Damien stared at his reflection in the mirror, small fingers adjusting the collar of his short-sleeved shirt. Today was an unusual day. Gone were the formal clothes, the meticulously styled hair, and the stiffness he always carried. Instead, he wore casual and comfortable attire. Beside him, Phillipp knelt down, carefully adjusting his plaid shorts and making sure his white socks sat neatly above his black leather shoes.
"Is this comfortable for you, young master?" Phillipp asked, smiling as he made one final adjustment.
"Yes, thank you, Phillip." Damien replied.
He examined himself from every angle. Even though he wore simple clothing, it couldn't hide that natural aura that exuded from him. Will this be enough to be inconspicuous?
The soft creak of the door drew Damien's attention. Lukas leaned casually against the doorway, watching them with a gentle and amused expression. "You ready, Damien?"
"Yes, Elder Brother," Damien replied, genuine warmth spreading through his chest.
"Great!" Lukas straightened up and motioned forward. "Then, let's go. Father and Mother are already waiting downstairs."
Damien felt a rush of excitement bubble up in his chest as he followed Lukas into the hallway. His footsteps echoed against the wooden floors while the soft morning light illuminated their path.
After the Forst family visited the estate, Arel suggested an outing during dinner. Yuri supported the idea, her eyes lighting up in a way Damien had rarely seen in his two months here. The bond between the family had warmed up considerably after the completion of the mission. Damien sensed a sincere eagerness from the Hertz couple to rebuild the family relationship.
Descending the grand curving staircase, Damien's eyes widened slightly as he saw his parents standing close together by the entrance. Yuri looked relaxed, her expression soft and slightly freer. His father was the same, whispering with a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"They there are," Arel announced warmly as he spotted his sons. "Good morning, boys."
"Morning, Father." Lukas replied respectfully, guiding Damien forward with a hand at his back.
Yuri stepped forward, her eyes fixed warmly on both of them. She knelt gracefully to Damien's eye level and smoothed stray stands of hair from his forehead.
"Are you excited, Damien? You seem brighter than usual." Yuri chuckled.
He earnestly nodded.
Damien, who had yet to venture outside, was looking forward to the trip. In his past life, he never left his hometown, choosing to stay in the same place. With how busy he was with school to taking care of his mother, he never had the time. Deep within himself, he had always longed to fly away from his stuffy hometown for a break, at the very least. Now that he had the chance to view Germany, why would he pass up the chance?
Outside, the world felt fresh and alive. They walked together towards a parked car, blending seamlessly into the quiet morning as they set off towards Tegernsee. Damien gazed through the window, watching the lush Bavarian scenery pass by in vibrant shades of green. He found himself leaning slightly forward, captivated by every unfamiliar sight, his curiosity growing steadily as they approached the bustling town.
How beautiful...
Being inside within the primary residence and its walls, he never realized that such a dense forest surrounded the mansion. It made sense since the Hertz family, from what he noticed in these few months, was extremely discreet. It made him wonder why the family was so secretive. Did the Hertz family's power make revealing their identities a fatal risk? Or was it because the family stemmed from dirty sources?
Then the system chimed in.
System: [Host, a lot of secretive families stay out of the spotlight because it does more harm than good. What advantages would the Hertz family gain if they revealed themselves?]
That's true. It would bring about an even bigger headache if the media swarmed their estate. And probably, the family would never travel this casually again...
Upon arrival, the family stepped out, merging naturally with the lively crowd. The Tegernsee square bustled with life and activity, stalls overflowing with vibrant produce, fragrant breads, and handcrafted goods. Damien's eyes widened as he absorbed every detail—the vivid colors, the symphony of voices, the enticing aromas drifting through the air.
Damien craned his neck. Children flitted past him, their laughter cutting through the heavier sounds of footsteps and stall owners shouting prices. Somewhere to the left, a woman's voice rose sharp and clear as she haggled over the price of potatoes, her arms gesturing wild and fast. To his right, a trio of boys chased each other around, expertly weaving through people in the crowd. A man nearby played a battered accordion, tapping his foot in rhythm. People dropped coins into the case at his feet without breaking stride.
His mother's hand pressed lightly against his back, steering him away from bumping into others. "Stay close, darling."
Damien nodded, stepping slightly closer to her side as they navigated the busy streets.
A vendor whose stall overflowed with sweet-smelling pastries prompted them to stop and buy treats. Damien was taken aback as Arel handed him a warm, sugared pastry. He took a hesitant bite, eyes widening with surprise at the sweet, buttery taste.
"Good, isn't it?" Yuri smiled softly, gently brushing powdered sugar off his cheek.
"Very," Damien admitted, a soft smile forming as he savored another bite.
As they walked, Damien found himself quietly observing the three figures walking ahead of him. A chuckle escaped his lips. It was something he'd noticed early on—how strikingly different he and Lukas looked. Lukas seemed to have inherited all the sharp features of their father, Arel, while Damien's softer appearance unmistakably mirrored Yuri's. Only his bright green eyes served as a clear reminder of his father's lineage. It was quirky, but somehow it felt just right for them. If he told a passerby that they were brothers, they'd surely be surprised.
"Come this way, Damien." Yuri called out to him gently, taking his hand in her own and pulling him close.
The world felt big today. Bigger than it had ever been. But somehow, tucked between his parents' steady shapes, he didn't mind it at all. Damien found himself drawn to the vibrant energy. It felt like he was sent back in time. It felt magical and surreal.
After exploring the square, the family made their way to a spacious park. The lush greenery provided a peaceful contrast to the lively square, and they quickly settled under a large oak tree, spreading out a blanket for their picnic. Damien watched quietly as Yuri and Arel unpacked various dishes, their laughter and casual banter filling the warm, tranquil air.
Yuri placed a small sandwich onto Arel's plate, smiling playfully. "Honestly, Arel, you should try relaxing like this more often. You're always buried in paperwork and away on meetings. Having a break does wonders."
Arel chuckled softly, his usually stern face softening. "I suppose you're right. It's a nice change."
Lukas took a bite of his sandwich, thoughtfully nodding. "We haven't done this in a while. Remember when we used to come here when Damien was just a toddler?"
Damien perked up, eyes curious. "Really?"
Yuri laughed gently, reaching out to smooth Damien's hair affectionately. "You were very little. You'd waddle around, chasing butterflies and tripping over your own feet."
Lukas laughed. "And one time you tried eating grass! Everyone ran to you to stop you from doing so."
Damien couldn't reply.
Arel smiled, clearly amused. "Lukas, you were the most frantic, convinced that the grass that Damien ate was poison."
"Well, someone had to keep an eye on him."
Yuri shook her head, chuckling warmly. "You've always been such a caring big brother, Lukas."
Arel nodded in agreement, voice gentle yet proud. "Indeed. Both of you have grown up so quickly."
Their shared laughter filled the quiet afternoon air, echoing softly through the park as the family continued their gentle teasing and reminiscing, each moment subtly knitting their bonds closer together.
Despite his enjoyment, Damien couldn't suppress a flicker of doubt and sadness. Was it right to allow himself to feel this happiness? Could he truly let himself grow close to these people? He wasn't their actual son anyway... His real family, his original world—what about them? He wondered how his actual family was faring and suddenly felt a pang loneliness. His chest tightened, finding himself staring quietly at the grass beneath him, lost in thought.
"Damien?" Lukas' pleasant voice broke through his reverie. Damien looked up, startled by the softness in Lukas's usually composed expression.
"Yes?" He replied cautiously, trying to mask his inner turmoil.
Lukas hesitated slightly, then offered a small, reassuring smile. "You seem lost in thought... Want to play catch for a bit? Father brought a ball."
He nodded slowly. "Sure, I'd like that."
As they tossed the ball back and forth, laughter gradually dissolved Damien's tension. Lukas' presence was comforting and steady. Eventually, Damien found himself smiling genuinely, the heaviness in his heart easing.
They played in companionable silence until Lukas gently caught the ball and paused, studying Damien thoughtfully. "You know, Damien," he began softly, "whatever's bothering you... you don't have to face it alone. We're all here for you."
Damien paused, unsure of what to say.
"Thanks, Lukas."
The rest of the day unfolded gently, filled with simple conversation and quiet moments of joy. Damien slowly allowed himself to relax, allowing the warmth of his family's presence to quietly heal some of the loneliness he'd been feeling.
As the sun began to set, casting a soft golden glow over the landscape, they strolled back to their vehicle. Damien glanced at his family, his heart filled with cautious hope. His mission was important, yes, but perhaps it wasn't so wrong to embrace this new reality—to cherish these moments, to allow himself the gentle happiness of belonging to this family.