Five days later, they arrived at the townhouse nestled among the cobblestone streets of the bustling capital, Auran—a stately beacon of elegance and refinement. Its facade, fashioned from weathered red bricks, rose proudly to meet the heavens, adorned with ornate wrought-iron balconies that overlooked the bustling thoroughfare below.

It was purchased long after the success of the dressmaking business to join Odelia and Kairos in the summer for their trips to the capital for Odelia's Prestiss training. Poppy made all the dresses for the summer socials for the Royal family while they were here. It was a far cry from their cosy abode back in the Sessron dukedom.

As Avaria and Poppy step out of the carriage, they are greeted warmly by the familiar faces of the Brynes, the Maid and Housekeeper who have been a part of their lives for as long as Avaria can remember. With a beaming smile, Avaria rushes forward to envelop them in big hugs, feeling a rush of affection for the couple who had been like surrogate grandparents to her during her formative years.

"Nanny! Bruce!" Avaria exclaims, her voice filled with genuine joy as she embraces them tightly. The Brynes return her embrace with equal warmth, their faces lighting up with affection at the sight of their young charge.

With a few quick exchanges of pleasantries, the Brynes offer to assist Poppy with the luggage, their familiarity with the townhouse evident in the effortless way they navigate the steps and corridors.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, they step into the welcoming embrace of the townhouse's interior. The air is filled with the scent of polished wood and aged books, a comforting reminder of the home they've left behind. Rich tapestries adorn the walls, depicting scenes of mythical creatures and epic battles, while plush rugs soften the sound of footsteps on the polished marble floors.

In the corner of the foyer, a grand staircase spirals upwards, its bannisters intricately carved with floral motifs. Making their way through the familiar halls, they arrive at the heart of the townhouse: the drawing room. Here, plush armchairs surround a roaring fireplace, inviting guests to linger and unwind in its warm embrace. Avaria and Poppy settle into their favourite chairs, basking in the familiar comforts of home.

Poppy and Avaria sank into the plush armchairs of the drawing room, the crackling fire casting a warm glow over the elegant space. A sense of tranquillity settled between them as they basked in the familiar comfort of their surroundings.

Suddenly, Poppy broke the silence with a sigh, drawing Avaria's attention. "I have to go meet Her Majesty Cecile for a dress fitting," she announced, her tone apologetic yet matter-of-fact.

"So, you're free to do whatever you want for the afternoon."

Avaria's heart sank at the reminder of the looming ball and the flurry of preparations it entailed. "Ugh, the ball," she groaned, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. The thoughts of the wanted poster and demon slayer fill her mind, the ball was the last thing she wanted to attend to.

Poppy arched an eyebrow, a playful twinkle in her eye as she wagged a finger at Avaria. "You should start looking for suitors, my dear," she chided gently. "Odelia is fine with her priestess status, Kairos will inherit the dukedom, and Talbot will inherit his father's business. But you..."

Avaria opened her mouth to protest, but Poppy cut her off with a pointed remark. "And don't try to deny it. You're twenty-one years old, and I've never seen you with a male companion."

Avaria's shoulders slumped in defeat as she muttered, "It's not about old-fashioned debutante rituals anymore. Women work for their money and titles now. I don't need a husband."

Poppy chuckled softly at Avaria's response, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I understand, dear, but it wouldn't hurt to keep your options open," she suggested gently before continuing, "Besides, it's not just about old-fashioned rituals. You're a remarkable young woman with so much to offer."

"I suppose," she conceded reluctantly.

"And don't forget," Poppy added, her tone growing more serious, "the world is full of surprises. You never know what—or who—might come your way."

Avaria nodded, a flicker of determination igniting in her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind," she replied softly, her mind already buzzing with ideas and plans.

As Poppy rose from her chair, Avaria's thoughts turned to her own pursuits. Despite her reluctance to entertain the notion of suitors, she knew there were other paths to explore. With a degree in Fableology and Creature Science under her belt, she was well-equipped to embark on her own adventures, whether it be delving into ancient myths or studying elusive magical creatures—or simply finding someone on her own terms.

Poppy chuckled at the pouty expression on Avaria's face. "I'd like to know you're looked after if anything happens to me," she replied with a teasing smile.

Avaria's thoughts immediately drifted to the recent chaos and uncertainty surrounding Talbot's cryptic warnings about demons and dangerous magic. "What do you mean by that?" she blurted out, her voice tinged with urgency.

But Poppy waved off her concerns with a dismissive gesture. "Just a figure of speech, dear," she reassured, glancing at the watch on her wrist. "Okay, I'm off. Be good," she admonished lightly before disappearing out the door, leaving Avaria alone with her swirling thoughts.

Avaria gestured for Nanny and Bruce to join her by the fireplace. With a gentle smile, she handed her cloak to Nanny, requesting her to prepare some snacks for the evening. Then, turning to Bruce, she politely asked him to tend to the fire, knowing his skillful hands would coax the flames to life.

With the room bathed in the warm glow of the crackling fire, Avaria set about her plan to indulge in an evening of relaxation, intending to lose herself in the pages of a captivating book. As she pursues the shelves for the perfect read, her fingers tracing along the spines, a glimmer of light caught her attention.

Avaria's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the wax seal bearing the symbol of Sessron, the emblem of Odelias family. She reached out to retrieve the letter,assuming it was Odleia already insisting she pay Avaria a visit in the town house.

As she broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, her anticipation turned to confusion. The message was not from Odelia, as she had assumed, but from someone entirely unexpected. Avaria's brow furrowed as she read the words carefully, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious sender.

Avaria's fingers traced over the delicate script on the enchanted parchment, her mind racing with possibilities. Despite the neat and delicate cursive, she knew it wasn't Odelia's handwriting. In the realm of Astrum Letter sending, knowing the sender was crucial, but Avaria had a fair idea of who the reply was meant for.

With a soft smile playing on her lips, Avaria dipped the quill into the magical ink and began to write her response. "Come find out," she penned, her words imbued with a hint of playful mystery. Once satisfied with her message, she carefully folded the parchment and sealed it with her family's crest in wax, shaving the moonstone, its ethereal glow casting a faint luminescence in the dimly lit room she inscribed the name of the intended recipient.

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With a flick of her wrist, she sent the envelope off into the ether, watching as it dissolved into thin air, carrying her message to its destination.

Returning to her original mission, Avaria finally found a book to curl up with, the familiar weight of it grounding her amidst the swirling mysteries of the evening. With a contented sigh, she settled into her chair, the crackling fire casting dancing shadows across the pages as she awaited a reply, her mind buzzing with anticipation.

After hours of waiting for a reply, Avaria grew restless. With no sign of her mother and the silence in the house amplifying her unease, she finally decided to retire for the night. She bid goodnight to Bruce and Nanny, expressing her gratitude for their company and assistance throughout the evening. With a sense of quiet determination, she made her way up the stairs up to the familiar corridors of the townhouse, the soft glow of candlelight guiding her path.

As she reached the door to her bedroom, Avaria paused for a moment, her hand hovering over the handle. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, the events of the day weighing heavily on her mind. With a resigned sigh, she pushed open the door and stepped into the comforting embrace of her safe space.

In the quiet stillness of the night, Avaria's bedroom emanated a serene atmosphere, bathed in the gentle glow of the moonlight filtering through the wide window. The room, adorned in neutral tones with delicate accents of pink, exuded tranquillity and warmth, offering a sanctuary from the bustling world outside.

As Avaria prepared for bed, her heart swelled with gratitude as she noticed Nanny had thoughtfully prepared a hot water jar to warm her bed. With a soft smile, she settled onto the plush comforter, relishing the comforting warmth seeping into her bones.

Just as she began to drift into the embrace of sleep, a sudden knock on the window shattered the peaceful silence. Startled, Avaria quickly wrapped her dressing gown around her nightdress and moved towards the source of the disturbance. Before she could reach the window, it burst open with a chilling gust of wind, and a cloaked figure slipped into the room.

Reacting swiftly, Avaria's instincts kicked in as she grabbed a candelabra from her dresser, holding it aloft as a makeshift weapon. With a surge of adrenaline, she lunged forward, ready to confront the intruder and defend herself against any threat that dared to invade her sanctuary.

Avaria's heart pounded in her chest as she unleashed her fury upon the intruder, her makeshift weapon striking him with each blow. However, instead of retaliation, he raised his hands in surrender, his voice calling out a familiar greeting. Startled, she halted her attack, allowing him to grasp her wrists firmly.

"Hey, hey, hey," the familiar voice chuckled, his grip gentle yet firm as he turned her to face him. Avaria squirmed against his hold until she finally looked into his eyes, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at her mistake.

As he pulled back his hood, revealing his rugged features beneath the cloak, Avaria's breath caught in her throat. "You?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, disbelief and confusion clouding her mind.

He chuckled at her reaction, brushing his hand through his thick black hair as he met her gaze. "Miss me, Ria?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Avaria's embarrassment turned to indignation as she pushed him aside, hastily closing the window behind him. "When I told you to come see, I didn't mean for you to come creeping in like a stalking freak in the dead of night," she retorted, her tone sharp with annoyance.

He placed a hand over her mouth to silence her, his eyes darting to the door with a warning gesture. Avaria pushed his arm away, rolling her eyes as she informed him that her mother wasn't home.

Seating herself on the edge of the bed and pulling a blanket over her bare legs, Avaria watched as he settled opposite her on the window nook, his posture relaxed yet confident. She couldn't help but notice the stark change in him from the person she had known before.

As Avaria's eyes fell upon the memories of a young boy standing before her. Despite being older he had been a sickly and shy child, with a mischievous glint in his eyes and a crooked grin on his face. His features were soft and boyish, his frame slender and lithe as he followed Odelia, Talbot and her around.

But as she gazed upon him now, she was struck by the transformation he had undergone. The once-boyish features had matured into sharp lines and chiselled angles, his jaw now strong and defined. His frame had filled out with lean muscle, his shoulders broad and powerful beneath the cloak that draped over him. There was a confidence in his stance, a self-assuredness that spoke of experience and maturity beyond his years.

Despite the time passed, there was still a familiarity in the way he held himself, a hint of the spark that had defined him in his youth. But now, it was tempered with a quiet strength and determination, a sense of purpose that radiated from him like a beacon in the dimly lit room. As Avaria observed him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the man he had become, a far cry from the boy she had once known.

As the realisation dawned upon her, Avaria felt a shift in the air, a tangible reminder that they were no longer carefree children playing in the fields. They were two grown adults who hadn't seen each other in years, reunited under unexpected circumstances.

With a furrowed brow and a stern expression, Avaria found herself slipping into a lecturing tone, unable to suppress the concern that swirled within her. "You can't just do this anymore," she admonished, gesturing to him and the open window. "We're not kids anymore."

But he only chuckled in response, his laughter echoing softly in the quiet room. "Ah, but you forget, my dear Ria," he countered, his tone teasing yet affectionate. "You were the one who started coming through windows first, if I recall correctly. Looking for a sparring partner to sharpen your swordsmanship."

Avaria's sharp retort cut through the air, her words laced with disbelief and a hint of defiance. "Well, I'm no longer in need of a partner, Kairos." she stated firmly, her gaze unwavering as she met his eyes.

Kairos perked up at her words, a flicker of pride evident in his expression. "But I'm much better now. You've probably heard of me," he remarked casually, shrugging nonchalantly. "I've been on the front lines, and whispers of my fierce skill and special ability have made waves across the continent."

Avaria's confusion deepened as she struggled to reconcile the image of the young boy she once knew with the formidable warrior before her. "No way," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper as the pieces fell into place. "You... you're the Demon Slayer. You can use Celestial Magic."

Panic flashed across Kairos' face as he lunged towards Avaria, moving swiftly to cover her mouth and silence her words. Avaria's instincts kicked in, and she pushed against him, breaking free from his grasp. As he regained his footing, she bombarded him with a barrage of questions, her mind reeling with disbelief and confusion.

"How? Where? When? Why?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "It can't be."

Before he could respond the doorknob began to turn, Kairos swiftly dropped to the floor, hidden from view, while Avaria rushed to intercept whoever was entering. "Avaria, dear, I've just come to say goodnight," her mother's hushed voice called through the door. "I heard noises, are you okay?"

Avaria took a calming breath before responding, "Yes, Mother, everything's fine." Rushing to the door to stop her entering anymore, she quickly kissed her mother on the cheek, reassuring. Poppy entered the room and glanced around briefly, satisfied that all was well, before bidding Avaria goodnight and leaving the room.

With her mother gone, Avaria sprang into action, grabbing Kairos off the ground and pushing him towards the window. "You need to leave," she urged.

"But you want to know more," Kairos jests, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

At that moment, Avaria weighed her options, torn between the curiosity of learning more about Kairos' newfound identity, new title , and new ability weighed against the risk of facing her mother's wrath. Ultimately, she chose the latter, opening the window and ushering Kairos out. "You're not hard to beckon, it seems. We can speak tomorrow." she replied, her eyes darting to the door to ensure they weren't overheard.

Kairos smiled knowingly and replied, "As long as you're not with my sister, I presume you're free."

Avaria responded sarcastically, "Well, she is much better company than an intruder, and she uses the front door." he gave her a cheeky grin before he fled. Once the window was closed, she plopped herself onto the nook chair, revelling in the whirlwind of emotions brought on by the recent discovery.