"How are the preparations going?" a sharp voice called out. "They are proceeding as expected, Lady Helen." "That is good to hear." Helen monitored the busy bodies moving in and out of the hall. Aricia's birthday celebration would take place in their largest room of the mansion on the higher floor. It was large enough for fifty people to parade about. At opposite sides of the room, there were five evenly-spaced, arched windows decorated with silky red curtains. All of them long enough to reach down to the beige hardwood floor. Two elongated wooden tables were spread across each side of the room, directly in front of the windows. The walls were painted white with the ceiling tinted to a bold golden hue. Her eyes followed the marvelously carved chair railings that stretched across the room, neatly bridging the four corners of the room. In the middle of the chamber was single, upright cerulean branch that was taken from their family tree in the garden. "Have you seen that blockheaded son of mine?" Helen questioned, breaking from her leisure content of the room. "Sir Astor? If I recall correctly, I've seen him practicing his swordplay in the open fields next to the armory." Helen sighed, he was always been doing strange things since he has returned. "Please send for him. I'll be in the lounge." "Will do, My Lady." She turned and walked down the long corridor. A warm, afternoon breeze blew in from one of the open windows. Helen stared down the window to the lush square garden. Around this time, she'd usually get to see a small figure prancing about the colorful patterns of vegetation. Seeing no one, she continued towards the lounging room. As Helen strolled past Aricia's room, a series of footsteps approached the door from the inside. The door burst open, and a short, black-haired woman peeked out from the open entrance. "Oh, Helen!" the excited voice called out. "Perfect timing! Come inside and look. Hurry!" She couldn't well refuse her daughter-in-law's invitation. Helen back-tracked into the room and peered inside to see what the mischevious duo was up to. Her eyes locked onto the girl standing in the middle of the chamber, dressed daintily in a black dress with a cyan ribbon wrapped around her waistline. At the ends of her sleeves and towards the bottom of her dress, there was a stripe of dark purple outlining the whole of the dress. Her hair was tied to one side neatly with the tips just barely reaching down to the fabric on her shoulders. The contrast in color and her skin complexion was utterly striking. "Who designed this dress?" Helen questioned. "I did. It's my new pastime," Loretta announced proudly. "That's quite a hobby. It's really quite well-done." Loretta smiled. "I always dreamed of designing my own clothes, but everything I make would never suit me. On the other hand, Aricia looks good in about anything I make, so I decided to model my future designs after her." Helen agreed with the decision. Loretta had innocent face. Fancy clothes would do her no good. She tilted her head to try and catch a glimpse of the girl's face. "Aricia, dear, turn around so Helen can have a better look at you." The girl turned around quietly. "Now move your hair," Loretta urged. The girl reluctantly brushed aside her hair and quickly peeked up before anchoring her eyes back onto the floor. It was just long enough for Helen to catch the girl's face. Long eyelashes, pale, unblemished skin, and a hint of shyness underneath her sharp eyebrows. What stood out the most was quite obviously those dark red eyes. If seen from afar, one would only assume them to be a pair of natural brown eyes, but as you get closer and closer, a deep, entrancing hue of red would seem to dye into her irises. Helen had never seen such remarkable traits in another person before. "Did you give your thanks to your mother already?" Her granddaughter nodded silently. "Indeed, you do look wonderful in that dress." Aricia looked up with widened, adoring eyes. "I do?" Looking at the girl's happy face made Helen feel a mixture of strange and complicated feelings.

"Yes, well... How are your studies faring?" she muttered, quickly changing the topics. Aricia smiled even brighter. "Uncle says that I will be able to use the gems soon if I keep it up!" If she recalled correctly, mastering a profession such as manipulating Living Shards would take at least two years to complete. Helen lifted her eyebrow. Perhaps Astor is exaggerating her progress. Just as she was about to speak, she watched Aricia straighten her back, as if to correct her demeanor. "I mean... It is going quite well, grandmother. Uncle Astor is an excellent teacher." It seems the girl misread her expression as condescending towards the previous outburst. "Very well....then." Not knowing how to mend the situation, Helen just scanned the room awkwardly. In the meantime, she saw Loretta holding in a chuckle after witnessing their silly exchange. "I'll discuss the circumstances of the party with you two later." Helen walked out of the room and exhaled. Spending time with her family still felt strange for her. She quickly resumed with her schedule and proceeded down the hallway towards the lounging room. Stepping down one of the two gently, sloped staircases that led to the foyer, Helen made her way to one of the plenty chairs present and sat down. She rested her head against the top rail of the chair to ease her headache. This week proved to be most punishing on her nerves. "Tea, my lady?" Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't noticed another's presence near her. "That would be welcomed." "I'll shall prepare your favorite tea then." The girl bowed and just as she was about to leave, Helen called out, "Next time, do be less subtle with your presence. That was quite a startle." "Apologies for the spooking My Lady." The brown-dressed maid hurried out of sight. Finally able get some time to herself, Helen just stared quietly into the intricate floral designs carved into the arm of the chair as she waited. Five minutes passed as she waited impatiently for her rebel son. "How dare he keep me waiting. I've other things to do..." she grumbled. A short, smiling boy came into mind. Recollections of her darker past filled her thoughts. Events like when she sent her 12-year-old son off to the war-front had still lingered in the deep recess of her mind. Helen wasn't exactly the most supportive mother to him, but she hadn't actually meant for him to participate in the war. Something must have gone awry at Chester Castle. For six months, he was supposed to have served there as a ward under the meticulous care of her older brother. When Helen had heard of Astor's disappearance after the attack, she had thought for sure that he had been lost forever. The nightmares had haunted her for many of the preceding years. She would never have expected to see him alive and well. Her thoughts were interrupted by the clanging of a teacup and its saucer being set in front of her. After thanking the maid, she picked up the teacup and peered into the billowing smoke. The cup was filled with a white fluid that contained a black-tinted swirled in the middle. Helen blew on it lightly before taking a sip. The calming aroma of vanilla entered her nose. She tasted a hint of rich bitterness with what she assumed to be hazelnut. Her mind calmed as she drank its contents, its aftertaste leaving behind a gentle sweetness to her mouth. Helen gazed out the glass window while enjoying the silence that attributed the large mansion. A few more minutes had passed before she heard a pair of boots descend from the staircase behind her. "Sorry for being late. There was something I had to do." She watched as Astor sat in the chair facing her. The signs of exercise apparent in his taxed breathing. "Would you like a some sort of drink?" she asked. "I'm all right, don't worry about it." Astor shuffled uncomfortably in the seat. "I also wished to speak to you about a few concerning issues." Helen placed her cup back down on the plate and waited briefly before starting the conversation. "I see you've properly groomed, but do you have any suitable clothes?" Astor gave her a blank look. Helen reassured his suspicions by returning a quizzing look. It seems he was under the impression that he would be exempt from the ball. "You... want me to attend Aricia's party?" "You will unless you mean to upset her." She waited as he rested his chin against a propped up arm to think. There was a long pause before Astor finally responded. "...Ok, I understand, and I, indeed, do not have any suitable clothes for the occasion..." Helen figured as much. "I've already a set of clothes prepared for you. All that's left is for you to try them on." "In such a short amount of time? How did you manage?" "I have my ways." She had a tailor work nights for the suit. Helen was confident in the dimensions for him. "That's quite impressive. Then, can you tell me who's attending the birthday? It would be quite embarrassing if all I did were greet our guests." Astor smiled humorously. "I'll have the clothes and a list sent to your room later. The more notable guests will be underlined, but it is not necessary for you to memorized them by appearances. Now, what else do you wish to discuss?" Astor shuffled again in his chair. "Well... um.., I found myself responsible for a young child, and I'm planning on raising him to be some use in the future." Helen gave him a quizzical look. "And where did you find this pupil of yours?" "He is..... from a less favorable background, but I can assure you, he will soon be quite accomplished in any tasks you have for him." "So he is poor and uneducated?" Astor paused a moment before reluctantly answering. "Yes.... but don't worry; I plan to educate and care for him myself, but I don't have all the resources to do so. In that case, would it be alright if we at least used the library?" Helen picked up her cup and sipped the calming liquid. That was quite an announcement. Suspicions began to arise in her mind, but even if they were true, the results would probably be the same. "It's fine... as long as you keep him away from Aricia. I don't want any rumors spreading around in the future." Astor sighed. "Thank you, mother." The conversation came to an abrupt halt, but Helen didn't mind. She wasn't a very talkative person in the first place. She shot a brief glance at Astor. Now that his beard was gone, Helen could finally make out the face of her long-lost son. Short chocolate-colored hair, straight eyebrows, and a slightly more prominent jawline and chin compared to when he was just a boy. His brown eyes were dark and held a keen mysteriousness to them, yet his demeanor seemed to contrast with some of his more serious features. Helen stopped her scrutiny and sipped the last of her tea. "If that is all, you are free to go." Astor looked up with a darken expression. "Sorry, I was lost in thought. That's not all." He straightened his back and leaned forward. "While I was getting Aricia's gift, I stumbled on a gruesome sight. I'm sure you've heard of the Brotherhood?" Helen placed her teacup back on the table. "So you've noticed such group?" "Of course. They presented their activities all over the roadside. I've already gathered the necessary information from the local townsfolk. They're a band of former military soldiers that were temporarily quartered in a village not far from here. The rising dissatisfaction with war conditions and its progress caused the small troop to rebel and seek reparations. It seems their presence had plagued this region for quite some time now." His descriptions peaked Helen's interests. Of course, she already knew all of this, but information on the group was hard to come by. He must have done his own investigations. "And what do you suppose we do about it. How would we benefit from involving ourselves in such mess?" Astor relaxed at her words. "Surely, a group of bandits is not good for business. By ridding the land of such nuisances, it will be a step towards securing respectable trading passages. New business opportunities are easier to establish if we can insure that the goods can be delivered without complications. Not only that but maybe we can use this opportunity build a reputation, that is if we were to involve ourselves in solving this affair." "Indeed, there is merit to your words. However, how do you plan to fix this issue, exactly?" "We could ask for the council's assistance. Bringing this problem to a countrywide spectacle could serve well for our new little country." Helen would have to play the skeptical perspective. "And what if the assistance that we request fails? What then?" Astor leaned back on the chair confidently. "Then, I'll think of something." Just like that? Well, this was a side she never knew of her once timid little boy. Helen nodded. His suggestions were well-thought and insightful. She would have to test him more thoroughly later to see how capable he's truly become. "Of course, if it will be of any use, I can personally provide the council with my assistance." Helen was pleased by how this was going. She was going to bring this up after the celebrations, but it seems something had stirred him to act. "What sparked this sudden concern?" Astor stared down coldly. "Let's just say, I no longer have the patience for the useless bloodshed." Helen raised an eyebrow attentively. There was something chilling in those eyes as he looked up. He's changed much more than she had initially thought. "It's settled then. You will assist the group of council members in their efforts to restore the peace to this area. Hopefully, this time, the men they send will have more of a backbone to do what is necessary. " Astor's expression stilled. "What do you mean "this time"?" "Exactly as I meant. I had requested for help before, but due to the war, they had only three personnel to spare. Those young, foolish men were persistent towards settling this mess peacefully. Not only did that cost them their lives, but it also bolstered those thugs' confidence. They've become more restless after the event, and I'm sure my tenants are soon to be the next victims. If we lose the support from our main sources of income, then attending a ball will the least of our worries." "I see..." There was a moment of silence before Astor finally stirred from his chair. "On that distressing note, I'll be heading to bed." Astor rose from his chair and straightened out his clothes. He walked to the bottom of the staircase before stopping abruptly. "I know how you like staying up late, so be sure to sleep properly... for the party." He said, turning half his face towards her before quietly ascending the stairs. Helen sighed. She wouldn't have thought that he wanted to have this type of discussion right after his discharge from the army. She remained in her chair, eagerly waiting as a pair of footsteps approached her. “Another cup, My lady?” “Yes, but perhaps something plainer and bring it to my office.” "Understood." She needed the extra drink. Helen still had to compile the reports about the trades with the southern villages. She had sent a small group down to see if they could eek out a profit from trading with those isolated communities, but since such people, who had not the backing of trading guilds or patrons, would be most likely struggling just to survive, Helen was holding out on any high expectations. "Things were a great deal simpler before this accursed war erupted," she muttered. Before the war, their house had been able to trade freely between the empire and the locals, allowing for an extremely profitable economy. A plague had run through the country of Faldrick, but has left almost all of Mayland undisturbed. As their laborers died, the increasing demand for raw materials had caused an upset in social status. The lines between merchants guilds and great kingdoms blurred as Mayland grew to be an industrial powerhouse. Selling to the nobles of castles was how the House of Jacobs had thrived, but now, she had to reach out to numerous villages just to extend the influence of her guild and carve out a spot for her family in this economy. Investing in risky businesses and sending out trading convoys to unknown parts of the country were at the pinnacle of her growing pile of problems. Helen walked back to her room and began sorting the piles of papers located on on a cart by date. She needed to read over the latest reports and update her couriers on what actions to take concerning affairs on her workers and master artisans. As she browsed through the stack of documents, her eyes spotted a scroll with a particular red ribbon laced around its middle. Curious as to who sent it, Helen unraveled the scroll and proceeded to read its contents. Greetings Noble Lady Of House Jacobs, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read through this letter. We are reaching out to you on the half of the Board of Education assigned with the duty of building an institute of higher learning for future the progenies of this country. The war had soaked our fields with the blood of our fellow countrymen. Only through the abominable spirit of our able patrons can we help put their souls at ease. To understand our newly rising country and how we operate, at our university, may our children learn the crafts and skills required to improve the lives brought on by this 26 solstices war. In this newly founded nation of Mayland, we, of Primrose Academy, wish to exert the hopes in dreams of our fallen brethren by providing a superior learning experience to any young figures seeking to extend their current standard of knowledge. Our institute allows for a variety of fields to pursue, including even a section dedicated to studying the elusive arts of arcane magic. We've gathered a following of dedicated compatriots listed in the area below. Through their generous donations, may our hard-achieved freedom start to..., etc. Helen quickly scanned through the contents to find the objective of the proposal letter. With your generous support included, our country can begin to thrive under these desperate times of change. If this letter interests you, please send a message to the address above. We shall respond with timely notice and send two representatives from the Academy to discuss this matter in a formal manner. Sincerely, the Director of Primrose Academy, Eustace Lambert. May the first shoots of spring flourish. She rolled up the sheet of paper and placed it to the side for safe keeping. The letter had peaked her interests, but for now, there was work to be done. Helen lit another candle and continued updating her figures.