After several hours of conversation, during which Talia discussed with her siblings the small arrangement the family was planning for Lefki at UA, she finally left the room in silence. Saiko was waiting for her in the hallway, greeting her with a calm smile and a slight bow.
– Is everything in order? – Saiko asked calmly, observing Talia attentively.
Talia nodded silently and began walking toward the stairs, closely followed by her companion.
– Lefki's service and security team has returned from the event preparations – Saiko continued respectfully – They asked me to check if they can return to their positions with him.
– Tell them they can return; everything is in order – Talia replied calmly and firmly. Saiko bowed in acknowledgment, and the two parted ways upon reaching the second floor.
– Let's spend the rest of the day relaxing with Lefki – Talia added, finally alone – Tomorrow we have the family meeting, and it will be the start of the countdown for all the Alepou to prepare the plan before our entry to UA.
When Talia reached Lefki's bedroom door, her serious expression softened immediately. A warm expression replaced the tired one from before. The doors opened quickly, revealing Lefki playing Minecraft on the television, chuckling softly while Camie sat beside him on the sofa reading a UA textbook, patiently watching him out of the corner of her eye.
– Lefki, I've finished discussing some minor matters with Quang and Olivia – Talia said, taking the empty space on the sofa that Camie had cleared as soon as she heard the doors open.
– I'm glad things are finally starting to run smoothly before we arrive – Lefki replied, turning off the console to focus her attention on Talia – I wonder how long it will take for lunch to arrive; I'm starving.
– Don't worry – Talia said with a slight smile – On my way here, Saiko mentioned that all the servants have returned from the event preparations, including your small team. So they shouldn't be long in bringing the food.
No sooner had she finished speaking than there was a soft, rhythmic knocking on the door.
– That must be them – Talia commented as she stood up to answer it.
As she did, the door revealed Saiko, accompanied by ten other people pushing a service cart laden with meticulously prepared dishes, arranged with impeccable precision.
The first to appear was a tall, slender girl with an angelic appearance, delicate features, and graceful proportions. Her pale skin stood out in the soft light of the room, while her pale blonde hair, with subtle pink highlights, fell in soft waves to her shoulders. Most striking were her golden eyes, whose inner glow resembled liquid fire, and a small, spiraling sun-shaped mark peeking out from among the strands of her bangs.
She wore a short white tunic with gold epaulettes, a pleated skirt, long white stockings, and boots with gold heels, which gave her an air of almost celestial purity.
– Lefki, I'm so excited to see you! – the girl exclaimed, leaping toward him and knocking him down onto the sofa before embracing him tightly – You have no idea how anxious I was to see you again after a week," she said with a radiant smile and an unmistakable sparkle in her eyes.
– I missed you too, Celestine – Lefki replied with a laugh, as she hugged him with the strength and tenderness of a koala – It's so comforting to have you back here.
– She's been talking the whole way here about how excited she was to see Lefki again, but I never imagined she'd be so bold – a girl said with a laugh, approaching Camie and Talia, who were calmly observing the scene – How have you been while we were gone?
– We manage quite well, though we always need you, Elizabeth, and the rest of the team in charge of Lefki – Talia replied sincerely, giving the family's butler a warm look – Saiko and Camie are wonderful as my brother's teacher and caretaker, but each of you performs tasks that no one else could.
– It's heartwarming to hear your appreciation, Miss Talia – Elizabeth said with a slight bow, her voice calm and professional – I hope to continue being of service to you all.
Elizabeth was a young woman with long, straight, silver hair with lilac highlights, which reached her waist and was usually gathered into a high bun adorned with a white or blue ribbon. Her pale gray eyes, flecked with violet, shone calmly in the light, while her translucent skin, with a subtle pearly glow, accentuated her natural elegance. She wore a white dress with gold trim, a light blue corset, and a sheer cape embroidered with silver thread, which gave her an ethereal and refined presence.
– Come on, Celestine, Lefki must be hungry – said a girl who approached the young man trapped in his companion's embrace with a serious tone – According to Saiko, he hasn't eaten anything since breakfast.
– But I want to stay like this for a few more seconds – protested Celestine, looking at her with puppy-dog eyes – Can't we wait a little while, Valeria?
Valeria was a young woman with silvery-white hair flecked with gold, pulled back in a side ponytail that fell to her shoulder blades. Her fair skin, with a pearly sheen that shimmered in the light, contrasted with her amber eyes, each pierced by a luminous cross in the iris. She wore a fitted white suit with gold stripes running down her torso and legs, along with a short cape embroidered with a sun emblem, and gold gloves and combat boots, giving her an appearance that was both martial and elegant.
– No, Celestine, I can't wait – Valeria replied seriously, crossing her arms – Come on, let Lefki eat in peace. Afterward, if he allows it, you can hug him as much as you like.
– All right – Celestine said with a resigned sigh, rising gracefully before helping Lefki to his feet – I'll wait with you at the door.
– I like that you're focused on your work, Captain – Valeria said with a small smile, allowing herself a rare gesture of camaraderie.
Suddenly, another girl appeared. Her light golden hair, long enough to reach her thighs, fell in soft waves that reflected the light like strands of gold. Her crimson eyes, flecked with amber, shone with a serene intensity; her smooth, pale skin seemed to radiate its own light, every pore emanating a warm glow, as if her body were molded from cooled liquid gold.
She wore a long white dress cinched by a gold corset, with wide sleeves and a light, sheer cape that shimmered like crystal in the room's lighting. She wore fine matte gold gloves, a low crown, and, on her chest, a sunburst carved with Lefki's emblem.
– Thank you, Lilianne – Lefki said with a smile as the girl elegantly adjusted her shirt collar.
– You're welcome, Lefki. I'm just doing my duty – she replied calmly, smoothing an invisible crease in her clothing before moving gracefully to the door, joining Valeria and Celestine on guard.
Then, Talia gently took Lefki's hand and led him to the bedroom balcony, where lunch was being meticulously prepared. Behind them, Elizabeth and Camie chatted quietly, exchanging quiet comments as they watched the preparations.
Lunch consisted of grilled meat smothered in cheese sauce, served as the main course. Colorful salads and freshly baked breads were arranged around the table, and a personalized drink rested before each seat. In Lefki's case, his glass held a thick chocolate banana milkshake, specially prepared for him.
The table was being set by Lefki's three personal maids. Anna, with precise movements, placed the salads with a kind smile. Beside her worked Derriane and Melasca, in charge of the other elements of the table.
Derriane was a young woman with short, slightly wavy, coppery-brown hair, strands framing her serious face. Her opaque golden eyes displayed unwavering concentration, and her athletic build spoke of discipline. Her fair skin revealed fine, linear scars, remnants of training. She wore a short, graphite-colored jacket with internal reinforcements, a white shirt, a straight skirt, and high boots, along with thin black gloves and a bracelet bearing the Lefki emblem.
Melasca, on the other hand, exuded a dark elegance. Her jet-black hair, with crimson highlights, reached her thighs and fell in soft waves. Her intense, almost luminous, pink eyes contrasted with her pale, translucent skin. Her lips were painted a deep wine shade, and she wore a black dress with a high collar, a fitted corset, long sleeves, and a skirt trimmed in purple. Over her head, she wore a dark gray lace apron and a black cap adorned with a small silver cross. She wore silk gloves and, hanging around her neck, a small bottle of antique perfume whose scent, a blend of dark lilies and myrrh, drifted softly in the air.
– It's a great luncheon, as always – Lefki said with evident enthusiasm as he took a seat next to Saiko, leaving Talia and Camie opposite him – Elizabeth, where is Meredith? – he asked curiously.
– She's making some preparations, but she'll be here in a few hours – Elizabeth replied with a serene smile, remaining somewhat apart from the meal – For now, enjoy your lunch, young Lefki.
– Um, Lefki… if it's not too much trouble, some of us brought you a gift – a soft, cheerful voice suddenly said from beside Elizabeth.
It was a young woman with pale, almost white, blonde hair that fell straight to her knees with impeccable perfection. Her skin radiated a warm glow, with honey tones and golden highlights that seemed to emanate from within. Her sky-blue eyes, surrounded by concentric golden circles, made her appear almost ethereal. She wore a short white tunic cinched with a gold belt, a translucent floor-length cloak, light gloves, and golden sandals.
– Emily, it's a pleasure to receive something from you and the others – Lefki said with a smile as she took a small slice of chocolate cake – Who else helped you prepare it?
– Lunara and Velvette – Emily replied excitedly – We hope you like it.
The two girls, leaning against a corner of the balcony, watched her intently.
Lunara was a young woman with silvery-white hair streaked with dark hair, cut asymmetrically. Her deep amber eyes, with feline pupils, seemed to take in every detail around her. She wore thin metal earplugs that acted as auditory sensors. Her pale skin, with golden highlights on her cheeks and shoulders, stood out in the sunlight. She wore a white combat suit with gold details, reinforced with flexible material, along with high boots and gloves with retractable energy claws. A short cape with a gold hood and the inverted sun symbol on the back completed her outfit.
Velvette, for her part, had voluminous, perfectly styled pink hair with golden highlights, set in shimmering waves. Her large, expressive eyes, a rose gold flecked with fuchsia, shifted in intensity depending on her mood. Her skin had a constant pearly glow. She wore a white minidress with gold and fuchsia details, long gloves, soft boots, and a gold sash at her waist, adorned with a sunburst brooch.
– Of course, Emily, I always enjoy your gifts – Lefki said with a broad smile – Lunara, Velvette, thank you both as well.
The two girls looked away, somewhat embarrassed by the attention, while Emily chuckled softly.
– Enjoy your meal, Lefki – Emily added finally before leaving to join the other two young women.
After that, Lefki happily settled down to enjoy his lunch, surrounded by his caretakers, sister, and servants, who watched him with a mixture of affection, pride, and quiet devotion.