Maxi immediately stood up and placed his hand over his heart, bowing low. It was the highest form of respect one could show in the Bloodheart family to greet with honor either a guest or someone they deeply respected.
The moment Maxi raised his head, he felt Mōkō's eyes fall on him. The air around the main castle twisted, its usual noble pressure replaced by something far more primal an unbearable, suffocating heat. It felt as though lava had replaced the air, and the floor beneath his feet was now molten stone. His body screamed under the weight of pure, ancient heat the signature pressure of Mōkō, his infamous older brother.
Angelina bowed beside him. Though she, too, could feel the pressure, her mood remained strangely calm. The refreshing joy of the day and the influence of her spirit beast nullified most of Mōkō's terrifying presence.
But Maxi… he had no such shield. Only the faint lingering joy of finally hearing the full story of Pelody's main history gave him a thread to cling to. It didn't shield him from Mōkō's presence—but it gave him just enough will to stay standing and conscious.
Mōkō yawned, stretching his neck and rubbing his lips lazily. His voice came out tired and mildly annoyed.
"Who the hell are you?"
Maxi opened his mouth, stammering, "I-I am Maxi and I"
Angelina, quick to protect him, interjected, "He is the son of the King's personal maid—the head royal maid of the main castle, dear master Mōkō."
Mōkō's blood-red eyes widened slightly in recognition.
"Ohhh… you're that son of that maid. Pretty nice lady. Hot-tempered though."
He licked his lips, crouching down just slightly to inspect Maxi more closely. Those glowing devilish eyes scanned him like a predator sizing up an injured animal.
"You seem pretty weak," he said bluntly, "but that doesn't matter. What do you want? Why'd you bump into me in the middle of the night?"
Maxi swallowed again. "I wasn't trying to bump into you, sir—I mean, brother. I was just leaving."
Mōkō rose back to full height, cracking his neck before placing both hands behind it and smirking, sharp white teeth gleaming.
"Okay, if that's all—then leave, dummy boy." He turned his back and began walking off.
The heat started to slowly dissipate with each step Mōkō took. Maxi's legs, no longer trapped in molten terror, finally steadied. Yet something inside him stirred—a boldness, or maybe foolishness.
"Brother Mōkō," Maxi called out.
Mōkō halted. Half his face turned back toward him, lit by moonlight—a wide, devilish grin spread across it.
"Oh? What is it, dummy boy?"
Maxi's mouth went dry, but he managed to speak. "Where… where in the morning can I meet you—and brother Dalles?"
There was a silence. Then Mōkō's grin grew even wider.
"Assertive, huh? Just met me, and already you're asking for favors. I like that."
He chuckled. "Fine. Meet me in the training area tomorrow morning. Your maid will tell you where it is. And don't worry—I'll bring Dalles."
Maxi bowed again with a hand on his heart. "Thank you very much."
Mōkō said nothing more. He just walked off, disappearing down the hall. The heat, the pressure, the overwhelming presence—vanished with him.
Maxi exhaled a long, trembling breath of relief. His knees buckled—he nearly collapsed.
But Angelina caught him just in time.
"Please… carry me," Maxi muttered.
Angelina blinked, surprised at first—but then gave him a smug smile and nodded. She scooped him up with ease and began walking.
And in that moment, as he was carried through the castle halls like a wounded prince, Maxi's pride as an amnesiac man-child took a fatal blow.
Bowed down to a kid who looked no older than my baby cousin... and now I'm being carried by a woman who isn't even my mother...
Maxi hated every second of it not because of the teasing he was going to get from Angelina because of his savior complex and his fatherly nature he wanted to be the one doing the carrying doing the teasing and protecting but simply it seemed like this world would not be having any of that fulfillment
Angelina gently laid him in bed. As she flicked his forehead with a playful grin, she turned and left.
Maxi lay still, staring at the ceiling with half-lidded eyes.
Why me... why couldn't it be the other way around…?
Sleep took him before he could finish the thought.