Louise du Nova.

Elise sat Alexander down between his mother and Marcus.

As he settled in, the conversation topic shifted to him.

Camilla peppered him with questions about his training and hobbies.

Alexander answered as best he could, but each response sparked more curiosity from her.

Soon, everyone was chiming in.

"So, what's your favorite color?" Camilla asked.

"Royal purple—but I'm also a sucker for black," Alexander replied.

"Do you want to be head Pathfinder when you grow up?" Marcus asked.

"No, you've seen my training. I just hope to know enough." Alexander joked.

Besides, I have two older brothers—surely one of them can take Father's place.

"Do you love me, Alex?" his mother asked.

Alexander looked up and smiled. "The answer to that is as obvious as the sun rise."

He winked.

His mother giggled, leaning over to kiss his forehead.

Her soft lips drew a chuckle from him—this was fun.

"Oh, Alex, do you love me?" his second mother, Olivia, asked with an excited glint in her eyes.

Alexander leaned forward for a better look, then pulled back his lips in perplexity.

He'd be hard-pressed to name something he loved about his father's first wife, especially since he barely saw her.

But she was still his mother, so he'd lie to make her feel better. "My love for you is so vast that if the king offered me all the world's riches in exchange…" He smirked. "I'd tell him I already have the greatest treasure—you."

Olivia blushed, raising a hand to her mouth and giggling as she leaned back.

Camilla perked up. "Do me next, Lord Alexander!" she said excitedly, leaning forward with a grin stretching ear-to-ear.

Alexander turned to her with a dramatic flair.

He raised a hand skyward. "I should call the authorities to report a theft…" He winked, lowering it toward her. "…for you've stolen my heart."

Camilla's cheeks turned soft pink as she sank into her seat.

"A tongue of silver and a heart of gold, Lord Alexander—a dangerous combination for any woman you meet."

"If any woman fell for such theatrics, I'd question her sanity," Louise interjected, her tone haughty and expression indifferent.

Alexander shifted his gaze to her; she stared back with contempt.

Is she a natural-born party pooper?

He sighed, lowering his eyes. "I truly regret what I'm about to do," he said softly. "But you've left me no choice."

Alexander began mewing—sucking in his cheeks, pressing his tongue to the roof of his mouth.

He slowly looked up at Louise, raising an eyebrow.

Her eyes widened, disturbed. "What in the goddess's name did you do to your face? You look…"

Godlike?

"…atrocious."

Oh.

Soft chuckles and laughter erupted around the table as Alexander's expression fell.

Despite the hiccup, dinner continued in a light, lively atmosphere, conversation flowing easily from topic to topic.

As it wound down, Alexander pondered tomorrow's plans: training, learning, exploration.

The thought exhausted him; his eyelids grew heavy, a yawn escaping.

His mother noticed, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him close. "Time for bed, darling," she whispered.

Alexander nodded, closing his eyes and drifting off.

In the morning, Alexander awoke in his bed.

Confused how he'd gotten there, he chalked it up to Elise or his mother.

Sliding out, he dressed in a shirt and pants, then headed down the corridor.

Faint arguing echoed from the guest wing.

"I told you before, and I'll say it again—you're going home. I'm not bringing you to the front!"

"You don't own me! I can make my own decisions, and I choose to come along."

"Louise, what don't you understand? I'm heading to a battlefield—do you know what that means?"

Silence.

"Fine, I'll spell it out." A heavy sigh. "Bodies piled and dismembered, blood and mud everywhere, a stench that'd burn your nostrils."

Pause.

"Artillery, sirens, screams—from sunup to sundown. Father would protect you with his life, but even he can't shield you from those horrors. So, I ask again, sister… are your bags packed for home?"

"…"

Alexander crept to the door, pressing his pointed ear against the wood.

"Louise… don't cry, please. You know I can't—"

"It's not fair!" Louise stomped, her voice trembling. "You're my sister, aren't you?!" She shouted, raw emotion pouring out. "First Father, now you—who's next, Mother?!"

"Louise…"

"No, let me speak!"

Camilla fell silent, only Louise's heavy breathing filling the tense air.

"You act like I don't understand war's unpleasantness," Louise said, low and angry.

"I see how Mother worries when Father leaves—how she fretted for you when we departed."

"…I know it's terrible, but you don't own me, Camilla. You think because I'm a child, war should scare me—but you don't get it, sister."

"I'm not frightened by war. I am Louise du Nova, second heir to House Nova and daughter of Lord Napoleon. I will not hide or falter!"

Holy shit, Louise is a fucking baller!

Alexander felt motivated, her words stirring his core.

But unlike Louise, he wasn't eager for war's dangers.

He considered intervening to help Camilla—but how to explain eavesdropping?

Plus, he was hooked on the drama.

Unfortunately, he wasn't alone.

Warm breath tickled his neck as someone pressed close behind.

What the hell?

Alexander turned slowly to see Marcus hunched over him, ear to the door.

He opened his mouth to snap—but Marcus clamped a hand over it.

"Shhh," Marcus whispered. "They'll hear." He mouthed.

Alexander narrowed his eyes.

He didn't care if they heard—what the hell was Marcus doing so close?

And how hadn't he noticed?

He grabbed Marcus's hand, trying to yank it free.

Muffled curses flew.

Marcus wrapped his other arm around Alexander's stomach, hunching him over.

"Stop—you'll get us caught," he whispered urgently, sweat beading on his forehead as he glanced at the door.

Options limited, Marcus shoved Alexander forward and bolted for the stairs.

Finally free, Alexander screamed, "I don't like boys!" He crashed to the floor with a thud.

The door swung open, revealing Camilla—panicked, with dried tears on her cheeks.

"Lord Alexander, what happened?"

Alexander scrambled up, startled, brushing his rumpled clothes.

"Uh…" He scanned for Marcus—gone. "I-I tripped during my morning jog around the mansion." He chuckled nervously.

Camilla narrowed her eyes, then closed them with a deep breath.

"I see. Good to see you're training early."

She reopened them.

"But please avoid this room—I'm talking with my sister."

Alexander nodded hurriedly, backing away.

"Of course—I'll skip it altogether."

He forced a smile. "And hey, I didn't hear anything. But just between us, Louise can stay if she doesn't want to go home. Haha."

Camilla tensed, eyes widening.

"I thought you said you heard nothing…"

"I'll take that arrangement," Louise said from behind, stepping beside her with puffy, determined eyes.

Her stance was stoic, tone superior.

Camilla frowned down at her. "No—we've imposed on the Daname family long enough." She sighed.

"Besides, this is too close to the front for my comfort," she mumbled.

Alexander, panicking over the awkwardness, barely listened.

"Then leave Antoinette with me," Louise pressed. "If you don't trust the Daname Pathfinders, surely you trust our own."

Camilla opened her mouth—but nothing came.

Her face scrunched in thought, gaze dropping.

She sighed. "Fine. But we ask Lady Erica and Lady Olivia first. If they agree, you can stay."

Louise nodded. "I accept."

The sisters turned to Alexander—who'd inched to the stairs.

Don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious…

"Alexander," Camilla said, stern yet calm.