28 Hoffmann's Estate

Jack stood frozen, his eyes widening. The house he had pictured, a modest two-storey dwelling crammed with too many family members, was nowhere to be seen.

Whoa-whoa-whoa!

Before him loomed an entire mansion, its pristine white structure burrowed into the side of a vast, pale cliff. Dozens of windows, perhaps fifty in total, glittered in the sunlight. A towering metal gate, dark and adorned with gold accents, encircled the estate, standing at an imposing four metres.

At its centre, a gold-plated sign read 'House of Hoffmann,' accompanied by a family crest depicting a leaping rabbit.

"Let's hop in, everyone!" Lupus exclaimed, striding forward with a joyful hum on her lips.

The front portion of the house jutted out from the main structure, serving as both an entrance and a guest area. Lupus led Jack and Frain through automatic doors into a grand hall, its arched ceiling soaring ten metres high. The corridor stretched on, lined with intricate designs that hinted at the house's rich history.

Every detail suddenly slammed into place.

The pricey inn.

Her golden arc boots.

The ridiculous spending habits, buying Frain on a whim, that extravagant gift… It was all so excessive. She had to be highborn. Was this the equivalent of a palace? A magistrate's daughter?

His train of thought shattered as two young Wildren children, no older than ten, sprinted towards Lupus.

"Lupy! Lupy! Lupy!" a little boy chanted, hopping along while gripping a bamboo sword. His twin sister trailed behind him, waving frantically. Both wore identical toothy grins — the very same as Lupus's own.

"Lumie! Lumus!" Lupus cried out in delight, throwing her arms wide open. The three embraced in a tight, heartwarming reunion.

Jack watched them, a pang of jealousy creeping into his chest. He felt torn between happiness for her and the ugly envy coiling in his gut. But as Lupus turned towards him, he buried the feeling, forcing a smile onto his lips. The expression felt brittle, a tight stretch of muscle that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hello, kiddos!" He clipped with an awkward wave.

"Stop grinning like a creep, Jackie!" she quipped.

Beside her, Frain exaggeratedly pulled her own cheeks into an awkward grin, mocking him. She chuckled in her throat.

***

That evening, Jack found himself seated at an impossibly long dinner table with twenty-two seats, plus two extra for the guests. Every member of Lupus's family was present: her parents, twelve brothers, and seven sisters, their ages ranging from seven to twenty-eight.

They welcomed Jack and Frain with open arms, their exuberant personalities unmistakably the source of Lupus's own lively nature.

The meal itself was a grand feast. An excess of delicacies and drinks covered the table, more than enough to satisfy the heartiest appetite. Yet, despite the abundance, the atmosphere remained poised and dignified.

The only exception was Lumus, the cheekiest of the bunch, who couldn't resist sneaking a playful poke at his twin sister's side. Jack quickly learned that rabbit Wildrens were particularly sensitive there.

He made a mental note. Such a detail might come in handy one day.

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Jack wasn't particularly surprised when Lupus's parents, Ludwig and Petra Hoffmann, revealed themselves as the magistrate and vice-magistrate of Hasenwald.

"I appreciate you bringing our rebellious child home, Mr. Squire," Ludwig said with a nod.

"Indeed," Petra interjected, her eyes twinkling. "Lupus has told me you're one of the finest gentlemen she's ever met."

"Mother!" Lupus exclaimed, her hands flying to her mouth.

Ludwig dabbed his lips with a handkerchief. "You see, Lupus is the joy and pride of the Hoffmanns, just like any of her siplings. She is an exceptional mage, but that won't save her from her own naivety."

"Or her impulsiveness!" Petra added with a laugh.

"How could I forget the things she's done?" Ludwig chuckled, sending Lupus into a pout. "She wrestled a wild boar in the mud when she was only ten."

A hearty laugh erupted from Frain, so forceful it brought tears to her eyes. The rest of the table soon joined in, the sound of their shared amusement filling the hall.

"Don't believe them, Jackie!" Lupus pleaded, her hand brushing against his in her excitement.

He gently pulled his hand away. "Sorry."

"Sorry," she clipped, turning to her siblings with a flustered look.

Over dinner, he also gathered that Lupus was their eighteenth child, with Lumie and Lumus being the youngest. He marvelled at how such a large household could function so harmoniously, every member contributing to the prosperity of the Hoffmann name.

Later that night, Lupus took Jack and Frain to some place special, according to her claim. The city's layout, built along a zigzagging cliff, made navigation surprisingly efficient with a network of electric lifts and escalators.

"This is one of the best night views, you'all!" Lupus propped her chest and proudly presented the scenic view.

Stepping onto the large balcony, Jack was met with a breathtaking sight. The grand riverfall cascaded endlessly into the abyss below. Above, the shattered remnants of the former moon adorned the starry sky, casting an eerie, mesmerising glow over the landscape.

"Well?" Lupus urged.

"Even more beautiful with the shimmering city's light." Jack admitted, his gaze grew distant.

"Yep! They installed spotlights under the rocks down there, too," Lupus added, sounding like a tour guide. Noticing Frain's quietness, she asked, "Frain?"

"I wanna stay here. Can I stay here?" Frain said, her voice trembling.

"Awwww, baby." Lupus looked at her with pity, "Of course, you can. You are my family now, our family." She proclaimed so Jack could hear her, too.

For the moment, Jack inhaled the crisp, mist-laden air, letting the droplets settle on his skin, washing away the weight of reality.

A soft whimper sounded behind him, followed by a gentle nudge. Turning, he found Frain pressing against his back, nestling close as if he were her pack leader.

"Do you wanna stay with us, Jack?" Her question was like a plea.

Uncertain, Jack glanced at Lupus for guidance. She gave an exaggerated slow-blink, a clear signal, and then nodded.

Taking the hint, he reached out, his fingers brushing through Frain's hair. She purred in contentment.

"She's, um… we…" Lupus stammered, heat rising to her cheeks as she struggled for the right words.

Jack tilted his head, confused.

Eventually, she exhaled and continued."For the past week… We have been together 24/7. It feels like the three of us are family," Her voice was as clear as the river below, though her expression remained tinged with embarrassment.

Jack smiled, appreciating the sentiment. "I know you're saying that because I've lost… everything," he murmured, his gaze drifting towards the fall, his ears attuned to its soothing rush.

Without warning, Lupus lunged forward, arms outstretched. Before he could react, she wrapped him and Frain in a tight embrace.

"Lu~Lupy?" Jack stammered, his thoughts scattering like waves against a shore. He couldn't comprehend why she would say such a thing, why she would do this. I'm just a broken man. Why?

"Stay with us, Jackie. Please!" she whispered, her plea raw and unguarded.

Jack had no words, yet his head nodded on its own, as if bound by an unseen force.

Was this what he truly desired? Had his heart longed for her all along? Or was it merely the comfort of companionship filling the void inside him? Countless questions swirled in his mind, overwhelming him.

Maybe… maybe I needed them, too.

"Stay with us, family!" Frain chimed in, rubbing her face against his side.

"Yes… family," Jack echoed under his breath. He closed his eyes, allowing a wave of gratitude to wash over him.

For the first time in a long while, he appreciated what life had to offer.

Persuasion had not been necessary. He already knew he needed a new place to call home, a fresh start.

At least here, he wouldn't have to rebuild from nothing. With that thought, he resolved to begin a new chapter of his life in Hasenwald, Western Germund.

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