Now inside the estate, the two families conversed in a spacious and lavish living room.
'You mean to tell me that you're marrying Juno?' Johan said in slight shock. Aster gives a simple nod to the question.
'You mean to tell me you're engaged to the princess of this country and you look like that?'
This might be the most emotion Johan had ever shown in his life. It felt like an older mentor scolding his disciple.
Aster furrowed his eyebrows at this attack on his image, but nevertheless ignored the voice in his head that was much noisier than yesterday.
"So Johan, how are your studies so far?" Owen asks taking a seat across from the boy.
"They've been going well," Aster responds. "Although I have a lot to learn still."
"He's also gotten more plump from the last time you've seen him. We try to get him to exercise, but he insists his studying takes priority," Ignis laughs as he teases his son. "Don't worry Juno, we'll get him in shape by the time of the wedding,"
Juno blushed in response to that remark.
"Owen, what happened with Juno? She seemed to get along with Aster a lot better when they were younger," Makai questions directing his gaze at the blonde. "Is it really the weight?"
"Can you guys shut up about my weight?!" Aster interjects clearly annoyed.
"Don't have the slightest clue," Owen responds monotonously. "I personally see love as a distraction from my goals, anything involving it does not concern me."
"You must be fun at parties," Makai flatly replies. "I mean, I guess arranged marriages don't usually involve much emotion with them, but at least our families are close!"
"You would think we would move on from such an old tradition" Owen bluntly states. "There is no reason for my sister to already have a fiancé at her age."
Johan had to agree with the prince. An arranged marriage made little sense, considering it appeared like Makai and him, both first in line as heirs to their respective families, did not have a partner picked out for they yet. Why was it that the princess and Aster were paired already?
Nobility is so confusing. Never liked it, never will.
The families continued chatting for another half hour before the King made an announcement.
"The reason why we came to your house today was to tell you that the Seraph family will be traveling to our castle. They have just gotten back from their trip to the coast. Would you care to join us?"
"Of course! It has been awhile since we've all been together!" Ignis says accepting the proposal. "Allen, prepare a carriage for us,"
"We will be ready soon, Sir Ignis," The head servant nods as he makes his exit from the living room.
On the way to the castle, Johan was able to see the geography surrounding the city and the city itself. Large ice-capped mountains could be seen in the distance with plains stretching miles away from the walled city. Johan also observed some dense forests at the base of the mountains.
The city seemed to be divided up into areas, with the main town containing houses, taverns, and markets at the bottom near the wall which enclosed everything. It appeared that the higher up you lived, the higher your status and wealth.
Johan took a liking to the cozy atmosphere of the lower portion of the city.
I'll need to ask Aster for the geopolitical information later.
Despite the Vanguarde estate being located inside the city walls, it still took fifteen minutes in a carriage to reach the Castellion castle.
The castle already looked big from afar, but was much larger now upfront. Constructed with pristine white stone and gold roofs, this building was quite the show of power and wealth. The castle was surrounded by another wall, the entrance guarded by knights. Entering the gate, large oak trees decorated the outside of the castle, with Johan noticing a tranquil and vast garden on the side. An area for carriages and barns for keeping horses had to be passed by before finally arriving at the entrance.
The entrance of the castle was also guarded by knights as they bowed to the King. A few minutes after waiting in the entrance hall, the Seraph family arrives.
A man with a black slicked-back hair with a bushy beard is the first to greet everyone. His blue eyes told Johan this man was stoic and calculated like himself. The man's wife followed parallel to him.
She had brunette hair tied up into a bun and also blue colored eyes.
"This reminds me of our time at the academy," the man spoke.
"How have you been, Victor?" Ignis asks as they shake hands.
"I have been well, how about the both of you? Enjoying this era of peace?"
"Yes, your efforts during the fighting are still proving to be invaluable till this day" the king praises.
"Your words warm my heart, Louis." Victor replies as he bows.
"How was your trip by the coast Alice?" Talia asks the brunette woman.
"It was very relaxing, weather and food were great and there were many places to shop!" the brunette explains. "We had to stop by our house to unload everything we bought before coming here."
Behind the parents were a boy and a girl, both with black hair and blue eyes. The girl appeared to be around the same age as Owen with the boy being closer in age to Aster and Juno.
"Nice to see you, Eliana." Owen says monotonously while walking over to the girl.
"Likewise, Owen." She responds. "I suppose you are working hard to make the student council?"
"Just because you made it in your first year does not make you special. There are plenty of people who have done it before and you are no exception." Owen replies coldly.
"Jealous much?" Eliana glares at the blonde boy, to which he gladly does back. Makai watched the two in amusement. These two are quite the rivals.
"So, how has the training been for your son?" Louis asks, directing his gaze at Alice.
"It was quite a shock to find out he possessed light magic, but we have adjusted. Training has been rigorous for him, but he has fared well and me and Victor are incredibly proud of him," Alice says, her tone jovial.
"While there is a lot of pressure and attention for possessing the light affinity, Matteo has done an exceptional job at blocking out these distractions, though I imagine these problems will amplify when it is time for him to attend you academy Ignis," Victor adds, also eager to gloat about his son.
"How about we continue talking over lunch?" Kaira interjects. "It's a lovely day outside, we can all eat in the garden."
"The chefs have been cooking since this morning. I will get the tables prepared," Louis continues as everyone follows the king outside.
"Aster, you coming? I have a lot of things I want to tell you about from the coast," Matteo says looking back at the chubby boy.
"Tell everyone I'll be there in a moment, I have to use the bathroom," Aster replies.
"Hurry up then! It's rude to make people wait," Juno shouts with a pout on her face.
In the bathroom, Johan can finally ask all the questions that had popped up in his head since the morning.
'To start, what is the name of this country? City?'
"There are four islands that make up this world, each island being a country. Osiryn, Torentia, Maru, and Lynndern. The country we're currently in is Osiryn. It's the largest and most influential country out of the four. Economics, military, politics, none of the others can rival Osiryn."
'I'm assuming we're in the capital then. What's it called?' Johan asks.
'The capital is called Deyvitum. It is of course where the royal family and the most important people of the country reside. You know my parents run the Vanguarde Academy, which is the most prestigious institution in the world for studying essence. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend it despite being their son." Aster explains. "Is that enough about geopolitics?"
So an affinity is a requirement.
'Yes, you explained that quite well for a child,'
'I heard about that boy Matteo having an affinity for light. I thought there were only five affinities?' Johan questions.
"For virtually everyone, there are only five affinities. However two people are the exception. One person can possess the light affinity, while one possesses the dark affinity." Aster reveals. "Besides being their own unique affinity, both light and dark have the potential to use all five other affinities."
'Interesting. So essentially, that boy is the chosen one?'
"Yes."
'Is there information on who has the dark affinity?'
"No one knows yet, but no one wants that power anyway," Aster asserts. "It's a life you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy."
'Well then, I think it's time you rejoin everyone, we can continue talking later.'
As Aster is escorted by a maid to the garden, a terrifying sight comes into view that makes his blood run cold.
"What… What is that doing here…?"