House Evermont

Another day, they sat beside the fountain while a snowstorm wind crashed outside the glass walls.

"You study military strategies?" Lucien asked in disbelief after seeing the book in her hands.

Seraphina nodded lightly. "Father says the North survives because we are always prepared"

"You actually understand all of that?"

"I remember things easily"

Lucien laughed softly. "That sounds unfair"

"And you?" she asked. " You understand diplomacy and trade routes at thirteen is that not unfair too?"

He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head with a smile.

"You really are different from everyone else"

"Is that a compliment or insult?"

"Ohh......no it's definitely a compliment" Lucien said with a smile.

For the first time, Seraphina looked slightly embarrassed, her gaze lowering toward the book in her lep

That tiny reaction remained in Lucien's mind for days.

**********************

Soon, the day of departure arrived far too quickly.

Snow fell heavily outside the mansion as servants loaded luggage into the carriages.

The atmosphere felt strangely quiet.

Lucien stood before Seraphina near the entrance of the winter garden, unwilling to leave.

" I suppose this is goodbye " he said softly.

Seraphina looked at him for a moment before speaking.

"Not goodbye "

Lucien blinked.

"We can write to each other" she continued calmly. "Unless the young master of Evermont is too busy"

A laugh escaped him.

"I'll write every week"

"Then i shall expect every letter"

For once, Lucien saw a warmth in her expression that no one else seemed allowed to witness.

He smiled gently before extending his hand toward her.

"It's a promise then"

Seraphina looked at his hand briefly before placing hers in it.

"A promise"

******************

After returning to the East, the Evermont mansion felt colder than usual.

The skies were bright, the halls were warm, servants moved as they always did.

Yet none of it felt like the North.

None of it felt like the warmth hidden inside Seraphina Valecrest's garden.

Lucien found himself staring absentmindedly at the first letter resting on his desk at the first elegant handwriting already familiar to him.

And for the first time in his life the heir of House Evermont realized that someone had quietly taken a place in his heart.

*********************

A few weeks later, House Evermont held the ceremonial oath of steel - a grand tradition where new soldiers pledged their loyalty before the ducal family.

The ceremony was more than a celebration.

It was POWER.

AUTHORITY.

A reminder that House Evermont ruled the East not merely through wealth and diplomacy, but through unwavering loyalty.

Rows of armored soldiers stood proudly beneath the banners of Evermont while nobles watched from above.

Beside Duchess Evangeline Evermont stood Lucien Evermont dressed in formal black and silver.

"You must watch carefully" Evangeline Evermont said quietly to her son "One day, this loyalty will belong to you"

Lucien Evermont gaze moved across the kneeling soldiers before his father Duke VALERIUS EVERMONT, THE LORD OF THE EAST.

who pledged their loyalty to the lord.

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