He was awaken by Sasha early in morning. She told him about the breakfast with family and he was required to attend it. And no he can't refuse.
She hurriedly dragged him to bathroom and started removing his clothes waking him completely. He held her hands to stop going further.
"I can do it by myself, Sasha." His cheeks turned pink in embarrassment.
"No young master. Let me do it for you." She insisted but ofcourse he couldn't let her.
"How about you go and pick my clothes. I will be done in few minutes." He pushed her outside lightly, closing the door from inside.
She protested but couldn't wait more and left being dejected as the time was running fast. She waited for him with clothes and accessories he had to wear.
He walked out with a towel wrapped around him and a small towel on his head. He didn't want Sasha to be punished for him being late but still enjoyed the warm bath and scented soap in few minutes he got.
He decided to have a long bath later and got dressed quickly with Sasha's help. The red Cape was last but important to wear as it was something known for being a symbol of Solare clan just like red hair.
They walked through corridors, getting ignored by other maids and servants which was odd to Caelan. Because it's a rule for everyone including maids to greet someone in higher position from them.
Sasha glared at them for such disrespect towards her young master, touching Caelan's heart someway.
"Sasha tell which members are coming for breakfast?" He asked, simply to know what he was getting into.
"Your grandfather, head of family," she continued as they walked side by side," your father, mother, three brothers and your younger sister too."
"My mother." He spoke feeling the words on his tongue.
A foreign word for him.
Losing the only family member, his mother was still a fresh wound.
"Step-mother actually. " she hesitated. "Your mother was-"
He understood the meaning of this. Even this kid was away from his mother.
Once they reached the doors of dining hall, Sasha pushed door open. He stepped in confidently as he came face to face with traitors of empire or that's what he thought of them.
It wasn't just him but the while empire thought. Solare family which was once trusted by everyone was now hated.
Solare clan gave their support to the current emperor in every way possible to remain in power. This clan had produced many personal knights and high ranking knights of royal family before.
But this time they should have stepped back from supporting the emperor sitting on throne yet they had chosen power and luxury over everything.
A shame to their ancestors. He thought, clenching his jaw.
Caelan eyes darted from person to person sitting comfortably on their probably designated chairs. Their eyes showed different emotion individually, judging , mocking, disgusted by his presence.
"Zeron. Did you forget your manners." An old but strong man sitting on head table spoke. His eyes weren't on Caelan but on his plate as he cut his steak.
"I apologize grandfather. Greetings grandpa, mother, father." He greeted nonchalantly as if bored being there in same room with them. Instead of waiting for anyone to greet back which he knew he wouldn't get, he looked for the empty chair.
He walked upto the table, pulled the chair and sat on it. One little girl, 5-6 year old was sitting on chair beside him. She lifted her head to look at him. Her mouth covered in orange color probably because of orange juice she was drinking.
"Hello little one." He greeted her with smile and soft eyes. He always had soft spot for children.
"Hello big brother. " she greeted back smiling brightly.
They were in their own world, talking about everything. She started telling him about butterflies and her favorite toy as Sasha served him his plate filled with delicious dishes.
He knew about the eyes were still on him but he chosed to ignore them. He was loving this fun and childish conversation with this little girl.
Adults in room were seething in confused and felt disrespected after getting such greeting from him. But they couldn't do anything and the reason was too simple.
The youngest daughter of Warren.
She was happily talking and no one wanted to ruin it by scolding and yelling at Zeron. No one in empire would believe but after many generations, a girl was born in Solare family.
They all cherished her, loved her and will definitely kill for her. Warren gulped down his anger with water and continues eating. They all listen to her non stop chattering but for their shock, Zeron was equally contributing in conversation.
A rare sight for them. Because the old Zeron always tried to hide his presence in the same room with them.
Caelan felt something different, he lifted his head and saw the bully kid sitting across the table watching him.
He didn't touch his plate, just stared at Zeron as if studying him.
He doesn't seem angry. He thought.
He glanced at others and saw everyone focusing on their plates. No one was speaking, or looking around except the kid and himself.
His eyes back to the kid and this time didnt break the eye contact. For outsiders, it looked like challenge between them.
In reality, maybe it was a challenge.
None of them broke. Still glaring at each other.
A fork clinked on glass and took away their attention from each other. It was grandfather.
"Eat." One word, a whole command and they followed.
Before that he noticed the expression of the lady of the house. She held some emotions in her eyes and it wasn't judgemental or mocking but something else like a longing for someone or finding someone in him.
She continued eating and drank a whole glass of water like gulping all the emotions.
"You four. Come to my office after eating." Old man ordered and stood up, slowly walked to the door but before leaving, he turned back.
Eyes focused on Zeron.
Then he left.