Harem System In A fantasy World

Chapter 253: Celeste Returns Home

Celeste’s nightmare mount descended from the dark, thundering skies of Dreadmoor Hollow, its massive wings beating steadily against the heavy air as it cut through the rolling clouds.

The distant rumble of thunder seemed to follow in its wake, as though the sky itself acknowledged its presence.

The creature’s silhouette grew larger with each passing second, and soon it came fully into view for the small entourage gathered in front of the wide circular court that surrounded the towering black doors of the ancient Dreadmoor Castle, where the stone itself seemed to drink in the light, and the atmosphere carried a faint, oppressive weight.

The steed let out a deep, thunderous neigh as it descended, the sound echoing across the courtyard to announce the princess’s return long before she even touched the ground, and the once distant speck in the sky rapidly expanded until it filled the vision of those waiting below.

Lucius stood at the front of the group, and for once, his expression betrayed him completely, because a rare and genuine smile had spread across his face, one so uncharacteristic that it caused the elders standing behind him to exchange wry glances with one another, silently wondering where their stoic, unyielding ruler had disappeared to.

He was always like this when it came to his daughter. She had not even landed yet, and yet, he already looked like this.

Morgana sighed softly from where she stood among them, her eyes lingering on the scene with a complicated expression.

While there was certainly something warm about it, something almost enviable, she could not help but feel a twinge of distance, a quiet ache at the thought that she had never been able to foster that kind of bond with her own children.

Though at the same time, she knew well enough that the royal family was burdened with its own problems, and she found herself wondering how long Lucius would be able to indulge his daughter like this before reality forced his hand.

’Not long, I assume.’

The nightmare steed landed gracefully despite its otherwise terrifying appearance, its hooves touching the black stone with a heavy but controlled impact, and a steward immediately stepped forward to take hold of the reins as Princess Celeste dismounted, swinging her legs over with practiced ease and landing lightly on her feet.

Celeste looked nothing short of stunning.

She was no longer wearing her academy uniform, and instead she had adorned herself in an elegant black gown that seemed to blend aristocratic refinement with something darker, something more ominous.

The bodice was tightly laced, drawing in her waist with a sculpted precision that emphasized both her noble bearing and the faint edge of danger that seemed to cling to her presence, while delicate lace embroidery traced along the neckline, forming intricate patterns that resembled crawling shadows or thorned webs stretching across her skin.

Her upper chest and shoulders were framed by sheer black lace that formed an ornate panel, adding both delicacy and an almost sinful allure to her petite silhouette, and a small, high collar encircled her throat, fastened neatly with a thin black ribbon that accentuated the pale contrast of her skin.

At the center of that collar rested a striking blood-red gemstone, perfectly matching the color of her eyes, set within dark metal fittings that seemed almost alive, because it glowed faintly, pulsing subtly as if in rhythm with her heartbeat or the power she wielded.

It drew attention immediately, becoming the focal point of her entire appearance.

Her sleeves were long and fitted, clinging to her arms like liquid silk, and near her wrists the fabric softened slightly, folding just enough to create a subtle contrast between structure and flow.

The skirt of the gown bloomed outward from her waist in layered black fabric that moved like mist caught in moonlight, voluminous without being overwhelming, giving her the presence of someone who belonged not at the center of a midnight ritual.

In short, she embodied aristocratic Gothic beauty in its essence.

Her expression, however, was stern.

She looked toward the small group waiting for her, around eight figures in total, her detached gaze passing over them calmly before she began to walk forward, her heels clicking softly against the black stone with each measured step.

The first thing she noticed was her father’s face. That smile, and immediately she felt a headache forming at her brow.

’Argh… here we go again…’ she groaned inwardly.

The moment she came within five meters of him, Lucius stepped forward, and there was something oddly restrained about him, as though he was actively trying to maintain the composure expected of a king while failing spectacularly at hiding his excitement.

“My little girl!” he exclaimed, his voice somehow managing to sound like both a shout and a whisper at the same time, as he stopped just short of her and looked her up and down, taking in her appearance with clear pride.

Then, without warning, he pulled her into a tight hug.

’Far too tight…’

Celeste stiffened slightly, clearly not amused, but she did not resist, because there was no point. She could only lament her own misfortune for having such a doting father.

“That’s enough, father,” she grumbled, her voice laced with annoyance as she endured the embrace.

“I haven’t seen you in so long, and you haven’t returned the hug,” Lucius replied, completely ignoring her protest as he continued to hold her, his tone softening just slightly despite the firmness of his grip.

Celeste let out a small grunt, her expression tightening, but after a few seconds, she returned the hug reluctantly, because she knew that if she didn’t, he might actually never let go.

Lilith chuckled softly as she stepped forward, her presence warm and composed as she approached the two of them, and she gently placed a hand on Lucius’s shoulder.

“I think she’s had enough, dear,” she said lightly.

Lucius reluctantly pulled back, though not without first keeping his hands on Celeste’s shoulders for a moment as he looked down at her face, his expression full of relief and restrained joy, as if he still needed to reassure himself that she was really here in front of him.

“I trust you have been well,” he asked.

“I have been well, Father,” Celeste replied quickly, her tone slightly annoyed, though not enough to be called rude.

She gave him a small gesture to move aside, and Lucius, though clearly unwilling, stepped back enough for her to face her mother properly.

“Mother,” Celeste greeted simply, giving Lilith a light nod, and while there was no deep smile on her face, there was still a faint curve to her lips, one that softened her expression just enough to show that the warmth was genuine.

Lilith stepped toward her immediately, joy plain on her face.

“I’m so happy to see that you are in good health,” she said warmly as she embraced her daughter, holding her close for a moment before giving her a small kiss on the cheek, which Celeste returned without resistance.

After that, Lilith pulled back and allowed her daughter to face the five elders who had also come to welcome her.

Celeste gave them a simple nod, and they all bowed in unison. “We greet the royal princess.”

That was as far as their greeting went.

Nothing more was needed.

It was quite a sight, seeing these ancient and powerful vampires, the strongest of their race, bowing without hesitation to a twenty-one-year-old advanced mage, but such was the way of vampire tradition, and such was the depth of their respect for their bloodline and for those born to rule them.

As far as they were concerned, this young woman standing before them would one day be their next monarch, and so they treated her as such even now, which was precisely why they were all the more adamant about her fulfilling the duties expected of her station.

After their greeting, there was silence in the courtyard

Lucius cleared his throat lightly, stepping forward once more, though this time his expression had regained some of its usual composure, even if the faint softness in his eyes had not completely disappeared.

“You have returned earlier than expected.”

Celeste’s gaze shifted to him as she scoffed at his words. “You speak as though you did not emphasize urgency in your letter?”

Lucius cleared his throat awkwardly. What was he supposed to say? What he had written and what he actually felt were two separate things.

“You don’t need to wreck your mind over it. Thanks to you, my affairs at the academy reached a natural stopping point, so I had no choice but to come,” she replied, her voice even, though the way she phrased it made it clear she didn’t like being called here on such short notice.

However, she didn’t reprimand him too much. She would need her father’s support with regard to a certain matter very soon, and the happier he was when she broke the news to him, the better.

This was just her acting like her usual self lest they feel something was off, but subtlety would be needed for the matters to come.

Lucius studied her for a moment, his eyes lingering on her face as if trying to read between the lines of her words, but before he could press further, one of the elders stepped forward slightly, breaking the exchange.

“Your Highness,” the elder began respectfully, his voice low but firm, “we trust your time at the academy has been fruitful; however, there are matters within the court that require your attention.”