Azel entered the mansion again with Erblim perched lazily on his head.

'It looks nice,' he thought, taking in the size and shine of the place.

The building was enormous, truly fit for someone of lordly standing. He couldn't help but whistle softly as he walked in.

The last time he'd been here, the walls had been cracked and stained with some kind of green liquid.

Now they gleamed like polished marble.

It felt new.

"Phew," he said, stretching his arms as his gaze landed on a massive chair at the center of the hall.

It was positioned on a high platform, lined with crimson carpet. The seat itself was wide, soft, and carved from deep black wood.

It looked exactly like a throne.

He couldn't resist.

Climbing the small steps, Azel sat down and let himself sink into the cushion. The softness was perfect… firm enough to hold him up and also relaxing enough that he immediately felt his body melting into it.

"This is nice," he murmured.

He leaned back, letting his elbows rest on the armrests as Erblim fluttered off his head to perch on one of the high beams.

For a moment, Azel imagined what Aldric Starbloom felt like, sitting on his imperial throne and staring down at an entire empire under his command.

'Yeah… that must be something,' he thought.

Then the thought of the endless paperwork, complaints, taxes, border wars, and political squabbles that came with being a ruler made his smile fade.

'Nope. Never mind. I'm good. I'll just marry Naelia and run away.'

He rubbed his temples.

"Aegon better be ready," he muttered. "He's the one that wants that seat anyway."

He wondered briefly how the prince was doing… and Valen too, his younger brother.

He hadn't seen the guy in ages, but he was probably fine.

"Well, whatever," he sighed. His eyes grew heavy. Maybe it was the mana exhaustion, or maybe the soft chair was just too comfortable.

Either way, his body started giving in to the urge to rest.

"Erblim."

"Yes, Master?" the crow replied sleepily from above however Azel didn't notice.

"Wake me up if something important comes up."

"Yes, Master…"

Azel closed his eyes and let the world fade.

Within seconds, his breathing slowed, and the hall fell silent… save for the occasional sleepy snore from Erblim.

…

He didn't know how long he was out.

What finally woke him was a poking sensation against his forehead.

He frowned, mumbling something incomprehensible, before cracking open one eye.

Standing right in front of him was a small boy… maybe six or seven years old poking his head with a curious finger.

"Uncle Lord? Lord Uncle? Are you awake?"

Azel blinked slowly.

The boy had dirty blond hair that stuck out in uneven tufts, a pair of bright amber eyes, and a grin that could melt the coldest heart… quite literally, still he wasn't as cute as Lillia or Isolde.

"Uncle?" the boy asked again.

Azel groaned and rubbed his face. "I'm awake, I'm awake."

He glanced up to find Erblim still perched on his head snoring softly.

The bird was the one supposed to wake him, yet here he was sleeping harder than his master.

'Useless featherball.'

The boy looked nervous now, hands fidgeting behind his back. "Mama and Papa said I shouldn't disturb your sleep, but… I wanted to ask if you had more of…"

He held something up… a small half-empty packet.

"This sweet thing," he said hopefully.

Azel's eyes narrowed. "The ration pack?"

He thought those things were supposed to keep people full for days. The kid had eaten his in less than a night?

"Nope," Azel said. "But—"

Something flickered in his hand, and a fish skewer materialized out of thin air. He looked at it, then at the boy.

"Here. Have this. It's better."

The boy's face lit up. "Thank you, Uncle!"

He took a bite immediately, tail wagging faintly in joy… a small detail that told Azel the child hadn't yet learned to fully control his transformations.

"Uncle," the boy said between bites, "there's something on your cheek… It looks like water."

Azel frowned, touched his cheek and froze.

Drool.

He'd been drooling in his sleep.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath, quickly wiping his face with his sleeve.

The boy tilted his head. "What does fuck mean, Uncle?"

Azel's hand froze mid-wipe.

He turned slowly, his expression deadpan. "It means… don't say that."

"Oh. Okay!" the boy said cheerfully.

"Good."

"Can I get another one of those sticks?"

Azel sighed and conjured another skewer, handing it over. "If you promise to forget everything you just heard."

"Promise!"

The boy grinned, took the skewer, and dashed out of the room, leaving only the echo of his footsteps.

Azel leaned back in his chair, a small smile at his lips.

"Kids sure are bundles of joy," he murmured.

He barely had time to enjoy the peace again when the sound of the door opening echoed through the hall.

A woman stepped in.

She was in her human form, tall and graceful, with soft brown hair tied loosely at the back and striking amber eyes that mirrored the boy's.

Her clothes made Azel blink… she was wearing a maid uniform.

"Are you Ravik's wife?" he asked immediately.

The woman froze mid-step with her eyes wide.

Then she bowed her head quickly. "Yes, my lord. Please forgive my son for disturbing your slumber."

Azel waved his hand dismissively. "That's no problem. An uncle shouldn't be harsh."

The woman smiled, clearly relieved.

"Though…" Azel tilted his head. "Why are you dressed like that?"

She straightened slightly, holding the hem of her dress. "My husband told me I would be serving you from now on, my lord."

Azel blinked. "He said what?"

"Yes," she said with an earnest nod. "He insisted it would be an honor for our family."

He groaned softly.

"These werewolves sure trust me a lot," he muttered under his breath.

Erblim finally stirred, opening one sleepy eye. "Master… you look like a king."

"Don't jinx it," Azel replied flatly. "You didn't do your work well."

Turning back to the woman, he said, "Alright then, let's make this simple. What's first on the list?"

She straightened immediately. "Well, the townsfolk are gathered and awaiting your speech, my lord."

Azel smiled. "Oh, that's nice. At least they… wait."

His smile disappeared. "Gathered? Awaiting my speech?"

"Yes, my lord," she said innocently. "They're waiting for you at the square right now."

Azel's jaw went slack.

'Fuck!'

He jumped from his throne, nearly sending Erblim tumbling off his head.

"Why wasn't I told about this earlier?!" he shouted, rushing toward the door.

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