"How are the children settling in?" I inquired, my voice casual, though a thread of concern always lingered when it came to new arrivals under our roof.
The maid, a diligent woman named Elara, curtsied slightly. "They are doing well enough, Young Master. After they finished their meal, a few of the younger ones drifted off to sleep. However, the Fanalis lad—"
"Lo'lo," I interjected, my tone firm but not unkind. "His name is Lo'lo. He's not just 'the Fanalis.' He has an identity, and we will afford him the respect that comes with it." My gaze was steady, and Elara faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Perhaps she hadn't been properly informed, or maybe it was simply habit. Regardless, he was a person, an individual, and deserved to be addressed as such.
"My apologies, Young Master," she said, recovering quickly. "As I was saying, Mister Lo'lo made a request. He asked if there was a place where he could train. We were uncertain, you see, as our only dedicated training grounds are typically reserved for members of your esteemed peerage or for the Barbatus family directly. In the end, with no immediate alternative, he simply began his exercises within his assigned room."
A frown touched my lips. That wouldn't do. "Go to him at once, Elara. Escort him to my family's personal training space. He is under our protection, our responsibility, and that means we provide him with whatever he requires to thrive. That includes a proper place to hone his skills."
Elara nodded sharply, her earlier hesitation gone, replaced by efficient understanding. "Right away, Young Master." She turned and hurried off to find Lo'lo, her footsteps receding down the polished hallway.
I, in turn, headed towards the dining hall for lunch, my mind already shifting to the evening's festivities and the need to be prepared.
Lunch was a lighthearted affair, primarily because Peko-Chan was present. I spent a good portion of it gently teasing her, trying to coax genuine smiles and reactions from behind the stoic, almost artificial persona she often wore.
It was a game we played, and I liked to think I was slowly chipping away at her defenses.
Afterwards, I retreated to my chambers. A warm bath helped to soothe my muscles and clear my thoughts, and then came the process of dressing for the party.
While the main event was scheduled for the night, guests often began to arrive much earlier.
Our estate was protected by a potent anti-teleportation barrier, a necessary precaution we'd implemented years ago.
It meant travel for our guests was conventional, and thus, time-consuming, but it also meant no unwelcome surprises materializing on our doorstep.
My attire for the evening was, as always, impeccable, thanks to Mother's eye for fashion.
She was a renowned stylist, and one of the perks was a wardrobe that always felt unique and perfectly suited to me.
Tonight's ensemble was stylish without being overly flamboyant. It projected an air of modern nobility, with the upper garment having a clever, toga-like drape over one shoulder that gave it a subtle, almost Hellenic feel.
Cool, comfortable, and commanding respect.
Stepping out of my room, refreshed and ready, I nearly collided with Elara, the same maid from earlier, who was bustling down the corridor.
"Ah, Elara," I said, catching her attention. "Did you manage to convey my instructions regarding Mister Lo'lo?"
"Yes, Young Master," she replied, pausing. "Though, a rather curious thing happened. It seems he somehow overheard your conversation with me earlier. When I reached his room, he was already packed and waiting, fully prepared to be taken to the training area."
My brows rose. That was surprising. I had always perceived the Fanalis as beings of incredible physical strength and endurance, their talents primarily rooted in the body.
To learn that Lo'lo possessed hearing so acute that he could pick up a conversation from a distance, and likely through a closed door, was an interesting new piece of information. He was clearly more than just muscle.
"Also, Young Master," Elara continued, her expression becoming more formal, "the first of your guests have arrived. Your presence is requested in the main reception hall."
"Very well," I said, a slight knot forming in my stomach despite myself. "I will head there immediately." We began to walk, my footsteps echoing faintly beside hers. "And who are these early arrivals?" I asked, trying to sound more composed than I felt.
"That would be the representatives from the Dark Elf territories, Young Master," Elara explained smoothly. "Lord Buku Bello Fiore and his wife, Lady Lyra, have come with their young twins. The children are both merely three years of age, so perhaps do not expect profound conversation from them." I nodded, absorbing the information.
Dark Elves. This was it my first official interaction with dignitaries from another significant power. A wave of nervous anticipation washed over me. I truly hoped I wouldn't make a complete fool of myself.
…
As I pushed open the grand doors to the reception hall, a space designed to impress with its high ceilings and tasteful opulence, I was met not with polite greetings, but with sudden, chaotic force.
Before I could even register what was happening, I was knocked off my feet, a small, surprisingly solid weight landing squarely on my chest.
Reason?
"Get up, Mare, you oaf! You're embarrassing us in front of our hosts!" a sharp, surprisingly girlish voice reprimanded, though the speaker was dressed in impeccably tailored boy's clothing a smart tunic and breeches.
"B-but Aura, you were the one who made me trip!" came a flustered, trembling reply. "You swung your whip too close while you were playing!" The 'girl?' or rather, the one dressed as a girl, in a frilly, elaborate dress scrambled off my chest, their face flushed crimson.
"No excuses!" the one called Aura snapped, and with a flick of her wrist, a thin leather whip snaked out.
It coiled around Mare's ankles, but in her haste and Mare's proximity to me, the whip inadvertently snagged my own leg as well. With a sharp tug, Aura pulled.
The result was an undignified BANG!
I found myself skidding across the polished marble floor, dragged along with Mare by the determined, male-attired girl.
She looked horrified for a split second, clearly not intending to involve me further, and started to make a move to rectify the situation.
But before she could, thick, woody roots erupted from the floorboards, snaking around the ankles of all three of us me, Aura, and Mare locking us firmly in place.
"That is quite enough," a deep, resonant male voice stated, cutting through the lingering chaos.
The probable father of these two whirlwind children stepped forward, his expression stern but not entirely devoid of amusement.
"We are guests in this esteemed household, here to engage in civilized discussion and to finally meet the son of Lord Alexius, not to engage in rough play or to send his child flying across the room."
The two young Dark Elves immediately wilted under his gaze, their heads bowing in shame.
""Sorry, Father,"" they mumbled in unison, their earlier boisterousness completely extinguished.
"Good," the tall Dark Elf said, his tone firm but fair. "Now that you have both managed to contain your… excessive excitement, you will introduce yourselves properly to our young host."
Aura and Mare nodded meekly before turning their attention back to me, their faces still showing traces of their earlier embarrassment.
The one in boy's clothes, Aura, spoke first, her voice regaining a measure of composure, though a blush still dusted her cheeks.
"My name is Aura Bella Fiore. I am the daughter of the clan head of the Fiore tribe, from the proud Dark Elves." She offered a small, slightly stiff bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Then, the one in the dress, Mare, stammered, his voice soft and hesitant. "A-a-and I am Mare Bella Fiore, th-the son of the clan head of the Fiore tribe, from the p-pr-proud Dark Elves." He gave an even more timid bow, his gaze fixed somewhere near my knees. "It is… very nice to meet you."
Well. I could honestly say that my mind was reeling slightly. Mare, dressed so convincingly as a girl, actually possessed a delicate beauty that suited the attire, while Aura, in her masculine garb, had a sharp, roguish charm.
Was this what that old, slightly scandalous book I'd once found in the library meant by some races being 'good at traps'?
The thought was fleeting, almost absurd in the current situation.
Pushing myself up to a sitting position, still slightly dazed, I managed a polite smile. "And it is a genuine pleasure to meet you both as well. I am Joseph Barbatus, heir to the House Barbatus."
Then, looking at them more closely, I found myself compelled to add, "And I must say, the eyes of both of you are absolutely stunning." I wasn't merely being polite; their eyes were captivating.
Both possessed striking heterochromia: one eye a vibrant, emerald green, like the deepest part of a lush forest, and the other a brilliant, clear sapphire blue, reminiscent of a perfect summer sky.
My compliment seemed to catch them off guard, a fresh wave of embarrassment coloring their faces.
Their parents, however, who had been observing with a mixture of exasperation and affection, burst into hearty, pleased laughter.
"Hahahaha! It's the honest truth, isn't it?" their father, Buku Bello Fiore, boomed, his stern demeanor melting away into fatherly pride. "My babies do indeed have beautiful eyes, even if their current choice of clothing is… not entirely to my approval." He let out a theatrical snort.
"Ah well, I am confident that with a little time, and perhaps some gentle persuasion, we can encourage them into more… conventional attire." He then puffed out his chest, a wave of immense pride radiating from him.
"But more than just their beauty, these eyes! These eyes are the mark, the undeniable proof, of their incredible potential! Every one of the mightiest heroes and heroines from our tribe, down through the generations, has been blessed with this same remarkable pair of eyes!" His voice was filled with a conviction that was almost tangible.