The kitchen of House Thorne was unusually calm, a rare pocket of peace within the sprawling mansion.

Noel stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, carefully pouring hot water into a teapot. Steam curled upward, carrying the scent of herbs and faint vanilla. Beside him, a tray waited with several delicate cups and a plate of freshly baked cookies—round, golden, and dusted with sugar.

Down the hall, muffled laughter echoed faintly. Even through the thick stone walls, Noel could hear the distinct tones of Elyra, Charlotte, Elena, and Selene—voices that somehow filled every empty corner of the estate.

Noir, who had been napping near the bed, perked her ears at the noise. Her tail flicked once.

'They're… loud,' she murmured through their link, her tone halfway between annoyance and curiosity.

Noel smirked. "Yeah, they're probably turning my room upside down."

'Then I'm coming with you,' Noir said, standing and stretching. 'I can't rest with all that noise.'

"Fine," Noel replied, glancing down at her. "Just don't bite anyone."

'No promises,' she teased.

He gave a faint chuckle before returning to the tea.

As he worked, his thoughts drifted. 'They really came all this way… Elyra, Charlotte, Elena, Selene. They could've stayed safe at the academy, but instead, they followed me here—into Thorne territory of all places. Just to see me.'

He paused, the faint clink of porcelain breaking the silence. 'I'm grateful, but… they might've just stepped into danger without realizing it.'

The horde was coming in less than a week. And if Mirelle's strange behavior meant what he suspected, then the Pillars—the twin ones—might already be preparing something.

'You're thinking too hard again, dad,' Noir's voice came softly.

Noel smiled faintly. "Yeah. Guess I am."

He placed the teapot on the tray, balancing everything with steady hands. "Alright," he murmured. "Let's go before they start tearing down the walls."

'Finally,' Noir said, hopping onto his shoulder. 'Let's see what kind of chaos your girlfriends are causing this time.'

And together, they left the serenity of the kitchen—heading straight for the noise upstairs.

Noel didn't even need to reach the door to know what was happening.

The noise alone—laughter, shuffling footsteps, and Charlotte's unmistakable "Wait, don't open that!"—was enough to tell him exactly how badly his room was being raided.

He sighed. "Unbelievable."

Pushing open the door, he was met with a scene that made him pinch the bridge of his nose.

Elyra was at his desk, flipping through a book with the most innocent smile imaginable.

Charlotte was kneeling near the nightstand, inspecting a small trinket like it was a treasure.

Elena was half-under the bed, muttering something about "dust bunnies of doom," and Selene—of course—stood against the wall with her arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold with silent judgment.

Noir's ears twitched from his shoulder. 'You weren't exaggerating… they are loud.'

"Yeah," Noel murmured. "Welcome to my life."

As soon as they noticed him, the four froze mid-movement.

Elyra quickly dropped the book, pretending to fix her hair. Charlotte awkwardly hid the trinket behind her back. Elena bumped her head on the bed frame as she tried to crawl out.

Only Selene met his gaze without hesitation.

"We were… um—" Charlotte began.

"Exploring," Elyra interrupted with a smile that fooled absolutely no one.

Selene sighed, cutting in flatly, "They were trying to find something embarrassing to use against you. They failed."

"SELENE!" the three girls shouted in unison.

Noel just stood there, tray in hand, trying not to laugh. Noir, perched on his shoulder, looked at them all and wagged her tail.

'They smell guilty,' she whispered.

Setting the tray down on the low table, Noel raised a brow. "So. How's the expedition going?"

Elyra crossed her arms. "Terrible. You're too clean, Noel. It's suspicious."

Charlotte pouted. "You don't even have hidden letters or pictures! Who lives like this?"

Elena added shyly, "It's… very organized."

Noel chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Maybe because I don't have time to hide secrets."

He poured the tea with calm precision, the tension fading instantly as the aroma filled the air.

"Come on," he said, gesturing toward the table. "Before Noir eats all the cookies."

'Don't threaten me with a good time,' Noir thought smugly, hopping down to sit beside the tray.

The girls exchanged glances, giggling as they sat around the table—mischief replaced by warmth.

The knock came exactly when Noel expected it.

Albrecht Thorne never arrived early, never late. Always precise.

The door opened, and his father stepped in—tall, broad-shouldered, wrapped in his usual black and crimson formal coat. His expression, as always, was unreadable, the kind of cold composure that made the room quiet without needing to speak.

"I received your letter," he began, his gaze sweeping across the group. "The one saying that my son would be receiving four… guests."

The girls rose at once. Elyra offered a graceful bow; Charlotte clasped her hands politely; Elena followed with quiet elegance, and even Selene dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment.

Noel straightened, his tone calm. "I was going to come find you once they were settled."

Albrecht's eyes, sharp as ever, flicked toward him. "And make me wait while half the continent's noble daughters sit in my home? No. I'll greet them myself."

His attention moved first to Selene.

"Lady Selene von Iskandar," he said, voice even, but with a faint, knowing weight. "You and my son vanished during the Hunt of Inheritance. I trust whatever happened was… productive."

Selene met his gaze without hesitation. "We survived. That was enough."

Albrecht studied her for a heartbeat, then gave the smallest of nods. "Good."

He turned next to Charlotte. "The Saint of the Generation. Daughter of Orthran. Valor's Holy Capital must be quieter without you."

Charlotte smiled warmly. "Maybe a little. But I think they'll survive."

That almost earned a smirk from him—almost.

Then came Elena.

"Elena von Lestaria. Your father still manages the borderlands, yes? Veyron never could sit still."

Elena smiled politely. "He's still the same, my lord. My parents are doing well."

"Good. The Lestarias have always been useful allies," he said curtly, and moved on.

Finally, his gaze rested on Elyra.

"Elyra von Estermont. The most influential heiress in Valor—second only to the Imperial line." His tone held a hint of something like respect. "Your family's dealings in Tharvaldur were… impressive."

Elyra's eyes gleamed. "You heard about that?"

"I hear about everything that concerns the Empire," Albrecht replied coolly.

He clasped his hands behind his back, surveying them all. "It's rare to see such distinguished guests gathered under one roof. You'll dine with the Thorne family tonight. The household is already preparing."

Noel frowned slightly. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Albrecht's lips curved in a faint, humorless smile. "Of course. I may be many things, but I'm not an ungracious host."

Elyra chuckled under her breath; Charlotte whispered, "He's scarier when he's polite."

Selene murmured, "Agreed."

Albrecht gave a final nod, his eyes landing back on Noel. "Be ready at sunset. And tell your… familiar to behave." His gaze flicked briefly to Noir, who blinked up at him innocently.

As he turned to leave, Noir whispered in Noel's mind, 'Dad, I don't like him.

Noel sighed softly. 'Yeah… me neither.'

When the door closed, silence filled the room again.

Charlotte leaned forward with a nervous laugh. "So… dinner with your dad. That's not intimidating at all."

Elyra smirked. "Oh, it's going to be fun."

Noel dropped his head into his hands. "You and I have very different definitions of that word."

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