Just as they had decided, Aegon and Elara behaved normally around everyone. They still had many things to consider and deal with before they announced it to everyone, after all.

Still, anyone could sense their happiness overflowing from them. At breakfast, which was luxurious as it was once again prepared by Xiu, all of them ate in silence while eyeing the duo.

"You're smiling like you're pregnant with ideas, Big Bro!" Xavier said, sitting beside Aegon.

Aegon choked on his food and glared at him while the others had similar reactions too, though they only laughed it off.

"Keep running that mouth and—"

Xavier hurriedly closed his mouth and said, "Calm down, buddy. Let's not go in that category."

Cali snickered at the side and said, "I still can't believe he's calling you Big Bro! Haha! It's too funny!"

"Don't remind me of this cursed pact!" Xavier groaned.

Last night, Aegon had dared Xavier to call him big brother for a month straight. The others still couldn't help but laugh at that, simply because they knew Xavier wanted to call him little brother.

"Still, you're unusually happy," Luna said, eating elegantly beside Aurelia. "Did something good happen?"

"We won!" Aegon smiled and said, looking away. "Besides, I'm also excited about our rewards."

"Oh yeah, this reminds me," Xiu said, knocking on his head lightly before taking out a golden badge, which she then threw at Aegon. "Take it!"

"What's this?" Aegon asked, easily catching the badge and then beginning to examine it.

It was a simple badge made entirely out of gold, with a beautiful sun carved on it and 'Count Aegon' written in beautiful calligraphy.

"Usually there's a ceremony for this, but the bald freak knows you don't like them," Xiu explained while eating her own portion. "So he sent this badge instead. With this, you can lay claim to your territory whenever you want."

"Noice!" Aegon was obviously very happy to get one of his tasks done. "Now, only the last stage remains."

"If you wanted land, you should have just asked me," Arnold said from the head seat. "We have plenty of it."

"Opa, I'm not the only Augustus," Aegon said calmly. "If I can get it done myself, I don't want to take things from them."

"It's mine first and foremost, and I decide who inherits those things," Arnold said in a stern voice.

"So you're not planning to give your other grandchildren something?" Aegon asked, looking directly into Arnold's eyes.

Arnold frowned, having nothing to say.

"I agree you have problems with their father, but I don't think you don't want to give them what they deserve," Aegon said, still looking at him. "Besides, Opa, I already have more than enough things. And if I need something, I can just take it. You made me capable enough for that."

Arnold stared at him silently for a while, the whole table shrouded in a tense atmosphere. Then he sighed and said, "I just wanted you to enjoy the things our family has collected over the centuries but could never use."

"And I am doing that, Opa," Aegon smiled and said. "I mean, this palace is pretty fun, no? You even made a garden for us here."

"He's right, Dad," Xiu spoke up. "Our Little Sun is more than capable of getting whatever he wants, so let him do that. Things we get from our own work taste different."

"Can you ever speak against him?" Arnold asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You already have the answer," Xiu flashed a toothy grin at him.

"Whatever! As long as you're happy, everything is fine," Arnold sighed. "Get ready, since your mentors will soon come to pick you up."

With that, he finished his meal and stood up. Giving a smile to everyone, he said, "Also, if you want my mentorship, then you just need to ask."

All six youngsters stood up in unison and gave a salute to Arnold. "Understood, Commander!"

Arnold laughed at their antics and said, "I'm not even going to ask whose idea this was. Just sit down and enjoy your breakfast. I'll spend my day in the garden."

Saying that, he left the room while everyone else sat down again with clear smiles on their faces.

"Did you all practice this before?" Nora asked, curious.

"Nope!" Cali replied. "We don't need to."

"Nice synergy then!" Nora gave a thumbs up.

"By the way, Aunt, what's your opinion on the First Prince?" Xavier asked Xiu. "I'm kinda nervous."

"Don't be. He's like the only good person in that bloodline," Xiu smiled and said. "He's kind, so even if you mess up, he'll be patient and help you. His only glaring flaw is his devotion to his father."

Aegon blinked in surprise, then asked as he stretched his arm, "Luna, can you pinch my arm, please?"

"You can ask me, you know. I'm sitting right beside you," Xavier said.

"I'm never trusting you."

Xavier was left speechless.

Luna chuckled and pinched his arm lightly while the others gave them puzzled looks.

"Woah! It's really true," Aegon exclaimed. "Xiu actually said good words about someone who isn't me or her brother. Did the sun rise from the west or something?"

Aurelia instantly burst into a fit of laughter while the others also laughed lightly. Controlling her laughter, she said, "Oh dear, you'll have a different opinion if you know their history."

"I'm even more interested now," Aegon inched forward and asked. "So what happened?"

Just as Aurelia was going to say something, Xiu dropped a heavy fist on her head and snorted, "Mind your own business, Lia."

"Ouch! You really should control your violent behaviour," Aurelia grinned, massaging her forehead. "Isn't this what he said?"

"As if anyone can dictate how I behave," Xiu said, clearly displeased. "And if you continue this discussion, I'll show you my true violence."

Aurelia snickered but didn't say anything. As someone who had spent decades with Xiu, she was very familiar with her and knew she would definitely get beaten up if she pushed further.

Of course, just because she stopped didn't mean others would. And that's what she hoped for after starting this topic.

"Xiu!" Aegon called out lovingly, making her freeze. "My dear Xiu."

"Stop right there, young man," Xiu hurriedly stopped him before things got worse for her.

"I'm curious though," Aegon said. "Really curious about your past now."

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