20

A gentle melody filled the air, mingling with the soft sunlight that filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on the scowling face of Aiden. She was trapped in Seraphina's embrace, her arms pinned to her sides, as they both sat by the kitchen counter. Aiden's gaze shifted to the young boy moving about the oversized kitchen with careful precision, gathering ingredients with a content smile as he seemed to savor the tranquil atmosphere.

Aiden's eyes flicked to the doorway, where Lady Carla and the maids stood, giggling behind their hands as they observed the trio. Carla was particularly focused on a painter she had brought along, her reprimands quiet but firm as the man struggled to sketch the scene from his awkward position.

"Tell me again, why did you drag me out here?" Aiden grumbled, trying once more to wriggle free from Seraphina's hold, but her efforts were as fruitless as the dozen times before. Seraphina only giggled, her cheek pressing against Aiden's slightly tanned skin, the contrast making her white skin appear almost porcelain.

"We're here to hang out, what else?" Seraphina replied with a radiant smile that had the maids and even Aiden momentarily recoiling from its brilliance. The boy, oblivious to their reactions, simply continued his task, thinking that Seraphina always smiled like that, unaware that this particular smile had only blossomed since he came into her life.

"Hang… out?" Aiden echoed, her brow furrowing as she glanced at the boy, knowing full well he was raised with the same strict purpose she was. The concept of simply 'hanging out' felt foreign, almost nonsensical to her. She wondered how he perceived such an idea when their lives had always been driven by duty and purpose.

The boy shrugged, his movements unhurried. "Relaxing is fun, plus you don't have to worry about lessons or anything like that." His words left Aiden blinking in surprise, her expectation of reluctance from him completely shattered.

"Then what's the purpose of this… hang out? Am I here because you want something from me?" Aiden continued, skepticism lacing her tone. The notion of spending time without a clear agenda baffled her. The boy sighed softly, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for a way to ease her confusion.

"Well… you could say that," he mumbled, causing Aiden to relax slightly, while Seraphina's ears perked up in curiosity. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday and… maybe ask if you could teach me some things while I'm here."

Seraphina's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together, finally releasing Aiden from her grip. "That's a great idea! Can I join? I want to learn from Aiden too!" She beamed at Aiden, who was still recovering from the sudden freedom. Aiden sighed, her shoulders slumping as she reluctantly nodded.

"I… suppose, if Seraphina asks, then I'll consider it." She glanced at the boy, who had returned his focus to the dish he was preparing. "Though I find it hard to believe you have areas where you need instruction. In fact, I could learn a thing or two from how you move."

"Thanks, but I've still got a lot to learn." The boy chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone, as he placed a stack of pancakes in front of them. Seraphina's eyes lit up with delight, and she immediately dug in, her fork moving with the speed of someone who hadn't eaten in days. Aiden, however, raised an eyebrow at the sight of the meal.

"What's this?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Pancakes," the boy replied simply.

"I can see that, but breakfast ended two hours ago."

"I know, but these are my secret recipe. I learned it from Mommy Cynthia. Consider it a token of my apology." The boy chuckled again as he sat beside Aiden, pouring orange juice for both girls.

"I don't recall anything needing an apology," Aiden scoffed, handing Seraphina her glass while placing her own beside the stack of pancakes. The boy smiled, reading the underlying message in her words, and let out a quiet sigh.

"Hm? Did you forget how you tried to teach him a lesson and fai—"

"Hush." Aiden cut Seraphina off, stuffing a forkful of pancakes into her mouth to silence her before reluctantly slicing a piece for herself. She gingerly placed it in her mouth, her expression softening as the flavor hit her taste buds. The boy smirked, watching as her shoulders relaxed, a satisfied sigh escaping her lips as she soon matched Seraphina's pace in devouring the meal.

"I had accepted the meal as a necessity, but I suppose it was delicious nonetheless," Aiden admitted, her tone begrudging as she finished her stack, wiping a napkin across Seraphina's lips to clean the syrup that had stuck to them.

"But I don't understand, cousin," Aiden began, turning to the boy who looked back at her with a hint of confusion. "You and I hold similar power and authority in the future. Making connections with either me or Seraphina seems redundant since we can't offer you anything you don't already have. So, why?"

The boy glanced at Seraphina, who merely shrugged, her smile serene as if leaving the explanation to him. He smiled helplessly, his gaze returning to Aiden. "Well," he began with a shrug, "you're family, and Seraphina is someone precious to me. Spending time with both of you is just my way of having fun while getting to know the people I care about."

Audible "awws" and giggles erupted from the doorway, but Aiden paid them no mind. "That's a waste of time, is it not?" she scoffed, turning away from the boy, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she hastily gulped down her orange juice.

"Hm? Does that mean I'm also a waste of time, Aiden?" Seraphina asked, her eyes widening as her lips formed a slight pout, to which Aiden instantly scoffed and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to smile.

"Nonsense, you're not a waste of time to me."

"Eh, then why am I different?"

"Because I dislike you."

"Ehh?" The boy frowned, glaring at Aiden, who ignored his gaze, her focus now on playfully tugging at Seraphina's fluffy cheeks. Seraphina, however, glanced between the two, a sigh slipping past her lips as she gently pulled away.

"You know, Aiden, you should really start treating him better. He's your cousin, after all."

"Hmph, we'll see each other in the future. It doesn't matter if we're on good terms."

"But Aiden, won't it get tiring for you since he's going to be with me forever in the future?" Seraphina declared with such conviction that some of the maids fainted from her boldness. Carla, meanwhile, whispered to the painter to make her daughter's wedding dress white with blue accents.

Aiden slammed her hands on the counter, pointing at the young boy who still seemed clueless about the commotion around him. "This guy!? Seriously?? I refuse! He isn't worthy of you!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the kitchen, earning a distant agreement from a man shouting in the background.

"Huh? Worthy of what?"

"And you! How can you be so dense!? I can't believe we're related! How are you going to convince me you're worthy of my Seraphina? You need to work on your manners and your…" The boy could only freeze in place, terror creeping into his expression as Aiden began her tirade. Seraphina, meanwhile, voiced her support with enthusiastic nods.

Alcor, passing by the kitchen after finishing his work, paused at the doorway, offering a wry smile and a silent prayer for his son before walking away, the rising voices of the princess and the overprotective cousin echoing behind him.