10

Chapter Ten

I looked at Elias, who was standing there with his calm smile, as if everything was always under his control. Oh my god, even his family seemed like a carefully painted work of art. For a moment, I felt as if I had stepped into a world that I was not a part of—a world that was organized, refined, almost as if it had come out of one of the stories I used to read in my childhood.

But me? I was the embodiment of chaos, the storm that hits without warning.

And that's exactly what happened when I decided to try being the "nice aunt" again.

"So, little ones, what do you usually do in your free time?" I asked while sitting on the luxurious sofa, expecting a childish response like, "We play with marbles" or "We build castles with wood."

But Sylvester, with his usual composure, looked at me with his icy eyes and said seriously, "We study philosophy, learn the art of fencing, and sometimes we discuss European politics with our father."

…

Wait a minute, what?!

I stifled my laugh while my eyes widened in shock. I immediately looked at Elias, but he didn't show any reaction, as if he thought this was completely normal for a seven-year-old!

I tried to process the situation while turning to Sylter, the youngest child, who was holding the edge of my sleeve as if I were his lifeline from this luxurious reality.

"And you, little one? What do you do?" I asked gently, hoping to find at least a bit of ordinary childhood.

His lips trembled slightly, as if he hadn't decided yet whether he should trust me, then he whispered shyly, "I like candy…"

Ah! Finally, someone normal in this royal family!

I couldn't help but laugh as I hugged him again, his face buried in my shoulder, murmuring something incomprehensible.

"Great! That's the answer I was looking for!" I said, gently patting his head.

Inas, who had been watching the scene with a small smile, said quietly, "He doesn't talk much with strangers…"

I looked at the little one, still clinging to me like a kitten, and smiled. "Well, I'm not a stranger anymore, am I, little hero?"

He slowly shook his head without raising his gaze, and I felt my heart soften even more towards him.

Elias, who had been enjoying watching the scene, finally said, "Well, I think my family already likes you, Aroa."

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and gave him a sidelong smile. "Of course, I'm naturally charming."

Then I turned to the two little ones and said excitedly, "Well, now that I'm officially your aunt, I think it's time to set some rules of our own!"

Sylvester raised his silver eyebrow in a reserved manner. "Rules?"

"Yes! Rule number one: No talking about European politics in front of me. Rule number two: Whoever brings me candy first will officially become my favorite nephew. Rule number three…" I paused for a moment, then smiled mischievously, "Aunt Aroa is always right!"

Sylvester laughed despite himself, while Sylter raised his hand enthusiastically, as if officially pledging allegiance to me.

As for Elias, he shook his head, sighing, but couldn't hide his smile as he whispered, "Oh god, the chaos has officially begun…"

But I, with a wide smile, knew this was just the beginning.

After imposing my "family rules," I sat back feeling victorious, while Sylvester looked at me with some reserve, and Sylter with a silent admiration. As for Elias, he was watching me with his usual mix of enjoyment and the headache that I seemed to cause him continuously.

Then came the moment I dreaded—the awkward silence.

Before I could break it, rescue came from the most unexpected place.

"Aunt Aroa, would you like to play with us?"

I turned toward the sound of the voice, and it was none other than Sylvester, standing there with all his childish composure, looking at me with a subtle challenge. I didn't know what he meant by "play," but I felt like there was some hidden test being set up for me right now.

"Of course!" I answered with excessive enthusiasm, jumping up from my seat. "What kind of game do you mean?"

Sylvester exchanged a look with Sylter, then said seriously, "We like playing chess, fencing, and role-playing historical figures."

…

Okay, where are the dolls? Where are the balls? Where are the things that kids are supposed to play with?!

I looked at Elias, as if silently pleading for help, but he just shrugged, as if this was completely normal.

But because I refuse to lose even against small children, I decided to face this challenge.

"Alright!" I clapped my hands with fake enthusiasm. "Fencing, then! Who's my first opponent?"

Sylvester studied me intently, then said with confidence, "I am."

In less than a minute, we were standing in a small arena inside the wing, where a set of wooden swords were neatly placed on a stylish stand. Sylvester skillfully pulled one out, handing it to me in a formal manner, as if he were challenging a professional knight.

Oh my god, this kid is not normal.

I took the sword in my hand, trying to act relaxed, even though I barely knew how to hold it. I expected it to be just a game, but when Sylvester took a fencing stance seriously, I began to feel that maybe I had made a huge mistake.

"Ready?" he asked calmly.

Oh, damn.

But I didn't give up. I assumed a random stance, feeling like I looked more like a clown than a professional fencer.

Then the attack began.

"Ha!" Sylvester shouted as he charged at me with unexpected speed. I barely managed to block the first strike, and as I staggered backward, a loud laugh erupted from Elias, who was watching us from afar.

"Oh, this is going to be fun!" he said with a sarcastic smile.

"This isn't funny, Elias!" I yelled as I tried to retreat, but Sylvester wasn't about to give me a chance to escape.

The kid was attacking me like he was determined to strip away every ounce of my dignity!

"Oh no, no! Take it easy, little knight, this is just practice, right?!"

But he didn't respond, he just kept delivering a flurry of wooden blows, and I could barely manage to avoid them.

And at the moment I thought I was about to survive, I lost my balance due to the slippery carpet under my feet… and I fell flat on my back with a thud.

"AAHHHH!"

The sound of my fall was deafening, followed by a complete silence.

Then, suddenly, loud laughter erupted—not just from Elias, but even from Sylter, who was holding his stomach from laughing so hard. As for Sylvester, he stood upright, then stepped forward, extending his hand with the same composure he had started the challenge with.

"You were a worthy opponent, Aunt."

I stopped for a moment, staring at him in shock, then burst into laughter and took his hand to help myself up.

"Well, little duke, I'll let you have this victory today… but wait until I learn proper fencing!"