Chapter 217: Long-Awaited Reunion I

At this moment, Dahlia was holding the scroll within her hands.

Her hand trembled slightly, her eyes shaking as an unspeakable emotion engulfed her heart.

And no, the nervousness she was feeling in this instance was not because of the countless eyes that were focused on her.

She did not care whether the officials of the Grava Duchy stared at her.

She did not care if even the duke himself was staring at her.

The only thing in Dahlia’s mind at this moment was the face of a certain boy with hair as white as snow and blood red eyes that she had yearned to see for the longest time.

’Please be safe...’

’Please be...’

Alive.

A word that she could not bring herself to utter, even in her thoughts.

Although the sender’s name on the letter was indicated as Regis, Dahlia still felt nervous.

She began to overthink, as the worst-case scenarios filled her mind.

Gareth leaned a little bit towards Doron and whispered, "Is she really Dahlia?"

"Yes." A female voice chimed in from the side.

Looking at the face of his wife, Gareth flinched before a joyful smile appeared on his face.

"Dad!"

Gusta also went and hugged him from the side.

Just as Gareth was about to lean towards his wife for a kiss, Glorietta smiled and placed her index finger over his lips, "Later... I think something special is about to happen."

"Right... Ehem."

A flash of sadness appeared on Gareth’s face before he cleared his throat with a cough, remembering the situation at hand.

Meanwhile, Doron walked beside the little girl and put his hand on her shoulder, "Go on, don’t worry about anything. He’s way stronger than you think."

"Mhm."

Dahlia answered in a nasal voice before using her sleeves to wipe the tears that had gathered on the side of her eyes.

Without wasting another moment, she untied the string binding the scroll and unfurled it.

Woong—

A bright light filled the room, causing the officials to back away with wary eyes.

Meanwhile, Gareth and Doron, who had returned beside him, stood with a calm expression on their faces.

However, their calmness did not last long as they noticed something emerging from the scroll.

It was a figure of a boy.

Although his whole body was made up of mana, his features and other characteristics, such as eye color, were still recognizable.

The eyes of the officials, along with Gareth’s, widened at the sight.

Of all those left speechless, it was Dahlia and Doron who wore the weight of the revelation most heavily.

Glorietta squinted, her eyes filled with both interest and curiosity.

It did not take long for the avatar formed from mana to fully materialize, revealing his features in striking detail.

The boy’s handsome face was on full display.

His hair, white as snow, was tied back in a half-ponytail, with loose strands gracefully framing his face and soft bangs partially veiling his forehead.

His blood-red eyes gleamed with an eerie, silent intensity, emitting a pressure so cold and heavy it sent a chill crawling down the spines of everyone in the room.

The avatar first cast his gaze over the tense officials, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Then, with measured grace, he stepped atop the table and bowed—a noble’s bow—with his right hand placed over his heart and his left foot drawn back behind him.

"I apologize for startling you with such an abrupt appearance. To the esteemed officials of the Grava Duchy, I extend my sincerest greetings."

"Forgive me for sending this letter without prior notice. My purpose is not one of hostility."

"My name is Regis. I am a friend of Dahlia and an acquaintance of Sir Doron Grava. The medallion bearing the Grava Familia’s emblem, which accompanied my letter, was entrusted to me by him."

"I merely seek to contact a friend—someone dear to me. However, I possess only a single clue: that she is currently under the care of the noble Grava Familia."

The avatar’s crimson gaze settled on Gareth, and for a fleeting moment, the Duke felt an invisible grip tighten around his heart.

"Most honorable Duke Gareth,"

He continued, his tone soft yet unyielding, "May I ask for a private moment with Dahlia? The mana within this scroll is enough to sustain my presence for three hours. I give you my word—after our reunion, I shall answer whatever questions you may have."

Gareth unconsciously gulped as he glanced at Doron, who gave him a silent nod.

Beside him, Glorietta’s eyes seemed to be glowing with intrigue as she hid her smile behind her black folding fan.

’Interesting...’

Gustav also felt interested in the identity of the avatar that came out of the scroll.

’Just who is he...? And why did Dahlia react like that?’

Gareth cleared his throat with a measured cough before speaking.

"I grant you my permission. My only request is that you honor your word. Doron will guide you to a nearby room. Please—make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Duke Gareth."

Regis’s avatar bowed once more, a noble gesture of gratitude, before stepping lightly off the long table. His landing was nearly soundless as he came to stand in front of Dahlia.

With a soft expression, he extended his hand in a gentlemanly fashion and said gently, "Shall we?"

"..."

Dahlia remained speechless, eluded by words while her eyes shimmered faintly, stunned and overwhelmed, as she reached out and placed her hand in his.

Without a word, Doron turned and began walking ahead, quietly leading them out of the chamber.

Creak—Thud.

The doors shut behind them with a heavy finality.

For a long moment, silence reigned within the chamber.

Then, Gareth finally broke it as he looked at his wife, "Who were they? Dahlia... and Regis."

"I... don’t know for sure." Glorietta felt her heart beating wildly, ’That kid... he’s the real deal.’

Noticing the smile on his wife’s face, Gareth squinted, ’That smile of hers...’

It was neither happy nor sweet.

’...it’s the smile she makes whenever she’s getting ready to fight.’

That was right, Glorietta, no matter how elegant she may seem, inherited the blood of Grava.

The bloodline of fearless warriors ran through her veins, shaping her with mannerisms befitting a descendant of a proud family of fighters.

He decided to give his wife time to calm down and chose not to talk to her just yet.

Gareth then looked at their son, "Are you alright?"

"Hm? Yes, Dad. I didn’t feel anything in particular..."

Gustav’s confused expression made him sigh a breath of relief, "Thank goodness..."

He could still vividly recall the overwhelming pressure that gaze of peculiar blood-red eyes exerted, making him unconsciously swallow his saliva.

’I’m glad he did not direct that pressure towards my son...’

At that moment, one of the officials rose to his feet.

"Duke, may I share my thoughts?"

He was an elderly man clad in a dark maroon robe, accented with bronze embroidery.

Long white hair flowed past his shoulders, and a matching beard framed his weathered face.

The deep wrinkles etched across his skin stood as a testament to the many years he had lived.

Gareth fixed his gaze on the old man.

"Perfect, Borce. As the highest-ranking mage in the duchy, can you explain exactly what kind of magic spell is engraved in that letter?"

Borce frowned, hesitation evident in his expression as he spoke, "If I’m not wrong... then that boy is way stronger than me."

"What!?"

The other officials exclaimed while Gareth remained silent.

Glorietta also could not believe what she had heard, while Gustav became more intrigued as to who that figure was.

***

Tap... Tap... Tap...

Three people walked in the hallway of the Ducal Hall.

Dahlia remained silent, letting Regis hold her hand as they walked while gazing at the large windows that showed the spectacular view outside.

The streets of the duchy bustled with life.

Laughter rang out as children darted through narrow alleys, their footsteps echoing against cobblestone paths.

Some mothers sat on wooden benches beneath blooming trees, their soft chatter weaving through the warm air as they kept a watchful eye on their little ones.

Meanwhile, walking just ahead of them, Doron felt as though the silence pressing down on him might suffocate him before they could arrive at the guest room.

He could not help but steal a glance at the speechless Dahlia, silently grumbling in his heart.

’You told me before you’d hug Regis the moment you saw him again—so what’s with this frozen silence now!?’

’Where did all that confidence go? For the love of the gods, just say something! This silence is killing me!’

Doron’s fingers furiously caressed his beard, more agitated with each passing second, as if the action could somehow scratch away the tension in the air.

Unfortunately for him, the silence remained until they reached one of the guest rooms.

Doron opened the door for them and stepped aside, "Take your time catching up."

He then continued with a small smile, "I’ll be right outside if you need anything. Don’t worry; this room is protected by a soundproofing magic array."

"Thank you." Regis’s avatar spoke with a tone filled with gratitude as he led Dahlia into the guest room.

Thud—

"Finally..."

As the door clicked shut behind them, Doron finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

However, a smile slowly tugged at the corners of his lips a moment later, "The thing you’ve wished for so long... it finally came true."

"I’m truly happy for you, Dahlia."