Meeting the Clades*

Recap

I heard what Gill said as I gradually feel the darkness overtaking my vision.

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I woke up by the sound of Gill gently called my name, "Young master, it is time for dinner." I immediately flutter open my eyes, watching Gill's grey iris looking at me. I smile at him, his skin has a slight tint of delicate pink on his cheeks. He quickly regains his composure and picked out an outfit for me. It was a slightly oversized white blouse with a thin black ribbon and black short pants that are made of cotton.

Gill moves on to my long messy wavy hair and combs the bangs that reach below my eyes, to my left side to make me presentable. He ties up my slightly over shoulder-length hair up to a high ponytail.

After he was happy with what he had accomplished, he finally allows me to shift my position from sitting on a chair to standing. Gill opens the door for me as we both head out of my room. I held onto Gill's warm hands as he leads me to the dining hall. When we reach the dining hall Gill let go of my hands as he knocks and announce my presence.

The double door slowly revealed my family at the long dining table. I stood where I was, not moving an inch. However, it wasn't long before my father signal for me to take a seat, with his eyes.

I quicken my pace towards the seat that was placed with a few pillows that are the only empty space near my blood relations. Even though that was my seat, there nobody who sat near me. Gill notices my struggles, as he automatically pulls out the chair and put me on it.

As I look across I saw a curious-looking boy around the same age as me, the only woman I saw is the lady full of makeup who is seated beside father. Though that lady was full of makeup and a strong stench of perfume, my father seems to love her more than that boy and me. However, my speculation was a little off when a girl, who is the oldest among us, barge in without announcing her presence as she takes a seat between that lady and that child.

Father starts to recite our grace before eating. When we all finish reciting the Clades servants wheel in a lot of delicious dishes. Nevertheless, over at my side Gill wheel in a plate of savoury mushroom soup.

I could feel my mouth starts to water. I immediately analyse it with 'Appraisal' without waiting.

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Name: Mushroom Soup

Item: Food

Made by: Clades Chef

Rank: B

Guillaume requested this on behalf of his young master as he was worried that Aust would not eat much.

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'Gill sure worries too much.' as I look at the utensils at the side and pick up the specific 'soup spoon'.

Father unexpectedly said, "Today we have a guest that will be living with us. His name is...Aust." When I look up from my food, the first thing I saw was that same curious-looking boy now feel less tense than he was.

He quickly gleams at me before the rest of his family notice. Unfortunately, the girl on his right notice as she smirks and announces to everyone with her whiny voice, "Father, Avin is being improper! He is showing his barbaric emotions again!" When father's dearest daughter said that, Avin could not help but tense up even further.

Father glares at Avin as he narrows his eyes, "Is your manners tutoring class not giving you benefits? You skip your classes again, didn't you? You are going to get harsher behaviours tuition."

When I look towards him, he was shivering and kept an emotionless mask on. I felt that same pain when he was hurt mentally. 'It was as if we were connected ...wait, connected, Avin? Isn't that Aust's twin...?'

I wince at the pain that was inflicted upon Avin as Father keep on scolding him. 'I want to leave this house and go back to the cabin. I want to bring Avin with me...' I quickly gather my courage and spoke up, "Father...can I..." — "Daddy, can you pardon Avin this one time since Aust is here! Oh, right, I'm Daisy nice to meet you, Aust!" she spoke in a high pitch voice, acting with a lot of authority.

"Nice to meet you, Daisy." I look up at her than to my food.

Gill could tell I was not pleased, he promptly came beside me declaring that I was full and help me to my room. He was right as I was full as I look at my half-eaten meal and held onto Gill's hands. At the corner of my eyes, I could see my father's eyes further narrowed as his wife try to soothe his bitterness, Daisy, though was different as she stares straight me as if she was plotting something malicious. My twin just watches me walk away leaving him alone with these devils with his emotionless pretence as the door closes.

When we both walk far enough, I instantaneously whisper to Gill, "I would like to meet Avin later will that be allowed?" as I tilt my head to the left not knowing much about the house rules. Gill looks at me and sigh, "Young master, I will bring you to his bedroom undetected." as his right-hand touches his chest while his left hand hold on to my right as we walk in comfortable silence.

~

"Who is there!" I hold my dagger tightly as I heard someone entering my room while I was still in bed. It isn't the first time this occurred... As the lights in my room became a little brighter. I recognise who it is.

It was my twin brother, Aust who was wearing his nightgown that reaches half his calf, which surprised me to the point that I did not notice his butler with him who stood outside. "Erm, can I call you older brother?" I blink with confusion as there was a moment of silence between us.

I could not help but laugh at that tense moment. After I finish laughing, I reply, "Why not?" he looks at me with his cheeks puff up similarly to pouting. He looks like an angry squirrel. I swiftly hid my dagger in my writing desk before welcoming him to my bed. He briskly walks towards my bed and seat near me while clenching his nightgown. "So adorable..." I mumble out. "Hm? Did you say something?" as he turns his head to face mine while slightly tilting his head.

'Ah God, I cannot handle his adorable actions!' as I made out an 'in pain' face. Even if we both look the same, he gives a more innocent and feminine aura which in the future will attract a lot of perverts. 'On this day forth, I promise to protect my precious brother!'

He appear nervous so I decided to speak up first, "So little Aust, why did you visit me so late at night?" he was pouted when he heard 'little' but decides to get straight into business.

"Brother, do you want to run away from this big bad house?" when he said that I was a little stunned. "I do, I really do. It is too suffocating in the house, under this roof. Especially when that woman and her daughter who had taken over the authority in the house." when I thought of them I unintentionally frown.

"I see brother...brother I-Is it alright if I hug you?"

"Hm, sure. Come here little Aust." I smile at his pout as he slowly approaches me and gives a warm hug. Now that I am close to him, he seems to be thinner than I expected. I notice some scars on the back of his neck that seems to be made from fingernails. It seems to have been there for a long time. I hug him back, yet, I can only feel his bones. I then carry him in a princess carry to feel how heavy he was.

I frown at how pale and light he was, he was flushing when I suddenly carry him. "B-brother can you let me down?" he asked with his big round blue eyes similar to a set of puppy eyes. I smile and let him down. He was surprisingly shorter than me by half my head. 'No wonder the clothes my size cannot fit him...'

'Where was he raised? Shouldn't it be another castle or at least a mansion? He appears to not trust anybody other than his butler, where was he raised?! Doesn't father have a lot of money?' I sigh and carry him to my bed. When I pat his head he seems to love it. I smile at his reaction. It has been a while since anybody appears to have approached me with a pure motive.

"Alright, you should go back to your bedroom. It is already very late." he gave an upset puppy look. I don't think it was intentional however that is a very dangerous situation to be in. I watch him slowly get off my bed and head towards the door. "See you later brother!" he smiled and wave before leaving. I did not think he could smile like that.

I was alone again with this unbearable silence.

~

'Brother Avin honestly is a nice person. Though, in the story, Aust did not approach Avin at all so I think their relationship is quite a problem.'

A 'knock' resounded on my door.

'Someone else must have come to visit me but who would?.'

The door open reveals a girl with long raven hair with curls. I quickly got off my bed to greet my sister, Daisy. "Dear Aust, I saw what you did. You don't have to LIE to me. If you don't want to let father and mother know, YOU better help me with something~" she spoke with a nasty smirk plastered on her face. I hastily nod without thinking twice as my fear for what her mother would do to Avin.

"From tomorrow onwards, after your lessons come to my room." she left leaving me nauseated. "What will she do to me..."

Gill ran into my room at once. He looks so dreadful, "Young master are you alright?! I saw lady Daisy walk out of your room looking very happy, with her villainess smile." he spoke without thinking about the consequence. How ironic though, she is the villainess in the story.

"I am fine, Gill."

Gill looks at my face intensely, then let out a relieved sigh. I shortly went to bed after that incident. Even if my body was resting, my mind was restless. I thought of 'status'.

STATUS

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[Window Status]

Name: Aust Clades (still called young master)

Age: 3

Level: 1

Job: None

Title: The one who is loved by Magical Beasts, Faeries Favourite, Blessed by Gyrent, ||The Reincarnated||.

Health: 10/10

Mana: 810/810

Stamina: 20/20

Strength: 6

Intelligence: 81

Wisdom: 10

Vitality: 10

Dexterity: 2

Luck: 5

Skills: Appraisal (S), Summoning (A), Charm (A), Multi-lingual (S), Pain resistance (S), Speaking (A).

Summon available: 1

Status: Crystallised Fire Tiger.

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My stats have increased slightly. I am finally satisfied and went into a deep sleep.

~

The next morning came like a bullet train. I woke up by Gill's experience with my sleeping habits. He did all the typical things like washing me, choosing clothes and tidy up my bed. Afterwards, we both walk to the guest room which is as big as Avin's and my room combine.

Gill reaches the door and gives a knock on the door. He opens the door for me to enter. I can notice many unfamiliar faces as well as my family interacting with them. My father acting friendly with his friends but when he recognizes me, "Ah my other dearest son is here." he gave me the opportunity to introduce myself.

"Good morning everyone, I am Aust Clades, nice to meet you all," I spoke with politeness. I can tell that my father is not pleased but still continue conversing with his friends. Abruptly a butler announces, "His majesty, King Raien has arrived!"

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