Surviving the Death Hunt

After three days of nothing but dreadful lessons and preparation for the ceremony, the day finally arrived.

Scar had no idea why this was necessary, but apparently, due to the commotion V’s attack had caused a week ago, the Rover family sought to use this opportunity to lessen the tension weighing on everyone’s shoulders. Of course, this only applied to those affiliated with the family.

Every muscle in Scar’s body hurt. Between the disgusting etiquette lessons and Arthur’s forced intense training sessions, he was exhausted. Strange, since Arthur never forced things on people. But he had this time.

Julien was living at the Rover estate now, but Arthur excluded him from training sessions, even though they’d all trained together previously.

Scar didn’t know how to interpret this, but he assumed it was for Amber’s safety.

Days ago, she’d sworn to be his guardian, which meant their lives were bound together. It was only natural that Arthur would want to ensure his daughter was in the right hands.

Hard to tell if the training helped, considering Scar never managed to land a blow on Arthur despite using his Emotional State.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, they’d stuffed him into this outfit. Elegant didn’t cover it, words failed him. The thing probably cost more than everything he’d ever owned. Took three maids just to get him into it. A quantum physics problem in clothing form. He was lost in his own damn suit.

The suit was white with striking golden patterns, the Rover emblem emblazoned on the back and incorporated perfectly into the design. Even the boots were silent, he felt like he was floating. The outfit made him stand out, a visual declaration of this day’s importance.

Despite how constricting it felt, Scar had to concede he’d never looked better. He was undeniably handsome.

While everyone else gathered in the ceremonial hall, Scar waited for Amber, his cousin and guardian, to show up. He couldn’t enter without her. Why? Hell if he knew. Maybe he couldn’t handle all those staring eyes. Or maybe he’d just get lost.

Soon before anxiety could cloud his mind, he found himself stunned.

Amber wore a simple yet elegant ivory ceremonial gown with a high collar and flowing cape sleeves. It was adorned with delicate golden embroidery and ornamental clasps.

It wasn’t as luxurious or attention-grabbing as Scar’s, but it had a graceful silhouette and royal presence to it.

The attire’s beauty wasn’t what stunned him. This was the first time he’d seen Amber wearing anything besides her Heaven’s Garment.

Before Scar could say anything about how beautiful she looked, something in her eyes stopped him. His awestruck expression faded. Had she been crying?

"Hey, are you okay?"

He asked, confused.

Amber struggled to meet his eyes, and couldn’t answer before someone approached. Her friend; a short dark-haired girl. Valentine. She’d worn her Royal Knight uniform for some reason. Scar was already tired of looking at it.

"Wow, I was impressed by Amber, but what? Are you all this gorgeous? How I wish I were born a Rover."

Scar furrowed his brow.

First time meeting Valentine face-to-face, yet she talked like they already knew each other. Was she always this friendly? Everything Scar had heard painted her as hot-tempered, but she seemed fine so far.

Amber turned to Valentine and gave her a deadly glare.

"I’ve already warned you not to flirt with anyone. Scar might think poorly of you."

Valentine bowed in submission.

"Forgive me, Scar Rover."

Scar exhaled deeply.

"Don’t sweat it. It’s all good."

Scar wanted to know what had happened to Amber. She’d been like this since he’d woken, distant, though he’d never actually seen her cry before. But his chance to ask was gone now.

She was his guardian and his cousin, but those were just titles. They didn’t really know each other. Why would she trust him with this?

Scar smiled gently and extended his hand. Amber took it, and they walked toward the ceremonial hall together. Two Rover cadets guarded the entrance, standing behind enormous gates.

When the gates opened, Scar’s heart lurched. He couldn’t help but be glad he walked with Amber.

So many people, all standing, some holding drinks, decorated tables arranged behind them. All there to welcome him. The massive hall seemed to stretch forever, with cadets posted at every pillar.

A few familiar faces stood out: Purple in a black gown, Julien in a black suit. He’d already seen them before entering the hall, though, so he moved on.

Everyone dressed in white was connected to the Rover family somehow, so it was easy for him to pick out his cousin Loki, as if his golden hair wasn’t distinctive enough already.

More awkward still were his uncles and aunts giving him a guard of honor. At the far end stood massive windows overlooking the courtyard, where elegant seats were arranged in the red moon’s glow. Before those windows sat the family heads: the Rangers.

They all wore elaborate royal suits and overcoats that would’ve matched Scar’s for attention, if not for the Rangers’ age stealing the effect.

His mind was drifting when Amber pinched him, snapping him back to the present.

"The least you can do is smile." She whispered.

Formalities be damned.

Scar couldn’t help but mentally rehearse everything he’d learned over the past three days. When he and Amber finally reached the Rangers, a long and tedious speech was given, but Scar hardly heard half of it. His mind was elsewhere.

He wanted Haven to be there, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find her. He saw Mingle, dressed in white due to his family’s ties to the Rovers, and even Leonard, Haven’s captain, plus a few Supreme Council members. But no Haven. No Karl either.

He was crushed. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. Did Karl hate him so much that he’d keep Haven away? Because Scar was always causing problems? The thought alone almost brought tears.

Finally, the endless speech ended. Everyone raised their glasses, toasting Scar’s return to the Rover family.

He’d planned to spend time with his friends. That wasn’t going to happen. Instead, an endless line of people to greet. Many commented on how much he resembled his parents.

His mother’s charm, his father’s confidence—they kept saying it. A little flattering initially, but the comments made him question who his parents had actually been. His father especially.

Same story from everyone who approached: praise for his parents, offers to help repay what his parents had done. Nobody actually thanked him for being himself. For just existing.

At some point, he was led to the courtyard. A hundred people, maybe more, all bowing before him. All there for his deceased parents.

His father, Bryan, had protected and cared for these people during Scarlet Kin attacks. Eight years after his death, the Rover family still supported them, honoring Bryan’s legacy.

He’d known his parents were remarkable. But seeing this, their legacy living on, made him appreciate them more. Maybe the banquet wasn’t so bad after all.

After a long while of greetings and bowing, which got so overwhelming that even Amber abandoned him, she returned the moment Scar was done.

"Come with me, Scar. Sister Ray wants to see you."

Ray? The nun who’d raised his mother. Scar had wanted to meet her for ages, but family policies made it impossible. Now though? He was more than honored.