How Dare You

"What?"

Angeal and Arvid looked at Gwen as if her life was drained from her. She no longer looked energetic and naughty—like she suddenly changed into a completely different person!

"Gwen?"

Arvid said her name but Gwen just looked at Edwin, who also looked like his soul was taken out of his body.

"Dad?"

Edwin looked at his son seriously then spoke.

"Son, remember what I always told you as we were training. In the presence of our master, you do well to speak in respect. Do you understand?"

Arvid gulped and felt fear when his father sounded serious.

"I understand."

Edwin nodded. "Good. Come, son."

He then looked at the girls then spoke again.

"Gwen, tell Angeal what to do. Martha and Gladios are already downstairs," he said finally then he left the room with Arvid.

Gwen looked at the girl beside her seriously.

"Angeal, I know I won't have problems with you. Just greet our young master and do what he says. Show respect and you'll do great. Okay?"

Angeal nodded slowly as she placed her hand on her chest, feeling uneasy by the sudden turn of events.

'I'm finally going to see him after 18 years,' she thought to herself, feeling that their master coming home was a coincidence because she wondered about him.

"Okay. I'll be heading down first. Fluff out the sheets on this bed before going down."

Gwen quickly left Angeal to fix the bed and when Angeal was finished, she stood still for a while and took a few deep breaths.

Her heartbeat doubled its pace then with one last sigh, she closed the door then walked down the hallway to prepare in greeting their master.

Down the hallway, the servants were lined up and were bowing as they waited for the soul eater to enter.

"How long are we going to bow," Arvid whispered and complained, making Edwin gave his son a deathly stare.

"Shut up or I'm going to beat you to death in our next training session!"

Gladios looked at Gwen, who was in front of him and beside her mother, Martha.

"Where's Angeal?"

"She's fluffing up the bed we sat on," Gwen said honestly and Martha looked at her daughter coldly.

"Now what did I tell you about—"

"Shh! They are about to enter," Edwin shushed them then the main door opened, slowly to reveal two handsome men in suits.

Devin came in and behind him was Ivar, holding up a lot of bags from his shopping spree. His usual charismatic physique was suddenly replaced by a haggard silver-haired man look, making Gwen cringe.

"Welcome home, master," they said in unison but Devin said nothing. He just stood there as he looked at each other one by one, until his personal servant spoke.

"G-guys... a little help here," Ivar requested then Edwin and Arvid quickly walked to Ivar to carry the shopping bags. "Thank you."

Devin looked at the two who helped Ivar then spoke.

"Did I order you two to help him?"

Edwin spoke instantly as he bowed in front of their master.

"I'm sorry, master. I-it was out of habit..."

When Devin looked at Arvid, the guard gave his son a warning look then quickly put his hand over his head to make him bow.

"I apologize again, master. I will train my son more," he added feeling nervous, then Devin walked away slowly from the two.

Arvid looked at his father, asking him to release his head in silence but Edwin just looked at him coldly before he did so.

When Devin stopped in front of Martha and Gwen who had not yet raised their heads, they greeted again in unison.

"Welcome home, master."

Devin looked at the old man in the opposite direction and the old man lowered his bow more before greeting him with his guttural voice.

"Welcome home, master."

Ivar looked at Devin who seemed like he had transformed into a being colder than the winter. He sighed, then called everyone's attention.

"Hey, guys! We did an effort into buying things for everyone before we went home! I hope you guys like it! Let's check it out!"

Everyone looked at Devin who just looked at them with expressionless eyes.

"It was all his idea. Don't think otherwise," he said then everyone's eyes landed back on Ivar, making this personal servant scoff.

"Whatever. You let me use your money."

When Devin walked away and was heading towards the stairs, the servants present, except Gladios, immediately came to Ivar to look at the presents bought for them.

Gladios looked around, feeling worried about why his granddaughter had not yet appeared on an important day such as their master being home after 18 years.

'Where are you, child?'

As Devin was walking up the stairs, suddenly, there was a girl who was running down the steps. When Angeal made a blind turn, her eyes widened as she bumped hardly on Devin, who's just as surprised as she was.

'!!!'

The two of them fell on the ground, making everyone turn their heads to watch them. Angeal safely landed on Devin's chest and was suddenly embarrassed when she felt his hands on her waist.

"Argh..."

Devin winced the moment he felt the pain on his back. This made Angeal stand up quickly and gave him a bow three times to apologize. Her bow was too low, that her long, curly blonde hair, hid her embarrassed face.

The soul eater stood up slowly, then looked condescendingly at the human girl in front of him.

"How dare you."