Lucien excitedly climbed the stairs, each step creaking softly under his weight.
He could almost see their younger selves racing up ahead of him; three tiny brats with scraped knees, pretending they were secret agents with a private headquarters.
Their own little world, safe and untouched, where no adult rules could reach them.
And now it was real.
Though, he understood why his father never agreed to build them one. The only tree strong enough was the ancient wisteria, the massive one that had stood for thousands of years.
Too old and sacred to risk damaging just for a childish fantasy. Cesare had been strict, but Lucien knew his father loved that tree too much to let anyone hammer into it. In hindsight, he was glad.
He tapped the stair with his foot. "Hmm. This thing is strong enough, huh? I thought it'd give up the moment I stepped on it."
