "Most of my family members bring their lovers back to the manor. So don't worry... it won't shock anyone."
Nolan, with a playful wink:
— "Ooooh, so you see me as a lover now?" Interesting..."
Azaria, blushing, looked away with a nervous chuckle.
"Uh... stop messing around. Follow me, I'll show you your room."
She led him through a few silent corridors, their walls lined with old paintings and dimly lit torches. Finally, she stopped in front of a pair of double doors, which she slowly opened.
The room revealed was immense. The floor was covered with a silky carpet, the walls laden with gilded decorations, and a large bed with embroidered sheets sat in the center. A luxurious polished stone bath still steamed in a corner. Even in the darkness, the room shimmered softly, as if the richness of the setting reflected its own light.
Nolan entered and slowly lay down on the bed, placing Stormfly beside him, still fast asleep, curled up in a ball.
He turned his head toward Azaria, who was still standing at the door. Their eyes met for a moment, a silent mixture of amusement, tenderness, and something indefinable.
She slowly closed the door.
Nolan, his eyelids heavy, murmured to himself as he closed his eyes, "What a day..."
Silence fell, soft and peaceful, enveloping the room in a rare serenity. Tomorrow would be another day.