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Scene 5: Good News or Bad News First?
The air was heavy with tension as Zhuan, wearing a serious expression, finally spoke.
"Would you prefer to hear the good news or the bad news first?"
Everyone nearly fell off their seats. After all the build-up, they'd expected something dramatic, only to be met with such a light-hearted question. The weight that had settled over us a moment ago began to lift, much like the morning mist dispersing as the sun climbed higher.
But Zhuan waited silently for an answer. No one wanted to be the one to decide for the group. As eyes shifted from one face to another, Yue raised her hand.
"I'd like to hear the bad news first."
Zhuan raised an eyebrow.
"Why the bad news first? It might be harsh… even depressing."
"Well, we're going to hear both anyway, right?" Yue replied earnestly.
"So I'm curious what we'll feel after it's all over."
Osiris tilted her head.
"Curious about how you'll feel afterward?"
"Yes," Yue nodded.
"After hearing something, it leaves a mood with us for a while, doesn't it? I want that mood to be something nice."
Noren smiled.
"That sounds like a clear sky after a storm."
Seraphina added cheerfully,
"And maybe a beautiful rainbow, too!"
At the mention of rainbows, the girls' eyes sparkled, and even the guys seemed to relax. Zhuan cleared his throat, returning to a more serious tone.
"Alright, then. Let's start with the bad news."
He began gravely.
"The first issue, as many of you already know… is the pirates."
The moment the word was spoken, everyone exchanged glances—they knew. They had been through it firsthand.
"Lately, pirate activity has been rising rapidly. Poverty and growing corruption are the root causes. It's been a major headache for us."
Zhuan massaged his temples in frustration. Elina's brows furrowed.
"What? Isn't Lucia handling security?"
Luvian answered quickly.
"Miss Lucia has been doing her best. But she mentioned that Guardian has too few people. As an organization, they must serve everyone fairly, not focus solely on one group."
"That's why I've been running around kicking pirate butt!" Felix growled.
"I told you we should've baited and taken them out already. Lady Noren's far too soft."
Seraphina stood up to defend her sister.
"That's too cruel! Pirates have families too."
Felix's tone remained sharp.
"Don't be so naïve, Lady Fina. We have employees and their families to care for too. Or would you rather keep feeding ungrateful monsters with your own flesh? If your father or brother were still here, this wouldn't have happened."
Noren's voice was filled with guilt.
"Don't blame Fina, Felix. This is my fault. I haven't led well enough, and because of that, the people we care about are now in danger. I'll take greater responsibility."
Felix crossed his arms.
"Responsibility is good—but that's reactive. You need to fix the root cause before this spirals out of control."
Zhuan stepped in to deescalate.
"Calm down, Felix. I know how much you respected their father and brother. But they're gone now, and Lady Noren is still young. Let's handle this internally. We'll meet and work out solutions soon."
Felix sighed and leaned back.
"Fine. But only out of respect for Lord Gryphonnix and Lady Kalisa."
Having been named, Gryphonnix spoke.
"It's true both sides have families. But I want you all to consider: what is it that separates them?"
His words caused a quiet to fall over the group. Some looked ready to speak, but held back. Kalisa, ever the peacemaker, summarized gently.
"The clearest difference is their actions and intentions. Pirates are committing crimes—that's certain. And regardless of intent, wrong is still wrong. We must uphold the law and its consequences. Otherwise, why have laws at all?"
Akira offered a different perspective.
"But Auntie, even a good law becomes meaningless if it's poorly enforced. If people break it often enough, it stops being sacred—it becomes just a page in a book, ignored by everyone except the corrupt who look for loopholes."
Gryphonnix slapped his knee with a loud smack.
"Ha! Akira, I wish you were king instead of Alteon!"
Kalisa shot him a sharp look.
"Excuse me, Lord Father-in-law? Alteon, the king you speak of, is your son, my husband, and Keela's father."
Grandpa Gryp chuckled.
"Ah, sorry! It's just that Akira reminds me of Pandrelon."
Everyone glanced around, puzzled. Keela explained.
"That's my uncle—my grandpa's son who disappeared when an ancient ruin fell from the sky."
Gryphonnix's tone softened.
"Yes… Akira, many of your ideas remind me of my boy. He was becoming a truly great king. But then… he vanished. Alteon has done well holding Skyperion together, but if it had been Pandrelon… things might've turned out differently."
Kalisa looked slightly miffed.
"But Alteon's done his best, too. Everyone has different strengths. Maybe there are things Alteon can do that Pandrelon never could."
Gryphonnix raised a hand gently.
"Peace, Kalisa. That's why I said 'a different path'—not 'a better one.' No one excels in everything. They would've each guided the nation in their own way."
Seraphina hugged Noren warmly.
"Just like how Sister Noren is doing things her way."
Noren smiled and hugged her back.
"And even when I give it my all, there are still so many external factors to deal with."
Keela turned to her.
"External factors? What kind?"
Noren gave her a small, knowing smile.
"That's exactly what Zhuan's going to talk about next… and it's something that concerns you directly, my dear friend."
All eyes turned to Zhuan again, who returned to his serious mode.
"Alright. Now for the second piece of bad news."
The weight returned instantly—like a shadow creeping back into the room.
A warning…
That this next truth would come not from within—but from the outside world.
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Scene 6: Noren's Resolve
This time, Zhuan allowed the tension in the air to settle, letting the heaviness draw everyone into a quiet spiral of unease. Then he began.
"As many of you already know, Skyperion is about to enter another period of political struggle for power. It's something we've anticipated for a while now. That's why we've been making preparations on multiple fronts."
Keela's voice wavered slightly in surprise.
"You're preparing to fight them?"
Zhuan smiled faintly.
"No, not at all. We're preparing to support the victims—those caught in the crossfire of this coming conflict. That includes gathering supplies, establishing shelters, and forming small defensive units for protection."
Akira's tone turned uneasy.
"Wouldn't that look… suspicious? People might think you're gearing up for a rebellion."
Luvian nodded.
"Exactly. That's already how some see us. It's risky, especially with rumors floating around. Even though Lord Kalan dislikes underhanded tactics, and Evan prefers direct confrontation, we don't know what the people around them are capable of."
Kalisa frowned slightly.
"Sounds like a tense situation… Are you holding up okay, dear Noren?"
Noren smiled, though she couldn't quite hide her underlying concern.
"I'll be alright, Auntie. I still have all these wonderful older siblings looking out for me."
Grandpa Gryp chimed in enthusiastically.
"Anything you need, just say the word. We've watched you grow up since you were a baby—we'll always be ready to help."
Noren responded with a respectful bow.
"Thank you so much, Grandpa. But I must humbly decline. If you supported me too openly, it might escalate the political chaos here in Skyperion."
Gryphonnix raised a brow.
"I see… But tell me this, Noren—if Keela were to join the battle for the throne, what would you do? Would you still focus only on helping refugees?"
Noren turned to look at Keela, then answered with unwavering resolve.
"If Keela truly joins the fight, then I'll stand by her side without hesitation."
Felix arched a brow.
"You sure about that, milady? That's throwing yourself into the flames of war. Helping victims is one thing, but this… you could easily be seen as the enemy by the other side."
Noren remained firm.
"I know the risks. But if someone I love like family is in danger, I have to help them—and I'll see it through to the end."
Felix smirked.
"Heh. You've made up your mind. That's more like it. Count me in, then. Wherever you need me, just say the word."
Keela quickly interjected.
"Not so fast, Mr. Felix! Grandpa was just speaking hypothetically. Besides, Skyperion's throne is usually contested by men, right?"
Felix sighed in disappointment.
"Tch. What a shame."
Noren gave everyone an awkward smile as if to say, "I'm sorry, he's just like this. Heh…"
Yue looked around. Seeing no one else about to speak, she raised her hand.
"Um, Mr. Zhuan… is that all the bad news?"
Zhuan gave a gentle smile.
"Well… if we're only counting the big ones, then yes. That's all."
Yue threw her arms up in joy.
"Yay! Time for the good news! I'm so excited!"
Her eyes sparkled with hope, and her wagging tail drew smiles from everyone who noticed.
Seraphina raised her hand just a little.
"Mr. Zhuan, if it's alright… may I share the good news instead?"
Zhuan nodded with no hesitation.
"Of course, Lady Fina. I daresay you're far more suited to good news than I am."
Seraphina smiled brightly.
"Everyone, the good news is…"
A few people instinctively echoed,
"…is?"
Seraphina grinned.
"It's time to eat!"
"Oh, come on…" Everyone nearly fell off their seats again.
Was this a Noren household tradition—plot-twist punchlines?
Noren chuckled softly.
"You'll get used to it, everyone. For now, how about we prepare some food?"
And so, the mood shifted into a new rhythm—one of cooking and shared laughter. With so many people gathered, it was only natural to help one another in the kitchen.
Still, somewhere in the back of each person's mind… lingered the unspoken question:
What is the real good news that Seraphina wants to share?
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