Chapter 44: The Svarozich Graces

"Help us! Give us your grace! Fulfill our prayers! Grant us our wishes!"

"Give us your grace!"

"Has Your Majesty awoken?" The woman's voice broke his sleep.

In spite of his wounds, Jian Li, who had just awakened from a dream, scrambled out of bed and fled, panting and wiping away cold sweat.

After a while, he spoke. "C-come in." In an instant, he straightened up and fixed his clothes, projecting an air of icy royalty.

The lowly maid in Lev's palace averted her gaze, so as not to invade her King's privacy. She and her three other servants placed down Jian Li's things inside a basket. "Your Highness, these are your clothes." She motioned on the fresh set of white linens laid flatly on the table. "Our master invites you to breakfast with our other graces."

'Graces? The young lords of this manor?' Jian Li thought, thinking of the lively children he encountered yesterday who had given him a bouquet of flowers they had picked.

He cracked a tiny smile. "I will be there."

The servants nodded and bowed their way to the clothes, motioning politely for Jian Li's permission to serve him change his clothes.

He was taken aback for a moment, then declined later by waving his wrist. "Oh, i appreciate; do not bother." He gave an awkward, sweaty smile. Although he's used to his palace servants changing his clothes on a daily basis, he doesn't want to be a bother to Lev after all he's done for him from helping him escape and provide a place for him to stay.

He doesn't want to be this rude as a guest.

Now, it was the servants who were sweating. "But Your Highness, we were told to see to your every needs.."

He gestures his hand to the bed, telling that they should put down the clothes and leave the changing to him instead. "I'd rather you wait outside and guide me to the hall where they are. Would you not mind?"

The servants bobbed their heads and bowed so much it was somewhat uncomfortable for Jian Li. "O-of course Your Highness!"

They thought altogether: 'The King is very courteous and values his manners, how admirable! It's no surprise that our master is on good terms with him.'

He sighed internally. "Very good." His compliment made the servants more animated and at ease around him, as they were delighted to please the one and only King of their kingdom. Regardless of how comfortable they are, they still put up this tall barrier between themselves and His Highness, not forgetting their position in relation to the title of the young man in front of them.

When I said "morning," I meant that dark "dawn," not where the sun is already in the open. So when the servants led Jian Li down the main hall, every candle was still lit open, giving the impression that it was still night because the sun hadn't appeared yet and the curtains were drawn.

Outside the door, the servants waited for Jian Li to get dressed for about thirty minutes. Jian Li, on the other hand, regretted telling them to wait outside because he felt bad for making them stand for half an hour outside. It wasn't his fault really, it was difficult enough just changing his bandages, let alone putting on his new complicated clothes.

So many fasteners and ties, strange tying sequences, and yet unique style designs. Even so, when he looked in the mirror with his final look, he thought it still looked incredibly graceful on his appearance, he would ask himself why this excellent fashion was not famous in the kingdom. Such exquisiteness, this would be phenomenal.

When he finished, he wore a light, almost transparent veil, and met the servants outside the door. The moment he opened the door, he could already smell the scent of sweet, freshly baked pantry lingering around the wooden manor as he approached closer the hall. Jian Li observes around the building now that he can stroll freely.

The king would see incredible artworks attached to wooden plates. He'd notice that these weren't made with graphite, charcoal, paint, or dye, but rather with burnt marks, as if something with intense heat or maybe a burning object was scraped on the wood as the artist's brush which left the strong black and burnt strokes on the wooden canvas.

'Why is this manor so densely packed with wood?'

He would think back to his childhood, when he remembered Lev manipulating a dancing fire. He'd try and think about it again and again, but he couldn't confirm whether it was just pure imagination or not. He sighed and paced closer to the dining hall.

Then a thought entered his mind. "Oh, if you don't mind my asking, are those young ones your master's?-"

The servants would giggle for a few seconds before composing their words. "No no Your Majesty they're not legitimate daughter and sons of master Leviticus!" She breathes out softly. "You see Your Majesty... You've probably heard of Sir Raius, the former headmaster of the Svarozich house." Jian Li nods at what the woman said.

Indeed, when he was young, the name Svarozich was always inside the late King's room, being praised for how much support they've been to the kingdom. The King and Raius had always had short meetings and sometimes friendly conversations, however he'd heard of the man no more since he wasn't that interested.

Jian Li have heard about senior Svarozich's death, but he had no idea Lev would be the next heir. A position so close to him, yet he never met him, how unfortunate.

Then it struck Jian Li. 'Lev comes from a well-known noble family? Isn't he a thief? Why did he steal from the royal palace? Why didn't he introduced himself to me all this time?'

Jian Li noted all of his questions inside his head and planned to ask Lev in private later. He wanted to hear the servant's story first before occupying himself with those thoughts.

"Our master had changed tremendously since the older head died. The family had no other heirs but only Sir Leviticus." Hearing this, Jian Li grew suspicious, how so that no other family branches of Svarozich came to take advantage of the situation being the heir so young to handle everything? There's gotta be more of the Svarozich kin in this kingdom.

The servant continued, "I heard he had the manor rebuilt from top to bottom and replaced it with wood where it had previously been made of stone. The older servants were fired, which is where we, the newer servants, entered the picture." Jian Li nods, patiently listening.

"Half of the family's wealth was invested in the construction of a new house, the Home. Master Lev personally took in homeless children from the streets, promising them safe housing and guaranteed meals. In addition, he took in street beggars to care for the children themselves, and gave them monthly allowances for food and clothing."

"Those who had been helpless their entire lives were given pity and mercy by our master, who bestowed his blessings on us and protected everyone who lived under his roof. The house was not called an orphanage, but rather a home, where everyone was treated true as family, regardless of the children's backgrounds. They are all connected to one another, which is why they cannot judge them for who they are. Even when they argue, they manage to get along and care for each other in the end."

Jian Li stood there staring with awe; he already knew Lev was this kind-hearted, but he never imagined such a thing could happen, it's such a legendary tale to tell.

People who were looked down on and ridiculed are now living the peaceful lives they desired, all given by his friend.

A wholesome joy spread across his chest, a feeling that was both comfortable and admiring. Something igniting inspiration to him.

"The house I just mentioned was also close to the Svarozich property. But, Your Majesty, were you asking about the children from the previous time right?"

'Those kids are still different?' he asks, blinking.

"Our master is not an early wed. He's about the same age as you and, as far as I can tell, isn't interested in marriage and is too busy caring for his orphans."

"Those children from yesterday are Svarozich heirs. Yes, he first adopted street children into the family before the Home was built. Those children whom he saw potential in were given the family surname and allowed to live in the same house as their savior. The children were well aware of Master Leviticus' greatness, and they admired him greatly, thus aspiring to be like him."

"I don't know about master Dub, Duther, Dian, and miss Miriam since they were already here when I arrived. They are, however, regarded as big brothers and sisters by the children adopted by master Lev a year later."

"Because there were already far too many people living in the manor, our master decided to halt the adoption and instead build the Home."

"Oh.." Jian Li nods slightly.

Echoing low chuckles was heard. "I truly felt the family's budget deplete." A voice from the opposite direction could be heard.

Jian Li turns around and sees four people walking towards them. "The family's business was already on the verge of going bankrupt." Lev laughs and approaches Jian Li.

"Well, its all thanks for my sons," Duther's back was proudly struck by his father's palm, causing him to cough violently. "It's truly helpful to adopt both a capitalist and a socialist hahahaha!" Lev was referring to the three people behind him. Duther simply turned away, the other brother towering the two, while Dian smiled broadly and bowed to the King.

"Nn, i agree." Nodded Jian Li.

Duther clears his throat. "No such thing father, it was you who fixed the whole thing."

The man just laughed and then led all of them to the dining hall where excellence and elegance lingers. Everyone gathered around the long, rectangular table where Jian Li found a sight of absolute grandness.

The moment that the young lords noticed the approaching footsteps, they were alerted and stood from their seat, faced the staircase's balcony, and bowed to the King.

Jian Li was a bit shaken, but managed to play it cool, he was already used to the bowing and courtesies anyway. But why does this one feel a tad bit different?

As he stood on top beside the double staircase of the Svarozich's, he gazed down softly, in daze of the sight below him.

In a long table, around twenty-five young nobles occupied the seats, looking at Jian Li with respect and warmth. All of them doesn't seem any older except the Svarozich's patriarch, Lev; while his 'sons' was only a very few years younger than him.

If i may begin describing the hall, well, I'll start with the floor. The floor was made of wooden slabs and it was just absolutely freakin' out of the world that there were natural tree patterns that was marked on each of the slabs looking like pure artwork on each step, and so when shun with light, it reflects its orange color because of how polished the slabs were. Jian Li could already imagine just how much effort the people maintaining these floors paid on each wipe and sweep.

On the four pillars surrounding the table hung flags of what Jian Li believes the Svarozich's family emblem.

Everything just looks so polished and shiny that its ridiculous to leave hand prints even on the staircase's handles.

The man beside him kindly gestured for them to descend down the stairs. Jian Li humbly did so.

Only when they finally reached the ground floor just then he noticed that these young lords looked like they're in the middle of puberty already, some of them almost were the same height as him.

"Everyone." Lev called, all eyes on him.

"Greet."

"Your Majesty," Jian Li sucks a soft air of excitement. "We are extremely honored." Layered voices sounded all around the room, they all bowed, hands on their chest.

"Thank you my young Lord's and Lady's."

"The King!"

"The legend Jian-"

"Woah.."

"It's his highness!"

"Lovelyy.."

"Ahem." A hushing, roughed voice sounded. "Silence, everyone." It was Duther's.

When everyone finally shutted their asses down, Lev spoke: "Do take your seats."

As the main man of the family, Lev was seated on the short end of the table, while the other children was simply seated in a behaved manner on the other sides of the table, having small talks and quietened giggles.

Jian Li had his seat reserved at Lev's right, the trio boys was also just beside Jian Li.

Lev saw him looking around, his eyes also looking very unsure.

On Jian Li's side though, he just looked uncomfortable since he wasn't used to eating with many people, when before it was just the three of them dining.

But the King died, and he lost his brother.

CLAP.

His darkened aura disappeared at the loud sound of Lev's clap. "As we eat, should I introduce these kids for entertainment?" Suggested the patriarch, smiling.

Jian Li blinked twice before answering. "Ah- oh, of course, if you may."

Lev began: "Abu, he excels in sports." A young boy stood, he was dark in shade, had brownish hair, and a silly smile. He's very much interested in sword fighting.

"Bermin, having a blessed mind." The boy in green nodded at the king proudly, then bowed later. Jian Li thinks he looks like a type of boy that is quite interested in books as well that they might get along, so he nodded back.

"Caed, talent to charm." A pretty girl smiled im crescents as she giggles and waves her round fan, indeed refreshing and beautiful. Jian Li knows she would grow into a beautiful woman someday.

"Dernut, obsession with creating." A curly boy stood up and placed his hand above his chest, bowing a bit nervously that Jian Li noticed a single streak of dirt on his cheeks... And also wrinkled clothes. He looks like he was in a hurry before arriving at the dining hall. This just made him giggle,

"Eustice, wonderful speaker."

"Hello Your Royal Majesty, i am very much pleased to finally see you. What- even on our mansion! Oh how I'd like you to visit all of our—"

Duther cleared his throat which gave her the sign that she's being talkative again. "Too much Euce." He bites on the bread.

Lev laughed and continued introducing. "Flock, skills in herbs and plants." This boy wore a tone of brown clothes and had big hands, it was kind of cute really.

"Harp, music and instruments." A girl wearing round glasses and blue and white satin stood up shyly. Still maintaining a diligent posture.

"Ifrit, a girl with advanced intelligence." This one looked sharp, not very gentle, but has the same eyes as Jian Li when he was younger.

"Jargum, he likes to play with paints." He's very young and small that his chair had twice the pillow, even so, he stood up cutely on the chair and waved at the King. 'So adorable.'

"Kareon, her curiosity in all things amazes me." She laughs and crosses her arms, she looks like an inventor of some sort.

"Lemmapel, creating poems." She's madly blushing, but Jian Li doesn't know if it was because of his presence that she was shy, or if she's embarrassed of her talent, or if she didn't knew that her father knows what her talent is because she's never really shown it to everyone.

"Moder, he really likes to bake." Unlike the others, this boy was quite chubby in size, having a bit of bigger built, and round cheeks.

"Nunche and Orion, they're blood sisters." Two beautiful girls stood up and bowed at him. Just like Caed, they were really pretty as well, noticing they both have green eyes.

"Ponnes, acrobats." Her hair was tied up, revealing her small face and a pointy chin, her features were good and sharp, very full of emotions and her body was thin and petite.

"Quartz, uh she likes the smell of money.." Lev and Duther sweats a little as they would remember how Quartz would always hung out with them at their office when it's time to count the money to put in the bank. She'd sniff them and say that money is awesome. Jian Li sweated at the thought too.

"Ruoche, she does acrobats too." She looks small and thin, having a nice silky hair and a confident smile.

"Asgore, our archer, likes vigorous sports too." She looks emotionless but looking at her biceps did only Jian Li believed that she plays sports very well. She has a long straight hair and wears dark shades of colors.

"Torn, he's flexible in all fields." He stood up sweating and denied his father's words humbly, waving his hands all over. "No no no, Your Highness thats not true! Hahahaa!!"

Then lastly, Lev gestured. "Gio," Jian Li raised both his brows, seeing a young man having his head covered by a paperbag, with two holes only revealing his eyes. "Well, he's Gio."

It was a bit awkward for Jian Li to greet without seeing his face, but he greeted him anyway.

"Oh! I'm pleased to meet you as well! King! Dear king!- oh uh Your Highness!-" A high pitched voice answered him, having weird intonation on his voice, and speaks in a fast manner.

Jian Li did feel thankful for their warm welcome to him, but when they began to introduce each of their names, he became too overwhelmed that he barely remembered their names except for those who participated in the conversation actively.

The breakfast went smoothly and they all went back their private chambers as so did Jian Li where he was guided back by none and only Lev.

Everytime Lev would pass Jian Li's room, he was just always in a daze, or in a daydream, staring outside the window.

He wanted to do something, like consoling him, but how would he do that? He couldn't still forget the regret that he felt of not being able to save Jian Li.

He only gulped and went past the room in low spirits, choosing that giving him time and space to think is the only way to help Jian Li process things in his on pace. For him, this is the best thing he can do for now.

'I'll just be checking on him from time to time.'

The afternoon had passed, and Jian Li still stared on the air. He decided to quietly go outside his room's balcony but saw someone lurking outside instead.

A brown paperbag.

He blinks.

'Wasn't that, uh, Gio?' As far as he could recall, there was a younger Svarozich noble that was introduced earlier on their breakfast, and one of those was Gio who wears a brown paperbag on his head, covering his entire face.

He looks back at his room. 'I'm bored. And there's nothing i can do inside here. It's just forcing me to overthink.'

Pacing back inside, he grabs a white blazer and wrapped the chains around his body to secure it, topping it off by having another white scarf around his neck.

Two servants automatically followed behind him without Jian Li noticing, but when the servants saw Lev in his office gesturing them not to, they quickly obeyed and stayed inside the manor while the King wanders around the manor by himself.

He was also granted access outside as the servants already spread the news to all guards to let the King pass whenever he wants to go out.

He sighs softly after he thinks that he sneaked around successfully, when in reality, the guards only took early breaks to let him pass. Whilst being in the kitchen, they'd peek on the small King if he already passed the doors. They'd giggle and find him adorable.

Finally outside, he roams his eyes around to find that walking noble with a bag above his head.

Gio, on the other hand was busy ramming his sketch book when he heard footsteps nearby. Quickly placing his writing pen, he took a peek beyond the bushes he was hiding on.

The boy jolts on his hiding place. 'What is the King doing here in all sorts of places!'

So in order not to bother the esteemed guest who's probably out for a breath of air, he quickly leaves, heaving his breath deeply inside the paperbag as he walks fastly, entering the garden maze.

His quick steps made sharp sounds from the collisions of his heels and the cement, which helped Jian Li to figure out where that boy might be. And so, he also headed on where that sound was coming from.

Jian Li was bigger, he was taller, and his legs were longer than the small boy Gio. Gio's two steps can be make up by him in only a step, so of course, he can still follow behind the boy.

The king tilted his head, 'he must've seen me already, why isn't he slowing down.'

'Why is he following me with that expression?! Did i do something wrong to upset him?!' Gio panicked, now running.

Jian Li paced faster. "Hey! Stop there!"

Gio was already panting from running too much, he was holding dearly to his pad, while he runs.

"Hold on, hey!" Called the King again.

Gio enters the maze, but before he could, a gust of wind fans his face, almost removing the bag on his head. Thankfully, he grabbed it down and proceeded to run inside the maze.

"Haaa... stop... Kid... Gio.." Jian Li stopped running in front of the maze, trying to catch his breath but his chest just hurts harder from the injuries he took. He doesn't have any other choice but to walk.

"Gio! Can you slow down?" Wheezed Jian Li.

"Uh- Your Majesty! Why are you following me? Did i perhaps do something wrong?!"

"You- why are you hiding rather. Haaaa. Dear."

"T-then we can have a talk if you find me in this maze!"

"Haaaah!" He entered the maze. 'What a troublesome kid.'

' ''His Highness can't possibly get the way correctly right?'' Haha, that's what you thought.' Jian Li chuckles, picking up a piece of paper under his feet.

Gio might've probably made a mistake. His sketch book's pages have been falling out ever since he entered the maze, right when the gust almost blew away his mask.

Jian Li didn't have a problem on tracking where the boy went, even if he would ditch him inside the maze or cheat to get away, his pad is still vomiting its pages.

"Kid's too young to put up a trap like this. Anyway, let's just follow."

And so he did, looking left and right to see if there are any more fallen pages and collecting them by hand.

Gio gulped. He could hear Jian Li's approaching footsteps near him. 'What?! How?!' he greatly wanted to run away now while he still has a chance but if the king found out, he might as well be beheaded for sundown.

Tak

Tak

Tak

Tak

"Gio?"

Chills ran down the boy's back, he whimpers and slowly turns his head back to the King's direction.

But what he said next bewildered the child.

"It's a beautiful spot here."

'?' what the King said made his brain in a critically confused state. Unable to think how he could approach the conversation, he could only mutter a soft "What?"

Jian Li's scarf flows along the gentle wind, complimenting his godly image which mixes in the flowery background of the maze.

Gio who was seated near the fountain had his mouth gaping inside the paper bag. He could only stare at the king in pure amazement.

Jian Li lets out a soft hum and sat beside Gio, handing him a bundle of papers. "Here. You almost lost them."

"!!!!!" Gio snatched away all the papers and hid them away from anyone's eyes.

Jian Li could only see terror in his eyes.

"They're nicely done, your clothes' design i mean." "I think im wearing one of your designs, its this one right? The white one?" He raised a page that perfectly matched his clothes.

Only after the king spoke just then the boy realized his rude actions.

"I! UH- IM SO SORRY! FOR ACTING THAT WAY IT MUST'VE BEEN SO RUDE YOUR HIGHNESS!"

He could only laugh in response. 'It was my fault for looking though.'

"I think they all look wonderful. Very new to the eye." Commented him again.

"I UH WHA WHUT?"

"..."

"You're only telling me that to console me aren't you..."

Jian Li didn't say anything else but just smiled, which the boy understood that he was being sincere to his words. He only looked down and gripped his precious works.

"So, pray tell.." Jian Li faces the boy properly. "Why do you wear a bag on your head?"

At first the boy jolted, he didn't say anything for a moment but gathered his words and said: "I feel somewhat embarrassed.."

The other blinked. "Embarrassed of what?"

"Your Highness, to be a boy who makes such type of clothes.." His voice was filled with disappointment, it was shaky and sounded tiny.

"All designers that I've admired were all women. Women dominates this profession.. if i would be seen... Moreover if it disgraces my father.. i could never.."

The beautiful king places his warm hands on the boy's narrow shoulders. "Leviticus will not." Lowly said the man. "Can you imagine your father scolding you?

"Of course!"

"Laughing or scorning at you?"

Then he started to sweat and hesitate at the thought. "He, he will..."

"Your father is widely different from anyone I've ever known. He wishes the best for everyone where they would be able to grow. Even though he seems very intimidating as any family heads, i know first-hand that he is very kindhearted. I know that you are very much more aware of this fact more than me, since he saved you all and all."

Then the King smiled at him and said: "Gio, I think he would be very proud at you."

"..."

"He would clap, and smile at your success."

"Sure, women working at this field may be more acceptable to the eyes, but do not be shaped by what the people expects for you."

"Don't you want to achieve their approval and be the first ever to be acknowledged by everyone in the designing field? Don't you want to inspire other dreamers like you to come out as well?"

"What do you value more Gio? Your status or your desires?"

"Why would you be frightened of what your father's comment would be, when you've already confessed everything to me, the King of this kingdom?"

" 'To be a boy who makes such clothes,' "

"I could never be so proud."

The way how different Jian Li said those words back to the boy made him lose it and broke down.

Sniff. Snifff.

Sni-iff.

Deep inhale,

"UWAAAAAAAHHHH AHUUU- WAAAAAAHH!!!"

"?!?!?!"

"Gio?!"

The boy could not hold his tears anymore and just felt so overwhelmed that he couldn't stop crying.

"I'll... I'll try asking father for his opi- opinion.." he sniffed and coughed a bit, sobbing harder inside the wet paperbag.

Then Jian Li started to pat his head in a nice, light manner. "Very well. Very smart child."

Someone from afar though was watching them by the terrace, smiling widely with a blush scattered on his face. "What, so he already met Gio? I was worried he might be pondering alone again, im relieved he's doing just fine, oh gee- thats so cute." Lev sipped on his tea and chuckled.

"I hope all these events would take your focus off your past.... I just.. i hope." The tea cup was seized by his long fingers, making his tea shake a bit. "I hope this works, i hope you'll be able to forget just a bit of it."

The laughing king felt a bit strange, like something piercing was gazing onto the back of his head. He turned as spotted the house's patriarch himself, staring right at him.

'Ah. He caught me watching.' Lev scratched the surface of his cup waving at Jian Li to be natural.

Then he gestured. 'Let's talk.'

Jian Li also understood this even from afar and pretended to look at the sky then pointed. "It's late, shouldn't you be on the way back to the manor too?"

After a few sniffs and wipes on his face, he strapped the papers back to his book and nodded. "Ah, it truly is Your Majesty."

"Let's go back together, your big brothers may come looking for you if you don't show up at dinner."

They went back successfully by the help of Gio, the boy also told him the right patterns to the maze in case he gets lost in there. When they came back it was already time for dinner where the whole Svarozich's gathered again to eat their supper. After supper came, they went back to their rooms and Jian Li was guided back to his chamber as usual by Lev, who he finds really entertaining and comfortable.

They would chat all night and stay up late laughing from topics they enjoy conversing on. Then afterwards in midnight, they would fall asleep as they talk to each other, resulting to waking up on the same chamber the day after.

The day came and only three knocks was enough to wake Lev, even though he just woke up, it was natural to have his guard up. So when he heard those three invading knocks, he automatically glared at the door where the the sound came from.

A voice of a man spoke beyond the chamber doors, "Your breakfast is ready Lord Levita."

His finger twitched.

'He's not a servant for sure.' His brows furrows.

Lev was the one who made the rule that everyone in this manor must remember to knock six times or just speak if they're in need of something. They were told of this precaution password to know that no suspicious person had entered the house.

"Hello?" The man outside called again but Lev wore his coat and headed to the door.

The suspicious man gripped his knife tightly, his ear leaning to the door to search for sounds.

In an instant, the door slammed on his face making a loud thud, his nose broke and the side of his face was numb from the impact.

As the man was slowly losing his consciousness, he was hearing a bone-chilling voice. "Oh im sorry, i think your face was trespassing my property. Do you think you're not missing your delivery meal?" Lev smiled down at him. "Hahaha~"

The man wiped his bloody nose first before having his knees fallen, in the next seconds, his eyes rolled up and closed until the only feeling he felt was his whole body crashing down the floor.

What Lev did earlier was to grab the chance on swinging the door to the intruder's face, injuring him badly that he will be unconscious after. His face was badly rammed that the man's nose bridge broke and his nostrils spurted blood.

A rough, yet calmed morning voice of Jian Li sounded behind Lev. "Why did you do that?" He asked, wiping his morning tears.

"He's dangerous." The latter cleared his throat and closed the door, not letting Jian Li see anymore blood.

As Jian Li became more aware of his surroundings, he sat down, asking Lev; "How would you know?"

"Besides from the fact that he doesn't know i have every of my meals with my family, he also doesn't have our meal in tow. Its only a plus point that i can see that he's a very good spy as he can pass my security that easily without even being detected by my sons." Lev sat across Jian Li. The other just nodded, not even surprised. Maybe because he's not yet come to reality on where he can only reply an, "..oh"

Lev adjusted his voice in a lower volume. "It's clear that he has some business to do with me by calling me Levita and not Svarozich."

Jian Li couldn't hear that well but just stared anyway, later on, they heard familiar footsteps that Lev recognized as one of his sons.

"Duther." He called out sharply from inside the chamber. Later on, the doors was both opened and Duther came marching inside, his hand holding a book.

"Yes father?"

"Take out the trash tonight."

The son nodded, "As you wish, father." Then turned his heels around, closing the door after. A moment later, more footsteps approached outside the chamber. The sound of heavy dragging came next, then later on faded away to silence once again.

Jian Li blinked a bit, his voice soft. "What is a Levita?"

The questioned man fixed his posture more leisurely, "An underground name i use. I dont do evil, don't worry." Casually said Lev who just smiled at him.

Then he stood up and fetched Jian Li a warm blazer, "It's just them doing bad deeds to me. Quite pitiful really, im not even doing anything to them." He sat once again, but now beside Jian Li.

'The manor really do changes the atmosphere everytime..' The king awkwardly breaks a sweat, still not used to the manor as it sometimes feel comfortable and just right, then later on the feeling can easily switch to a dangerous one.

The duality this family has, Jian Li cannot deal with it.

"Hey Lili?" Lev asked out of the blue, Jian Li just hummed in response.

"It might be a bit pressuring to ask you this but, what are you planning to do now?"

They stared for a long time on the wall, then after Jian Li's tea cup clinks back on its platter, he mutters his answer.

"—our abilities."

Audibly, "I want to know everything. Even to the smallest detail, nothing should slip."

His friend listens carefully.

"Im frightened that... That thing might break out randomly. I don't want anything to happen especially near your sons." The king completed, Lev did not say anything.

"This, ability of ours," He breathes out, eyes trembling. "It's beautiful yet cruel."

After a bit of pondering, Lev stood up smiling, he passed his friend a comforting look and nodded, willing to help of his needs.

"I've been studying our case for years now, and lately I've been focusing on finding this certain person. He might be of help to us enlightening ourselves, so how about we go pay this man a visit?"