31: The Crowned Heir [2]

The castle's open garden stretched wide before them, framed by stone arches and kissed by the soft glow of the morning sun. A gentle breeze whispered through the neatly trimmed hedges and flowerbeds, carrying the faint scent of lavender and roses.

Eric hesitated at the entrance, his small claws gripping the hem of his tunic. Irish, ever the more enthusiastic of the twins, turned back and gave him an encouraging smile.

"Come on, Eric! It's really nice here!" she said, motioning him forward.

Irien, standing a little behind her, added in her usual calm tone, "We can show you all the best spots. You'll like it."

Eric glanced back at Arlon, his lupine ears twitching nervously. When Arlon gave a small nod of reassurance, Eric took a tentative step forward, then another, until he was walking alongside the twins.

Arlon followed a few paces behind, his hands in his coat pockets as he watched them. The sunlight felt warmer here, gentler than the cold stone halls of the castle, but Arlon barely noticed. His eyes were on the three figures ahead of him.

Irish bent down to point out a bed of bright yellow marigolds, her hands gesturing excitedly as she explained something to Eric. The boy listened intently, his posture still cautious but a little less rigid than before. Irien stood nearby, nodding occasionally and adding her own quieter comments.

Arlon's thoughts were subdued, but they stirred as he observed them.

"Eric seems calmer now. That's good. The twins… they're trying. It's awkward, but at least they're trying."

As they reached the center of the garden, where a large stone fountain bubbled softly, Irish turned to Eric with a bright grin. "This is my favorite part! The fountain is magic—watch this!" She clapped her hands together, and the faint glow of enchantment shimmered across the water's surface, making the fountain's streams dance in intricate patterns.

Eric gasped softly, his eyes widening with amazement. For the first time, a small, hesitant smile tugged at his lips.

Irien stepped closer to the boy, her tone gentle. "You can try it too, if you want. Just clap your hands."

Eric glanced back at Arlon, as if asking for permission. Arlon tilted his head slightly and said, "Go ahead."

With a deep breath, Eric clapped his hands, mimicking Irish's earlier motion. The fountain responded with a new pattern, the water weaving into shapes that looked like delicate spirals.

Irish laughed, clapping her hands again in excitement. "See? You're really good at it!"

Eric's smile grew just a little wider. He didn't say anything, but his tail swished faintly behind him—a sign of his growing comfort.

Arlon paused a few steps behind them, leaning slightly against one of the garden's stone arches. He crossed his arms,watching in silence.

Ace stretched lazily on his shoulder, his crimson eyes fixed on the scene before them. "Hey," the cat said with a smirk, his voice low enough that only Arlon could hear, "you look like an old man watching his grandkids."

Arlon gave Ace a flat look but didn't respond. Instead, his gaze shifted back to the three children. The twins were now showing Eric the small koi pond near the fountain, their voices carrying faintly over the garden. Eric stayed close to them, his movements still cautious but more engaged.

"They're warming up to each other," Arlon thought, his expression unreadable. "Good. Maybe this will work after all."

Ace flicked his tail, clearly unimpressed by Arlon's silence. "You could join them, you know. Standing there brooding isn't as impressive as you think it is."

Arlon sighed, pushing off the arch. "I'm here, aren't I? That's enough."

Ace chuckled. "Barely."

As Arlon approached, Irish turned to him with a bright smile. "Lord Arlon, come see the koi pond! There's this one fish with golden scales—it's my favorite!"

Eric glanced up at him as well, his golden eyes wide with hope.

Arlon hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. The twins moved aside to give him room, though they still seemed slightly wary. Arlon knelt beside the pond, his sharp eyes scanning the water until he spotted the fish Irish had mentioned. Its golden scales shimmered in the sunlight as it swam gracefully through the clear water.

Irish crouched next to him, her enthusiasm contagious. "Isn't it beautiful? Irien and I named it Aurora."

Arlon raised an eyebrow. "Aurora?"

Irien, standing behind them, explained, "Because it shines like the northern lights."

Northern lights? So they exist here too… I've never seen them myself. But the twins… they must've read about them.

Arlon gave a small hum of acknowledgment. He didn't say much, but his presence seemed to ease the lingering tension.

Eric crouched beside him, mimicking his posture. He pointed at a smaller fish with black-and-white patterns. "What about that one?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible.

Irish tilted her head, considering. "We haven't named that one yet. What do you think we should call it?"

Eric hesitated, glancing nervously at Arlon before murmuring, "Shadow."

Irish grinned. "Shadow? That's perfect!"

Irien nodded in agreement. "It suits it."

Arlon glanced down at the boy, who was now looking at the pond with a faint, thoughtful smile. For a moment, Arlon felt a quiet warmth settle in his chest—subtle, but undeniable.

Ace's voice broke the silence again, this time softer, less teasing. "See? Not so bad, is it?"

Arlon didn't reply. Instead, he stayed where he was, watching as the children talked and laughed together.

As the twins crouched beside the pond, pointing out more fish to Eric, Irish suddenly turned her head toward Arlon. Her gaze caught on the sleek black figure perched on his shoulder, and her blue eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Lord Arlon," she began, tilting her head, "is that… a cat?"

Irien glanced over as well, her calm demeanor giving way to mild surprise. "I didn't realize you had a pet," she said, her voice soft but inquisitive.

Arlon shifted slightly, glancing at Ace, who was perched rigidly on his shoulder. For once, the cat's usual confidence seemed to falter. His crimson eyes widened just a fraction, darting toward the twins like he'd been caught in a trap.

"..."

For a moment, both Arlon and Ace froze, their expressions eerily similar—startled, uncertain, and entirely unprepared.

"..."

Arlon shifted slightly, glancing at Ace, who was perched rigidly on his shoulder. For once, the cat's usual confidence seemed to falter. His crimson eyes widened just a fraction, darting toward the twins like he'd been caught in a trap.

For a moment, both Arlon and Ace froze, their expressions eerily similar—startled, uncertain, and entirely unprepared.

Irish tilted her head, her curious gaze bouncing between the two. "Is something wrong?" she asked innocently.

Ace's tail twitched, breaking the silence. He let out a soft, half-hearted meow, as if trying to salvage the situation, while Arlon quickly composed himself, clearing his throat.

"Nothing," Arlon said flatly, though his lips twitched dangerously as he fought back the urge to laugh.

Ace shot him a look out of the corner of his eye, as if silently saying, "You're the one who got me into this mess."

Eric stiffened where he crouched beside the pond, his wolf-like ears twitching nervously. He shot a quick, uncertain glance at Ace, clearly recalling his promise to keep the truth about the Sky Soul Guardian a secret.

Arlon gave the boy a brief, reassuring look before turning his attention back to the twins. "This is Ace," he said simply, keeping his voice neutral. "I found him near the villa and decided to keep him."

Ace's ear flicked as he turned his head slowly toward Arlon, his crimson eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Really? That's the story you're going with?" the cat's voice murmured in Arlon's mind, though only he could hear it.

Arlon almost smirked at the absurdity of the situation but managed to suppress it. He cleared his throat, feigning disinterest. "He's just a cat. That's all."

Irish's eyes lit up with excitement. "He's so beautiful!" she exclaimed, leaning closer to get a better look. "His fur is so shiny, and his eyes are… so red! I've never seen a cat like him before."

Irien studied Ace with a more subdued curiosity. "I've never read about cats with red eyes," she murmured thoughtfully, her gaze narrowing. "Are you sure he's just a regular cat?"

"..!"

Ace, as if sensing the slight suspicion in Irien's tone, suddenly stretched lazily, arching his back before curling himself into a ball on Arlon's shoulder. He let out the softest, most convincingly cat-like meow Arlon had ever heard.

Meow—

Irish clapped her hands together, her suspicion immediately forgotten. "Oh! He's so cute!" she squealed, practically bouncing on her heels.

Even Irien seemed satisfied, her expression softening. "I suppose he is… unique," she admitted.

Arlon felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth, a laugh threatening to escape at Ace's overly dramatic performance. "This is ridiculous," he thought, glancing sideways at the cat. "You're really going all in, aren't you?"

Ace's voice echoed faintly in his mind, dripping with mock indignation. "I'd like to see you do better, oh mighty Lord Arlon."

Irish's excitement bubbled over as she turned to Arlon with wide, hopeful eyes. "Can we hold him? Please, Lord Arlon? Just for a little bit?"

Arlon hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ace. The cat gave him the faintest look, one that said, "You owe me for this."

"Fine," Arlon said finally, his tone flat as if he were conceding to something trivial. "Just don't scare him."

Irish practically beamed as she reached out her hands, careful and gentle. "Come here, Ace!" she cooed, her voice soft and sweet.

To Arlon's amusement—and mild disbelief—Ace allowed himself to be lifted from his shoulder, his body going limp like a perfectly compliant housecat. Irish held him close, stroking his fur with pure delight.

"He's so soft!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. "And he's so calm too!"

Irien moved closer, her usual reserved demeanor giving way to curiosity. "Can I hold him next?" she asked, looking to Arlon for permission.

Arlon gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

Irish reluctantly handed Ace over to her sister, who cradled the cat with the same care. Irien ran her fingers gently through his fur, her expression softening as a small, rare smile appeared on her lips.

"He's perfect," she said quietly.

Eric watched from where he crouched by the pond, his golden eyes flicking between Ace and Arlon. Though he said nothing, his tail swished faintly, as if he were holding back his own laughter at the sight of Ace pretending to be a harmless, ordinary cat.

Arlon stood a few steps away, arms crossed as he observed the scene. "Perfect? Hardly," he thought, his lips twitching again as he fought to keep a straight face. "If only they knew the truth. Ace, the mighty Sky Soul Guardian, reduced to this."

Ace, still draped in Irien's arms, flicked his tail in what Arlon could only interpret as silent, dignified protest. "Laugh all you want, noble Arlon. I'll remember this," the cat's voice echoed in his mind, laced with dry humor.

But as Arlon watched the twins, their faces lit with rare joy as they took turns holding Ace, he felt the faintest tug in his chest. For a moment, the awkwardness between them seemed to melt away, replaced by something warmer, something simpler.

As the laughter from the twins filled the garden, a soft, measured voice interrupted.

"My Lord."