Chapter 70 - Affection

"What did I miss?" As Lucas Feuerlon walked towards Faustina and Maddie, the growing murmurs increased. Just a moment ago gazes were directed to Faustina, but now mumbles (not-so-silent chatters) were scattered all across Feuer Chateau. Nobles whispering. Disoriented faces, obviously making their personal assumptions.

Faustina can only name a few—several distinguishable and prevalent enigmas that are dispensed evenly among the arrays of the nobles.

"Look at her. Is that Lucas Feuerlon with her?"

"Don't tell me, she's..."

"The Duke's... illegitimate child? With the peasant woman? But her hair..."

"She's clearly possessing the Verteidigerin trait. But the duke only had two children..."

"Never mind that. Did you see the way she talked to Lilliane Desfiegro?"

"Oh, I saw that," says another. "Insolence. She's a Feuerlon, how could she be so... barbarous."

"Uncivilized, you mean?"

Lucas Feuerlon shot the murmuring nobles with a glare, which resulted in forced taciturnity. Although it eased the talking, Faustina was certain that even in their sealed lips, looming still in the back of their minds, were speculations of their own.

And for sure, rumors will begin to spread.

Lucas sighed. "Are you alright?" He asks.

"I'm fine, brother," Faustina answers shortly.

Silence.

"Maddie, what happened here?"

"Er, sir..."

"Maddie."

Maddie sighed.

"It seems like a Desfiegro girl tried to... er, taunt M'lady, sir. I'm sorry I haven't interfered,"

"No, Maddie. If you did, you might endure severe consequences." Lucas exclaims. "Did she hurt you, Faustina?"

"D-don't worry, brother. I'm fine. She didn't hurt me."

In Lucas' emerald eyes was a hint of his worry. "Are you sure?"

Faustina nodded.

"Did you eat? I'm sorry I went away. I went to talk to Anna Unsterblich, Magierstadt's principal."

"Sh-she's here?" Faustina asks, alarmed. A Magierstadt professor—no, the principal. She shouldn't let her guard down.

"Well, her material body is in Magierstadt; I only met her through a hologram. An embodiment of her body and thought via the distortion of light."

Faustina tilted her head. "I've never heard of such spell... or am I not studying enough?"

"No, no. That spell are only for light magic users. They're quite rare; said to be descendants of Lightbearers." Lucas says. "Anyways, let's eat. I'll also introduce you to people I know."

Faustina nodded.

"By the way, Faustina. Have you seen Ezekiel Unsterblich?" Asks Lucas. "He wandered off on his own again. When he gave me the material to project his mother, he quickly left. That brat,"

"Eze...kiel?"

"You saw him?"

"W-well..."

"Hmm?" Lucas' brows furrowed into a scowl, indicating is curiosity and confusion. "What is it, little sister?"

"Er..."

"Maddie," Lucas shifted his gaze to the maid. "Anything to say?"

"W-well, sir. It's just that he kind of... saved M'lady from humiliation." Maddie exclaims. "He protected M'lady from the impulsive actions of the Desfiegro lady."

"Protected? How?"

"Well, champagne from the flute almost got spilled on M'lady," Maddie explains. "But Young Ezekiel Unsterblich covered for M'lady—it was truly a sight to behold, I tell you, sir!"

"Ooh?" Lucas raised his brow. "That unresponsive brat did something like that?"

"He also apologized for the Desfiegro lady's irrational actions, too." Says Maddie, "isn't that right, M'lady?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." Lucas tilted his head. "That's odd."

"Why?"

"Ezekiel Johann is an unresponsive, emotionless brat. He doesn't even care what his seniors tell him. I'm quite surprised he did that; it was quite a mystery. There is no benefit... except..." Lucas dr.a.p.ed his arms around Faustina. "Except he probably has eyes for my baby sister."

Faustina's brow twitched.

Affectionately, he pulled her into a brotherly embrace. "Our precious Faustina. We won't let that Ezekiel have you. You'll stay with your family forever, alright?"

Faustina found herself smiling unconsciously, getting swept away by the moment.

"Yes, brother."