The Enigmatic Presence

"Duke Noah, I understand that you may have reservations, but I strongly believe that now is the time for your son to embark on his journey of learning and growth. Locking him up in his room will only hinder his progress. At two years old, he is at a critical stage of development and can benefit greatly from exposure to essential skills and knowledge."

Seated on the right side of the office was Duke Roman Lazio, a man of slender build with black hair and shades of silver.

His chestnut brown eyes held a warmth as he spoke, "For instance, my daughter is the same age as Elyon, and she has already made remarkable strides in reading and writing. With our support and guidance, your son too can acquire the foundational tools that will serve him well in the future."

Duke Roman Lazio tenderly ruffled the hair of a little girl who stood beside him.

Her lively chestnut brown eyes, bigger and cuter than her father's, sparkled with joy.

Her black hair with shades of silver was neatly done, and she looked every bit as charming as her father.

This little girl was none other than Hagar Lazio, the beloved daughter of Duke Roman Lazio.

Duke Noah sat in silence for a few moments, his eyes fixated on the intricate patterns of the carpet beneath him.

He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. Finally, he let out a deep sigh and turned to face Duke Roman.

"I know you're right," he said, his voice heavy with resignation. "But it's not as simple as that."

Duke Roman nodded sympathetically, understanding the weight of the decision that lay before them.

Inside the grand mansion of Duke Noah, a room was filled with hushed voices and thoughtful discussions.

The office, adorned with elegant furnishings, set the stage for a meeting of utmost importance. Three individuals engaged in conversation, their words carrying weight, while another person sat in silence, observing the scene unfold.

Duke Noah, leaning slightly forward, rested his elbow on the desk, deep in contemplation. The spacious office provided ample natural light, casting a warm glow that illuminated the room and added a touch of serenity to the serious discussion taking place between Duke Noah and Duke Roman.

The walls were lined with bookshelves, and a large mahogany desk dominates the center of the space.

The chairs they sat in were plush and comfortable, providing a sense of luxury and opulence.

Despite the elegant surroundings, both men look exhausted, their faces etched with worry and concern.

With a kind smile and a gentle shake of his head, Duke Roman expressed his understanding. "You've been through so much lately, and I know how important it is for you to protect him," he spoke in a reassuring tone. "But keeping the child isolated in his room without any social interaction could have unintended consequences. He needs to learn how to face challenges and engage with the world."

Duke Noah let out a deep sigh, his voice laden with sorrow as he interrupted Duke Roman. "I understand that what I'm doing may not be the best approach," he said, rubbing his forehead in anguish. "But Elyon is the last precious gift Naamah left me with. He bears such a striking resemblance to her that when I look at him, it feels as if I'm looking into her very eyes. The same radiant golden eyes, the same flowing silver hair. It's as if her spirit lives on through him."

As Duke Noah's voice trailed off, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the pain of losing his beloved wife still raw in his heart. Holding onto their son was his way of keeping her memory alive.

Duke Roman, witnessing Noah's heartrending state, felt a heavy sadness within himself, evident in the empathy that shone through his eyes. "You have to..." he began to offer words of solace, but before he could continue, a loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation, diverting their attention.

***

As Elyon walked through the corridors leading to the Duke's office area within the mansion, a sense of unfamiliarity and confusion enveloped him. This was his first venture beyond the confines of his own room, and the seemingly endless corridors stretched out before him.

'Finally, I'm out of that room,' Elyon thought, a hint of relief in his voice. 'Being confined to one place without any form of entertainment was suffocating. If it weren't for the fact that this was a magical world and I possessed early proficiency in magic, I would have surely lost my mind.'

Reaching the entrance of the office space, Asselin knocked on the door. "Come in," came Noah's gentle yet authoritative voice from within, a few seconds after the knock.

"Yes, Your Grace," Asselin responded with a respectful bow, opening the door for Elyon to enter. Filled with eager anticipation, Elyon stepped into the room, hoping to finally meet Marduk. Asselin, standing patiently by the door, quietly closed it behind them.

As Elyon stepped into the office, his gaze instinctively swept across the room, taking in his surroundings with a quick scan.

His initial impression was one of mild disappointment. The space appeared smaller than he had anticipated, lacking the grandeur he had imagined. The decorations were sparse, giving the room a somewhat barren feel.

A sense of gloom hung in the air, casting a shadow over the atmosphere. Despite the presence of a large window on the opposite side, the lighting seemed inadequate, failing to illuminate the space as brightly as expected, even in the morning hours. Which struck Elyon as peculiar.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned towards Elyon, each face communicating a unique blend of emotions. The deafening silence was punctuated only by the rapid beating of hearts.

The child exuded an inexplicable aura of authority and elegance that captivated all who laid eyes upon him.

His presence commanded attention, even though he seemed entirely engrossed in his own thoughts and paid no heed to those around him.

No one dared to interrupt his curious gaze as it wandered around the office, exploring every nook and cranny with a childlike wonder.

As they gazed at him, an unspoken realization dawned upon them all: this was no ordinary child.

The simplicity of childhood was absent from his demeanor, replaced instead by an unyielding sense of purpose and an air of majesty not easily attributed to one so young.

It was a presence reserved for those who had achieved great deeds, those whose destiny was to rule over others.

In this child, they saw the promise of a future leader, one who would command the respect and loyalty of those around him.

Their eyes remained fixed on him, as emotions and intrigue swirled within their minds, each person lost in their own thoughts and feelings.

Despite his shock at his son's unexpectedly overwhelming presence, Duke Noah found himself entranced by Elyon's gaze that bore a striking resemblance to Naamah.

The memories of his past flooded back to him, leaving him both captivated and overwhelmed.

As Duke Roman stared at him, his expression was one of bafflement.

He couldn't fathom how a mere child could possess such a powerful aura. It was unreasonable, unthinkable even. After all, he was a seasoned veteran who had been through countless battles.

Yet, in that moment, he found himself caught off guard by the overwhelming force emanating from young Elyon.

It was a surprising turn of events that left him reeling and uncertain of what to do next.

Meanwhile, Duke Roman's daughter, Hagar, was instantly smitten with Elyon the moment she laid eyes on him.

It wasn't just a passing fancy, but a full-on infatuation that left her feeling dizzy and disoriented. With just one glance, she was completely charmed by him, and all thoughts of her surroundings vanished as she fell head over heels.

Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment as she realized how obvious her attraction was.

Nonetheless, she couldn't help but feel drawn to the mysterious boy who seemed to possess an otherworldly quality that she couldn't quite place.

However, the most surprised person was someone that had been all but forgotten from the start.

A middle-aged woman, with short brown hair and dark eyes, her plain features accentuated by her petite stature.

She was, in fact, the tutor tasked with imparting Elyon with all the knowledge he would need to succeed in the kingdom. Although unassuming in appearance, her wisdom and expertise were top notch.

The woman stood there in shock, her mouth agape as she came to the realization that she was not qualified to teach the child.

The mere presence of Elyon had eroded her confidence, leaving her feeling powerless and unsure of herself.

This turn of events was completely unexpected - who could have predicted such a thing? The situation was beyond anyone's scope.

Elyon's wandering gaze finally came to rest on the people around the office, observing their varied expressions of daze and confusion.

He paid them no mind, his disappointment palpable at having failed to locate Marduk.

"Ugh, what a disappointment," he muttered under his breath, feeling a tinge of frustration.

His excitement had quickly turned into disillusionment. Elyon's gaze shifted momentarily to Hagar, a puzzled expression crossing his face. 'Whose puppy is that?' he wondered silently. His attention then turned to the two individuals with bewildered looks, and he couldn't help but think, 'Who are these fools?'

Glancing back at the guests, Elyon found their intense stares amusing rather than unsettling. Instead of anger or discomfort, a sense of amusement washed over him.

The scene before him took on a somewhat comical quality. Their emotions were transparent, each feeling vividly displayed across their faces with remarkable precision.

Elyon found himself captivated by the accurate portrayal of emotions on their faces. A sense of fascination washed over him as he observed their stunned expressions.

'I must say, I do possess quite a striking appearance,' he mused inwardly. 'But to witness such astonished reactions from the crowd is rather unexpected. It seems that my level of attractiveness has made quite an impression. Not many can match my charm and appeal.'

A surge of pride and happiness welled up within Elyon as he reveled in the aftermath of his appearance. Little did he realize that the ethereal aura he emanated was the true catalyst behind this extraordinary situation.

Elyon strode towards the seat in front of the window, his steps confident and measured. As he sat down, he crossed his legs and brought his elbow away from his body, extending his arm with a grace that belied his age.

The sight, if not for the child's undeniable elegance, could have been mistaken for that of a playful toddler dressed in a charming white four-piece waistcoat suit, complete with a miniature white ribbon tie.

However, the aura that emanated from Elyon was one of poise and sophistication beyond his years.

He seemed to exude a sense of calm and wisdom, as if he had seen more of the world than anyone could imagine.

As he gazed out the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon, the light danced in his irises like the glint of the morning sun on the surface of a still lake.

One could almost feel the serenity that enveloped him, like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night.

The natural beauty outside the window seemed to reflect off his features, creating an almost ethereal glow around him.

In that moment, Elyon was not just a child, but rather a work of art, a masterpiece in human form.

A true marvel to behold.