With a shrilling creak and thud, the enormous doors of the cathedral closed behind the Graves group. For the three of them who were supposedly having their first visit to this cathedral, a sense of astonishment washed over them as their eyes explored the intricate and lavish interior that undoubtedly held its own against the grand exterior.
The entrance led to an open area with a ceiling so high it darkened before the average person could make out the top. In the middle of the room was an altar with a glassy crystal ball that lay upon it, as an older looking man with a stern face and a long gray beard stood behind it, dressed in loose fitting religious clothing much like a priest. To the left and right were extravagant staircases that led to an upper layer that overlooked the ground floor.
Heading up the left hand staircase, the Graves group was greeted by Sorine, who was seated in a serious yet dignified manner. Right beside her, standing and alert, were her two retainers, one a rather large and seasoned looking man equipped with a large spear and heavy armor. On her other side was a stealthy dressed woman draped in a cloak that covered her face along with her attire.
Shuffling into their seats, Killian found himself directly behind his grandmother with Lucilia on his left and his mother on his right. Even though he knew that the lady in black did not physically possess eyes on the back of her head, he felt his every movement being watched by her. A shiver ran up his spine as he sat up in his seat waiting for the reading to begin.
From a set of doors different from the pair Killian entered, the same shrill sound was emitted, letting in a flash of light, and alongside it, a girl with a tan complexion and oriental features complimented by medium length slick black hair that was braided across the crown of her head. Donning a traditional Eastern-styled dress, she exuded an air of maturity unusual for her age, similar to Killian yet far greater. An aura much like Sorine's could be felt merely by the sight of her, however much less potent and intimidating than the matriarch herself.
"Chisaki Rai."
Breaking the silence, Sorine announced the identity of the young girl who had walked in and stepped up to the altar.
"Out of all my granddaughters, she is the most adept with the blade and a true talent."
"Not to mention the only one to inherit Rajin's canaries."
"The last person to inherit those and show so much promise is my wild child, Lyn."
Still looking forward, not turning her head for even a second, Sorine spoke in regard to Chisaki. As she finished talking, Killian, without thinking, blurted out a question, even though he himself knew the answer to his question even before it was verbalized.
"What about out of all your grandsons?"
"Am I the only one to be born with some sort of special bloodline trait?"
Killian couldn't see the face Sorine made, but he could hear the satisfaction in her voice as she answered him.
"Well, seeing as you are my only blood grandson, you are indeed the only one to have inherited something."
"And something special at that."
The specialty of his eyes aside, Killian's birth in itself was special. House Rai is one of few exclusively matriarchal Houses. However, this was not born out of prejudice but simply out of preserving the House's existence, for it is known that women of House Rai can only bear daughters. So in the interest of not losing autonomy of the House to an outsider House, it was decided long ago only women can become head of the House. Yet Killian's birth proves that it is indeed possible for a male to be born from a mother with Rai blood.
In Killian's education, he specifically learned about this fact from a well known encyclopedia that included information about every notable royal family, ranging from their current and past members to their history. Although each entry was written from an outside perspective, meaning only whatever was publicized and made common knowledge was all that was written.
The strangeness of being the only recorded male child with Rai blood sparked a curiosity in Killian as he attempted to make sense of or even justify his existence. His young mind came up with several theories ranging from it simply being "bad luck" that a boy was never born all that time to maybe there was something with his father's side that allowed for a boy to be born. Yet it was one theory he believed in most; the fact he could remember his past life made him special, but even that theory had no legs to stand on when he really thought about it, seeing as how he could be sure that only he remembered his past life, and why would that even make him special? It didn't help that his time with the goddess of reincarnation was completely lost on him, leaving him with an even more incomplete puzzle to solve the anomaly of his birth.
After introducing Chisaki, Sorine sat up in her seat, leaning forwards, supporting her weight with her cane, eyes glued to the crystal ball that lay upon the altar. Killian, with a flushed face, embarrassed by his thoughts escaping through his lips, looked around to see everyone just as intrigued by the altar, which made his body unconsciously straighten up to watch intently as well.
"Chisaki Saiko Rai"
"Eldest granddaughter of matriarch Sorine and sole daughter of Zara Rai and her husband, Hideki"
The priest loudly projected his voice clearly and concisely, not skipping a beat. He watched as Chisaki reached her hand out to the crystal ball and rested it upon it.
The crystal ball began to glow seven times and flashed several colors before the priest unsealed a tome he had kept next to him and calmly interpreted their meanings.
"Elemental affinities are lighting and fire."
"Arcane capacity is stellar."
"Physical aptitude is stellar."
"Inherited abilities are Purple lighting and Rajin's canaries."
"Blessing from the gods, none"
"Potential is matriarch."
The priest closed and sealed the tome he had used to decipher the crystal ball before bowing his head and exiting. Chisaki's hand returned to her side as she bowed back to the priest in respect before she too walked away from the altar.
"Matriarch?"
Killian questioned aloud.
"Hahah"
"Just as I surmised!"
"She has the potential to succeed me as head of the house."
Sorine's scratchy voice declared ever so boastfully.
"It's been quite a few long years being the matriarch of the family."
"Perhaps if my ever so untameable daughter wasn't so preoccupied with her own endeavors, I would have been able to enjoy an early retirement."
"Alas, all things find their rightful end."
Lyn slowly shrunk into her seat as a result of her mother's comments. Shooting a serious glance towards her daughter, Sorine signaled Lyn it was time.
"Alright, Lucilia, why don't you take Killian and Runa to see around the capital?"
"My mother and I have some important business to discuss."
"My dear husband, you'll join me, of course?"
Lawrence stood up from his seat, dusting off his blazer before quickly straightening it out.
"Of course, darling."
Reaching into his chest pocket, he pulled out a pouch full of coins and handed it to Lucilia.
"Here, treat the kids to something nice while you're out sightseeing."
"Just be sure to be careful in town."
"If any difficulties arise, be sure to call for me."
Lyn placed her hand on her husband's shoulder, leaning her head downwards in angst.
"Lawrence, they'll be fine."
"You three run along before you get your ears yapped off!"
Graciously, Lucilia bowed her head before herding the two children out of their seats and down the stairwell.
At the same time Chisaki, along with her parents, were heading up the stairwell.
Killian thought to himself a great opportunity to make a good first impression with someone who will surely be an important person in the future had just presented itself. As she had passed by him only a couple steps above, Killian decided to say hello.
"Hey cousin!"
With a smile on his face and waving his arm to get her attention, Killian was only met with a look of scorn and contempt.
"Wha?"
"Did I offend her somehow?"
Pausing in his shock as he watched her ascend up the stairs, Killian was only broken out of his pseudo trance by Runa's tug on his sleeve and Lucilia's call out to him.
"She's trouble…"
"Isn't she?"