[ In Helvetia, Switzerland ]
Ezio blinked awake as the lukewarm sunlight pushed through the crystal clear window, soft and tinted yellow in colour.
Before he could sit up, a calm voice flowed through the room.
"Good morning, young master Ezio"
Still half asleep, he scrubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
"...Morning, Sara" he mumbled, his vision dragging lazily as they traced the sound across the room.
When his vision cleared, he squinted his eyes at her.
"Why are you still in that bussiness suit?"
Sara, stood near the doorway, looking composed and elegant. Her black suit fit her perfectly, hair tied in a neat bun, expressing her concern as she looked at the sight before her.
" Young master " she replied patiently. "Did you forget Master Azathoth had an early meeting today. I had to accompany him, so I'm still in the formal attire."
Ezio exhaled a small sleepy sigh, leaning back on his pillows as he shook his legs.
"You look ridiculous in that suit, Sara"
She didn't even flinch, "With all due respect young master, I have received compliments from the presidents during the meeting, about this suit".
Ezio glanced lazily at her, and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah..."
Breaking his laziness, Ezio pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the morning sunlight.
"Sara", tell mom and dad I'm heading out for a jog. Tell them I will come back in few hours probably.
Sara's face softened into a soft smile as she heard his murmur. "Of course young master. But please try to return quickly, Master and Mistress along with lady Amaryllis will be waiting for you at breakfast".
"Yeah, yeah I know it" He muttered, though a faint grin tugged the corners of his mouth.
Sara then stepped forward and handed him a neatly folded set of jogging clothes.
Ezio chuckled as he took the clothes.
"Thanks Sara, I don't even know how I am gonna live if you aren't there".
"You wouldn't" she replied almost immediately, with a straight and deadpan expression.
Ezio froze from his sleepy state and stared at her. "Wow...how can you say things like this with a straight face, Sara"
Sara only gave him a tiniest shrug, before going out of the room.
Ezio shook his head with a small laugh, then picked up his clothes from the mattres, he had placed them on to.
Swiftly, he changed into his jogging clothes and opened the door.
ᚔᚔᚔᚔᚔᚔ
Ezio stepped into the long corridor, the soft morning light spilling on the marble made the golden veins on it, shine even more. Seeing the scenery he muttered in awe.
"No matter how many times I see it this...this place is truly damn magnificient"
Above him, glass sculptures hung from the ceiling, some were sculpted figures of doves and flamingo, and the crystalline staircase shined like a constellation.
He pushed opened one of the main doors and stepped outside.
The entrance greeted him with the view the well trimmed bushes and displays of Edelweiss and Gentians, they coated the whole garden in white and blue colours.
One of the gardener who was trimming a bush, straightened up and nodded politely.
"Guten Morgen, junger Meister."
Ezio froze for a second, searching his brain to find anything to reply in German.
"...Ja, hallo!" He answered with fake confidence.
The gardener only smiled knowingly and went back to his work.
Ezio sighed, then started jogging down the cobblestone path. As he moved further away from the estate, the scenery shifted. Tall mountains rose in the distance, shrouded in early morning fog.
Pines and Alpines lined the winding trail, the cold crisp air almost cold enough to sting slightly.
As he ran, his breath fogged out in small white puffs.
Then.
Ding!.
His Arctic watch buzzed on his wrist.
Ezio slowed his pace, glancing down the caller ID.
As soon as he saw the name on the caller ID, his lips morphed into a little smile.
He tapped on the accept icon on his Arctic.
And there she was.
Isabelle
Her golden hair were still messy from sleep, eyes half open.
She rubbed her eyes softly and yawned, and whispered with a lazy smile.
["Good morning, Ez"]
Ezio couldn't help seeing her like this and smiled back at her.
["Good morning, Isabelle"]
She stretched her hands, her voice still drowsy.
["So? when are you coming back from your vacation?."]
Ezio sighed dramatically, his legs stopped themselves near a large silver fern.
[" I don't think it counts as a vacation. Dad bought us here for work, Mom's also helping him with the guild matters. Me and sis....Yeah, we are basically just....existing"]
Isabelle chuckled.
[ "Existing in a luxury resort in Helvetia" ]
[ "Two more days, And we will be back"], he added.
[ "So, how did the gathering go?"], Ezio questioned.
She nodded.
["Good. The gathering was… ugh, annoying. But the pastry they served was great."]
Ezio grinned.
["Then you're in luck, Isa."]
She raised an eyebrow.
["Why? What are you planning?"]
Ezio then in an excitement used mana in his legs to travel faster.
He turned around a corner, and slowed in front of a beautiful and elegant storefront, the whole store was supported by planks with mirror slabs resting on them.
On the wooden pannel: Maison Albrecht & Fils. The text shone with a faint golden glow of lights.
And from the outside, one could see their chocolate fountain which was enclosed in the mirror slab.
Out of excitement, he pointed his watch at the sign so she could see.
["Stay on the call. I'm sure you'll love their chocolates."]
Isabelle's eyes lit up immediately.
["Ezio… don't make me fall for you with food.]
His cheeks reddened instantly.
Seeing this she smirked, gentle and teasing.
Ezio pushed the door open, and the world instantly turned sweet with the smell of roasted cocoa.
A deep, rich scent of cocoa wrapped around him, buttery and sweet, albeit a little bitter, like stepping into chocolate itself.
Isabelle's hologram widened her eyes.
["Woah… Ez, this place looks so pretty."]
The polished wooden floor, the glass shelves, the golden labels and even the counter screamed old money.
Before Ezio could answer, a man with neat brown hair tied in a ponytail stepped forward, adjusting his apron.
"Guten Morgen, aber dieses Geschäft ist zu dieser Zeit leider noch nicht für Kunden geöffnet, mein Herr."
Ezio froze.
"…Uh."
He blinked, trying to decipher the words, squinting like that would magically translate them for him.
Isabelle sighed fondly.
[ "He's saying the shop isn't open right now, Ez."]
Ezio whipped his head toward the hologram.
[ "Wait... you understood that? How many languages do you know, Isa?"]
She smirked.
["Secret."]
The shopkeeper, noticing the confusion on his face, switched smoothly to English.
"My apologies, sir. We open in one hour. Is there something you needed urgently?"
Ezio perked up.
"Yes! I wanted to preorder the Trüffel-Torte. And… um… I was hoping you could deliver it to Winterborne Abbey?"
The man's eyes widened instantly.
"Winterborne..… Abbey?"
He straightened up like a soldier.
"May I ask, young sir… .are you from the Azathoth clan?"
Ezio nodded politely.
"Yes. I'm Ezio Azathoth."
The man almost dropped the clipboard he was holding.
He bowed slightly, voice trembling.
"I-i... greet the young master. Please forgive my negligence. I shall prepare the dessert immediately."
Ezio shook his head quickly.
"No, no it's fine. Thank you."
He then glanced at Isabelle's hologram and smiled softly.
["I'll call you later, Isa."]
She gave him a sleepy grin.
[Alright. Don't get into trouble, Ez"]
The call blinked out.
Ezio stepped back outside, the cool Alpine air brushing his face again. He picked up his jog, breathing steady, the mountains welcoming him back as he continued down the fog-lined cobblestone path.