A rge mansion loomed before them and those two-toned eyes widened in astonishment.

  Haliff, “Is that your house?”

  “Yes. You like it?”

  “It’s very big.”

  “You haven’t entered a house this big?”

  “No.”

  Karel hummed in contemption again as they approached.

  There were no guards standing near the gates and only the gardener greeted them upon their entry. The servants cleaning the hallways seemed surprised by the two kids in his arms. Said werewolves only grinned at him and continued asking Karel about certain things.

  By the time they arrived in the dining hall, they already became the talk of the whole mansion. Despite the twins’ reluctance, the servants warmed up to them almost immediately, also enticed by the furry parts of their bodies.

  As they watched the twins gobble down the food, both masters discussed the new arrangement. Since the twins were still young, they agreed on letting them use the same room. Twins possessed a rare connection only privy to them and Karel wouldn’t want them separated if they could just be together.

  “Clothes?”

  “I’ll go fetch some clothes for them in Kuju after our meal and commission sets for them.”

  Kani raised an eyebrow. “And their education?”

  Karel hummed and ate the steak on his pte. After chewing, he replied, “We take turns. Teach them about topics they want to know and simple chores, I’ll teach them about themselves. Especially when it comes to survival and fighting prowess.”

  “That can be done.” He nodded. “Anymore?”

  “That’s all for now.”

  They looked at the twins still eating merrily, not minding how they ignored dining etiquette.

  “Are you already full?”

  “Yes!”

  Hariff burped loudly. “I want to lie down now.”

  Kani wiped his mouth. “You still need to take a bath.”

  Haliff hissed. “No baths!”

  “But you stink.”

  Pitiful eyes looked at Kani then he chuckled in response seeing their pouting expression.

  The master asked the servants to prepare the bath in his room and led the twins to it. Karel also followed them quietly, taking some mental notes about what to do.

  “I like this house. Big, and a lot of pces to hide in.”

  “Why would you hide?”

  Haliff replied, “We usually do hide-and-seek with father before.”

  Hariff interjected, “That’s right!”

  Kani strainedly smiled, knowing the implication of their words. Due to their discriminating environment, they tend to lie low but even then, they’re still being targeted by the humans.

  It’s a sad thing to know that Haryan passed away because he failed to protect his children. Or maybe he didn’t fail at all, seeing as they survived to this day.

  Kani looked back at Karel with a sad smile. “Are you going now?”

  Karel nodded. “I won’t be long.”

  Two-toned eyes sparkled in awe as they entered Kani’s room. It’s tidy and organized, even the decorations suited him.

  When they arrived in the bathroom, however, the twins gasped in surprise.

  “Can you take a bath by yourselves?”

  The twins looked at the rge tub then at him. “We could?”

  “You sound unsure.”

  Haliff held the edge of the tub, peering into it. “It’s our first time taking a bath in a rge tub!”

  Kani chuckled. “Then, you should enjoy yourselves.”

  As they undressed themselves, Kani asked the servants to also prepare the rgest room in the third floor, one with a big bathtub.

  One servant returned and Kani also informed her of the twins’ situation. They needed to adjust and specifically ordered not to mention their father unless they initiated the conversation.

  “I will keep that in mind, master. I’ll tell the others.” She hummed. “But, what should I do with my work in the town?”

  “Did you find someone capable enough to handle it?”

  The servant shook her head.

  “Alright. Find someone first. Just attend to the twins in the morning and they will stay with me for the rest of the day.”

  “Yes, master.”

  Squeals of excitement echoed in the bathroom as they jumped in, the water slowly filling the tub.

  Perhaps, this change isn’t bad at all.

  A tension descended upon the mansion the next morning and Kani opened his door to a distraught servant.

  “Master, the twins are—”

  “What happened?”

  “Miss Hendrika is trying her best to calm them down but they’re being grumpy because you’re not there.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Six in the morning.”

  “Oh for Kureus’ sake,” he mumbled and held his forehead. “Go ahead. I’ll just get my robes.”

  The servant furiously blushed at the realization. She nodded then scampered away.

  “What’s happening?” Karel asked, still lying on the bed.

  “The twins are causing a stir. I need to go.”

  Kani found them arguing in the garden, but Hendrika was patient and coaxed them to calm down. The others observed from the sidelines, worry also etched on their faces. While they didn’t destroy anything in the mansion, they panicked and ran the hallways until eventually arriving at the garden.

  As the master approached, he also noticed their ears and tails were out and tense, clearly dispying their distress.

  “Kani!” The twins excimed in unison as they saw him and dove in his embrace.

  “What happened?”

  “Our room is big and scary!”

  “What do you mean? It also has a big tub, and you don’t like it?”

  “Like.”

  “Then tell me what’s the problem?”

  “Can we sleep with you?”

  He raised his eyebrows but replied, “Of course, you can. But, we should keep your room. It’s where your belongings are being kept.”

  “But, so big and scary.”

  “There’s no one there but you two.”

  Both of them looked down, fiddling their hands together.

  Kani bent down, held each of their hands and frowned. “Be honest with me, what is bothering you?”

  A minute of silence passed but the master patiently waited until he heard the words: “We miss father.”

  Haliff sniffed as tears pricked his eyes.

  “Oh dear,” he mumbled and pulled them to his embrace.

  “You can sleep with me for a while but you have to get used to your bedroom, alright? If you grow up taller than me, we can’t sleep together.”

  Two-toned eyes widened in disbelief, protesting as they parted.

  Hariff frowned. “Why can’t we when we become bigger?”

  Haliff excimed while wiping his eyes, “Then we shouldn’t grow!”

  Kani chuckled. “You need to grow up and be strong so you can also protect yourselves. Be good boys, yes?”

  “Yes, Kani!”

  He patted their heads. “Why don’t we have breakfast first?”

  “Food!”

  Hendrika sighed in relief seeing as they calmed down and led everyone inside.

  Three floors up standing by the window, Karel observed their interaction. A smile slipped from those lips as he imagined a little family with—

  And yet, such thoughts halted almost immediately and he shook his head. Karel wasn’t suited for such, he’s cognizant of that, and the most he could get was fostering the twins like they’re his own progenies.

  And that’s enough for me.

  Karel went down to the dining room in his casual clothes and sat to Kani’s right, the twins across him gobbling the food. He stared at the two, approving of the clothes he bought in a hurry before turning to Kani.

  The master timely turned to him too, asking, “You all right?”

  Karel nodded and began eating quietly.

  “Are you worried?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Our schedule is packed.”

  “We can always make time.”

  Kani hummed, then looked at the twins again, still stuffing themselves.

  Hariff and Haliff adjusted to their new lives too quickly and the master finally saw the need to educate them. During their first training day, Karel stood before them in the training grounds just beside the estate.

  “But, you’re a Ramayan,” Hariff remarked, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

  “That’s true.”

  “Then, how do you know about werebeasts?”

  “Me and my younger cousin Tybalt traveled around Ramaya after we stabilized the empire and learned of the other immortals’ cultures.”

  “Which means, you met our kin?”

  Karel nodded. “That’s right. I met some and observed them. One elder taught me about your… instincts at least. That’s why Kani always says to let your werewolf form show. It helps with your instincts because not suppressing them can help you determine if there are dangers around.”

  The twins looked at each other and let their ears pop out, tails now wagging slightly.

  “Since the beast in you is more sensitive than your human part.”

  “And magic?”

  “All immortals have affinity with magic but only a few manage to achieve the desirable level to be on par with us.”

  The two nodded intently, brows furrowed in concentration.

  “You two…” Karel widened his eyes in realization. “Did Haryan teach you?”

  “Father said we werewolves are capable of wielding ice magic but we barely manifested them.”

  “Did he manage to?”

  “Yes, but rarely because we’re not allowed to use it.”

  “And since you’re not in Izma anymore, I can train you to use it. What do you think?”

  Two-toned eyes sparkled at the mention. “Can we?”

  “Yes, but training under me means no exceptions. If I say you train, you must.”

  “Kani said we need to grow up and protect ourselves too.”

  “Master is right. Are you ready?”

  The two nodded, determined. “Let’s go!”

  And a month into the said training, Haliff excelled in wielding ice magic and above average when it came to martial prowess. As for Hariff, it was a different story. His battle prowess was topnotch despite not fully materializing his ice magic.

  Karel noted how they complemented each other and decided to train them twice a week to keep them in top shape.

  On the other hand, Kani patiently taught them the basic etiquette and their own werebeasts culture. The master himself was a bit surprised by the facts he had known alongside them. Perhaps, due to their curious nature as children, everything surrounding their nature as werebeasts fascinated them.

  In their lessons, they attentively listened and even asked questions to which Kani gdly answered. After getting the basics down, Hendrika substituted Kani in teaching them as months went by.

  Thankfully, they warmed up to the Head Maid almost immediately after the first incident. When the masters were busy or not around, they usually stuck themselves to her whenever they decided to stay in the mansion, often asking her questions or idly lounging as she worked.

  Until one night came, and the twins still slept in Kani’s bedroom.

  “Kani?”

  “Yes, Haliff?”

  “Will Karel join us tonight?”

  “Do you want him to?”

  “Yes.”

  Kani hummed and silence hung in the room.

  “You know, Kani…” Hariff prompted, lying down on his back. “We never felt safe when we were in Izma. Father always makes sure but… it’s terrible.”

  With how chaotic Izma was behind its bustling fa?ade, it’s really heartbreaking to know what they went through. “The neckces, did they help?”

  Hariff, “Yes, but…”

  “But, father was never protected.”

  Hariff frowned. “He’s always beaten up.”

  Kani sighed and motioned them closer to him. He muttered with a strained voice, “Your father did everything he could.”

  Unlike his very own who eventually neglected him.

  “He still did everything for you two. And while it’s truly sad that he’s gone, I believe he’s happy to know that you’re in good hands now.”

  A comfortable silence descended upon them and Haliff leaned to his brother’s side while peering up to Kani still observing them. “Are we going to live here forever?”

  “If you want to.”

  Haliff looked at him, hopeful. “We can?”

  Kani chuckled. “Of course.”

  “You promise?”

  “I swear.” He patted their heads. “Now, go to sleep. We need to get up early tomorrow.”

  “But, where’s Karel?”

  “He’ll be here by the time you wake up. So, sleep.”

  Haliff yawned and Hariff closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Kani.”

  “Goodnight, Hariff, Haliff.”

  Half an hour passed but Kani remained awake, observing the twins and humming a lulby softly. The air behind him swirled, a presence made itself known and a familiar touch tapped him in his arm.

  “You should sleep,” the baritone voice said.

  “Waiting for you. They also want you here.”

  Karel removed his outer clothes and slipped in beside Haliff. He looked over and those amber golden eyes gave him a knowing look.

  “Goodnight, Kani.”

  He closed his eyes, nodding minutely. “Goodnight, Karel.”

  Worried about returning to their habits during their stay in Izma, Karel established rules for their safety. An agreement was made: meal times were important to their bodies and should not be skipped; They should be at home before dark; and stick to the routine the master made for them.

  While in town most of their free days, they sometimes come home with news about the occurrences around or share gossip they heard as they passed by.

  The people have also recognized them as the wards of the masters and indulged them more often than not. The twins, also knowing their boundaries, didn’t abuse the kindness shown to them.

  A year eventually passed and the twins adjusted well to their new life in Mapiya Isnd. Karel and Kani stood as their parental figures while the servants cared for them just as the same. They became their rays of sunshine in the bustling and ever growing isnd of theirs.

  “Karel, we’re going ahead!”

  “Be careful you two!” He shouted from the front door, also preparing for the day. He nonchantly remarked while staring at their fading figures, “The pups have grown up too fast now that they’re in good hands.”

  Kani, who’s walking down the stairs, chuckled. “I agree. They definitely look like their age now.”

  They suddenly became tall, up to Karel’s chest now. Their muscles became lean and definitely weighed more than before. Karel sighed after this thought: While he could still carry them, it might really be inappropriate for their current age.

  “A penny for your thoughts?”

  Karel shook his head and smiled. “Are you ready, master?”

  Kani nodded and they walked out of the mansion together.

  The administrative building in town finally closed for the day and Karel frowned seeing the letters on his table. He skimmed through the pile and immediately recognized one emblem. His eyebrows raised in question.

  “Master, we received an invitation.”

  “An invitation?”

  Kani read the letter and it came from the Kingdom of Masih. After what happened a few years ago, the king slowly regained his authority and addressed the societal problems left by the greedy nobles. It wasn’t easy, as remarked in the letter. Nonetheless, he invited the merchant to be present in the upcoming banquet.

  Their economy had been stabilized and the people rejoiced about the grace bestowed upon them. He also wanted to personally thank Kani for his continued support to their kingdom. Besides, they would be renewing the contracts as mentioned, now that Kani owned an isnd, and especially so, it’s already a part of the empire.

  “I think…” he prompted as he put down the letter on his desk, “we should attend this one together with the twins.”

  “Then we should give them advanced etiquette lessons.”

  “Right. The banquet is three months away, perhaps we can do something about it.”

  Karel looked at him. “Why do you want them to come with us?”

  He hummed then smiled. “Let them explore other pces?”

  “They can.” He nodded to himself. “They’ll love that.”

  “By the way, read the letter. You might need to report this to the Imperial Court.”

  Karel skimmed through the letter and ughed. “The Great Temple of Ena would definitely be seething in anger if I took this opportunity.”

  “You love provoking them.”

  He snorted. “I certainly do.”

  Karel reported to Her Imperial Highness Belle with the letter in hand and the tter gave him the letter she also received.

  “So, it would be up to me?”

  “Yes. I cannot leave just because I want to. You know that.” She scoffed at the paperwork on her desk. “I sent Tybalt to Eucastra for further negotiations and since you’re already in Grantierra, I’ll be leaving it to your care.”

  Karel nodded. “Please send them a formal letter indicating my attendance. I’ll be using Karel but with my full title.”

  Crimson eyes visibly narrowed as she sternly called onto his real name, “Kelzo.”

  “It’s about time, Your Highness.”

  “You always like it fshy.”

  Karel chuckled. “I’m not.”

  “And your bodyguard duties?”

  “Fine, I guess. It’s just only a life contract at this point, aunt. We’re already dealing with the isnd’s matters and have been cohabitating since. I don’t think of myself as just a bodyguard for him anymore.”

  Her eyes drooped and frowning a little. “You’re trudging down the path I took, my dear.”

  “But, is it bad?”

  “To follow your heart?” The princess chuckled fondly. “No, dear Kelzo. If anything, follow your heart. We always tell you that. For love is the greatest thing a Ramayan possesses.”

  “And yet, because of love, we lost many dear to us.”

  “It’s inevitably their fate. But, yes, that’s also true.”

  “It’s not Elise’s fault.”

  A palpable silence then a sigh. “Then, I’ll leave this matter to you, Kelzo. Do not disappoint me.”

  He stood to his stature proudly. “When did I disappoint you, Your Highness?”

  Her Imperial Highness chuckled, pleased by his smug look.