"Elysia''s smile was bright and gentle.
"Well then, stop looking so glum, let''s go get some lunch."
"Yeah. Have Evan and Bernard made it back yet?"
"Nope. Those two are always like this—out early, backte. Walter''s around
though, and Quincy, he—"
Before Elysia could finish, a shout rang out behind her.
"Daddy! Mommy!"
Tarquin and Elysia stopped and turned just in time to see Emmett barreling toward
them, face beaming with excitement.
"Daddy! Mommy!" he yelled again, practically bouncing.
He was over the moon, absolutely thrilled.
Elysia grinned and swept him up into her arms, nting a quick kiss on his cheek.
"What''s got you in such a good mood, Emmett? Something special happen?"
Emmett proudly pulled out a pin from his pocket. "Look, Mom! Quincy gave this to
me."
The pin was simple, a little old-fashioned—just a small piece of metal with a star
stamped on it. Nothing fancy, no intricate designs or vibrant colors.
Some might say it was just an old badge, a relic really, but the tiny words etched
under the star were anything but ordinary:
First President of the Artistry Alliance
Elysia''s eyes widened as she nced over at Quincy.
Thanks to Winona Newsom, she''d picked up a thing or two about the art and
fashion scene. The first generation of the Artistry Alliance carried serious weight. It
was founded by the legends—the real deal, true masters of their craft. The current
President was still one of those original members, way past retirement age but
holding the fort until a worthy sessor could be found.
Being President of the Artistry Alliance was like being the head of the Medical &
Pharmaceutical Association—practically the highest honor in the field. And the
first President? That was the stuff of legend, the best of the best.
Elysia always knew Quincy was talented, but she never realized just how
extraordinary he was—he''d actually been the very first President!
If Winona were here, Elysia figured she''d probably be on her knees, begging for
an autograph by now.
And now Quincy had given this badge to Emmett—officially making Emmett his
chosen apprentice!
Elysia held Emmett, staring at Quincy in astonishment, momentarily at a loss for
words.
Emmett, not quite as sharp as Elliot or Evan, didn''t really grasp the full
significance of that little badge. What had him so excited was—
"Mom, Quincy said that with this, I can visit the old President of the Artistry
Alliance anytime I want!"
The current President happened to be Emmett''s idol—he loved his work.
Before Elysia could respond, Emmett blurted out even more excitedly,
"And guess what, Mom? From today
on, Quincy and I aren''t just family,
we''re teacher and student! I even
poured him tea and bowed, just like
you''re supposed to."
Elysia blinked. "You already had the ceremony?"
"Yup!"
She turned to Quincy for confirmation. "Is that right, Quincy?"
Quincy, dressed casually but with an
unmistakable air of elegance that
even time couldn''t diminish, nodded
with a sparkle in his eye. You could
tell he''d been a real heartthrob in his
youth.
He looked proud and just a little smug as he answered, "Elysia, you don''t mind,
do you? This just makes our family ties even tighter!"
Elysia quickly replied, "Of course I don''t mind! Emmett, remember—respect your
teacher like your own father. You need to look after Quincy from now on."
Emmett nodded earnestly. "I''ll take care of Quincy when he''s old!"
Quincy, like Bernard, had never
married or had kids—he was
something of a bachelor. Truth be
told, guys at their level didn''t really
worry about what would happen
after they were gone—whether
they''d get a grand funeral or just
fade away.
But hearing Emmett say that made Quincy genuinely happy.
"Finally, someone to carry on my legacy! Ha!"
Tarquin, standing off to the side with a faint, amused smile, watched the scene
unfold.
Wasn''t Quincy the happiest of them all now that he had a student like Emmett?"