The Ardent estate was truly a sight to behold.
The first thing Adrian noticed were the gates, made of black metal bars and arrow like golden tips at the top.
The bars allowed him a view of what lay beyond. A long stone path stretched from the gates all the way to the main residence, its surface perfectly cleared of snow despite the cold northern winds.
On both sides of the path stood rows of frost-covered trees, their branches heavy with snow, yet arranged so neatly that they looked more like decorations than nature.
Even from the entrance, the estate screamed wealth and power.
Servants moved about in the distance, some carrying supplies while others tended to the grounds, their movements disciplined and orderly.
None of them spoke loudly, and even from afar Adrian could tell they were well trained.
But what truly dominated the view was the mansion itself.
The Ardent residence stood proudly at the center of the estate, a massive structure built from pale stone that seemed almost silver under the winter light.
Tall towers rose from its corners, their pointed roofs covered in snow, while enormous windows lined the walls like watchful eyes overlooking the grounds.
Golden accents decorated the edges of the estate, from the balcony railings to the tall pillars at the entrance.
It was less a mansion and more a small castle disguised as a noble home.
Adrian quietly observed the estate for a moment before continuing forward. The moment he reached the gates, two estate guards stationed there immediately approached.
They were about to ask him to state his name and business when they spotted the uniform he wore, and immediately understood who he was.
The two made way, opening the gates and allowing him through.
He continued walking forward without a word, since none was needed, besides he was still a bit tired from his battle with the Yeti.
As the gates closed behind him with a heavy metallic sound, Noctis lazily lifted its head from atop Adrian’s head.
«You know,» the cat muttered, «for a house of humans, this place is surprisingly extravagant.»
Adrian continued walking down the stone path toward the mansion.
"Extravagance is one of the things nobles excel at," he answered.
But considering the Ardents were one of the four great noble families, it was a given that their residence reflected that status.
The manhwa had even made that fact clear.
«I see,» the cat muttered as it lay back down, its eyes closing once more.
Adrian quickly approached the main building’s door, and the moment he stepped up the stairs, they opened for him.
No, they were not automatic doors, they just had two servants with great listening skills standing behind them.
Standing beyond the door with his cane in hand and an expressionless face was Sebastian.
"The patriarch would like to see you," was all he said as he turned around, leading the way.
Though from his mood, Adrian could tell that the old butler was pleased that he had made it out in one piece.
Well, mostly one piece.
They continued into the mansion which caused Adrian a sense of déjà vu.
The interior of the Ardent estate was just as grand as the outside, if not even more so.
The floor was made of some sort of marble that produced a faint glow, hanging on the high ceilings were chandeliers producing golden light which tinted the interior.
Servants moved quietly through the halls, each one stepping aside the moment they noticed Sebastian approaching. Some bowed slightly, others simply lowered their gaze in respect.
Not one of them said anything.
The steady tapping of Sebastian’s cane echoed through the hallway as he walked and Adrian followed half a step behind, his posture straight despite the fatigue still lingering in his body.
For a brief moment, his gaze moved to the side where one of the portraits caught his attention.
It was a very familiar one, depicting the current patriarch standing beside two children.
A young boy with black hair and blue eyes and a girl with white hair and similar eye, whose expression was calm yet distant.
Adrian’s gaze lingered on the painting for a short while, he had seen that image before but it wasn’t here.
Rather it was on a drawn panel of a manhwa Chapter during his lady’s backstory, which was why the feeling of déjà vu refused to leave him.
The two eventually stopped in front of a pair of large wooden doors and Sebastian knocked once with the end of his cane.
"Enter."
He pushed he door open, but instead of walking in, he just stepped to the side and Adrian took that as his cue to walk in.
When he was properly through the door, Sebastian locked it behind him, leaving him with the Patriarch within the room...or rather office.
Following his training, Adrian immediately bowed, staying in that position for a while until the Patriarch spoke up.
"You may lift your head."
Following the instructions, he lifted his head only to come face to face with a man whose presence alone seemed to fill the entire room.
The Patriarch of the Ardent family sat behind a large desk carved from dark wood, its surface covered with neatly stacked documents and sealed letters.
He looked to be in his late forties, perhaps early fifties, yet there was not a single sign of frailty about him.
His hair was completely white but of course it wasn’t due to age, his eyes were also bright crystal like blue ones.
The Patriarch’s features were nearly identical to those of his daughter.
Or rather—
Renelle’s features were nearly identical to his.
The reason for that was simple, like his daughter, the Patriarch was also contracted to an ice spirit which, at this point, had become the family’s signature spirit.
The Patriarch was also looking directly at Adrian without the least bit of expression on his face....that is, until he suddenly loosened up and smiled a bit.
"...You look like you’ve had an eventful trip," the patriarch said with a smile.