Inside the Edelweiss Estate, the air remained thick with tension between Nox and Lian.
Rhea immediately stepped in, positioning herself as a shield in front of Lian.
"Sir Ron, Sir Nox, please head to the guest quarters in the west wing. Master Lian, allow me to escort you to your room."
The group split up. Ron and Nox were led to the drawing room, while Lian was taken to a private room on the second floor of the estate's right wing.
"Master Lian, what would you like to eat?" Rhea asked softly.
Lian remained silent, offering no response.
"Perhaps some porridge?" she suggested.
Lian pulled away from her, avoiding her gaze entirely. Without a word, he climbed onto the bed and curled into a ball.
"Forgive me. It seems you need rest, Master Lian. I shall take my leave." Rhea bowed and hurried toward the kitchen.
There, she found a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair busy at the counters.
"Lena, prepare some porridge," Rhea commanded.
Lena jumped slightly and turned around with a startled look.
"My apologies, Lady Rhea! I didn't realize you had returned. I should have greeted you."
"It's fine. Just prepare the porridge and some light meals. Also, fetch the medical kit," Rhea ordered.
"Right away!"
Lena moved with practiced speed, gathering the supplies.
"Lady Rhea, the porridge might take a little longer to simmer properly."
"I know. Just focus on that. I'll take the medicine and the other food to the guests first."
Rhea grabbed a tray of food in her right hand and the medical box in her left, hurrying back to the drawing room.
***
Inside the drawing room, Nox remained fuming.
Ron sighed. "Nox, let it go. Rhea said it's fine."
Nox offered no reply, his stubborn gaze fixed on the floor.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Ron called out.
Rhea entered, her hands full. Seeing her struggle, Ron immediately stood up.
"Here, let me help you with that."
"Thank you, Sir Ron." She handed him the tray, and they moved toward Nox.
"Sir Ron, would you mind removing your uniform jacket?"
Ron froze. Nox's head snapped up, his eyes darting between them.
"I—pardon?" Ron stammered, his face flushing.
"You have injuries to your arm and chest, do you not?" Rhea asked calmly.
Ron and Nox exchanged a quick, knowing look.
"Oh," Nox muttered, blinking.
"Ah, it's nothing serious," Ron insisted, though his posture remained stiff with awkwardness.
"Please, Sir Ron. Do not let these wounds go untreated," Rhea said, her voice softening into an earnest plea.
Relenting, Ron unbuttoned his uniform and rolled up his sleeves. Rhea applied ointment to the dark bruises on his arms before carefully unwrapping the old bandages on his left palm. Her touch was light and precise as she treated his fingers and reapplied fresh gauze.
Ron's face deepened to a vivid scarlet, his gaze fixed firmly on the wall to hide his embarrassment. Seeing his brother's rare loss of composure, the corner of Nox's mouth twitched into a smirk.
"Rhea… how did you know about the bruises?" Ron asked, trying to regain his dignity.
"Your hands were trembling when you carried the supplies earlier," she replied without looking up. "And I noticed the condition of your old bandages."
"Just from that?"
Rhea glanced at Nox, who immediately looked away.
"Your breathing has been labored for some time," she continued. "And the cut on Sir Nox's lip… Master Lian isn't the type to cause a wound like that."
"I see," Ron replied quietly.
"Sir Ron, I have a medicated patch for the bruising on your chest. Would you like me to assist you with it?"
Ron's face turned bright red, right down to the tips of his ears.
"Pfft!" Nox failed to stifle a laugh.
Ron stood abruptly. "Rhea, where is the washroom?"
"Just next door."
Ron bolted out of the room without another word.
Once he was gone, Rhea turned to Nox.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Sir Nox, allow me to treat the cuts on your lip and temple."
"No need. It's just a scratch," Nox said dismissively.
"But—"
"I'm a boxer, Rhea. I get scratches like this every day."
Rhea let out a small, stubborn chuckle. "Even so, they must be treated."
Nox sighed and leaned back. "Fine. Have it your way."
She worked quickly, dabbing ointment onto his face.
"There. All finished."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. If you'll excuse me." Rhea smiled and slipped out.
A moment later, Ron returned, glancing around the room.
"Where did Rhea go?"
"She left," Nox replied casually.
"Oh…" Ron nodded, his voice dropping.
Nox raised an eyebrow. "What? Disappointed?"
Ron looked away. "None of your business."
Nox grinned. "Definitely disappointed."
"You're annoying," Ron muttered.
"You've known that for years," Nox laughed.
***
Back in the kitchen, Rhea watched Lena stir the pot.
"Is the porridge almost ready?"
"Just a moment more, Lady Rhea," Lena chirped.
Rhea sat at the table and let out a long sigh.
"How on earth am I going to get them to get along?" she murmured.
"They just need to open up," Lena suggested.
Rhea jumped—Lena was suddenly right in front of her.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Lena giggled. "I didn't sneak up. You were just lost in thought."
Rhea closed her eyes for a moment.
"Open up, huh?"
Not a bad idea… but Sir Ron is stiff, Sir Nox is impulsive, and Master Lian is incredibly sensitive. Finding the right approach won't be easy.
She rubbed her temples. "Is it done?"
"Of course! Made with the most easily digestible ingredients," Lena sang.
"You really need to tone it down, Lena," Rhea groaned.
"My apologies! I'm just excited. It's been so long since we've had guests," Lena replied, her energy undiminished.
"Shall I take this to Master Lian for you?"
"No, I'll do it. You prepare the guest rooms for Sir Ron and Sir Nox."
"Understood!" Lena bowed and scurried off.
"Goodness… that girl is a whirlwind," Rhea murmured as she picked up the tray and headed back to Lian.
***
While Echo was filled with warmth and simmering emotions, the atmosphere in Ipsix was the polar opposite.
Hours had passed since Honest's punishment. A heavy, suffocating silence hung over the Peaceraft Manor. With the guards and servants dismissed, the manor felt like a tomb.
Inside Serenity's room, Honest sat motionless by her bedside, where he had remained since he had carried her there. He watched her sleep, his thoughts drifting back to the events at the Charon Manor.
"Without the authority of space, you are like a flawed law, Serenity Peaceraft," he whispered to the empty room. "Meaningless. A mere vessel."
He reached out, his fingers grazing her forehead.
"Sleep peacefully, beyond the reach of pain and suffering."
Rising, he walked to the threshold. Golden particles of light began to coalesce in the air.
"For eyes that see, yet remain blind," he intoned.
"Closing heart and ears to the falsehoods of this fleeting world."
The particles swirled, coating the walls and door in a shimmering veil.
"Execute."
The light snapped into place. Honest's gaze turned cold. He walked away, his stride steady.
Ashil, Vashil… you shall be the thorns I drive into Esculenta's side.
To be continued…