A servant carried a bright golden tray through the Ironfell halls, a beautiful ceramic kettle was neatly placed on one side, and a white embroidered envelope was placed on the other side.

She wore a maid’s uniform and walked gracefully, nothing but the tapping of her shoes could be heard echoing through tbe walls.

She finally reached he destination, the Patriarch’s matrimonial bedroom.

Servants were permitted to knock three times on the door of the family members, and if no response was received whatsoever, to go and return at a later time.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

She knocked carefully so as not to disturb whiever was inside the room.

She waited for about three minutes before the door creaked open, it swung open gently, revealing the Matriarch, who stood in a lovely blue dress that ran all the way down to her heels.

She had her hair packed up in a way that suggested she was still getting dressed.

"Oh! Clara!" The Matriarch Elena gasped, rushing over to her small table.

"I have brought your tea, my lady." Clara said flatly, carefully placing the tray on a small table beside Elena. "There has also been a letter for you, my lady."

Clara said those words and just as quickly as she came, she left, disappearing down the halls, back to her original duties.

’Hmm. A letter? Who might it be from?’ Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that it might be from her son.

She quickly ripped the envelope open and pulled out a long sheet of paper with an official stamp at the bottom.

_ _ _

Dear Jacob Ironfell,

After a thorough review of your potential, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for admission into Mountain Elite Academy.

Your acceptance has been reserved, and your enrollment will become active upon reaching the age of eighteen.

At that time, you will be expected to report to the academy grounds and complete the registration process.

Mountain Elite Academy accepts only the most promising young talents from across the continent, and we believe you possess the qualities required to stand and compete among them.

Until then, continue your studies and training diligently. We look forward to witnessing your growth.

Congratulations, Jacob.

Signed,

Headmaster Typerion Voss.

Mountain Elite Academy.

_ _ _

Her eyes widened as she read the letter, a little surprised but also disappointed that the letter hadn’t come from Jacob himself, and that it had arrived at the time when Jacob was so far away from home.

Nevertheless, she would show this to her husband and try to get the letter to Jacob himself.

’Mountain Elite Academy? That’s no joke, that’s the best academy across the continent.’ She mused inwardly as she continued getting ready.

Today was the inauguration ceremony, the day that Rhoarin would finally get inducted as the Patriarch of Ironfell.

Today it would be official, he would remain as the Patriarch until something happened to him.

She immediately returned to her mirror, dolling herself up for the occasion.

The truth being that she was most likely better off without the makeup and the extensions, but it was a day of celebration. She did it for her love.

There was another soft knock on the door, but this time it was followed by an immediate twist of the door handle.

"Are you ready honey?" A gruff voice came from behind the door, before the man stepped in fully.

There he stood, at a charming six foot five, clad in regal blue and white attire from head to toe.

Golden adornments covered his body, his shoes would glisten even from a mile away.

He smiled as he stared at the woman getting ready.

"If you weren’t my wife already, I’ll be so jealous of the man that had you." He said, smiling.

"Stop teasing and come help me with this necklace." She chuckled and commanded in tbe same breath.

He rushed over to her and looked at her in the mirror while he hooked her necklace, their reflections staring back at them.

"You look so handsome." She said, nearly squealing.

"Oh you think so?" He stood back up, twirling around to reveal his full outfit.

"I know so honey, it’s your day, enjoy it—Oh! A letter came in." She said, immediately remembering the letter, then she slid it over to Rhoarin.

"A letter? From whom?" He asked, also half expecting it to be from Jacob.

"It’s for Jacob."

"Oh!" He said, opening and reading it slowly, after about half a minute he was done, but he didn’t show any signs of excitement or happiness.

"And they send it now?" He muttered to himself. "Either ways, it’s still good, we have about two years before he’ll be ready to go."

Elena looked at him through the mirror and nodded.

Finally, she got up. The moment she swirled around to look at him, Rhoarin felt like his words had been caught in his throat.

He was unable to mutter any words as he looked at her in awe, even though he had been with her for years on end, she was the most beautiful sight he had ever laid his one eye upon. And that was putting it lightly.

He cleared his throat and then gestured for her to hold his hand as they both walked out of the room.

Outside the door there were already a couple of guards waiting to escort them to the main venue.

They all lined up in a two files and marched behind their new Patriarch and Matriarch.

But to Rhoarin and Elena, it seemed as though it was only two of them in the world. A feeling that neither of them might ever get tired of.

As they reached the door of the great hall, it swung open with a loud bellow, revealing a vast space, lined with hundreds of people ready to witness the inauguration.

They included the several branch families that were present at Jacob’s awakening ceremony, and the elders that sat at the high table.

"Presenting, Lord and Lady Ironfell, here to be inaugurated as the new Patriarch and Matriarch of Ironfell!"