Cecilus had already sent Aldo to track down the boy they were targeting. The instant Aldo discovered the boy's name, the wolf's soul link transmitted it straight to Cecilus.
Now, the three of them moved at a leisurely pace toward the boy's house — Don's house — while Cecilus explained Efrain's role.
"All you have to do is lead him away," Cecilus said, waving his hand as though it were the simplest thing in the world. "Five minutes is all we'll need. Make up a lie on the spot."
Efrain blinked. "Lie? How am I supposed to come up with something like that?"
Cecilus sighed inwardly. This boy... Does this make me look bad? Ordering an innocent child to lie to his friend? No! He's just an idiot. My proficiency in deceit is not a moral flaw — it's a skill!
"Just tell him you found something cool. A stick, maybe. Here — this one should do."
He stooped, picked up a long stick from the roadside, and deftly sharpened the end with his sword.
"Any sensible child would lose his mind over something like this."
Efrain tilted his head. "But how does that get him out of the house?"
"It doesn't matter," Cecilus replied. "Tell him you've got a surprise outside. He'll come running. If his intellect is on par with yours — and I sincerely hope, for this worlds sake, it isn't lower — he won't suspect a thing."
Efrain's face lit up. "Got it! Leave it to me!"
Before Cecilus could stop him, Efrain bolted toward the front door of Don's house.
Wait! I didn't say start yet—! Ugh, fine. Improvisation is a virtue.
Cecilus turned back to Marina. "While he's gone, we'll handle the rest."
But before he could continue, Marina interjected, concern lacing her voice.
"Hold on. Last time, it was your property. But now we're intruding into someone else's home. Isn't this wrong?"
Cecilus smirked. "Who said anything about entering? We won't leave a scratch. Unless, of course, you count... psychological damage."
Marina gave him a wary look as he pointed to a second-story window slightly ajar.
"We're simply giving young Don's room a natural makeover. See that window? Conveniently open. Curious, isn't it? Not that I'd ever peek into someone's room — that would be creepy. But if someone were to, I certainly wouldn't hold it against them."
As he spoke, Cecilus spotted Efrain and Don leaving through the front door. Efrain shot him a quick wink.
"Perfect timing. That tree beside the window — make it extend slightly, and we will climb it."
Marina nodded, and the two of them scaled the tree quietly. On a branch Cecilus whispered his instructions.
"Make grass and vines grow through the floorboards — wild, untamed. It'll look strange, but the spell should hold. Use the tree's lifeforce, then transfer energy from nearby plants so it doesn't wither. All within your base spell's limits."
Marina's hands glowed with a soft green light. In moments, the dull wooden room transformed into a miniature jungle — vines curling along the walls, flowers blooming out of the cracks.
"Beautiful," Cecilus said, grinning. "He'll think the forest invaded his bedroom. I can already picture his face. Then he'll call for his mother — and before she arrives, poof — gone without a trace."
Marina's eyes widened as she realized his plan.
"You won't even get to see his reaction," Cecilus teased. "A pity. My wolf will, though. I imagine you'd have enjoyed the satisfaction."
Marina quickly refused.
"No! I would never enjoy that!"
Cecilus's smile only deepened.
***
Don's day had been miserable. The slave girl had humiliated him yesterday, and Cecilus had ruined his chance at payback. So when his friend Efrain appeared, bubbling with excitement about something "cool" outside, Don reluctantly decided to humor him.
"Look! This stick looks like a spear!"
He came out to show me a stick? He could've just shown it to me inside! I mean, I guess it looks slightly abnormal...
Efrain shifted awkwardly, eyes darting around. Then, as if struck by a revelation, he blurted, "Okay, that's it! Bye!" and sprinted away.
Did that hit to the eye scramble his brain?
Don sighed and turned back toward his house. So much for relaxation. Maybe I'll nap... hopefully no nightmares of yesterday this time.
But when he opened his bedroom door, his thoughts vanished.
The entire room was alive. Grass spread across the floorboards. Flowers bloomed from the walls. Vines dangled from the ceiling like green serpents.
Don blinked. Rubbed his eyes. Blinked again.
Am I dreaming already?
He stepped forward—and immediately tripped on a vine, slamming face-first into the ground.
"Ow! My nose! Wait—if I'm in pain, then this is real! WHAT THE—?!"
Panic surged through him. He bolted downstairs.
"Mother! Upstairs! Plants! There are plants everywhere! They're growing out of the floor!"
His mother lowered her book, unimpressed. "Slow down, Don. Start from the beginning."
"My room! It's full of plants! You have to come see!"
With a sigh, she stood and followed him up the stairs. But when they opened the door... the room was perfectly normal. The plants were gone.
Don stared, slack-jawed. "Wha—?"
His mother's expression hardened into quiet disappointment. "Don't make up stories."
Don could only gape, lost for words.
***
"Hah! His face! Absolutely priceless!" Cecilus laughed, watching through Aldo's eyes from afar.
Cecilus had seen the play-by-play of the situation through the eyes of his wolf, who had been watching through the window up in the tree.
The wolf was perched on a branch outside, overlooking the scene. Marina, however, wasn't with Cecilus. Aldo turned slightly, spotting her hidden in the foliage. She was sweating from exertion, her hands trembling — but her eyes shimmered with a strange, guilty delight as she watched Don get scolded by his mother. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
Cecilus chuckled inwardly. Seems someone enjoyed that even more than I did. That was the point, though — to soften her opinion of me. Forcing her to stay there was a good move. Can't have allies thinking I'm heartless. Now, onto the real matters — Father and Uncle's arrival won't prepare for itself.
Marina eventually climbed down to join him, with Efrain bounding after her.
"Mission accomplished," Cecilus said. "Marina, feeling liberated yet?"
She crossed her arms. "Yes. Thank you," she muttered, visibly annoyed.
Her thoughts, however, were more conflicted
Why did I smile at that? Am I really that cruel? I don't even remember smiling with my own mother... and here I am, amused by a boy's misery. This lunatic is rubbing off on me.
"Excellent," Cecilus said. "I'll be busy now for a week or two. Efrain, stay with Marina while I'm gone — make sure your friends behave. Think of it as... penance."
"Yes, sir!" Efrain saluted, raising his "spear" with heroic enthusiasm.
Marina groaned inwardly. Is this my punishment? Being stuck with this fool might be worse than dealing with the half-elf himself.
Cecilus waved casually and headed back toward his manor.
***
As Marina and Efrain walked to her home, Efrain couldn't stop talking.
"Cecilus is amazing, isn't he? So strong! I heard he's aiming to be the next king of Ascension!"
"Yeah," Marina replied flatly.
"He even let me keep this stick!"
I doubt he cares about that worthless twig...
"Oh, by the way," Efrain continued, "what did you and Cecilus do while I was distracting Don? All that Cecilus told me was that you were going to give him a surprise."
Marina reluctantly explained.
Efrain's eyes widened. "Whoa! That's awesome! I wish I'd seen his face! So you're the one who made that big flower, right?"
She nodded.
"That's crazy! Did Cecilus teach you that?"
Kind of, she thought. He gave me the crystal, and some vague advice...
She nodded again, and after a few more minutes of idle chatter, they reached her house. Efrain waved cheerfully and ran off. Marina exhaled in relief.
***
Cecilus, meanwhile, was still listening through his wolf's senses as he strolled back to his estate. His smirk deepened at Efrain's endless praise.
Minion number two. Your flattery is noted. I'll elevate you slightly in the hierarchy of my mental regard.
Finding nothing more of interest, Cecilus finally dismissed the connection and refocused his mind. The time for mischief was over — for now.
Preparations for his father's arrival awaited, and Cecilus never let chaos delay ambition.
***
Reymund sat quietly in the carriage as it rumbled along the dusty road toward the borderlands. The landscape rolled by — endless fields of gold and green, shimmering faintly in the late afternoon light. It had been nearly three years since he'd last seen his wife, and though his face remained composed, a flicker of unease stirred beneath the surface.
His son had been sent ahead days earlier — a decision born more from necessity than sentiment. There were matters of state to settle with his brother and several high nobles before he could return home.
As he gazed absently out the window, the quiet hum of the carriage broke when one of the other passengers — a smug noble with a self-satisfied grin — leaned forward to strike up conversation.
"Your son possesses a rare kind of magic, doesn't he, Lord Reymund?"
Reymund didn't bother to meet his eyes. "He does," he replied evenly. "Though it's not as strong as I'd like. His true talent lies in the sword."
"Ah, I see. Well, I happen to have a few documents that require a rather uncommon magical imprint to decipher. I was thinking of presenting them to him once we arrive. It's a long shot, of course — but perhaps fortune will favor me."
Still watching the passing scenery, Reymund answered,
"Do as you wish. You don't need my permission to approach him. The only approval that matters will be his own."
"I'll take that as a yes, then," the man said with a smirk. "I also heard you introduced him to the seven main elven families of Old Heimwelm. Word is, they were quite taken with him."
That earned a slight turn of Reymund's head. "Yes, it went well. Strange — I don't recall telling anyone about it."
"News travels fast when it concerns the future of kingdoms. It would be shameful if something so momentous stayed secret."
Before Reymund could respond, the man seated beside him — his younger brother, Huon — interjected firmly.
"That's enough, Alastier. My brother's exhausted. Politics consume his days as it is."
Alastier waved a dismissive hand. "Just one more thing, Huon. My daughter happens to be Cecilus's age. Tell me, Reymund — have you given any thought to who your son will marry?"
"Alastier!" Huon snapped, his patience fraying.
But Reymund, ever composed, answered regardless.
"I don't intend to dictate my son's personal life — not unless it serves the greater goal of succession. Marriage is only relevant if it forges a bond with the bloodline of the Ascended Council."
Alastier chuckled, unbothered by the rebuke. "So it all depends on the boy's preference, then? My daughter is quite the treasure, you know. Any man would be lucky to have her."
"Cecilus is still far from being a man," Reymund said, a faint note of weariness creeping into his tone. "He wears a convincing mask — he can adapt to any situation with grace — but beneath that, he's still very much a child. I've yet to see that youthful naivety truly break."
"Thirteen years old, isn't he?" Alastier leaned back in his seat. "A few more years, and he'll grow into himself. Thirteen's too young for wisdom — even we didn't act half as composed at that age."
Reymund gave a faint nod. "That may be true... for most people."
His gaze drifted back to the window. The carriage creaked softly, and the world beyond began to blur as his eyes grew distant. Thoughts of his family — his wife, his son — filled the silence that followed, mingling with the quiet rhythm of wheels against the road.
Soon, he would see them again.