Inside the "Little Twister" candy shop, Eric spread the melted raw sugar onto a tray. Once it had cooled slightly, he pressed it with a wooden template on the kitchen counter, shaping it into small granules.
"That's enough, my son."
"I'm not your son!"
Grandma Seeva clicked her tongue, while Eric scowled. The two of them then left the kitchen and entered the living room, where Eric sprawled on the couch and Grandma Seeva picked up a few jars of cookies.
"You said your family is expecting guests tomorrow?" the old woman asked as she placed the jars on the table.
"Yeah, Marquis Videno and his family," Eric replied nonchalantly. The old woman sat down slowly, holding onto her cane. "Why do you look so confused and unhappy? Puberty?"
"What does that have to do with anything!? The children of Marquis Videno... they were my childhood friends." Grandma Seeva finally understood what the boy was saying. "Ah, I remember now. You kids from Ostheno used to play and visit the Videno territory all the time, before you turned into a little rascal."
"Your mouth's been running loose lately, old woman." Eric glared at Grandma Seeva, raising an eyebrow. The old woman just burst out laughing, and for some reason suddenly started coughing up roughly.
"I see, you need my 'healing' power. Let me patch you up." The old woman drew her cane and pointed it angrily at Eric. "Don't you dare touch me with that vile hand of yours!"
Eric shrugged and tried to persuade the old woman, "Why not? I see you're having trouble climbing the stairs yourself, and I think your eyesight is starting to fail too."
The old woman lowered her cane and gazed wistfully at the ceiling. "This might be hard to understand, young man. At an age like this, old people like me are actually waiting for that time to come..."
"I don't know about those who live long lives, but for me, having lived more than half a century, I'm very tired and want to rest forever."
The old woman looked at Eric gently. "That's why… at least, let me choose how I die."
Eric just nodded and thought to himself. "I know how you feel, old bones. Because I've been there." He chose not to continue the conversation about healing Grandma Seeva and respected the old woman's wishes.
He also thought humans are strange creatures. When Eric first came here, he was scolded and often argued with Grandma Seeva. But over time, he became more interested in talking to her and simply keeping her company, even going so far as to ask her to teach him how to make candies and sweets.
Although they often disagreed and quarreled, Eric was satisfied with his current relationship with Grandma Seeva. And for the first time in this life, he could begin to call someone as stingy as that old woman his first 'friend'.
***
Several carriages were parked in front of the Ostheno mansion, and three people stepped out gracefully. They were all wearing thick wool coats paired with long boots and a pair of gloves.
Dianne smiled and hugged Laurene, who ran toward her. "Sis Dianne! It's been a while!" Laurene greeted the bright-red-haired girl cheerfully. Dianne smiled and returned Laurene's warm greeting. "Hehehe! Indeed! Hello, Laurene! Lucas!"
Lucas gave Dianne a warm greeting, gracefully bowing to her. Dianne then bowed, greeting James and Melissa.
"Sir James, Madam Melissa. It's a pleasure to see you both in good health."
Melissa chuckled, "Oh my, don't be so formal. Thank goodness you all arrived safely."
"True. It's a good thing you left after the snow stopped falling," James added.
From a lined-up carriage, several servants were busy preparing a wheelchair. A young boy with fiery red hair, just like Dianne's, also stepped out, but he was assisted by two servants to sit in the wheelchair.
A red-haired man with a thin beard and a black-haired woman walked on either side of the man in the wheelchair.
"Hmm, hmm. It seems Laurene and Lucas are still as healthy as ever," the tall, red-haired man greeted with a small smile, he was Jonathan Videno.
"You're right, my dear. It's so nice to see your whole family is still healthy," said the black-haired woman softly, she was Jonathan Videno's wife, Dorothea Videno.
"Sir James, Madam Melissa, Laurene, and Lucas. May the goddess's blessings be with you."
The young man in the wheelchair said, bowing.
"I hope you're all doing well, especially Connor," Lucas greeted the Videno family with a calm smile, including the young man in the wheelchair—Connor Videno. "Let's go right in."
"Ah, where is Eric? I haven't seen him…?" Jonathan's usual question made the atmosphere a little awkward. But James quickly answered.
"Ahem, Eric seems to still be sleeping in his room. Please forgive him for not greeting the guests as usual."
"I see, it's fine, Sir James. I was just asking out of curiosity, hahaha!"
Dorothea smiled awkwardly, Connor also put on a stiff smile, while Dianne wore an annoyed expression.
Night was falling, so the Videno family decided to stay the night and have dinner with the Ostheno family.
The servants and knights accompanying the Videno family were also provided with suitable accommodations, they could unwind and recharge their energy to continue their journey the next day.
Under the crystal chandeliers and by the warm fireplace, the Ostheno and Videno families dined together. The meal was quite lavish, featuring perfectly smoked meats, a variety of warm soups, and sweet, hot tea, all of which added to the warm, intimate atmosphere.
The dining room door swung open, and the room instantly fell silent. Eric put on a poker face as he watched everyone's reactions. His parents smiled as usual, while his younger siblings looked annoyed.
He then glanced over at the Videno family. As usual, Jonathan and Dorothea gave him a small smile, while Connor greeted him stiffly. What baffled him was the hostile glare from Dianne.
"Oh, Eric! You're here! Join us!" Jonathan called out to Eric. He bowed slightly toward the guests and silently sat down in the farthest chair. Inside the room, the warm chatter from earlier had died down. Occasionally someone would speak and then fall silent, and so it went.
"Wow, I accidentally became a mood killer. Thanks, Eric Ostheno." Eric rolled his eyes after his self-deprecating joke.
"So, Eric. How's school? I heard you did well on the Final Year Exam." Jonathan struck up a conversation with him. Eric nodded nonchalantly, "Pretty much. Don't know if ranking 359 is good or decent."
His siblings, Dianne and Connor, were surprised to hear that. "Your rank is higher than mine…?" Dianne stopped eating to speak to Eric. He just shrugged, not responding.
"That's good. As the future heir of the Ostheno family, you have to study hard, hahaha!"
"'Former future heir,' Uncle."
Jonathan stopped laughing upon hearing that. The corner of James's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He'd forgotten to tell Eric to keep matters regarding the Ostheno family heir—including that duel—a secret. Melissa shot her husband a sideways glance and sighed, understanding why James had suddenly smiled sourly.
The Videno family looked at Lucas, the young man calmly set down his fork and knife. "Father?"
"Ahem, I've planned to announce Lucas as the next heir at the beginning of spring, there's no ill will regarding it." James explained after clearing his throat. Dorothea then asked, "Did something happen?"
"We'll share the details along with the announcement. What's clear is that the succession of the next heir is in accordance with the laws and traditions of this empire." Melissa took over the conversation with ease.
The dinner remained awkward until it ended. The Videno family members each took up residence in their assigned accommodations, while Eric returned to his room. As he lay in bed, he couldn't help but keep thinking about how he should handle his closest relatives.
He hadn't even resolved the complications between himself and his new family, and now came the issue of his relationship with the Videno family. There was a reason why Dianne—his childhood friend and close friend of Silvia, Cornelius, and Alex—hated him so much.
His mind remained muddled, so Eric decided to get up and get some fresh air in the middle of the night. He headed to the mansion's main balcony and found someone there—more precisely, Connor, escorted by two knights from the Videno household.
Connor heard footsteps approaching, when he turned his wheelchair, he was surprised by Eric's arrival. The two knights bowed in greeting, and Eric nodded back.
"H-hello, Eric. It's… been a while, hasn't it?" Connor spoke uneasily. White, thin vapor came out of Eric's exhale as he simply answered, "You could say so, Connor."
The two of them gazed at the cold night sky, and the man in the wheelchair continued, "How's school? I—I mean, what's it like being a student at the Academy?"
Eric leaned against the balcony railing. "Meh, I guess. Every day I have to watch some snotty brats running around." Connor stifled a laugh. "Hahaha… you talk like an old man now…?"
"Is it really that uncomfortable at the Academy?" Connor asked calmly. Eric looked up at the moon and smiled slightly while answered. "It'd be a damn lie if I said I'm not having fun."
"That's good..." Connor murmured jealously. "I'd love to go to school there. Meet new friends, get scolded by the professors, join extracurricular clubs... but I'll never be able to with my condition like this, hahaha..."
Connor scratched his head hopelessly. Eric wanted to answer, but he heard someone approaching them.
"Connor, is your insomnia acting up again—" Dianne stopped mid-sentence and immediately put on a furious expression. "Connor, stay away from him! There's nothing good about that jerk!"
Connor spun his wheelchair around quickly. "C-Calm down, Big Sis! We're just talking!"
"Go back to your room. Right now! You two, help Connor!"
"B-but—"
"Now!"
Connor sighed and gave in, as did the two knights, immediately obeying Dianne's orders. A cold breeze blew gently, alternating with strong, biting winds.
Eric and Dianne stared at each other. "That's cold. Don't you have a human heart?" Eric asked, still leaning against the balcony railing. Dianne snorted, mocking him. "Human heart? Shouldn't you be asking yourself that?"
Dianne pointed at Eric, "I've told you before, don't go near my little brother again! You're a coward and a bad luck bastard, Eric."
Eric grew annoyed and raised his voice slightly. "Shut the fuck up. That brat just wanted to talk to me, and you went and snapped at him like a goddamn fox in heat!"
"Of course I stopped him from talking to you! It's because of you that my little brother's life was put in danger—he's stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life!!" Dianne shouted fiercely.
The girl's anger hadn't subsided. "You're a disaster, Eric!! A scumbag like you doesn't deserve to be happy, so don't ever come near Connor, Silvia, or the people I care about again!"
"If I refuse, what are you going to do?" Eric stepped closer, stomping calmly yet his face also bore fury. "It's not up to you to decide who can be my friend or acquaintance, little girl."
Eric was slightly taller than Dianne, and he glared at the red-haired girl with anger. "Now get the fuck out of my face, don't push your luck any further than this, little girl."
They stared at each other for a moment before Dianne finally walked away, her face contorted with anger. Eric rubbed his face and gazed up at the night sky.
"Human relationships are a pain in the ass, aren't they?"
Shortly after, he returned to his room and fell asleep, though that night he was plagued by nightmares of the past that haunted him.
***
The next day, the Videno family left the Ostheno family mansion early in the morning. Eric had slept so soundly that he missed their departure. James and Jonathan shook hands firmly, both promising to strengthen cooperation between the Ostheno and Videno territories.
"Did you see Eric?" Dorothea asked gently. Connor replied with a touch of enthusiasm, "Y-Yes, Mother! Even if only briefly, I spoke with him! And for some reason, his way of speaking now sounds like an old man's…"
"Hm? Briefly?" Jonathan was curious about his son's words. Dianne retorted, a bit annoyed, "I was the one who broke them up. Connor needs to stay far away from that scum."
Dorothea and Jonathan exchanged glances, then tried to explain to their daughter. "We've discussed this many times, Dianne. What happened to Connor wasn't Eric's fault."
Jonathan agreed with his wife. "Your mother is right, it was purely an accident. If Eric hadn't run away and told our knights, then Connor would have—"
"Then he shouldn't have dragged Connor into that area in the first place!" Dianne said angrily. Jonathan and Dorothea, as well as Connor, sighed in resignation. This conversation always repeated itself whenever Eric's name came up.
"What's done is done. The point is, Mother and Father will focus more on healing Connor," the black-haired woman clarified. "I heard rumors about a skilled Healer in the Ostheno region, but when I asked for more details, the information just got more confusing. Some even pointed to Eric, saying he's the Healer."
Dianne scoffed. "As if that scum can heal anyone. He can't even manage to cast more than three spells before he runs out of Mana!"
Before Jonathan and Dorothea could say anything, she heard a commotion from outside.
"My Lord! Get dow—"
The knight warned the Videno family was engulfed by a massive fire, and the attack struck the carriage carrying Dianne and her family, sending it flipped over.