Weeks of exchange.
An exchange that lasted several weeks, nearly a month, where the Pillars would go to the different Clans.
The task was to listen to the pleas of each Clans before making a report. At the end of the month, a meeting between the Crowns, Pillars and Elyon was organized and the leader had to present said report.
During the meeting, they would then decided which request should take priority. This is how Elyon intended to keep a semblance of peace between the Clans so that no new war would happen.
Strangely enough, based on the records Ethan found in the manor home library, the Wolf Clan never had any complain. Or, at the very least, their complaints always seemed conveniently insignificant compared to the other Clans'.
Because of this, Ethan doubted that the method actually worked in the long-run. After all, would the wolfs really be fine with always being put last ? Wouldn't it cause some discord between the rulers ?
Yet, after having read all the records he could find, it appeared the Wolf Clan really had no problem with it.
'I don't believe it.'
Ethan let out a sigh. He didn't know how long he had been in the manor's library, nor did he care. He desperately needed to recharge.
He closed the book he had just finished reading and put it aside.
It has been a few hours since Alyssa was named leader by Elyon. Still angered, Zegrath locked himself in his rooms, while Carilysh decided to go for some fresh air outside.
Instead of being happy about her new position, Alyssa seemed really confused. She kept staring at the wall, shivering slightly and her mouth silently forming words as if she was speaking to herself.
Razael tried to joke, comparing her to a fish to ease the atmosphere, and received a playful smack on the head from her.
Afterwards, he congratulated her on her new position and went back to his room to finish his night.
As for Alyssa and Zeraphiel, after she recovered from her surprise, they went to her room to start her lessons on the Lands.
Ethan decided to head to the library. The first time he stepped inside, curious to know what kind of books were stocked here, he felt absolutely chocked at the organization. A lot of the books were put in the wrong place, on a table or even on the ground, provoking him a great sense of uncomfort and perturbation, so he took it upon himself to reorganize everything.
What he thought would take a few days at best turned out to take longer as he kept being distracted, always ending sitting on the floor reading instead.
He couldn't help it. After all, books were the best thing to have ever been invented and it would be absolutely criminal to not read as many as he could.
That and it gave him a good excuse to avoid socializing.
Even today as he worked on rearranging the home library, he ended up finding one of the old report and reading it. He then found another one, and another one.
Which led him to find the records about the Wolf Clan and their denied request as well as their supposed acceptance of it.
Ethan doubted it was true, and could have been willing to bet that it actually caused some political issues within the Crowns.
So he kept looking but found nothing.
So there he was, surrounded by books scattered on the floor, rubbing his forehead in skepticism.
'I suppose I'm expected to simply believe it.'
Ethan remembered when he was seven years old and got in trouble with one of his private professor. Wanting to be a good pupil, he tried asking questions about the different things he had doubt about, or that didn't make sense for him.
Instead of answering, the professor got offended and stormed out after calling him 'insolent'. It was the fourth time in a month that a teacher had such a reaction. Ethan's uncle had to explain to him why his curiosity caused this sort of reaction.
"You're not supposed to question what you're being taught."
"But uncle, isn't that the point of learning ?"
"Enough. A child like you should simply listen to the adults and keep quiet. Now give me your arm."
Ethan doesn't remember what happened after that, but even at that time it rubbed him the wrong way. Is learning really simply taking what the adults say to face value ? Aren't they more than capable of lying and modifying history for their own gain ? How could he be completely sure the history books are absolutely honest and were not written in a specific way to fit one narrative ?
'I'm overthinking again, aren't I ?'
Ethan shook his head and picked up another book, trying to convince himself that he should just stop overthinking for nothing. After all, Elyon would have never allowed misinformation to spread like this on His Lands, right ?
Yet even then, Ethan couldn't help it. Those questions would always be there, lurking around his mind and making him doubt the truthfulness of the informations he received. However, with time he learned to keep them to himself.
Ethan subconsciously rubbed his right wrist before closing the book. He got up and decided to go back to work. No more distraction, he mentally scolded himself.
Books after books, the remaining bookshelves slowly emptied. Admittedly, the library was pretty small, and therefore possessed very few books. He counted only 1890 of them : 1124 from the Demon Clan, and 766 from the Angel Clan.
Lost in thought, Ethan started picking up books, putting them back based on his own classification system, moving mechanically. Perhaps due to him being now completely focused, he didn't hear the door opening and someone entering, nor did he felt that person presence until the newcomer spoke up.
"What are you doing ?"
Ethan almost let go of the book he was holding, startled. Zeraphiel stood behind him, his eyes roaming around the place as he frowned.
Noticing that Alyssa couldn't fully focus due to being tired, he decided to let her take a nap and instead went looking for Ethan.
He had a hunch that he would find him surrounded by books, so he naturally headed to the manor's library, expecting his cousin to be here. But he imagined more of a 'quiet and cozy place to read' vibe, and not a 'the home library was attacked by a very organized typhoon' vibe.
'That guy... Instead of socializing he prefers doing something like that...'
Zeraphiel silently mused, shaking his head. Ultimately, he told himself that Ethan just needed time to adjust and that he should leave him be for now.
Ethan straightened his back before relaxing when realizing who it was. He tended to be nervous around others but with Zeraphiel he allowed himself to breath.
"Oh, Zeraph' ! Are you here to read something ? If you tell me the title I can get the book for you, and you can sit down and read while I finish here."
"No, I'm not here to read. I was looking for you actually."
"Oh ?"
Zeraphiel hummed and opened his arms, a soft smile on his face.
"It was your birthday last month right ? Sorry I couldn't celebrate with you earlier."
In a second, Ethan was locked in a tight hug, Zeraphiel rocking their bodies back and forth.
"My baby cousin is growing so fast."
Ethan let out an amused sigh. Ever since they were children, with Azin absent, Zeraphiel somewhat naturally took the role of the big brother and would often say that Ethan was growing too fast, hugging him tight. With time Ethan got used to it and think of it as one of his cousin's quirks.
Of course, if anyone were to find out about them getting along the two would get in trouble. But thanks to Zeraphiel's secret weapon they never were discovered, and Ethan always managed to sneak out without anyone finding out thanks to that weapon.
Ethan bit his tongue, thinking of this act of rebellion against his family. He knew he should stop with this friendship, yet couldn't bring himself to do it. Call it desperation, but the idea of not seeing his cousin anymore caused him more dread than angering his uncle.
After a few seconds, Zeraphiel stepped back. In the warm sun light filtering through the window, his icy blue eyes turned a light shade of turquoise.
He lifted his hand to protect his eyes, his irises slowly returning to icy blue.
"I have something to give you too, I'll bring it to your room tonight."
"Zeraphiel..."
"I know, I know. But come on, we don't get to spend much time together, so let me at least spoil you a little."
Usually, Ethan wouldn't argue further, knowing very well that his cousin could be quite stubborn when he wanted too. Especially when he was determined to spoil him.
But this time, with Zegrath being in the room next door, Ethan feared what might happen.
"Zegrath will hear you..."
"Don't worry about him. He'll be too busy sleeping to notice anything, I'll make sure of it."
Ethan was about to replied, but something in Zeraphiel's eyes caused him to stop and give up.
"If you say so."
Zeraphiel nodded, and rolled up his sleeves.
"Now let me help you with the books."
"You don't have to."
"It will be quicker like this, right ? And I want to spend time with you too."
With a touched smile, Ethan gave in. They began peacefully chatting away, all while working diligently.
And from the top of a bookshelf, a small golden thread spider observed attentively, its front legs rubbing together in devilish satisfaction.