Chapter 3: The Rules of Veilore Tower

The morning sun filtered through the sleek glass walls of Veilore Tower’s upper levels, casting geometric patterns on the polished floors. Sienna woke up in her new room, a space as minimalist as it was luxurious. The bed was larger than anything she’d ever slept in, its crisp white linens adorned with a single navy throw. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Cala Veil’s towering cityscape, and a faint sound of distant activity reminded her of the bustling metropolis below. She stretched lazily, the excitement of her new life bubbling under the surface.

As her stomach growled, Sienna decided it was time to explore the kitchen. She threw on a simple outfit, jeans and a comfortable sweater, and stepped out into the halls. Every detail of the Veilore Tower spoke of elegance and cutting-edge design: walls lined with programmable art screens, air purifiers that subtly infused the space with a hint of lavender, and motion-activated lighting that illuminated her path as she moved.

The kitchen was enormous, with stainless steel countertops that gleamed under soft overhead lights. There was a wall-mounted food synthesizer, a gadget she’d only read about in magazines, and a built-in pantry with rows of neatly labeled ingredients. A young woman, no older than her mid-twenties, stood near the island counter, meticulously arranging fresh fruit on a platter.

"Good morning, Miss Ardyn," the young woman greeted, her voice polite but distant. "Mrs. Veilore has informed us of your stay. It’s a pleasure to serve you."

Sienna blinked in surprise. She had never expected someone to serve her. Back on Iskaar Reaches, the concept of having a personal attendant was as foreign as the advanced technologies that surrounded her now.

"Please, don’t call me by my last name," Sienna said quickly, her green eyes wide with discomfort. "Just Sienna is fine. What’s your name?"

The woman hesitated before answering, her tone still formal. "My name is Noa Arbridge, Miss—uh, Sienna."

Sienna grinned. "Noa, huh? That’s a lovely name. And really, just Sienna. Let’s be friends, okay?"

Noa’s professional demeanor faltered for a moment, a flicker of warmth crossing her face. "As you wish, Sienna. Is there something I can prepare for your breakfast?"

Sienna shook her head and gave her a reassuring smile. "No need! I’ll fix something quick myself." She moved toward the glossy fridge, marveling at how it opened with a soft hiss at her touch, revealing rows of perfectly arranged items. Grabbing a few essentials, she began to whip up a simple meal, chatting with Noa as she worked.

Though Noa responded politely, it was clear she wasn’t used to such casual friendliness. Sienna didn’t mind; she knew building rapport would take time. After all, she hadn’t come to Cala Veil to be a spoiled little girl, she wanted to explore, learn, and prove she could handle life in the big city on her own terms.

Halfway through her breakfast, the sound of heels clicking against the floor signaled the arrival of Sienna Veilore. Dressed in a sharp white suit with black accents, her older namesake exuded an air of authority. Her dark curls, meticulously styled, framed her striking green eyes, which locked onto the younger Sienna as she entered.

"Good morning, Aunt Sisi!" Sienna greeted cheerfully, waving a piece of toast.

Veilore raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. She crossed her arms, the sleek fabric of her blazer catching the light. "Start getting used to calling me Mrs. Veilore or, at the very least, Sienna while we’re in the tower," she said in a measured tone. "Here, it’s fine, Noa and the rest of the staff are trustworthy. But outside these walls, I have a reputation to uphold, and I don’t have siblings. Referring to me as ‘Aunt’ could spark unnecessary rumors. Understand?"

Sienna's smile faltered for a moment, but she nodded quickly. "Got it, Mrs. Veilore. Sorry, it slipped out."

The older woman softened, though her poise remained intact. "I’m not upset," she said, her voice gentler. "But this city is different from what you’re used to. You’ll need to adapt."

Noa, sensing the conversation was private, excused herself quietly.

As the two Siennas were left alone, the elder sat down at the counter across from the younger. "How are you finding the tower so far?" Veilore asked.

"It’s incredible," Sienna admitted, her enthusiasm bubbling back to the surface. "Everything here feels so... advanced. I mean, there’s a food synthesizer in the kitchen! And those wall screens in my room? They can change into any painting I want. It’s like living in the future."

A faint smile tugged at Veilore’s lips. "You’ll see much more than that soon enough. The tower is equipped with some of the most advanced technologies available. But Cala Veil itself? That’s where the real marvels are."

Sienna leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Like what?"

Veilore’s smile widened slightly. "You’ll discover it all in time. For now, eat your breakfast. We have a busy day ahead."

As the elder Sienna stood and left the room, the younger one sat back in her chair, her thoughts racing. The rules of Veilore Tower were clear: appearances mattered, and her aunt’s life was far from the casual warmth she remembered from her childhood. Still, Sienna was determined to make her mark in this dazzling, unfamiliar world.

Looking down at her half-eaten plate, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation for the days ahead.

After finishing her breakfast, Sienna wandered into the lavishly minimalist living room of Veilore Tower's upper floors. There, reclining in a sleek chair that looked as if it had been plucked straight from a futuristic art exhibit, was her aunt Sienna. She was engrossed in a glowing holographic screen suspended in mid-air, her sharp green eyes scanning the headlines of the day. A large tumbler of amber liquid rested casually in her hand, its contents swirling lazily as she tipped it now and then.

“Aunt Sisi!” Sienna exclaimed, half in shock, as her gaze fixed on the glass. “What are you doing drinking at this hour?”

Veilore glanced up, arching a perfectly sculpted brow as her face broke into a mischievous smile. “This?” she asked, holding up the glass as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “It’s just a little morning boost,” she said with a chuckle, her voice smooth and laced with amusement. “Any hour is a good hour for a drink. Want to try some?”

Sienna’s jaw dropped, her wide green eyes a mixture of disapproval and innocence. “No! I’m far too young to drink,” she said with an emphatic shake of her head. “Goodness, I’d almost forgotten about this awful habit of yours. You’re hopeless!”

Sienna replied, puffing out her chest dramatically. “Just you wait. I’m making it my first goal here in Cala Veil to get you to drink less. Consider yourself warned, aunt Sisi!”

Veilore laughed, a sound that echoed warmly despite her usual icy demeanor. “Oh, my sweet little Sienna, you’re just like your father when you say things like that. Calen made it his mission to ‘save’ me from this ‘vice’ too, but he didn’t stand a chance. What makes you think you’ll do any better?” She smirked, watching the determined sparkle in the girl’s vivid green eyes.

Veilore nearly spilled her drink from laughing. “You’re precious, child,” she said, shaking her head with a fondness that softened the sharp edges of her usual persona. “But don’t get your hopes up. This habit is older than you, and it’s not going anywhere.”

For a moment, Veilore’s expression shifted, her laughter fading into something more wistful as she stared at the girl. “You’re so much like him,” she murmured under her breath, almost inaudible, before taking a deliberate sip from her glass.

Sienna tilted her head. “Like papa?”

Veilore waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind. In any case, we’ve got a busy day ahead of us.”

Her tone shifted back to its businesslike crispness, though her lips still held a trace of a smile. “You’ll be starting classes at the prestigious Cala Veil Academy next week. I went there myself before I moved to Aeris, so you’re in good hands. The director, Mr. Leystren, is an old family friend. I’ve already pulled a few strings to get you accepted. Today, we’ll pay him a visit, thank him for making an exception, and get you acquainted with the route to school. It’s a short ride from here.”

Sienna’s excitement bubbled over, her earlier scolding completely forgotten. “Really? That’s amazing, aunt Sisi! You’re the best!”

Veilore groaned theatrically. “Child, please. Not that nickname when we’re there. I tolerate it in private, but you’ll have to be more discreet in public. You know my reputation can’t afford to be tarnished by whispers of familial ties I don’t have.”

“Fine, fine, you already said that twice this morning.” Sienna said, grinning cheekily. “I’ll just call you ‘Miss Ice Queen’ instead.”

“Brat,” Veilore muttered, though her lips twitched with amusement. She set her glass down, standing with a smooth elegance that seemed almost inhuman. “Come on. Time to show you how the real Cala Veil operates.”

As they left the living room, Sienna couldn’t help but feel a growing anticipation. Her new life in Cala Veil was unfolding before her, and she was determined to leave her mark, starting with melting the Ice Queen’s heart.