Transcendence?

***Norfolk, Sarn-Valley***

“We are here!”

We lead my parents towards the entrance of Ascathon's property. Four burly and big guards step aside as they recognize us. It's a clear night in Sarn and the stars sparkle above us.

A small walk takes us to the entrance of the mansion and we enter the reception room. Sarah is at her desk like always.

“Sarah! Look. I found my parents. Could you get everyone and ready a room for them?” I walk over to Sarah who stores a few documents away.

“Liandra will be overjoyed.” Sarah walks off to get the kids.

Then I turn back to my parents. It only just occurred to me, but they were awfully quiet since leaving the ball. “Mom, Dad? Is something wrong? You were so quiet.” I try to smile to them to soften the mood.

“Ah. It's nothing dear. It's just that this mansion seems awfully big and there seem to be no servants?” Idala voices her thoughts while looking around.

Ah. I guess in another mansion from a noble family you would be greeted by an army of servants. That's not the case in the house of Asceron..... for certain ~reasons~. I guess that this will become another problem!

I realize now that Ascathon is smirking at me while standing behind my parents. They can't see his expression because they are looking at me. Damn. I was so happy about finding my parents that I didn't think this through. And Ascathon didn't bother to mention anything.

He is looking at me like asking how I intend to explain his house to them!

“Yes. Ascathon doesn't like servants. So there are just us, the kids, their tutor Stefan, Sarah who is our secretary and the guards who live in a separate part of the mansion.” Covering it up could work for the time being but my parents will surely have thoughts of their own.

Both of them take a look back at Ascathon who immediately changes his expression to indifference. “I am simply not comfortable with too many people around. And I don't like having someone do something for me which I can do on my own. There are just some cleaners who show up once a week.”

“This still looks like it costs a lot of money. How much did you spent on the small army around the mansion and this principality.” Arduin asks Ascathon a bold question.

But the hermit just shrugs his shoulders. “A little more than two thousand platinum coins. I didn't bother to count.”

“He didn't bother to count.” Idala turns towards me and smiles.

“Well. Let's go to the living room. Sarah will need some time to prepare a room.” I lead them into our private area of the mansion.

Inside the living room we find Den, Stefan and the kids. Stefan is teaching them magic while using Den as the target.

They are trying to enchant Den which is bound to fail. As someone with the werewolf-curse on him, he has unbelievable high resistances. I found out about Den and his people only just recently.

He mentioned it like talking about the weather at one point. Until then I had trouble trying to understand the strange abilities of the guards. They were faster than their size suggested. Their senses seemed to be better than those of a normal humans. It all made sense in that moment.

“Mom! Dad!” Liandra sees Idala and runs into her arms. Arduin starts to pat her head. I wait for the moment of reunion to pass and then I introduce our employees.

“May I introduce you? That's Stefan. We hired him as a teacher for the kids. And that's Den. He is the captain of the guards. Stefan, Den. These are my parents Idala and Arduin.” Just as I speak those words Sarah enters the room.

She bows respectfully towards us. “As I see you already found the others by yourself. I prepared one of the bigger private rooms. It's the one right next to the study.”

I nod while smiling. “This is Sarah by the way. She is our secretary. Please feel free to ask her if you wish for anything.”

While I introduced everyone Violetta sneaked up to Ascathon and looked with interest at Idala and Arduin.

“And this is my little sister. Violetta.” Ascathon smiles while patting Violetta's head.

“We will excuse ourselves then.” Den leaves the room and Stefan follows with Sarah. I guess they thought about giving our reunion some space.

“It was a long day. Why don't we sleep over everything? I have to admit that I am a little tired.” Ascathon excuses himself while my parents follow him with their eyes.

Idala is still hugging Liandra and I decide to follow Ascathon's example. “I will show you your rooms. We will talk about everything tomorrow.”

So I lead my parents to their room. “This house is more like a dream out of a wonderland than a real house.” Arduin gives me a questioning look.

I turn towards my father. “Why do you think so?”

“The whole house has lights at this hour. How much concentration does it take to maintain this?” Arduin looks towards the light at the ceiling.

“Ahaahaha. My husband is a collector of magical items. I will explain everything to you in the morning. I guess this really feels like wonderland to you. For the time being you just have to know that you can control the lights by waving your hand over these controls at the walls.” I demonstrate it to them.

“Ah. And the baths have running water and the bathtubs are enchanted to keep the water warm. So don't fret over it. I will see you in the morning.” I leave the room in a hurry to avoid further questions.

Then I head for Ascathon's room. He is already in the bed and looks like sleeping. So I use the bath and get changed. When I get back I find Ascathon with that stupid smirk again.

“Tomorrow I will be entertained quite a bit. I am looking forward to how you will explain my house to them. They will go through the roof when they find the kitchen. Or when they take a closer look at some of the clocks and realize that they don't have just a decorative purpose. Or when they realize that the whole house is fitted with lights. Will they run towards the Academy or is their love for their daughter greater?” He rolls onto his back and takes a look at the ceiling.

“I trust my parents. They are good and loving people.” I enter the bed too.

“If you say so.” He is still looking at the ceiling.

I wait for another five minutes but I get no further reaction from him. Our relationship is still too cold in my opinion. Nothing has changed about us. Just because I found my parents it doesn't mean that.... haaah.

“I am frustrated!”

“Why.”

“A beautiful woman is lying right next to you. And you don't even try to do something! ….. again....”

“I am not in the mood....”

“I may ~lose~ my mood to cook chocolate.”

“....”

…..

….

…

..

The next morning I awake with Ascathon lying on top of me. I roll the snoring hermit to the side and sit up. I wish I could get him to go on the offensive for once.

That's when I realize that he has a certain reaction which is bound to happen sometimes in the morning. He is still snoring while deep in his sleep. ~Hmm.....~

….

…

..

“I feel raped!”

I leave the bath and the hermit looks at me with a mourning expression while complaining. “Don't mope about it. Be happy to be awakened in such a nice manner.”

When I wink at him he shakes his head and I leave the room.

A few steps take me into the kitchen where I find my parents with disturbed faces. Liandra has a bottle with water on the cooker and Violetta is sitting on Idala's lap like she belongs there.

Aw... crap.

“Good morning daughter. Don't you think that there is much explaining to do?” Arduin looks at me with a forced smile.

“Yes. Why are these artefacts violating more laws than I could have ever imagined being violated in a single lifetime?” Idala takes a piece of bread with marmalade from the table.

“Well. Cool stuff. Isn't it?” I take a seat myself and Liandra places a few cups with tea on the table. “Ascathon built them. He is good with stuff like that.”

“I am led to believe that he isn't a good influence for you.” Arduin winces while looking into his cup of tea.

“Do you have any idea what will happen when the Academy finds out. These kids don't deserve such a risk. They seem to be completely unaware of the dangers.” Idala takes a bite from the bread.

I think long and hard before I answer. “I am aware of it. I am also aware of the coming war. And between all the options which are available to me, this is the best one. Besides.... ”

“~We will rule the world soon enough anyway.~”

My father spurts his tea all over his food while my mother starts to choke on her bread.

.