Snow is always cold. Just like people's hearts, it always feels chilly.
...
The heavy snow was still falling...
Before long, a sleek yellow car cut through the curtain of snow from a distance and soon stopped not far from the outskirts.
It was around six o'clock in the evening, right in front of the main gate of the Tohsaka residence.
"Didn't expect you, a young man, to actually know one of the big shots from the Tohsaka family..."
The old taxi driver stopped by the roadside, glanced toward the grand mansion ahead, and sighed slightly. Then, driven by curiosity, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you a distant relative?"
"No, just happened to have met the head of the Tohsaka family a few times."
Lucien shook his head while rummaging through his wallet to answer the driver's question.
"That's impressive enough, though. After all, being able to meet such a big figure..."
"In that case, uh... young man, should I drive through the side gate and drop you inside the mansion?"
"No need. The New Year just passed. Since I'm visiting, it's more sincere to knock on the door myself."
Lucien declined the driver's offer, handed him a large bill, and didn't take the change. It was New Year's, after all, and offering a small gratuity could be seen as good luck. With a casual wave, he stepped out of the car and snapped his fingers.
Snap.
A crisp sound.
Then he said quietly, "Leave this place. Delete the dashcam footage, and forget about bringing me here."
"Alright…"
Bang.
The car door shut. The driver, dazed for a brief moment, nodded blankly, then pressed the accelerator and sped off from the outskirts.
…
About five minutes later, at the Tohsaka mansion gate.
Knock, knock, knock
Lucien walked up the stone steps, grasped the metal knocker, and struck the iron gate heavily. The sharp clang echoed through the cold air, startling the sparrows resting in the branches nearby into flight.
"…."
No response. Feeling the chill against his palm, Lucien frowned at the frozen metal door. The situation was a little awkward.
For an ordinary household, entering without invitation might be considered rude—or, at worst, mistaken for burglary. But this was the Tohsaka family. That changed everything.
To magi, a home was more than a residence—it was a workshop, a fortress, a sacred domain. To invade one's workshop uninvited was equivalent to declaring war.
Thus, however helpless he felt, Lucien could only stand in the snow and knock properly.
Knock, knock, knock!
Still no answer. He sighed and lifted the knocker again.
"Excuse me! Is the Tohsaka head at home? I'm Lucien Crowley, head of the Crowley family and a magus from the Clock Tower, here to pay my respects!"
He raised his voice, hoping someone inside would hear.
His eyes twitched slightly. The quirks of these traditionalists were as frustrating as ever.
Just like the stubborn old magi back at the Clock Tower, Tohsaka Tokiomi was a textbook example of an archaic magus. Living in the modern age, yet refusing to enjoy any convenience of it.
He could afford a mansion in Fuyuki City, but couldn't bother to install a doorbell. What century did he think this was? And no phone, either; any correspondence had to be sent by letter through familiars. Incredibly inefficient.
Did Tokiomi truly consider this vintage aesthetic "dignified"? Or had the Industrial Revolution just skipped over the Tohsaka line entirely?
If he loved retro so much, he might as well ditch electric lights and toilets...go full medieval noble while he's at it.
Of course, these thoughts stayed in Lucien's head. Criticising the host's eccentric lifestyle out loud would be foolish, especially when he stood at their doorstep. Even a dragon had to bow when it visited another's domain. And besides, he had more delicate goals tonight- namely, getting close to the Tohsaka family's younger daughter.
Suppressing his irritation, Lucien waited patiently in the falling snow. After nearly seven minutes, at last-
Creak!
The iron gate slowly opened. Lucien's wandering thoughts snapped back to focus as a calm, clear voice greeted him.
"Welcome, Lord Crowley."
A well-mannered baritone. As the gate fully swung open, a man stepped out- elegant, middle-aged, with neatly combed hair and a short red goatee. His crimson suit and refined posture proclaimed his identity unmistakably: Tohsaka Tokiomi himself.
Behind him stood a graceful woman in a dark green dress, her long black hair flowing softly over her shoulders. Her gentle eyes and dignified air belonged to none other than Tohsaka Aoi, lady of the house.
Both had come to greet the guest personally.
The only reason for the delay? Tokiomi had spent several minutes choosing the perfect suit, insisting on not blemishing the family's prestige before a Clock Tower noble. Aoi, although thinking it rude to keep a visitor waiting in the snow, could only follow silently.
Lucien dipped his head courteously. "Happy New Year, Lord Tohsaka, Lady Tohsaka."
"Happy New Year to you as well, Lord Crowley," Tokiomi replied with a polished smile. His manner was impeccable, matching the formal tone of an aristocrat's reception.
After a few polite exchanges, Tokiomi gestured inward with an inviting motion. "Please, come inside."
"Thank you," Lucien replied calmly.
He followed his host through the spacious courtyard. The gardens were lavish - cobblestone paths, manicured shrubs, stone lanterns with embedded rubies, all meticulously arranged to display wealth and heritage.
To ordinary eyes, it would have been breathtaking. But to Lucien, who had lived among true magus nobility, it was modest by comparison.
Still, beneath the aesthetic lay impressive functionality. The gemstone lamps doubled as magic nodes, interwoven with defensive barriers. Familiars lurked unseen, magical arrays covered every blind spot. The Tohsaka estate was securely fortified, a true magus workshop.
Lucien was quietly thankful he had not tried to sneak in earlier. These wards would have been a nightmare.
Without probing further, he followed Tokiomi through a hidden side path toward the main hall. Tokiomi, noting his guest's discretion, felt quietly pleased. Such composure, truly the mark of a noble lineage.
At the entrance, Tokiomi opened the heavy wooden doors himself. "Please, come in, Lord Crowley."
Before Lucien could respond, quick footsteps echoed from within.
"Papa!"
A young, bright voice rang out, full of energy. Tokiomi froze instantly, his composed expression faltering.
Lucien turned toward the sound. Bounding down the stairs came a small girl with twin black ponytails, her red hair ribbon bouncing as she ran. Her cheeks were flushed with youth and warmth - Tohsaka Rin.
Like a spirited sprite in the snow, she dashed up to her father, tugging at his sleeve affectionately. Then, noticing the stranger nearby, she tilted her head curiously.
"Who are you?"
"Rin!" Tokiomi's brow darkened at once. "How many times have I told you not to be impatient? And never address guests so rudely. Have you forgotten your manners as a Tohsaka?"
"I-I'm sorry!" she stammered, shrinking under his stern voice, her cheer wilting like a frostbitten flower.
From behind, Aoi hesitated as if wanting to intercede, but remained silent in front of company.
"My apologies," Tokiomi said with a stiff smile. "My daughter can be a bit unruly."
Lucien waved his hand lightly. "Not at all, Lord Tohsaka. It's a happy thing... a child eager to greet her father during New Year's. I'm the one intruding."
He crouched down and smiled gently at Rin. "Hello, little Miss Tohsaka Rin. Don't be afraid. My name is Lucien Crowley. If that's too hard, you can just call me Lucien. Pleased to meet you."
"Lucien Crowley… are you a foreigner?" Rin murmured curiously.
"Rin, introduce yourself properly," Tokiomi prompted.
She blinked, then straightened her posture and bowed politely, just as her father had taught her. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tohsaka Rin. Please take care of me."
"Good girl," Lucien said softly, patting her head.
Tokiomi's frown eased. But before Lucien could rise, another soft voice called out.
A young girl in a lilac dress stepped timidly into the room, guided by Aoi. Unlike Rin, her movements were shy and quiet. Her round face and gentle demeanor resembled her mother's.
"Happy New Year, big brother," she said in a tiny voice. "My name is Tohsaka Sakura. Nice to meet you."
Tokiomi nodded approvingly. "Very good, Sakura. Rin, you should learn from your sister's composure. A Tohsaka must always remain elegant."
"…Yes, Father," Rin muttered, puffing her cheeks.
Lucien couldn't help but smile faintly. Sakura... so she was still here. His timing was perfect.
"Now, now, Lord Tohsaka," Lucien said, rising. "It's the new year, no need to scold the children. A bit of energy is only natural."
Then, reaching into his coat, he produced two small gifts. "Here, Sakura. Rin. A little something for our first meeting. and a New Year's present as well."
Two gemstones glimmered in his palms - one ruby, one amethyst.
"So pretty!" Rin exclaimed, taking the ruby eagerly.
Sakura looked at her father hesitantly.
Tokiomi studied Lucien briefly, then smiled. "Go on, take it. It's a token of goodwill from Lord Crowley."
"Thank you, big brother!" Rin beamed, holding the red gem high.
"Thank you… big brother," Sakura added softly.
In response, Tohsaka Sakura remained calm. She was not as excited as her sister and simply gave a polite bow of thanks.
"Alright, you two go play now," Lucien said softly. "Big brother is here to speak with your father today."
After that short exchange, Lucien had more or less figured out the temperaments of the two sisters. Gently patting their heads, he watched as they trotted off to their room. Then, led by Tohsaka Aoi, he stepped into the Tohsaka family's reception room.
As the head of the household, Tohsaka Tokiomi had already prepared everything. To uphold proper manners, he even brewed the tea himself. When he saw Lucien enter with his wife, Tokiomi smiled politely and motioned for Aoi to leave, the discussion that followed would be between magi alone.
Aoi quietly nodded and respectfully excused herself, closing the door behind her.
Click
The sound of the wooden door shutting subtly shifted the air within the room.
If the conversation outside had been between equals in polite society, what began here would be between magi only. That was why Tokiomi had sent his wife away... no ordinary person could sit in on such a talk.
Lucien, too, understood that distinction.
Outside was the mundane world. Inside was the world of mystery.
He hadn't come here on impulse; this visit had a clear purpose. The time for pleasantries was over; it was time to discuss how to "adopt" the man's daughter.
Both men lifted their teacups, smiling with courteous pretence.
"Please."
"Please."
(Chapter End)