"So, have you found a place to stay...?"
Belle asked—seated face–to–face with Brandon.
"Yeah."
Brandon nodded.
"Ah, really? Where?"
"Amelia's."
"...."
"Oh, my."
Belle was speechless, and Brianna covered her mouth in astonishment.
Belle tilted her head in disbelief.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Brandon decisively stated.
Then, Belle turned to look at her mother, and asked.
"I didn't expect this development at all. Is this allowed, Mom? He's still 17."
"Hehe~ Grandchildren~"
"...."
But their mother seemed to be out of it, mumbling a bunch of nonsense to herself.
Shaking her head and massaging her temple, Belle turned to look at Brandon and pursed her lips.
"Tell me. Who fell for who first? And what about... her."
Her.
Brandon was well aware of who Belle was referring to.
"You seem to be misunderstanding something here, sis. No one fell for anyone. Amelia just offered me a place to stay temporarily."
Leaning back nonchalantly, Brandon clasped his hands behind his head.
"And as for Rachel. Well... we're doing our own thing. Plus, it's been a year. We've never dated, and people's feelings change."
"I guess you're right. But hold on... You've basically confirmed you have feelings for Amelia."
"I'll leave that up to your imagination."
He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.
"Since when were you this cool...."
"...."
After the calamity, the Asami complex was destroyed. In the process, most of Brandon's belongings were destroyed.
And so, he barely had anything.
"Do you want me to go shopping with you?"
"Nah. I can do it myself. You should return to the army soon. You'll probably have to debrief them further on the plan."
"Right, that...."
"Yes, 'that'. Good luck vouching for me, sis."
"...."
Brandon looked around. The entire room was big. In fact, it was way too spacious for two people living alone.
"Ah. What happened to the housekeepers working for us?"
"They're still working for us. But on a fixed schedule. Right now, it's still 6:00 AM. They usually come by around 6:30."
"Oh."
Belle began to elaborate.
The Locke family was benevolent to the people working for them. It was for that reason, that the servants had never abandoned them. And chose to support, and work for them, even during these times.
That being said, time passed, and the door creaked open. Servants began to enter the huge apartment.
The room really was huge.
In fact, there were about two floors.
Why did they need that much space...?
Brandon shook his head and dismissed his thoughts.
After greeting all the servants, and bidding farewell to their mother, Brandon and Belle left the apartment room.
Belle called for a different taxi and left shortly after.
Brandon did the same, giving the taxi driver directions to Amelia's house.
Leaning his head on his hand, and gazing outside, Brandon started to ponder.
Recounting all the events that had just transpired, and the upcoming operation, he breathed out a sigh.
"Haaa...."
There was still so much left to do.
And the first step was to clean the human domain off the Milis Continent filth—killing the trespassers who had stepped foot inside the city, blending in with its citizens.
Despite all the progressions, Brandon was unaware of their identities.
"Ice cream...."
"Want to try?"
All of a sudden, Amelia's voice cut through.
"Let's have that after breakfast."
"Oh,"
Brandon raised his head and met Amelia's gaze.
"You guys haven't eaten yet?"
"No, we just woke up."
"Ah."
Amelia walked towards the kitchen, taking a pan out of a cabinet.
"What about you? Do you want anything?"
"I've already had breakfast. You guys go ahead."
"Okay."
Brandon looked around and took in the sight of Amelia's place.
It was a bit too spacious for a single person living here. Brandon could tell she kept the place thoroughly clean.
There was not a single speck of dust, nor any garbage strewn all over the floor.
But along with that, Brandon could tell how it must've been lonely for Amelia to have lived in this place all these months alone.
Sending Aurelia to live with Amelia was a good decision.
Then, Brandon lowered his head and looked back at Aurelia—who stared at him with wide eyes.
"Why don't you give me a tour of this place, Aurelia?"
"Hm... Okay!"
Holding Aurelia's hand, the little elven girl took him around the house.
"Living room!"
There, Brandon could see a wide couch in an 'L' shape. A huge flat–screen TV. And to top it off, there was a tall window with a view of the whole city.
How neat.
"Bathroom!"
"Oh."
It was quite spacious as well and clean, complete with every necessity. And to think it was only the bathroom for the guests.
"Aurelia's room!"
"Hm?"
So Amelia was kind enough to give Aurelia her own room. It seemed to be big enough for the little elven girl. There were stuffed plushies on the lilac colored bed sheet.
"Mama's room!"
"Oh—Wait."
What the fuck?
"Mama?"
Since when did Aurelia start calling Amelia, 'mama'.
What in the world.
"Wait, don't go there!"
Amelia suddenly screamed. But it was too late.
"Ah."
Brandon took in the sight of Amelia's room. There, Brandon could see a set of lingerie strewn all over the bed. He flicked his head away as fast as he looked.
"...."
Slam—!
Amelia suddenly slammed the door shut with no hesitation, her face flushing beet red as she stared at Aurelia with incredulous expressions.
Brandon found himself speechless as he stared at Amelia—who then stared back at him—looking deeply embarrassed.
"You."
"I... I... They were newly bought! I was just..."
Her eyes darted around.
"....Testing them out."
"....I didn't see anything."
And they left it at that.
Brandon walked towards the couch and slumped down. He could hear Amelia mumble something to Aurelia, words like, 'How could you betray me like that?' 'I thought I locked the door....'
Brandon shrugged his shoulders.
"Where should I sleep?"
Brandon suddenly asked.
He had caught their attention. Amelia and Aurelia turned their heads and looked at him.
"Do you want to show him, Aurelia?"
"Yes!"