10 Guardian Families of the Empire (II)

"Lady Evangeline, my name is Alessia Claramond. You are really cute like Skylur described you. Can I call you little sister?" Alessia excitedly shakes my hands as she introduced herself.

I can see the look in her eyes that she is forcing herself not to hug me.

I nodded my head to answer her.

My brother told me that they still didn't know about my blessing since it is not safe to inform them about the letters. As Skylur and my cousins discussed with each other, they will tell the other's today.

"I am from the Claramond Family. I have two little brothers and they are not cute at all." She snickered.

The Claramond's are descendants of Camarin Claramond, The Exploration Overseer. She is a legend when it comes to inscriptions and was a famous tomb explorer.

The inscriptions she put on different kinds of things will be named as an artifact in the present times. The Claramonds are naturally gifted in inscriptions, especially the females, that's why they chose a woman as their new family head.

There's more than meets the eye in the case of Alessia Claramond, but if nothing else, you should know she's charismatic and objective.

Of course, she's also curious, gentle, and courageous, but they're far less prominent, especially compared to impulses of being thoughtless as well.

Her charisma, though, is what she's pretty much known for. On many occasions, people will count on this and her anticipative nature in times of need.

Nobody's perfect, of course, and Alessia has plenty of less favorable characteristics, too. Her persistent nature on the things she is curious about sometimes may cause unfortunate accidents to her. Fortunately, her objectivity is usually there to soften the blows.

"Now everyone, as we wait for the others, may we take a seat?" Aleksio announced.

"I want to sit beside little Evie." Alessia raised her hands.

"I-, mmph?!" Before Anael could even speak, Lexine put her hands in his mouth so that he cannot speak,

"Me too. I want to sit beside little sister Evangeline." She said.

"Pwahh! Lexine, why would you do that? Your hands taste gross! What did you do before coming here?" Anael exclaimed.

We then saw him wiping his lips until it turns pink from rubbing.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I was mixing different herbs and plants before coming here." Lexine innocently replied.

"Did you not wash your hands? That's so unladylike!"

"Well, I did wash my hands, but the effects of the herbs seem to stick in my hands. I'm sorry cousin." She said while laughing.

Now I remember! From Zero's report, Anael's mother was Duke's Vedette younger sister.

Anael came from the family of Vener. They are the only merchant family in the empire with noble status. Their ancestor Alvaro Vener, The Vigilant Fortune Custodian, was the last member of the first emperor's group. He was a traveling merchant when he joined their group.

When the empire was established, the first emperor wanted to bestow upon him the title of a marquis but he turned him down and ask him to give him a count's title. His reason was he was already contented in being a merchant.

Even though they are nobles, their family focused on expanding their business. That's why they are the richest merchants in the empire. Their family also are the ones assigned to assist other merchants in the empire.

There's a lot to say about Anael Vener, but perhaps most important is that he's vigilant like his ancestor and farsighted. Naturally, he's also lovable, open, and has a great leadership, but they're tainted by and mixed with habits of being imprudent as well.

His farsightedness, though, is what he's often admired for. He was already recognized by the merchant guild as a business genius at such a young age.

Everyone has his flaws and Anael has a share of darker sides to deal with too. His sly and deceitful ways are his tools to control people under him.

Maybe that's why he is really close to my brother. They both hide their slyness in their innocent smile.

"Anael and Lexine, can you please stop fighting in front of a child? Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?" Sanyi Branko lectured the two of them.

"Sorry, brother Sanyi." The two of them immediately apologized.

"I always tell the two of you not to argue in front of everyone, and you always do that. Now let's wait for the other two to arrive."

Seems like Sanyi Branko acts as a watcher of everyone, since he is the eldest in the group. He is already attending the Knights Academy as an Apprentice Master Knight.

The Branko family have also a Duke as their title. Their ancestor was Zareb Branko, The Exalted Justice Guardian. He was the first emperor's knight and was the first to follow the first emperor in his adventures.

Their family is the ones that protect the emperor and was assigned as the imperial family's Royal Knights. At such a young age of 3 years old, they started to train their descendants as knights and Sanyi was the current heir to the Duke of Branko.

Sanyi Branko is known for being a genius as a knight, but others should know he's protective and strict. His instructors also say that he is independent, courageous, and idealistic, but far less strongly and often mixed with being a formidable leader as well. His protective nature, though, is what he's so well-liked for.

"Brother Sanyi, how are your studies in the Knights Academy?" Iskender inquired.

Iskender really looks up to Sanyi because, at such a young age, he manages to enter the Knights Academy.

"It's good, and I've been learning so many things. Next month, the higher-level students will go on an expedition on the Neverending Tops to kill some monsters." He calmly explained while Iskender listens to him eagerly.

"Wow. Can you teach me some later? And are you gonna come with the expedition?"

"Sure, let me teach you some later and I will not be going since I am still a new student." He replied to Iskender earnestly.

"Awesome. Can little Evie watch us?"

"Of course." He said and smiled at me.

He looks like a strict person, but it is the complete opposite when he speaks.

"Are the two of them are not here yet? I'm starving you know." Olek complained.

"Can you at least call them rather than complain there? I heard Aunt gave you a communication device?" Aleksadro retorted.

"I forgot to bring it as Lexus keeps on telling me about what happened on the Bathor's yesterday."

Suddenly the at the table went silent.

"Did the two of you did not receive Skylur's message?" Lexine questioned.

"What message?" Anael asked.

"No. I did not send them a message. I only send a message for you, Alessia, and brother Sanyi."

"Hello? What are you talking about?" Lexus interjected.