Yvonne was seated in the Parlor, discussing how CLOVER's initiation in the Noble market would take place when the Butler had informed them of Howard's return.
Earl Rutherford instructed his Butler to bring the boy here but before the old man could step outside, sounds of rushed footsteps were heard.
This caused Raylene to chuckle as she already knew who this could be.
As they gazed at the door, two young boys came dashing into the room, making both the mother and the child giggle this time.
"Welcome back, Brothers." Yvonne chirped when they finally came to a halt before the couches where the rest were seated.
Howard and Taylor took only a moment to catch their breaths before leering at each other.
However, they did not continue their silly competition of who reached her first and turned towards their sister who had been away for far too long.
"You've become thin!"
"I missed you!"
Two voices spoke at the same time, making them glare at each other once again.
Yvonne, on the other hand, rolled her eyes when she heard Howard saying that she had lost weight.
'Not possible.' She declared in her mind that his claims were false.
After all, her grandfather had not let her go until she ate till her stomach was bulging every day she stayed in the Valente estate.
She also did not have the time to train there so it was without a doubt that she had put on a little weight.
Therefore, she did not believe what Howard said and instead shook her head in rejection of that statement.
"Vonny looks good either way." Taylor scoffed at his best friend who just blurted out what was on his mind.
To him, his sister was cute as she was right now, chubby and squishy.
However, if Yvonne had heard what was on his mind right at this moment then she would have sneered at him.
She wished to regain the tall and beautiful stature she once possessed and according to the dreams she had been seeing, 'Yvonne' of the script also gained her curves upon growing older.
Therefore, she would not be too pleased if she continued to stay chubby and squishy even after puberty hit her once she grew older.
"Did Howie forget about Mama and Papa?" Raylene sulked when she was ignored by her son.
She had been waiting for the boys to greet Vonny before they could turn towards her but they had gotten into an argument among themselves.
Her complaints brought the boys back to their senses and they turned towards the adults who were also in this room.
Howard rushed to hug his mother while Taylor greeted the Earl and Countess once his best friend was done.
Yvonne smiled while watching them but upon feeling a certain pair of eyes aimed at her, turned in its direction only to find someone she had not seen for quite a while.
"Sept?" She called out the name in surprise after seeing this boy walking into the Parlor of her house.
Hearing her voice, everyone turned around and gazed at the young boy who was now close to their position.
"Howie was right. He looks just like Mr. Sevenz." Raylene whispered to her husband as she focused her scrutinizing gaze on the young boy.
Dark black hair with pale pink eyes, this was the description that Howard had given to them after returning from the house belonging to the Master of Ocular's Caravans.
Their son had already revealed to them about the existence of this boy who was said to be Sevenz's nephew and that he had come to spend some time with his uncle.
Raylene's eyes softened when she recalled that he had lost his mother recently which was also why he had come to Rosenhyde for a change in pace.
However, when she remembered the words her daughter had said, she shook her head to toss away any pitying emotions that had risen in her heart.
This boy did not need their pity but their care and affection so that was what she would also do.
She did not know why he was here but seeing that Howard was not surprised by his presence, meant that her son was already aware of it.
For this reason, she smiled at Sept, the newcomer, before glancing down at her son who was right next to her.
"Mother, we invited Sept to go shopping with us," Howard explained the reason why the other boy was here.
He then went on to reveal that he and Taylor had visited Sevenz's mansion a few times where the three boys had practiced together.
This had brought them closer during the time that his parents and sister were away from home.
Yvonne was surprised to hear this but recalling how Howard liked anyone with a talent for swordsmanship, she did not think too much about it.
"You have an etcher?" Sept, who was just introduced to the family, interrogated the little girl.
Rutherford raised his brow at the boy while Raylene was surprised to see his bold demeanor.
Didn't Howard say that Sept was stingy with his words and rarely spoke?
So how had he uttered so many words all at once?
'Sevenz never revealed it to him?' Yvonne was also surprised, wondering if her business partner had kept this a secret from him.
However, she had no qualms in revealing this matter to him so she nodded in admittance.
Sept, on the other hand, frowned when he saw her actions.
The last time they had met, she had almost no aura around her which made him believe that she was no different from any other girl of this Kingdom who could not possess etchers.
Though this changed when he sensed another etcher in this estate and the same aura was now surrounding her body.
Yvonne never tried to conceal her aura when she was at home which also helped him figure her secret out without much effort.
Therefore, she did not hide it from this person who would not be staying in Rosenhyde long enough to pose a threat to her and revealed this secret to him.
Sept's opinions of this child which had not been too high previously rose by many levels after learning that she had succeeded in forming a contract with an etcher.
"Can I see it?" He requested politely, his earlier distant and cold air when he faced Yvonne, nowhere to be seen this time.
The adults and Taylor had not sensed this difference in his attitude but Yvonne and Howard were stunned to see it.
"Umm… Okay?" She agreed before glancing at her parents who nodded, granting her permission to leave the room.
Raylene had already decided to treat this child kindly since he had just gone through a traumatic experience so she would not disagree and under her guidance, Rutherford would have to do the same.
Both of them had lost their mothers early on in life so they went easy on this boy who was trying to get their daughter away from them.
However, Rutherford glanced at his son who nodded and announced that he would accompany them as well.
Thus with the parents watching them, the four children all left the room one after another.
___
Demon was in his stable where Jax had already filled his trough with fresh water and there were also fruits placed there for him.
He was busy enjoying his snack when he sensed his Master coming towards him but a new presence next to her caused his eyes to narrow.
With vigilance in his eyes, he stepped out of his stable and leered at the group of children coming his way.
"Demon!" Yvonne called out when she saw her beloved horse already waiting outside for her.
Though she found the look on Demon's face to be odd, she turned to her side and introduced her etcher to the boy who had come to this estate for the very first time today.
"This is my etcher, Demon." She smiled while patting his sturdy body which she felt was a little tense today.
The boy's pink eyes were peering into Demon's crimson irises and no sound was heard once Yvonne was done speaking.
'Master, he's more powerful than anyone you've ever met before..' The voice that echoed in Yvonne's mind made her raise her brow in surprise as she shifted her gaze towards Sept, who was still observing the horse next to her.
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