Within the confines of a large room three times the size of Damien’s, Damon stood facing his parents as well as some other high ranked individuals of the family like Lady Reyla.
The round shaped room was furnished with luxurious white chairs forming an arc around almost half the room. In the middle sat the family head dressed in the same attire as everyone else—sky blue outer robe and silver inner ones—albeit more grander.
There was a long ornate silver staff by the side of his chair with a banner displaying the family’s sigil. A stylised, silver sword with a tiger’s head at its tip, set against a black background. The tiger’s eyes glowed with a calm, blue light that signified its hidden power.
Sitting on the seats of both sides of the family head were his sibings. His twin brother by his right and his sister to the left. There were two other empty seats that signified the absence of two siblings and then came his mother.
There were other members of the family like the head maid, the chief guard, their private tutors and a few others. The head mage of the family as well as the the head healer was present.
It was a full gathering with the absence of very few important individuals. Damon didn’t mind the absence either way.
He simply stood in the heart of the room, his eyes scanning everyone as he awaited his judgement. He knew he’d been called here to decide his punishment for sneaking out to meet his twin brother once again.
After being caught by their father a few days back, Damon had received warning from their father rather than punishment. Damien had been the one to suffer punishment.
Damon on the other hand, had been told to stay away or risk getting punished. Of course he’d gone again after a few days of staying away. He was almost sure they wouldn’t punish a genius like him. He’d practically become the heir of the Terrace family.
How wrong he had been. Now he stood, facing the members of the family awaiting penalty for disobeying his father… Again!
“Damon Terrace! As punishment for disobeying the Lord of the Terrace Family, you will be sent to the off to the Illustrious Elderglow Academy a month earlier than anticipated.” The voice of the family head boomed forth, echoing through the room that was void of sound except the occasional tensed breathing from Damon.
As he heard his verdict, a small smile broke out on his face. If anything, Elderglow Academy wasn’t a punishment. It was a reward for anyone who knew a thing about the academy.
Located a far distance away the family estate, Elderglow Academy was practically built for prodigies like him. Damon could already see himself meeting children from other prestigious families that would be just as talented as he was.
The academy raised individuals whose names echoed around their world. People who have been hailed as heroes of the past and even the present. He slowly became excited.
However, just as quickly as the smile formed, it disappeared as he heard his father’s next words.
“You’ll be sent off alone and you’ll arrive at the academy yourself. With no escort of any sort. I’m sure you know what that means.” His father said.
His mother raised her voice, aiming to plead on his behalf as she knew how dangerous it would be. “Darling…”
“This is not the time or place to speak, Lady Danyel. I am addressing the heir as the Lord of the family, not as a father.” The Lord spoke.
Seeing as the Lord shunned his wife, Osbourne, the Lord’s twin brother spoke up. “Lord Ashbourne, I suggest…”
“There shall be no suggestions.” He too is as interrupted by the Lord with a raise of his hand. “My judgement is final.”
Lord Ashbourne turned to Damon whose face had darkened as realisation dawned on him. “You may leave. You leave immediately. A letter shall be delivered in advance before your arrival.”
Their mother’s face darkened and so did the faces of the others in the room.
“Yes, Lord.” Damon replied respectfully and took his leave without a moment to waste. He knew there was no pleading with his father. His judgements were always final.
Along with Damon, their mother exited the room and so did the others. When Osbourne finally stop up to leave, he was stopped. Reyla as well. “You both, stay behind. There are things we must discuss in private.”
Hwewing the word of their older brother, they paused and awaited everyone’s departure. “Reyla, I know you’re the most displeased by my decision on Damon’s matter but I cannot afford to go soft on the future heir.”
He sighed before raising his head to look into his younger sister’s eyes. “Please watch over him from a distance as he journeys to the academy. Only help when absolutely necessary. Only when he’s on the verge of death.”
As his words landed, he could see the change in Reyla’s expression. Her gloomy face was replaced with an almost uncontained excitement. “If that is my task, then I shall gladly do just that!” Lady Reyla said with an excited tone, walking out of the room the next moment.
Osbourne had remained silent but even he had a subtle smile on his face as he heard his brother’s statement.
However, when he was met with the cold look on his twin’s face, Osbourne knew his task wouldn’t we all milk and honey like Reyla’s. His brother only gave him such a look when he needed him to do something extremely hard.
“Whose body will I be putting down this time?” Osbourne asked with a frown that was just as serious as his twin’s expression.
Ashbourne’s expression grew even darker as he answered. “Damien…”
At the mention of the boy’s name, Osbourne’s face become extremely cold.
“He’s made the heir defy my, the Lord’s rules twice without lifting a finger and there’s no telling what might happen in the future. Their bond seems to be… Stronger. Yes, stronger than ours.” Ashbourne said without a single ounce of emotion in his words.
When Osbourne heard the mention of “bond”, his brows furrowed but he somewhat understand what Ashbourne meant. So, to show he understood, he nodded.
“In order to end that, we have to do away with Damien. I know how had it’ll be for any of us kill him off so we’ll let nature help us out. Let’s hope he’s lucky enough to receive his death at the hands of the magic beasts and not at the hands of the demons.” As Ashbourne spoke, Osbourne seemed to already know where it was heading.
Osbourne opened his mouth to ask the question on his mind but Ashbourne was one step ahead. “Yes, take him to the forest and leave him there.”