Chapter 5: Guardians

  Later on, already inside her room, Caria and Tana were preparing for the banquet. The atmosphere was calm, interrupted only by the soft rustling of fabric from the dress and the distant murmur of the mansion in full activity… when suddenly, the hurried steps of a heavily armored soldier could be heard approaching urgently through the hallway.

  The metallic sound of each step echoed strongly, making the floor and walls vibrate as they passed.

  —My lady —Tana said with a sideways smile—, it seems your mountain of steel has already settled in and has come to see you.

  Before Caria could reply, the doors of the room burst open wide with a rather undelicate crash. A female figure, wrapped in heavy armor, rushed in with overflowing energy, searching for Caria with her eyes.

  —My lady! I finally found you!

  The air changed.

  The armor that had just entered shone with a tempered glow, reflecting each ray of light as if the metal itself remembered the battles it had fought. Her scarlet skirt, trimmed in gold, swayed with the rhythm of her decisive steps. At her belt she carried an ornate mace, and on her back, a broad shield bearing the emblem of House Sungley engraved in relief, marked by small nicks that revealed real and constant use.

  Her blond hair, tied in a high ponytail, fell like a golden flame over the armor. Beneath the steel and discipline, the nobility of her lineage could be sensed, but also the hardness of a woman who had seen too many comrades fall.

  It was Holley, Caria’s sworn guardian since the campaign against the Demon King. Despite being born into nobility, she had renounced the luxuries of her house to follow the one she considered her true inspiration.

  Her gaze, usually firm and calm, was now filled with restrained emotion: relief, guilt, and a deep devotion she could barely hide.

  —My lady Caria… —she said with a trembling voice as she knelt before her—. Forgive me for not being here during your childbirth. My duty to the lord kept me away, but my heart… my heart never left your side.

  Caria sighed softly and smiled at her with affection.

  —Holley… —she said warmly—. I deeply appreciate your devotion, but rushing in with your full armor on made the entire room shake. Fortunately, little Kael, curiously enough, did not get scared… but I am glad to see you here, safe and sound.

  Holley lifted her face with renewed determination.

  —From now on, I will not leave your side.

  Now calmer, Holley managed to relax and adopt a more serene expression. Her eyes, almost instinctively, drifted toward the small figure resting in Caria’s arms.

  Carefully and in silence, she stepped closer to observe him more closely, leaning in slightly.

  —My lady… —she murmured—, you are incredible… you even created a miniature version of Laret.

  Caria laughed softly.

  —Do you really think he looks that much like him? —she asked, with a mix of pride and tenderness.

  —Without a doubt —Holley replied—. He has the same hair color and eyes. Hopefully, he won’t turn out as clumsy as his father.

  Tana could not hold it in.

  —Pfff… —and she burst into laughter.

  —Holley… —Caria said, shaking her head—. Always so direct and honest…

  Holley removed the gloves of her armor and, with bare hands, like another member of the infamous cheek-pinching cult, proceeded without mercy. She grabbed Kael’s cheeks and began squeezing them while showering him with kisses.

  —Kyaaaa! He’s so soft and squishy… who is the angriest and most adorable baby? >///<

  Kael could confirm, without a doubt, that he was paying for the sins of his past life.

  This was hell… and it had the form of cheek-pinching demons.

  Kael (thought):

  NOOOOOOO. How am I not supposed to cry when this place is full of out-of-control women who won’t leave me alone?!?!?!

  —You see what you cause, Holley —Caria said with a resigned smile—. You made him cry…

  —I’m sorry, my lady… —Holley replied, lowering her head, though clearly without any real remorse.

  —I’ll take him for a walk down the hallway for a while while you get ready for the banquet, my lady —Tana intervened—. That way I’ll have this little one calm before the celebration.

  —Thank you, Tana —Caria nodded—. I leave him to you.

  Then she looked at Holley—. In the meantime, help me put on the dress.

  —It will be an honor, my lady!

  After a few minutes in the hallway, Kael was finally able to deactivate his defense method against cheek squeezing. Tana cradled him gently, holding him with care as she walked along the mansion corridor. The place was lit by torches and oil lamps, whose reflections danced across the polished stone walls, casting soft and calming shadows.

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  Tana hummed a slow and ancient melody, almost a lullaby, which blended with the distant echo of footsteps, laughter, and voices coming from the main hall. The steady rocking and the warm tone of the song managed to calm the little one… until something caught his attention.

  Kael, looking over Tana’s shoulder, noticed a figure at the end of the hallway.

  His body tensed.

  A silhouette moved with agility and stealth that even the guards seemed unable to perceive. Triangular ears stood out clearly, a tail swayed with perfectly controlled feline rhythm, and golden eyes reflected the light with predatory precision.

  Kael (thought):

  This can’t be… a cat-man!

  Tana, completely unaware of her baby’s existential crisis, turned slightly to greet the newcomer… and almost dropped Kael in shock.

  —Lord Enta! —she exclaimed with a nervous smile, tightening her grip—. It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m very glad you returned safely after accompanying the lord on the crusade.

  The newcomer inclined his head with natural elegance. His voice was deep but soft, carrying a feline calm that commanded respect without effort.

  He wore sober and refined attire: a dark suit with impeccable tailoring that fit his athletic build without restricting movement. The fabric, dense and matte, seemed designed more to resist stares than impacts, like a civilized armor for a predator who had learned to move through kingdoms and halls as easily as through the jungle. A tie in deep tones crossed his chest, providing a measured, almost provocative contrast.

  It was Enta, of the leopard-men lineage, natural warriors of the Beast Kingdom. His species was known for balancing the strength of the lion with the agility of the jaguar and, in his particular case, also an intelligence that bordered on malice.

  During the crusade against the Demon King, he had fought side by side with Laret, and from that campaign an unlikely friendship was born between a human noble and a beastly hunter.

  What few knew was that Enta had decided not to return to his homeland. He had fled… or rather, he had elegantly walked away from his family responsibilities, settling in House Sungley, where he found a quiet life, good food, and, most importantly, a complete absence of parental lectures.

  With a sharp smile, Enta greeted her with almost theatrical courtesy.

  —Lady Tana… —he said—. And I see this little one is already awakening everyone’s protective instincts in the mansion. I’m glad to know the home remains as lively as ever.

  Kael (thought):

  He’s not just a giant cat… he’s refined too. What’s next? A dog-man wearing a tie? This world really tries hard to test me.

  Enta, clearly intrigued by the young master who would not stop staring at him, slightly tilted his head.

  —It seems I have caught the interest of this curious little one…

  —Aprrruuuuuuubbbbsbsbs… —Kael babbled without any control.

  Tana opened her eyes in surprise and excitement.

  —Oh! The young master made his first expression! —she exclaimed—. How adorable! >/////<

  Then she looked at Enta—. My lord, it seems he really likes you.

  Kael (thought):

  Damn it! Out of excitement, I tried to speak, but my vocal cords are not ready yet. Literally… I babbled like a baby.

  Enta tilted his head slightly.

  —May I hold him, my lady?

  —Me? —Tana replied, startled—. Oh, sorry… the little Kael. Yes, of course.

  With a careful and respectful gesture, Enta asked to hold the child. His movements were firm but delicate, belonging to someone accustomed both to battle and to handling something fragile.

  —Such a beautiful little one… —he murmured—. Though I notice those cheeks are a bit red. It seems there is an active sect of cheek-pinching demons in this mansion…

  He smiled faintly—. I think you will need a personal guardian to protect you.

  Kael (thought):

  SIR CAT-MAN, I ADORE YOU! TAKE ME WITH YOU! THESE WOMEN ARE GOING TO DISFIGURE ME!

  —Prrbrbrbr… —Kael babbled, followed by a messy laugh—. Ha, ha, ha!

  Tana stared at him, surprised and slightly wounded in her pride.

  —It can’t be… the young master never made that expression with us… how unfair…

  She sighed, but smiled—. Still, I can’t help it, he looks very cute smiling and laughing >////<

  While Enta and Tana talked, Caria and Holley approached, drawn by the baby’s laughter echoing through the hallway.

  —That can’t be! —Caria exclaimed—. What did you do, Enta!? How did you manage to make him laugh!?

  —And not only that, my lady —Tana added—. As soon as he saw him, he started babbling and moving to be with him.

  Holley crossed her arms, frowning with clearly exaggerated suspicion.

  —Clever cat… —she said—. You’d better reveal all the information you have about how to make angry babies laugh…

  Enta raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender.

  —I would love to share all that secret knowledge —he replied—, but even I don’t know what I did to make him not want to leave my side…

  Soon after, Ken and Laret joined them, drawn both by the commotion and by the unmistakable laughter of a baby who seemed to have discovered a new source of happiness. Their steps echoed down the hallway, mixing with the constant murmur of the mansion preparing for the banquet.

  —Hey, Enta —Ken said with a teasing smile—, that’s a sign… the world is telling you that you should start thinking about forming a family.

  He laughed loudly—. Ha, ha, ha!

  Laret watched the scene with a calm expression, filled with restrained pride as he saw his son so lively in the arms of his old companion.

  —It seems my son has grown quite fond of you, Enta —he said sincerely—. I’m glad everyone returned safely from this mission.

  Enta inclined his head slightly, showing respect.

  —It has been an honor to help in this crusade, my lord —he replied—. It will always be a pleasure to serve here… this house always offers new experiences and emotions.

  The hallway filled with a warm and familiar atmosphere. Laughter, exchanged comments, and knowing looks mixed together while Kael continued babbling happily, completely unaware of the true meaning of that moment, yet somehow sensing the harmony surrounding him.

  Then Caria stepped forward, looking at everyone with a wide smile.

  —It’s time for the banquet —she announced—. How about we go eat and have some fun?

  Her eyes shone with curiosity—. I want to hear everything about the monsters you fought.

  The group began to move slowly toward the main hall, walking through the wide corridors of the mansion while sharing anecdotes, laughter, and lively comments. The lights grew brighter as they approached the heart of the place, and the aroma of food began to fill the air.

  Kael, still in Enta’s arms, watched everything with curious eyes, babbling from time to time, as if trying to take part in the conversation.

  —Hey, Enta… —Ken resumed in a conspiratorial tone as they walked—, are you sure? This is a sign… in the city there are quite attractive beast women.

  He nudged him—. I think this is your moment.

  Enta frowned slightly, clearly uncomfortable.

  —I’m sorry, Ken —he replied calmly—, but I’m not interested in those kinds of places…

  —Prrbbrbrbrbrb… —Kael babbled, followed by a laugh—. Ha, ha, ha!

  Ken opened his eyes exaggeratedly.

  —Look at the young master! —he exclaimed—. He liked the idea! See? It’s a sign!

  Tana stopped in her tracks and looked at him with a dangerous expression.

  —Ken, if you keep insisting on those kinds of comments, I will test my new cast-iron pot on your head.

  Laret nodded with complete seriousness.

  —Yes, Tana, go ahead. It’s an interesting culinary proposal.

  Holley smiled to the side, clearly enjoying the situation.

  —If you want, I’ll help —she added—. I’d love to try some scrambled eggs… with Ken’s face included.

  Laughter burst out as they continued walking, the light and familiar atmosphere closing the scene with a human warmth that contrasted with the harsh battles they had left behind.