Brothers and Bottles ( 239 )

Garius stood tall in the courtyard, his piercing gaze locked onto the three kneeling figures before him:

Javier.

Marcellus.

Cedric.

All three were covered in mud, leaves, and remnants of broken vines.

Behind them, Liana, Lithia, and Meira stood with their heads bowed, silent witnesses to the disaster. Not too far away, Francesca sat elegantly, observing the scene with an unreadable expression, flanked by her composed personal maids.

Alf and Erinnete stood near Garius, watching with quiet amusement.

Garius exhaled deeply, his patience wearing thin. "Hmm? Just when I was busy with paperwork, now here I am—lecturing all of you?"

His voice was calm. Too calm.

Marcellus and Cedric flinched. Javier lowered his head further.

Garius's eyes narrowed. "Marcellus. Cedric."

His tone grew colder. "You both just arrived yesterday."