Ocean carefully drew out the viscous black fluid clinging to Nox’s talons, guiding it away with controlled streams of mana. The substance hissed faintly upon contact with the magic, like acid recoiling from purity. Nox hooted in pain, the sound sharp and pained, and Ocean’s expression softened. He placed a hand against the owl’s feathered chest, channeling a gentle wave of mana to ease the burn.

"There, there... good work, my boy. You did well," Ocean murmured, his voice carrying that rare warmth reserved only for the owl. He brushed a hand through Nox’s soft plumage, the feathers gleaming faintly under the room’s lamplight.

Within minutes, the vile residue was sealed away in a glass vial, still bubbling faintly inside. Nox, relieved of his burden, was now contentedly devouring a platter of meat delicacies placed on the low table beside him. Ocean smiled faintly at the sight before sinking into the couch nearby. He was dressed simply for the day—a royal blue silk shirt, sleeves casually folded to his forearms, paired with black dress pants and polished boots. The faint sheen of the fabric caught the amber light as he leaned back, looking every bit the poised yet unguarded marquis.

In his hand, he held the key that Nox had brought—a silver chain dangling from his fingers. The key itself bore a familiar sigil: the skull of a ram, its twisted horns intricately carved, the craftsmanship ancient and deliberate.

Ocean’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Now... what lock does this key belong to?" he mused aloud, turning it between his fingers. The key glinted in the sunlight the streamed from the windows like something holding its breath, waiting.

Nox gave a low hoot just as the leader of the guard team stood in the center of the office, his posture rigid. Afternoon light streamed through the tall windows, pooling across the floor and catching on the edges of Ocean’s desk, where Roan leaned casually with his arms crossed. Behind the couch where Ocean lounged in his usual relaxed manner stood Remi, Enora, and Lyall, quietly attentive.

"We tried searching the nearby sectors where he could’ve gone," the guard reported, voice low but steady. "He was already injured, but... we lost track. I’m sorry, Master."

Ocean hummed, tilting his head slightly. "It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Nox brought us something good, and you all did well."

A knock came at the door. Ocean’s gaze flicked briefly toward it before returning to the guard. "Return to your post for now—and keep watch. They’ll come back to retrieve what they lost."

The guard bowed and left. As the door opened again, Remi stepped aside to let Kai and Sol enter. Kai made his way to the armchair opposite Ocean, his eyes immediately finding Nox still feasting on his plate. Sol lingered for a moment near the doorway, his expression unreadable as he studied Ocean—who remained sprawled on the couch, calm and composed beneath the soft golden light spilling across the room.

"What’s wrong, Sol?" Ocean asked, glancing at him from where he lounged.

Sol hid the faintly judgmental look that crossed his face before replying, "Nothing."

Ocean only smiled in response. A moment later, Sol suddenly felt his feet leave the ground as Ocean used telekinesis to lift him from the floor. He flailed for a second before giving up with a resigned sigh—he was already too used to Ocean’s habit of doing this without warning.

He floated over and landed beside Ocean on the couch with a soft thump.

"Why did you two come to see me anyway? Do you need something?" Ocean asked, his voice calm and drowsy.

"Ah, you didn’t come down for lunch, so we came to check on you," Kai said, still feeding meat slices to Nox, who hooted happily.

Ocean hummed and leaned back against the armrest, stifling a yawn. "I just didn’t feel like it."

Sol shot him another disapproving look before speaking. "Are you all right? The trials are about to begin, and you’re... lazing around like this."

Ocean tilted his head with a faint smile. "It’s fine. All the preparations are done."

"That doesn’t mean you should—" Sol began, but Ocean groaned and abruptly pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around him.

"Wh–What are you doing?! Let go of me!" Sol shouted, flailing to break free, his face flushing slightly.

"Enough with the nagging," Ocean muttered, holding him firmly. "I’ve worked myself to the bone for years. Let me rest once in a while."

Sol froze, blinking at the tone in Ocean’s voice. He stopped struggling and just lay still, listening quietly. It hadn’t been long since Ocean had collapsed from overwork—and if he was finally taking a proper rest, perhaps it was best to let him.

Kai watched the two with a slight pout, and Ocean caught the look almost immediately.

"Would you like to join too, Kai?" Ocean asked, stretching a hand toward him.

Kai laughed softly and hurried over, squeezing himself into the already cramped space. The three ended up tangled together on the small couch, with Sol trapped in the middle, grumbling in protest while Ocean and Kai only tightened their hold, laughing.

Roan, Remi, Enora, and Lyall couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight before them—the three looked more like an ordinary, happy family than the people burdened with impossible responsibilities. For a moment, it felt as though the weight of the world that usually rested on their master’s shoulders had lifted.

Watching them smile and laugh so freely brought an unexpected sense of calm to the room, as if, just for that afternoon, everything was at peace.

After a while of playing around, Ocean fell asleep along with Sol on his chest and Kai carefully climbed down to not wake the two. He smiled softly watching them.

He walked over and took Ocean’s coat from the hanger before spreading it over Sol and Ocean before he gestured for everyone to follow him out.

"It’s been a while since I saw Master so relaxed." Enora spoke softly even after they had walked out.

"Yes, it’s better if he rests like this from time to time." Lyall said.

Remi stretched his arms above his head and Roan looked at him.

"Well, I should go and start making preparations for the dinner. Since he skipped his lunch he would definitely be famished during dinner." Remi said and then seemed to recall something.

"Ah, what should we do with the gifts and invitations that we recieved?" He asked looking at the three.

"Some of them are meant for Young Master so, I suppose Young Master should handle those." Enora said and Kai nodded.

"As for Master’s then, just keep the gifts around and bring the letters and invitations to me. I’ll see what it is and relay it to Master." Roan said and Remi nodded.

"All right. Ah, also, some gifts came for His Highness Davian." He added.

"Here?" Roan asked.

Remi nodded, "There was even a letter with it."

"A letter?" Roan asked.

"It looked like it was from a lady." Roan cocked a brow before glancing once at the closed office doors.

"Let’s go and see what that is." He said and Remi blinked, surprised.

"What but-"

"It’s fine, let’s go." Roan said taking Remi’s hand.

Despite Remi being reluctant and others knowing it was wrong to see someone else’s gifts and letter, everyone followed them.

They reached the drawing room which currently had all the gifts stuffed in it. Remi walked over and picked out the letter addressed to Davian and Roan plucked it from his hand.

Roan’s eyebrows twitched as he saw the seal of the royal family along with some flowers attached to the envelope. He brought up the envelope to his nose and sniffed.

"What are you doing, Mr Roan?" Remi asked watching and Roan tore the envelope open making Remi gasp loudly.

"Wha-What are you doing?! That’s from the royal family and its meant for Prince Davian!" Remi said as he tried to snatch the letter away but Roan waved his hand and plucked out the letter from the envelope and looked at the contents before he made a face.

"What bullshit is this?" He spoke.

Lyall cleared his throat while Enora and Remi both nudged his sides rather hard making him grunt.

"Language, Mr Roan." Lyall spoke and he looked at Kai.

"It’s fine, but who’s that letter from?" Kai asked.

Roan sighed, "It seems like the Golden Serpent’s daughter has a crush on our Prince Davian."

This made everyone present drop their jaws.

"What?!" Kai almost shouted.

Lyall and Enora exchanged a look while Kai took the letter from Roan and read the contents.

"Dear Prince Davian, how are you? The days are getting warmer lately... I keep thinking about you since that night...The moon... stars... flowers... all remind me of you... I wish that you were here... I hope to see you... I think I have... I’m sending the gifts as..."

Kai looked at the gifts that were piling on one side and made a face himself before he looked like he was about to tear the letter with sheer disgust. But Remi quickly snatched the letter from Kai.

"What- Remi give that back!" Kai said and Remi sighed folding the letter.

"I can’t, Young Master." Remi said as he gently placed the letter in the envelope.

"Why is that?! Give it me let me tear it off its so revolting to look at. I can’t have Davian look at it!" Kai said and Remi sighed looking at Enora and Lyall for help.

Enora understood the look and placed a hand over Kai’s shoulder, "Young Master, that letter was addressed to Prince Davian in the first place. We cannot dispose of it on our own accord. It’s like we’re disregarding His Highness’s authority and presence."

Lyall also stepped ahead, "We understand that Young Master adores His Highness but His Highness has his own life where he has to maintain connections with others."

Kai looked at the three of them, all this while he had always thought that Davian would stay with him and Ocean and Sol forever but to think that he might leave someday...

It was obvious that Davian was the future Grand Duke so he wouldn’t just stay with them then why did Kai always think that whenever he would look Davian would be around just like Ocean? Kai felt his heart squeezing in his chest but he forced himself to calm down and take this rationally.

"It was already bad enough that Mr Roan went ahead and read the letter meant for His Highness." Remi sighed before he frowned at Roan, "And that’s really rude, Mr Roan! I hope you don’t read other people’s letters like that!"

Roan averted his eyes scratching the back of his neck before he shrugged.

"Well, even if you burn this letter it won’t really make any difference. Prince Davian will do it himself if he reads it. He will also throw away these gifts since he already has-"

"Oh, what are you all doing here together?"

Suddenly Davian appeared at the doorway of the drawing room making them all turn to look at him.