Life with the Herd

A mighty roar disquieted the Jacea castle.

Lucian and Carla were at it again, arguing as always, signaling the start of the new day.

The servants were so used to their drama, that they would feel something is amiss if the father and son won't quarrel daily.

Eve was awakened by that very same roar.

She opened her eyes, caught a glimpse of the sunshine invading through the thick curtains, and surmised that it's time for her to feed. After ringing the bell by her bedside, maids entered her room and groomed her. From washing, clothing and fixing her hair, she didn't open her eyes. She was a sloth through and through, fully integrating to her role of the youngest Cross little miss.

" What time is it?" Listening to her melodious but hoarse voice, one of the maids thoughtfully passed her a glass of water while responding,

" It's ten in the morning, my lady."

She hummed, indicating she understood.

" Would you prefer a light meal served in your room before the luncheon, my lady?" She added.

" No, I would visit the kitchen myself." They couldn't comprehend their young miss's decision but didn't question more.

Naturally, she would visit the kitchen, and by the way, watch the battle of the tongues between her uncle and cousin. According to Halfsie, they are currently nearing the climax of their heated dispute. It would be a lovely way to start her day.

She swaggered towards the dining room, passing through a long corridor with different portraits displaying the Cross ancestry. Not surprisingly, it showcased the bloodline of beauties through a millennium. She noticed, however, that there were only a handful of ladies born from the kin. She could tell from the familiar azure eyes inherited, differing from the married madams of the family. Paying no mind to the peculiarity, she headed towards the refurbished kitchen. There, she stealthily rewarded herself with a tray of freshly baked ugly cupcakes, which she apologized to later after it conquered her tastebuds.

Hiding the muffin in her space, she then moved to where the tongue-lashing play transpires.

" What were you thinking!" Lucian's roar can be heard a few meters away from his study.

Carla wasn't affected by his rage and continued to clean his ear with his pinky, presenting his disinterest in his father's drama.

" Not only did you grab your cousin to galavant late at night, but you also dragged her into your dogfight! What if she got hurt!?" Just trying to imagine the danger that Eve suffered made Lucian's face seethe with fury.

" Chill out, Dad. Can't you see we got home in one piece?" Carla rolled his eyes and rebuked his old man.

" Chill my foot! If something happens to Linlin, how could I ever ask for Lili's forgiveness!" He snarled, but Carla turned around, ready to leave all the nagging behind. Then an unexpected remark came out of Lucian.

" Don't think I didn't know you've been terrorizing the town using my face." His voice somber, projecting his frustration due to his rascal son's mischief.

For a moment, stillness ensued as the atmosphere gets tense. It was akin to the calm before the storm.

Eve sat on a nearby couch, having the perfect view of the dogfight. She thought they were quarreling in Lucian's office, but it seems they changed the site since Carla walked out earlier.

Feeling the intensifying air enveloping the father and son, Eve changed her muffin into popcorn. It's a good thing nobody was around to see her black magic since the servants, who have grown used to the drama, were keen enough to disappear lest they be dragged into the turmoil.

Hearing his father's words, Carla let out a loud smirk.

" Hah! Don't fret too much, old man. Your face isn't that much." He condescendingly declared to Lucian.

In fact, Carlaeon is a narcissist to the bone, but there is no freaking way he would praise his looks that mirrored his father. Despite feeling annoyed of having the same excellent countenance as him, he'd rather die than admit it to his face.

Lucian felt his blood pressure rising and his heart throbbing.

He can't point if what irked him was his remark that he isn't good-looking or his age. In spite of being past the age of 40, he still retains a youthful face, alright! Even the dermatologists hate him for this feat, and this bastard son of his, who wears his face, dared to vilify him for being ugly and old? How could he?! His face twisted into a look of disbelief.

" Carla, are you implying that I, this exceptional father of yours, is ugly?" He wanted to clarify just in case he had an auditory hallucination. He, after all, had never heard his name and the word ugly in the same sentence before.

" That's right. You're ugly! And you gave me the ugly!" Carla exploded as if unleashing all his frustrations. He indignantly pointed to his face, proving that Lucian cursed him with such unsightly features.

" H-how could you say that!? Obviously, we are not." Lucian answered in shock and confusion. Somehow, their argument has gotten in a weird direction.

" If not, how could I still be single? I'm already 16, and I have yet to be in a relationship!"

" You might as well consider that nasty-ass personality of yours."

" Nasty personality? That's rich coming from you."

Another silence followed as both men narrowed their eyes, exuding their menacing auras. It appeared like a scuffle is about to unfold.

Eve had a frisson of excitement witnessing the scene. Even the speed of kernels popping into her mouth steps up a notch. How could she not be animated? It was like her uncle was contending with himself since they do have the same face. If not for Carla having his hair longer and shorter than Lucian, they could genuinely be considered twins.

" Enjoying the spectacle?" Tess, who showed up from nowhere, sat beside her.

" Yes. You are lucky." She gave him a meaningful smile. Honestly, she is envious of Tess, who gets to watch something fun every day. Sylvius and Lionel, back home, won't quarrel to this degree because her Dad believes it is beneath him to engage in a nonsensical dispute with his childish father.

How pleasant would it be to behold such entertainment daily?

" Well, it's true, but it gets tiring once in a while." Tess steeped a tea and proffered her a cup. Next, he elegantly savored the infusion, not minding the embarrassing scene up ahead. His movements were graceful and noble, worlds apart from the bickering duo, who seem to break into a slugfest at any moment.

" Thank you." The beverage was just in time to quench her parched throat.

Eve downed the cup, not even relishing the flower-like and mellow taste, before munching on her kernels again. Suddenly, she furrowed her brows when she noticed a naughty paw reaching out to take some of her popcorn. The remaining reason for returning the earlier favor barely stopped her from swatting his hands off her buttery snack.

Fortunately, her attention was caught back by the pair, whose situation stagnated into a deadlock.

Lucian closed his eyes for a second and summoned every ancestor in his mind to give him patience. For if they gave him strength, he might beat the shit out of this rascal son of his.

Carla, whose hand rested in his pocket, and the other fixing his luscious hair, sneered at him. He didn't utter a word, but his expression of "Bite me." says it all.

Lucian almost lost it. Comprehending that beating this scoundrel won't be productive, he could only sigh. No way, his wife is too partial towards this brat. In addition, Violet pampers him so much and is very protective of him. Moreover, the brat knew well to take advantage of it! It irritates him so much but was helpless. He could only swallow such frustration.

When Carla deemed his old man had backed down, he heard him utter an anathema.

" I'm withholding your allowance for five months." A highly familiar devilish smirk bloomed on his face. Lucian knew full well the brat's handle. He loves money, isn't that right? Then he won't give him his stipend. Let's see how he acts like a gangster with diminished goods, he jeered.

[ Whoa. That look!] Eve almost pointed her finger towards that very same smirk on Lucian's face. With that expression, the two profiles virtually eclipsed.

" What! Take that back! How could you?!" Carla yelled.

" What couldn't I do, huh? I gave you life, and I could take it back. Cutting off your money is nothing. Above all, it's mine to start with." The origin, where Carla's egregious character came from, was unveiled.

" Heh!" The teenager growled and threw him a provocative glance.

Lucian instantly had a bad feeling.

Then he watched his son took out his phone and dialed a number, still maintaining that disdainful expression. Perceiving who he had called, his blood churned.

" How dare you drag her to this." His voice was threatening.

" The things I dare to do, don't you know full well, Dad?" Carla beamed shrewdly.

The stifling surrounding became soundless again, and only the faint sound of ringtone could be heard.

Droplets of sweat formed on Lucian's forehead.

Eve's eyes shuttled between her uncle's constipated look and her cousin's proud expression while munching on her kernels.

Tess, on the side, closed his eyes, not knowing if he is savoring the tea or the shouting match.

Lyka, who appeared moments ago without anyone noticing, discreetly takes a selfie posing his peace sign. He even adjusted the view to have a better background- the confrontation of father and son. Perhaps it is a video since he's been maintaining the pose for quite some time.

The two didn't perceive their presence at all. Lucian and Carla were too annoyed with each other and too focused on monitoring the other's succeeding acts that they failed to observe the vicinity.

The moment the sound of picking up the call permeated the room, Lucian signaled the other to stop. It was a rather frantic and awkward movement of crisscrossing his hands in the air and mouthing: "Don't."

" Hello, sweetie. What is it?" A soft female voice echoed in the solemn room.

Carla responded with a smirk.

" Mom."

Then he watched Lucian articulate: "I'll give you your allowance." with pleading eyes.

Knowing he got the upper hand, how could Carla let him off that easily?

" Double." He signaled.

Money wasn't an issue to Lucian, but he is beyond exasperated that this brat won. He squinted his eyes and refused to agree.

Seeing his futile resistance, Carla's smile became brighter.

" Yes, sweetie?" Violet asked after failing to hear his response.

" Mom, I called because-"

After that hesitant pause, she interjected almost instantaneously.

"Don't tell me your Dad has been bullying you again?" It was a calmly spoken inquiry, but Lucian felt his body tremble.

The father and son's eyes met midair.

Lucian shook his head like a rattle. He is now at the mercy of his kid. The fear of his wife's might is far greater than his vexation towards him and could only appeal albeit grudgingly.

" Decuple." Carla mouthed his last bargain with a victorious smile.

The arteries on Lucian's temples almost popped out. This brat! He screamed in his mind. Not just triple the price but directly multiplied to ten. So infuriating! He could only grit his teeth, cursing why this rascal inherited not only his good looks but also his black soul. He felt like this third son is truly the embodiment of all his bad karma that came to bite him in the ass.

He unclenched his fist and let out an exhausted sigh, and answered, " Deal."

[ You win this round, brat.]

" No Mom, I just called because I missed you." Carla responded to Violet, keeping up his end of the bargain.

After a bountiful harvest, he didn't pay attention to his Dad anymore and appeased his mother.

[ Ah, blackmailing Dad is truly the most fruitful business.] He laughed maniacally in his mind.