Vladislav and Athelstan entered the dining room together.
"You're lucky Atlas was there to save you, or else I'd have beaten you to a pulp," Vladislav muttered, glaring at his brother as if still ready to chase him down.
Athelstan only smiled innocently, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "I didn't even do anything. I just said a few words, and now you want to beat me up? How cruel."
Vladislav clicked his tongue and walked past him, ignoring the act. He knew too well when Athelstan was trying to play the victim.
There were only four people seated at the long dining table: Geneviève, Mary, Asa, and Leon. The two brothers greeted them politely.
"Good morning, my babies! Come give your beautiful mother a hug," Geneviève said with her usual warm smile, stretching her arms wide.
Both boys rushed to her, embracing her tightly.
"Hehe, you must love your mother very much," she said happily, holding them close.
"I probably love you more than Athelstan does," Vladislav said cheekily, still hugging her.
"Nonsense, I obviously love Mum more," Athelstan shot back quickly.
"Not even close. I was born first, so I win by default."
The brothers began bickering, both trying to claim the crown of 'favourite son'. Geneviève giggled at their nonsense, her heart swelling at the sight of her boys competing to show their love.
"Now, now, stop fighting. There's no need to compare who loves me more. The fact that you already love me is enough. There are no hierarchies in love, my babies. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mom," Athelstan replied straightaway.
Geneviève patted his head before looking expectantly at Vladislav.
"And you, Vlad?"
"I understand, Mom," he answered, though with a reluctant pout.
"Good. I love you both very much." She kissed their foreheads one by one. "Now, to your seats before the food gets cold."
The brothers nodded and pulled away from her embrace, but then a disappointed sigh sounded from further down the table.
"Oh, so you don't love your grandmother anymore? I didn't even get a hug," Mary said, faking tears in her eyes.
The boys froze at her words. Guilt immediately washed over them.
"No, Grandma, it's not like that," Vladislav rushed to her and gave her a hug.
Athelstan quickly followed. "We love you very much as well."
"More than we love Asa," Vladislav added with a mischievous grin.
"H-hey!" Asa protested, though she was laughing.
Mary's face turned rosy with joy. "Kyaa~, hehehe, say it again!"
The boys grinned and said together, "We love you very, very much, Grandma."
Mary giggled, caressing their hair with both hands. "Hehehe, I love you boys too."
Their smiles were wide, the warmth of family making the moment sweet.
Once seated, Asa leaned on her hand and sighed. "So you hug Mom and Grandma, but not your big sister? How cruel, especially since we're leaving for the training camp tomorrow."
"That's not going to work on me," Vladislav said flatly.
Asa clicked her tongue, the fake sadness vanishing. "This brat doesn't respect his elder sister."
Athelstan stood from his chair and walked over, hugging her. "There you go, big sis."
Asa giggled and patted his back. "At least Athelstan understands. Unlike you."
Vladislav shook his head. "Yeah, right. I'd be a fool to hug you when I know you're still mad about that prank I played."
"Oh, that? I forgot about it ages ago," Asa said dismissively.
"Sure you did, my dear sister," Vladislav muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Athelstan turned to Leon, who was calmly eating and ignoring the drama. "Do you want a hug too?" he asked with a big grin.
Leon raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "That's some gay shit."
"That's some gay shit," Vladislav echoed without thinking.
The words left his mouth before he realised, and his face went pale. Sweat rolled down his back. Oh no. I'm dead.
"Language at the table!" Geneviève snapped, pulling sharply on Vladislav's ear.
"Ow, Mom!" he yelped.
"Who taught you such words?!" she demanded.
Asa laughed out loud, clearly enjoying the punishment her little brother was suffering.
Vladislav bit his lip, not wanting to answer, but when Geneviève twisted his ear harder, he gave in. "I-It was Uncle Mikhail!"
Sorry, Uncle, he thought miserably.
It was true. When he was younger, he often heard Mikhail curse whenever he babysat him. Mikhail never imagined a four-year-old would repeat those words, but Vladislav had absorbed them like a sponge. That was why he had such a foul mouth at such a young age.
As for Leon, his father was Mikhail, so no surprise there either.
"I see. I'll be giving him an earful later. How dare he curse in front of children?" Geneviève clicked her tongue and finally let go of Vladislav's red ear. She turned her gaze to Leon next. "You too, Leon. I don't want to hear you cursing again."
"Yes, Aunty. I apologise," Leon said calmly.
Mary shook her head in agreement, lips pressed together, while Asa tried—and failed—to stifle another laugh.
Vladislav ignored them all and went back to his food, sulking. Athelstan sat down beside him, sipping tea casually.
"What's wrong with giving your cousin a hug?" Athelstan asked.
"That's just gay," Vladislav muttered without looking at him.
Athelstan clicked his tongue. "Tsk. You're the one with a dirty mind."
"Gay," Vladislav repeated flatly, still chewing his food.
"Y-you!" Athelstan glared at him, fists clenched, but Vladislav ignored him again. Eventually, both of them focused on their meals, the table falling quiet except for the sound of cutlery scraping plates.
After a while, Vladislav broke the silence. "You guys are leaving tomorrow, right?"
"Oh right! I forgot about that!" Athelstan slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering.
Leon gave a small nod, still quiet as ever.
Asa placed her fork down. "Yeah, tomorrow we leave for the training camp. Time really does fly fast."
It had been months since she first told them she'd be leaving, and now the day had finally arrived. Four years—that was how long she and Leon would be gone before returning.
"What, are you already missing me?" Asa teased, smirking.
"As if," Vladislav crossed his arms, looking away.
But it was a lie. He would miss her, despite her annoying personality. And he would miss Leon too, even though his cousin rarely spoke and always acted detached. That quiet, aloof presence had become part of his everyday life.
Asa suddenly clapped her hands together. "Since we're leaving tomorrow, I want us to go outside the estate for once and visit the city!"
Leon's eyes flickered with interest at her words, though his face stayed expressionless.
Vladislav raised his brows. The city… that's actually a good idea.
They had never gone beyond the estate walls. Geneviève was overprotective, always saying, You're too young or It's too dangerous outside. This was the perfect excuse to finally see the world beyond.
"Can we please go visit the city, Aunty?" Asa asked Geneviève sweetly.
"That's out of the question. You're still too young, and it's dangerous," Geneviève said firmly.
Vladislav leaned closer, putting on his best puppy-dog eyes. "Please, Mom. We're tired of being locked up in the estate. We promise we'll behave."
Her composure wavered. Those eyes were her weakness.
Athelstan joined in, his own eyes wide and pleading. "Please, Mom."
CRACK.
Geneviève's composure completely shattered. Kyaa~, they're just too cute. I can't resist.
She sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only if you take bodyguards with you."
"Thank you, Mother!"
"Thank you, Aunty!"
Mary raised her hand. "I don't think bodyguards are necessary. I'll go with them. I've nothing else to do today."
"Really? Then that's perfect!" Geneviève said happily.
Mary chuckled. "Yes, besides, this will be my first time going out with my grandchildren. I wouldn't miss it."
Geneviève pouted a little. "I'd love to join too, but I've family duties today."
"Don't worry, there's always next time," Mary reassured her.
Vladislav looked around the table eagerly. "So, where are we going? What are we going to do?"
"City exploration!" Athelstan said immediately, nearly bouncing in his seat.
"Maybe Grandma can guide us. She probably knows all the interesting places," Asa suggested, glancing at Mary.
Mary smiled warmly. "Of course, little ones. This granny of yours knows many wonderful places in the City of Izélia."
"Izélia? That's the city's name?" Athelstan asked, eyes lighting up.
"Yes, At. You'll see it very soon. But first, finish your breakfast. We can't leave with hungry children," Mary said with a chuckle.
Excitement buzzed around the table as they imagined the adventure ahead. The food was quickly eaten, but none of them could stop thinking about what awaited them beyond the estate walls.