“Miss Jania, I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed particularly interested in my little stories. Do you perhaps have plans to go on an adventure yourself?”
As the dinner was nearing its end, Edrick decided to go balls to the wall, figuratively, on the eldest daughter of the Oie family.
Most others who brought up such a thing would have probably received an unfriendly glare from the lord, and perhaps even gotten booted out of here, as it was a rather touchy subject- But facing an Elt, Galdon Oie could only manifest a wry smile, attempting to convey to Anoteros that he, perhaps, should not mention such a topic.
But Edrick did not care and acted as though he was oblivious to the signs.
Jania glanced around the table, quite surprised that nothing had happened at all. Feeling emboldened, she formed a slight smile and raised her chin.
“I find the stories of cultivators scouring old ruins and exploring dangerous forests in search of glory, treasure, or just action to be fascinating! Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to do the same!” the eldest was quite pumped up from being able to speak about it, though, she still maintained an expression of composure whilst doing so.
“Is that so? I have heard that people of the Oie family only cultivates techniques to sharpen the mind and hone particular management skills. These are quite impressive, but not the most suited for such quests. Do you perhaps break the mould in that regard?” Edrick continued with the same charming smile on his face, still acting totally oblivious as Galdon heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
“Well… To be frank, my situation is quite the opposite. Father says that I am the most talented in the ways of the family for generations... Sometimes he even claims that I am more adept at them than even the ancestor who established himself as the first lord of Oie- I fear I lack the qualities to go on an adventure, but my will does not allow me to sweep that dream away” Jania appeared rather sorrowful as she revealed this.
Although not pleased that their firstborn was so saddened about it, her parents were still glad that she understood that such a life was not for her.
Galdon was not exaggerating. She was indeed incredibly talented, and it had nothing to do with a physique, bloodline, or the likes... It was nothing but the lineage of Oie and pure, unbridled talent. Thus, she was set to take over as the next lord after her father, and surely, the city would prosper even brighter than ever before under her guidance.
The family might even increase in the esteem of the crown as well if Jania could truly bloom to her full potential.
At this point, however, regardless of whether it was about adventure or leading the city, Jania was definitely determined to cultivate diligently. What Galdon and Milerva needed to figure out was a simple question all noble parents had to ask themselves :
Who would they have their daughter marry?
The succession was already set in stone, so Tylia and Galdoni would have more leeway in the picking of their future spouses. The Oie family had strong ties aplenty, so there was no need to go around and do their best to marry each of their children to someone who would benefit them the most.
At the point they were at, only the successor needed to have an arranged marriage.
The lord cleared his throat.
“Indeed, my beautiful daughter, Jania, is incredibly talented in the ways of our family. Not only can she cultivate several techniques in parallel without difficulty, but I believe that she might be the first in many generations capable of cultivating all of our techniques to perfection!” Galdon said with a smile. The Oie family might not seem like much compared to the great clans or the royal family, but they did have their very own cultivation techniques passed down throughout the generations, each of them refined and tailored across decades.
These techniques had never left the family, but one could imagine just how effective they were in the areas that they focused on.
“That is indeed impressive... Wouldn’t that place her on the same level as many scions of the great clans?” asked Anoteros, but Galdon swiftly shook his head.
“Surely you jest, Sir Anoteros! Our Oie family may be of importance in the kingdom, but we wouldn’t dare compare ourselves in the realm of cultivation to the great clans. In fact, we wouldn’t even compare ourselves to their vassal clans in that regard!” the lord was indeed good at what he did. Like it was muscle memory, he was quick to position himself and his family far below the clans. Having probably dealt in the past with other members of the clans who looked down on him.
He didn’t want to poke a tiger inadvertently.
Edrick brought both of his hands together as he slightly leaned forward.
“No need to talk yourself down, Lord Galdon. I believe that Miss Jania definitely has the raw talent of a great clan scion” he said. At this point, Galdon could only nod since Anoteros insisted on praising his daughter.
Meanwhile, the subject of the conversation brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, said ear slightly red on the extremity. The girl was evidently feeling quite embarrassed from being talked about in this way.
Having achieved his goal, Edrick did not pursue the subject any further, instead deciding to shift the conversation toward Tylia, who had been happily eating the entire time, clearly unbothered that the successor was her sister and not herself.
The shift caused Milerva to slightly furrow her brows and Galdon to resume a slight expression of worry. But it was too late. Now, directly engaged by Anoteros, the youngest daughter brightened up.
“I can cast a spell!” she declared.
“It is very pretty” added Galdoni right afterwards, seemingly backing up his sister.
“A spell? Do you practise spell cultivation? Or energy cultivation, perhaps? I wasn’t aware that the Oie family had such techniques”
“Tylia…”
“Sorry, Mother… But maybe Mister Anoteros would like to see?” the freckled girl casually made use of the important guest to have her way, clearly adept in her usage of circumstances to achieve her goal.
It was for a ‘bad’ thing, but Galdon could not help but feel proud of that strategic mindset nonetheless.
“I would love to see it. I have never seen any spell being cast before…”
He felt confident that he had room to manoeuvre with the eldest daughter. Now, he just needed to make space for the youngest as well, which would only leave the mother. Still, Jania and Tylia should be a good start.
“I’ll demonstrate after dinner, then!”