'Vases are utilitarian objects that rise to rituals such as receiving flowers, holding dry branches, being the centerpiece of a dinner. But they also survive empty, and this emptiness is active — it proposes, it summons. An empty vase in a room invites imagination, anticipates presence, and working with these thoughts is like playing with expectations.'
[What is this idiot talking about? I don't understand anything at all, can you speak human language?]
Enrico was holding some vases in his hands, shown to him by Platina. Every phrase the system heard in his mind made no sense whatsoever, and she was certain Enrico was simply making things up to justify his taste for vases, which he had begun to develop.
[This is all the fault of those imbeciles who tried to break the vases in that warehouse.]
He was certain it was Elian and Caelan's fault, since they had made him protector of the vases. Enrico had grown too attached to them, changing his perspective.
"I found this one when I was in a dungeon."
"I knew it — its texture was different from normal vases, and besides, the way it was made was unusual. The Nartheis of that dungeon you went to have good taste, Miss Platina."
"Call me Big Sister already."
"I told you I'm not used to that."
There were several vases scattered throughout the original Enrico's room, and the ones on the bed were those Platina had brought. She had done all this just to achieve one thing.
"Taíra calls me Big Sister, so as someone younger than me you have to call me that too."
"I already told you my reasons when you came to give me Father's message, just give up."
"Never."
The strange thing was that Platina had a rather neutral expression, but her eyes shone dangerously from being rejected so many times. She would not give up, for her mother had taught her to always get what she wanted.
"One day you'll call me that."
"Maybe when the sun freezes."
Valerio, who was at the door, seemed unwilling to intrude and kept glancing around. It was the first time he had seen Enrico's room, and he never thought he would, since before he had heard his father say that, because Enrico lived far from the main house, they had considered demolishing the room.
'Well, it seems he awakened his potential in time before being expelled.'
'Why is he so obsessed with vases? They're not even important.'
Enrico turned toward Taíra and walked over to her as if he knew exactly what she was thinking, which made her shiver.
"It seems I also have great taste, and only realized it now with my new perspective."
Noticing that he had simply approached her because of this ridiculous hobby, she sighed and sat on the bed, seeing how different her brother's personality had become.
'It has to be an impostor.'
Leaving through the door, she gave him one last look before going away. Right after, Valerio left to take care of family matters that his father had asked him to do before nightfall. Seeing everyone leave, Platina decided it was time for her to go too.
"Goodbye, little brother."
The door closed, and Enrico began cleaning and tidying up the room, placing all the vases in spotless places.
"Perfect."
[It's amazing how you actually started to truly like collecting vases.]
'I haven't actually started collecting yet; I wanted to see what the original Enrico's collection was like first.'
Now was a good time for him to enter a fake dungeon, so he lay down on the bed pretending to sleep. Downstairs, Angela was drinking tea with Enrico's parents, watching them closely, for she had revealed that Virelle already knew about their informants.
"As you must know, my lady wants your son as her disciple."
They knew, but it was still hard to believe even with proof. The two had really been disappointed with Enrico over the years and only believed one hundred percent when they saw him with their own eyes.
'He really got the interest of the D'Rosvalia family… how can I use this to strengthen the Solcrens?'
'This is good, I can secure a strong alliance for the Ferreira family.'
Watching the two, Angela already knew their thoughts, since she had seen those same expressions on many others who had tried to make an alliance with or use the D'Rosvalia family.
"He has already been approved by the family, and since he defeated Danyana Stormclaw, he only needs to defeat Miss Victoria Aetherwell to officially become her disciple."
Victoria Aetherwell was the rank 1 of the first year — a total monster nicknamed the Prodigy of Prodigies, a girl destined to be above all. For this reason, the D'Rosvalia family had initially wanted to refuse Enrico, but thanks to Virelle's words, they gave him the chance to prove who was better between the two.
"That will be difficult."
"We know, but my lady has great hope for the young master and believes he can go far."
"That is quite the compliment for our son."
"He deserves that compliment, Lady Titanza."
When the conversation came to an end after Angela had asked for a while about Enrico's life, they realized night had already fallen outside, and it was time for dinner. Getting up, they saw all their children waiting at the table.
"Please sit and eat with us, Miss Angela."
"Thank you. Young master, may I sit here?"
"Of course you may."
Seeing her sit down, the two parents' heads were somewhat tired, for they had had to make up some things when she asked about Enrico's life.
'How would I know if I was never very present in his life, unlike his mother?'
'I hope he doesn't say anything, I really want an alliance with the D'Rosvalias.'
Of course, Angela realized they were lying, since she had already heard conversations about his family, especially at the beginning when Elowyn asked about them.
'I had some hope, but it seems I'll have to ask the servants to tell me.'
Since it seemed Enrico had been mainly cared for by the servants, she hoped they had some portraits of him as a child so she could make a copy and place it in her Elyssar domain with the others of him and Lady Virelle. At his side, Enrico suddenly felt a chill at the back of his neck and looked at Angela.
'Why do I have the feeling she's thinking of embarrassing me?'