Imagination System: The Last Dreamer

[Yesterday]

The Vossmer family residence exuded power and elegance, but behind its gilded walls, tension simmered.

Graviel Vossmer, the head of the mighty Vossmer family, had just left the courtyard where his youngest son, Kaelan, had been carried off to his chambers.

Despite the lack of emotion on Graviel's face, his thoughts were racing through his mind.

Kaelan was the last of five children, all born from Graviel's first and only wife, the proud and accomplished Lady Lysandra.

Unlike the children of Graviel's concubines—whose value to the family was often questioned—Lysandra's children bore the full weight of their family's honor and expectations.

Each of the five siblings was expected to embody the strength and pride of the Vossmer lineage.

Kaelan, however, was a constant source of disappointment.

As the youngest, he had grown up under the towering shadows of his four older siblings, all of whom were exceptional.

His eldest brother, Kaelric, was a Martial Grandmaster at thirty and already a renowned general in Murim.

The second, Kaelrin, was a diplomat whose cunning words had secured countless alliances for the family.

The third, Kaelmar, was a strategic genius who had outwitted entire sects in combat.

Even the fourth, Kaelissa, defied traditional gender roles, earning the title of Martial Sage before her twenty-fifth birthday.

And then there was Kaelan—the reckless, impulsive, and arrogant youngest son. Though he had some talent in martial arts, his achievements paled in comparison to those of his siblings.

His frequent missteps and lack of discipline had made him the black sheep of the family, and today was no exception.

Graviel made his way to the grand hall, the footsteps of his boots echoing in the still air. The main pavilion loomed ahead, its massive double doors intricately carved with depictions of dragons coiling around mountains, symbolizing the Vossmer family's unyielding control over the eastern Murim region. Servants along his path bowed deeply, averting their gazes as Graviel passed.

Once inside the grand hall, Graviel ascended the short flight of steps leading to the grand throne that symbolized his authority over the family.

The throne was an imposing structure, carved from black jade and inlaid with veins of pure gold. Sitting on it, Graviel exuded an aura of absolute command.

He leaned back slightly, resting one hand on the gilded armrest as his sharp, eagle-like eyes scanned the room. With a flick of his fingers, he gave the signal.

From the shadows, a figure materialized.

The man who appeared knelt in one fluid motion, his movements silent as death. Dressed entirely in black, a mask concealed his face, revealing only his piercing gray eyes.

This was Rendall, captain of the Vossmer family's intelligence unit—a ghost in the service of the family, skilled in espionage, assassination, and the gathering of secrets.

Rendall bowed his head deeply, his voice low and respectful. "My Lord, you summoned me."

Graviel's gaze bore down on him. "Rendall, you've been keeping watch over Kaelan, as I instructed. I demand to know what happened today in Grimford. Spare no detail."

Rendall hesitated for a fraction of a second, a pause so brief that most would not have noticed it. But Graviel did. His eyes narrowed, and the air in the hall seemed to grow heavier.

"Speak," Graviel commanded, his voice laced with icy authority.

Rendall raised his head slightly, meeting Graviel's gaze. "Young Master Kaelan… caused an altercation in the city," he began carefully. "He was visiting Grimford with his entourage, harassing merchants and commoners alike. However, during his antics, he crossed paths with… someone unexpected."

Graviel's brow furrowed slightly, though he said nothing. Rendall continued.

"Kaelan encountered Elara."

The silence that followed was deafening. Graviel's fingers tapped once on the armrest of his throne, the only sign of his surprise. "Elara," he repeated, his tone calm yet edged with something unreadable. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, my Lord." Rendall's voice remained steady, though he could feel the tension radiating from Graviel. "She was in the marketplace. However, she was not alone. She had… children with her."

Graviel leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Children?" he echoed, his tone suddenly colder. "Explain."

Rendall lowered his head again, clearly reluctant to continue. But he knew better than to defy Graviel's orders. "The children appear to be hers," he said cautiously. "Two boys, they're twins. They… intervened during Young Master Kaelan's altercation with her."

Graviel's voice dropped to a dangerous low. "And how is this connected to Kaelan's current condition?"

Rendall hesitated again, his loyalty warring with the fear of Graviel's wrath. Finally, he spoke, his words measured but weighted. "The younger of the two boys—Elara's child—attacked Young Master Kaelan. He… destroyed the young master's manhood."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Graviel sat motionless for a moment, processing the revelation. Then, unexpectedly, his lips curled into a smile—small at first but growing wider as a soft chuckle escaped him.

"A child," he murmured, almost to himself. "Elara's child, no less, managed to bring my son to his knees in such a humiliating fashion." His laugh deepened, though it carried no warmth.

Rendall remained silent, his head still bowed. He had served Graviel long enough to recognize when his master's amusement masked deeper thoughts.

Graviel stood abruptly, his long cloak sweeping behind him as he descended the steps of the dais.

"Three years ago," Graviel began, his tone contemplative, "Elara was involved with my first son, Kaelric. A foolish boy, blinded by love." His voice hardened.

"I warned him that she was unworthy. A woman of unknown origin, trained in assassination—an assassin employed by this very family, no less. The family's reputation would have been sullied had their relationship continued."

Rendall dared to lift his gaze slightly, studying Graviel's expression. The Vossmer patriarch's face was calm, but his eyes burned with a cold fire.

"She fled after I forced them apart," Graviel continued. "I should have known she would not leave quietly. To think she was carrying Kaelric's child…" His voice trailed off, and he turned back to Rendall, his piercing gaze pinning the captain in place.

"These children… did you assess their strength?"

"Yes, my Lord," Rendall replied quickly. "The younger boy is unusually strong for his age. Though I could not confirm his exact level, his physical abilities far exceed those of a Martial Warrior, possibly nearing a Martial Expert."

"And the older boy?" Graviel asked, his interest piqued.

Rendall hesitated. "The older one did not engage directly, but… his presence was unsettling. He seemed calm, calculating. I suspect he is no ordinary child."

Graviel's smile returned, though it was colder this time. "Interesting," he murmured. "Very interesting."

He turned toward the great doors of the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. "Rendall, continue monitoring the situation. I want detailed reports on their movements. As for Kaelan…" Graviel's smile faded, replaced by a look of icy disdain. "Ensure his humiliation does not spread further."

"Yes, my Lord," Rendall said, bowing deeply before fading back into the shadows.

Graviel then called for Darius, the head steward of the Vossmer household. The man appeared swiftly, his gray hair neatly combed and his posture impeccable as he bowed low before Graviel.

"You summoned me, my Lord?"

"Indeed," Graviel said. "I have a task for you. Locate Elara and her children. Approach them with tact, but ensure they understand they are to come here. Escort them personally if necessary."

Darius's brow furrowed slightly in confusion, though he did not question his master. "Shall I inform them of the reason for their summons?"

Graviel shook his head. "No. Let them wonder. I am curious about these children. Bring them to me."

Darius bowed deeply. "It will be done, my Lord."

As the steward departed, Graviel returned to his throne, deep in thought. His fingers drummed against the armrest as a small, knowing smile played on his lips.

"Elara," he murmured softly. "What kind of children have you brought into this world?"

The storm was coming, and Graviel could feel it. For the first time in years, he felt the stirrings of genuine intrigue—and perhaps, just a touch of anticipation.

However, curiosity killed the cat; his decision to bring that little family turned into a disaster.