When the voice sounded, the brewing atmosphere abruptly dispersed.
Called by a familiar voice, Eve turned her head to look.
No embarrassment, and still maintaining the intimate posture- Eve, with desire yet to dissipate from her eyes, smiled in a pleasant surprise at the intruder.
" Leon."
" Eve."
Two pairs of similar blue eyes met as they greeted each other like an old friend.
" Why are you here?" She let go of Xaphael but didn't get up, apparently careless of their unsuitable condition.
Carla, standing a few meters before the two, stepped forward leisurely and resumed,
" The old man wanted me to fetch you. He worries you won't make it to his banquet."
Sensing a hostile gaze aimed at him, Carla turned his sight to Xaphael.
Flashing his signature look of superiority, he spoke,
" Introducing myself to the lord of Southern Region, I am Carlaeon Iyvan of the house of Cross."
He halted a few steps in front of them and hooked his lips.
Fortunately, his aura and face can support such a smug expression.
" I do apologize for barging in your territory without prior notice." He continued, but his tone obviously meant he didn't care at all.
Heh, he likes that annoyed look on Xaphael's face, like wanting to strangle him but could not.
Oh, Xaphael is irritated as hell, alright.
He was about to savor Eve's lips when Carla intruded.
Talk about timing.
Couldn't he wait for at least a few minutes?
Obviously, Carla couldn't.
His improperly timed interruption wasn't accidental at all.
A while back, he escaped from the parlor and went for a walk. He considered it might take some time for his cousin to return as he was informed that she had gone somewhere with the lord of the house. Since it would take a while to meet his cousin, Carla went on an adventure.
He aimlessly wandered until he reached the entrance of the grove.
He had an intuition that he would find something fun in this direction, and so he went.
He was correct.
But, he did not expect to witness his cousin's tryst.
He has been watching from afar, anticipating what they'll do.
Excuse his voyeurism. It's just that he likes observing Eve's "closeted" side.
This cousin of his likes watching him maul bastards with his fists but never interferes. She merely has that perpetual "interesting" expression on her face. Now that he saw what she looked like when shedding off her graceful mask, he was quite delighted. It's like a daddy lion watching his youngling take her first prey-curious and full of support. Therefore, he didn't barge upon arrival but merely stood from the sidelines and watched her in action.
He doesn't mind Eve doing whatever she wants to do. Still, he doesn't like Xaphael to get any better.
He mused that Xaphael should be thankful that his angle was crooked, not discerning that their lips were about to touch. That is why he is a step too late, letting the devil's child be cheaper.
Eve is like his twin and, more importantly, partner-in-crime. Needless to say, she won't be simply handed to outsiders.
Xaphael shifted his hands towards Eve's waist, supporting her while observing her focused gaze on Carlaeon. Not hiding the irritation in his eyes, he responded in a cold voice but still maintaining courtesy,
" Xaphael of Stone, and no, you are Eve's cousin. Of course, you are a guest." Not welcomed, though. He inwardly added.
Xaphael desired to lecture him for ruining his deeds.
However, considering he is previously one of the loyal customers of Playhouse for intel, he won't retaliate. Still, he noted that he would keep in mind the grudge today.
Scrutinizing the young man emitting a haughty attitude and recalling the details he read about him, Xaphael grinned knowingly.
Apparently, a few years back, this young man built his own information hub. He had an idea as to why Carleon did so. Nevertheless, it's wasn't his business, and, doesn't care. Hence, he did not delve deeper into it.
It's just that, as the owner of such, he has learned of his good deeds.
Recalling his glorious achievements, Xaphael mused,
[ What fairies' descent? More like an orc in a pretty skin.]
On the other hand, Carla, who was also examining the infamous person clinging tightly like a koala on his cousin, reflected:
[ What devil's child? More like a beast belonging to the infatuated species.]
The two exchanged a meaningful grin and did not speak further.
Eve glanced to and fro Carla and Xaphael, still seated on the villain.
Something seemed wrong but, she couldn't point what it was.
In any case, the earlier business she had thrown out of her mind.
***
The morning after, Carla finally dragged Eve for a journey.
As to spending the night with Eve, Xaphael couldn't even cross her door since the original guard turned into two.
He could only stare and bathe Carla and Judas with a generous amount of suffocating breath.
Carla liked his choked expression, so he went to annoy him more, and Judas, on the other hand, simply didn't care.
In the end, the resentful Xaphael could only go back after scoring another grievance under Carlaeon's name.
***
When Eve's group arrived in Jacea castle, it was already four days later.
Currently, Eve is standing near the edge of the over-water stone bridge not far from the castle gates. She looked at the horizon, welcoming the ebbing twilight as the sun's trace vanishes.
" Master, wear this. You might catch a cold since it's getting colder." Judas covered her with a coat then quickly returned behind Eve as if afraid she'd return it.
Glancing back at him and meeting his gentle gaze, Eve faintly smiled.
She wanted to say that she wasn't feeling cold and should take it back. Yet, seeing Judas' expression similar to her Dad's "This is for your own good, child.", she decided not to contest. Anyway, her argument becomes invalid when that line is uttered.
" If you wanted to enjoy the lakeside scenery, you should wait 'til tomorrow, you know," Carla, who was also watching the view, interjected, dispelling the serene mood. He is standing by the vehicle with arms and legs crossed, oozing a lackadaisical aura.
They have stopped at the castle gates, as Eve wanted to see the lake. He didn't ask why she wanted to. Anyway, he owes her a favor, so he wouldn't say no to her. Not to mention, it's such a simple request.
Nevertheless, they have been standing here for quite some time, and the old man is still waiting for them.
In any case, he's pretty sure the codger has already exploded his hair. It's not a loss to make him erupt more. With that purpose, he took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. He then stretched his limbs and leaned on the car more comfortably, savoring the tranquil atmosphere.
Not long after, a call caught their attention.
It was a low and faint cry that seemed to come from afar.
Eve, Carla, and Judas looked towards the castle. There, they saw a creature coming out of the darkness and dashing at an alarming speed in their direction.
Eve: The hell is that?
Halfsie: *takes out a wooden cross*
Judas: ...
Carla: Dafuq?
Lucian, who got word that his lovely daughter had arrived, dropped the documents he had been handling and went to welcome her. When he spotted her, he couldn't suppress his excitement and sprinted.
With arms wide open, he cried as he called Eve's name.
" Liiiiiiiiiinnnn liinnnnnn!!!!!"
Tears welled on the corner of Lucian's eyes as he softly yelled. It's been so long since he saw his cute daughter. That prick, Sylvius, won't even let him talk to her. He felt so wronged.
Seeing her smiling figure, Lucian could almost hear her call him "Undad". The long months full of wrongful bullying seemed to finally usher a new beginning. His number one support is finally here. With her, his long-lost daughter, those brats bullying him won't matter anymore. With that insight, he called anew.
" Liiinnnnnn liiinnnnnnnn!!!"
Regrettably, the three who stood from afar did not have the same enthusiasm as him, simply squinting at his way.
Even the knights guarding the gates didn't dare to witness their lord shedding off his majesty. They seem to be immune to his uncanny behavior when facing the young lady.
Lucian, who observed Eve's lack of response, felt aggrieved and retaliated with a more ardent zeal.
The group watched the cannonball-like creature gain momentum making them vigilant.
You can't blame them.
In dying light, a man races at them with a terrifying speed. His arms were wide open, and his low pitch, high decibel roar sounded like a battle cry.
In addition, his expression is shrouded by darkness- only revealing a pair of fierce eyes. All in all, he appears like a beast ready to gnaw enemy at first contact.
Fortunately, it was time for the lamp posts to be switched on.
At that moment, the castle ground was fully illuminated. It also dispelled the shadow shrouding Lucian's nearing figure.
They remained still, waiting for his arrival.
When Lucian was about to near Eve for a routine, dramatic embrace, a palm speedily greeted his face instead. The impact was so strong it almost broke his nose. Before he could rasp a mouthful of fire, he heard his rascal son croak,
" Old man, you're getting more disgusting as time goes by." Carla, who pulled Eve behind him, warmly welcomed his father.
Lucian, who shed off his doting side, sneered at his son,
" Damn, brat. As time goes by, you're becoming worse. Has your etiquette been gnawed by the dogs? Be careful I'll let your mom hear of this."
Hearing the word etiquette and mom in a single sentence threatened Carla but didn't show it on the surface. Who doesn't know his mother's draconian ways when it comes to those strenuous things.
" Heh. Such spiteful welcome. I should have used my foot to greet you instead." Carla mumbled displeasedly. However, at this time, Lucian had already swatted him aside and went to Eve, checking for any injuries.
He did not forget to interrogate his son as he did, asking,
"Where have you been dragging Linlin?"
It barely takes less than a day from Helios to Jacea castle, but they arrived four days later. What did it mean? Clearly, his delinquent son must have pulled some ghastly scenes in between. Had it not been for getting assurance when calling Linlin and from Judas' report that they are well, he would run there and drag them home himself.
Hearing his query, Eve and Carla exchanged glances and smiled. What can they say? That hunt was eventful.
Of course, they wouldn't tell that to Lucian.
Not getting a reply, Lucian was vexed. He turned to Eve and rubbed her head lovingly, and asked,
" Linlin, are you okay? He didn't drag you to dangerous places, did he?"
" I'm okay, Undad. Leon did not drag me to a dangerous place." She answered truthfully. She wasn't dragged after all since she voluntarily followed with her own feet.
Lucian feels she is hiding something and once again expressed,
" Linlin, don't be afraid. Tell Undad if this brat wronged you. I promise I'll withhold his allowance for a year."
He was attacked while lying down. Carla naturally won't let his stipend fly so unjustly.
" Old fart, this is how you'll reward me for fetching Eve?" He snorted.
" Heh, you took the initiative, and not to mention, insisted on fetching Linlin. If I knew you'd be jeopardizing Linlin's safety, I would have fetched her myself." Lucian cast him a sidelong, disapproving glance and sneered in return.
The two started to bicker once again. Eve, who watches the familiar scenario, finally had that sense that she had genuinely returned to Jacea castle.
***
MINI THEATRE
Cleo watches his boss emit an evil aura more potent than the usual dose. He has been acting slumped, as if facing an unsolvable case, for a few weeks now. Unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, Cleo tentatively asked,
Cleo: Mr. President, are you okay?
Sylvius: *frowning with both hands folded before his straightened lips*
Sylvius: Hmm
Cloe: ...boss?
Sylvius: *Murmured in a chilly voice* I'm dying.
Cleo: * Shookt to nth level* [ Omfgcsh!! Did his boss have a terminal illness? Why didn't he know!]
Sylvius: ... to kill that bastard Lucian Cross. *squints eyes dangerously*
Cleo: *secretly takes out imaginary popcorn [ Tut. So it's about the mini-boss at his uncle's AGAIIIIN, huh.]
And once again, Cleo feasted his ears upon Sylvius' generous tongue-lash against his nemesis, he called: Lucian, the blond bastard.