Knock, knock.
At the sound of the knock, Cedric bristled—he had told Sebas that no one was to disturb him. He managed to hide his irritation, though only for a moment, before reminding himself that if anyone dared interrupt him, it must be important.
"Come in," he said, his tone calm.
The large, beautiful wooden doors creaked open slowly. A small figure appeared in the doorway: black hair, black eyes, and a sweet, childlike face. It was Aiden. The first thing Cedric noticed was the two guests seated at his desk alongside his father.
One of them was clearly older than Cedric, with long, silver hair neatly combed to one side. His face was creased with wrinkles, his nose firm, and his deep gray eyes regarded the boy with mild annoyance. The other was a young woman of average beauty, her brown hair loose around her shoulders, her brown eyes set close to a delicate nose. Her expression might have seemed innocent—if it weren't for the permanent frown etched across her features.
Cedric rose from his chair, smiled, and approached Aiden.
"Is there something important you wanted to tell me?"
The boy shook his head sweetly, like any innocent child would.
"I'm going to the city with Vivienne tomorrow. Will you come with us?"
Cedric turned to his guests.
"Let's take a short break. Step outside for some fresh air. Sebas will see to you—just ask him if you need anything."
Though a smile lingered on his lips, one could tell he wouldn't tolerate any objections. Whatever urgent matters awaited, they could wait.
His guests rose and left the room. Cedric sat back down with Aiden at the desk—Cedric in his own high-backed chair, Aiden in the small child's chair set just for him.
"Tell me again how you ended up going to the city," Cedric asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.
Aiden's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Well, yesterday Vivienne was at my room and read me stories about the Tree of Truth."
"The Tree of Truth?" Cedric echoed, eyebrows rising.
Aiden brightened even more.
"Yes! It's a tale about a boy with a pure heart searching for truth… He crossed mountains, forests, rivers…" He paused occasionally to recall details and find the right words.
Cedric waited patiently, not interrupting.
"He traveled and traveled, and he met monsters… Umm, Vivienne said those were trials, but I don't really understand," Aiden said, shifting in his chair. "There was a monster that looked like a wolf but was huge—twice as big as the boy! It had a tail of flames, and instead of paws it had bird-like legs… and it spoke!"
Aiden described the scene with unbridled excitement, until he suddenly stopped.
"But Vivienne said the story is long and she'd read me the rest later."
He returned to his main point.
"She also said she plans to go to the city in two days and asked if I wanted to come. That was just last night, so we leave tomorrow! Of course I want to go, so I told her I'd come."
At that moment, the doors opened again and Walter entered, pushing a trolley with two pitchers of juice and glasses. Also on the trolley were Maki fruits—like smaller mangoes with edible skins.
Walter rolled up and bowed slightly before Cedric, offering a tray of fruit and a small knife.
"Young master, which juice would you like today? I brought your favorites: apple, and forest fruit juice with berries, cranberries, and raspberries."
Aiden swung his legs and thought for a moment.
"Forest juice, please!"
Walter poured the chilled juice into a glass. Thanks to a special warmer beneath it, the glass felt pleasantly warm to the touch without affecting the cool drink inside. Aiden drank the entire glass in two gulps and handed it back to Walter for a refill.
"So—you'll come with us?" Cedric asked again, slicing the Maki fruit into quarters and offering a few pieces to his son. He himself ate one piece whole, savoring the sweet taste—a privilege afforded only to the upper echelons of society.
He chewed carefully and swallowed, setting an example by not speaking with his mouth full.
"What time are you planning to leave? And who's going with you?"
Aiden stiffened, surprised by the question, and his expression fell.
"I don't know… I didn't ask," he admitted, staring at his swinging feet.
Walter gave another slight bow.
"If I may, sir—Miss Vivienne intends to depart tomorrow at noon, accompanied by Master Lucian and Mr. Tobias."
Tobias was Cedric's second-youngest brother and around Vivienne's age. Although they got along well, they'd never crossed any boundaries—it would have been scandalous.
Cedric managed a small smile and turned back to Aiden.
"I won't be able to make it tomorrow afternoon. I'm traveling to Adrian's parents."
Upon hearing this, Aiden didn't sulk—he simply accepted it. He understood the importance of his father's meetings.
"All right, I'll go with them by myself," he said, taking another piece of Maki.
"You won't be alone. Lucian will be there too—he's good company, isn't he?"
Aiden chewed the fruit to avoid talking with his mouth full.
"Yes, yes. But he still treats me like a child!"
Cedric laughed and ruffled his son's black hair.
"He's seven years older than you—that's normal. I treated my brothers the same way, even Dorian, who's only a year younger than me."
Growing serious, Cedric leaned closer.
"Listen, when it comes to siblings, they'll always tease you over the smallest thing. But remember this—no matter what happens, no matter how much you fight or argue, he's your brother. He'll always have your back, even if the rocks start talking."
He pressed a finger to his lips in a secret gesture and winked mischievously.
"Don't tell anyone that—it's not a polite saying."
Aiden covered his mouth with his hand and giggled.
"All right, I won't say it!"
Cedric smiled warmly.
"I'll come say goodbye before you leave. And when I get back, I'll tell you everything we saw in the city." He popped another slice of Maki into his mouth and sipped his juice.
He escorted Aiden to the door and instructed the servants to see him to his room. Then he called to Walter:
"Fetch our guests and bring tea and biscuits, please."