Races: Online (VR Smartphone App)

Families. Parents and their children. Siblings. Cousins and relatives. Family could mean that, someone who you were related with. Blood that was thicker than water and at the very end of the day, they were there for you.

Despite their own flaws, your own problems with them and even some change in dynamics over the years, one would be hard pressed to not admit that they didn't care about you. They still did to some extent, it was just hard to tell it to yourself.

But that was also neglecting the more unsavory parts and dynamics that lingered on more… personal gain.

For example, Sir Leon de Harrington, sixth in line to the Harrington family was nothing more than a spare—and the likelihood of even him actually becoming the heir to the family name was so small that it was best not to mention it at all.

His older brothers, his cousins and other relatives all engaged in fine smiles, hidden daggers and thinly crossed lines that edged on the nastier sides of using each other for their own benefit. 

It couldn't be helped.

Right?

… It was too much of a lost cause to even actually contemplate that change was possible. Even if one of them were to wish and desire for change—it would take more than one person or two to change an entire group of people.

There was no hope to be found there and for a Noble who was nothing more than a background individual—Sir Leon de Harrington was actually a bit more envious of Han in that regard.

While Leon would admit that yes, having no family sucked—and he wouldn't dare underestimate the loneliness and hardship of going through such an ordeal—it just meant that those who stayed and actually cared?

They would give up their lives for a friend.

Found families.

"What are you doing, Sir Harrington?" Donovan inquired. 

The Noble quickly covered the parchment and then quickly backed away from the paper. It was just Donovan. He wasn't at home with some charming maid that actually favored his older brother and was trying to uncover something embarrassing about him.

"Ah, well—you know how long Timothy has been away since he was taken in by the Crowel House, do you not?" Sir Leon de Harrington flashed his old friend a grin.

"I haven't actually cared or counted, Sir Harrington. But if you wish for me to find out—"

"No." Sir Leon de Harrington raised a hand. "No need for any specific days, just know that it has been far too long for me to simply sit here and do nothing. I'm writing him a letter and asking for a response. Just early salutations before his upcoming debut."

"... a letter to Timothy?" Donovan made a face. "Apologies for being frank—but he's never liked you one bit. That bastard doesn't deserve a letter from you at all, Sir Harrington."

Sir Leon de Harrington tapped a finger idly at the table and looked over his shoulder. "That much is true, but I think it was more because he disliked the fact that I was always being sociable and friendly."

"I don't think that's a good reason to hate someone." Donovan muttered with a frown.

Sir Leon grinned and eyed his friend. "Then did that mean that you didn't hate Han at all? I wasn't blind to the fact that you've actually fought with him harder during his first day of learning. Those injuries during that spar were slightly frightening."

"He was ingratiating himself—!" 

"Regardless of Han's actions and Timothy's… I think you have to admit that it is strange that there is no contact? Even a begrudged letter to say that he was alright or something would have been appropriate," Sir Leon said as he folded the letter carefully and then placed it into an envelope. 

The Noble took out a small stamp from his pocket—containing his seal since the Princess took one of his before—and pressed the seal onto the letter.

"So you'll be the one sending a letter?"

"I think the Lord of the House Crowel wouldn't find it distasteful that there is a Noble around Timothy's age that is in contact with him." Sir Leon shrugged. "If they were any wise, then they would recognize this as an opportunity to return back into the public and society's favor."

Donovan's silence was something that made Sir Leon raise a brow as he handed him the letter.

"I'll send this to the Mage Guild immediately, Sir Harrington."

"You seem to have a question, Donovan."

"Nothing, sir." Donovan quickly shook his head.

"Come now, I didn't choose you to be just simply someone who followed my orders and be my steward." Sir Leon de Harrington stared up at the Axe Wielder with a small frown. "What is it about my decision that causes so much trouble to be in your face?"

"Is this really necessary?"

"Not quite." Sir Leon de Harrington admitted. "But in the likelihood that, say, something were to occur and trouble spreads between the ongoing treaty between Yegarian and the Elven Council of Daoine… then the chances of the Crowel House reuniting with the Sargon House is quite likely."

"What?" 

"A marriage of convenience? Political marriage?" Sir Leon de Harrington raised a brow. "I doubt that the Princess who ran away from her people wants to marry an Elf Prince who's probably older than all of our ages combined."

"I guess. But really?" Donovan scratched his face and averted his gaze. "I didn't think… Well, I don't know anything about how the two got along compared to Penelope and—nevermind. I'll just deliver the letter."

"I did forget that Lady Primrose was eyeing on Timothy even before his bloodline was revealed. I suppose if Timothy has no wish to be with the Princess, the merchant connections and resources of the Primrose family can actually help boost the Crowel House."

Donovan left after that.

"...I feel like I may have said something that hurt his feelings." Sir Leon grimaced lightly but then shook his head. While his decision was also logical in terms of showing some support in case the Crowel House ascends… he did have to admit to himself that it was a small gesture to help Han.

But that was pretty much just it.

—-

There were things and events that Donovan no longer tried to question or ask. One way or another, the arrival of both Han and Timothy seemed to have changed the dynamics and how their group of friends operated.

Even with Timothy now gone and Han going on his long streaks of conclusion under the guise of studying… it seemed like their presence was still felt. 

Sure, he tolerated Han now, and didn't have much trouble since the guy was genuinely friendly… but that didn't mean he was open to change. Donovan didn't think that Leon was now actually putting in effort to help Han.

Was it because the guy was just interesting or something?

Donovan didn't quite like the idea of sudden favoritism making one rise and fall easily through the academy's social rankings and favorability as a whole—but wasn't he even benefitting from sticking to Sir Leon's side as well?

He was just worried about how long this was going to last.

There were so many things that were more important than this.

"Donovan!" 

The Axe Wielder stopped in his tracks once he saw the sight of the two siblings. Penelope and Elliot were always much closer, probably because of the fact that the two both were capable of magic, but he didn't think of it too much.

"Where are you going this time?" Penelope asked.

"Just out of the city." Donovan shrugged and shoved the envelope in his trousers. Of course, the two weren't blind to what he just did, but he expected them not to pry at all.

"Do you think it's safe to go out all by yourself?" Penelope frowned at him. "After the incident at the Copperhome—"

"Are you actually worried about me?" Donovan cracked a grin.

"Well that's—" Penelope's face heated up, in fury or embarrassment, he didn't know.

Elliot kicked him in the shin. "Be nicer to my big sister, idiot."

"Ow," Donovan said it even though it didn't actually quite hurt. The boy was really sticking with his sister and really detested the presence of other men, but Donovan thought he was becoming much closer to them.

"So what is this letter about?" Elliot asked.

"What?" Donovan's eyes widened.

The young red-haired Mage pulled up the letter and gave him a small smug grin. Despite his looks, the guy was actually a sneaky thief.

"Hey, give that back!"

"Nu uh."

Before Penelope and Donovan knew it, the young boy disappeared in a flurry of his own cape and an [ Invisibility ] spell. The two of them looked at each other, with Penelope's face turning a bit red about her brother's behavior whereas Donovan rubbed his forehead.

"It isn't funny, brat. That letter is Sir Leon's so you better return it!" Donovan called out.

Penelope shoved the Axe Wielder and huffed. "Don't refer to my younger brother as a brat. Elliot… Elliot is only being a bit cheeky. A little tongue-in-cheek with a much older brother figure."

"Brother figure?" Donovan raised a brow. "I'm not sure he sees me that way at all, but it doesn't matter. I'm sure the kid's still around here. You better not try to read that letter, it's sealed! I'll be able to tell!"

"Don't accuse my brother like that," Penelope narrowed her eyes at him.