Shattered Sanity

Even though Riven possessed the gift of never forgetting anything he had ever seen, the day he first laid eyes upon Drew Dawnriver was probably one of those moments in his life that would have remained etched into his memory even if he had been an ordinary person.

’Woah....’

Riven thought, when his gaze finally settled upon the Duke of the Eastern Province, as for a brief moment, he found himself completely speechless.

The Duke entered the room only after two of his bodyguards had entered before him and surveyed the room to contain no threats.

As only after that, did he follow.

At first glance, there was nothing particularly extraordinary about the man’s appearance.

He appeared to be somewhere in his early fifties, with neatly groomed black hair brushed straight back, a clean-shaven face, and light blue eyes that were neither intimidating nor gentle, yet carried a depth that made it difficult to look away once they met yours.

’Father is handsome.’

Riven assessed, as at first glance, he felt as though time had left only the faintest traces upon the man’s face, while his body looked like it was still in its prime.

’Hard to imagine he’s already ninety four.’

Riven thought, as, knowing the Duke’s real age, he knew that the man was already into his advanced years, and yet, he could easily pass for a man still in his prime.

’He is wearing blue... but the official colors of house Dawnriver are Orange and Yellow.’

Riven noticed next, as, according to tradition, members of house Dawnriver were expected to wear predominantly orange or yellow robes, and yet, draped over the Duke’s frame was a flowing midnight-blue robe embroidered with delicate silver thread, that broke the conventional knowledge that he knew.

’Is it purposeful? Or does he not care about the house’s colors?

Regardless, he does look quite magnificent.’

Riven assessed, as despite the simplicity of his dressing, there was an inexplicable charm to his presence that stole Riven’s breath away.

*Step*

*Step*

The Duke slowly made his way towards the centre of the room, his pace neither hurried nor leisurely, as he walked without releasing the slightest trace of Aether while his gaze quietly swept across the laboratory.

Every movement of his carried with it the effortless composure of a man who had spent decades deciding the fate of countless lives, leaving him with a quiet confidence that needed neither words nor displays of strength to command attention.

There was no arrogance in the way he looked at others, nor any conscious attempt to assert his authority.

Nevertheless, the certainty with which he occupied the room naturally drew every gaze towards him, making everyone else present instinctively feel smaller simply by standing in his presence.

As almost the instant he stepped inside, Riven could feel the atmosphere throughout the laboratory change subtly.

The quiet whispers that had filled the room moments earlier disappeared one after another, while conversations came to an abrupt halt as though they had never existed.

Researchers instinctively lowered their gazes towards the floor, assistants stood a little straighter, and even those bold enough to steal a glance quickly looked back at their own feet, seemingly unwilling to meet the Duke’s eyes until he acknowledged their presence first.

’Incredible. The way he commands respect without even asking for it.

It’s on another level....’

Riven noticed, as he got his first true experience of meeting a noble.

Until today, the title of Duke had simply been another rank in his mind.

However, now, as he watched an entire laboratory unconsciously reshape its behavior around the arrival of a single individual, he realized that the respect surrounding men like Drew Dawnriver wasn’t born solely from political authority or military strength.

Instead, it was forged through decades of unquestionable influence, where simply entering a room was enough to alter the behavior of every person inside it without a single word ever needing to be spoken.

”You have quite the impressive setup here, Doctor.

It seems my funding has been put to good use.

I am very pleased.”

The Duke remarked, as the Imperial Anatomist immediately lowered himself onto one knee before placing a hand over his heart.

”Your acknowledgement means everything to me, Lord Dawnriver.

Your House stood beside me when no one else believed in my work.

I—I know that I have wasted decades of funding on meaningless subjects.

So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued grace.

It is a kindness that I shall never forget.”

The Imperial Anatomist replied, as genuine gratitude filled his voice.

For a moment, every assistant and researcher present in the room turned teary eyed, however, instead of letting the sentiment fester, Drew simply gave the Imperial Anatomist a small nod, before continuing forward, as he stepped before the Hypnotist, who greeted him with a respectful sixty-degree bow.

”Lucius, my man.

Well done.”

The Duke said, as he placed a firm hand upon the Hypnotist’s shoulder, the simple gesture carrying more praise than a lengthy speech ever could, as only after acknowledging the two men did Drew finally shift his attention towards Riven.

”Introduce yourself, boy.

And do it loudly.

I want to hear your voice.”

He instructed, as every eye inside the laboratory immediately turned towards Riven.

Without the slightest hesitation, Riven stepped forward before lowering himself into the forty-five-degree noble bow that the Hypnotist had drilled into him countless times over the past two and a half years.

”I am Riven Dawnriver, son of Duke Drew Dawnriver.

It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Father.”

Riven declared, as his clear voice echoed throughout the silent laboratory.

Listening to those words, Drew’s pupils narrowed almost imperceptibly.

For a heartbeat, the Duke seemed unaffected by his introduction, until he lowered his gaze towards his Aether ring, which did not change color, indicating that Riven truly believed what he said.

’Fascinating....’

The Duke thought, as his pupils dilated.

The ring of truth was an artefact that he used on the regular to understand as to when one was deceiving him, however, Riven not triggering it’s color change meant that the boy truly believed what he said.

”Lucius, you have outdone yourself this time....”

He muttered, as he shifted his gaze towards the Hypnotist, who simply smiled and bowed in response.

Knowing full well, that this was indeed a flawless job.