The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Far away to the north of that location, the Moonlight Region remained in its eternal darkness, blessed by the rays of the silver moon. Find your next read at empiren/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Inside the Castle of Moonlight, the dining room was awake, a masterpiece of silver and shadow.

Like the rest of the Castle, its walls were made from smooth obsidian stone and veined with luminous streaks of silver, pulsing with the Divine energy coming from the moon.

The main source of light were the delicate sconces lining the room, their silver flames flickering and casting a cool glow that danced across the polished ebony table dominating the space.

On the large table, there was a centerpiece of silver lilies resting, with candles of silver fire kept in ornate holders, adding to the atmosphere, making that very simple dining room appear as an otherworldly ambiance.

The table was also laden with food. Royalty as they were, the kind of delicacies on that table was only fit for queens and their heirs.

Plates of roasted venison glazed with dark honey, silver bowls brimming with pomegranate seeds and chilled fruits, and an assortment of cheeses arranged with fine artistry.

Then, there were goblets of the famous moonberry wine, and plates of desert; silver creamed egg rolls. The faint aroma of hibiscus and rosemary lingered in the air, complementing the feast laid out before the family.

One would think that some kind of grand feast was occuring here, but this was simply the way it was for the Moonlight royal family.

At the head of the table sat Mother Selene, with a gown of silver satin, hugging her devilishly curved and voluptuous body. The parts the gown didn't cover exposed her pale skin that glowed under the silver light, and her long, white hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.

As she ate, she looked at her daughters quietly, each silver eye moving to them one after the other, while her mouth moved on chewing motions.

To her right sat Aryanne, whose expression was tense, her eyes lowered to her plate as she pushed a piece of venison around with her fork, clearly still stewing over the events of the day.

And to her left was Melina, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her napkin, and though she occasionally glanced up, she avoided meeting her mother's gaze.

Then, at the far end of the table sat Luna, Selene's firstborn and most trusted.

Unlike her sisters, Luna's white hair was cut short, and nonchalantly designed into straight bangs that covered her otherwise big forehead, but at the same time, framing her sharp, angular features.

Her silver gown wasn't as loose as her mother's. It was simple but still elegant, emphasizing her role not as a Daughter to be coddled but as her mother's right hand.

Luna was tall and stoic, her posture was impeccable, her eyes steady and observant, also watching her sisters just like her mother was. It felt like information was passing between the two without even saying anything to each other.

Standing silently by the door, envious as she always was when Mother Selene was giving her Daughters attention and not her, was her maid, Maridel.

Today, she wore a black uniform trimmed with silver. Times like this, she knew to stay still and disappear like a shadow, because the queen was giving attention to her Daughters. And she... was not her daughter.

She kept her hands folded before her, and her gaze respectfully lowered, wishing she was sitting on that table, perhaps taking the place of one of those ungrateful daughters.

In time, as the chewing and clanging of cutleries continued, Mother Selene's voice finally broke the quiet, smooth and deliberate as the silver flames.

"I heard something eventful happened at the Royal Institution today." Her tone was calm as usual, but the weight of her words immediately drew attention.

Aryanne stiffened, her head dipping lower. Melina kept her gaze down.

When no one said nothing, Luna swallowed the chunk of venison in her throat, cleared it and spoke first, her voice measured and confident. "Indeed, Mother. Although I thought it might be a topic better suited for private discussion."

Selene's gaze shifted to her eldest daughter, her silver eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Then she glanced at her two you get daughters and returned to Luna. "I think it is okay. Aryanne and Melina were already present. I see no need to withhold the details."

Luna inclined her head, her bangs shifting. "As you wish." Her voice carried the weight of her position as Selene's confidant and enforcer.

Luna was the one who made sure that everything Mother Selene demanded was done. She relayed information to her younger sisters, gave them orders to carried out, and was on her way to lead the Moonlight Army into the upcoming Wave.

Events such as what happened in the school wasn't her business, and she also didn't care for the gossip of it.

However, in the lighter scope of things, what happened in the Mock Dungeon could prove to have some consequences in the future.

"Aeric of Starlight not only demonstrated a remarkable display of tactical knowledge and leadership, but he also managed to summon a considerable amount of physical Divinity. He used it to create a blast that struck down an Abyssal Terror — though it was only a prototype."

Selene's expression barely shifted, but her sharp eyes glinted with subtle interest. She leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly brushing the stem of her goblet. "Hmm," she murmured. "That is interesting. But... I know this is what makes it greatly intriguing but he is young and still Initiate Rank, am I correct?"

"No, Mother," Luna replied. "He leveled up to Adept."

Selene arched a single, delicate brow. "I see. That is some quick growth."

Mother Selene's reaction was muted than Luna and even the younger daughters expected. It seemed like their mother was not at all surprised by this information.

However, more tension arrived in the room as she turned her attention to Melina. "And I hear you lost a Beast Battle today. To Aeric of Starlight, no less."

Melina flushed, her hands clenching the napkin tighter. "Yes, Mother. His Silverwolf... it was way stronger and it wasn't a fair fight. He completely destroyed Drex, and the Beast Healer says the injury might need days to heal."

Selene regarded her daughter coolly, her expression unreadable. "A Beast Battle is a contest of your skill and tactics, your beast's strength and resilience, and the coordination and synergy you both have," she said. "You knew the rules when you accepted the challenge."

Melina lowered her head. "Yes, mother I do. But are you not going to do anything to get him back? He hurt Drex."

"It was a Beast Battle, you foolish girl!" Selena snapped. "Beasts get hurt! You cannot come running to me because you lost."

Melina frowned. 'But that's what I always do.'

Aryanne, emboldened by her sister's misstep, interjected, "Mother, she'll have to wear a Crest of Obedience now."

Selene nodded, her tone firm. "Indeed. I heard of that."

Aryanne frowned, confused. Was that all she was going to say. "Are you not going to do anything, Mother?"

"Do what?" Selene looked at her. "She fought by the rules, and those were the rules. You will have the crest tattooed and abide by the conditions it entails. You let yourself be captured by a Starlight, and that on its own brings shame to Moonlight.

"But, rules are important, Melina. Aryanne. When you win in your time, you will have the same right to enforce them upon your opponent. And you wouldn't want them meeting their parents to upturn them."

The younger daughters exchanged confused glances, sensing an unfamiliar defensiveness in their mother's stance regarding Aeric.

Aryanne grimaced. 'What's going on here? Why is she being so... lenient toward him?'

The eating continued, and as Aryanne and Melina silently ate, Luna gave her mother a knowing glance. She had a plan, and it involved this Aeric of Starlight.