“What seems to be the problem, Uncle?” I got up, meeting his fierce gaze with my own as he stood in the doorway with the maid hiding behind him, pretending to be hurt. “It’s quite late.”

“You dare plead ignorance, Bastard?” His anger wasn’t going to get quelled easily. “To think you’d stoop so low as to threaten our maids and splash tea in Zayna’s face because it didn’t suit your taste. You should be ashamed of yourself!”

“Is that what she told you?” The urge to laugh was too great to resist. “Don’t worry, Uncle. Next time I’ll save you some. Do you prefer sand just in your drinks or your food too?”

Honestly, I wasn’t doing myself any favors by engaging in a verbal conflict with Uncle Eugene, but I couldn’t help myself. It was as if a force much greater than I guided me toward utter chaos, pushing me into doing something I mustn’t. What made things worse was the revolting look on his face, staring at me as if I were less than a human, never able to stomach the disgrace my mother brought into the family.

“If you think you’re getting away with this without giving her an apology, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“An apology?” I scoffed in utter disbelief. “Why did I never know that you had a sense of humor? We could’ve gotten along better. But you’ll have to excuse me. I’d like to get some sleep.”

“To think that a bastard child would talk to me this way. Your petty lies won’t save you from being punished–”

“God, have mercy. . . My aunt hates me just as much, but at least she’s smart.” Clicking my tongue, I shook my head, mocking him further. ”Tell me. How does it feel to be inferior to your sisters, or should I ask, how does it feel to be the dumbest out of the three?”

“You, Bastard!” He growled, raising his palm in the air, preparing to slap me. “That slutty sister of mine should have taught you some manners!”

“Careful, Uncle. Try hitting me, and you’ll quickly realize I’m no longer the helpless little boy you bullied.” My glare harbored no fear as my blood boiled with rage. The thought of anyone, even her brother, calling my mother a slut was unthinkable. Despite him being a fourth-circle mage, my urge to hit him kept itching. “We’ll both come to regret what happens after.”

Despite being a moron, even Uncle Eugene knew better than to harm me directly. I was no longer just the bastard of the Welton family but also the adopted son of Duke Victor Kallis. It wasn’t exactly my style to hide behind another’s name, but in a household full of hateful people, I wasn’t going to throw away my only card.

Uncle took a deep breath, clenching a fist before lowering his hand. Considering the difference in raw power and proficiency, he probably believed beating me wasn’t much of a challenge, but a conflict between us would have been more trouble than it was worth for either of us.

“A spoiled, foul-mouthed bastard child dares speak to adults in a threatening tone– You should’ve stayed dead. That way, our family wouldn’t have to bare looking at the shame my sister brought to our doorstep.”

Even if he hated me, to hear him openly admit he’d rather I had died was unspeakable.

“Save your petty comments for someone else, Uncle. It’s been a while since I last cared about anything you had to say.” I turned to the maid, quickly losing interest. “And you. Maid. There’s no crueler fate than one that follows karma.”

“Good. . . Hopefully, you’re right, so it pays you back for what you’ve done,” the maid said as if she wasn’t at fault.

“Right.” I sighed, turning to Uncle Eugene. “Perhaps now, will you leave my room?”

“Not until you apologize, Bastard.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.

“You can’t intimidate someone if you already showed them you’re all bark and no bite,” I said in the most condescending way possible, annoyed at the resistance Uncle put up, refusing to let go of me. “But if you’re not going to leave, then I shall do so instead.”

“I’m afraid I must insist.” He smirked, puffing his chest.

“Were my words too hard to understand?” I asked, baffled by how someone could have such a punchable smug face. Though, I shouldn’t have been surprised since his vocabulary, which amounted to a few words he happened to overhear from others, was already irritating enough. Truly, he was the black sheep of the family, and that came from someone who was treated as such. Clearing my throat, I looked back at my uncle. “I see. Well then– Blink.”

By now, Uncle and the rest of the Weltons should have already known I possessed a mana core, as Father and Mother were eager to share the news that I would be attending the Academy. Yet I still wondered what kind of face the two made when I disappeared around the corner while looking Uncle in the eyes. Blink paired with Mana Sense turned out invaluable for escaping unwanted family gatherings, proving once more how frighteningly versatile magic was.

“Great. . . Where do I go now?” I sighed, wandering the Welton Estate after being driven out of my room because of a dumb maid and her tricks. But just as I was about to turn the corner, I bumped into my sister’s new companion, catching her before she hit the ground. “Rose? You okay?”

“Alex–” She coughed, regaining balance. “Y– yeah. . . I’m fine.”

I was a bit surprised to see her walking around late at night, but it wasn’t as if she was forbidden from doing so, and the bathroom was just down the hallway.

“You sure?” I asked, but she was quick to nod. “Well. If you happen to see an angry uncle running around, you didn’t see me, okay?”

“Okay.” She giggled innocently. “Is everything alright?”

“If by alright you mean the house isn’t burning down yet, then yes. Yes, it is.” I sighed, realizing how exhausting that exchange was. “Sorry. My mood got spoiled.”

“Then would you like some company?” Rose smiled, gesturing toward Penelope’s room that they shared. “She’s still with your father if that’s what you’re wondering.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Hopefully, they didn’t hear the commotion.”

“I didn’t, so probably not,” Rose reassured me, stepping closer to the doorway. “So. . . Will you be taking me up on my offer or what?”

Looking at her, she genuinely seemed to want to talk to me. At the very least, it was a welcome sight.

“Then don’t mind if I do.” Although I felt like being alone for a bit, it was a good opportunity to get to know her better, something I didn’t want to pass on.

Following Rose into Penelope’s room, I sat on the edge of the bed, keeping an unintentional distance between us. There was much I didn’t know about Rose, but she earned my family’s trust, putting me at ease around her. After all, her bond with Penelope was essentially eternal.

“So, do you want to tell me what happened?” Rose asked, pulling up a chair for herself.

“Are you sure you wish to hear about petty squabbles?” I chuckled, expecting her to say no.

“You don’t get along with the Weltons, do you?” She sat with her legs crossed and hands on her thigh. “Sorry. I overheard the maids talking about you.”

“Already? Damn, I’m popular.” I chuckled, lightening the mood. “Anyway. . . Did you perhaps overhear anyone talking about putting something in my drink? I doubt it was the maid who brought the tea. Although she knew beforehand.”

“If I did, I would’ve warned you.” Rose kept looking into my eyes as if trying to understand what I was thinking at the moment. “I’ll be on the lookout in the future, but Alex. . . Are you okay?”

“Huh? Yeah.” My gaze dropped as I let out a prolonged sigh before looking back at her. “It’s just tiring, you know? Enough is enough.”

“Are you perhaps talking about them calling you a bastard?” She paused. “Ah– That must’ve sounded rude.”

“No, no. You’re right.” I genuinely laughed, thinking how messed up she must think we were. ”Though, you might not want to go around asking just anyone such questions. Some people are really sensitive about it. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”

“Thanks,” Rose said quietly, her gaze scouting the room as if lost. “Alex? Could I perhaps ask you another question? Though it might be insensitive again.”

Rose was someone who lived among the people that took me. Knowing them, if they were the ones to raise her, Rose’s awareness of the outside world must’ve been quite distorted if they were manipulating her. While she seemed confident on the outside, her wandering eyes kept staring at the unknown, full of doubt and uncertainty. I couldn’t even begin to fathom how hard it was for her to adjust to such a vastly different lifestyle.

“You know– Rose. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Even better, don’t worry about being insensitive or rude if it’s me you’re asking. Just– Maybe keep those for when we’re alone or when they aren’t paying attention.”

It was weird, but for some strange reason, I felt as if I could trust her. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact she witnessed the same horror as I did, or maybe it was just the innocent look she had whenever something confused her.

“Then could you please explain to me why they’re calling you a bastard? You’re not rude, at least not toward us. And I don’t recall anyone saying you did something wrong.” Her genuine confusion made me giggle. “Huh? Did I say something wrong?”

“Sorry.” Rubbing my teary eye, I felt guilty laughing right after I told her she could ask me anything, but it was so refreshing to see someone new who was just as clueless as Elena. “Didn’t mean to laugh.”

“It’s fine. You looked like you could use one.” She smiled, letting me off the hook. “Though I think I got my answer.”

“What? No, no.” I giggled again, probably proving her point. “That’s not what they mean when they call me a bastard.”

“You sure?” Rose teased, tilting her head.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I sighed through a wide grin. “It’s a slur. Another humiliating title for illegitimate children.”

“Is it because Lord Victor cheated on Lady Isabella?” Rose asked, furrowing her brows.

“Wait, what?” She caught me off guard.

“You and Penelope were born one day apart, right?”

“Yeah? But– Oh. Wait. I see what you mean, but no. Penelope and I aren’t blood-related. My mother married their father when I was around six, meaning Ellie’s the only blood-related sibling we all share. Did Penelope never tell you this?”

“It never came up, but I always assumed you shared the same mother, considering how affectionately Penelope calls her Mom.”

“Ah, that’s because our parents made an effort to make us see them that way. I might not be blood-related to my stepfather, but I still view him as my father. In fact, I probably wouldn’t be who I was today had it not been for him.”

“Sounds like you respect him a lot.” Rose smiled softly.

“You could say that. Father certainly has a way of demanding respect, doesn’t he?”

“That’s true, but then why are you called a bastard? Is it because he’s not your real father?”

“No, it’s because my mother broke off an arranged marriage by sleeping with a man she didn’t know, which resulted in my birth.”

“Does that mean you don’t know your real father?”

“That’s right, but that doesn’t matter since I already have one.”

“And you’re not curious about him?” Rose looked particularly intrigued about what I’d say next.

“I mean. . . I am. But not because I want to know him. I’m just curious as to why my gift was sealed away.”

“Is that the reason why everyone was surprised to see you use magic?” She sure had a lot of questions, but I genuinely enjoyed answering.

“Yeah. It’s a long story, though,” I warned her, just in case she wished for me to continue.

She didn’t ask, so the conversation quickly died as she ran out of questions, yet our silence felt natural and even somewhat peaceful.

“I’m hoping to one day meet my parents,” Rose said, looking at her palm while tracing a finger across. “They took me when I was little, so I don’t remember their faces. In fact, I’m not sure if they’re even alive.”

It was a heavy conversation starter, making it hard to follow up.

“Well. . . If they are, then Penelope’s the perfect person to ask for help.” I paused, glancing out the window at the night sky. “I’m sure we’ll find them.”

“Yeah. . .” She whispered under her breath as silence again filled the room. “You know. . . I could help you if you’d like.”

“With what?” I asked, considering there were quite a few things for which I could’ve used help.

“Shapechange allows me to transform into someone. Maybe I could learn more about any schemes they come up with.”

“Hmm. . . Intriguing. But let me think on it, okay?” Her suggestion sounded appealing, but I wasn’t sure how I felt knowing I’d be putting her in danger.

“Sure,” Rose said, slouching her shoulders.

No matter how I looked at her, Rose was full of mysteries. Some of which even she couldn’t solve. Maybe, just maybe, I thought we could help each other out, but while my mind wandered, thinking about the future, someone suddenly opened the door.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.