Soon a quiet winter came. The estate was covered by a thin blanket of snow that gently descended from the pale skies. This brough forth an warm happy atmosphere to everyone within the estate.

  Outside, the ancient walls seemed softer, their weathered stones accented by feathery drifts of snow. Icicles sparkled under the dull winter sun, creating a world of gentle, muted beauty. From rooftop corners, tiny cascades of powder fell whenever a breeze crept past, weaving a tapestry of delicate snow flurries through the courtyard. Occasional footprints dotted the otherwise pristine fields, revealing the paths of those who had ventured out into the hush of this idyllic season.

  Micheal finished his duties and ventured through the estate towards to the tea room where Jonathan, Nia and his Mother currently was. He walked with steady purpose along the marbled corridors, each of his footsteps echoing in the quiet that accompanied this winter calm. Though the day’s responsibilities had weighed on him heavily, he felt his shoulders relax as he neared the heart of the manor. The subtle scent of pine and sweet confections drifted in from the kitchens, a reminder that the estate’s staff were busy preparing treats to match the festive air.

  He walked with a slight smirk tugging at his lips as he did not have time to see Nia for a little while.

  A flicker of memory crossed his mind—Nia’s bright laughter ringing through the halls and her curious questions about tactics and training. Between all his obligations, the days had slipped by, and he realized he missed her innocent presence more than he cared to admit. The gentle hush of falling snow only emphasized the warmth he felt thinking of her enthusiasm for the simplest things.

  Because of the devastation that happened in Ney York countless people flocked tow the city in hopes of gaining shelter. But not all who came were good, a steady increase in crime was seen all across the city.

  A swirl of unease tinged his thoughts. The news arriving from Ney York—now half-collapsed skyscrapers and endless rows of damaged infrastructure—brought a surge of refugees to the area. Though the Mercer family prided itself on offering protection, desperation sometimes gave birth to more sinister elements. Stories of theft and organized extortion had spread in whispers, even among the estate’s own scouts.

  As such, Micheal has been working in tandem with the knights to establish a counter initiative against organized crime. Days blurred into nights as he and the knights planned patrols, erected watchposts, and devised new protocols to keep the city safe. Rolled-up maps and intelligence reports consumed entire tables in the briefing halls, their edges curling under the weight of endless notations. From vantage points on the manor’s upper terraces, knights remained vigilant, scanning the icy skyline for any sign of criminal syndicates taking root in the region’s desperation.

  Yet, in this moment, trudging through quiet corridors alive with the faint clink of porcelain cups and muffled conversation, Micheal allowed himself a breath of respite.

  Soon he pushed open the doors of the tea room to find Nia, Jonathan, and his mother smiling at him.

  The gentle, diffused glow of afternoon light spilled through tall windows, illuminating a cozy space decorated with ornate draperies and glimmering tea sets. A subtle warmth, coaxed by a nearby fireplace, chased away the winter chill that clung to the estate’s corridors. The matriarch’s presence at the table, calm and poised, exuded her familiar air of gentle authority, while Jonathan leaned back in his chair, flashing a bright grin that lit up his usually reserved features. Nia sat cross-legged on a plush cushion, tiny hands perched on her lap as she leafed through a beginner’s arithmetic book. Her excited gaze darted toward the door the instant it opened.

  “Brother!” Nia exclaimed in excitement as she dropped everything she was doing and ran towards him. A delighted giggle escaped her lips, high-pitched and uncontrollable, echoing in the refined quiet of the room. The pages of her book, momentarily forgotten, fluttered closed behind her. The matriarch exchanged a knowing glance with Jonathan, both smiling at the sight of Nia’s lively dash across the polished floor.

  “Hello, dear sister!” Michael kneeled down, hugging her. “How have you been? How are your studies going?” His voice, usually measured and calm, carried a subtle tenderness that only surfaced in the company of this small girl. The Kevlar plating beneath his winter jacket clinked softly, a faint reminder of his recent patrols. He wrapped her in a gentle embrace, mindful of his gear’s hard edges.

  “I’m doing great! But you see, brother, when you’re not around I find it so hard to concentrate. I wish you would help me more often. When we’re together I feel like nothing can stop me,” Nia stated, her words, spoken with unrestrained honesty, lit her eyes with a spark of admiration. She leaned back from the hug just enough to peer up at him, awaiting his response as though it held the key to her entire day.

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  “Come on Nia, honey,” The matriarch remarked. “You know that your brother has obligations.”

  The matriarch’s tone was gentle but firm. She offered Michael a small nod, acknowledging the countless responsibilities he shouldered. Despite her reprimand, her lips curved into a fond, maternal smile as she watched them interact.

  “Then how can I become an obligation?” Nia turned her head.

  A soft hush settled over the tea room. Even the muted crackle of logs in the fireplace seemed to pause. The matriarch lifted her teacup, her brow rising slightly at the boldness of Nia’s question.

  “You are one, one of my most important obligations,” Michael said patting her head. “It’s just that I spend so much time with you that I need to catch up on the things that I don’t have time to do.” He stated. “So, to make up for lost time– how would you like to go to the city?” A playful lilt entered his voice, and in that moment, the soft grin at the corners of his mouth spoke louder than any explanation. He brushed a stray strand of hair behind Nia’s ear, the affection in his gesture mirroring his words.

  Jonathan leaned forward, suddenly interested, and the matriarch’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

  “Really?” Nia asked with two large glimmering eyes. Her cheeks flushed pink with excitement, matching the shade of the plush cushion she’d abandoned. She clasped her hands together, looking from Michael to the matriarch as though seeking final confirmation.

  “Sure thing,” Michael said, looking over to the madam. “Right ma?” He tossed a hopeful glance in his mother’s direction, tucking both hands into his coat pockets. In the hush that followed, the distant whisper of winter wind brushing against the windows sounded far louder than it had moments before.

  “Absolutely not!” she exclaimed. The matriarch’s words rang with finality, eclipsing the gentle rustle of draperies. She set her teacup down carefully, and the tension in the air grew tangible, as though the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

  “But why?” Michael wondered. He rose slowly to his full height, the lighthearted tone from earlier wavering as he sensed genuine concern in her voice.

  Jonathan exchanged a meaningful glance with his mother, trying to decode her reasoning.

  “It’s too dangerous,” She stated. Her hand grazed the polished surface of the table, as though her fears could be smoothed away if only she pressed hard enough.

  “Don’t worry,” Jonathan stood up. “I’ll go with them.” He planted his palms on the table’s edge, his posture straightening with quiet resolve. A flicker of excitement crossed his features, possibly at the idea of a new adventure or the chance to protect his younger siblings.

  “No way,” The madam sighed. “18, 14, and 8 is too young of an age for you to be going to the city unsupervised. Especially now that Vince is out on a mission.” A note of maternal worry layered her voice. She thought of the unrest that had stirred in the nearby districts, how organized crime had begun to seize upon the city’s vulnerabilities. Her children—despite their abilities—were still her children, and it pained her to imagine them walking unguarded into such unpredictability.

  Suddenly, a dark silhouette stepped through the door, peering down at Michael and Nia as it stood gleaming in the hallway. The figure paused just inside the threshold, letting his presence speak before any words could. Shadows clung to him, stretching in the flickering firelight that spilled from the hearth.

  “I’ll come with them,” Alex stated. His voice, quieter than usual, retained a hint of hesitation—perhaps mindful of the trust he was now trying to rebuild. The faint scar across the ridge of his nose caught the room’s light, appearing both volatile and, in a sense, reassuring.

  “Oh, you will brother?!” Michael cheerfully exclaimed. A subtle shift swept over him, the earlier tension melting away as he recognized an unexpected ally.

  Nia averted her gaze, still made visibly uncomfortable by Alex’s presence. She curled her fingers into the folds of her dress, eyeing him cautiously. Though the conflict between Alex and Michael had ended, its impact lingered. But Michael’s encouraging smile and Jonathan’s approving nod slowly eased her discomfort—at least enough for her to hold her ground.

  “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to visit Robert for quite some time now.” Alex stated, as stepped further into the tea room, letting the winter’s dim light reveal the faint tension in his stance.

  “Great!” Michael once again looked towards the madam. His enthusiasm radiated through the space, chasing away the quiet hesitations that had settled like dust particles in a sunbeam.

  “So, what do you say?” Jonathan inquired. His voice, equal parts curiosity and eagerness, resonated with an optimistic chord.

  The matriarch exhaled, scanning the earnest faces before her—Michael’s unwavering resolve, Jonathan’s quiet excitement, Alex’s tentative readiness, and Nia’s hopeful wonder.

  “Fine, I guess,” she sighed. Those words fell softly into the room, a reluctant capitulation. A moment of electric stillness lingered, as though time slowed just enough for every occupant to register the meaning.

  Immediately the room erupted into cheers as Michael and Jonathan gave each other high fives. Alex stood awkwardly looking at the cheerful pair as Nia celebrated alongside them.

  The matriarch couldn’t help but smile at the infectious energy swirling about. Nia’s laughter rang out, higher and sweeter than ever, her uncertainty around Alex easing just enough that she let herself join in the excitement.

  “But!” the madam raised her voice slightly, just enough for all of the kids to hear her. “You have to take the quadcopter, it will be much safer!”