Two Grand Portraits

However, Michael hushed as he sensed strange stares—not from the commoners in the bustling streets—lurking from the shadows.

"It seems we're under someone's watch."

'Not even I can sense them? Splendid…'

Anasthasia strutted alongside Blake and met his gaze. She beamed a smile as her eyes darted over the corner of the alleyway.

A couple of steps and he steered to the left, coming through; the split second she followed him, her hands moved and cast.

'Serene's Veil!'

Blake's silhouette vanished into thin air and had herself do a favor, so as the rest. She reached her hands to their shoulders as they moved past her.

Once vanished, everything around them turned mundane. It was as though they slipped into the ethereal planes, but they could feel bumping on each other. Their despair surfaced, but she reassured them with a swift move.

Anasthasia touched them once more, and they all felt rich and vibrant, at least among themselves.

No more startles, no qualms, hush commanded silence, and watched how things unfold.

A little more and few yet vague figures, in shrouded clothes, moved swiftly and emerged. She narrowed her eyes, sized their movements, and back to the noblemen. Their mouth agape as they pointed at the familiar insignia.

"That's—the King's…"

Michael covered Liam's mouth from prattles. Their keen gaze bore the men in dark clothes, but Anasthasia was particular about the variety of tails, poking and swinging behind, and the fancy ears.

'Their faces are covered but those distinct features—beastkins…'

"His Highness, Prince Michael, noticed us. We shall leave!"

They glanced at each other, with a nod, and moved out of the way.

They heaved out a sigh of relief. Blake started to move, and they followed his lead. Anasthasia remained unperturbed; but, her mind reacted otherwise.

'He's one familiar man... Was he the leader? Not that—Those eyes… That burlesque voice! He's alive?! That can't be!'

Her mind was in turmoil, but she reminded herself to keep the facade. It was an unwise decision; she wasn't in perfect time to contemplate.

They're alerted. Blake took the unnecessary detours in hopes to avoid their clutches. None of their legs wobbled, though later, Lucy clung by Anasthasia's side. She clasped her hand and a tender rub to soothe her anxiety.

Levi noticed her, so he grabbed her by the hip and cuddled, patting her back.

"This is troublesome." Michael clicked his tongue.

"It's alright, as long as we aren't detected." Anasthasia watched her surroundings; there are little to void of mana—sucked out of any fluctuation moving towards the nearby tower.

Her scalp tingled from watching it. It was nerve-wracking; she needed a distraction.

Finally, they were on the outskirts of the city. Her eyes gazed at the golden sunset. Somehow, she found a fraction of peace from it.

"Are we safe now?"

Michael squinted his eyes. "I think so, Tasha."

She could feel the subtle changes around her; although, it was bearable. They looked at her as her hands began to glow.

"Get ready, so lead the way, Blake."

"Allow me." With the signal, she enchanted everyone.

'Zephyr's Kiss!'

As they sprinted through the pavement, sceneries turned into rays of varying colors. Winds continued to slap their faces while roaring their ears.

Time marched on, and they moved faster. But it wasn't a dilemma when Michael warned.

"They are incoming!"

"Go! Go! Move faster!" Anasthasia hissed. "As long as they don't intercept us, I'll hold the backline."

'I don't care anymore. They are nagging me!'

"Keep on moving! Don't look back!"

Anasthasia decelerated only to touch the ground as she cast, 'Liquefaction!'

"I feel bad for the road and the people who'd use this path. I hope there will be maintenance funds."

The pavement rumble in subtlety and fractured, leaving it in wrecks. The effect spread throughout, and it never stopped. She raced once more, and, fortunately, she didn't trip.

Fingers danced in the air as she summoned the winds while she cast.

'Gale Blast!'

A thunderclap resounded along with the abrupt burst of wind behind her. With intensity, she knew debris flew away. Thereafter, she left everything in ruins.

It wasn't that she was far behind, she could see, and it didn't take long for her to catch up to them. Drawing closer, they started and calmed only to find it was her.

Finally, she noticed Blake began to steer and looked ahead, squinting her eyes, a grand estate in quite a plot of land. Presumably, Blake's residence was on sight.

Moving closer to the colossal gate, they slowly moved to a halt, and Blake reached for it. A swift open guaranteed their entrance.

Their chest rose and fell quickly from the run. But Anasthasia remained alert from all of this, wheezing, "Are—we...safe?"

Blake gave a curt nod. "There's a—barrier I set up...so, safe—"

"Who are those, Michael?"

"Those are my Father's secret confidants, one of the squads that do the things in the dark."

"Why did they come now?"

"I'm not sure myself, this is the first time I've seen them closely—would it be safe to assume it had something to do with Father, The King?"

She harrumphed from his vagueness, "Of course it should be, I have to know them—" Astonished flushed her face as he suddenly grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't be too reckless; I know their capabilities."

Anasthasia shut her eyes and asserted his caution, "I know, still, I'll take your word. Anyway..." She couldn't help but rant from all of this. "That tower makes me pissed off the hell out of me. I can't even use my powers well on this."

Blake let out a dry peal of laughter. His face beamed her for the inconvenience, and she kneaded her forehead from all of this. "But knowing your personality and way to deal with things. It's likely impossible."

He talked as though he knew what she was; this made her scoff from his remark, "Oh, really now?"

"It's negotiable; I hope you do get to talk with The King when he recovers."

'This is problematic.'

"Anyway, allow me to escort everyone and give my heartfelt welcome to Millard's Residence."

The courtyard wasn't inferior to the Duchy of Aureole; she wasn't surprised. It pleased her to see the serene plains laid before her for a revered public figure like Blake.

As they drew closer to the door, it opened, and, weirdly enough, what welcomed Anasthasia's eyes was a line of maids and butlers. By the side, near Blake's position, found the head butler who gave a warm greeting to esteemed guests like them.

'Surprisingly, his brunette hair was in contrast to his porcelain skin—a young man with a head butler position? Interesting…'

"Justin, please give a grand preparation."

He adjusted his dark-rimmed monocle, turquoise eyes gleamed. "I beg your pardon, Master? For what would the preparation be at this time of the day?"

"Exactly what I prepared days ago, 'She' is here."

Flinched and gaped at Anasthasia, which had them panicked and scattered in an instant. The head butler watched her with reverence in his eyes.

"I see, we shall do that this instance. This, indeed, deserves a grand celebration. Please allow me to excuse myself."

Blake hummed deep and ground his jaw from the cold stares that pricked his side. "This is nothing—"

"You're up to something."

"I would never do that." Blake strolled, and the rest followed. Undeniably, they marveled from the sophistication and intricate designs—Parquet floor patterns melded well with the artistic linings from the ceiling.

Lucy was awake for some time as she was in awe. She asked herself to put herself down.

Walked further to the staircase, there went two large portraits hung: Their grand pose and look graced their visit.

Fascination screamed their faces, but it was different for Anasthasia. She covered her mouth and felt her eyes overcrowded with tears to the brim.

The man stood gallantly. Donned the white mink mantle over his azure greatcoat with gold and white linings coupled the white vest and trousers.

"Sister Ana, though a spear, isn't that the 'Seraphine' he's holding?"

She sniffed once, with how tranquil the place was, they took notice of her genuine reaction. Their limbs were petrified, unable to respond. Blake, meanwhile, flashed a rueful smile.

"It's the truth, Miss Ana. He's real."

Subconsciously, she nodded as she couldn't control her tears.

"Wallace…"

Emotions riled up to her; then, her eyes gleamed at the beautiful lady in the portrait.

Anasthasia praised, "Her champagne hair is beautiful—"

"Did you say a different color? I'm seeing a gorgeous woman, in a crystalline regal gown, with brown hair and golden eyes!" Lucy squealed.

They looked at Lucy with skepticism, and Blake glanced as though she would know right away. "If you bend knees further, you'll see another image."

Without a doubt, they did, and it brought them an utter surprise. Most especially to Michael and the twins, they were sharply turning their heads towards Anasthasia.

"...No way," she mumbled.