The morning breeze was gentle across the Dawn estate. The pond rippled faintly, reflecting the early sunlight like a polished mirror. Eli stood there still for a while after his siblings had gone, his expression unreadable. But when he finally turned away, something rare crossed his face — a faint, almost unseen upward crease at the corner of his lips.
From the tree nearby, Cryella caught that fleeting smile and blinked in surprise.A smile…? she thought. "So he finally smiled ".
She watched quietly as he walked away toward the mansion, cloak swaying softly in the wind. Though small, that smile was enough to stir a feeling in her chest — hope that perhaps, the broken bond between the siblings was beginning to form again.
By afternoon, the barony was bustling again. Construction continued by the river, and guards patrolled near the gate. Inside the mansion, Eli gathered several documents that highlighted the problems of barony and its requirements, his ink-stained hands moving quickly as he finalised his notes.
His mind was already on the next step — the trip to Koven Barony, known for its trade district and wide merchant street. He had planned to go there since previous day to purchase the required supplies for the Dawn Barony.
When he set out for Koven Barony, however, two familiar voices immediately cut through his calm.
"I'm coming with you," said Christian.
"No, I'm coming," said Delphine firmly.
Eli blinked, staring at both his elder brother and elder sister as if they had just declared war in his study. "...It's just a trip for purchasing supplies," he said flatly. "Not an important event ."
Christian crossed his arms. "You're visiting a barony known for opportunity. You'll need security for yourself."
Delphine huffed. "He needs a partner, not someone glaring at every person like a mutt ready to bite them!"
"Oh, really? And what will you do if bandits appear, dear sister? Drown them in your hunger for food and booze?"
Delphine gasped. "You—!"Eli groaned, rubbing his temples as the argument devolved into childish bickering.
"Enough!" Eli finally shouted to get their attention, slapping his palm against his face. "I made a mistake mentioning it in front of you guys."
He sighed, looking between them — one a proud knight, the other a stubborn mage. "Delphine," he said, tone firm. "You're coming with me."
Delphine smirked triumphantly. "Hahaha! See, he prefers my company."
Christian raised a brow. "He prefers silence, which he'll never get with you."
Eli shot him a look. "Christian. You'll stay and train Cyrus while I'm gone. But…" his gaze sharpened, "don't go too hard on him."
Christian gave a stiff nod, though his eyes gleamed faintly with intrigue. "Very well. I'll… be gentle."
Somewhere across the training field, Cyrus suddenly sneezed and looked around in confusion."Why do I feel like something bad is gonna happen to me ?" he muttered, shivering slightly.
A few hours later, a carriage bearing the sigil of the Dawn Barony rolled down the way toward Koven Barony. Inside sat Eli and Delphine, with Eli checking his list of required purchases, the Delphine watching out the window with excitement clear in her eyes.
"Koven Barony," she mused. "It's been years since I've been here. I heard they built a new merchant street."
Eli hummed in response. "That's the very reason we're going there. Their merchant guilds are stable and their supply stocks are consistent."
Delphine smiled sideways. "You really think about everything, don't you?"
"It's my job," Eli said in a deadpan manner.
By noon, they arrived at Koven Merchant Street, a sprawling bazaar where the scent of spices, iron, wood and baked bread mixed in the air. The people bustled with life — traders shouting prices, children running between stalls with happy smiles on their faces, and the clang of metal from blacksmith forges ringing across the avenue.
"This… this is how the Dawn I dream of is— a place where no one starves, no one kneels to greed. And I'll build it myself, brick by brick, with my own hands."
Eli stepped down first, immediately drawing a few curious glances. Though dressed plainly, his posture and bearing carried quiet authority. Delphine followed, her silver hair glinting in the light like polished silk.
They began their errands systematically. Eli first visited the blacksmith's hall and negotiated for fifteen iron swords, fifteen shields, and fifteen spears, totalling 120 gold. The weapons were sturdy — not high-grade, but reliable for guards and soldiers.
Next came the general supply warehouse, where he purchased farming tools, hay, seeds for wheat, rice, and vegetables, and body armour for his guards. The deal came to 185 gold, leaving 15 gold coins from the 200 he had brought along.
Delphine followed him from store to store, alternating between fascination and mild exhaustion. "You really do this all by yourself?" she asked as he walked from store to store.
"Delegating it to people I don't trust is dangerous," Eli replied calmly. "If I don't know where every coin goes, someone else will."
She laughed softly. "You sound more like Father every day."
He paused briefly, then said, "No. Father ruled with fear. I rule with need and desire to grow in the world."
Delphine's smile faded at that. But before the silence grew heavy, a nearby baker shouted, "Fresh honey bread! Still warm!"
Her eyes lit up immediately. "Oh! I'm getting some!"
Eli blinked. "Wait, didn't you just have lunch?"
"Bread is not lunch, it's a snack," she declared and darted away before he could protest.
He sighed, muttering to himself, "As always, she is a foodie."
By evening, their errands complete, they stopped at Koven's Moonlight Tavern — a unique open-roof tavern where customers ate food under the stars. Laughter and music filled the courtyard, and the scent of roasted meat spread through the air.
Eli and Delphine sat at a small wooden table near the railing. A soft breeze carried the glow of lanterns around them as they ate.
Or rather, as she ate.
Eli watched in quiet disbelief as his slender sister effortlessly finished two full servings of roast beef, one pie, and half a loaf of bread.
"...Delphine," he said flatly, "how are you still the same weight?"
She blinked innocently. "Magic metabolism?"
He stared at her. "That is not a thing."
"It is if I believe in it," she said, taking another bite of pie.
He exhaled deeply. "Unbelievable."
For the first time in what felt like ages, Eli actually chuckled — a quiet, genuine sound that made Delphine glance up in surprise. For that brief moment, he looked younger, less burdened by the cold mask of leadership.
When they finally left the tavern, the moonlight washed the streets in a slight glow. The carriage wheels moved as they began their journey back.
Eli leaned against the side, exhaustion slowly weighing down his eyes. "Remind me," he murmured, half-asleep, "to never shop with you again."
Delphine smiled fondly. "You say that now, but you'll miss my company."
Eli turned towards her and said, "I won't."
But when she looked at him again, his head had already tilted slightly, his breathing even. He was asleep — deep, peaceful sleep, the kind he rarely allowed himself.
Without a word, Delphine reached over and gently guided his head onto her lap. "Rest, brother," she whispered. "You deserve at least that much."
The carriage rocked softly, moonlight tracing patterns across Eli's sleeping face. Delphine chuckled, stroking his hair as they travelled through the night.
By the time they arrived at the mansion gates, the stars had dimmed into the pale hues of dawn. The guards saluted as the carriage passed through, but something felt… wrong.
Noise echoed from the training field — hurried footsteps, the sound of water being fetched, voices in distress.
Delphine frowned. "What's going on?"
Eli stirred awake, blinking as the carriage stopped. The moment he stepped out, the tension in the air became palpable. Cryella rushed past them, carrying a steaming bowl of water and towels toward the training hall, tears in her eyes.
"Cryella!" Eli called sharply. "What happened?"
She froze mid-step, trembling. "L-Lord Elias… Sir Cyrus… he—he collapsed during training!"
Eli's expression darkened instantly. "Collapsed? From what?"
The words had barely left her mouth before a surge of killing intent filled the hall. The air itself seemed to vibrate as Eli's mana flared, faint embers glowing around his eyes.
"Christian…" he whispered, voice low and cold.
Then, in one thunderous shout that shook the entire mansion, he roared:
"CHRISTIAN STARBORNEEEEE!"
Birds scattered from the rooftops, guards froze in place, and even the servants stopped breathing. The echo of his voice rolled through the valley like a war cry.
Delphine flinched beside him, her face pale. "Oh no," she murmured. "Here we go again…"