Wilson woke up to the unique sound of the wind passing over the mighty woods around their home. A little absentminded, he walked to the window and looked at the busy servants who were doing their tasks for the day. He could slightly hear a few of them laughing and talking as they worked.
He then suddenly turned around as he heard his door open. Sensing no malice, he relaxed his muscles, resisting the instinct to lash out. Furthermore, from the sound of the footsteps, it was his siblings, who had obviously woken up early to ambush him.
Fully aware of his siblings' antics, he allowed them to lunge at him, tensing his body just enough so they wouldn't crash to the floor. As soon as they clung to him, he could hear another set of footsteps stopping by the entrance of his room.
"Eldest young lord," a servant said as he turned, his siblings laughing at his struggle to move. "I apologize for allowing our charges to disturb you. Can we enter your room and get them prepared for the day?"
"Please," Wilson said with a weary smile. "I also need to prepare for the day."
"No!" Regina said as she clung harder to Wilson's arm.
"We'll spend the day with a picnic in exchange. How does that sound?" Wilson said as he used his chin to poke the little girl's head. His arms were too occupied with the rest of his siblings tightening their hold on him. "I'm staying here for good. We'll have a lot of time to spend together."
Regina was not convinced. She looked at her twin, who looked back at her with uncertainty. The twins then turned to their much older siblings, who were obviously more stubborn and unwilling to let go of their brother.
"Not enough?" Wilson knew how clingy they were with him. At some point before he was sent to the academy—as per the king's mandate for all prospective heirs at the age of 12—he had been spending time with them almost every day, going as far as sitting through lessons he already knew because they were unwilling to have him out of their sights.
"How about a trip to the town?" Wilson added another bribe. "There is an upcoming harvest festival in a few days, after all the harvest is done. We'll all go together by then, in addition to the picnic today."
This made the children a little thoughtful, but ultimately they still stubbornly kept their hold on him.
"As I thought, my uncontrollable children have run over here." Wilson heard his mother as she came into view. The servants parted the way as the matriarch came to fetch the children.
The children automatically removed their hold on their brother, but they switched to tugging at the hem of his shirt. With a fond smile, Wilson could only chuckle at the disapproval painted on their mother's face.
"Good morning, mother," Wilson said to his mother. "My siblings seem to be unassured of my presence here. They'll probably adjust in a few days."
"Don't indulge them too much," his mother said. "You are now the legal heir of your father. Your time is now precious. You can't keep playing with your younger siblings as if you were still a child."
The children looked at him at their mother's words with worry. The twins looked brokenhearted, like they had done something bad. Henry and Morgana looked pale as they realized and understood the implications more, being older.
Wilson messed their hair as he said, "That's a given, mother. But I can always find time, just as father juggles his time to spend with us. Besides, the ceremony to recognize my new status will be announced at least after the harvest festival. Father allowed me to spend my time freely until then."
"Still so soft." The countess could only sigh at how indulgent her eldest son was. "There is nothing I can do about it, as you're now an adult with control of your own life. However, I'm taking these rascals to prepare for the day. It's unbecoming for them to act like this. You wash up and join us at breakfast."
At her words, the servants that were in the entrance filed in and murmured a few apologies as they took away their masters. The children cried as Wilson could only smile at their crying forms. Not that he was enjoying their suffering, but seeing them energetic assured him that they were in good health.
"I'll join you at breakfast, mother," Wilson addressed his mother, who nodded at his words. "By the way, mother, is father in the manor right now?"
The countess thought for a moment, then said, "He should be joining us at breakfast. His sword was still in the master's bedroom, so his itinerary will be more of the paperwork today than the usual rounds."
"Noted. Thank you, Mother," Wilson said as his mother turned to leave.
Once the countess and her servants left, John informed him that his bath was already prepared. His servant also informed him that a pigeon messenger had arrived from Alexus. Hearing about it, he instructed John to put the message in the study.
After a quick bath, Wilson felt refreshed to start his day. He made a beeline to the study to take a look at the message. Seeing the small piece of paper, he then read on.
Wilson chuckled at the words of care from Alexus, asking for his safe return and if he was alright. The man had become more of a worrier ever since he allowed the man to court him. The simple words made him feel warm and cared for.
"I'm all right," Wilson found himself murmuring. "Compared to me, it is you whom I should be asking these questions."
With resigned fondness, Wilson decided to put this message in one of his drawers for now. He'll send a pigeon later this evening. There was plenty he had to organize and check on. He might need to ask for Alexus's help and also send a few warnings to him after confirming a few things.