As I approached the wooden table, I found Ivan and Irene sitting side by side, their legs swinging under it. The warm scent of freshly baked bread, eggs, and vegetable stew filled the room, but the empty seat where Rafaella usually sat lingered in my mind.
I set their plates, serving food, before pulling a chair to join them.
"Does your mom always eat breakfast this late?" I asked casually.
Ivan was already halfway through stuffing a chunk of bread into his mouth, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Irene wrinkled her nose at him with obvious disapproval.
"She usually eats after finishing the deliveries," she answered primly.
Ivan nodded, still chewing noisily. "Yeah! She always eats breakfast alone."
I blinked.
She always eats alone, huh?
Before I could dwell on that thought, Irene's eyes narrowed at her brother. "Ivan cut it out. Eat slower," she scolded. "You're getting food everywhere."
"Why should I listen to you?" Ivan shot back, puffing out his chest defiantly. He stuck his tongue out for good measure.
"Because I'm your big sister!" Irene snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut the glass.
I raised my hands. "Whoa, whoa, calm down, you two." I held my palm out toward Ivan first. "She's got a point, buddy. Slow down or you'll choke."
Ivan glanced up, cheeks still full. "Can't help it," he mumbled around a mouthful. "It's good."
Irene puffed playfully. "He says that about everything."
I chuckled under my breath. "Either way, we're not on a timer here. Take it easy." I turned to Irene. "And you, as a big sister, shouldn't you be a little gentler when taking care of him?"
She opened her mouth, ready to protest, but I raised an eyebrow.
"Come on," I said with a gentle smile. "You've got a point, but how you say it matters."
Irene hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But he never listens," she muttered.
"If yelling isn't working, maybe we can try explaining why it matters?" I said, keeping my tone soft.
She frowned. "How?"
I gestured toward Ivan, still stuffing his mouth like a squirrel preparing for winter. "Watch this."
Turning to the boy, I softened my voice. "Hey Ivan, you like eating, right?"
He nodded enthusiastically, cheeks still puffed out.
"You ever had food go down the wrong way?" I asked.
He blinked, then swallowed with some difficulty. "Yeah," he admitted. "It feels worse."
"Exactly. Eating too fast makes choking more likely, and if you keep it up, it could become a hard habit to break. If it happens when you're alone, it could be dangerous. Your sister wants to keep you safe."
Ivan's expression shifted, and he glanced at Irene. She was observing me thoughtfully.
I shrugged, keeping it light. "She might sound bossy sometimes, but that's just because she cares. Irene always wants to protect her little brother. Isn't that right, Irene?"
The little girl nodded in agreement.
"And Irene," I said, turning back to her, "I know you're trying to help, but if you sound that angry, he might think you're picking on him. Try showing that you care instead."
Irene shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She shot her brother a sideways glance, then inhaled through her nose. "Fine," she mumbled, "Ivan… just slow down, okay? I don't want you to choke."
Ivan blinked, taken aback by the sudden softness in her voice. He swallowed his last bite and nodded. "Okay."
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Irene huffed but didn't argue. Ivan grinned, and reached for another piece of bread, this time chewing slower.
Right when the little commotion died down, the sleepy fur ball made her entrance.
The little black kitten came to the dining room and stretched lazily, flexing her small paws. It let out a mewl wide enough to show off tiny white teeth, then blinked cutely at us with round, copper-shaded eyes.
I walked over and crouched down beside her. "Morning, fur ball." The kitten blinked at me, tilting its head curiously as I reached to scratch under its chin. It purred the soft vibration rumbling against my fingertips.
Ivan leaned over the table, craning his neck to watch us. "You should bring her over here!"
"Sure, after you finish eating," I said with a chuckle.
He sighed dramatically, returning to his bowl with a reluctant slouch.
I carried the kitten to the table, holding her tightly against my chest. She nuzzled into my hand, her soft fur warm against my palm.
"Are you not eating, big brother?" Irene asked suddenly.
I exhaled softly. "I think I'll sit this one out."
Irene's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You want to eat with Mom?"
Ivan asked without dropping a beat. "Huh? Why?"
"Maybe. By the way, have you decided on a pet name for her yet?" I asked, eager to change the subject. "Or will we keep calling her 'fur ball' forever?"
Ivan perked up immediately, straightening in his seat. "Eclipse," he declared proudly. "Because she's black like the night, but her copper eyes are super bright like the sun and when she sleeps, she curls up like a little moon!."
Irene huffed. "You stole my idea."
"Did not!"
"You so did!"
I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "Eclipse, huh? I like it." I reached down, scratching behind the kitten's ear. It purred louder, pressing its tiny head into my hand. "Fits you perfectly doesn't it, Eclipse?"
"Everybody will love her name in the naming ceremony for her," Irene added shyly.
I froze. "…A what?"
"The naming ceremony!" Ivan repeated proudly, chest puffing out. "We're gonna make it official!"
My smile faltered for a second. I stared at them, checking if it was a joke.
It didn't.
They seemed dead serious.
"The naming ceremony?" I blinked. "At the temple?"
They nodded eagerly.
I exhaled, scratching the back of my head. "You know that's a huge deal. It's not just… naming a pet. It's a lifetime bond. Like for a trusted companion or a familiar. You sure about this?"
Irene nodded eagerly. "Yes! And Eclipse will be our companion."
Ivan pumped his fist. "Yeah! She's gonna be the best kitty ever."
I blinked down at the small bundle of fur purring softly in my hands. A formal naming under the temple was an enormous commitment. While the naming ceremony was granted to every human child born under the temple, it wasn't something every beast had the privilege to have.
A naming ceremony granted someone a Divine's recognition, earning them certain leverages.
Of course, the temple ensured anyone who wanted such service would end up with a hole in their pocket by the time they were done.
Something like that for this little thing? Is this result of my stupid lie?
I exhaled softly, shaking my head. How can kids decide these things? Rafaella would ultimately conduct the ceremony, so it was up to her whether to do it or not.
I stroked Eclipse's fur, her purring vibrating softly in my palm. "I guess I better be there for that. Wouldn't want to miss a big event like this."
But as I looked down at the tiny bundle of fur, I couldn't help but wonder how this little kitten made itself already so important in their eyes.
When I said I'd take care of Eclipse, the kids quickly settled down to review their studies before Rafaella returned home.
Cradling the little kitten in my arms, I collapsed onto the couch.
My thoughts drifted between preparing for the spiritual plane and pinning the mature vixen beneath me, making her beg for mercy.
Before I knew it, lost in my fantasies, I dozed off.
Then the sound of boisterous cheering jolted me awake.
Rubbing my eyes, I found Ivan and Irene dancing in the hallway, yelling that class was cancelled. Their bright smiles flashed my way before they bolted out the door, Eclipse clutched gently in their hands.
I shook my head with a tired chuckle and walked to the dining room, where Rafaella was setting plates for both of us.
"Go wash up. The kids said you haven't eaten breakfast yet," she said with a warm smile.
When I sat across from her, a dozen topics danced on the edge of my tongue.
When Alvin would return, why did she always eat breakfast alone, or even something as mundane as the latest news from the trading caravans?
But none of those words came out.
The only thing on my mind was the memory of her soft body pressed against mine and the warmth of her rosy lips on my cheek.
"What are you spacing out about Nero?"
"Nothing. I was just… thinking about visiting the trading caravan."
Not to let her know what was going through my mind, I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but my voice faltered halfway through.
My gaze slipped down before I could stop it.
She was wearing the same dress she had donned while going out for delivery, a cherry blossom long tunic with floral patterns paired with simple white pants.
The gentle curve of her chest, stretching itself fully into her cherry blossom tunic, made my mouth water.
And then she stood up.
My heart pounded.
Had she noticed?
She disappeared somewhere, and when she returned, a thick scarf now covered her chest.
My stomach sank.
She had noticed.
"What were you saying?" she asked with the same bright smile, sliding back into her chair. "Something about the trading caravans?"
I blinked.
No scolding or sharp words.
I had expected her to snap at me like the time I'd sniffed her ass on the staircase.
Instead, she is smiling.
Why?
A dangerous thought suddenly whispered at the back of my mind.
Is she enjoying this?
We'd hugged and kissed in the morning. Maybe this time she was warming up to me. Maybe I wasn't the only one feeling the attraction.
The rational part of me screamed that I was being stupid and everything Rafaella had shown so far was consistent with how she had given me familial affection in the past.
But my ego was riding high and was already over the moon.
Lissy, a married woman who I met yesterday, had agreed to be mine within an hour.
Maybe I'm that irresistible.
Finally, I decided to experiment with how she would react if I kept this up.
I tore a piece of bread and chewed slowly, my gaze wandering to her cherry bosom. I let the sweetness on my tongue melt into the image of her soft breasts in my mouth. Just the thought sent a warm thrill through me.
"Nero!"
Her voice hit me like a thunderclap.
I jolted upright, heart pounding.
She was glaring at me, eyes sharp as daggers.
"What were you doing?"
The weight of her gaze made my nerves buzz.
I swallowed hard or tried to. The bread unfortunately caught in my throat, and I choked, coughing uncontrollably. My eyes bulged as I gasped for breath.
"Oh my! Did you choke on your food? Here, drink water!"
She was by my side in an instant, handing me a glass with a look of genuine concern.
"Bend forward," she instructed softly, gently patting my back.
She did it while intentionally standing a modest distance from me. And somehow, seeing her like that hurt more than choking on my food.
Is it really that awful to touch me… even when I'm in pain?
It took me five minutes to catch my breath. When I did, I pushed my plate aside.
I couldn't eat anymore.
That was a stupid experiment. Her attitude toward me was finally changing for the better, and I just had to go and ruin it.
I headed for the stairs, eager to disappear into my room. But before I could take another step, Rafaella's voice rang behind me.
"Nero, can you stay for a moment? I need to talk to you."
Her voice was soft and gentle, but it scared the crap out of me.
With a sigh, I turned back and sank onto the couch, dreading the talk.
Rafaella joined me a few minutes later, finishing her breakfast.
"Why don't we take a walk?" she offered with a smile, showing pearly white teeth. "You haven't fully seen the estate, right? Don't worry, it won't take long. I have to leave soon, anyway."
Her bright smile was dazzling, but a pity welled up in me.
One second, she was scolding me. The next, she was smiling.
How was I supposed to hold back when she kept doing this?
How was I supposed to convince myself that these smiles were familial affection?
Sighing to myself, I nodded, hardening my expression. "Sure."
Rafaella gave me an almost complete tour of the estate.
From explaining the rare fruits and vegetables to medicinal herbs, poisonous flora, and even a mushroom grow room cultivated within the land.
Apart from a few patches reserved for something yet to be planted, every inch of the land nurtured life.
I could tell from the way her face lit up with faint pride tugging at the corners of her lips as she gave a detailed explanation that this was her handiwork, not Alvin's.
"This place is incredible," I complimented politely.
She smiled. "Why the long face?"
I shrugged.
We walked silently for a few more steps before she slowed as if choosing her next words carefully.
"Nero… do you remember who I am to you?"
Here it comes.
I looked at her properly for the first time in a while, after avoiding it till now.
Her expression was gentle, her lips curved in a soft smile that could melt even the coldest heart.
"It's just… sometimes I feel like my Nero forgets that."
I knew exactly what she was getting at, but I played dumb. I let my face twist in exaggerated confusion.
It must've been a bit much because she stifled a laugh, shaking her head.
"Nero," she said, more seriously this time. "I've mentioned this before. Sometimes the way you look at me… like at breakfast earlier…"
A faint blush crept up her cheeks. She looked embarrassed just bringing it up.
I kept my expression blank, pretending I had no clue what she was talking about.
She frowned slightly. "I'm serious," she said, her voice softer but firm. "You should only see me as someone older… I'm your elder sister. Nothing else."
She hesitated before continuing, "Sometimes… the way you look at me feels… wrong. Like how those bad men with ill intentions used to look at me." She laughed awkwardly as if trying to soften the blow.
Unlike the last time, I knew she was trying to handle this gently without making me feel bad.
"Nero… I'll let everything so far be bygones. I trust you. Just look at me and say it. Say you see me as your 'big sis' and nothing else."
Her face gazed expectantly at mine, waiting for the words to fix everything.
And I knew if I just said, 'Big sis, you're my family. That's all you've ever been,' this would all blow over.
But when I looked at her gorgeous face, all I wanted was to tell her how badly I wanted to spread her legs and pound deep into her.
The thought alone made me grin.
Without giving her any response, I walked forward with the same grin on my face.
Maybe she never expected that.
When I glanced back, she was frozen, staring at me like I'd knocked the wind out of her.
"Nero," she called sharply. "Stop right there."
I turned lazily, not meeting her eyes. I plucked a leaf from a nearby shrub, flicking it between my fingers as if waiting for the inevitable scolding.
She glared at me. Her eyebrows pulled together in disapproval. Her voice trembled. "This won't work. Your behavior is… too much."
I could tell she was trying hard not to let her anger get the better of her.
"I don't like seeing you like this. Please… try to behave decently around me. If you can't… then maybe you should go back to Agroville."
My heart sank, and I looked at her face in surprise.
As if experiencing great inner turmoil, she started twisting the hems of her scarf while her gaze flicked to the ground.
It must've hurt for her, of all people, to suggest even sending me away.
I guess I'd really put her in a tight spot.
For a moment, guilt bubbled up in my chest. I'd pushed her too far.
What should I do now? Should I pack my bag?
No, I should apologize.
I remembered she had somewhere to be today. She likely wouldn't even step out of the house if I left her in this state. By then, the whole thing with Lissy could fall apart. Besides, how can I enjoy Lissy with her presence nagging in the back of my mind? I needed her out of the house.
I sneaked a glance at her face again. Her expression had darkened, and her fingers tightened around the scarf.
My guilt bubbling in me helped me understand that I crossed the line.
Well, I should cool her down. The time for the meeting with Lissy is getting closer. I can't drag on this any longer.
I exhaled, softening my voice. "Does big sis really want me to leave?"
#####
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