Chương 334: A Golden Birthday I
Two months had passed in a blur since Cecilia's birthday, and now it was Rachel's turn to celebrate her coming of age.
Rachel wasn't thrilled about her birthday itself. It was a date she had long dreaded, a painful reminder of her mother's abuse from years ago. But this year was different. This year, she was excited—nervous, even. Not because of the ceremony or the inevitable string of formalities. No, Rachel was eagerly anticipating something far more personal: taking that next step with Arthur.
She knew Cecilia had already shared that moment with him, and though it still stung a little, Rachel had come to terms with it. That decision had been made after much deliberation—and a fair amount of fighting among the three girls—while Arthur had been away on his year of isolation training. In the end, Cecilia's earlier birthday and the fact that she had fallen for Arthur first made her the natural choice.
But now, it was Rachel's turn.
A flicker of worry crept into her thoughts as she considered her overprotective father and sister. They were obstacles she'd have to navigate carefully. Yet, Rachel pushed the anxiety aside. This was her moment, and she wasn't going to let anyone take it from her.
She stepped into her expansive closet, a space more akin to a showroom than a wardrobe. Rows of elegant dresses, intricate gowns, and chic modern outfits lined the walls, each reflecting her impeccable taste. Rachel moved to a hidden section at the back, tapping a panel that slid open with a quiet hiss. She sifted through the carefully arranged garments, finally pulling out a specific outfit she had chosen just for tonight.
Her cheeks warmed as she held it up, picturing herself wearing it. The thought brought a small smile to her lips.
"He'll like this," she murmured to herself, nodding before carefully tucking the outfit back into place.
Over the past two months, she'd seen Arthur every week, yet the anticipation of meeting him again never lessened. Each encounter felt fresh, charged with the same electricity as when they'd first started growing closer.
This time, however, she would have him entirely to herself. And that thought filled her with a mix of excitement and determination.
Rachel summoned her maids to help her prepare for the grand banquet. As the princess of the Creighton family, rulers of half the North, her coming-of-age ceremony was destined to be an affair of unmatched opulence. Every detail had to be perfect.
For her dress, Rachel chose a resplendent gown of shimmering gold, its fabric catching the light like woven sunlight. It matched the radiant hue of her hair, creating an ethereal image that felt almost otherworldly. She completed the look with a delicate golden necklace and earrings, each piece adding to the aura of a living angel.
Once satisfied with her appearance, Rachel reached for her phone and called Arthur, her voice steady yet tinged with anticipation as she asked him to escort her to the hall.
Moments later, a knock came at her door, and Arthur stepped in. He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue three-piece suit that hugged his frame perfectly. His longer black hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, a style that elevated his already striking presence. To Rachel, he looked effortlessly handsome, and the sight of him made her heart skip a beat.
"Arthur," she greeted, a warm smile spreading across her lips as she felt her pulse quicken.
"Rach," he replied, his voice soft but steady, as he extended his arm toward her. She took it without hesitation, her fingers lightly resting on his, the simple gesture sending a quiet thrill through her.
In that moment, Rachel felt like the center of the universe, and with Arthur by her side, she was ready to shine. Together, they stepped out, their figures striking a picture of elegance and grace as they made their way to the banquet hall.
Soon enough, the duo encountered Alastor Creighton and Kathyln waiting for them in the corridor. The siblings stood side by side, a mirror image of one another with their silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Rachel, while sharing their striking blue gaze, inherited her golden hair from her mother, adding a unique brilliance to her appearance.
Alastor's sharp eyes flicked toward Arthur for a moment before he turned on his heel, wordlessly leading the way toward the banquet hall.
"I thought your father might have something to say," Arthur murmured to Rachel, his tone light but laced with curiosity.
"He likes you, Arthur," Rachel replied honestly, her voice steady but warm. It was true—Alastor had developed a quiet respect for Arthur, evidenced by the time he had spent training him in spellcasting. That month of rigorous mentorship had culminated in Alastor teaching Arthur the secret Creighton technique, Laplace, which drastically reduced the time needed to cast spells.
The respect didn't mean he wasn't protective. Alastor's silence spoke volumes about his primary concern: ensuring Rachel's happiness. His overprotectiveness had caused friction in the past, especially two years ago when he went too far, but Rachel understood it came from a place of care.
As for Kathyln, her view of Arthur had shifted during the Hwaeryun mission. Witnessing his capability and strength firsthand had left an impression. While she had once been skeptical, she now recognized that Arthur wasn't just extraordinary—he was the kind of man Rachel could rely on.
For both Rachel's father and sister, the issue wasn't Arthur himself. It was his choice.
If Arthur were devoted solely to Rachel, neither Alastor nor Kathyln would have raised any objections. But the presence of two other women in his life complicated things. It wasn't something they could easily reconcile, even if Rachel had accepted it wholeheartedly.
Arthur had chosen a path that would always invite challenges, yet Rachel had resolved to walk beside him, no matter where it led. That unwavering determination made her choice as unshakable as his.
With those thoughts swirling silently between them, the group continued toward the banquet hall, their steps echoing faintly in the grand corridors of the Creighton estate.
Alastor's sharp blue eyes lingered on Arthur once more.
For the King of the North, it had been two years since their last meeting, and the memory of that encounter still carried a bitter edge. Back then, Alastor had let his emotions get the better of him, using his overwhelming strength to intimidate Arthur—an impulsive reaction to his daughter's confession of her feelings. It wasn't one of his proudest moments.
Rachel hadn't just been angry; she had unleashed a storm of fury so fierce it had shaken the palace itself. Her outrage at her father's interference in her love life had been loud, relentless, and impossible to ignore.
And yet, despite that rocky history, Alastor had always thought well of Arthur. Even before that incident, he recognized him as a young man of exceptional talent, intelligence, and integrity. It was those very qualities that had convinced Alastor to train him for a month, imparting lessons and even teaching him Laplace. Alastor trusted that Arthur wasn't the kind of person to misuse his growing strength.
"Arthur," Alastor began, his tone steady but not without warmth. "Once you reach Ascendant-rank, I'll teach you the Astraeus Method."
The offer, another treasured secret of the Creighton family's spellcasting techniques, wasn't made lightly. It was a mark of trust, a gesture that spoke volumes more than any apology could.
Arthur hesitated for a moment, clearly surprised by the offer. "Thank you… Uncle," he said carefully, the word rolling off his tongue with a hint of unease.
A rare smile cracked Alastor's stoic face, softening his usual air of command. "Uncle will do for now," he said, his voice laced with an unexpected touch of humor. "But feel free to call me Father after you've put a ring on my daughter's finger."
"Father!" Rachel exclaimed, her mock protest punctuated by a bright, genuine smile. Her golden hair shimmered as she tilted her head, clearly amused by her father's teasing tone.
Alastor chuckled, a deep sound that echoed faintly in the grand hallway. For all his pride and power, moments like these reminded him why he cherished his family above all else.
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