After Hugo left from the scene, Charlie looked one last time at the child in front of Leon before going back without saying a word.
"Sheesh, you just came back and yet things are already hectic. I don't think this is a good sign" (M)
Leon, Persephone, and Pallius got down from the wolf.
"What do you mean by that?" (L)
"Because there are guests coming from our neighboring kingdom today. Anyway, where did you come from, kid?"
Marco squatted down as he observed Pallius who was hiding behin Leon's leg.
"He's my son. So... fuck off"
"I don't think that's anyway to talk with a child around~"
Marco left quickly as he knew how serious Leon was base on his expression. And knowing that both Leon and Persephone are battle oriented individuals, there would be no chance for him to escape unscathed if they had fought.
Ggrrr~
"....."
Pallius face flushed as everyone at the area heard his stomach.
"Do you want some snack?"
Aldo asked as he handed a chocolate bar.
Pallius looked at Leon in confusion. Leon then gestured to him that it was fine for him to take it.
"It taste sweet!"
In a few seconds, the chocolate bar was devoured by the little kid.
"Where did this choco bar came from?"
"It's something that Marco came up with. Apparently, it is a hit in the demi human kingdoms and is now popular among the aristocrats who have sweet teeth"
After eating another chocolate bar from Aldo, Leon carried Pallius and placed him on the back of his neck.
"As expected from someone who came from the Achterberg family. Everything here looks modern somehow"
"It is nothing much. If anything, my older sibling would have managed to do much more than me if they were here"
Leon, Persephone, and Pallius were amazed at the state of the city.
There were people chatting from a distance, children playing on the playground, pet dogs and cats being walked by their owner, and workers doing their jobs.
"Is this place yours, uncle?"
"It is. It belongs to me and to other four uncles of yours. The three guys, except for the weird red head, are your uncles"
"Wow~"
As he looked around a sweet scent filled the air, making Palliu's mouth salivate.
"Want some?"
Pallius nodded with expectant eyes.
"Okay. Hvae fun playing around. I'll go fetch you later once I'm done with my work"
Persephone then took Pallius from Leon's neck and carried him on her arms.
Persephone, Aldo junior, and Pallius then parted ways from the two and headed for the stall where the sweet scent came from.
"Lady Persephone! Sir Aldo junior! What can I do for you?"
The shopkeeper asked in a polite tone.
"What do you want there?"
Pallius looked at the illustrations. As he did not recognize any of them, he looked back at Persephone with anxious eyes.
"These are cotton candy. Just know that they are very sweet and you not let it touch the water if you don't want to cry"
Hearing her words, it became harder for Pallius to make a decision.
"If you do not mind, madam, who is the lovely child with you?"
"He is Pallius. Master's son"
".....?!"
The shopkeeper and his assistant, his daugther, stopped upon hearing those words.
"If that is the case, then I should give you one of the best there is!"
The shopkeeper quickly went into action, started the machine by foot, and carefully formed the sugary threads.
As he watched the magical process of making the food, the shopkeeper used his steady pace to form a pink sphere.
"Here you go, young master"
Pallius did not heard the shopkeeper's words as he was too focused at the majestic cotton candy in front of him.
"Here, I-"
"Please don't, madam. It is on the house"
The shopkeeper said with a bright smile.
"IT'S SOOO SWEEET!!!"
Pallius was overjoyed at the new sensation and taste he was experiencing.
The sugary threads would instantly melt on his mouth and burst like fireworks.
"I am happy that you find it tasty!"
"Thank you, sir"
Pallius waved his hand as they left.
They then arrived at the fish farm where they sat down to look at the fishes.
"Can I go closer, auntie?"
"You can. Just make sure you won't fall"
"Understood"
Pallius quickly, but with caution, went near the fishes and was happy after the fishes tickled his hand after he submurged it.
"Al junior, what did master meant when he said 'As expected from someone who came from the Achterberf family'?"
Persephone whispered.
"Oh, that? Well, apparently father is someone of noble bloodline. I once heard that his family is well known and holds great status from the world they came from"
"Wow, I can now understand the drastic changes that keeps on happening in the city"
Poof!
Anise appeared abruptly which caused Pallius to fall backwards.
"Surprise! It is nice to see you, young lord"
"....."
Pallius quickly ran over and hid behind Persephone and Aldo junior.
"Don't be afraid, she is also your aunt"
"She is?"
"I am!"
After knowing that the naga in front of him was also his 'family' his fear soon faded away as he went closer.
"I am Anise, young lord. I am a servant of lord Charlie"
"Charlie?"
"Yes. The one with the curly hair. You saw him earlier, right?"
He then remember the face of the cool looking uncle with a bow from half an hour ago.
"Young lord, I brought some snacks!"
He turned around and saw an elf.
"Are you also my aunt?"
"No, no. I am one of your uncles"
"..... Uncle....?"
His head tilted slightly as he could not comprehend how someone who looks like a woman would be a man.
"A.... I..."
"I something wrong?"
Lexi asked as he sat down.
"Nothing at all"
"Lexi, did that came from lord Marco?"
"Yes. Master made these himself"
Lexi then showed the apple pie to everyone.
"Each of us gets a slice. Two for you, young lord"
"You are... uncle Lexi?"
As he realized he forgot to introduce himself, Lexi sat properly with a hand on his chest.
"I am Lexi Garcia. A servant of lord Marco, young lord Pallius"
"....."
Pallius looked at the four one by one.
"Is something wrong?"
Anise asked.
"Why do you call them master? Aunt Persephone calls uncle Leon master. Aunt Anise calls uncle Charlie master. And Uncle Lexi calls uncle Marco master...
Why do you call them like that?"
The three were at a loss for words as they do not know how to answer his question.
"Well, young lord, that is simple. Because they are the ones who created us. For me, father was the one who created me.
While I call him 'father' as I prefer to call him that way, me and the others treat them with the same honorifics.
And since you are lord Leon's son and the other lords' nephew, naturally, you are the young master of the castle"
Pallius became even more confused.
"They... created you? Like, they are your parents?"
"Haha! No. It is not like that, young lord"
".....?"
"We ourselves do not know how they did it, but what we do know is that our existence is for their sake. We are alive and able to experience things because it is our duty to serve them.
If we do not do that, we would lose meaning which makes us afraid. Hence we are their servants, young lord"
Anise answered as she gently cupped Pallius' little hands with hers.
"..."
"You may be too young to understand this, but sooner or later when you are all grown up you will come to understand this"
Lexi said as he placed two slices of on Pallius' plate.
"Okay... then, where is my other aunt or uncle? Uncle Leon said that there were five of you"
"Veronica is busy training. Even if she wants to, she can't come here because someone is stopping her.
Do not worry, because you will soon meet her"
Persephone said.
Pallius then sat down and ate his apple pie as the four narrated the achievements of their respective masters.