Clouds were gathering above, dark and heavy. It looked like rain would fall at any moment.

  The four of them entered through the large gate where two guards stood stationed.

  Oliver walked ahead.

  As they passed, the guards' eyes lingered briefly on Aleck's black hair.

  Their expressions shifted — subtle, but noticeable.

  They didn't say anything.

  The master of the mansion was present.

  Aleck noticed.

  He sighed inwardly.

  So… as long as I have power and money, I won't face hatred?

  Olric noticed the guards too.

  He showed no reaction.

  "Isn't the garden beautiful, Aleck?" Amber asked, pointing to both sides of the pathway lined with blooming flowers.

  The scent of damp soil and petals lingered in the air.

  Aleck almost said—

  Not as beautiful as the one behind your clothes.

  But he deliberately swallowed the joke.

  Oliver opened the grand wooden door and gestured for them to enter.

  They followed Olric into the main hall where Lossaile and Ashley were seated together.

  "Why are you three so dirty?" Lossaile asked, raising a brow.

  "We were hunting bears, Momma," Amber replied proudly.

  "Bears?" Ashley repeated, surprised.

  She didn't fully doubt it — Olric was reckless enough to attempt something absurd like that.

  "She meant hares," Olric corrected calmly.

  "Same thing," Amber said.

  "No, it isn't."

  "Enough of you two," Ashley said, waving a hand dismissively before her gaze shifted to Aleck.

  "And who is this cute little boy?"

  Aleck blinked and pointed at himself.

  Ashley smirked.

  "Yes, you. I know the other two personally."

  Aleck felt slightly taken aback by her mature composure.

  Before he could respond, Lossaile spoke gently.

  "Don't tease him too much, Ashley."

  Her eyes rested on Aleck.

  "You must be Aleck."

  "Yes."

  Lossaile smiled faintly.

  "I wished I could stand and apologize to you personally for my child's wrongdoing. But due to some medical reasons… I cannot."

  Dissonance.

  Aleck had heard Reyla mention it once — what happens when resonance tears through a body that isn't ready for it. He looked at Losaile's arms, the way she moved them freely. Then at her legs.

  So that's where it hit her.

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  He didn't say anything.

  Olric's expression stiffened slightly as he heard his mother apologizing for him.

  Aleck spoke calmly.

  "It's in the past. I think we're closer to being friends than enemies now.".

  Lossaile's smile softened further.

  For a moment, Aleck felt himself melt slightly.

  Amber narrowed her eyes.

  "Did you just melt because a beautiful lady smiled at you, devil-spawn?"

  Ashley sighed.

  "Amber, sometimes I feel you are the least noble among us."

  She looked at Aleck apologetically.

  "I hope you don't mind her foolish remarks."

  Amber fell silent.

  Olric stepped forward and carefully lifted his mother, placing her into a nearby wheelchair.

  Aleck stepped closer.

  "Do you need help?"

  "No," Olric replied evenly. "It's part of my daily routine."

  "Where did your father go?" Lossaile asked.

  "I don't know. He was here a moment ago. He opened the door for us."

  Just then, lightning flashed outside.

  A loud crack followed as thunder rolled across the sky.

  Wind began pressing against the tall windows.

  "It seems a storm is coming," Lossaile said quietly. "Go ask the guards where your father went."

  Olric nodded after settling her properly and stepped away.

  The air inside the hall felt heavier than before.

  Olric returned after some time.

  "The guards said Father went to the northern camp," he reported. "A scout brought urgent reports."

  He didn't know the details himself — he was simply repeating what he had been told.

  "Always busy," Ashley sighed lightly. "Anyway, let's have dinner."

  They moved into the dining hall.

  Aleck stopped for a moment at the entrance.

  The room was vast, lit by hanging brass chandeliers where candlelight shimmered against polished stone walls. Long velvet curtains framed tall windows, their deep burgundy fabric swaying slightly as wind pressed from outside.

  A long mahogany table stretched across the room.

  And it was full.

  Bowls of thick herb stew steamed gently, releasing the scent of rosemary and garlic.

  Golden roasted chicken glistened under a honey glaze.

  Braised hare lay neatly carved, its juices pooling beneath it.

  Grilled river fish rested atop sliced citrus and greens.

  Fresh bread, brushed with butter.

  Sweet pastries dusted with sugar.

  Honeyed fruit tarts.

  Aleck had never seen so much food placed together at once.

  He sat between Amber and Olric.

  At first, he carefully observed Olric's movements — the way he held the fork, the way he sliced the meat, the posture he maintained.

  He imitated him awkwardly.

  Lossaile noticed.

  "You don't have to imitate anyone," she said gently. "Eat however you like. Just be yourself."

  Aleck paused.

  A strange warmth filled his chest.

  He nodded quietly.

  Ashley smiled at him in approval.

  That was enough.

  Aleck reached forward without hesitation.

  He tore a large piece of roasted chicken with his hands, juices running down his fingers. With his other hand, he grabbed a slice of braised hare and bit into it eagerly.

  The meat was tender.

  Salty.

  Rich.

  Far different from dry church bread.

  Amber burst into laughter.

  "You eat funny!"

  Olric's lips twitched upward, though he quickly masked it.

  "Amber," Ashley corrected gently, "that isn't very lady-like at the dinner table."

  Amber pouted but continued eating.

  The meal passed in warmth and conversation.

  By the time dessert was served, faint rain began tapping against the windows.

  Soft at first.

  Then steadier.

  After dinner, they returned to the hall.

  Lossaile handed Aleck a folded bundle of clothes.

  "I thought these might fit you," she said. "Olric has grown out of them."

  The fabric was soft — fine linen beneath a dark wool vest embroidered subtly along the edges. The shirt collar was stiff but clean, and the trousers were far better tailored than anything Aleck had ever worn.

  Once changed, he felt strangely uneasy.

  The fabric sat too neatly against his skin.

  "Quite the perfect fit," Ashley commented.

  "It looks good on you," Amber added.

  Lossaile smiled.

  "Take the rest as well. Olric won't be able to wear them anymore."

  Aleck hesitated — then nodded.

  After a while, the three children gathered near a corner of the hall, speaking quietly while the two women resumed their own conversation.

  Amber excitedly described the capital — its towering gates, crowded marketplaces, wide stone roads, and fountains that shimmered under moonlight.

  Aleck listened in awe.

  Olric then spoke about the Royal Academy — about training to become a knight, about discipline, combat forms, and honor.

  Aleck remembered Father Lucen's warnings.

  Be vigilant.

  Power invites danger.

  The kingdom is not simple.

  Yet deep down—

  He wanted to see it.

  To walk those streets.

  To meet people beyond Embrek.

  Even if they judged him.

  Even if they whispered.

  He wanted to find someone who would accept him as he was.

  Outside, the rain grew heavier.

  Thunder rumbled distantly.

  Aleck stood slowly.

  "Thank you for the dinner, ma'am," he said, bowing respectfully. "I should return to the church. Father Lucen is probably waiting for me."

  Lossaile and Ashley exchanged a glance.

  "Why not stay the night?" Ashley suggested. "It's dark, and the storm is worsening."

  Aleck hesitated.

  For just a second.

  Then he shook his head.

  "I can't leave Father alone."

  Near the gates of Embrek Church, beneath the darkening heavens—

  A hooded man stood in the rain.

  He did not move.

  Water streamed down the edges of his cloak, dripping silently onto the stone path. Lightning split across the sky, illuminating the churchyard for a heartbeat—

  And in that flash, the tattoo of a sun etched along the right side of his face became visible.

  His eyes were fixed on the church.

  Calm.

  Unblinking.

  Emotionless.

  The wind tugged at his hood, but he did not adjust it.

  Another streak of lightning lit the sky.

  For a brief second, the stained-glass window of the church glowed faintly from within.

  Fritz remained still.

  Watching.

  Waiting.

  The rain grew heavier.