Chapter 43: New World who dis?

Gene Gingerline had expected many things when he stepped into Moira Valecourt’s office.

A lecture, perhaps.

A stack of books taller than he was.

A mild scolding for disappearing for months without so much as a letter.

What he had not expected was to find Prince Cassian Aurelius lounging in one of the chairs as though he owned the tower.

For one stunned second, Gene simply stood in the doorway, Selene at his side.

Cassian looked up from his teacup and offered a small, wry smile.

“Gene.”

The prince’s golden eyes shifted to Selene, and his posture straightened slightly.

“Lady Selene. You are as beautiful as ever.”

He rose with smooth, practiced grace.

Whatever rivalry, awkwardness, or old feelings lingered beneath the surface, Cassian still moved with impeccable noble etiquette.

He placed one hand over his heart and bowed.

Selene returned the gesture with equal poise.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Gene’s gaze shifted to Moira, who sat behind her cluttered desk with an expression that mixed amusement and exasperation.

She was much as he remembered: auburn hair tied back in a practical braid, round spectacles perched on her nose, and robes covered in ink stains.

Seated beside her was an elderly woman in deep crimson robes, her silver hair arranged in a severe bun. Her sharp eyes missed nothing.

Moira gave Gene a sheepish smile.

“Why do you seem so surprised to see him?”

“A little,” Gene admitted.

Moira gestured to Cassian.

“Ah I forgot to tell you that Cassian is my cousin.”

Gene blinked.

Then he blinked again.

“You’re cousins?”

Cassian spread his hands.

“Shockingly, yes.”

Moira snorted.

“Though some days I question the blood relation.”

Cassian pressed a hand dramatically to his chest.

“The cruelty of your words are heinous and unjustified!”

He smirked and pointed his thumb,” I bet you’re just mad I’ve seen Gene more than you have.”

Cassian moved his head to dodge three books thrown at him.

Laughing, he was hit on the back of the head by a bigger book.

The older woman sighed.

“You two are exhausting.”

Moira gestured to her.

“Ahh sorry for not introducing you. Everyone, This is Mistress Aurelia Thorne, Senior Archivist of the Seventh Tower.”

The woman inclined her head.

“I have heard quite a lot about you, Lord Gingerline.”

Gene suddenly felt like a student being called to the principal’s office.

“I hope that’s a good thing.”

The corners of her mouth twitched.

“That remains yet to be seen.”

Selene squeezed his hand to keep him from saying something reckless.

⸻

Family Ties and Hidden Lives

Moira gathered several scrolls and tucked them under her arm.

“Well, as much as I would enjoy watching the three of you circle each other all night, my cousin and Mistress Thorne were just leaving.”

Cassian drained the rest of his tea and set the cup down with a sigh.

He walked toward Gene.

For a moment, Gene expected another smug remark.

Instead, the prince placed  both hands qon Gene’s shoulder.

The gesture was unexpectedly sincere.

Cassian leaned close enough that only Gene could hear.

“You must protect Selene.”

Gene stiffened.

Cassian’s voice was suddenly completely serious.

“What’s coming soon will test all of us.”

Gene frowned.

“What ….”

But Cassian had already stepped back.

His familiar smile returned, though it no longer reached his eyes.

“Take care of her, Gene.”

He turned to Selene and bowed deeply.

“Take care milady.”

Selene’s expression softened.

“Thank you, Cassian.”

The prince nodded once, then strode from the office beside Mistress Thorne.

The door closed behind them with a quiet click.

Gene stared after him.

For once, the prince had not seemed arrogant.

He had seemed worried.

Deeply worried.

⸻

Moira Returns

The silence lasted only a moment.

Then Moira shot to her feet and practically vaulted around her desk.

“Gene!”

Before he could react, she threw her arms around him.

Gene laughed and hugged her back.

“It’s good to see you too.”

Moira stepped back and adjusted her glasses.

“I thought you’d vanished into some magical dimension.”

Gene coughed.

“I mean…”

Selene smiled.

“That is not entirely inaccurate.”

Moira’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, this is going to be good.”

She looked at Selene and curtsied.

“My lady. It is wonderful to see you again.”

Selene embraced her warmly.

“It has been too long.”

Moira folded her arms and gave Gene a mock glare.

“You met one beautiful noblewoman and forgot all about your first archivist friend.”

Gene rubbed the back of his neck.

“In my defense, things got… complicated.”

Moira arched a brow.

“Complicated enough to include a haunted hotel, if rumors are true.”

Gene grinned.

“Would you like the short version or the impossible version?”

Moira’s smile widened.

“The impossible version of course.”

⸻

Catching Up

The next two hours passed in a blur.

Gene and Selene recounted everything.

The summoning system.

The Nightmare Grand Hotel.

The Caretaker.

Lilith.

Mother Sarah.

Jesse Belle.

The Midnight Academy.

The two mysterious towns.

The sentient French cart.

The haunted chef.

The mimic who ate a burglar’s hand.

And the recent revelation of Selene’s powerful summons.

Moira listened with widening eyes.

Several times she interrupted only to scribble notes.

When Gene described Chomper trapping the burglar in the barn, Moira laughed so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.

When Selene described the Scorpion Prince’s attempted rebellion, Moira whistled.

“You two somehow turned summoning into a combination of nation-building, education reform, and monster adoption.”

Gene shrugged.

“When you put it like that, it sounds weird.”

Moira stared at him.

“Gene, sentient furniture is helping to teach children mathematics.”

“Fair point.”

When they finally finished, Moira sat back in her chair.

“I absolutely wish I could see the hotel in person.”

Gene and Selene exchanged a grin.

“Then come back with us.”

⸻

Arrival at the Nightmare Grand Hotel

The portal deposited them in the main lobby of the Nightmare Grand Hotel.

Moira took one step forward and stopped dead.

Her mouth slowly fell open.

The lobby stretched upward in elegant Gothic splendor.

Crystal chandeliers glowed warmly overhead.

Black marble floors reflected the lights like dark water.

Ravens perched in decorative arches.

Guests and residents moved through the space with easy familiarity.

Chomper sat proudly by the front desk beneath his brass plaque.

The mimic chirped when he saw Gene.

Moira stared.

“Is… is that the mimic?”

Chomper opened his lid and displayed rows of gleaming teeth.

Moira squeaked and took a step backward.

Lilith, who happened to be skipping through the lobby, spotted them.

“Gene!”

She ran over and threw herself into Gene’s arms.

Then she noticed Moira.

“Oh! Hello new friend!”

Gene smiled.

“Lilith, this is Moira. She’s an archivist.”

Lilith scrunched her nose.

“Do you like cake?”

Moira blinked.

“Yes?”

Lilith beamed.

“Then you’re already a friend.”

Moira looked at Gene in disbelief.

“You have such a cute summon as a daughter.”

Gene’s smile softened.

“Basically.”

⸻

The Grand Tour

Moira spent the next several hours touring the world.

Every new location only deepened her amazement.

The Midnight Academy, alive with laughter and learning.

Victor and Morrigan’s laboratory, which Moira cautiously admired from a safe distance.

The armory, where Captain Stringer saluted her.

The gardens.

The towns visible beyond the hotel.

The dragons resting in the fields.

The schoolyard where children played tag with ravens.

When she met the Caretaker and Jesse Belle, her eyes widened.

Jesse Belle shook her hand enthusiastically.

“Well hey there, sugar!”

The Caretaker gave a silent nod.

Moira leaned toward Gene.

“Your strongest summon looks like a serial killer.”

Gene whispered back.

“Yes but… He’s actually very sweet.”

The Caretaker offered Moira a flower.

She accepted it with stunned delight.

“Thank you.”

⸻

Dinner Beyond Compare

That evening, Chef Lucien prepared a special meal in Moira’s honor.

The table glittered with silverware and candlelight.

Pierre the French Cart rolled proudly between courses.

Lucien himself presented each dish with theatrical flair.

Moonfen Herb Bisque.

Silverleaf Salad.

Roasted pheasant with blackberry glaze.

Creamy potatoes.

Fresh baked bread.

And, for dessert, Lilith’s Triple Chocolate Lava Cake.

Moira tasted the soup.

Her eyes widened.

She tasted the pheasant.

She closed her eyes in bliss.

When she sampled the lava cake, she actually put a hand over her heart.

“I think I’m in love.”

Lucien bowed elegantly.

“Mademoiselle, your words are a greater reward than any star.”

Moira pointed her fork at Gene.

“You should have invited me months ago.”

Gene laughed.

“You’re welcome anytime.”

Moira nodded emphatically.

“Oh, I fully intend to abuse that invitation.”

⸻

The Heart of the Matter

After dinner, Gene led Moira and Selene to the summoning chamber.

The room hummed softly with power.

Ancient machinery glowed along the walls.

The central portal pulsed like a living heartbeat.

Moira circled it slowly, running her fingers over the etched runes.

Her scholarly composure slipped, revealing pure fascination.

“This is extraordinary.”

She knelt beside the control console and pressed several illuminated symbols.

New layers of text appeared in the air.

Gene leaned closer.

“You can read that?”

Moira adjusted her glasses.

“Barely. It’s a hybrid script derived from proto-summoner runes.”

She looked up at them.

“Good news, Looks like you really can merge your worlds.”

Selene’s eyes brightened.

“So it’s possible?”

Moira smiled.

“Not only possible. The machine is practically begging you to do it.”

Gene took Selene’s hand.

The thought of combining their worlds sent a thrill through him.

A fairy-tale kingdom and a haunted empire woven into one.

Moira stood and dusted off her robes.

“There is just one requirement.”

Gene and Selene exchanged a glance.

“What is it?” Gene asked.

Moira pointed to the glowing screen.

A single line of text shimmered in the air.

ENTER NEW WORLD NAME

Lilith, who had somehow appeared without anyone noticing, gasped dramatically.

“We get to name it?”

Moira laughed.

“That appears to be the case.”

Gene looked at Selene.

Selene looked at Gene.

The portal’s light intensified, waiting for their answer.

Behind them, their friends and family gathered in the doorway, watching with eager anticipation.

Two worlds.

Two summoners.

One shared future.

And now, one name.

Gene squeezed Selene’s hand.

“So,” he whispered, smiling.

“What should we call our kingdom?”