Inside a sleek limousine-like hover car, a family of four occupied the seats at the back. The man possessed vibrant red hair and intense eyes, while the woman exuded beauty with a demeanor that screamed of her desire for control. Seated with them were two children – a boy and a girl.
"Lila, sit up properly. We're visiting another tier-1 family. Don't tarnish our reputation and behave more like Dell," the woman directed.
"Yes, Mom," Lila replied with a sigh, complying by adjusting her seating position. 'Why am I even here?' she wondered, gazing out of the window.
Observing Lila's improved posture, Luna's smile of approval surfaced.
"You'd have been better off staying at home," Dell teased, his chest swelling with pride in response to their mother's acknowledgment.
Lila chose to ignore him, directing her gaze elsewhere, which visibly irked her brother.
"We've been attempting to negotiate with those madmen to cease their rampage. Our Alverian family has suffered significant losses due to their actions. This plan has to yield results, Luna," Eleanor voiced his concerns, locking eyes with his wife.
"Don't worry, dear. The plan will succeed." Luna said reassuringly, making Eleanor give a stern look toward his son,
"I expect nothing short of success," Eleanor's firm statement intensified the atmosphere. Beads of sweat formed on Dell's forehead as the weight of the situation pressed down on him.
"Yes, Father," his response carried the weight of responsibility, his voice tinged with the pressure of living up to his father's expectations.
'I'm tired of this family,' Lila's thoughts resonated with exhaustion, captured in a weary sigh.
After several hours, the family arrived at the Ravenstein estate. Their entrance was unhindered, as the emblem of the Alverian family adorned their escort, and prior notice of their visit had been conveyed to the Ravensteins.
Upon reaching the mansion's entrance, the family disembarked from the car with their guards. Their gazes fell upon Boman, who inclined his head respectfully and addressed them, "Welcome to the Ravenstein estate. The master has been awaiting your arrival."
Eleanor acknowledged his words with a nod, prompting Boman to continue, "Please, follow me."
With Boman as their guide, they made their way into the estate. Dell and Lila were directed to a separate area, while the adults were led into a room where Avalon and Anastasia, sat side by side on a table.
This room was reserved for welcoming guests of equal status. Holding such meetings in the throne room would be considered impolite, a fact other families would not take kindly to.
As they entered, the couple took their seats. A maid entered the room, bearing a tray of tea, which was placed before them.
Seated in the room, tense energy crackled between Avalon and Eleanor as they locked eyes, their auras manifesting. Anastasia, seemingly unfazed, maintained her detached composure.
However, Luna intervened, placing a calming hand on her husband's shoulder. He regained his composure and cleared his throat, breaking the silence,
"Will you cease your rampage within our domain?" he went straight to the point.
The Alverians had been exerting pressure on the Ravenstein family to halt their rampage in sector 4. The Ravensteins, however, remained resolute in their refusal, asserting that they wouldn't stop until they uncovered the identity of Ariel's murderer.
The ongoing rampage had inflicted considerable financial losses upon the Alverian family, and they had come here with a plan to convince them.
"Not until we uncover my brother's killer." Avalon response was immediate.
A palpable intensity filled the room as they as their aura surged once more.
"We will blacklist you if you persist." Eleanor declared.
The Alverians wielded substantial influence within the potions market. Choosing not to engage with them in trade would undoubtedly harm the Ravensteins. However, this decision wouldn't be without its consequences for the Alverians themselves.
Effectively, it would amount to declaring the Ravensteins as enemies, a situation that might escalate into a full-blown war. Eleanor was well aware of this, but they had a plan.
Just before Avalon's anger could escalate, Eleanor continued "Unless you adhere to our terms,"
'They laid out a massive threat to make us consider their proposal. Smart, but what exactly are they plotting?' Anastasia picked up on their plan and couldn't help but sense that there was more to the Alverians' proposal than meet the eye.
Avalon's fury simmered, and he posed a question in a more composed tone, "And what might those conditions be?"
Eleanor's tone grew pointed, "You have a son right?"
The room grew colder at his words, Anastasia interrupted with a chilling tone, "Leave him out of this." unleashing her master rank aura.
Luna also intervened, releasing her own master rank aura, "Calm down. We mean no harm." she said.
Eleanor pressed on, "Let's arrange a spar between your son and mine. The loser must heed the winner's terms. What do you say?"
Anastasia had always been fiercely protective of Atticus, taking great care to shield him from the eyes of everyone until he reached the age when it was normal to awaken.
This approach had led many in the human domain to assume that Atticus lacked talent or was weak. However, Eleanor's strategy hinged on this very perception, as he held unwavering faith in his son's abilities.
Avalon briefly glanced at Anastasia, who subtly shook her head, conveying her dissent. Refusing would mean accepting that their son was weak, a blow to the Ravenstein family's reputation, especially considering the Alverian family's non-warrior background.
Yet, he perceived the practicality in this proposition. 'This could provide an opportunity to handle the Alverian family more effectively. Besides, Sirius has been training him, and he mentioned that he has talent,' he thought.
"Let's hear what he thinks." Avalon turned to Anastasia and suggested, eliciting a frosty look from her.
'I'll be sleeping on the couch for a while.' he thought inwardly with a small sigh. He then summoned a maid, instructing her to fetch Atticus. This action prompted Eleanor and Luna to exchange glances and smiles.