# **Chapter 3: Shadows Gather at Ravenshade**
The summer sun melted into gold as it dipped behind the black-stone parapets of Ravenshade Manor. The courtyard still crackled faintly with the tension of steel on stone. Ryan leaned against the edge of the training post, blade in hand, breath shaking but proud.
He hadn't won.
But he hadn't broken either.
> *Step one... done.*
And now came the next test.
Ryan was practicing with his sword.
## ⚔ **The Clash of Brothers**
"You turn too wide on your left pivot," came Damian's voice from behind.
Ryan glanced over his shoulder, finding his older brother leaning casually against a nearby column. Same posture. Same unreadable stare.
**Ryan:**
"Haven't even cooled off yet and you're giving pointers?"
**Damian (grabbing a practice sword):**
"Didn't say *don't* warm down. I just prefer mine swinging."
They stepped into the sparring circle, swords raised.
Damian came in first—measured, heavy strikes that reminded Ryan exactly who used to be considered the true heir apparent. Ryan dodged, countered, used **Shadowstep** to reposition—but every movement Damian made showed years of discipline and brutal sparring experience.
Ryan landed a clean hit on Damian's shoulder. A solid one—even Damian raised a brow.
But it didn't get much further. With **Iron Body** activated, Damian tanked a follow-up strike and slammed him flat with a shoulder check.
Ryan groaned on the ground, breath gone.
**Damian (offering a hand):**
"You're stronger. But strength without timing is just flash."
**Ryan (taking it):**
"I'll get both. Timing comes next."
Damian nodded faintly. "Keep moving forward. But remember—at the Academy, you get no family discounts."
## 🕯️ **The Royal Invitation**
The next morning, the sigil of the Royal Family fluttered from a black carriage at the manor gates. A crimson-robed envoy stepped out, flanked by silver-armored knights.
Lady Eleyna read the scroll aloud in the grand hall:
> "His Majesty King Callius Varyn invites Duke Parichat Ravenshade and family to the celebration of His 53rd Birthday, to be held seven nights from now at the Grand Palace of Auria."
Lira glanced sideways at Ryan. "So, the king's birthday. I suppose that's our warm-up."
**Ryan (dry):**
"Grand halls, political vultures, and expensive food I won't be allowed to touch twice. Brilliant."
**Damian (passing by):**
"Wear the right shoes this time. No mud."
Parichat simply nodded. "The king is an old ally. We will attend. Prepare accordingly."
## 👗 **Shopping Day with Lira**
Just before dusk, Ryan tried to sneak back into his studies. The door creaked open as Lira barged in.
**Lira:**
"Come on. We're going shopping."
**Ryan:**
"For what, swords?"
**Lira:**
"For clothes. Unless you plan to duel in your nightwear at the King's birthday."
He grumbled. She grinned. And they were off.
They arrived at the heart of **Vintergate**, the main town under House Ravenshade's banner. The cobbled streets curved through rows of colorful shops, booths stacked with dyed fabrics and carved soaps and fresh apples in crates.
Servants hung back, letting the siblings wander alone.
### 💬 **Reactions from the Town**
Whispers swirled like sugar in the breeze.
**"Is… is that the shut-in young master?"**
**"He looks completely different—like a royal. Whoa, those eyes…"**
**"Lady Lira's become so beautiful—I always thought nobles were cold, but wow…"**
Some people practically dropped what they were carrying. A potter smacked his apprentice's shoulder and nodded toward Ryan like they were seeing a hero reborn.
**Girls giggled and whispered** beneath parasols. One even waved before hiding behind her friend.
**A little boy grabbed Ryan's hand.** "Are you a knight, sir?"
**Ryan (smiling):** "Almost."
Ryan (inner monologue)
> *Everyone's… looking at me?*
> *Is this what it means to be handsome?*
> *It feels good—not gonna lie.*
> *Heh… maybe I could build my harem after all. We'll see what happens in this strange world next. I'm actually excited...*
His face flushed slightly, but he just smiled and kept walking.
Lira glanced at him. "You know your ears turned red, right?"
**Ryan (clearing throat):** "It's… the sun. Hot today."
They tried outfit after outfit. Lira tossed a navy-blue coat at him. "This one. It doesn't scream 'raised by mercenaries.'"
She picked a silver gown for herself patterned with pale frost blossoms.
They stopped for food—a skewer of tamakh with sweet herbs, and flaky saffron pastries topped with powdered honey. They ate under a hanging lantern full of fireflies that swirled above their heads.
**Lira:**
"…It's strange. Feeling like we're normal."
**Ryan (nodding):**
"It's good. Maybe we should do it more."
## 🌍 **Lanternlight Lore**
They ended up resting on a stone bench under a lamplit archway, watching kids chasing illusory butterflies summoned by merchants.
**Ryan:**
"Y'know, I finally sat down and learned this world's map."
**Lira (smirking):**
"That only took you sixteen years."
**Ryan:**
"Valaria—our place. Biggest. Mages. Royal capital. That part I knew."
**Lira:**
"Dravak'torr's next. Barbarians. They don't bow to kings—just strength matter to them."
**Ryan:**
"Then there's Sylfenya—the elven homeland. Forests enchanted to vanish from outsiders."
**Lira:**
"The dwarves have Kargrundal—mountains dense with smiths and rune-smithing."
**Ryan:**
"Then there's… Nethgarde. The Demon Continent. Still sealed. Still silent."
Lira nodded, voice dropping.
**Lira:**
"Five hundred years ago, all four races joined together. They barely stopped the Demon King—Ravak'Thull."
**Ryan:**
"I read about the Four Heroes. Arkhion, the human Archmage. Selynna, the elven huntress. Bogram, the dwarven buffer-smith. Gorran, the iron-fisted barbarian."
**Lira:**
"They sealed the demon lands. Built the Academy to train the next generation. And now here we are—stepping into their legacy."
**Ryan (smirking):**
"With a King's party first."
## ✉️ **The Letter from House Alistan**
That night, Ryan returned to his room to find a letter waiting—closed with wax in a pale blue tone, stamped with the sigil of **House Alistan**.
He tore it open.
> *To the renewed heir of Ravenshade—*
> *We look forward to your presence at the King's celebration.*
> *Come dressed to impress. Or to duel. Either is welcome.*
**Ryan (grumbling aloud):**
"Who the fuck are they now? It's all a mess. Looks like they're rivals or something... whatever."
He tossed the letter down, sighing.
Just then, Lira poked her head into the doorway.
**Lira:**
"You swearing at paper again?"
**Ryan (holding the letter up):**
"Apparently we've got snarky fan mail. House Alistan. Never even met them and they already want to punch me."
**Lira:**
"They always get chummy with new blood they want to crush."
**Ryan:**
"Great. I haven't even had my first class and I'm already on someone's hit list."
**Lira (grinning):**
"Means you're important now. Relax, you look too good for them to ignore."
**Ryan (flicking the envelope onto his desk):**
"We'll see. They want trouble? They'll get it."
## 👑 **Departure for the Palace**
Early morning. The manor was alive with movement. Servants adjusted gowns, polished blades, and packed trunks onto sleek black carriages.
Damian leaned against a post, checking his sword with practiced ease. Lady Eleyna brushed lint from Parichat's silver-stitched mantle.
**Parichat:**
"His Majesty awaits. Steel your hearts—and your words."
Outside near the carriages, Lira twirled her silver travel cloak and wiped a dab of rouge from her cheek.
**Lira:**
"You nervous?"
**Ryan (adjusting his navy coat):**
"Not really. Just curious... What kind of king rules a continent and still invites us like family?"
**Lira (grinning):**
"One you don't want to disappoint."
As the gates of Ravenshade opened and the road to Auria stretched beneath their wheels, their past life faded with the rising sun.
They were no longer quiet names in a titled house.
They were heirs.
And the world had finally started to watch.
**End of Chapter 3**