The party ended past midnight, they were all tipsy but they still managed to head back to their respective clubhouses to rest.
Not all of them fell asleep immediately though, Keychantel was left alone after everyone headed to rest upstairs.
She's standing on the veranda, leaning on the railings while looking out into the sky.
Key used to hate the sky, she hated its darkness and flickering of the stars, but soon enough she started seeing the sky the way she used to view the starry moonlit sky when she was first fourteen.
Her dislike for the dark night sky lessened but it never disappeared, it was as if every night she'd see the sky covered with clouds and she couldn't see the moon and stars, she's brought back to that night.
Her phone's ringtone disrupted the silence of the night and Key didn't feel irritated at it in the slightest, but she wondered why she was receiving a video call from Sigrid at that time of the night.
"Sigrid," Key muttered as soon as the line was connected
[I apologize for my impertinence, primogenitrice-mere,] her deep Irish accent resonated from her every word as she bowed her head to apologize
"What is it?" Key asked
[Aiti!] Cash's voice echoed as she appeared behind Sigrid with a delighted smile
"Hmm…" Key hummed as she waited for the other person – people, rather – to speak
[TL has sent me to watch over the twins upon their return to Angliae, and they have asked to speak with you,] Sigrid explained and Key nodded
[You don't seem delighted,] Coin said in straight English
[Brother…] Cash complained as her brother began his obvious acts of rebellion
"What is it?" Key asked in a softer tone and expression, ignoring Coin's remark
[We heard you're flying to Doitsu today! We already asked someone to arrange a flight to Doitsu for us. Can we meet you there? Promise, we won't disturb your plans too much.] Cash said, her eyes glistening with expectations
"I won't be staying long in Doitsu, there's no need," Key replied and she noticed how her eyes dimmed
[Even for just a day, Aiti? Promise, we'll leave after we spend a day…] Cash didn't want to give up immediately so she tried to ask her to compromise
Key knew her intention, but she cannot give in to the child's whims.
If it were any other normal person, they will not be able to resist Cash's innocent and sweet charm, they'd give in to her wishes to make her happy, but they're not Key.
Key had been far too jaded to appreciate the child's charm, she is only lenient to the little girl on the account that she is her flesh and blood.
"Cash," it only took one word from Key and all the glimmer of expectation in Cash's eyes dimmed
[Told you so,] Coin sneered, his eyes flashing the blatant displeasure he has from the treatment
[Brother! Aiti isn't allowing us because you always disrespect her!] Cash said in exasperation, hitting her twin brother in the process
[Children… Cash…] Key saw how Sigrid tried to calm the situation
"Cash Rotschilde," Key called her with a hint of warning and it immediately made Cash stop and lower her head, it was obvious, however, that she was starting to cry
[I'm sorry for disturbing you with this, primogenitrice-mere,] Sigrid apologized while lowering her head
"Cancel the flights they arranged, and see to it that they do not skip classes, especially Coin. I think they've been too indulgent that these two had forgotten their manners." Key reminded her and Sigrid nodded
[Studying well doesn't even matter,] Coin said making Key's expression harden
"Complaints and remarks are off the table, Coin," Key said sternly
[You wouldn't know anything if not for your people, but you claim to be hands-on.] Coin replied, his young voice dripping with censure making Key's eyes darken
[Coin, you cannot talk to the Primogenitrice-mere that way,] Sigrid reminded the child
[You're only rich, but you're not that powerful,] his eyes contained emotions that Key could recognize very well
[Coin, please, that's enough.]
Sigrid tried to touch the young boy but Key saw how he slapped her hand away while sneering.
Cash couldn't give any reply as she is still crying from Key's rejection earlier, and Key gave Coin's remark a leeway in consideration for making his sister cry, but his outright disrespect and challenging of her authority is something she will not allow.
[If we do what you did, we could escape the path you're forcing on us.] He added, not minding the scolding that he is receiving from Sigrid
The softness that Key's expression had earlier was now traceless on her face, she is looking at Coin with darkened eyes and her lips curved to express her displeasure.
"You're not challenging my authority, are you? You wouldn't like to incur my wrath, little one." She apathetically warned with her eyes flashing the underlying threat in her words
[I will see to it that the servants and instructors discipline them properly to correct his ways.] Sigrid said, her voice laced with concern and fear
Key's expression was rather cold and distant as she nodded before ending the call.
Those two children were the youngest members of the Troublemakers, they are the current eldest children of the Rotschilde Household, descended from her bloodline, but Key treated them no different from how she treated the other troublemakers whom she had handpicked and trained from a young age.
The Irish Troublemaker, Sigrid Cunningham, came from the bloodline of Mykola's sister and that's why, even though she didn't come from any bloodline directly related to Key's family, she was taken from the decrepit rural town where she was born.
It was because she was the only one who descended from a bloodline without any blood relation to the main bloodline where Key came from that Sigrid was more compassionate and caring towards the younger Troublemakers, mainly the Rotschilde children whom Kitten introduced to them as infants.
It didn't take long before Key's phone rang again, this time Chela is calling her.
It wouldn't take a genius to know that Chela may have been the reason the Rotschilde twins knew of Key's flight to Doitsu, it's also not unlikely that Chela had encouraged Cash's idea when she brought it up.
"What is it?" she asked after answering the call
[So, will you extend your stay? Since the twins are –]
"They aren't," she cut her off before Chela could continue
[Why not? If you're worried about the cost, we can cover it.] Chela's tone was filled with concern
"You cannot give in to whatever those two troublemakers ask of you, Chela. They will not learn." Key lectured her and she heard Chela sigh
[It's just that Cash looked so happy when she thought of spending the day with you…] Chela trailed off
"I'm not Kitten, Seachela," Key said and she heard her hum from the other line
[Don't you think they need a mother… while growing up?] Chela suddenly asked after a moment of silence and Key sighed
[I know what you want to say,] Chela stopped and sighed before continuing
[They have servants in the manor… there are instructors hired from all over the world… they are given anything they wish to buy…] Key knew what Chela would say next but she let her
[But, those hold no value in their eyes.] Chela said in a saddened tone
"Do you wish to return to them?" Key asked her
[I can't leave everything to Cali and Papa, Chantel,] Chela replied with a soft chuckle
"I figured as much," Key nodded as she replied indifferently
[They need a mother…] Chela trailed off
"There's Cali and Honey, while they still don't have children of their own, they can give the parental love you think the twins deserve," Key replied with apathy
[I guess… well, that aside, you're only staying in Doitsu for a day or two, which means you'll be flying to Gallia to join JLNC afterward, right?] Chela asked, changing the topic
"Hmm, that would seem to be the case," Key replied
[Leave it to me then,] Chela said
"Alright, thank you, bye, Chela," she said and hung up without waiting for a reply