Lucius Earhart
— Why are you so interested in the youngest?
— Isn't it obvious? With his potential, it's only natural to take notice.
— Perhaps. But I get the feeling it's more than just interest. — Aurora's gaze didn't waver from mine.
I stayed silent, watching as she took another sip of her whiskey, seemingly drawing out the silence on purpose. The room grew heavier with the tension that gathered between us.
— You still haven't let go of that incident, have you? — she added, her tone calm.
A cold prickle stirred within me. Despite my conviction that the past was behind me, her words hit with a sharpness that reminded me otherwise.
Collecting myself, I steadied my thoughts. Silence was futile.
— The past is where it belongs. There's no point in dredging it up, — I replied, my gaze turning to the unlit fireplace as I tried to still unwanted memories. — My interest in Raphael has nothing to do with that.
Aurora was quiet for a few seconds before letting out a low sigh, reclining into her chair, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
— Lucius, I know that behind your mask lies more than idle interest. You're far too skilled at hiding your intentions, keeping everyone behind that wall. Do you really expect me to believe that you're merely curious about him?
Indeed, Aurora was neither Theo nor Mia, who could be fooled with a fake smile. Pretending before her was pointless.
— Have it your way. But what does it change? — I answered, keeping my tone indifferent.
There was silence, but it didn't last long. Aurora spoke with that unflinching certainty of hers, the kind that made the strong whiskey in my glass feel almost tasteless.
— Raphael and Alice are the only ones in this family I truly care about. And if you—or anyone else—ever tries to harm them… I'll kill you. Or anyone else who stands in their way.
At her words, the room's stillness seemed to shatter. It felt as if her very presence filled the air with a force that was nearly tangible. In that moment, she was no longer the younger sister I once knew. The intent in her words was as real as if it were a blade.
— Even if it's the Patriarch himself? — I smirked.
— Even if it's the Patriarch, — she replied without flinching.
Our eyes met, and I could see the absolute resolve in hers. Her unwavering stance, her willingness to stand against even our own family, stirred both respect and surprise within me. For the first time, she openly defied everything we stood for.
Was this Raphael's influence?
A barely perceptible smile tugged at my lips as I looked at her. Knowing there was someone like her in the family—someone who upheld honor and loyalty to kin as more than mere words—was… strangely satisfying. As much as our rigid hierarchy tried to suppress it, this was the kind of spirit the Earhart family should have valued.
But no matter my respect for her principles, no matter the fact that she was my sister, I couldn't allow myself to get closer.
— I understand, Aurora. If that's all, I'll be going, — I said, not wishing to extend this conversation any further.
She nodded, her response calm and even.
— As you wish.
I stood, leaving the half-full glass on the table, and headed to the door. But before I could exit, her voice stopped me.
— I hope one day we'll share another drink.
I didn't turn around.
— Of course. If there's a chance.
***
Back in my quarters, I immersed myself in the latest reports from Grimwave concerning our intelligence activities in Solaris. It was routine work, lacking the intrigue of honor or family matters, yet such mundane details were often more crucial than grand declarations of loyalty.
By the time I finished, night had begun to settle, casting shadows across the room. A faint breeze rustled the curtains, carrying the soft, comforting noise of leaves stirring outside.
I leaned back in my chair, removing my glasses and closing my eyes. The weight of responsibilities—the silent conflict with Solaris, the endless family tensions, and the intricate manipulations I orchestrated within the clan—pressed on me more heavily than ever.
Just as the weariness began to give way to a hint of drowsiness, a knock sounded at my door.
— Come in, — I replied calmly, not letting my exhaustion seep into my voice.
The door swung open, and three figures entered: Eric, Mia, and my bodyguard, Cedric. I barely suppressed a sigh, already anticipating where this conversation was headed.
— Brother! Why wasn't Raphael punished for what he did?! — Eric's voice, as always, carried an irritatingly shrill tone.
I glanced at them coolly. Eric stood with a scowl, while Mia, silent as usual, stood beside him. Cedric hovered behind them, observing.
— Theo brought that upon himself, thinking he was "strong enough" to handle the youngest. He paid for his arrogance. What's there to punish?
Eric's face reddened, his fists clenching.
— Even so! Raphael isn't even a true Earhart. How dare he treat "pureblooded" members of the family like that?
— Hah…
The entire matter of "pure blood" and "true Earharts" had grown tiresome. Maybe it was just me, but this line of thinking struck me as childish drivel, completely disconnected from reality.
Who cares if he's "pure" or not when that ten-year-old boy can scare all of you without breaking a sweat?
— Eric, stop with this nonsense, — I said, barely masking my irritation.
— W-What? What do you mean?
— You're fourteen. Mia and Theo are eleven. Three of the family's eldest children, and you're all somehow terrified of a ten-year-old! — I paused, allowing my words to sink in. — Every time, you come to me complaining about how the "not-pureblood Earhart" has wronged you.
Eric shifted uneasily, clearly feeling the sting of my words. I continued, my tone growing colder.
— You constantly boast about being true Earharts, stronger and more important than him. Yet whenever something happens, you run to me to handle it.
My words seemed to have finally pierced through his defensiveness, and I could see irritation crossing his face. But he needed to not only hear but also absorb my message, so I pressed on.
— Remember, Earharts are, above all, a family of knights, not cowards or merchants. Don't like it? Challenge Raphael to a duel or simply beat him in the tournament.
Eric looked down, as if unsure. It seemed he was finally beginning to grasp that my support was no longer guaranteed.
— I see you've all become too used to me covering for you, — I paused again, feeling the frustration rise within me over their utter helplessness. — That ends now. I'll only help those worthy of it. That's why, at the Guardian's assembly, I backed Raphael, not Theo.
— But, Brother… what about us?
— Enough, — I responded with icy detachment.
I released a surge of my aura, making the air in the room feel heavy, almost tangible. Eric and Mia fell to their knees involuntarily, clutching their throats as their faces paled from the lack of air.
I stepped closer, leaning down to Eric's level.
— I'll say this one last time. You want me to defend you? Then prove you deserve it. Defeat him one-on-one, not by ganging up on him. Do I make myself clear?
— Y-yes… forgive us! — Eric stammered, gasping for air.
— Good.
I released the pressure, and they staggered to their feet, their pride visibly diminished. With heads hung low, they made their way toward the exit.
— Anything else?
— No… we're leaving, — Eric muttered, pulling Mia along as they left.
I sat back in my chair, watching the closed door thoughtfully. Unlike Eric and Theo, Mia seemed to have begun reflecting on her actions, especially since witnessing Raphael's strength firsthand. Yet, she still clung to their company, perhaps unsure how to find her place within the family without the familiarity of her usual circle.
I sighed.
— I only hope my words nudged them a bit closer to thinking for themselves.
— Do you really believe that? — Cedric asked, his brow furrowed in uncertainty.
A faint smirk crossed my face.
— Of course not. Maybe Eric might grasp something, but Theo…
— Why are you so sure? — Cedric asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
— Because he's worse than an animal.
— Pardon?
— There's a certain experiment. A metal plate is electrified with food placed on it. They release a hamster. When it tries to eat, it gets shocked and jumps back. After a few tries, it gives up. Now, guess how many times Theo's been beaten by Raphael?
— Five, if we count all their scuffles, even the small ones, — he replied.
— Exactly. He's worse than that hamster. Even an animal knows when it's hopeless after a couple of tries. Theo would endure ten or more shocks just to stroke his ego, rather than actually grow. He does the bare minimum, never pushing beyond his comfort zone. Unlike Raphael, who daily tests his limits.
— Understood…
— All Theo knows how to do is mock Raphael and his bodyguard, as if that will somehow make him stronger. And each time, he ends up in the infirmary, only to start his taunts again at the first opportunity.
It's a vicious cycle. He sneers at Erin, gets defeated by Raphael, seethes with anger, yet does nothing to improve. And every time, he returns to the same dead end.
— But he's still just a child; he has a chance to change, doesn't he? — Cedric asked.
— Ordinary children might have that chance. In the Earhart family, everyone solves their own problems. If no one's there to guide him, he'll remain a fool.
— Then what's your plan? As I recall, you once had grand ideas for those three, hoping to eventually turn them into valuable allies in the family.
Allies… from those idiots? Nothing could be more pitiful. I barely contained a laugh, recalling my own childish naivety from years ago, back when I still thought they might be capable of something. It's embarrassing, looking back at the ideas I once entertained.
— As for them? Absolutely nothing, — I replied coldly. — They'll have to learn to handle their own issues. I don't need people like that. I don't need anyone who can't even defend themselves, let alone do anything meaningful.
I saw a flicker of understanding in Cedric's eyes. It didn't take him long to realize that I no longer placed any hopes in Theo, Eric, or Mia.
— I see. So where do you intend to focus?
— We'll keep an eye on Raphael, Aurora, Erin, and Alice. They're our priorities now. And perhaps I'll manage to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with Raphael.
— And if that doesn't work?
My gaze fell on the stack of documents at the edge of my desk, including one with a black flower insignia—a medical report on Raphael.
— Then, we'll have to resort to less… refined methods.