EPISODE 7Â
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Yancy: (Scanning the sender's letter) Good heavens, what extravagant gifts. 😄 They didn't even bother to scan them through.
Tiberius, seated at the far end of the long table, overhears.
Tiberius: {They didn't…? Which means…}
His fingers tighten around the fork until the knuckles pale.
Head Maid: One moment—who sent these, exactly?
Yancy: (Glancing back at the card) Kenan Grop… Gropper. Why?
A sharp crash rings out from the dining room.
Everyone hurries in. Gifts lie scattered across the floor; porcelain shards glint under the chandelier. Tiberius stands rigid, chest heaving, eyes blazing.
Yancy: W-Why on earth is he—?
Another Maid: (Composedly) Kenan Gropper.
Assistant Butler: (Low) In this world… he is the man Tiberius— hates the most.
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Tiberius: (Voice cracking with fury) Get these things out of my sight! Take them away—now! (Clutches his head) Argh!
Yancy: (Oh no… his condition is flaring up again.) (Steps forward quickly) Tiber—
Tiberius: (Hurling a plate) Get away!
Attendants: (Sharp collective gasp).
The plate spins through the air. Yancy lifts one hand and catches it cleanly, without so much as a flinch.
Yancy: (Gentle, steady) Tiberius.
The name seems to pierce the haze. Tiberius freezes, shame flooding his face. He leaps down from the chair and bolts for the door—only for Yancy to catch him from behind in a warm, secure embrace.
Yancy: (Soft whisper against his ear) Don't run. I'm perfectly all right. That's my boy.
"My boy." The words strike deep. Tears spill over; it has been years since anyone called him that. Tiberius's small frame trembles. Yancy lifts him easily into his arms.
Yancy: Come along now. Let's get you to your room.
Later, in the quiet of Tiberius's bedroom, Yancy tucks the covers around him and turns to leave. A small hand shoots out and catches his fingers.
Tiberius: (Voice tiny, eyes glistening) Please… c-can you lie down with me? Just for a little while?
Yancy: (Raising an eyebrow with a point at himself) Me? I thought you dislike me?
Tiberius says nothing. He only stares at the hand he's clinging to, knuckles white. Yancy exhales softly, gives in, and stretches out beside him. Tiberius immediately curls in, pressing his face against Yancy's chest, drinking in the steady warmth that feels like a mother's.
Tiberius: (Muffled into the fabric) Mummy…
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The long-awaited first day of Youngsters Political School arrives. Classes are held in a grand, distant academy building well beyond the Empire estate's walls.
For Tiberius, even the long drive will feel like freedom.
Empire Territory lawn.
Yancy: 😄 Right then, Tiberius—what noise does a car make?
Tiberius: A car? Hmm… it screeches when it brakes, I suppose…
Yancy: Wrong 😄! It goes—vroom vrooooom! (Darts off down the path, bag swinging from his shoulder)
Tiberius: Hey! That's my bag—come back!
He gives chase. Yancy glances back, laughter bubbling up despite himself, clearly relishing the game. High on the balcony, Magnus and the Head Butler watch the unlikely pair.
Magnus catches snippets of excited gossip drifting up from the manservants behind..
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Youngsters Political School – bustling hallways.
Tiberius is alight with excitement and yet paralysed by nerves, unable to meet anyone's eyes. A bright-eyed girl suddenly bounces into his path.
Linda: Hi!
Tiberius instinctively recoils—until Yancy's warm hand closes gently around his.
Yancy crouches to her level, all easy charm.
Yancy Wil: Oh my goodness, what a perfectly charming young lady! May we have the honour of your name?
Linda: I'm Linda. (Tilts her head at Tiberius) Why isn't he saying anything?
Yancy: 😄 He's simply dazzled to meet someone as lovely as you. Go on, darling—she's waiting for your name. Manners, now.
Tiberius glances down at their joined hands, draws a steadying breath.
Tiberius: I'm… I'm Kamen Tiberius. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Linda.
Linda: (Beaming, giggles) Nice to meet you too!
She launches into cheerful chatter. Tiberius blinks, startled to find himself answering.
Yancy: (Quiet smile) 🙂
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Grade 1, Class B.
Class Mistress: Very well, young ladies and gentlemen—settle down, please.
Linda: (Patting the chair) Sit here! Next to me!
Tiberius: …Okay.
Yancy Wil slips to the back row with the other attendants and private nannies.
Class Mistress: Before we begin our lessons, we shall say a short prayer.
Tiberius's eyes widen, bright with sudden curiosity.
Tiberius: {A prayer…?}
Yancy: (Notices, says nothing).
Class Mistress: Hands together, eyes closed, everyone.
The children comply.
Class Mistress: (Soft prayer, then) Amen. Splendid. Now—introductions, starting from the front.
Tiberius stares at his open palms as though they belong to someone else.
Tiberius: {I… just prayed?}
Yancy: (Quietly, to himself) {So that's it…}
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Empire Security Quarters – somewhere deep within the complex.
Magnus: (Soft snort, almost amused) {Interesting indeed.}
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