Alex walked unhurriedly through the corridors of the Academy, enjoying the quiet that surrounded him. At this hour, most students were in class, so the wide halls and passages were nearly empty. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly against the marble walls, creating an illusion of calm rarely felt in this place.
"Master," Sirena's voice suddenly rang in his mind, "someone is trying to contact you."
He stopped for a moment, opened his inventory, and took out a small communication artifact—a gift he had received not long ago. Inserting it into his ear, he infused the device with mana, then said briefly:
"Listening."
A familiar gentle voice sounded from the other end—Elizabeth.
"Hi, Alex. I hope I'm not interrupting?"
"No, I'm free right now," he replied, smiling in a relaxed way.
"Perfect," she said with clear satisfaction. "Because there's a guest who wants to meet you—someone you've been waiting for these past few days, if I remember correctly."
Alex immediately understood who she meant.
"I'm on my way."
And in the next moment, his body was enveloped in the glow of teleportation magic.
When Alex appeared in Elizabeth's office, he saw that everyone was already gathered. Elizabeth herself sat at her desk, as always, with a light, focused expression. Opposite her, comfortably settled in an armchair, was Rogan—his posture relaxed, though his eyes observed every movement attentively. Behind Elizabeth stood Astarion—silent and watchful, as always.
And standing a little to the side was a man Alex had never seen before.
This was Gornorax Brungard—Rogan's father. His presence was impossible to overlook: a powerful frame, broad shoulders, and muscular arms spoke of strength forged in hundreds of battles. His dark red hair was thick and wild, sticking upward like the mane of a predator. His brown eyes glimmered with a lively fire that revealed youth and vigor. His face—strong, with sharp jawlines and short stubble—only emphasized his fierce nature.
Gornorax stepped forward in silence, his heavy footsteps thudding through the office. Stopping in front of Alex, he carefully studied the young man from head to toe, not bothering to hide his seriousness. His gaze was stern, almost threatening, his expression carved from stone.
Suddenly, the air around Gornorax seemed to thicken: the beastkin unleashed his magical aura. A powerful wave of force filled the space, pressing down on body and mind as if trying to break them. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes—wild, primal, real.
Alex didn't flinch. Instead, a calm, almost defiant smile appeared on his face. He accepted the challenge. So this is how he evaluates me? the thought crossed Alex's mind.
In the next heartbeat, he allowed a portion of his own aura to slip free. Just enough to match Gornorax's pressure. The air stirred, their forces clashing in an invisible collision—and neither side yielded.
A few seconds of silence hung between them, thick with tension and mutual assessment.
Then a smile slowly spread across the beastkin's face. It was fiery, sincere—filled with thrill rather than hostility.
"Now I'm more inclined to believe," Gornorax said, "that a student really could take down Lorenzo and all his scum on his own."
His aura dispersed, returning to normal. Alex likewise calmed his own.
"Glad to finally meet you," the beastkin said and extended his massive, scarred hand.
"Likewise," Alex replied, shaking it. Gornorax's grip carried strength, but without challenge—more like acknowledgment.
"I hope you're not holding a grudge about that little test," Gornorax said with a grin.
"Not at all. I fully understand your reasoning."
"Hm. Looks like you and I will get along," Gornorax noted with satisfaction.
"That would be nice," Alex smiled.
"Hey," Rogan's voice suddenly came from behind, tinged with mild irritation, "are you two done yet?"
Gornorax turned toward his son.
"Yes, yes, we're coming," he muttered, then walked with Alex to Elizabeth's desk. Both took the free seats across from her.
Elizabeth smiled warmly.
"I'm glad to see you two managed to understand each other," she said, glancing at Alex with the slightest, almost invisible hint. Her eyes seemed to say: It's time.
Alex nodded and opened his inventory. A dark leather folder appeared in his hands. He looked at Gornorax.
"Here are all the documents required to transfer full ownership of all 'Rays of Hope' facilities to you," he said calmly.
Gornorax glanced at the folder, then at Alex again, raising a brow.
"And what—you're just handing it to me?"
"Yes," Alex replied firmly. "Because I have no better candidate. And I want the orphanages to go to someone with a good heart—someone who'll care for the children properly… and someone strong enough to protect them."
He paused briefly, letting his gaze rest on Rogan before turning back to Gornorax.
"Judging by your magical aura, the second requirement certainly won't be a problem. And for the first—well, just look at how Rogan turned out. You clearly have a good heart. So for me, you're the ideal choice."
He offered the folder to the beastkin. Gornorax accepted it carefully, opened it, scanned the first document, closed the folder again, and looked at Alex with a sincere nod.
"Thank you. I'll live up to the trust you're placing in me."
"I hope so," Alex replied. "But before we go any further, I want to clarify something, so there's no misunderstanding. I didn't exactly handle Lorenzo's underlings entirely on my own."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"When I arrived in the dungeon, the corridor was already filled with corpses. Moving further, I saw a man finishing off another group of bandits. You all know Lorenzo spent several days before his birthday gathering mercenaries in his gambling house. All of it was to kill that stranger."
Gornorax frowned thoughtfully.
"Interesting… Sorry for interrupting. Go on."
"When he saw me, he attacked immediately. But I managed to defend myself and explain my purpose. After that, we continued onward together. Along the way we found a cave where slaves and orphans were kept. We saved them. They're under that man's protection now. And he was the one who reached Lorenzo with me. After a short but difficult fight, we defeated him. I took the necessary documents, and Lorenzo stayed with him. Then I returned to the gambling house."
Alex shifted his gaze to everyone present.
"I'm telling you this so no one makes me out to be a lone hero. Without that man, I might not be sitting here right now."
"Did you manage to learn anything about him?" Astarion asked.
Alex shook his head.
"No. He barely said a word. He wore a black cloak, his face hidden behind a mask. I don't know his name, his appearance, or even his race — he didn't use magic, only a sword."
"So Lorenzo really did die in his own underground lair," Gornorax muttered, the last words spoken with barely contained fury. "A shame. I was planning to finish him off myself."
"You don't have to worry," Alex said. "That stranger promised that Lorenzo's death would be… far from easy. And judging by how he handled those bandits, I believe him."
Gornorax smiled.
"That's better. And what happened to those you rescued?"
"As I said, they're with him now. He should contact me soon, after which he'll hand the orphans over. Though he set one condition: I have to come alone. Otherwise, he won't give them back."
"I see," Gornorax nodded. "Well, looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me."
He rose from his chair.
"Once again, thank you, Alex. Every second counts now. I need to restore the Rays of Hope as quickly as possible and prepare for the children's return."
He turned his gaze to Astarion and Elizabeth.
"It was an honor to meet you."
"The feeling is mutual," Astarion replied.
"Hope you'll visit again someday," Elizabeth smiled.
"I will, as soon as I find a free moment," the beastman said with a nod.
He looked at Rogan.
"You'll see me out?"
"Of course," Rogan answered shortly, standing up. He politely said goodbye to Astarion and Elizabeth, and exchanged only a short glance and a nod with Alex.
Gornorax waved his large hand.
"Take care!"
Then he turned and left the office together with his son.
As soon as the door closed, Elizabeth exhaled deeply and finally relaxed. She pulled a bottle of wine from under the desk. From one of the drawers she took out three glasses, which clinked softly as she set them on the table.
"It hasn't been five seconds since Gornorax left, and you're already reaching for the alcohol," Astarion muttered with a faint smile.
"Don't be a bore," Elizabeth said with a dramatic wave of her hand. "Besides, we still haven't celebrated Alex's victory over Lorenzo. And this is one of those rare moments when we're all free."
"For you, any achievement of Alex's is a reason for a feast," Astarion chuckled lightly, sitting down beside Alex.
"Unlike some people, I know how to celebrate my nephew's successes," Elizabeth replied, pouring wine into the glasses. "Sure, we could arrange a grand dinner the way certain people do for their sons, but in my humble opinion, that's far too dull."
Astarion sighed, but didn't argue. Elizabeth handed out the glasses and looked at Alex. Her eyes shone with genuine pride. She raised her glass and said warmly, yet firmly:
"To Alex."
"To Alex," Astarion echoed.
Alex simply smiled in return. The glasses clinked, and each took a sip.
Astarion spoke first:
"You were smart to embellish the story about the underground a little when telling Gornorax. I've heard about him from several aristocrats — all of them mentioned his hot temper and tendency to doubt any information."
"Fenrix told me the same," Elizabeth nodded. "So it's no wonder Gornorax decided to test you. If I didn't know you, I'd also find it hard to believe that a second-year student managed to take down Lorenzo and all his underlings alone. Your improvisation was excellent, by the way. How long did it take you to come up with it?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Actually, I didn't come up with anything. Everything I told him was the truth. And the man I went through the entire underground with… was the Jester."
Silence filled the office. Elizabeth stared at him, visibly stunned. Astarion's reaction was more contained, but even he couldn't hide his shock. Alex took a calm sip of wine, set the glass down, and continued:
"I understand why you're surprised. I was no less shocked when I saw him — especially considering that there hasn't been any news about him for eight months. But I have to admit: with his help, the whole chase after Lorenzo took much less time than I expected. And without him, I probably wouldn't have been able to save all the slaves and orphans at once. It was his subordinates who transported them to the Jester's estate, where they received help."
Elizabeth was the first to recover. She looked aside, composing her thoughts, then said with a trace of irony:
"So the main antagonist finally makes his return."
"Alex," Astarion said seriously. "Tell us everything. Every detail. What happened underground?"
"As for the part about the underground, everything happened exactly as I told Gornorax," Alex answered. "The Jester and I didn't talk much — only exchanged a few brief remarks. But after it was over… he invited me to his place. He said he wanted to talk in a calm environment."
"What?!" Elizabeth exclaimed, alarmed. "No, Alex, that's unacceptable. Such a meeting should take place on neutral ground. Letting you go into his claws alone is far too dangerous."
She shot a quick glance at Astarion, as if asking for support. He opened his mouth to agree, but Alex interrupted:
"You don't need to worry. That meeting already happened. Yesterday. And, as you can see, I'm completely fine."
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. A moment later, Adam walked into the office. He greeted his father and Elizabeth calmly, but immediately noticed their expressions — surprised, tense, slightly confused. His gaze slid to Alex, who sat at the table perfectly relaxed, holding a glass of wine.
Adam smiled lightly.
"Looks like I came right on time," he said, taking a seat in an empty chair.
Looking at his father and then at Elizabeth again, he suddenly let out a short laugh and quickly apologized:
"Sorry — but now I understand exactly what kind of face Alex laughed at yesterday."
"Yours was even more surprised," Alex countered with a smirk.
Elizabeth, who had been silently processing the situation, finally turned her eyes from Alex to Adam. Her expression softened — a warm, almost maternal smile appeared on her lips.
"Good to see you, Adam," she greeted and pulled another glass from a drawer. Filling it with wine, she handed it to him. "Help yourself."
"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth," Adam nodded, accepting the glass.
Then Astarion spoke, turning to his son:
"So you already knew about Alex's meeting with the Jester?"
"I only knew that it happened," Adam replied calmly. "And Alex promised to share the details today, so everyone could hear them at once."
"I see," Astarion said shortly, shifting his gaze to Alex. "Then tell us. Everything. Without embellishment. What happened between you two."
His voice was calm, but it carried both seriousness and concern. Alex took another sip of wine, set the glass on the table, and leaned forward slightly.
"Well…" he began. "There really is a lot to tell."
He started his story. First — about how the Jester invited him to visit the freed orphans and slaves who had been given shelter in his estate. How those children, who had survived real hell in Lorenzo's dungeons, were now receiving help, a roof over their heads, and care. And though the Jester remained just as ironic, mysterious, and at times provocative, Alex sensed something new in him.
Then he moved to the main part — their conversation. How they spoke about each other's motivations. How the Jester, for the first time, talked about what he truly wanted. About a gazebo, about the wind, about a mug of ale beside his wife. A simple, yet sincere dream. It impressed Alex more than any grand speeches.
"There wasn't a hint of deception in his words," Alex said quietly. "And though I don't have Astarion's ability to feel a heartbeat, I… believed him."
He went on about their decision to join forces. About how the Jester agreed to become, in a sense, his teacher. To help with what Alex lacked most — endurance. And for that, he needed real trials, the kind only someone like the Jester could provide.
"We even had a duel," Alex added. "A small test to gauge each other's strength."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I lost. Expectedly. But I learned a lot from that fight. And the Jester promised to prepare a training plan for me once I finish dealing with the orphans."
Everyone listened attentively. Adam — with light, barely concealed admiration. Astarion — focused, his brows slightly drawn together. Elizabeth — silent, but with less fear in her eyes now, replaced by interest and anxious hope.
Alex looked at each of them, then continued:
"That's… all we talked about."
He took another sip of wine, pushed the glass aside, and a brief silence settled in the room. Only a moment later did Alex speak again.
"Though… there is one more thing. But I'll get to it in a moment. First, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you've just heard."
Adam was the first to break the short silence. His voice was calm and firm:
"Even though I don't trust the Jester…" he paused for a moment and looked at Alex. "I trust you completely. If you're confident in your choices, then I have no objections. I'm with you."
Then Astarion spoke. His voice remained steady, but every word carried weight and restraint:
"I also have doubts about this alliance. But you're no longer a boy, Alex. And I'm certain you understand what you're getting involved in. Perhaps…" he sighed lightly, "you might even manage to pull the Jester to your side."
He took a sip of wine, but set the glass down immediately, looking at the young man with seriousness.
"But please — be careful. Very careful. His words, like his past actions, may be nothing more than a cover. It's possible all of this is just a way to distract your attention from something truly important. Although…" he smiled faintly, "I'm sure you already considered that when you agreed."
He turned his gaze to Elizabeth, raising a questioning brow.
"Am I right, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth had remained silent all this time, never looking away from Alex. Her face was like carved marble — calm, distant, contemplative. But at last she pulled a faint smile and nodded:
"Yes. You're right, Astarion. I'll trust Alex's decision as well… and I hope everything turns out for the best."
Alex smiled. A small spark of relief and gratitude bloomed inside him at that moment.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Thank you all for your support."
He leaned back slightly in his chair, taking a deeper breath.
"To be honest, I hesitated for a long time. I couldn't decide how I truly felt about the Jester, or whether I was ready to trust him completely. And even now, after making my choice… I still have small doubts about whether it was the right thing to do. His words may be sincere, or they may be manipulation. But…" he shrugged, "I need to do something about my endurance one way or another. I won't get access to S-rank dungeons. And of all the available options — the Jester remains the fastest, most reliable, and strongest resource I could use."
Alex paused, took a sip of wine.
"Besides, he isn't asking for anything in return. For now. Which means I can focus solely on training. And I'm glad you supported my decision. It… made things a little easier for me."
He fell silent for a moment, but there was something new in his eyes — a shadow of something left unsaid.
"Well then, we can return to the final detail of my conversation with the Jester."
He glanced at each person present.
"You all remember the potion the Jester injected into Reiner? The one that restored his normal appearance."
All three nodded.
"For a long time, I believed that potion was something universal. That aside from healing and restoring physical form, it could also serve as a remedy against curses."
Alex paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"But I was wrong. The Jester said it won't help here."
Alex's gaze settled on Astarion's face.
And something in that face changed. Subtly, barely noticeable. As if a tiny spark of hope that had been smoldering there quietly… finally went out. The line of his mouth tightened. He lowered his gaze, trying to maintain composure — but for a brief moment, his expression revealed more than any words could.
Silently, Alex opened his inventory. His fingers slowly reached for a small glass vial filled with black liquid. He turned it in his hand for a few seconds, examining it carefully, then lifted his eyes to Astarion.
"This…" he said calmly. "This is the potion the Jester gave me. According to him, it can remove any weak or moderate curse. Whether it can handle a strong one — is unknown."
Alex held the vial out to the count.
"But… it's worth trying."
Astarion didn't react immediately. His eyes locked onto the vial, his face frozen in a tense expression. He reached out, and Alex felt the faint tremor in his hands as the count took the vial from his palm. Astarion's gaze remained fixed on the dark liquid — as if it held the answer to a burden he had carried for more than a decade.
The silence was deep and heavy, until Adam's anxious voice broke it:
"This… this might really help Mother?"
Alex shifted his gaze to the boy.
"I don't know." He shrugged. "And since neither you nor your father fully trust the Jester — the choice is yours, whether to use this potion or not."
Adam took in a breath, then looked at his father. Astarion was still holding the potion, unable to tear his eyes from it.
"Father…" Adam whispered.
Astarion slowly raised his gaze. Hope and doubt, fear and resolve all mixed in his eyes. The count looked at Alex:
"If you don't mind… I would like to return home. And…" he paused, gripping the vial tighter, "use it."
Alex smiled softly, warmly, sincerely.
"And who am I to stop you from finally having a chance to see your wife again?"
He glanced at Adam, giving him a playful wink:
"And your mother. After all, you're waiting for that meeting just as much."
Astarion looked to Elizabeth — as if seeking one more shard of support. She merely nodded, smiling gently.
"Go, Astarion," she said softly. "We'll be waiting for news."
The count rose from his seat, and Adam stood up right after him. He walked closer to his father, lightly touching his arm, as if helping him steady his emotions.
A bright magical circle flared beneath their feet. And a moment later, they both vanished, leaving behind only a fading pulse of mana.
Silence settled over the office. Elizabeth exhaled and spoke pensively:
"This is probably the first time in the last thirteen years that I've seen Astarion so… unsettled. I've grown so used to his stone-faced calm. But if he manages to wake Luna — I'll be truly glad. Maybe then, for the first time in a long while, I'll see him genuinely smile, not just twitch his lips while pretending it's a smile."
Alex smiled:
"I hope the potion works too. I've heard a lot about Luna from Adam… I'd like to finally meet her."
"Hm," Elizabeth hummed lightly, then raised her glass. "Then let's drink. To the Wolfengard family finally reuniting."
Alex lifted his glass in response.
"To family."
The clink of glass rang out again, followed by two sips. Now all that remained was to wait for news.
After a short pause, Elizabeth was the first to speak:
"And what do you plan to do next?"
Alex leaned back against the chair, lifting his shoulders slightly.
"As I said, first I'll help return all the orphans to the Beam of Hope. And then I'll focus entirely on training with the Jester, as much as possible."
Elizabeth folded her hands on her knees thoughtfully, fell silent for a moment, then raised a brow with slight irony:
"So your days consist of training with the raid group, dungeon runs with them, lessons with Aria, your own solo raids, occasional visits to Krul… and now additional training with the Jester? How do you even manage to fit all that in?"
Alex gave a faint smile:
"If you manage your time well — everything is possible. Besides, I'll be going into dungeons alone less often. The new levels require an absurd amount of experience, and constant A-rank clears don't give enough return. Training with the Jester looks like a more productive path right now."
"And do you rest at all?" Elizabeth asked quietly, though her tone held genuine concern.
"I do," Alex answered briefly.
"And when exactly?" she asked again, now with a sly smile.
Alex smiled lightly:
"When I sleep. Or when I visit my parents."
He lowered his gaze, then added more seriously:
"Yes, I don't have as much time to rest as I'd like… But I'll have time to rest later. Someday. When I fulfill what I promised Lumenia."
Elizabeth smiled sadly.
"I really hope that moment comes soon. And that you finally allow yourself to simply… live."
Alex gave a small smile and nodded.
"And what's this sudden interest in my free time?"
Elizabeth crossed her arms and pretended to be offended.
"For your information, I am your aunt. I have every right to ask!" Then, calmer but sincerely, she added: "I just worry. Yes, the fate of the continent is in your hands. But that's no reason to forget about yourself. Body and mind need to rest not only in sleep or at dinner. You don't see your family often enough to call that real rest. And I'm asking you — please spend more time with your friends. And stop doing everything alone."
Alex grew a bit embarrassed, lowering his eyes as he murmured quietly:
"I… don't do everything alone. I rely on you, on Astarion, on my friends for many things…"
Elizabeth laughed softly:
"Do you even believe what you just said?"
She leaned her elbow on the table and pointed a finger at him.
"The only thing Astarion and I help you with is information you simply don't have time to gather. Even when you agreed to take me with you into Lorenzo's dungeon — in the end I stayed behind to watch over Rogan in the main hall while you and the Jester handled all the real work."
Alex looked a little lost.
"I… I did genuinely want you to come with me at first. But when Rogan asked to go too, I was against it. You convinced me to bring him."
"Yes," Elizabeth cut him off sharply. "But I thought all three of us were going together into the duke's dungeon. You, me, and Rogan. Yes, Lorenzo had gathered a bunch of thugs, but most of them were low-level. Only his guards posed any real threat. You and I could have handled them, and Rogan would have dealt with the rest."
Alex lowered his gaze, his voice trembling slightly:
"And what if he got hurt? We would've cleared the dungeon without a scratch, and he…"
"Alex," Elizabeth interrupted again, this time softly but firmly. "Rogan is a student of Fenricks. The strongest beastman student in the Academy. He trains with all the Directors and clears A-rank dungeons with you. Do you really think something would have happened to him in that dungeon?"
Alex didn't answer.
"The problem isn't Rogan. The problem is you. The fact that even with strong friends and allies… you still choose to go alone. Or — ironically — with the Jester. The very man because of whom you died in the past. And that…" she sighed and looked away, "just doesn't make sense to me."
Alex stayed silent. Not because he had nothing to say — but because the words were stuck somewhere deep in his throat, turning into a heavy stone.
And Elizabeth didn't expect an answer.
"You're strong, Alex. Stronger than anyone I know. But that doesn't mean you have to handle everything on your own. You've gathered powerful allies around you, yet you don't trust them. They're beside you, they go on raids with you, you give them advice, help them train. But at the same time — you leave them behind.
Why did you even agree to become part of the raid group then? Why take on Aria's training? Why duel Adam every week? Why spend your time and strength making everyone else stronger if you won't allow them to stand beside you when it matters?"
Her voice wasn't angry — it was filled with disappointment and pain.
"Give me an answer, Alex. I want to understand you."
Alex slowly raised his gaze to her. His voice trembled, but he tried to speak clearly, to hold himself together:
"I… do all this to protect the people who are dear to me. And I help them become stronger only so they can protect themselves if I'm not there. If I train, if I move forward… it's only so they'll never even have to use that strength."
He drew a breath. The pressure inside him began to build.
"I've been through this already. I've watched loved ones die. I saw my father die. I held my mother when she no longer breathed. I remember Eleria's cold body… when she…" His voice broke, tears appearing in his eyes. "And a few minutes before my own death, Adam died on the battlefield."
He raised his voice, nearly shouting:
"So tell me — after all that, how am I supposed to just let them walk into danger again? I won't survive it, do you understand? I don't want to go through those deaths again! I have to keep them away from all of it. I have to grow stronger. And this is my path. A lonely one. Because I simply don't have another choice!"
Alex breathed heavily, trying to calm himself. Then he added more quietly:
"You're not the first to try convincing me. Adam, Eleria, Sirena… Everyone wants to help. But the only thing any of you can do for me is stay safe. Don't get involved. Don't take risks. That's all I ask."
Elizabeth slammed her fist on the table. The glasses jumped, ringing, and a fire flared in her eyes.
"You're selfish!"
She was almost shouting.
"You keep saying you care about others, but in truth you care only about yourself! Your fear of loss is greater than other people's will. You steal our choice! You impose your idea of protection on us, locking us in a cage because it makes you feel calmer! That's not care — that's control! That's selfishness, Alex!"
His jaw tightened, his fists clenched. His voice, already nearly torn, hissed through his teeth:
"You think I don't know that?"
He lifted his eyes to her — eyes full of pain and burning intensity.
"You think I don't realize how selfish I seem? These thoughts follow me every day. Every spare minute. I can't look people in the eye because I'm ashamed. I promise myself I'll trust you more — and then I keep doing everything alone. Because I can't survive another loss! You want me to let you help, but you haven't seen what I've seen! You haven't felt what I felt! So don't you dare judge me!"
Elizabeth shot to her feet. Her hand rose into the air — and stopped a millimeter from his cheek. Heavy breathing, a trembling palm, a flash of rage in her eyes…
But a moment later she looked at her own hand, and the fire in her gaze faded, giving way to fear and shame. She slowly sank back into her chair, saying nothing.
A few seconds of tense silence passed. Then Elizabeth let out a shaky laugh, trying to hide the trembling in her voice:
"I knew you were stubborn. But this stubborn… A true Bledhart."
She no longer looked at him.
"That's enough for today. When I'm ready — I'll contact you."
Alex rose without a word. He stood still for a moment, then turned and walked out of the office without looking back.
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, covering her eyes with her hand. Her breathing was deep and uneven. Then she laughed again quietly, almost tiredly.
"And what was I expecting, really… A stubborn aunt and an even more stubborn nephew. An incredible combination."