Rebel Blackhorn POV

  My return to Telluric's estate was a welcome one, after our brief emotional moment we returned home in silence and I haven't seen him much since.

  My rehab instructor, his name is Elore, he's kind of rough around the edges. His pudgy frame and lack of knowledge on basic etiquette led me to believe that his hiring was entirely due to his skills and not his political position, he informed me of something rather interesting.

  "One of ma' pals works as a guard at the manor, and he came across some info' that might interest ya'. He was walkin' to his post when he overheard a conversation between ol' Lord Telluric and that fella' Reelo. Apparently, Telluric’s gonna be gone for a while, lookin' for an old friend who might be better suited to help ya' with yer' arm."

  This info helped explain why I hadn't seen much of Telluric since we returned, but something has been bothering me for a while.

  My birthday party, an event supposedly all about me, was going to be used to introduce me to the world.

  A 'spectacle' as Reelo had put it, Telluric motives seem questionable.

  Reelo's explanation was simple enough.

  "This party will introduce you to the world as a Greenfeather, Telluric wishes to avoid questions about why you were hidden from the public so he plans to Introduce you as soon as possible, and it is his belief that doing so on your birthday will help to reduce the suspicions further."

  Whilst this all may be true I can't help but think that Telluric has something bigger in mind, he acted as if holding the event on my birthday was all for my benefit, well that clearly isn't the case. What else is he lying about?

  I shook my head

  "Come on Rebel just focus on tomorrow"

  I muttered the words to myself, more to comfort myself than anything else.

  Even if Telluric has ulterior motives tomorrow was still my day, I am going to be introduced to the world as Rebel 'Greenfeather', the consequences of Telluric's decision to reveal me would be something to keep in mind, but for now I am going to try enjoying my time.

  **

  The start to my day was rushed. The hurried footsteps of officials, maids, guards, and other staff members combined into a thunderous cacophony as they scrambled to finalize preparations for the event. Amid the hustle and bustle, I caught a snippet of an event manager talking to Reelo.

  "Reelo, we have received word from Lords Enhatten and Biggory that they will not be able to attend, however both have sent a member of their families with gifts for the young Lord Rebel."

  The names of these Lords were both unfamiliar to me. Yet another reminder of how little I knew about this world I was now expected to navigate. Their gifts, though welcome, felt more like obligations wrapped in gilded bows. I suppose they were meant to soften the formality of the occasion, but I couldn’t shake the feeling they were symbolic, a reminder of the deals Telluric was likely brokering in my name.

  A knock at the door of my room brought me back to my senses.

  "Hello Lord Rebel, may I have a moment of your time?"

  It was Reelo, his conversation with the official must've been in the corridor outside my room. Although hearing someone refer to me as 'Lord Rebel' was going to take some getting used to.

  "You may come in"

  The door slowly opened and Reelo strode in, his elegant and confident posture was the same as it had been every time I'd seen him, his dark blue hair was cropped to his shoulders extenuating his sharp jawline, and his silver eyes seemed to absorb the sunlight.

  He walked over to my closet and pulled out the suit that I tried on during my first day in Terramalorum.

  "High Lord Telluric requested that you wear this to the event today, and he also provided this"

  Reelo pulled a tie out of a bag, the tie had one of those large colour changing crystals that Telluric had shown me, it was embedded into the lower part of the tie.

  "Reelo?"

  He turned to me with an inquisitive look.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  "Yes Young Lord?"

  Again the title of 'Lord' was foreign to my ears.

  "Well I was just thinking, all of the other Greenfeathers have Lighting based nightmares, but I do not. Wouldn't it be better to just use a yellow crystal instead of these crystals that react to my nightmare."

  For a moment, Reelo’s mask slipped. His silver eyes widened, and his usually calm demeanor wavered.

  “Young Lord.”

  He said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

  “Do you understand what it means to stand apart as you do? Most who deviate from the Greenfeather norm are kept far from public scrutiny. You, however, are being presented as an exception, an anomaly. It’s not about fitting in. It’s about standing out.”

  "I-"

  "Pardon my interruption Lord, but please let me finish."

  "Heed it no mind, continue."

  "The spotlight in your case is unwanted, I can see it written plainly on your face how you feel about this all. High Lord Telluric is dragging you into a world far brighter than the one you are used to, but please do not doubt his intentions, he only wishes to make you known for your benefit. As a man who has been in the spotlight his entire life, not only for his noble heritage but also his strength, he knows better than any other how it feels to be scrutinised for every action you take, and he also knows the benefits that come with that life. If he believes that this is the best action to take then I say you trust him and let it happen."

  I couldn't argue with his logic, it is true that I didn't want to be in the public eye but the benefits were clear.

  Eventually I want to attend the best school that I can, and from what I've heard, public figures who have clearly demonstrated their strengths have an easier time getting in.

  Although I still don't like the idea that every move I make will be watched closely the benefits clearly outweigh the negatives.

  Reelo smiled faintly, his usual calm demeanour returning as he set the tie on the bed.

  “Good, Because whether you like it or not, the world is about to meet Lord Rebel Greenfeather. And the world, my Young Lord, is rarely forgiving.”

  I gave Reelo an appreciative smile.

  "Thank you Reelo, now if you may excuse me whilst I get ready."

  He nodded his head and walked to the door.

  "The guests will start arriving shortly, however your entrance is set to take place in about one hour from now, another member of staff or I will come to get you at the correct time."

  Then he left, his rhythmic footsteps growing quieter as he walked towards the stairwell.

  I changed into the suit I was given, doing so with one arm was slightly difficult but I managed in the end. The black shirt was perfectly fitted to me, as was the white waistcoat, the white dress pants were a slightly relaxed fit but they were the perfect length. As I fastened the black tie, the shifting green glow of the crystal caught my eye. It felt symbolic, like the Greenfeather name itself, something meant to define me, even if it didn’t feel entirely mine. The suit was flawless, a testament to wealth and prestige. Was this who I was expected to become?

  It was weird to see myself in such formal attire, of course when I lived in the primary Greenfeather manor with Bellion, Lindon and Lillian, I was given formal clothing, but nothing to this degree.

  I was pulled from my thoughts by a loud cheer from the hall downstairs, clearly some form of entertainment was being demonstrated at the event, probably to keep the guests engaged before my entrance.

  A knock at the door drew my attention away from the roaring noise.

  "Yes?"

  A girl's voice followed, soft and kind.

  "Uhm, Lord Rebel it's time for you to come down now, if you are ready of course."

  I opened the too-large door and in front of me stood a girl no older than myself, she had ash grey hair that faded to a blinding white, her purple eyes seemed to contain all the stars from the heavens above, and her pale complexion was smooth and unblemished.

  We stood in silence for a second as her starlit eyes tracked me up and down, clearly taking in my appearance as I had hers, she tucked some of her ashen hair behind her ear before gesturing for me to follow.

  We walked in silence through the manor, every now and then my escort would look back at me however she quickly turned back whenever I caught her eye.

  Once we reached a door leading to a lower section below the event hall she nodded to me.

  "This is where I was instructed to lead you Young Lord, you are to enter through this door and descend the staircase where Reelo will be waiting for you."

  I gave the girl a smile and she turned away sheepishly, she walked down the corridor towards one of the many entrances to the event hall and glanced back at me one more time before entering.

  Following her instructions I opened the door to the staircase and descended.

  Reelo's familiar voice echoed from below.

  "Young Lord, just on time."

  As I reached the bottom of the stairs I saw many attendants and staff members tinkering with some sort of device, Reelo was stood on a circular platform in the middle of the room.

  "Who was the young lady that escorted me here?"

  Reelo's placid mask slipped for a second and it was replaced with a small smirk.

  "That was my niece, she's here for the event with my brother but I asked her to fetch you because I was busy."

  I raised an eyebrow to him and he let the smirk fall from his face, again replacing it with his emotionless demeanour.

  "That is besides the point of course, come join me on the platform."

  I did as he said, the circular platform was big enough to fit maybe five people on it, but I didn't know why we were stood on it until it started slowly going upwards, the sudden change in elevation was accompanied by the sound of wind rushing through tubes and stone grinding against stone. Above us the ceiling began to open up in a strange motion, first a circle about the same size as the platform I was stood on became visible, then it went upwards before splitting in the middle and drifting out of the way, leaving the way unblocked for the platform to rise through.