Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

Chapter 108: Martial Temple Delegates

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-The Stygian Territory-

-A Day after Yvette's inauguration-

The Stygian Estate was in a boisterous mood.

The insecurity of War was well and done with and they could revert to their joyous revel in the absolute peace and smooth running of all they surveyed but today there was more to it- Today was the day the Delegates of the Martial Temple would finally arrive to evaluate Adrian Stygian.

The arrival should have been much earlier but had been delayed by the then looming war- Another reason Adrian was pissed at Evian and his cohorts for instigating the conflict.

"Damn Talentless scum hampering my Martial growth. Oh by the gods, I'd so love to strangle him."

'Talentless' of course was not an accurate connotation for Evian in the face of recent events and development but Adrian stuck to it as a moniker. He was used to it and no matter what Evian could accomplish in the future, he felt that moniker would always be accurate.

Anyway, workers walked about quickly, tidying up the grounds in preparation for the important Guests, and at the forefront of it all was Lady Myrine.

As an alumnus of the Martial Temple that she was, Myrine knew just how much of a big deal it was to be allowed in. To be bestowed the title of Martial Temple Disciple was a prestige only truly matched by the title of Arcane Church devout.

Anyway, Myrine felt it was long overdue for Adrian to be off and she was trying her best to make sure it all went perfectly.

And yet, as the preparations reached a fever pitch, it wasn't Adrian she sought out...

*Bang!*

... It was Evian.

You would think she had learned her lesson from the last time she opened Evian's door without an announcing knock but no, she had not. Her son's privacy was a strange idea to her... It was almost like she wanted to catch him in the 'act' once again. There was even a hint of disappointment in her eyes when she met him tucked under fine covers.

"Morning Mother," Evian said in his low voice. The tremor was the mesmerizing and charming sort that even Myrine's heart could not help but flutter at.

"Morning Son," Myrine said as she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her, "You're still here."

"You sound surprised," Evian noted. His eyes still closed and a small smile playing on his lips.

"I am," Myrine said with a smile as she sat down at the edge of the bed, "Usually, at this time, you would be off to gods-know where."

"I told you I'd be here," Evian said with a chuckle, "I remember quite well that you forced out a promise from me-"

"I didn't force a promise," Myrine interrupted.

"Yes, you did," Evian retorted, "But it's fine. I'll abide by it. I'll be here."

Evian actually needed that promise to be present. Once he had taken a rest, he would have preferred a journey out of the Stygian Estate and a visit to people he actually liked to see. Ember for instance, but instead, he remained... He remained to watch Adrian have his big moment. A thought that caused a distaste in his mouth.

Myrine's smile got even wider,

"I'm glad to hear that. But I've taken some precautions to make sure you stick to your words."

"What precautions?" Evian asked.

"I invited your friend," Myrine mentioned.

"Which Friend?" Evian asked.

"The Cute Readhead you do passionately kissed after the war. You won't leave when she's available to be entertained, would you?"

"That's not a guarantee," Evian noted with a chuckle, "I could just take her with me as I leave."

"Oh, stop that. I think it's high time I met her. What better time could there be?"

"Several," Evian said, "There have been several opportunities to meet her that had nothing to do with us watching Adrian be happy."

"Evian, don't be so cynical," Myrine said, "Adrian is your brother, you should be happy he's happy."

Evian let out a chuckle,

"I'm not," he said simply.

Myrine sighed at Evian's callous-sounding words but made a conscious decision to move past it,

"Anyway, back then I was busy with preparations, and dealing with the aftermath of the war. Today there will be a feast in honor of the Delegates and it's hardly a stretch to extend that grace to your little lady friend.

A second Lady friend might I add. I wonder how many more you have..."

Myrine ended her last sentence with a cheeky smile. She probably expected Evian to react shyly at what her words insinuated but he just smiled knowingly. It made her wonder,

'Wait, he really has more? Who are they?!'

"Whatever, Mother," Evian said with a wave as he raised himself on the bed, "Do whatever you want, I guess."

The bed sheets fell off his body revealing he had slept shirtless.

His muscular chest and his aesthetically pleasing segmented abdomen were in plain view as he swung his legs to the side of the bed and gracefully got to his feet,

"I should get ready," he said,

"Are you looking to watch?" he added with a smile when Myrine remained seated at the edge of his bed, her eyes on his lean but strong back.

With the experience that came with Maturity, Myrine tore her eyes off the perfect work of art her son appeared to be, and continued to become with each passing day, as she responded with a natural smile,

"No, no," she said, "I mean I already got a good eyeful so I won't exactly be surprised by what I find but I'll leave you to it."

Myrine stood to her feet and walked steadily to the room's double doors. Evian watched her go- He watched her leave his room while appreciating the beauty he had inherited and was the base upon which he continued to improve. His looks did not come from the Stygian side of his family. He had known that from his very first day in this world- Hell, he had known before he took possession of this body...

... From back when he floated as a bodyless Wraith.

chapter-source-MvLeMpYr

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...

It was midday when Evian stepped out of his room, looking prim and proper as always. Commanding awe wherever he went.

He exited just in time to witness a Carriage pull into the Estate grounds and out of it stepped, Ember, dressed in a beautiful gown with no Martial connotations as she always did for 'events'.

She looked and felt out of place. Evian could basically see her mind working fast and hard, trying to decipher why she had been invited to the Stygian Estate.

The message she received (a Hand delivered letter) addressed directly to her from the Lady of the Stygian Estate claimed it was for a get-together and went no further so she made the journey blindly with the thought of seeing Evian in his natural habitat being the only one thing providing her mental solace from the confused workings of her mind...

... And of course, laying her eyes on him meted away her mental stress.

"Hey," Evian called to her gently and once they were about two feet from each other, he raised his hands and grabbed her arms gently as though to provide her comfort.

"Hey," Ember responded with a smile as she let out a calming breath.

Evian chuckled,

"Relax, there's no need to be nervous."

"I'm not nervous," Ember said and when Evian raised a brow, she insisted, "I'm not. It's just the first time I'll be in your home. It's very fancy."

"It's not mine," Evian said.

Ember raised a brow with a light smile,

"Doesn't have to be 'yours' to call it home," she said.

"True," Evian said as he let go of her arms.

"So, will you show me around?" Ember asked.

"You didn't have to ask," Evian told her with a smile, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. An action that caused the Redhead's heart to flutter at such a gentle moment of intimacy.

Evian took her hand but right when they made to turn around and venture deeper into the Estate, for there were quite a few spots, he wished to show the redheaded beauty, a grand chugging pulled at their attention and called for a pause.

As one, Evian and Ember turned around towards the faraway entrance of the Estate where they saw the cause of the sound; A large and magnificent Carriage etched with symbols not only as Enchantments but writings with impressive connotations about the ones within.

Evian didn't need to be told who was in that Carriage.

As though they had been alerted, and they probably had been, Lord Stygian, Lady Myrine, and a grinning Evian arrived to welcome the Delegates. Behind them, Captains stood at attention, their eyes in awe of the grandeur they could see... Barely a sliver of the resources the Martial Temple possessed.

The Carriage pulled in slowly and finally came to a stop. The large door opened and the slightly heeled shoe of a man stepped down first and then his entire body became visible. He looked to be in his early thirties (surely much older) and had brown hair of a hue Evian recognized.

There was silence as though the excitement was temporarily tempered. Lady Myrine stepped forward, her brows furrowed,

"Myron?" she called with familiarity, "Why is it you?"