Blooming from the Ashes

Ch 16: First Impressions

We entered the grand drawing room, the air thick with anticipation. The Hawthorne family sat in a semicircle, their presence commanding the room. Marquess Hawthorne rose to greet us, his demeanor warm and welcoming.

"Welcome," he said with a smile. "I trust your journey was comfortable?"

"It was, thank you, my Lord," I replied with a respectful bow, setting an example for Elma and Aiden, who followed suit.

The Marchioness, Leticia Hawthorne, sat beside him, her expression cool and scrutinizing. Terra, stood next to her mother, while Liam, lounged in a chair, looking indifferent.

Terra's gaze swept over us with curiosity. "Father, may we please have introductions?"

Marquess Hawthorne nodded graciously. "Of course, Terra. These are Elma, Aiden, and Liliana. They will be staying with us for a while."

Terra turned to Liam with a playful smile. "Liam, I believe you have a way with introductions. Would you like to greet our guests?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, his expression guarded. He glanced at his father, who nodded subtly. Reluctantly, Liam straightened up in his chair and offered a brief nod of acknowledgment. "Welcome to Hawthorne Estate. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask."

"Thank you," Elma replied warmly, smiling back at Liam.

Aiden nodded respectfully. "We appreciate your hospitality."

I added with a polite nod, "Indeed, thank you."

Terra, her curiosity piqued, turned to us with genuine interest. "So, what magical talents do each of you possess?"

Elma spoke up first, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I have Telepathy. It allows me to communicate thoughts and emotions with others. It also allows me to read others' thoughts. It's quite handy in understanding people better."

Terra's eyes widened with intrigue. "Telepathy? That must be fascinating."

Aiden hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I don't possess any magical abilities. I'm here to train as an Imperial Knight at the academy."

Liam observed quietly, his gaze assessing.

Terra turned to me expectantly. "And you, Liliana?"

"I have Floral Mastery," I replied, trying my best to be calm, meeting her gaze steadily. "It allows me to communicate with and influence the growth of plants."

The Marchioness interjected with a dismissive tone, "Floral Mastery? How quaint. I suppose that's useful for gardening."

I was about to say something but the Marquess intervened smoothly, redirecting the conversation. "Leticia, let's hear more about Terra and Liam's talents. Liam, would you care to share?"

Liam hesitated briefly, his gaze shifting from his father to us. "I have Water Manipulation. It's been a mainstay of the Hawthorne lineage for generations. I can control water in various forms and use it both defensively and offensively."

"That's impressive," Elma remarked, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Water magic must be so versatile."

Liam nodded, a hint of pride touching his features. "It's served our family well. I hope to further master its applications."

The Marchioness, sensing the need to boast off her daughter's power, asked. "And Terra, what about your magic?"

Terra's expression softened, her voice carrying a serene tone. "I have Healing Magic. It's said to be the magic of the last Saintess, known for its ability to mend wounds and cure ailments."

Aiden's eyes widened with respect. "Healing magic? That's truly a noble gift."

Terra nodded graciously. "I've been studying its applications diligently. I hope to make a difference with it one day."

The Marquess got up to finally end the conversation.

However before the Marquess could say something, Terra continued animatedly, "I can't wait to start at the academy! Did you know, Vincent, will be starting his first year too? We've been friends for years, and I'm so excited to see him again."

Her words stung a bit. Vincent, the prince. In my past life, he had been a symbol of love and everything I could never have. A reminder of my own limitations. My mood darkened slightly, though I managed a fake smile.

Elma's mouth was wide open and Aiden pinched her arm to bring her back to reality.

The Marquess cleared his throat, drawing our attention. "Ah yes, Prince Vincent will indeed be joining you all this year. It will be an exciting time for all of you."

He then finally concluded, "You all have impressive talents. Now, let's discuss your accommodations and preparations for the academy."

Miss Ginny, standing nearby, stepped forward. "Day after tomorrow, we'll take you into town to purchase your uniforms and stationery for the academy. You'll need to be properly outfitted before classes begin."

Elma nodded eagerly. "That sounds wonderful. I'm looking forward to exploring the town."

Aiden glanced at me with a reassuring smile. "It'll be good to get everything sorted before school starts."

Miss Ginny guided us back to our quarters after the meeting, where we discussed our impressions of the Hawthornes and our upcoming shopping trip. Despite the challenges ahead, we were determined to make the most of our time at Hawthorne Estate.