When Thundrous finally stirred awake, his mouth felt like a desert.
Last night, after chatting with Uncle Oak in the cellar, the old man had hauled out several casks in high spirits. The guards had gathered in the courtyard, drinking and singing, and Thundrous—like an idiot—had downed three bowls of strong liquor with Carlos before passing out.
*Shame. Utter shame.*
As he shifted slightly, a sweet fragrance tickled his nose, and he realized a soft, warm body was curled against him.
His heart lurched.
*Did I... do something stupid last night?*
The first thought that flashed through his mind was that he'd drunkenly stumbled into Maria's room. The idea filled him with equal parts guilt and... anticipation.
Swallowing hard, he glanced down.
A petite figure nestled against him like a kitten, one small hand resting on his chest, a leg draped lazily over his stomach. A head of faintly reddish hair filled his vision.
*Tifa?!*
But a quick check confirmed both of them were still fully clothed. Though she wore only thin sleepwear, not an inch of skin was exposed beyond her pale neck.
*At least nothing... happened.* He exhaled in relief.
Gently, he tried to slide his arm out from under her head—but the movement roused her.
*"Young Master... awake?"* Tifa rubbed her bleary eyes, voice thick with sleep.
*"Did I... do anything to you last night?"* Thundrous scratched his head, avoiding her gaze.
*"No. You were drunk. Rambling nonsense for hours before finally sleeping."* She yawned, snuggling closer. *"Young Master... who is Wu Sangui? Why did you keep saying you'd destroy him and steal someone called Chen Yuanyuan?"*
*"I—I said that?!"*
*"Mm. Maria came to help take care of you. She heard it too."*
Thundrous' face burned. *Damn it, is my subconscious really that dark?!*
*"Just... drunken nonsense."* He patted Tifa's cheek. *"Sleep more. I'll get some water."*
*"Mm."* She nodded obediently, releasing him without protest.
That was Tifa's best trait—she adored clinging to him, but never clung *too* tightly. To her, the Young Master was her entire world.
After washing up, he found the courtyard quiet—only a few maids cleaning, most guards still asleep.
Except Carlos.
The hulking man stood alone in the yard, looking lost.
*"Young Master, up so early?"* Carlos grinned, voice gruff.
Thundrous studied him with narrowed eyes. *"Couldn't sleep."*
The man's harmless, dopey smile was *definitely* hiding something. *Total wolf in sheep's clothing.*
Casually, Thundrous strolled to a massive boulder in the corner and nudged it with his foot. *"Damn. This thing's huge."*
*"Oh, that? Dug it up while cleaning the garden. Uncle Oak said it might be useful, so we left it there."*
*"Must weigh at least three hundred pounds."* Thundrous side-eyed Carlos.
*"Probably... yeah?"* Carlos suddenly felt uneasy under that gaze.
*"Carry it for me."*
*"...Just me?"* Carlos' eyes bulged. *Is the Young Master still drunk?!*
*"Just you."* Thundrous nodded. *"You can do it. Believe in yourself."*
Carlos forced a laugh, but Thundrous ignored him, urging him on.
Gritting his teeth, the guard captain strode to the boulder, spat on his palms, and squatted low. With a grunt, he heaved—muscles straining, veins bulging—and slowly lifted the massive rock.
*"Where... to... Young Master?"* he gasped, face red as a beet.
*"Impressive!"* Thundrous was genuinely awed. Lifting 300 pounds raw? Carlos was no ordinary man.
*"Follow me."*
With that, Thundrous led Carlos on a *leisurely* stroll around the estate.
The Baron's manor was enormous. Thundrous deliberately walked slowly, and by the time they completed one lap, sweat poured off Carlos like rain. His legs trembled visibly, but he stubbornly kept pace.
*"Keep pretending, tough guy."* Thundrous smirked inwardly, morphing into the archetypal cruel noble. He ignored Carlos' pleading glances, maintaining a steady, *agonizing* pace.
Carlos wanted to cry. *What did I do to deserve this?!*
Two laps in, Carlos was on the verge of collapse.
*"Don't drop it. If you do—no meals for ten days."* Thundrous' smile was pure evil.
By the third lap, Carlos finally cracked—a faint glimmer of battle aura flickered around him.
Thundrous pretended not to notice.
*Five full laps later*, he finally pointed at the boulder's original spot. *"Drop it here."*
Carlos nearly wept with relief, dumping the rock and collapsing onto the ground, gasping like a stranded fish.
*"Know why I did that?"* Thundrous crouched beside him.
Carlos grinned weakly, scratching his head. *Because you're a sadistic bastard?*
*"Once you enter this household, you're family. I expect honesty—from you, from all the guards. You're my brothers now. If anyone messes with you, they mess with me. So... no more secrets."*
Carlos' smile faded.
*"Think about it."* Thundrous patted his shoulder and walked away.
*Sweet, sweet revenge.*
Sure, testing Carlos for battle aura was part of it—but mostly?
*Payback for those three bowls last night.*
*Can't outdrink you? Fine. But I'm the master now.*
**Will Carlos' hidden strength become a blessing—or a curse?**