I am Just an Average Tamer

Selene's gaze drifted across the table and landed on the coiled shadowy form nestled beside Elina's chair.

With a curious smile, she turned to Kai. "That Abyssal beast of yours… it's quite a cute one, I must admit."

Kai glanced down at Nox, who had curled up comfortably, its black scales gleaming faintly in the candlelight.

"Thanks," he replied simply.

Selene's tone remained pleasant, but carried a trace of genuine interest.

"If you ever need guidance or knowledge about Abyssal beasts—how to train, evolve, or bond deeper—you can speak to my handler, Darran. He's in charge of the estate's more exotic creatures. He knows more about the Abyssal species than most scholars in the Empire."

Kai gave a slight nod. "I'll keep that in mind."

With that, Selene rose from her seat, straightened her coat, and gave them a final glance. "Well then, I have matters to attend to. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

As she exited the hall with silent grace, the atmosphere relaxed.

Elina leaned back in her seat, patting her small belly. "That was delicious," she announced with exaggerated satisfaction.

Liliana chuckled, covering her mouth. "Seriously, how did you eat more than I can?"

Elina just grinned. "Because I'm stronger than you."

Liliana rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah…"

Nox chirped softly, tail flicking. Kai just leaned back.

As the plates were cleared and the warm glow of the chandeliers mellowed the air, Liliana suddenly perked up.

"How about I give you both a tour of Vayhill City tomorrow?" she suggested, her violet eyes glinting with excitement.

Elina immediately straightened up, her face lighting up. "Really?! Yay! I wanna see everything!"

Kai leaned back, arms crossed loosely as he smirked. "I've got no objections. Might be nice to see the city in daylight instead of from rooftops and back alleys."

Liliana gave him a dry look. "Let's try to stay on the ground this time, shall we?"

Kai raised a brow but said nothing, and Elina giggled between them.

"Alright then," Liliana stood up and stretched. "I'll go tell Aunt Selene so she knows where we're headed. We'll leave after breakfast tomorrow."

"Can we visit a sweets shop?" Elina asked immediately.

Liliana chuckled. "You'll drag us there whether we want to or not."

After dinner, Liliana showed Kai and Elina to their respective rooms.

Elina clung to Liliana's side, excitedly chatting about the city tour, while Kai gave a lazy wave and stepped into his room.

The space was simple, but comfortable—a soft bed, a window overlooking the dimly lit gardens, and a table with a warm-glowing mana lamp.

Kai dropped onto the bed without bothering to change, his arms spread out.

"...So much for a simple job," he muttered, eyes fluttering shut.

******

In a grand hall drenched in deep maroon and golden banners, two men sat at an ornate table. Candlelight flickered between them, casting shadows on their aged faces.

One was Lord Ervyn Valkros, head of the Valkros House—a shrewd man with silver hair, an eagle-like nose, and sharp calculating eyes.

Across him sat Lord Dairus Varnel, broader in frame, his face lined with years of quiet ambition.

Their discussion had been circling the same topic for nearly half an hour.

"It's settled, then," Lord Varnel said, pouring himself a glass of amber wine. "My son will marry your daughter. It will cement both our positions."

Lord Valkros smirked, swirling his own drink. "Good. The other Houses won't dare challenge our alignment after that."

Just then, the doors creaked open.

A young man walked in with confident, measured steps. Tall, dressed in dark noble robes with the silver crest of House Valkros, he was none other than Kael Valkros, the heir.

"Father," Kael said, not bothering with a bow. "I've been thinking."

"Always dangerous, haha!" Lord Valkros laughed, setting his glass down.

Lord Varnel joined him too.

"I want that girl," Kael said bluntly. "Raelis, the one who came today. She's interesting. She'll be mine."

Lord Varnel raised a brow, while Lord Valkros let out a low chuckle. "You've got ambition, I'll give you that."

"But isn't she Selene's niece?" Varnel questioned, leaning forward. "She won't agree easily."

"Selene?" Lord Valkros scoffed. "Please. She might look tough, but underneath? She's a power-hungry politician like the rest of us. Offer her enough benefits, enough status... she'll fold."

"Still risky," Lord Varnel warned. "Selene doesn't trust easily."

Lord Valkros' eyes glinted. "Let her play around. In the end, it's just a marriage proposal. We'll be polite. No threats... yet. But make no mistake, Raelis will be mine daughter-in-law, one way or another."

Then he turned to his son, "Make sure to be in her good sight."

Kael's lips curled into a cold smile. "Good. I look forward to claiming what's meant to be mine."

Kael stepped closer to the table, his expression tightening.

"Also—something else," he added, voice laced with venom.

"Earlier today, some lowly city guards had the audacity to humiliate us. They treated me like a common thug in front of the crowd. Me."

Lord Valkros' face darkened instantly, his eyes narrowing like a beast disturbed from slumber. "Who gave them such gall?"

Kael clenched his fists. "That bastard Captain Darien."

Lord Valkros slammed his goblet on the table, wine sloshing over its edge.

"I'll see that dog demoted—no, better yet, stripped of his title and begging in the streets. No one humiliates a Valkros in public and walks free."

Kael wasn't done. His gaze turned colder, darker. "And there's that other boy."

Lord Varnel raised a brow. "What boy?"

"The one who came with that Raelis girl," Kael said, jaw clenched. "Some smug lowborn mutt. He stood in my way like he belonged here. Had the gall to act like he could talk down to me."

He leaned on the table, his voice low and firm. "I want to break him."

Lord Valkros smiled now, a slow, cruel smile. "Then you shall."

Varnel eyed him carefully. "Selene brought him, right? He might be under her protection."

Kael's smirk widened. "Not in the streets. And not when he's alone."

Lord Valkros nodded. "Fine. Do what you want with him. Just don't cause a public stir. Use someone else if needed, buy a few rats to bite where it hurts."

Kael sat down across them, swirling the last of the wine in his goblet. "Oh, I'll make sure he remembers the name Valkros... before he begs me to forget his."