Family affairs

Lily didn't know how to respond. With a small bow, she excused herself, leaving the young master in his solitude.

Floyd, on the other hand, had been inspecting his legs for the hundredth time. They responded to his brain just like any other body part. He could feel external stimuli, every shift, every tiny movement. It was almost surreal, like a dream.

So much had happened, and there was still so much left to deal with. Most importantly, he had failed his mission, and he didn't know how to face the patriarch.

'I went there talking big, but now I'll be mocked even more.'

He could already imagine the laughter of the maids, the servants, and, worst of all, his brother Dan. But what could he do now? He could only sigh, thinking about his next move.

Creak...

The door creaked open, and in stepped the patriarch of the Monteri family, Floyd's father.

Floyd didn't know how to react. He simply looked down, waiting for his father to speak.

"It seems like you have recovered, Floyd."

"Yes, Father..."

Floyd murmured, then added, "...I'm sorry I failed the mission."

The patriarch's crimson-red eyes narrowed as he glared at Floyd, his presence like a weight pressing down on the room. He didn't say a word, just turned and walked out. Floyd didn't know how to respond to that. He felt immense pressure from that single glare, he might have pissed his pants if he had stayed in the room any longer. He was grateful that his father left without uttering another word.

A few moments later, his mother Sara, younger sister Alice, and older brother Dan entered the room.

Sara and Alice had tearful eyes, but Dan... Dan was glaring at him, the disdain radiating off him like a thick fog.

"Mom—"

Before he could finish, Sara slapped him across the face. The sound echoed in the otherwise quiet room. Then, without warning, she pulled him into a tight hug, breaking down into tears.

"You idiot! I told you not to go there!"

She cried, her voice trembling.

Floyd didn't know how to respond. He didn't know if he could believe the sincerity of her emotions. His trust issues ran deep, and even now, in this moment of pain, he wasn't sure whether this was genuine concern or just the kind of reaction expected from a mother.

He didn't push her away. He just let her cry on his shoulder, silently allowing her to calm herself. Alice joined in, wrapping her arms around them. Small tears fell from Alice's eyes as well, but Floyd barely reacted. He couldn't bring himself to care right now.

"Umm... my leg."

"It was Alice who cured you. She used high level potions to attach your leg back. Honestly, I was so concerned when I saw you reeking blood."

"You should rest big brother."

"Yes, thank you."

Sara and Alice smiled at him and the atmosphere felt lighter than when he faced his father.

Dan, however, didn't share the same sentiment. He glared at Floyd with barely concealed contempt.

"It seems the lapdog who talked big came back almost dying, incapacitated by a few small fry," Dan spat.

"Dan, you don't have to go that far—"

Alice started, but Dan interrupted her.

"No, let me talk," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You do realize how disappointed our father was when he came back and saw you in this state, after all that talk?"

Alice fell silent, her fist clenching as she glanced between her brother and Floyd. Frustration colored her face, but she couldn't find the words to counter him.

"You are nothing but a disgrace to this family, little brother. A coward shrimp," Dan sneered.

Sara, finally regaining her composure, slapped Dan hard across the face. The sound was sharp and unmistakable.

"Stop it, son!"

She said, her voice breaking. Tears fell from her eyes again, but Dan remained unfazed. His expression didn't change as he turned back to Floyd.

"Our father has decided to enroll you in Pistel Academy, it should keep you away from the household for a while. But I am deeply concerned I that you might tarnish the reputation of our household"

Dan reached into his robe, pulling out a small parchment, and tossed it at Floyd's face with disdain.

"I was here to deliver that message. Your train leaves tomorrow morning."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving the room in heavy silence.

Sara broke down again, unable to process the sudden turn of events. The patriarch had grown distant, the divide between the brothers widening to an almost irreparable point was too much for her. Alice moved to comfort their mother, rubbing her back gently.

Floyd's expression was unreadable. To Sara and Alice, it seemed aloof and perhaps cold. But inside, who knew what was going through his mind?

"Mom, sister, please leave me alone for a while."

Floyd said, his voice as cold as ice. The distance in his words made them both pause.

Alice nodded and, without a word, led her mother out of the room, still comforting her as they left. To Alice, it seemed more important to console their mother than to argue.

Once the door closed, Floyd stood up and moved toward the mirror across the room. He stared at himself for a moment. His eyes met his reflection, but there was no recognition there.

"Fuck you. Fuck you! FUCK YOU!"

The words rushed through his mind as his fists clenched. His thoughts were consumed by rage and frustration, but there was no one left to direct it at. The world, the people around him. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of expectations and disappointment.

"You think I've done nothing? You think I've squandered my life? You think I haven't been trying to change? You think I've been sitting around like some useless piece of shit?"

He grabbed a chair and slammed it against the mirror, the crash of it barely making a sound in the soundproofed room. But the scream that followed…

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

It was a scream so loud, so guttural, that anyone outside the room could have felt it in their bones. But, thanks to the soundproofing, the manor remained eerily quiet.

Except for Lily.

She was standing right in front of the door, her hand still resting on the knob. The scream pierced through, and for the first time, she realized that the soundproofing couldn't contain it all.