Chapter 108: Home


    The morning air was cool and fresh as Abel stepped outside, carrying only a small pack containing his few personal items. Today marked the beginning of his stay at his new residence, the Starry Villa, and he was eager to see the place in full daylight. Waiting outside, however, was a surprise: a sleek, dark green caravan with gilded accents parked in front of his temporary villa. The caravan glistened faintly in the morning sun, its finish polished to a high shine, and drawn by two muscular gray horses. Abel blinked in surprise as Jet, standing proudly next to the vehicle, gestured for him to step forward.


    "Good morning, Mister Abel," Jet greeted with a formal bow, though his voice held a note of excitement. "I had a caravan prepared for you. Father agreed that someone of your station shouldn’t be seen walking about on foot—especially with some of the eyes of the town on you."


    Abel let out a small chuckle, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the gesture. "Well, it feels a little unnecessary, but I can’t say I dislike the thoughtfulness." Jet’s genuine enthusiasm softened the formality of the situation, making the whole affair feel less ostentatious.


    Jet smiled, opening the caravan door with a flourish. "Allow me to escort you to the Starry Villa. Everything has been prepared, and it’s been furnished for you. I’ve ensured all the finer details were seen to."


    Abel climbed into the caravan, glancing out the window as they began moving down the cobblestone path. Outside, he could see townsfolk stopping to watch, a few waving at the spectacle, while others seemed to eye the caravan curiously. Private carriages were a luxury in Reinhart, usually reserved for the wealthiest families, so it was unsurprising that the townsfolk took notice. As they moved through the town center, passing open shops, cheerful market-goers, and bustling small stalls, Abel allowed himself a moment to relax and enjoy the journey. His eyes drifted to the people haggling over fresh fruits, laughing at small gatherings, and making their way across the bustling streets, all going about their lives seemingly unburdened by the shadowy happenings in the town.


    Jet’s face darkened, bringing Abel’s attention back into the cabin. "There was… an incident last night," he said, lowering his voice. "Two brothers were found dead, brutally murdered. And not just that—it was as if they’d been planning something malicious. There are whispers about it being an evil magical ritual amongst the nobles."


    Abel nodded, keeping his expression neutral despite already knowing much more about the incident than Jet likely suspected. "Two brothers?" he repeated, feigning curiosity as he let Jet elaborate.


    Jet nodded, his brows furrowed with concern. "Yes. They were known troublemakers, but even so never to this extent, and the way it happened—so sudden, so brutal—has left people in shock. The law enforcement suspects foul play but isn’t sure who might be behind it."


    Abel allowed his expression to harden, feigning a sense of seriousness as he replied, “I’ll keep an eye out, Jet. I was planning on speaking to Burt soon after I got settled at the villa. Perhaps he’ll have more insight.”


    Jet shifted uncomfortably, leaning back in his seat with a sigh. “Honestly, don’t take Burt’s attitude too seriously… He does care for this town. With everything going on lately, he’s had more on his plate than usual.” Jet paused, his gaze drifting to the window. “Besides, the last… ‘guest’ we had didn’t do us any favors.”


    Abel raised an eyebrow. "Did he now?"


    Jet nodded, a hint of irritation crossing his face. “You could say he caused more harm than good. People thought he’d be a protector, but he only fueled problems. It’s why people are wary of outsiders, especially those who are… knowledgeable in magic. That’s why Burt’s cautious around you.”


    Abel’s curiosity piqued. He nodded slowly, understanding the importance of making a good impression—and the hurdles he’d need to overcome.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    As the caravan approached Starry Villa, Abel’s eyes fell upon the grand estate. It was beautiful, with large, arched windows that allowed sunlight to flood the interior and a domed skylight that shimmered like polished glass. From the outside, the villa’s stone walls seemed to gleam with an understated elegance, and a tall iron gate marked the entrance, decorated with delicate floral patterns that gave a nod to the town’s love for nature.


    Jet opened the caravan door, stepping aside for Abel to exit. "Welcome to your new home, Abel," he said, bowing again.


    Abel stepped forward, taking in the vibrant flowerbeds that lined the path up to the front door, each flower as meticulously arranged as if preparing for a royal visit. The sight pleased him, filling him with a sense of calm as he moved toward the house. Entering the villa, the spacious layout, colorful décor, and warm light filtering through the skylight all contributed to an immediate feeling of warmth and welcome. The wooden beams were rich in color, the floors were made of polished stone, and the walls were decorated with art that reflected the town’s floral heritage.


    "It’s incredible, Jet," Abel said sincerely. "I have to thank your father for this."


    Jet nodded. "He’ll be glad to hear it. We’ve also arranged for staff to arrive in a few hours. They’ll handle various duties, and I made sure the head chef and caretaker would meet with you today to go over your preferences."


    Abel couldn’t deny that the attention to detail was impressive, though he couldn’t shake the sense that this hospitality came with its own price. It was clear to him that the mayor saw him as a powerful ally and was likely hoping to secure that relationship. He gave Jet a small nod. "Please tell your father I appreciate his generosity."


    Jet smiled, seemingly relieved. "Absolutely. I’ll pass along your gratitude."


    As Abel wandered the villa, he took his time examining each room. There was a spacious kitchen, a luxurious common area, and several bedrooms that were carefully furnished to reflect the town’s rustic yet elegant style. He could easily imagine making this place a home, a base of operations. When he finally reached the basement, he felt a jolt of excitement—an open, empty space just waiting to be transformed into his personal laboratory. He envisioned the layout, already planning where he might place various magical tools and objects to conduct his experiments. It was the perfect setting, a private space that would allow him to dive deep into his studies.


    Jet followed behind him, watching Abel’s expressions with satisfaction. "Everything meets your approval?" he asked, a touch of pride in his voice.


    "More than meets it," Abel replied. "When can I expect the staff?"


    "A few hours from now," Jet answered, leading Abel back upstairs. "Once they arrive, they’ll receive their assigned duties, but the head chef and caretaker will meet you first to go over details like meals and specific needs for the villa."


    "Good," Abel replied. "It seems I’ll have a lot of support."


    Jet nodded, and a thought seemed to cross his mind. "One more thing," he added. "The Dance of Flowers festival is in a few days. It’s a town tradition. We honor a princess who once blessed this land, and ever since, we’ve held the festival in her memory. She’s seen as a kind of guardian spirit of the town, and people believe as long as the flowers bloom, she’ll watch over Reinhart."


    Abel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the story. "A princess who blessed the land? Where does this tale come from?"


    "It’s been passed down through generations," Jet replied, his tone turning nostalgic. "My grandfather told it to me, however, many years ago the Muman family had discovered this fact through a strange item they have now labeled the Flag Bearer''s Scroll. This Item has since become a family heirloom to the Murmans, but the story that came with it is forever engraved into the history of Reinhart. Supposedly, the princess was captivated by the beauty of the village, so much so that she spent a whole day here, dancing among the flowers. Ever since then, Reinhart has honored her with this festival, and the flowers have been a symbol of our prosperity."


    Abel nodded, filing away the information. "I look forward to it, then. It seems like an important tradition. What else can you tell me about the Murman Family?"


    Jet smiled, pleased by Abel’s interest. "It is. The people will be glad to see you participate and in regards to that family... I''ll bring you some information that we have on them later, they do have a deep history here so you must tread carefully as not even the Cinco Family would dare to start anything with them."


    Abel smiled and turned, gesturing to the staircase. "I’ll check the rest of the villa while I wait for more information and the staff. Thank you, Jet."


    "Of course," Jet said, giving a small bow. "I’ll be by the front gate, welcoming the staff when they arrive. Let me know if there’s anything you need."


    With that, Jet left, and Abel made his way upstairs to the second floor.