Emily, who's on her way back towards the young lord's room together with two other maids, stopped on her tracks. Her brows furrowed when she heard familiar giggles coming from the young lord's room. From what she remembered, she had properly closed the door when she left. But seeing it half open, there must've been someone who had entered the room and didn't close the door. And judging from the giggle she's hearing...

"Young miss?" She mumbled.

But that's impossible. There was no way that the young miss would be staying in the young lord's room without him not kicking her out. Not to mention, she could hear her...giggling? It was not only her who was confused and surprised at the moment. Even the two maids following her with their young lord's meal in hand was confused.

Three of them then approached the said room with caution as to make no sound. As they did so, the giggling of a little girl became louder and clearer.

"S-stop! I can't anymore!" The Young miss said in between laughter.

"Then, take back what you've said." The young lord said with a chuckle. It was also noticable how he was somehow catching his breath.

"N-no! Brother is─Aah!" She squealed followed by her lovely laughter that could melt anyone's heart.

"You were saying, kid?" And with that, Reigies continued what he was doing.

The two maids, together with Emily, were stunned at what they were witnessing through the gap of the opened door. On the bed were the two children of the Duke. Everyone knew how the young lord didn't like the young miss. They knew very well and yet, here they were, witnessing such a lovely, heart warming scene. On the bed, the siblings were having fun, a memory every parent would like to store in their mind. At least that's what they're seeing.

The young miss was pushing the young lord away with her fragile looking arms while giggling. As for the young lord, he was tickling the young miss with a smiling face. Anyone who would've witnessed this could feel the warmness in this scene.

"Oh goodness." Emily gasped as her hands covered her lips. This was something she never would've thought of seeing today nor in the future. A scene wherein the two children of this house would be smiling together, as if both were one of those siblings who got along well. It has also been a while since the last time she had seen the young lord smile like that. Somehow, that heavy feeling she had within her chest was lifted.

"Are they truly━?" The maid holding the tray containing soup whispered.

"I guess? I mean, unless what's happening right now is just a dream." The other whispered back.

At that moment, Reigies finally noticed the three ladies peeking at the half-opened door. His smile widened upon seeing Emily return.

"Oh, Emily!" Catherine stood up and started jumping on the bed. "Look! Brother is all fine now!" She said with her usual jolly voice.

"Hey, stop that. You might fall or something." Reigies said as he gently yanked a portion of Catherine's dress.

Emily couldn't help but smile as she witnessed another unusual scene. She didn't comment on it and just instructed the two maids to prepare the meal and leave the room.

"Young miss." Emily called, facing the brother and sister duo who were having a bit hushed conversation. Such a warm scene indeed. However, she's not allowed to stay in the room at the moment for the young lord had just recovered. "The Young lord may look fine but we can't be certain yet. The physician still needs to check up on him in a while after breakfast to make sure he truly is fine already. And so, I ask that you leave the room and also have your breakfast at the dining room. His Grace, the Duke may be there already waiting for you."

"But I don't wanna!" Reigies was startled when Catherine suddenly grabbed his arm in a harsh way and hugged it. "Can't I just have breakfast with brother? I rarely dine with brother." She continued with her lips protruding a bit.

"But the Duke--"

"Tell father that Catherine will have her breakfast here in my room." Reigies cut in. "I feel a little lonely at the thought of eating breakfast alone."

"Right! Right! You hear that? Brother feels lonely!" Catherine bobbed her head up and down. "I'll also look after brother till the physician arrives."

Emily stood there for a moment. Not a word came out of her agape mouth as she looked at the two. Catherine tightened her grip on Reigies' arm thinking that Emily might force her to leave the room. After a while, Emily sighed and nodded.

'Indeed, this is a rare occurance. Who knows when this might happen again.' She thought.

"I shall go inform the Duke then and ask someone to bring additional food and utensils for the young miss."

"Thank you, Emily." Reigies replied with a smile.

Emily bowed as a response and left the room. Before closing the door, she couldn't help but glance back at the bed where the sibling continued chatting and giggling. She didn't know what happened at the short moment she had left the room but she was delighted at what she'd witness. She hopes that this would be the start of a harmonious relationship between those two.

At the same time, in Duke Atlante's study, a knock made him look up from the papers he's reading.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened, revealing Valeirene. "Your Grace, breakfast is ready."

"I see." Requiel laid the papers on his desk and removed his reading glasses. He then leaned back on his chair with a sigh.

"You went to bed late and woke up too early, Your Grace. Is there something bothering you?" Valeirene asked with concern written all over his face. There was a moment of silence before the Duke replied.

"Reigies..."

Valeirene gave the Duke a reassurring smile.

"If you're worried of the young lord, I heard from Emily a while ago that he has woken up. Despite being unconscious the whole day yesterday while having a high fever, he seems to be fine now. She had also requested to call for the physician to check on him."

Requiel let out a sigh of relief before standing up and fixing his suit. "Let's go. Catherine might be waiting in the dining room already."

Valeirene slightly bowed his head with his right hand on his chest as Requiel passed by him.

"Has there been no word yet from His Majesty?" Requiel asks as they walk along the seemingly empty hallways. If not for the carpeted floors, every step they took would probably echo.

"None yet, Your Grace."

Requiel stopped on his tracks at the response. As he held on the railings of the stairs, he let out an exasperrated sigh.

"Your Grace?"

"I'm getting anxious." Requiel chuckled. "Am I even taking the right steps?"

Valeirene knew very well what His Grace was talking about. Despite being a master and servant, both were quite close to the point wherein each party knew almost every detail in ones life. Even the current situation where the Duke was suffering from, he knew very well.

"If it's for protecting someone, even if it would be percieved as something wrong by everyone , then I don't think that would be bad."

Requiel slightly turned his head back with a troubled look. "You're not wrong." He then turned back and started descending the stairs. "It's just that the thought of another child of mine despising me hurts."

Even with just his voice, Valeirene could tell how pained the Duke was. However, what happened two years ago was a result of his own desires.

"Maybe this is a punishment made by the heavens for me."

And with that, both continued their walk towards the dining room in silence. It was not like Valeirene could have comforted the Duke or say anything positive in that situation. No matter what and in which angle you look at, a part of this situation was the Duke to blame.

Requiel's brows furrowed when he didn't see his daughter sitting on her usual seat once the doors towards the dinig room parted. Foods for breakfast were already prepared and even some servants were already standing at each corner of the room to serve them. He turned his head at the servant standing nearest to him and Valeirene.

"Where's Catherine?"

However, before the servant could even answer, Emily's voice had cut in.

"Your Grace." Emily called as she walked in a rushed manner.

"Oh, Emily? What brings you here? And do you perhaps know where the Young miss is? It's unusual that she's late for breakfast." Valeirene asked.

"That's why I'm here, sir Valeirene" Emily replied grinning. "Young miss won't be going down to eat breakfast with His Grace. Instead, she'll be eating with the Young lord! The Young lord insisted that they eat together." She happily announced.

Everyone present didn't react how Emily had expected to. Instead of those glad and relieved expressions, she recieved confused and disbelieved ones.

"W-what? You don't believe this woman?" She asked, raising on of her brows. She even glared at the Duke who clearly had that unsure expression.

If it were anyone who had glared at him the way Emily did, they would've been punished. But this was Emily Higgins standing in front of them. A former commander in house Atlante's special brigade and at the same time, the youngest daughter of Duke Atlante's former teacher. He had a lot of respect in her that even though his status was higher than her, he didn't mind her being rude at times.

"It's not that we don't believe you, Em. It's just that━" Reigies was cut off when Emily waved her hand in front of him.

"Ahhh... whatever, whatever. Thou shan't ruin my mood. I have already said what is needed to be said." And with that, she turned around and left, clearly in a bright mood.

None of them uttered a single word until Emily turned left, vanishing from their sight. The Duke was the first to move. Though still in daze, he turned around and went to his designated seat. As he sat down, he raised his head.

"Won't you join me for breakfast, Val?"

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

He asked the man standing still at the door way. Valeirene's gaze shifted from the path Emily took towards the Duke who seemed to be in a state of confusion but he certainly was pleased. Unlike a while ago.

"Val?"

"Ah? Me?" Valeirene asked, pointing at his self.

Requiel rose a brow a him.

"I hate repeating my words."

Once again, Valeirene glanced at the path Emily took before shaking his head and approached the seat nearest to the Duke.

"It's been a while since we've eaten together." Valeirene chuckled that broke the silence in the room.

"Mhm... Indeed." Requiel replied with a slight nod as he started picking up the utensils.

"But Your Grace, about what Emily said awhile ago about the two..." He trailed.

"Emily isn't that type of person who would make up some stories."

"Of course. I know that a lot." Valeirene replied with a slight of eyeroll in which Requiel noticed. "It's just that-- The Young lord and Young miss eating together, not to mention him insisting, is unusual. Did you perhaps had another talk with the Young lord without my knowledge?" He asked as he took a bite of the bread.

"I've long given up on persuading that child to treat his sister nicely." Requiel then leaned on his seat and let out a sigh. "I'd like to have a word with Emily later."

"Why not simply call for the Young lord and ask him directly of his sudden change of attitude towards the young miss?" Valeirene suggested.

Requiel didn't really like the idea but nodded. Thus, this suggestion leads to Reigies standing before the two oaked, enormous door. A door in which he never would've imagined to knock once again after ascending and taking the title in which his father had left. However, that was yet to happen. Right now, he's currently a fourteen year old boy who's still undergoing training and is about to go attend an academy.

Reigies took a deep breath and raised his right hand to knock.

"Father. It's me, Reigies."

He heard a faint, familiar voice reply to come in. This made him flinch. It had been years since the last time he heard that voice. A voice in which he had almost forgotten. Slowly, Reigies pushed the door open. As he did, his heart rate raised. Behind a wide desk with piles of papers laid on top of it sat Duke Atlante, his father whom he hated almost his whole life. From the paper he's holding, Duke Atlante raised his head to look at him. He eyed the boy from head to toe, scanning every bit of him.

"Sit."

Without uttering a single word, Reigies cautiously approached the sofa not far from his father's desk. Every step he took felt like his legs would give out. He was nervous. His mind was in chaos as questions surfaced in his mind.

"How are you feeling?"

All of Reigies' thoughts instantly disappeared at his father's voice.

'Father...'

Reigies shifted his gaze towards his father's direction. Maybe because he hated this man before him in the past that he didn't notice that look in his eyes. One wouldn't easily notice that tired look as if he was hanging on a thin thread. At the very moment, Reigies suddenly remembered lines in his father's journal in which he had read.

'I may not bare any romantic feelings towards the mother of that child however, with all my heart, I will shower him with love and care. Just like how a father should.'

'For the first time... I raised my voiced at my son. That fear on his face pained me. I never meant to raise my voice at him. If only that young child could understand—'

'My aching heart can't take it. I don't know what the Duchess have been saying to our child but he refuses to spend time with me anymore. It pains me to see him avoid me.'

'It was my fault all along...'

'I've been a greedy man. In my five years of marriage, I thought my heart had already forgotten the forbidden love I had for her...'

"Reigies?" Requiel called when he noticed his son's sudden solemn expression. "Are you in pain somewhere?" He asked in a worried yet calm tone.

"Ah.." Reigies was pulled back in the present. "I-I'm alright, Father."

Requiel studied his face for a moment before nodding.

"Good. Anyways, I've called you here since I heard something." He paused and laid the papers on his desk. "I heard that Catherine was in your room the whole day, playing, despite the physician's advice for you to have a rest."

"Ah, it was my idea. " Reigies lied. The truth was that Catherine refused to leave his room so he told Emily and the other maids to let her be since he wanted to spend some time with her anyways.

Requiel raised a brow at his answer. That was not the answer he had expected. Knowing this child, he would've agreed and said that Catherine was being a bother yesterday.

"The look that Father is giving me says that he has caught me lying." Reigies couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He remembered those days when both of them used to spend time together. That look his father would give him everytime he would lie or hide something to prank him was the same look he was showing now. "Nevertheless, it was my decision to let Catherine stay in my room. So don't scold her."

Requiel leaned back on his seat and sighed.

"Just a few weeks ago you yelled at me for forcing you to accept that child as your younger sister. What's with the sudden change of attitude?"

"Ah..."

Right, this time line was when Reigies was in a more rebelious phase. If he's not mistaken, supposedly, it had been also two years since his father brought Catherine in this house. A six year old girl with an unknown background... Reigies could vividly remember how that same girl had smiled at him as if she knew him for a long time.

"F-father, w-who is this child?" Reigies confusingly asked his father who's holding hands with a little girl who seemed to be at least seven years younger than him.

"Reigies. This is Catherine. She's your sister."

Reigies' brows creased as his gaze shifted from his father to the little girl. Her face didn't show any expression. It was blank. Reigies didn't even know if she was staring at him or behind him. His first thought was that she was a weird child. But what did his father say? Sister?

Reigies took a step back and gave his father a look of disbelief.

"Father, you━Mother was faithful to you! She loved you!" Reigies yelled.

The Duke clicked his tongue and sighed. "Reigies, keep your voice down. Not in front of Catherine. Be a good brother and--"

"Brother?" A small voice interuppted.

Startled, the Duke looked down at the little girl beside him. Reigies didn't know of the reason why his father reacted that way but that relief and joy he saw in his eyes made his heart ache.

'Father used to look at me like that too...'

"Brother!" The little girl ran towards him and hugged his waist. As she looked up at him, she gave him a toothy grin.

Reigies instinctively pushed her away in a harsh manner that she hit the ground hard.

"Reigies!" His father's voice made him flinch. Seeing how he rushed to help the girl up as if she was a fragile doll made him felt like he was invisible. "How could you push your sister━"

"She's not my sister! I don't even know her! How could someone who didn't come from my mother's womb be my sister! Was this the reason why you weren't at Mother's funeral?!"

"Reigies." The Duke called in a warning tone.

"You didn't even show up at her burial! Was it because of this- this low birth?!"

"REIGIES!"

"You were out there, having some fun time with your other child while I was here, all alone, grieving! Was it fun out--"

Things happened in a flash that the next thing Reigies knew was that he was now lying on the ground with his right cheek being in pain and that ringing sound filling his ears.

When he looked back up at his father, he could see that same surprised look that mirrored his. It was obvious that he too did not expect his own action. At that moment, Reigies heard something snap within him. A bond between him and his father had just snapped.

"I hate you, Father! I hate you!" And with that, Reigies left with tears streaming down his face.

Reigies cleared his throat and answered.

"Catherine is innocent." Requiel frowned at his answer, not really understanding it. Seeing his reactiom, Reigies continued. "I just realized how I've been unfair to her for the past two years. She's been treating me like how younger siblings would usually treat their older ones. And so far... all I've been doing was pushing her away." He then averted his gaze from his father. He couldn't take looking at that soft look in his eyes that he didn't notice before going back in time.

Maybe because he was blinded by his own anger and jealousy that everytime he looked in his father's eyes, all he could see was his strict and composed demanor. After his discovery of his Father's journal, he could never bare hold grudge towards him. Rather, he felt guilty for not trying to understand him before. However, right now that he knew the truth, he could see that tired look in his eyes...

"W-what I'm trying to say here is that she does not deserve to be treated that way. These past few years, I've been venting my anger towards her instead of it only focusing on you. I mean, she's innocent. Whatever sin you've made is not hers. She may be a fruit of your selfish self but she's not you. She's just... Catherine." Reigies sighed at his ramble. He didn't actually think of those words, it just slipped out off his lips naturally. He then looked back at his father who seemed to be lost of words. "Well, a-anyways, as I've said, Catherine is innocent so I'll do whatever I can to be a good brother towards her, just like what you've always wanted but that does not mean that I had forgiven you." Reigies scoffed.

Meanwhile, Requiel stared at his son confused and worried at the same time. Never in his wildest dream could he have imagined that Reigies would one day stand in front of him and say those words he had just said.

"Tell me, did something happen?"

Reigies was caught off guard at his father's question.

"H-huh?"

"Like I've mentioned, just a few weeks ago you were adamant about not accepting Catherine as your sister. Yesterday, I've recieved a report about her staying in your room all day playing and you didn't do anything to kick her out. And now, here you are saying those things. It's weird, unless something happened." Requiel pursed his lips in a thin line his thoughts running wild.

'Did Val or Emily say anything to him?' He thought then shook his head. 'No, those two swore not to say anything towards anyone unless I said so...'

"I just... I just had a dream." Reigies averted his gaze once again. "A long one." It was not entirely a lie. Upon waking up here, he felt like he had just woken up from a very long nightmare that he couldn't escape.

"Does this have something to do with you crying in Emily's arms?" Requiel worriedly asked. He suddenly remembered what Emily have said yesterday regarding Reigies having a nightmare.

Reigies could feel the heat run up his face. "H-how did you know that?!" He asked facing his father as he abruptly stood up.

For a moment, Requiel stared at his son as a memory of his son's younger self came in his mind. In that memory, he was blushing as he was caught trying to steal sweets from the kitchen. At that time, he wanted to scold him but couldn't bring his self to do so, for the scene before him was just too cute to be ruined. It was a similar scene to what was currently in front of him.

Requiel grinned. "I am the lord of this house. How could I not know what's going on in it." He replied as he stood up and started approaching his son.

"W-what?" Reigies unconsciously took a step back as the tall figure of his father towered over him. He suddenly felt uncomfortable at the height gap they have. Currently he only reached till his shoulders. From what he remembered, his father was at least two inch taller than him. Ah, but that was because he was 17 that time.

In an instant, Reigies' eyes widened as Requiel wrapped his arms around him.

'Ah, it feels like just yesterday that I have to bend my knees just to hug this little one.'

Requiel thought with a sigh.

"F-father, wha-what are you--" Reigies felt his father's hug tighten that made him more feel embarrassed.

"Am glad to hear about your decision, son. However, if this is because of just a dream, you don't have to force yourself to--"

Reigies pushed his father rather harshly.

Requiel was taken aback by his action but chuckled upon seeing his son's red face.

"I-I'm not forcing myself! I've been thinking about what you had said a few weeks ago anyways." Reigies lied. In fact, he didn't even remember what kind of conversation both of them had. But he could guess its contents. "A-anyways, wh-what was the hug for?!"

"Can't I hug my own son and comfort him?" Requiel teased that made a muscle on Reigies' face twitch.

"Wh-who needs your comfort?! I'm a grown adu--"

'Ah, I'm fourteen. A teen'

"A-Anyways, I don't need your comfort! Me deciding to treat Catherine better has nothing to do with you. I have not forgiven you yet! Now if you'll excuse me, I still have my swordsmanship training." Reigies then turned around and took long strides towards the door. When he was about to push the door open, his father spoke.

"Then, does that mean you'll forgive me someday?"

Reigies turned to look back at his father. There was a warm feeling that started spreading in his chest as he saw that smile on his face. His grip on the door handle tightened. He then returned his gaze back to the door.

"Father." He called in which Requiel answered with a humm. "When you're ready to tell me everything about Catherine and her mother, feel free to approach me. I'll listen. I━ I'd also like to know why you weren't there with me. I'll decide then whether I should forgive you or not." And with that, he rushed out and unintentionally slammed the gigantic door.

"Indeed, my son has grown up." Requiel mumbled with a smile plastered on his face. He then exhaled loudly and turned to his desk. Anyone who would've seen the expression on his face could easily determine that he's in a very good mood. Since yesterday morning, after hearing what Emily had said and some of the maids' chatter, he felt glad that his only plea to the gods have finally come true. For his children to get along. And the fact that Reigies just had somehow serious talk with him already made his day. He felt like a boulder that he was carrying within his heart was lifted.

"Such a good morning, indeed." He mumbled as he continued scanning the documents he was reviewing awhile ago.

At the same time, outside the balcony of Duke Atlante's study was a black cat that anyone would've failed to notice. Its ruby-like eyes stared intently at the Duke's grinning face before turning around and facing the garden where it instantly spotted a little girl with some servants by her side.

"Catherine!" A voice called in which the girl recognized.

"Ah! Brother!" Catherine let go of the flower crown she was making and rushed towards Reigies. "Are you done talking with father? How did it go?"

"Yes. He just asked me some stuff. Now, let's go? You said that you wanted to watch me train."

Catherine nodded. "Yes! Yes!"

The cat watched the two exchange a few more words before leaving the garden with their hands interwined together and warm expressions on their face. Pleased, the cat sat down and laid its body and closed its eyes to relax. Its tail swung up and down from time to time, making a soft tap on the ground.