Dinner with the Nova sisters.

With lighter conversation and a flow of pastries, the atmosphere around the table settled.

Alexander listened quietly as Camilla and his mother discussed books, the city, and the ongoing expansions into the demon continent.

Ben and Antoinette, seated at a nearby table, murmured among themselves.

Stealing occasional glances at their charges.

Louise fiddled with a wooden spinning top, its string wrapped around her finger.

She'd glance at Alexander curiously now and then—but whenever he looked back, she'd roll her eyes and avert her gaze.

As the sun dipped lower, a warm orangey glow filtered through the café windows, painting the scene like a masterpiece.

"Well, the sun's heading out, so I suppose we should too."

Camilla spoke with a soft laugh, rising from her seat.

"It was a pleasure chatting with you, Mrs. Daname."

She smiled at Alexander. "And you—keep your head about you. You're quite the little charmer."

Alexander returned a soft smile.

"Thank you, ma'am. But even though I won't always be little, I'll always have eyes for you."

Camilla crossed her arms, smirking. "You are a dangerous little man, aren't you?"

"Ugh, if you're done wasting time with this foolish boy, I'm ready to leave."

Louise huffed, hopping down from her chair.

Alexander sighed, shaking his head.

Might as well chat her up too—couldn't hurt.

"Louise, if your tone matched your beauty, I'd beg my father to bring down the moon to give it to you."

Louise paused, turning slowly with a mix of irritation and faint curiosity.

"I'd never accept a gift from the likes of you." She turned up her nose. "Besides, I deserve the sun…"

Welp, I tried.

His mother laughed softly, ruffling his hair.

"Was Camilla not enough?" she teased.

Camilla chuckled, leading the way to the exit.

The group followed, stepping into the chilly afternoon breeze under a sky streaked with orange and yellow.

Camilla scanned the sidewalk, locking eyes on a red-and-gray carriage hitched to a white-and-blue Windwalker across the street.

Its Pathfinder guard quickly hopped onto the driver's bench.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye," Camilla said, turning to Alexander's mother.

"After tonight, I'll head to the front, and Louise will go home."

"I suppose so," his mother replied warmly.

"Can't wait to get home for dinner," Ben said loudly, stepping beside her. "Speaking of which… what are you having tonight, Lady Camilla?"

"Whatever Antoinette cooks, I suppose," she said, tapping her chin.

Ben nodded.

"The servants at the mansion are wonderful cooks—truly a class of their own. I wish you could try it, ma'am."

His tone was respectful, but the ploy was obvious.

You sly dog.

Alexander looked up at Ben with reverence.

The lengths he'd go just to chat with Antoinette were ridiculous—but admirable.

Camilla raised an eyebrow as Alexander's mother smiled. "Sir Ben, what did I say about games?" she teased.

Ben chuckled nervously, scratching his head.

"Uh, I guess what I mean is… would you mind coming over for dinner, Lady Camilla? So I may talk to Dame Antoinette?"

He trailed off, fumbling his fingers.

Antoinette blushed furiously, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"I wouldn't mind having you over," Alexander's mother chimed in.

"The mansion's been rather empty lately."

Camilla shrugged.

"I don't mind—but you wouldn't object to us staying the night? I hate moving on a full stomach."

"Oh, not at all," his mother replied, giving Ben a cheeky side-eye.

"Besides, Sir Ben deserves a reward for all his help today."

Camilla glanced at Ben, smirking.

"I see. Very well—my carriage will follow yours."

She then crossed the street with Louise and Antoinette in tow.

Ben ushered Alexander and his mother back to their carriage, helping them in before climbing onto the bench.

With everyone settled, the carriage rolled off the sidewalk and onto the roads, Camilla's trailing behind.

Inside, Alexander and his mother sat quietly, her arm around him as he nodded off to sleep.

The journey home was uneventful.

At the mansion, the carriage parked near the stables.

Stepping into the cool air, Alexander yawned and stretched.

What a day…

His mother chuckled, leading the way inside. Past the doors and into the foyer, they found the home aglow.

"Quite the nice little place," Camilla commented.

Her eyes wandered as she stepped further in.

"It's cozy."

"Little," she says… honestly.

Alexander rubbed his eyes, heading for the stairs.

"Where are you going, darling?" his mother asked curiously.

"My room," Alexander replied, climbing with another yawn.

"How rude," Louise muttered, crossing her arms.

Oh, you're one to talk.

His mother sighed, one hand on her hip with the other clutching her new book.

"I'll send Elise to fetch you for dinner."

"Okay," Alexander called back.

Upstairs, he heard his radio broadcasting from down the hall.

"…and that's another point for Pathfinder Academy Saran, making the score 0–2!"

The announcer cheered. "If I were a student from Academy Aite, I'd hope the defense gets its act together."

Entering his room, Alexander found Marcus on his bed, reading a book while listening.

"Why are you in my room?" Alexander asked, shrugging off his coat. "Don't you have your own?"

Marcus chuckled, closing the book. "I do, but mine doesn't have a radio—and I was bored without you."

"You say that like you missed me," Alexander teased. "But really, you just missed harassing someone—or sitting on them." He pointed accusingly. "That's what you missed."

Marcus laughed, leaning back and spreading his arms like he was making a snow angel.

"You got me." He sat up slowly, his gaze landing on Alexander with a curious glint.

"Though… you're the only person I'd do that to," he said softly.

Alexander's heart skipped. He paused mid-undress, staring back.

Marcus was about nine, with long black hair and blue eyes.

His pale skin was toned from training with Elise, and he wore a long cloth shirt and tan pants—hand-me-downs from Alexander's brother Felix.

Marcus tilted his head left, his hair shifting to reveal a pointed ear tipped warm red.

They locked eyes in quiet observation—what felt like hours was mere seconds.

Alexander gulped, quickly looking away.

What the hell was that?

He squeezed his eyes shut, mind racing. No way he'd lock eyes with Marcus like that.

First, Marcus was a guy—and Alexander didn't swing that way.

Second, he was too young for this crap; past-life memories aside, he was a six-year-old obsessed with fun and cash.

And lastly, it was Marcus—that tall weirdo who looked like a girl.

No chance in a million, billion, or trillion years.

Clearly, my brain's fried from lack of sleep, making dumb lapses in judgment.

"Can you just get out?" Alexander sighed casually, brushing it off. "A noble mustn't change in front of the poor folk."

Marcus chuckled, hopping off the bed. "Wow, Alex—weird time to go all high and mighty."

He pouted, approaching to ruffle Alexander's hair. "Don't forget, you grabbed me off the streets."

His touch was soft and gentle. "Catch you later." He pushed Alexander's head playfully and exited.

After Marcus left, Alexander stood quietly.

"Why does he always smell like flowers?" he whispered, his tone soft and inquisitive.

After changing and a brief rest, a knock sounded.

"Lord Alexander, dinner is prepared. Lady Erica requests your presence."

It was Elise.

"Coming," Alexander replied, sliding off the bed.

He opened the door to Elise in her Pathfinder uniform.

Alexander looked up tiredly, raising his arms and closing his eyes. "Take me," he said softly.

Elise chuckled, bending to scoop him up.

"Oof, my lord… you've grown."

Yeah, it's called aging—something Mrs. Dellwich clearly doesn't get.

Elise adjusted him on her hip, arm around his back.

Descending the stairs, Alexander heard lively chatter between Marcus and Camilla.

"…oh, I certainly hope so," Marcus laughed. "Elise and Alex's father said I'd make a great Pathfinder—I just have to keep practicing."

Camilla chuckled warmly. "I'm sure House Daname would be proud to have someone like you. Right, Mrs. Daname?"

"Indeed, Marcus would be a great addition," Alexander's mother agreed.

Entering the dining room, Alexander saw the group around a long table, smiling with silverware in hand.

Dishes lined the center, brimming with foods and sauces.

His mother turned, her gaze tender. "Aren't you a little old to be carried, my love?"

Alexander scoffed. "What a ridiculous notion—are you suggesting I'm fat?" He turned up his nose, gazing at the ceiling.

Soft laughter rippled around the table—except from Louise, of course.

Alexander's second mother, Olivia, chimed in.

"You're quite the character, Alex. Sometimes I wonder if you're your father reincarnated."

Camilla chuckled.

"Wouldn't that be something? A second Lord Lance while the first is still alive."

Alexander raised an eyebrow curiously. Was he really that similar to his father?

If so, he needed to chat with the old man sooner rather than later—just to see for himself.