Ocean listened to the whole report from Roan about the school fire incident, the arm with strange curse marks that was found at the spot and the dead man.

"Let’s go see it," Ocean said and Roan nodded before the two made their way out of the office.

"When are the Lords and the security team leaders coming?" Ocean asked as they stepped out into the hallway.

"They’ll be here in some time," Roan said and Ocean nodded before he looked up and saw Kai, Nox and Remi.

"Master!" Kai rushed over and just before Ocean thought he would throw himself over to hug him, Kai stopped. Nox, however already was rubbing its feathery body against Ocean’s chest. Ocean brushed his fingers over the black owl before the owl flapped his wings and took his seat over Ocean’s shoulder.

Kai stood a step away from Ocean, eyes wide and strained, fingers clenched and jaw taut. He seemed to be holding himself back.

"We-Welcome back, Master."

Ocean reached out and cupped his palm over the side of his face with a gentle smile, scanning him up and down with Mana Eyes to see if he was all right.

"I-I thought it would take you some more time," he admitted subconsciously rubbing his cheek against Ocean’s palm.

"I heard what happened from Roan and rushed home, didn’t he tell you?" Ocean glanced at Kai.

"Ah, I was at Eldarf since morning so, I didn’t hear." Kai said and Ocean nodded.

"I heard what you did, Kai." Ocean said and Kai blinked.

"Yes?"

Ocean closed the one step distance and wrapped his arms around Kai’s shoulders, patting his back.

Kai went still for a moment feeling the older Dragon hold him, his heart picked its pace and he squeezed his eyes shut trying to push away the tears. The relief that he felt when he saw Ocean wasnso immense that he had almost rushed over throwing his arms around him like a child. But he had stopped himself at the last moment realising that he wasn’t a child anymore, he was a Dragon and the future heir who would shoulder the responsibility of the Ryujin family and Oasis.

But the moment, Ocean wrapped his arms around him, he felt as if he could just let go of the weight of his responsibility and feel the reassurance in the presence of his parent. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Kai sniffled, wrapping his arms around Ocean’s back, his fingers clutching at the fabric of Ocean’s coat. Ocean tightened his arms a little bit feeling Kai almost break down.

"It’s all right now, I’m here." Ocean murmured.

Roan and Remi watched them, Roan noticed the way Remi’s eyes reddened a little and he moved a bit closer to him. He contemplated putting his hand over Remi’s shoulder. Remi stood smiling tenderly as he watched Ocean and Kai.

"Master is back. Everything will be fine now." Remi spoke and Roan who had lifted his hand to place it over Remi’s shoulder quickly pulled it down.

"Yes," he spoke trying to avoid looking at Remi.

Strangely enough, it had been a couple of days since that "incident" that Roan had been finding himself staring at Remi.

Now, what incident if you ask them, it happened just the day after Ocean, Davian and Sol had left for Denril.

Roan had worked hard all day in the office so, his body was feeling stiff. He knew he had to keep training his body for combat as well but considering the piling paper work he didn’t get enough time.

That evening, he finished the paper work a little early and after dinner he was in the interior training ground, swinging his large saber.

The training ground was empty since everyone were busy with preparations or having a break, going out in town to have some drinks and fun. Roan wanted to go too but he wasn’t the type to shake off his responsibilities and go play.

His shirt was completely drenched in sweat and as he moved, the sweat droplets flew around him sparkling under the lights. He fiery red shoulder length wolf cut style hair swung as he moved. One would have mistaken him for the fierce leopard watching his strength and agility.

Suddenly he heard the sound of something coming towards him slicing the air, he moved on instinct swinging his blade and knocked away the dagger was was aimed at his head.

He turned to see Remi standing near the stands with another dagger in hand and a small smile on his face. He hadn’t even sensed him until then.

"Why are you here?" Roan asked.

Remi shrugged, "I have to look after the mansion while Mrs Jones is out for the evening."

"And this is how you’re doing it?" Roan cocked a brow.

"No, well, everything is going well so, I thought I’d take a break." Remi walked over to Roan.

Roan watched as he passed by him and then picked up the dagger that Roan had knocked off earlier.

"Would you like me to spar with you?" Remi asked smiling politely and Roan stared at him for a moment.

Remi was in his usual butler’s attire with the air of grace and politeness to him, but the way his eyes would sometimes blaze reminded him of the scorching sun over the sandy dunes.

"Fine," Roan said and Remi beamed.

"All right,"

The clashing sound of steel echoed through the empty training ground as Roan swung his saber in a wide arc, forcing Remi to duck low and slide across the floor. With fluid grace, the butler twisted mid-movement, the dagger in his hand flashing upward in a strike aimed at Roan’s ribs. Roan blocked with a sharp clang, the force rattling up his arm, but his eyes didn’t miss the way Remi’s movements carried a certain elegance—acrobatic, almost dance-like.

Remi spun on one heel, his coat flaring, and struck again with his other dagger. His style was light-footed and precise, using every limb as if it were part of the blade itself—an elbow jab here, a swift kick there, each motion flowing seamlessly into the next. Roan countered with brute strength, his swings heavy and decisive, driving Remi back step by step.

Yet even as he fought, Roan felt something gnaw at him—an awareness he shouldn’t have. The subtle curve of Remi’s movements, the sharp exhale near his ear when their blades locked, the faint scent of polished steel and soap clinging to his clothes. It felt less like sparring and more like being pulled into a rhythm that wasn’t entirely his own.

Remi leapt, flipping over Roan’s guard in a burst of agility, landing lightly behind him. Roan pivoted hard, his saber nearly grazing the butler’s cheek as Remi bent backward, dagger grazing the fabric over Roan’s abdomen before he darted away.

"Your stance is solid, Mr. Roan," Remi said, breath steady, lips curved in that polite smile that infuriated him more than insults ever could.

Roan’s grip on the saber tightened, his jaw set. Does he even realize? That every flick of his wrist, every lithe turn of his body, was like a provocation? He forced the thought aside with a grunt and swung again, harder, as if steel on steel could drown out the strange heat building in his chest.

The spar dragged on, steel sparking under the lights as each strike grew sharper, heavier, faster. Roan’s saber carved through the air with raw power, forcing Remi to rely on speed alone to keep up. The butler darted around him like a shadow, ducking and twisting, the daggers flickering in his hands like extensions of his fingers.

But even shadows slipped.

Roan caught the briefest opening when Remi overextended after a spinning slash. He lunged forward, locking the man’s wrist in a crushing grip, yanking him close. The daggers clattered to the ground as Remi struggled against the strength holding him, his movements sharp, agile, but Roan didn’t let go. In their struggle, balance faltered, and both crashed onto the ground.

Roan landed above him, his saber knocked aside, his weight pressing Remi down. For a moment, all Roan could hear was their uneven breaths mingling, all he could see were Remi’s sharp eyes staring back at him, so close his lashes brushed against his cheek. The realization sent a pulse through him, heat crawling under his skin.

Then, in a swift twist of his hips and a flash of practiced motion, Remi reversed their positions. In an instant he was straddling Roan, one dagger reclaimed and its edge hovering lightly at his throat. His usual graceful smile returned, almost mocking in its calmness, as if unaware of the knot he had just tied in Roan’s chest.

"You left yourself open," Remi said softly, voice steady despite the spar.

Roan swallowed, his muscles tense beneath him. No... you have no idea what you’re doing.

"Roan?" Ocean’s call snapped Roan back to the present and he blinked.

"What’s with you daydreaming in the middle of the hallway like that?" Ocean said while Remi chuckled.

"Remi, take Kai back to his room. And I’m famished so prepare food for me and when the Lords come, lead them to the dining hall." Ocean gave his instructions to Remi who bowed.

"Yes, Master."

"Roan, lead the way." Ocean said and Roan moved.

Ocean moved with him as the two walked down the hallway and Roan almost subconsciously turned, glancing once at the man who was strangely enough tugging at his heart strings before they rounded the corner.

Ocean and Roan went up to the Eastern wing where the arm and the dead body of the perpetrator was preserved.

Ocean observed both the strange things before they returned upstairs for Ocean to wash up before his brunch.

Roan who had been silent for a while ended up asking the question that had been clawing at his mind for the past two days.

"Why couldn’t we reach out to you for the past two days, Master?"

Ocean wiped his face and hands and recalled the incident that he had gone through. These events were connected, he was sure and he was also suspecting that the Golden Serpent had this time crossed the line.

"Something similar happened in Denril, that’s why."

Roan’s eyes widened hearing that, "What?!"

"I’ll explain during brunch, get Kai to join me."

Roan couldn’t say anything and simply bowed before he took his leave.