Chapter 10- Songs of spring

Spring has finally arrived. The once icy winds have turned gentle, carrying the fresh scent of blooming flowers. Birds, long silent, now fill the air with their lively songs, welcoming the season without hesitation. The sun lingers a little longer in the sky, casting a golden glow over the land, and the earth, once frozen, now stirs with new life.

Inside the main living room, the atmosphere was much warmer.

"Eat slowly," John chuckled fondly, watching Noah's puffed-up cheeks as he struggled to chew on a pastry, looking like a squirrel hoarding food. A dollop of cream clung stubbornly to his chin, and John reached over, wiping it away with a gentle touch.

Noah blinked up at him, crimson eyes wide with innocence. His long lashes fluttered slightly as he chewed, his tiny hands gripping the edge of the plate. He was still learning; learning how to eat properly, how to sit at a table, how to navigate this unfamiliar world of refinement. John didn't have the heart to scold him, nor did he have any intention to.

He had heard from the servants that Noah had been studying relentlessly, locked in his room from morning until night, trying to make up for the years he had lost. It was a struggle, but Noah never once uttered a word of complaint.

So today, John decided to give him a much needed break by arranging a tea party just for him.

The living room in the main building was grand, far larger than the one in the south wing, where Noah usually stayed. The room was vast and imposing. Sunlight streamed in through towering windows, casting golden pools of light onto the polished floors. A chandelier hung high above them, its crystals catching the light, sending tiny rainbows scattering across the walls.

Noah had been in this part of the house only once, and that was when he first arrived. Now, as he sat in the enormous sofa with his feet barely touching the ground, he felt like an ant lost in a palace built for giants.

Still, he tried to enjoy the moment, savoring the delicate sweetness of the pastries melting on his tongue.

Then, a knock on the door broke the peaceful atmosphere.

John's gaze flickered toward the door. "Come in."

A butler stepped inside, leaning in to speak with John in hushed tones. Noah watched curiously as his uncle's expression shifted, the warmth in his face replaced by something unreadable.

"Tell them I'll call back in an hour. Have them resolve the issue until then," John instructed, his voice carrying authority.

Then, as if shedding a mask, he turned back to Noah with a soft smile.

"Eat up," he said gently, ruffling Noah's soft black hair. "I'll be stepping out for a bit. Be good, alright?"

Noah instinctively leaned into the touch, his small head pressing against John's palm, soaking in the warmth.

John lingered for a moment, his thoughts heavy. If only he had known sooner about his brother's child, about Amara's disappearance. If only time could be turned back, if only the past could be rewritten.

But regrets were like shadows. They clung to you, but they could never turn back the sun.

With a final glance at his nephew, John left the room.

Noah sat in silence for a while before taking another bite of his pastries. The sweetness bloomed on his tongue again, warm and delicate, like the first flower of spring unfurling beneath the morning sun.

But just as he was settling into the peace, the door suddenly swung open.

Voices echoed through the air, and two familiar figures stepped into the room.

Theodore and Kevin.

Theodore had been speaking mid-sentence, but the words died on his lips when his gaze landed on Noah. His lips curled into an amused smirk.

"Oh my, who do we have here?" he mused, striding forward with deliberate steps.

Kevin lingered near the doorway, his expression impassive, as if he had no interest in the scene before him.

"Enjoying yourself?" Theodore tilted his head, his tone saccharine. "No friends to join you?"

Noah swallowed his bite and shook his head. "…With… Uncle John."

"Is that so?" Theodore hummed. "Is he your friend?"

Noah hesitated for a second, then nodded shyly. His soft cheeks, slightly fuller since coming to Marcellus Manor, jiggled at the motion of his head like a pudding trembling on a delicate plate.

His crimson eyes blinked up at Theodore, wide and trusting.

Theodore studied him with interest.

"Why don't I be your friend too?"

Noah blinked in surprise. His small hands curled slightly in his lap.

"R-really?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Theodore confirmed with a sly smile. "I want to be your friend."

A small pink flush dusted Noah's cheeks. He was like a lost lamb straying too close to the den of wolves, unaware of the dangers that lurked beneath the kind voice.

"In celebration of our new friendship," Theodore said, pointing at the macarons, "why don't you feed me one of those?"

Noah hesitated for a second, then, as if recalling his manners, wiped his tiny hands on the handkerchief tucked neatly into his collar. Theodore merely watched, eyes glinting with amusement.

Kevin, still silent, watched the scene unfold with detached judgment.

Theodore opened his mouth cheekily.

With a small, careful hand, Noah picked up a macaron and placed it into Theodore's waiting mouth.

Theodore hummed in satisfaction. "Not bad," he mused.

Encouraged, Noah turned and carefully shuffled toward the edge of the oversized sofa. He gripped the cushion tightly, his small fingers sinking into the plush fabric as he struggled to slide down. His short legs dangled for a moment before he carefully lowered himself, landing with a soft, unsteady thump. Regaining his balance, he patted down his clothes and strode over to Kevin, offering him one as well. Kevin took it absentmindedly.

Just then, the door creaked open once more, the sound cutting through the quiet like a slow exhale. A faint breeze swept in, rustling the edges of the tablecloth and carrying the lingering scent of pastries through the air.

Lucien stepped inside with his usual unhurried grace, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. His brows lifted slightly at the scene before him, but his interest remained fleeting, like a passing breeze that never truly settled.

"What's going on here?" he asked with an easy smile, his golden eyes gleaming like coins catching the light. There was a flicker of playfulness in them, yet they remained distant, as if they saw more than they let on.

Theodore leaned back with a smirk. "We were just celebrating our new friendship, isn't that right, Noah?"

Noah nodded earnestly. "Mhm… We're friends now." His voice was soft, almost melodic, a stark contrast to the quiet he usually carried.

He had always been withdrawn, seldom speaking up. But as time passed in Marcellus, his words began to come more naturally, albeit with a hint of hesitation, like someone still finding their way in a world that felt new.

"Is that so?" Lucien's smile deepened, though there was something inscrutable behind his expression.

Noah nodded again, his small frame shifting as he prepared to leave.

"I… I'll be going now… Brother Lucien," he murmured, bowing his head slightly, the words soft and uncertain, as if still unsure of his place.

Lucien gave a small, acknowledging nod, his gaze steady but not unkind, his golden eyes following Noah's every move with quiet interest.

Noah hesitated for a moment as he made his way toward the door, his feet dragging slightly. Before he could fully exit, he turned back, raising a small hand in a shy wave.

Theodore waved back with a lazy grin, his expression light and amused, while Kevin merely stared, his gaze distant and unreadable, like he was mentally detached from the scene.

As the door clicked shut behind Noah, a shift seemed to occur in the room. Kevin, still holding the macaron, curled his fingers around it, his grip tightening just slightly. Without a second thought, he tossed it into the nearest dish with an audible plop.

"Ugh. My hands got dirty," Kevin muttered, his voice laced with mild disgust, his fingers slightly twitching as if the crumbs lingering on his fingers were a personal affront.

Without a word, he flicked his gaze toward the maids, who immediately responded. With practiced efficiency, they moved forward, bringing warm water and fresh towels, attending to him with meticulous care.

Theodore, observing with a bemused expression, let out a sharp laugh. "Pfft- What a waste! That was a friendship token." He leaned back in his chair, arms folded casually, clearly enjoying Kevin's discomfort.

Kevin scoffed, the sound more of a dismissive exhale, as he wiped his hands with slow, deliberate circles. His gaze remained distant, fixed on nothing in particular, as if the entire interaction had already been forgotten. With a flick of his fingers, he gestured dismissively at the maids.

Lucien, ever composed, gave a subtle nod, signaling to the attendants stationed outside. Without delay, they entered, moving like shadows, and quickly cleared the table of the remaining plates and cups, leaving nothing behind but the faint scent of tea in the air.

Within moments, the room was pristine once more. The attendants exited as quietly as they'd come, and the atmosphere returned to its usual calm, the brief interruption fading like a forgotten thought. The boys settled back into their conversation, the moment already lost to the flow of time.