Sigh

Today, the baths don’t feel quite as soothing as they did just yesterday, and that’s even considering the fact that I ran into Sylvia again.

‘I just can’t relax around her…’

I feel on edge, and I know the water has nothing to do with it. My body is itching, and my heart is racing just thinking of what’s to come.

Anxiety? Excitement? Maybe both. I must admit that I pushed my luck yesterday, but it wasn’t for nothing. With my request to Tobias, I’ve managed to put my plans into action, and today, I plan to continue just that. The next step is to retrieve another crucial piece, and thankfully, the place where it rests is familiar.

‘I’m going home…’

Considering how strict this place feels, I was worried at first, but it turns out I didn’t need to be. I do not need permission or any special conditions to leave the estate, so long as Reginald accompanies me everywhere I go.

‘They don’t mind me leaving, but they don’t trust me to come back by myself.’

Still, this is good. In the worst case scenario, I would have tried to sneak out, or even ask Sylvia for a favor, but now that won’t be necessary. If we were to follow the DaiKar calendar, the next break isn’t due for another month at least, but if I want to maximize my growth, there are items there that I must absolutely retrieve.

I take a deep breath and gaul myself out of the bath. I get dressed, and meet Reginald near the main entrance of the estate. I feel a flicker of pride when I arrive. I didn’t make a single wrong turn and didn’t have to ask anyone for directions. In fact, in the past week, I’ve become much more apt at navigating the absurdly long and complicated halls of the estate. If it is the cafeteria, the training field, or the baths, I’m now confident I can find them with my eyes closed.

‘Should I add the garden to tha-’

A booming voice cuts through my thoughts. “Lord Alden! Are you ready to depart?”

I turn to Reginald, standing behind me, still wearing his typical black suit.

“Yes.” I answer, before entering a very sleek vehicle parked in front of the main entrance.

The trip from the FullCaslte main estate to my house is not long, but not short either. Both are in two different districts which inevitably implies a certain distance between them, but the lavish Sableheart district which the estate is located in is adjacent to the residential Evergreen district where I live.

Thinking about seeing my siblings, I find myself impatiently tapping my index finger against my thigh, which draws the attention of Reginald who sits behind the wheel.

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Looking at me through the rear-view mirror, he clears his throat. “...Are you nervous, Lord?”

Forcing my finger to stop, my gaze drifts to the window, countless sceneries passing through it. “...Yeah, I guess I am.”

He nods, and It seems like he’s about to say something, but he ultimately decides to hold his tongue and his attention returns to the road.

After that, the rest of the ride is silent.

It hasn’t been that long since I last saw Calliope, Aurora, and Asher, a few months maybe, but for some reason, while I am glad to see their faces again, I also feel strange.

I’ve had to fake smiles hundreds of times before, through hardship, sleepless nights, physical and mental fatigue, I always managed. However, I’m not sure if I could do it today as well, especially considering the reason I’ve decided to return home isn’t to reunite with them, but to retrieve the tools needed for my revenge.

I lock eyes with my faint reflection in the polished glass of the vehicle’s window.

‘I wonder what face I should make…’

Jolting me out of my thoughts, the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop. “We’re here!” Reginald exclaims, exiting the luxurious machine and opening the door for me.

Stepping out of the car, I grimace. “I can open the door by myself…”

Slamming the door shut, Reginald wears a proud look on his face. “It is my honor!”

I can’t help but rub my hand over my face and sigh. ‘I don’t think I can get used to this…’

Putting him aside for now, I turn around, and take a deep breath. “...Should we go up the stairs?”

“After you!”

With a measured pace, one step at a time, I climb the rusted metallic staircase until I reach my floor. Then, I walk through the hallway, and stop only when I’ve reached my front door. Before opening it, however, my head whips to Reginald. “You…wait here.” I scratch my head. “Nothing personal…”

Reginald takes a step back, his expression remaining steady. “As you wish, Lord! I’ll make myself scarce!”

‘...And here I was worried about offending him.’

My eyes turn back to the door. It’s unlike the ones at the FullCastle estate. It’s simple, made of wood, and it creaks when it opens. I know because I’ve opened it so many times in the past, and yet, now I feel uneasy. It’s as if I’m wary of it. I can feel my heart race as I ready myself to input the entrance code and turn the handle.

‘What I am so scared of..? Wait…was today a weekend or a weekday?’

I raise my wrist, but of course, I’m not wearing a watch, which happens to be one of the things I’ve come here to retrieve. “Reginald, what day is-”

Interrupting me, a booming voice resounds from behind the door. “IT’S BIG BROTHER!” it says.

The door slams open with such force that it is ripped off of its hinges. A small girl jumps through it, launching herself into my arms, with nearly enough power to send me over the railing.

“It’s nice to see you too, Calli.” I say softly staggering from the impact.

She clutches me tightly. “I KNEW YOU’D BE BACK!!!” She cries.

Another voice echoes from the inside of the apartment. “Alden’s here?!!”

Asher appears, attracted by Calliope’s outcry, and his eyes widen with relief as he sees me. He approaches solway, but before he can reach me, he is shoved out of the way by his twin sister and sent sliding across the floor.

Aurora jumps to embrace me as well, burying her face in my chest. “Alden! You’re alright!! We were so worried!”

“Oi!” Asher protests, rubbing his shoulder. “Did you have to push me out of the way!?” He exclaims, barely recovering from his fall.

Aurora’s gaze pierces through him. “Tsk, Don’t push your luck, Asher.”

He clenches his fist. “It was a good plan!”

“Oh really? Then plea-”

Calliope interrupts their squabble. “Stop fighting!!! Big brother is here!”

The twins fall silent and turn away from each other. Aurora hiffs and Asher mumbles something under his breath. Witnessing the sight, a long sight escapes my mouth. “To think the nine year old would be the most mature of you three…”

And then I stare at the pulverized door, and chuckle softly.

‘...What was I so worried about?’