Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

December 16th, 1924,

The winter had been particularly harsh that year, with snow piling high against the cobblestone streets. As Jaegar's carriage trudged through the frost-laden paths, the weak afternoon sun offered little respite from the biting cold.

The wheels creaked to a halt before his home. Jaegar adjusted sleeves and pulled his wool coat tighter around his broad shoulders as he stepped down from the carriage, his polished boots crunching in the fresh snow.

He thanked the coachman and turned to the house.

Something was amiss. Several vehicles were parked along the street in front of his residence - a sight that gave him pause.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

These horseless carriages, as some called them, were becoming more common in the city, but they remained a novelty in their quiet neighbourhood.

With a growing sense of unease, Jaegar made his way to the front door. The usual warm glow that welcomed him home was absent from the windows. He rang the bell, expecting to hear his aunt's quick footsteps approaching. But the door remained closed, the house silent.

Frowning, Jaegar walked around to the side of the house where the garage stood. The large wooden doors were slightly ajar, and through the gap, he could see his aunt's buick. The car's presence confirmed she was home, yet her absence at the door grew more puzzling by the moment.

Testing the garage's side door, Jaegar found it unlocked. The familiar scent of motor oil and leather greeted him as he entered the house through the connecting door.

The kitchen was empty, though a pot of tea sat cooling on the counter, and several used cups were scattered nearby. On the kitchen island, there were bottles of liquor. Jaegar frowned seeing those bottles. His aunt wasn't much of a drinker, yet there were many, definitely enough for a couple of people.

The house was warm, lived-in, but eerily quiet, save for the muffled sounds coming from the direction of the backyard.

As Jaegar moved through the house, his footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors, memories of his long absence flooded back. He had gone for a long time this time, even without any letters.

Reaching the back door, Jaegar hesitated for a moment before turning the brass handle. The door swung open to reveal a scene that made his heart skip a beat.

The expansive backyard, usually pristine and covered in snow this time of year, had been cleared. A large bonfire blazed in the centre, surrounded by nearly two dozen people engaged in animated conversation.

His eyes immediately found Megan, their next-door neighbour, sitting close to a man he recognized as her husband. She looked exactly as Jaegar remembered - her copper hair gleaming in the firelight, her laugh carrying across the yard as musical as ever.

But it was the sight of his aunt that made Jaegar's blood run cold.

Diana sat on the opposite side of the fire, her auburn hair cascading down her back, wearing a dress that seemed far too fashionable - and revealing - for a casual gathering. More disturbing was the man seated beside her, his hand resting possessively on her thigh.

Jaegar didn't recognize him, but the familiarity between them was undeniable.

A deep frown etched itself across Jaegar's features as he observed the scene before him. The stoneway beneath his feet had been meticulously cleared of snow, as had the entire backyard - evidence of careful preparation for this gathering.

String lights had been hung between the bare trees, lending an almost festive air to the scene that felt like a mockery of his homecoming.

Jaegar stood there, unnoticed in the doorway, watching her.

The grandfather clock inside struck four, its chimes barely audible over the crackling fire and laughter. A few snowflakes began to fall, melting before they could reach the cleared ground.

Jaegar remained frozen in place, his mind racing with questions and possibilities, none of them pleasant.

He thought back to the last time he saw her. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but he had hoped she was doing all right, but seeing her now, she was doing more than okay. Not that he blamed her for it; a part of him wanted her to wait for him. Seeing her now, it seems like she has moved on.

Now, standing in the doorway of his own home, feeling like an intruder.

The man beside Diana leaned in close, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh - a sound Diana had once treasured but now felt like a knife twisting in his gut. She was wearing the pearl necklace he had brought for her, the delicate stones glowing warmly in the firelight. The sight of it against her skin, in this context, felt like a betrayal in itself.

Jaegar adjusted his stance, causing the floorboards beneath him to creak. A few heads turned in his direction, curious faces becoming confused as they took in his travel-worn appearance.

Diana was still engaged with her companion, unaware of his return. Read new chapters at empire

The sun was setting rapidly now, the weak winter light fading to a deep blue. The fire cast long shadows across the cleared yard, creating a dance of light and darkness that seemed to mirror the tumult in Jaegar's mind. He had returned expecting to find his life as he had left it, only to discover that everything had shifted in his absence.

A sudden gust of wind caused the flames to leap higher, illuminating the scene with renewed brightness. In that moment, Diana finally turned towards the house, her eyes meeting Jaegar's.

The smile froze on her face, her hand instinctively moving to the pearl necklace at her throat. For a long moment, neither moved; the years between them stretched taut like a wire about to snap.

As Jaegar finally stepped forward onto the cleared stoneway, the crunch of his boots on a stray patch of snow seemed to break the spell.

Conversations around the fire began to die away as more people noticed his presence. The stranger's hand slipped from Diana's thigh as she slowly rose to her feet, her face a mask of complicated emotions.