The sound of splintering wood echoed through the stable as a loud crash followed the Marquis’s cryptic statement. Lucavion’s eyes darted toward the commotion, his smirk fading into a look of sharp curiosity. Valeria tensed beside him, her hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of her sword, though she didn’t draw it.
“Ah… She is here,” the Marquis murmured again, his tone calm but tinged with a subtle reverence.
Lucavion’s sharp gaze followed the sound, and his eyes landed on a sight that commanded immediate attention. At the far end of the stable, an imposing horse stood in the center of an open pen, its presence dominating the space.
The creature was unlike anything Lucavion had seen before. Her coat was a deep, inky black that shimmered faintly like liquid obsidian under the enchanted lanterns, while her mane and tail cascaded like flowing shadows, moving as though alive. Her eyes burned with a faint, ethereal blue glow, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance.
The horse reared onto her hind legs, her front hooves kicking out with enough force to send one of the caretakers sprawling backward. Another caretaker approached cautiously, but the horse lashed out again, her power evident in the way the air seemed to hum with mana around her.
“She is the pride of our stables,” the Marquis said softly, his tone carrying both pride and a hint of exasperation. “The untamed heart of the Ventorian Chargers.”
Lucavion tilted his head, his smirk slowly returning as he watched the wild horse with unmasked interest. “And I take it ‘she’ doesn’t take kindly to being penned up?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.
“She doesn’t just dislike being penned up,” the Marquis replied, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and resignation. “She rejects it entirely. Her name is Aether—fitting, don’t you think? A horse that embodies freedom itself, one who will never bow to anyone.”
“Aether,” Lucavion repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with a quiet reverence. His smirk softened as his sharp gaze remained locked on the horse. “A name that suits her perfectly.”
Aether pawed at the ground, her hooves sparking faintly with mana as she tossed her head, her silken mane rippling like shadows caught in a breeze. The glow in her eyes burned brighter as if sensing the weight of her name being spoken aloud. She reared again, her powerful form silhouetted against the lantern light, her defiance palpable.
“She has thrown every rider who’s ever dared to approach her,” the Marquis continued, his tone steady. “Even the most skilled equestrians in my employ could not hold their seat for more than a few moments. Aether refuses to be tamed, to be controlled.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the pen’s edge. “Sounds like we’d get along just fine,” he remarked, his voice carrying a playful edge. “We both have a problem with authority.”
Valeria shot him a sharp glance, her expression caught between disapproval and incredulity. “Lucavion, don’t even think about it,” she said, her tone low and firm. “That horse will crush you the moment you step into that pen.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, his smirk growing as he tilted his head slightly. “What’s the matter, Valeria? Afraid I’ll get a bruise or two?”
“No,” she snapped, her brows furrowing. “I’m afraid you’ll get trampled.” But then she tilted her head to the side.
“No, maybe that would be better…..It appears that the only way you learn something is by force, so why not get trampled a little….”
Lucavion rolled his eyes.
“I am not a wild beast….”
“I disagree. You are a wild beast…..”
“…”
The Marquis watched the exchange with quiet amusement, though his sharp eyes remained fixed on Lucavion. “It’s not just about strength or skill,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “Aether demands more than that. She values something deeper—respect, freedom, and the courage to meet her as an equal, not as a master.”
The Marquis’s gaze lingered on Aether, his usual calm expression shadowed with a faint trace of nostalgia. “Aether’s spirit is no accident,” he began, his voice quieter, carrying a weight of history. “Her mother, Solace, was the most beautiful horse ever born in our stables. Her coat shone like golden sunlight, and her presence commanded respect from all who saw her.”
He paused, his eyes softening as he continued. “Solace and Aether were an extraordinary pair. Even as a foal, Aether had the same wild spark, the same untamable energy. Together, they were unstoppable—the pride of the Ventorian Chargers. But there was one rule, one tradition that my family has upheld for generations.” His voice grew heavier. “Solace was reserved only for the heirs who proved themselves in the succession battle. She was a mount meant for leaders, for victors.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his smirk tempered by curiosity. “Let me guess,” he said, his tone light but edged with understanding. “Things didn’t go according to tradition?” Explore hidden tales at empire
The Marquis chuckled softly, though the sound carried little humor. “Not quite. My sister… let’s just say she didn’t believe in playing fair. The succession battle wasn’t merely a competition of merit—it became a battlefield of deception. I managed to prevail, but not without cost. And the one who bore the brunt of her scheming…” He gestured toward Aether, who stood defiant and proud in her pen. “Was this little one.”
Valeria’s gaze shifted to the horse, her disciplined demeanor giving way to a faint flicker of sympathy. “What happened to Solace?” she asked softly, her voice steady but tinged with unease.
The Marquis sighed, his expression darkening. “My sister’s plans resulted in Solace being caught in the crossfire—figuratively and literally. She was gravely injured, and though we tried everything to save her, she didn’t survive. Aether was still young, barely more than a foal, but she understood. She witnessed it all.”
Lucavion’s smirk faded entirely, his sharp gaze lingering on Aether. The horse’s stance, her defiance, her unwillingness to accept any rider—it all made sense now.
‘Interesting….’
“Aether hasn’t allowed anyone near her since. She’s strong, powerful, and unyielding. But that pain, that loss… it shaped her into what she is now. Wild, free, and unwilling to bow to anyone—not even those who mean her no harm.”
Lucavion’s smirk deepened as he stepped closer to the pen, his sharp gaze fixed on Aether. “Well now,” he murmured, his tone light but edged with intrigue. “Let’s see if you’re really as untouchable as they say.”
The Marquis glanced at him, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Lucavion,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “I must warn you—approaching her is not without risk.”
Lucavion waved off the caution with a dismissive gesture, his eyes never leaving the horse. “What’s life without a little risk, Marquis?”
Valeria groaned softly, muttering something under her breath about reckless idiots. Lucavion ignored her, reaching into his spatial bracelet and pulling out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. With deliberate slowness, he unwrapped it, revealing a piece of glimmering fruit, its faintly glowing skin radiating a subtle aura of mana.
Aether’s ears flicked toward him at the sight, her glowing eyes narrowing with suspicion. Lucavion stepped closer, holding the fruit out in his palm. “Easy there,” he said softly, his tone low and soothing. “I’m not here to hurt you.”
The horse snorted loudly, her mane rippling like living shadows as she reared slightly, her front hooves pawing at the air. Lucavion froze, his smirk fading into a neutral expression as he held his ground. Slowly, he extended his hand again, the fruit resting on his open palm.
Aether’s glowing eyes bore into him, her stance rigid and unyielding. For a brief moment, it seemed like she might relent—but then, with a sudden, sharp movement, she lashed out with her hoof, sending the fruit flying from his hand.
Lucavion didn’t flinch, though his smirk returned, tinged with amusement. “Well, that’s one way to say no,” he said lightly, stepping back with a chuckle. “I’ll take that as a ‘not yet.'”
Aether snorted again, tossing her head as if to punctuate her point. The Marquis cleared his throat, his calm voice cutting through the tension. “Anyway,” he began, his tone measured, “let’s return to our main topic.”
Lucavion turned to him, his smirk lingering as he leaned casually against the edge of the pen. “Oh? And what might that be, Marquis?”
The Marquis gestured toward the rows of stalls, his expression thoughtful. “As I mentioned earlier, Lucavion, you have earned a great deal from this tournament. And as a gesture of my personal appreciation, I’d like to offer you something… unique.”
He swept his hand toward the stable, the faint hum of mana from the horses filling the air. “Choose any horse you see here,” he said, his voice steady. “Ventorian Chargers are not given lightly, but I believe you’ve more than earned the right to take one with you.”
Valeria raised an eyebrow, her disciplined demeanor faltering for a moment. “Any horse?” she asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.
The Marquis inclined his head. “Indeed. Each of these horses has been raised and trained with care, and they are among the finest mounts in the kingdom. Lucavion has proven himself capable, and I trust he will make good use of whichever he chooses.”
Lucavion’s smirk widened, his sharp gaze flicking over the rows of stalls. Each horse stood proud and majestic, their glossy coats and powerful builds were a testament to the Marquis’s words. “Now this,” he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine admiration, “is a reward worth considering.”
His eyes lingered on Aether for a moment longer before he turned his attention to the rest of the stable. As much as he enjoyed a challenge, he understood that Aether’s trust would not be won so easily—or quickly. For now, he would respect her boundaries.
Or would he?
“Marquis…..by that point, you must have understood my character no?”
He was a different guy…..