Dimensional Descent

Deep within the Luxnix Estate, there was a calm river of flowing golden waters. Sometimes, it would appear to be a liquid and at other times it would appear to be a gas. It flowed unpredictably, even often rising into the air in defiance of gravity. And yet, it stayed along a controlled path, circulating in silence.

Near the center of this ethereal garden was a middle-aged woman who was getting on in years. It seemed that it wouldn't be very long before the term middle-aged no longer suited her. However, her features still radiated a calm beauty that touched the soul.

Even though she didn't have a smile on her face, her presence seemed to make all those around her feel relaxed and cheery, the gentleness of her golden gaze soothing the heart.

She sat in a rocking chair carved of white wood. Every time she swung back and forth, a delicate fragrance that tickled the nose would be released. It smelt like the cross between a less invasive pine scent with a touch of cinnamon.

At that moment, a shadow was suddenly cast over the older middle aged lady.

Despite the sudden change, she looked up quite slowly, her pace still leisurely. As far as she was concerned, anyone who could sneak so far into the Luxnix Estate was an individual who was definitely supremely powerful. Reacting any more quickly than she was no would only give her whiplash in her old age and not be very helpful at all.

However, when the older lady saw who it was that stood before her, she was dazed for a moment before her gentle eyes glistened with tears.

"… Alienor? You've returned?"

Before the older woman was a beauty gorgeous beyond words. She had white gold hair that reached past the small of her back, shimmering emerald eyes that seemed capable of piercing through anything, and delicately sculpted features that appeared to have been formed by a master artisan. Nothing about her felt out of place, not even the alternating soft and hard armor she wore that clung to her curves.

The patterns of white leather that looked like dragon scales and silver plate armor gave her the appearance of a valiant Empress that had just returned from the battlefield, and yet none of her enemies had dared to drop even the slightest hint of blood on her.

"Mother."

would expect. It matched the refreshing atmosphere of her mother

short greeting before she sighed lightly, her gaze becoming

that it's that time, again." She

"Yes." Alienor replied.

they've allowed you to return.

the only way the Human

already said too much." Alienor's mother nodded as her chair continued to rock

be coming soon. I thought I would

the hidden strength of this white wood, it would have already been shattered. It had definitely taken a great master to even carve

Is he

didn't get to raise him like

woman's face turned several shades paler, something that felt almost impossible given the fierceness of her

It's

long while, staring down at her

than blaming those who should be blamed, you blamed yourself because if not for you, their reaction toward another one of their daughters marrying an outsider wouldn't have been so fierce, when in reality, this family has never

Alienor shook her head.

chosen, and that reaction was compounded by the fact her mother had likewise chosen someone they hadn't chosen. In part to prove that there was nothing wrong with marrying outside expectations like this, her mother had gone out of her way to try to side with the family, trying to prove that just because a

only part of the reason, but it was

of things. I hear that my Little Lion has a temper even worse than