The Antagonist’s Narrator

"..."

Arlon shifted slightly, glancing at Ace, who was perched rigidly on his shoulder. For once, the cat's usual confidence seemed to falter. His crimson eyes widened just a fraction, darting toward the twins like he'd been caught in a trap.

For a moment, both Arlon and Ace froze, their expressions eerily similar—startled, uncertain, and entirely unprepared.

Irish tilted her head, her curious gaze bouncing between the two. "Is something wrong?" she asked innocently.

Ace's tail twitched, breaking the silence. He let out a soft, half-hearted meow, as if trying to salvage the situation, while Arlon quickly composed himself, clearing his throat.

"Nothing," Arlon said flatly, though his lips twitched dangerously as he fought back the urge to laugh.

Ace shot him a look out of the corner of his eye, as if silently saying, "You're the one who got me into this mess."

Eric stiffened where he crouched beside the pond, his wolf-like ears twitching nervously. He shot a quick, uncertain glance at Ace, clearly recalling his promise to keep the truth about the Sky Soul Guardian a secret.

Arlon gave the boy a brief, reassuring look before turning his attention back to the twins. "This is Ace," he said simply, keeping his voice neutral. "I found him near the villa and decided to keep him."

Ace's ear flicked as he turned his head slowly toward Arlon, his crimson eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Really? That's the story you're going with?" the cat's voice murmured in Arlon's mind, though only he could hear it.

Arlon almost smirked at the absurdity of the situation but managed to suppress it. He cleared his throat, feigning disinterest. "He's just a cat. That's all."

Irish's eyes lit up with excitement. "He's so beautiful!" she exclaimed, leaning closer to get a better look. "His fur is so shiny, and his eyes are… so red! I've never seen a cat like him before."

Irien studied Ace with a more subdued curiosity. "I've never read about cats with red eyes," she murmured thoughtfully, her gaze narrowing. "Are you sure he's just a regular cat?"

"..!"

Ace, as if sensing the slight suspicion in Irien's tone, suddenly stretched lazily, arching his back before curling himself into a ball on Arlon's shoulder. He let out the softest, most convincingly cat-like meow Arlon had ever heard.

Meow—

Irish clapped her hands together, her suspicion immediately forgotten. "Oh! He's so cute!" she squealed, practically bouncing on her heels.

Even Irien seemed satisfied, her expression softening. "I suppose he is… unique," she admitted.

Arlon felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth, a laugh threatening to escape at Ace's overly dramatic performance. "This is ridiculous," he thought, glancing sideways at the cat. "You're really going all in, aren't you?"

Ace's voice echoed faintly in his mind, dripping with mock indignation. "I'd like to see you do better, oh mighty Lord Arlon."

Irish's excitement bubbled over as she turned to Arlon with wide, hopeful eyes. "Can we hold him? Please, Lord Arlon? Just for a little bit?"

Arlon hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ace. The cat gave him the faintest look, one that said, "You owe me for this."

"Fine," Arlon said finally, his tone flat as if he were conceding to something trivial. "Just don't scare him."

Irish practically beamed as she reached out her hands, careful and gentle. "Come here, Ace!" she cooed, her voice soft and sweet.

To Arlon's amusement—and mild disbelief—Ace allowed himself to be lifted from his shoulder, his body going limp like a perfectly compliant housecat. Irish held him close, stroking his fur with pure delight.

"He's so soft!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. "And he's so calm too!"

Irien moved closer, her usual reserved demeanor giving way to curiosity. "Can I hold him next?" she asked, looking to Arlon for permission.

Arlon gave a small nod. "Go ahead."

Irish reluctantly handed Ace over to her sister, who cradled the cat with the same care. Irien ran her fingers gently through his fur, her expression softening as a small, rare smile appeared on her lips.

"He's perfect," she said quietly.

Eric watched from where he crouched by the pond, his golden eyes flicking between Ace and Arlon. Though he said nothing, his tail swished faintly, as if he were holding back his own laughter at the sight of Ace pretending to be a harmless, ordinary cat.

Arlon stood a few steps away, arms crossed as he observed the scene. "Perfect? Hardly," he thought, his lips twitching again as he fought to keep a straight face. "If only they knew the truth. Ace, the mighty Sky Soul Guardian, reduced to this."

Ace, still draped in Irien's arms, flicked his tail in what Arlon could only interpret as silent, dignified protest. "Laugh all you want, noble Arlon. I'll remember this," the cat's voice echoed in his mind, laced with dry humor.

But as Arlon watched the twins, their faces lit with rare joy as they took turns holding Ace, he felt the faintest tug in his chest. For a moment, the awkwardness between them seemed to melt away, replaced by something warmer, something simpler.

As the laughter from the twins filled the garden, a soft, measured voice interrupted.

"My Lord."

Arlon turned his head to see Dimitri, his ever-dutiful butler, striding toward them with his usual poised elegance. Dressed immaculately in his tailored suit, Dimitri's sharp eyes quickly took in the scene: Arlon standing near the koi pond, Eric crouched nearby, and the twins holding Ace like he was the greatest treasure in the world.

Dimitri paused, his brows lifting slightly in quiet surprise. Whatever he had been about to say faltered on his tongue as his gaze lingered on the twins. In that instant, understanding dawned on his face. He adjusted his posture ever so slightly, his usual stoic expression softening.

He gave a subtle nod to Arlon, a silent acknowledgment of the moment. Instead of continuing with whatever business had brought him there, he straightened and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Ah," he said smoothly, "I was coming to inform you that your breakfast is ready, my lord. But perhaps…" He glanced at the twins, his tone turning lighter, "...I'll have it brought out here instead."

Irish's face lit up at the sight of Dimitri. "Good morning, Mr. Dimitri!" she called cheerfully, waving at him.

Irien followed suit with a polite nod. "Good morning."

Dimitri smiled faintly, bowing slightly in acknowledgment. "Good morning, Lady Irish, Lady Irien. I trust you're both well this morning?"

"Yes, thank you," Irish replied eagerly. "We were just playing with Lord Arlon's cat!"

Dimitri's gaze flicked to Ace, who was still resting stiffly in Irien's arms, looking distinctly unamused. Dimitri's lips quirked ever so slightly, but he said nothing about the "cat." Instead, his focus returned to the twins.

"If you haven't had breakfast yet," Dimitri said kindly, "perhaps you'd like to join Lord Arlon for his?"

Irish's eyes widened with excitement. "Can we?" she asked, her voice bubbling with hope.

Irien, more reserved, looked at Arlon hesitantly. "Only if it's alright with you, Lord Arlon," she said softly, her voice careful.

Both of them turned to Arlon, their expressions a mix of hope and uncertainty. Eric glanced up at him too, as if curious about his answer but staying quiet.

Arlon shifted slightly, glancing at the expectant faces around him. He felt Ace's gaze on him as well, the cat's crimson eyes practically daring him to refuse.

He let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he said gruffly. "You can join me."

Irish beamed, practically bouncing in place. "Thank you, Lord Arlon!"

Irien smiled faintly, her relief evident. "Thank you."

Dimitri nodded approvingly, his expression calm but clearly pleased. "I'll have the table prepared in the garden, my lord," he said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

As he walked away, Arlon watched him, noting the faint satisfaction in Dimitri's stride. "He planned this," Arlon thought to himself, narrowing his eyes slightly. "He's too clever for his own good."

Ace, still in Irien's arms, glanced at Arlon with an almost smug look. "You're outnumbered," the cat's voice echoed in his mind. "Might as well accept your fate."

Arlon's lips twitched, though whether in annoyance or amusement, even he couldn't tell.

The group settled into the small gazebo at the heart of the garden. Its stone platform, supported by carved pillars and sheltered beneath an intricately tiled roof, was surrounded by lush greenery and the soft hum of morning life. A round table sat in the center, adorned with a white cloth and neatly arranged dishes, all set to perfection by Dimitri's hand.

Arlon leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze resting on the table. A cup of tea steamed gently in front of him, its earthy aroma faintly rising into the air. He lifted the cup, taking a slow sip, and immediately fought the urge to grimace.

"Tastes like dirt," he thought, the faint bitterness of dried leaves lingering on his tongue. It was the same tea Dimitri always served him—rich and herbal, like something brewed in the depths of an ancient forest. It wasn't awful, but it certainly wasn't to his liking. Still, with Dimitri standing nearby, his sharp eyes quietly observing, Arlon steeled himself and took another sip.

"I've faced worse," he told himself dryly. "At least Dimitri thinks I enjoy it."

Across the table, the twins had taken to offering Eric small bites from their plates, clearly delighted by the opportunity to share. Irish, her enthusiasm as vibrant as ever, placed a delicate pastry filled with honey and nuts onto Eric's plate.

"Try this, Eric!" she said brightly. "It's my favorite!"

Irien, more subdued but no less kind, handed him a small dish of fruit drizzled with cream. "This one's very good too. I think you'll like it," she said, her voice gentle.

Eric hesitated, glancing down at the offerings. His ears twitched nervously, but the warm, expectant looks on the twins' faces made it hard to refuse. He picked up the pastry Irish had given him and took a small, cautious bite.

His golden eyes widened slightly as the sweet flavors spread across his tongue.

"It's… really good," he murmured, his voice soft but sincere.

Irish clapped her hands together, beaming. "I told you! Isn't it delicious?"

Encouraged, Eric tried the fruit from Irien's dish next, his tail giving a faint, contented wag as he tasted the cream's sweetness. Irien's lips curved into a small smile, pleased by his reaction.

Meanwhile, Ace sat at the edge of the table near Arlon, daintily eating from a small plate of grilled fish Dimitri had served him. His crimson eyes flicked around the table, observing everything with quiet amusement.

"You know," Ace said softly, his voice low enough for only Arlon to hear, "this isn't so bad. I've certainly had worse breakfast companions."

Arlon glanced at the cat, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't think you'd prefer sitting at the table like royalty."

Ace gave an exaggerated stretch, his tail flicking lazily. "Well, someone has to bring a little dignity to this gathering. Besides…" His crimson eyes gleamed with mischief as he added, "...it's worth it to see you choking down Dimitri's tea. Truly, the highlight of my morning."

Arlon's lips twitched, but he refused to let the cat's teasing get to him. Instead, he lifted his cup again and took another sip, his face impassive despite the familiar taste of "old forest dirt" washing over his tongue.

Dimitri, standing a few steps away, observed silently, his hands neatly clasped behind his back. Though he said nothing, Arlon swore he caught the faintest hint of satisfaction in the butler's eyes as he saw his lord drink the tea.

"Everything to your liking, my lord?" Dimitri asked politely, though there was a subtle undertone of expectation in his voice.

Arlon set the cup down carefully. "As always, Dimitri," he replied, his voice steady. "Deceptive, but steady," he thought to himself.

Satisfied, Dimitri turned his attention to the twins. "Lady Irish, Lady Irien, I see you're making young Eric feel quite welcome."

"Oh, yes!" Irish said eagerly, offering Eric another pastry. "Eric's already tried so many things! He really likes the honey pastries, don't you, Eric?"

Eric nodded shyly, his mouth still full.

Irien added softly, "It's nice to have breakfast like this. Together, I mean."

Dimitri smiled faintly, nodding. "Indeed. A morning like this is good for the soul."

Arlon said nothing, though he glanced briefly at the twins and Eric. The sight of their relaxed, happy faces—Irish's lively smile, Irien's quiet contentment, and Eric's growing comfort—wasn't something he was used to seeing.

Ace's voice murmured in his mind again, breaking his thoughts. "I think they're starting to trust you,noble Arlon. Even if you're bad at this whole 'family' thing, you might actually pull it off."

Arlon reached for his tea, if only to avoid responding to the cat. "Maybe," he thought, the idea lingering as he watched the morning unfold.

As breakfast wound down, Irish clapped her hands together, her bright energy lighting up the gazebo. "Eric! Do you want to play a game?" she asked, leaning forward with excitement.

Eric blinked at her, tilting his head slightly. "A game?"

Irien nodded, her calm tone balancing her sister's enthusiasm. "It's called 'Stone,Scroll and Blade .' We read about it in a book."

"It's really fun!" Irish chimed in, practically bouncing in her seat. "You just have to choose one of three hand shapes, and they each beat another one! It's super simple, but I'm really good at it." She grinned proudly, her confidence brimming.

Eric glanced hesitantly at Arlon, his wide eyes seeking approval. Arlon gave a small nod, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Go on," he said.

Irish immediately launched into an animated explanation, holding up her hands to demonstrate. "Okay, so there are three moves: Stone, Scroll, and Blade! Stone smashes Blade, Scroll wraps Stone, and Blade cuts Scroll!"

Irien added, her tone more methodical, "You make the shapes with your hands. A fist is Stone, a flat hand is Scroll, and two fingers like this—" she held up a V-sign "—is Blade. We count to three, and then everyone shows their move."

Eric watched closely, his ears twitching as he tried to keep up with their explanation. "Stone… Scroll… Blade…" he murmured softly, mimicking their gestures.

Arlon, sitting quietly at the edge of the table, crossed his arms as he watched the twins teach the game. "Stone, Scroll, Blade," he thought to himself. "They didn't even bother changing the rules. It's just rock, paper, scissors with a fancy name."

Ace, lounging lazily on the table, glanced at him with a sly look. "Pretending you've never played this before, are we?" the cat murmured in his mind, clearly amused.

Arlon ignored him, keeping his expression neutral as the twins continued their lesson.

"Let's play a round to practice!" Irish said, grabbing Eric's small hands to guide him. "We'll count to three, and you show your move, okay?"

Eric nodded, his tail swishing nervously behind him.

"Ready?" Irish said. "One… two… three!"

Eric hesitated, but at the last second, he showed a fist—Stone. Irish, ever dramatic, gasped as she revealed Blade.

"Oh no! You win!" she exclaimed, laughing as she pointed at Eric's hand. "Your Stone smashes my Blade!"

Eric blinked in surprise, then a small, shy smile crept onto his face. "I… I won?"

Irien nodded with a faint smile. "You did. See? It's not so hard."

"Alright!" Irish said, grinning. "Now let's make it interesting! Whoever wins the next round gets a gift!"

Eric's ears perked up, his curiosity piqued. "A gift?"

"Yes!" Irish said dramatically, puffing up with confidence. "And I'm going to win this one!"

Irien glanced at Arlon, who was still watching quietly. "Lord Arlon," she said, tilting her head slightly, "do you want to join?"

Irish gasped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes! You should play too! It'll be fun!"

Arlon raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider it. "I suppose I could," he said casually, though he already knew how the game worked.

Ace snickered softly in his mind. "This should be good."

Irish practically bounced in her chair. "Alright! Let's go!"

The three of them—Irish, Irien, and Arlon—lined up across the table, with Eric watching eagerly from the side. Irish clapped her hands together. "Okay, ready? One… two… three!"

Irish threw Stone with dramatic flair, Irien chose Scroll with her usual calm, and Arlon… picked Scroll.

"Ha!" Arlon said, his tone flat but faintly smug. "Scroll wraps Stone."

Irish's jaw dropped. "What?! No way! I never lose!"

Irien gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "It seems you've been defeated, Irish."

Arlon leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So, what's this gift I'm supposed to get?" he asked, his tone amused.

Irish pouted for a moment but quickly recovered, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. "You'll see!" she said, darting toward a basket of flowers that Dimitri had set aside earlier as decoration for the table.

Arlon raised an eyebrow as she and Irien whispered to each other, their hands moving quickly as they worked on something out of sight.

Eric giggled softly, his tail wagging as he watched the twins. "What are they doing?"

Arlon shrugged, sipping his tea with mock patience. "I'm not sure I want to know."

Finally, the twins returned, Irish holding something behind her back.

"Close your eyes, Lord Arlon!" she said, grinning.

Arlon gave her a skeptical look. "Why?"

"Just do it!" she insisted, her excitement bubbling over.

With a resigned sigh, Arlon closed his eyes. A moment later, he felt something light and soft being placed on his head.

"Okay, you can open them now!" Irish said, practically bouncing with glee.

Arlon opened his eyes, his expression still unreadable, but Ace's sudden snort of laughter told him everything he needed to know. He reached up, feeling the delicate weave of flowers resting on his head.

"A flower crown?" he asked flatly, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the twins.

Irish grinned triumphantly. "Yes! It's your gift! Doesn't it look amazing?"

Irien gave a small, approving nod. "It suits you, Lord Arlon."

Arlon glanced at Eric, who was staring at him with wide eyes, a look of pure amazement on his face. While Ace looked amused, his crimson eyes gleaming with delight.

For a moment, Arlon said nothing, his gaze shifting between the smiling faces around him. Then, with a small sigh, he leaned back in his chair, making no move to remove the crown.

"Fine," he muttered, his voice dry but laced with a faint hint of amusement. "I'll wear it. But only because it's a gift."

The twins cheered, their joy filling the gazebo. Eric smiled shyly, and Ace, perched nearby, smirked.

"You're quite the trooper," the cat's voice whispered in Arlon's mind. "You almost look like you're enjoying yourself."

Arlon glanced at Ace, his lips twitching faintly. "Don't push it," he thought, though he couldn't quite hide the warmth creeping into his expression.

As the cheerful atmosphere lingered in the gazebo, Dimitri appeared at Arlon's side with his usual composed demeanor. He cleared his throat softly before leaning closer to his lord.

"My Lord," he said with quiet urgency, "the meeting will begin shortly."

Arlon straightened, his sharp gaze shifting to Dimitri. "I see," he said simply, setting his tea cup down on the table. Without hesitation, he pushed his chair back and stood, his commanding presence immediately shifting the mood.

The twins, who had been busy adjusting the flower crown on Eric's head, paused and looked up at him, their smiles fading slightly.

"You have to go already?" Irish asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"Yes," Arlon replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "The meeting can't wait."

Irien, quieter but no less wistful, added softly, "We understand."

Eric glanced up at Arlon, his ears drooping slightly. The boy didn't say anything, but the sadness in his golden eyes was clear.

Irish perked up, trying to maintain her usual cheer. "Will you come back later, Lord Arlon? You promised yesterday that you'd join us for studying."

Arlon paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he gave a small nod. "I'll come back," he said. "Make sure you're ready."

That seemed to satisfy the twins, who smiled brightly once again.

Before leaving, Arlon crouched briefly beside Eric, placing a hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "You'll be fine with the twins," he said quietly, his voice steady but reassuring. "Have fun."

Eric nodded slowly, though his fingers clung lightly to the hem of his shirt as he glanced at the twins.

As Arlon stood again and turned to leave, Irish called out after him. "Lord Arlon! Don't take off the crown, okay? You have to wear it all day!"

Irien nodded, a rare playful glint in her usually calm eyes. "It's a gift, after all."

Arlon didn't answer, his mind already shifting toward the meeting and its pressing matters. He walked away, his long strides carrying him back toward the castle halls. Dimitri fell into step beside him, as silent and efficient as ever.

Step— Step—

They passed through the arched entrance and into the quiet corridors, the sound of Arlon's boots echoing softly off the stone walls. Dimitri glanced at him briefly, noting the crown of woven flowers still resting neatly on his head, but said nothing.

The stage is ready, and it's time to face the audience.

Arlon's expression remained impassive as he walked, his thoughts already consumed with the plans he had meticulously prepared for the meeting.

Step— Step—

The quiet tap of his boots against the polished floor echoed faintly in the hallway, a rhythm that mirrored the calm precision of his mind.

After a few moments, his steps slowed, his gaze growing distant as though a thought had just surfaced. He came to an abrupt halt, the silence around him thickening.

"...?"

Dimitri, ever observant, stopped a few paces behind, raising a curious brow as he watched Arlon turn his head slightly.

"Ah," Arlon said, his tone calm, almost absent-minded. "I forgot something."

Dimitri tilted his head, his expression remaining composed but tinged with faint confusion. "May I inquire what it is, my lord?"

Arlon didn't answer immediately. Instead, as he resumed walking, a sudden smirk crossed his face, adding a subtle air of mischief to his otherwise composed demeanor.

"No need," he replied simply. "It's already taken care of."