The illusion hovering in the room held both Ron and Rhax spellbound, their eyes fixed on the young maiden standing beside Master Haze.
Oelivert squeezed his eyes shut, panting heavily as beads of sweat glistened across his forehead. The image flickered and dissolved into thin air. "Haah... Haah..."
It seems I could only sustain a brief glimpse. Had it been Miss Serenity, she could have...
"Hey, are you alright?" Rhax asked, his brow furrowed.
Oelivert offered a faint smile, wiping his brow. "Yes, Young Master."
Rhax let out a quiet sigh.
"Was that young lady beside Master Haze really Madam Asna?" Ron sought clarification.
"Indeed, Young Master Ron."
Ron stroked his chin. So that girl is my great-grandmother...
"How is that even possible? Isn't Haz—Master Haze ashamed to be holding hands with a girl who looks so young at his age?" Rhax muttered.
Oelivert chuckled. "Master Haze's countenance is indeed somewhat more mature than a typical youth's—"
"Just say he looks old," Rhax cut in.
"Setting Master Haze aside, doesn't Madam Asna look remarkably young?" Ron pointed out.
"An astute observation, Young Master Ron. Standing next to Madam Asna, Master Haze may appear middle-aged, but Madam Asna carries the blood of the Charon lineage, renowned for their eternal youth."
Ron clenched his fist. No wonder Master Charon doesn't look like an old man at all.
"So that Nyx—Master Charon—is practically an ancient geezer," Rhax blurted out.
"Young Master Rhax, please refrain from such disrespectful words."
"Why not? It's just the truth, isn't it?" Rhax countered.
Oelivert lightly held his upper right arm. "Well—"
"Mind your tongue, Rhax Brown," Ron warned. "If Master Charon hears you, he will make you bend the knee in an instant."
"Oh? Speaking from experience?" Rhax taunted.
"Suit yourself. At least I warned you," Ron replied.
Rhax scoffed, turning away.
Young master, please don't start again, begged Oelivert.
Ron sighed. "Then why is Grandmother Aishira at Syntax?"
Oelivert smiled. "I apologize, but it would be best if Young Master Ron asked Master Haze."
"I see…" Ron muttered.
Why is my—Master Haze's family never open about anything? Rhax thought.
Oelivert clapped his hands together. "Young Masters, it would be best for you both to rest. I shall retrieve a change of clothes for you."
Ron gave a nod, while Rhax merely flicked his right hand.
Oelivert bowed and left the room, leaving the two brothers in sudden silence.
Ron walked over toward the bed where he had previously collapsed.
"Hey, wait," Rhax called out.
"What is it?"
"Do you know whose room this is?"
"Isn't it obvious from the illusion we just saw?"
"Yeah, but... why would a married couple sleep in separate beds?"
Ron massaged his temples. "Don't judge things purely by surface appearances, Champ."
"Are you starting this again?"
The elder brother turned back. "Think for a moment. Who is Grandmother Aishira to them?"
"If I recall... she's their daughter—ah." Rhax paused. "I see."
"Finally clicked, Champ?"
"Yeah, yeah. Perks of being top of the class, I guess," Rhax grumbled, rolling his eyes.
Ron sat down on the edge of his bed, falling silent.
Rhax crossed his arms. I didn't even apologize to Oelivert... He stared at Ron for a long moment. And now I'm dragged into this mess alongside Ron... How infuriating...
Moving over to the opposite bed, the world champion collapsed onto the mattress. Father... I wonder how he is faring...
Ron glanced briefly at his younger brother before lowering his head. How is Nox doing right now? If Nox finds out Rhax is my brother... His hands trembled. Will Nox ever accept this? What should I do...?
A soft knock at the door broke the heavy silence.
"Come in," Ron called out.
Oelivert stepped inside, carrying two sets of nightwear in his arms. "Young Masters, I have prepared your sleepwear. You may change whenever you are ready."
Ron immediately approached the opal-eyed servant. "Thank you. Where is the washroom?"
"There is a door right beside you; that leads directly to the washroom."
Ron nodded, taking a set of garments, and made his way inside. Looking around for a faucet or spigot, he paused. "Only a black and white gemstone... Are these faucets?" he muttered under his breath.
Rhax, who had been watching from his bed, sat up. "Oelivert..."
"Yes, Young Master Rhax?"
Ron cracked the washroom door open slightly, his eyes drifting toward his brother and the attendant. Something definitely transpired between them... he realized, quietly observing from a distance.
Rhax kept his gaze locked on the floorboards. "Your injury..."
Oelivert approached him with gentle steps. "As I mentioned before, it is truly nothing to worry about."
"Sorry," Rhax mumbled.
Oelivert smiled. "I understand, Young Master. Please do not carry this weight any longer; all is forgiven."
Rhax remained silent.
"Oelivert, could you give me a hand here?" Ron called out from the washroom.
"Right away, Young Master Ron. Excuse me for a moment, Young Master Rhax," Oelivert said softly, laying the remaining nightwear beside Rhax on the bed.
"Hurry up, then."
Oelivert let out a soft chuckle before stepping into the washroom.
Is he only treating me kindly because I'm a Young Master? Rhax wondered, watching the attendant's retreating back.
The opal-eyed man knocked on the open door. "Young Master?"
"Come in."
Oelivert opened the door fully. "How may I assist you?"
"What are these black and white gems for?"
"The black gem activates the shower overhead."
Ron looked up. Like a smoke detector mechanism?
"Furthermore, Young Master, the water temperature will automatically adapt to your body heat the moment your hand touches the stone."
"Hmm... quite like a sensor..." Ron murmured.
"Indeed. The soothing flow is designed to relieve fatigue and refresh your spirit."
"And what about the white gem?" Ron inquired.
"It transforms this chamber into a sauna."
"A sauna?"
"Is something amiss, Young Master Ron?"
"No, it's just..." Ron scanned the pristine interior. "The walls and ceiling are remarkably seamless. It hardly looks like a washroom at all."
"It was crafted with a minimalist aesthetic in mind. Would you like to bathe now?"
Ron nodded.
Oelivert pointed to a small container near the entrance. "You will find soap made from pure olive oil inside."
Ron's eyes widened. "Pure olive soap?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Ron shook his head. Back in Syntax, pure olive soap costs a small fortune—equivalent to my entire monthly expenses.
"Is there anything else?"
Ron clenched his hands. "Oelivert... I apologize if Rhax has mistreated you."
Oelivert's eyes widened. "Ah, Young Master Rhax—"
"No need to shield him. I saw how he was stealing glances at you."
Oelivert paused briefly before bowing his head. "Young Master Ron, it was no great matter, and it has already been resolved."
"I see... Thank you."
"Anything else, sir?"
"No."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Oelivert stepped outside, and Ron secured the door behind him.
Meanwhile, the blue-eyed young man sitting on the bed waved Oelivert over as soon as he stepped out. The attendant walked back over.
"Do you require something, Young Master Rhax?"
"What took you so long in there?" Rhax asked.
"I was simply explaining the features of the washroom."
"Could you explain them to me as well?"
"Certainly." Oelivert patiently recounted the exact instructions he had given to Ron.
"I see..." Rhax muttered.
"I am glad to be of service."
"Hmm... you may go now."
"Have a peaceful rest." Oelivert bowed and departed the room.
A sauna in a washroom? I suppose there's no harm in trying it out, Rhax thought.
A short while later, Ron stepped out of the washroom. As he walked toward his bed, a subtle scent of pure olive oil wafted toward Rhax.
"Took you long enough," Rhax grumbled.
Ron sighed. "Stop nagging and go take your bath."
Rhax clicked his tongue, pushing himself off the bed and heading into the washroom.
The elder brother stared at the closed door. Does he even know how to operate those mechanisms? Ron took a step forward, but paused right in front of the door before shaking his head and turning back. He'll probably just yell if he gets confused anyway.
Sitting back down on the bed, the blonde youth whispered quietly to himself, "I wonder if Nox has regained consciousness yet..." He rubbed his face. Tomorrow, I will request an audience with Master Haze to see Nox.
Ron laid down on the mattress, closing his eyes.
Shortly after, Rhax stepped out. This completely surpasses Echo's technology... How can a simple sauna leave me feeling this relaxed?
Wearing a broad grin, he walked over and glanced toward his brother, pausing. His damp post-bath hair looks ridiculously similar to mine... Annoying...
Rhax sank into his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow, I'll ask to be sent back to Echo, he decided, his eyes slowly drifting shut.
The glorious, starry night brought peace to Haze Manor. Conversely, a sorrowful night lingered across the realm at Charon Manor.
Inside a dimly lit chamber, a man with garnet-red eyes gently caressed the dark locks of the sleeping youth resting upon the bed. Will you grow to hate me?
Tears welled and spilled from Nyx's eyes, yet his hand remained resting on the boy's head, continuing to tenderly stroke the boy's head. Forgive me… I failed you…
To be continued...