Amelia go to where Lucas and Ophelia were Rein and Sein were behind her.
"Look. We made you a flower crown!" Amelia smile ear to ear. She hand out the flower crown to Ophelia.
Ophelia smile softly. She reach out to the crown flower and put i t gently on her head to not break it "Thank you milady. It's really beautiful."
"Hey! We help too you know! This is discrimination right Sein?"
"Yeah. Where's our thanks?"
Ophelia chuckle at the sight of them being jealous "I guess i need to thank you two too. Thanks... It's beautiful."
'Everything you wear is beautiful.' Lucas glance over to Ophelia. His cheek were burning when he see the smile in Ophelia face.
Rein smirked and decided to tease him a little "Aww. Don't you two knew about a tree sitting tradition? When two people sitting on a tree, specifically cherry tree. It mean that they're soulmate." Rein make up.
Sein understood the assignment. He nod to make what Rein say more believable "That's right. From what i'm seeing right now it seems that this tree is indeed a cherry tree."
Lucas smack they both head "Who you think will believe that you idiot?" He grunt.
"Me and Master Lucas is in different world. It's impossible for me a maid to become a next-to-be head of the Aragon family." Ophelia tone were kinda cold.
"... Y-you're right. Why would i marry an maid? I'm the heir of the Aragon. If anything i'll marry to the princess or something." Lucas was heartbroken but he hide it.
Rein and Sein shared a look together 'We messed for real.' Rein nudge Sein.
'You don't say.' Sein gave her a look.
Amelia notice the tense on the air so she tried to ease it even a little "Ehem. Anyway. What did you make Ophelia?" Amelia lean closer to Ophelia.
"Oh. I didn't make anything too fancy because i'm afraid it will take a lot of time." Ophelia open the basket that were full with sort of food like cookies, cupcake, sandwich, salad and etc.
Rein immediately takes a cookie and stuff her mouth with it.
Sein take a sandwich. He took the bite of the sandwich slowly to savor it taste "I wouldn't say that this is little." Sein say inbetween his chewing.
"Sein. Don't talk while chewing." Ophelia sigh.
Amelia sat in the middle of Ophelia and Lucas as she also started eating to replenish her energy.
They were having their moment of peace when suddenly a scream could be hear from the forest. Lucas quickly grab his sword to protect them while Rein and Sein just relax because they knew that Lucas is more than enough to protect them.
"I'll be back, i'm gonna check on it okay?" Lucas was not giving a single damn about Rein and Sein cause they can take care of themselves what he care about is Ophelia and Ameia who's defenseless.
Ophelia grab Lucas wrist before he could go "Please be careful." A hint of concern could be seen on her face.
"I will, Miss Ophelia." He smile before walking to the source of the scream.
Rein and Sein look at Ophelia with blank face.
'I don't normally care bout shit like this but goddammit!' Rein scoffed.
Sein continue to finish the sandwich without a single care on the world. Amelia were worried to her core afraid of the possibility that Lucas might get injured.
"Don't you think we should go too?" Amelia ask.
"Amelia is right. Even if Master Lucas is skilled it doesn't mean e couldn't lose." Ophelia cross her ponder upon what they could do to help.
"Tch. Fine. But it's only because Ophelia want to aight?" Sein finish his sandwich then grab Rein to stopped her from eating.
Amelia felt a slight hint of relief at Sein word. She was about to come along to but Ophelia stop her from going.
"I know that Lady Amelia is worried but it's better for us to stay here." Ophelia pat Amelia head to assured her.
In the forest. Lucas was surrounded by the forest bear normally he'll just slay them all but this time it feels like the forest bear was gotten stronger as if it was getting buff not to mention he had to also protect the black haired kid behind him.
Beside the kid there were an injured child that seems just a slightly older then him. The kid were crying and were holding the hand of the dying kid beside him.
Lucas were having a rough time trying to keep up with the forest bear but it feels like it never ends every time he slay one another will appear.
"Savior incoming!" Rein yell. She slay off a forest bear with smug smirk on her face.
Sein soon follow up slicing the forest bear into pieces.
Lucas was surprised and annoyed at them "What are you doing here? If you two are here then who's protecting Amelia and Ophelia?" He wipe the blood from his lips using the back of his hand.
"Can't you just appreciate that we here to help and not ask any further question?!" Rein clicked her tongue.
Lucas was about to say something but were soon interrupted when someone snuck up behind Rein. He quickly defend Rein using his sword. His sword and the attacker sword were clashing with each other.
Sein take no time to react immediately helped Lucas by also attacking the attacker forcing him to back down.
Rein recognize the mask that the person wear. It was the same organization that attacked them last night at the tunnel. She wanted to kill the person right away after acknowledge that but Sein stop her from doing so.
'Don't be reckless. We haven't completely healed. Even if we are there's a probability that we'll get injured again.' Sein telepath to Rein.
The reason they were able to look okay despite last night injury is because of the mana that save them from death so many times. Like when they injured fighting the forest bear when they first got into this world. And when the cabin burned down.
"What a nuisance. Looks like i underestimated you. But that's okay i could always kill you anyhow." The masked man were chanting a spell. All the forest bear look like their life-force were being drained.
"No you don't!!" The black haired kid push them away to get into the masked man and without warning he hit his head with a claymore making the masked man face planted the ground.
The reason he able to land a hit is because when the masked man chant his skill he become weaker, a lot weaker.
"Sheesh. That must be hurt." Rein hold her head as if she feel that pain.
"You think i'll let you finish chanting?! Do you take me for a fool!? Son of a fucking bitch. This all is your fault... I'll make you paid for this." Then he proceed to destroy the masked man ball with his claymore then killed him.
Sein and Lucas looked at the black haired kid with terror not because of the fact they killed someone but the fact that he really need to destroy his ball. Even Rein who doesn't had one feel the pain.
They all snapped into reality when they hear a cough from behind. The black haired boy dropped his claymore and run to his friend side.
The dying kid smile and take his final breath before closing his eyes for forever.
"N-no... No please... Cael please open your eyes... You can't do this to me... Please! Cael!" He cried out but there were no answer. He buried his head on his dead friend stomach as he cry.
"Tragic. 7/10 Too common for a backstory but still a classic one." Sein nod at Rein word agreeing with her.
Lucas smack the both head "Be more respectful you two." His tone were serious and cold unlike when they were with Ophelia.
'What a simp.'
.
.
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After some time the black haired kid finally stop crying. He look up from Cael dead body then at Rein, Sein and Lucas "You could go now." He look down at the ground.
Lucas ignore what he said and instead getting closer "What's your name kiddo."
"... Cassiel... No last name." Cassiel answered.
"No last name huh? Just like those two." He refer to Rein and Sein.
"We don't need one." Sein remark.
"Shut up." Lucas flipped them off before looking back at Cassiel "Anyway. It's dangerous here so come with me." Lucas didn't care about Cassiel, what he cared is the potential in him.
Cassiel thinking about the offer for a second but decided to accept the offer now that he doesn't had nowhere to go home to... What if he decline it?
Cassiel looked over at Rein and Sein then nod his head 'Maybe... Just maybe i could be friends with them?' He looked at the ground as he thought so.
'Why is bro out here be taking people in like a fucking pakeman.' Rein expression were a mixed of confusion and disgust?
'Hold on.. How am i gonna explain this to father later? Shit... Hm... Oh right, i could just use Amelia name.' Lucas grab Cassiel by his cloth collar as if taking out a trash.
Cassiel was a a little weird out but didn't say anything about it. Rein and Sein that was behind them were teasing Lucas about how he and Ophelia look like wife and husband.
Throughout the walk back to Ophelia and Amelia place were filled with Rein and Sein bickering about random stuff.
Ophelia pacing at circle waiting for them to come back. As soon as she see them she immediately run to them with Amelia behind her.
"Are you injured? Let me check okay?" She check o the siblings warily.
Lucas was a bit jealous but he push it off for now. He fake cough to catch Ophelia attention.
Ophelia turned his head to meet Lucas then she saw Cassiel on Lucas arm. She pinch him for carrying him like that "Gosh. Can't you softer?" Her face become more worried when she see the blood on Cassiel clothes "Oh my god. What happened?!" She reached the basket and grab a bandage to wrap Cassiel injury.
Cassiel blush at being touch fondly. He was never treated like this by other people except for Caelum that were like a big brother to him "I-it's just a small injury..." He tried to explain, instead he get a smack on the back of his head from Lucas.
"Injury is still an injury. If it get infected then it'll become much worse understood." His tone were more like commanding.
"Y-yessir..."
"Master Lucas please don't be too rough on kids. Especially injured kids." Ophelia finally done bandaging Cassiel wound. She stand up and look at Lucas "It seems that you also got an injury. Would you like for me to tend them Master Lucas?"
Lucas heart were racing at the thought of it. "I-if you're offering then i'll accept your help. It's not respective of me to decline a lady help after all." A tint were spreading across his face.
Cassiel look forth and back from Lucas and Ophelia then at Rein, Sein and Amelia. They three nod confirming Cassiel suspicion.
"Please be careful next time Master Lucas." She pinch Lucas hand again.
"I will..." Lucas mumble his eyes were focusing on Ophelia hand bandaging his "Plus don't you say to not go rough on kids? If we're talking logically here i'm still a kid because i haven't reached the age of 18. You broke your own rule Ophelia." He teased Ophelia with a sly smirk.
Ophelia stopped for a second before continuing it faster. Her bandage on Lucas was messy unlike Cassiel "You're 17 so that is basically an adult." She pouted.
"But i aren't though? We only had 3 years difference but you're acting like we had 30 years apart." He chuckle lowly.
"Age does not mater someone maturity." She crossed her arm.
'Then that's must the reason why there are many pdf then.' Rein and Sein thought.
Amelia and Cassiel were watching their banter slightly entertain by it.
Ophelia look around and see that it was getting dark with each second pass "It's getting dark we should head back. Cassiel you could come with us if you want of course. And don't worry i'll try my best to explain things with the Duke okay?" She pat Cassiel head gently to give him a sense of safety.
"I'll also help you to explain everything since it is me that were the one that decided to brought him in." Lucas say but the other knew it was just an excuse to know Ophelia better.
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.
.
At the front gate. Amelia, Sein and Rein were sleeping making Lucas had to carry them three all the way back to the estate, as for Cassiel he was wide awake as if he don't had any fatigue at all.
Ophelia help Lucas to put them three to their room Ophelia knew that Rein and Sein were tired from what happened last night and was actually really appreciate Lucas help. If it wasn't for him she couldn't had a day off.
"... Thanks. You maybe also realize it about them... Thanks for keeping a secret." Ophelia smile when she remember back the smile on the siblings face that was once was empty.
"It's nothing. i don't know what exactly they go through and i wish to not to. It is not my style to meddle on other business."
"It was expected from you Master Lucas."
They conversation were soon interrupted by Cassiel.
"Uhm... I'm sorry for interrupting. I was just had a question. Could i really live here?" He look at the ground not having the courage to look directly at them.
Ophelia kneel over to his knee to reach eye level to Cassiel. She pat his head once again "I'll try my best." Her tone were soft and gently like that of a mother.
"If we wish to speak with my father now is the right moment. I'll lead you guys to his study."
Ophelia stand up. She hold Cassiel hand while catching up with Lucas from behind.
After some walk they finally arrived at the door of Azrael personal study. Lucas took a deep breath before knocking "It's me father. I wish to speak with you."
"You may enter." Azrael voice could be hear from the other side of the door.
Lucas turn over the knob. He gesture Ophelia to enter first before himself. Ophelia bow down to give Azrael her respect before explaining everything with Lucas.
Azrael shared a look with Lucas. Lucas nod his head.
"I see a great potential in him and it'll be a waste to just let it be like that and not develop it further so i'm suggesting that we take him under our wing before other does."
Azrael raised his eyebrow at Lucas behavior. Normally he would just a few word then wait if it got declined or accepted. But then his eyes went over to Ophelia now everything make sense. Lucas wanted to impress Ophelia. Azrael couldn't help but being dumbfounded by it, nevertheless he support his love because he see Ophelia great taking care of things and is excellent on strategic.
"I approve it. He shall be under the wing of the Aragon will be the third guard to Amelia. Now leave. I had things to do." He shushed them away then go back to doing his paperwork that was so many that it almost filled the entire room with it.
"Thank you father." Without any further question Lucas leave the room along with Ophelia and Cassiel.
Lucas need to go back to his chamber because of something urgent so Ophelia tasked with helping Cassiel. Ophelia took Cassiel to an empty room that are now his.
Cassiel feel like he was about to cry when Ophelia show him his room "T-thanks... I didn't expect that you guys were not lying about it..."
Ophelia knew that Cassiel that were about to cry and she understand why. From what Lucas said earlier Ophelia now knew that Cassiel lot his best friends.
"I'll sleep with you since it's your first day here. It must be quite terrifying right? But don't worry i'm here to help you go through it."
Cassiel couldn't hold back his tear anymore. He buried his face into Ophelia stomach then cry letting it all out. There's a reason on why Ophelia decided to give Cassiel soundproof room.
{{END OF CHAPTER 6}}
I hope i'm not going to fast with the story hehe. See you guys next chapter ;)