The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Aeric was stunned by that offer, it certainly wasn't what he was expecting her to ask.

"What?" he asked with a startled expression. "Isn't that Daphne of Dawn's position?"

Lysandra weakly dragged herself backwards and she collapsed on the chair. "Yes. But she's the Head Girl of the Institution. With your stunning potential, you deserve a place as well. You should be the Head Boy of the Royal Institution."

"Hmm." Aeric sunk his hands into his pockets. "This is interesting. Though the idea of a Head Boy when there's already a Head Girl sounds pretty redundant as I'm the only Boy in the Institution. However, you've caught my interest, Headmistress."

He walked towards her desk. "What are the privileges of having this role of Head Boy?"

Lysandra adjusted her glasses and buttoned up her shirt, hair still messed up and her body still shivering. "The Head Boy and Girl are the Royal Student Presidents, which means they oversee other Student Presidents of normal Institutions all over the Realm. Those Student Presidents report to you two and you bring their grievances or updates to the Divine Court."

Aeric's eyes glistened. "The Divine Court? That is interesting indeed. Do tell more. Are we allowed to visit the Divine Court whenever we please."

Lysandra chuckled. "Oh, certainly not. You are only to come with me during my summoning. You and Daphne will sit with me as the discussions progress, and you are only to speak at your turn. The Divine Court is a place of excellence and respect. You must mind your manners once inside."

Aeric shrugged. "I like to believe I've got excellent manners." He then leaned forward. "Be honest with me, Headmistress. What made you decide to offer me this position?"

Headmistress Lysandra frowned, an expression on her face that said the answer to that was obvious. "What wouldn't?"

She sat up. "Aeric, I don't know if you understand but what you've done here to today is nothing short of monumental. A 200% Affinity of Divinity? You are basically a Divinity sucking machine. After now, I won't be able to stop the news of your Physical Divinity reaching the ears of the Disciples and Messengers, because everyone is going to be talking about your Declaration."

"You have the highest Affinity for Divinity ever recorded. Your numbers are reaching to the heights of a demigod — the Mothers." Lysandra's eyes narrowed. "Once they hear of this too, they're going to look at you differently. You're innocent, of course. But powerful beings do not like when someone threatens the scale of their power."

Aeric crossed his fingers together and thought deeply, then he said; "So you've offered me this position because it gives me a sliver of power and status that protects me."

"Yes." Lysandra replied. "Even though it also strengthens the Institution, it protects you. You would have just been a normal Royal Student who had an unbelievable Affinity for Divinity, but as Head Boy, you would be a person of status, with the power to match it.«

Lysandra peered deep into his eyes. "People would think twice before crossing you then."

Eyebrows furrowed, Aeric nodded his head. 'Not only does this give me a perfect route to the Divine Court, but it also provides me with status. Status projects fear and respect. I think I'm going to accept this offer."

"Fine," he announced, lifting his head to look at the Headmistress. "I accept your offer. I'll be the Head Boy."

Headmistress Lysandra gave him a sweet smile.

~ ~ ~

The streets of Starlight Royal Township buzzed with life, it was filled with light and activities under the mid-morning sun.

Stalls overflowed with wares; gleaming jewelry, fragrant spices, and vivid fabrics. Hawkers called out their prices, their voices rising above the clatter of hooves on cobblestones and the hum of conversation.

Nobles walked with measured grace, their polished shoes clicking softly as commoners scurried around them, some daring a curious glance at their fine attire.

There were children too, laughing and chasing each other through narrow alleys.

Through this thrumming scene came a dark and golden carriage. It was drawn by two enormous black horses moving the vehicle with an aura of quiet authority.

The body was glossy black and the wheels were rimmed in gold, gliding silently through the streets, showing that craftsmanship like this could only be afforded by the wealthiest.

Inside the carriage sat Lord Damon Zorath and his wife, Lady Kavria. They were a striking pair, and both somewhat resembled vampires.

Damon had on a tailored black coat, embroidered with golden snakes curling up the sleeves, and clinging to his broad shoulders. His pale skin and raven-black hair, neatly slicked back, gave him an air of dangerous refinement.

Beside him, Kavria adjusted her golden choker, the diamonds embedded in it glistening. Her dress was a masterpiece of black silk and gold-threaded lace, accentuating her sharp features and crimson lips. Her hair, a cascade of ebony waves, fell over one shoulder.

Peering out of the window, Kavria's crimson eyes narrowed as she surveyed the township. "Summoned by a boy," she sneered, disdain in her voice. "Imagine the insult. And yet, here we are, Damon. Bowing to the whims of a child."

Damon, who had been indifferent and silent throughout the whole journey, turned to her lazily. "I did not plan to attend either, my dear. But the situation is… intriguing."

"Intriguing?" Kavria raised an arched brow. "What could possibly intrigue you about this farce?"

Damon's lips twitched tiredly. "Consider this: Queen Guinevere has proven difficult to sway multiple times. We have a golden opportunity here. Her son is inexperienced. Perhaps, he might be more… pliable. And not to mention," he added, his tone darkening, "she demanded we come. So here we are."

Kavria stiffened at the mention of her, a flicker of unease passing over her otherwise composed face. She said nothing, turning her attention back to the passing scenery.

The carriage pulled into the courtyard of an opulent hotel cottage, one that had an exterior that blended modern luxury and old-world charm.

The building was constructed of dark stone, accented with gilded balconies and archways draped in ivy. A liveried butler, impeccably dressed in a black coat with golden trim, stepped forward and opened the carriage door.

"Lord and Lady Zorath," he said with a bow, his tone smooth and practiced.

Damon stepped down first, offering a hand to Kavria, who descended with feminine grace, although she was visibly unhappy as her heels clicked against the polished stone path.

The scent of hibiscus wafted from the garden beds lining the entrance, but Kavria wrinkled her nose, unimpressed.

When they got inside, the hotel was clearly made to fit wealth and taste. Chandeliers of crystal and gold hung from the ceilings, filling all the rooms with a beautiful warm light. Velvet drapes in deep golden framed tall windows, and oil paintings of long-dead nobles designed the walls.

As they entered their private chamber, Kavria's complaints began anew. "I should have gone to the tailor first," she lamented, taking off her shoe. "And the jeweler! Do you realize how much planning it takes to prepare for the ball? I can't possibly do it all while—"

"Kavria," Damon snapped, his voice sharp enough to halt her mid-sentence. "Can you just calm down? We are here for the good of the family, and also to honor the contract we signed with her."

Kavria turned on him, her eyes blazing. "Oh, her, her, her! That reptilian witch! I am sick of hearing you talk about her!"

Before Damon could respond, the ornate mirror on the wall shimmered unnaturally.

Then, in a terrifying manner, green mist began to seep from its edges, curling like smoke. The mist spread across the reflective surface, and then the image of a cavern appeared.

A woman's face emerged from the depths of the mirror's vision.

She had a stunning beauty. In fact, a beauty that was otherworldly. Her skin was extremely pale and flawless, her long, green hair flowed like a cascade of evil ivy, and her piercing emerald eyes seemed to cut through the distance.

Around her neck coiled a sleek dark green serpent, its eyes glowing with the same eerie green light that filled the cavern.

The woman's lips curved into a mocking smile as she addressed Kavria. "Tired of me now, are we, Kavria?"

Damon's wife stumbled back, her bravado evaporating under the woman's gaze. "I — no, Mother Aspasia. Please forgive me, that's not what I meant—"

"Do not insult my intelligence," the woman said, her voice silken yet laced with danger. "You signed a contract, Kavria. Your complaints are irrelevant."

Damon inclined his head respectfully. "Snake Queen," he called with a measured tone. "I didn't expect to be seeing you yet. To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

Aspasia looked away from the quivering woman and turned to face Damon. Truly, this woman was darkly beautiful. In a way that was terrifying but yet so alluring.

The way she lifted her single brow at Damon, it showed that she had authority, that she had power. Yet, everything she did appeared to be so sensual.

And her legendary voluptuous body had not even come to view yet.