"Everyone needs to be ready before the doctor arrives, especially you." He pointed directly at Cheryl, who stood silently near the corner of the staircase.
"Understood, sir," Cheryl replied to his father, keeping his gaze lowered.
Being yelled at, struck, or blamed for things he hadn't done or had no connection to had become routine for him.
Most of the time, it felt as if he were invisible, just an inanimate object occupying the position of third child in a family that barely acknowledged his existence.
'Nothing unusual, but today might finally be different. I hope.'
Cheryl had been born into a baron's family. Initially, his life had been wonderful and fulfilling, unfolding exactly as he'd hoped it would, until his parents decided to have two more children.
Everything changed after that. The affection and attention once lavished on him now went entirely to the newborn twins, and gradually, any special treatment from his parents disappeared.
Eventually, he adapted to this new reality and stopped asking for or expecting anything from anyone. All he wanted was a decent, stable life where his past wounds wouldn't haunt him.
Yet every day in that household felt monotonous and draining. He ran errands like a servant and performed chores daily while everyone else relaxed, played, or pursued their own interests.
His parents had even abandoned him during a school event once, right before his participation, which led him to stop trying altogether.
Still, growing up in such an environment taught him lessons no school ever could.
He'd learned many things, developing trust issues was top among them. He'd also gradually withdrawn from the world, retreating into the quiet sanctuary of his own room.
"The doctor has arrived and entered the Bellingham estate," their personal butler announced upon spotting the physician.
Everyone heard the declaration and immediately began rushing downstairs to avoid being reprimanded, everyone except the twins.
'The doctor's finally here! That means the awakening ceremony should start soon!' He smiled as he descended the stairs, quickly positioning himself in the front row.
"Good day, Doctor Albert. It's wonderful to see you again after such a long time," Mr. Bellingham greeted the doctor with an extended hand.
"The pleasure is entirely mine, Mr. Bellingham," the doctor responded warmly, his bright smile revealing perfectly aligned teeth.
'This man is the one overseeing the awakening ceremony?' Cheryl thought, studying the doctor with curiosity.
Doctor Jeremy Albert had served as their family physician since Cheryl was young. He visited periodically, largely because Cheryl's parents continued rewarding him for safely delivering the twins into the world.
He also checked in on the family regularly. Cheryl hadn't expected their longtime family doctor to be among the specially trained physicians authorized to conduct awakening procedures.
'This might make things easier, then.'
"I see your children have grown enough to finally awaken their dormant abilities," the doctor remarked cheerfully, setting down his briefcase.
Cheryl quickly stepped forward, took the briefcase from him, and placed it on the nearby table to prevent any scolding from his parents.
"Yes, the twins here and him are next to awaken their dormant abilities." Mr. Bellingham gestured toward the empty space where the twins should have been standing.
He turned to find nothing but vacancy, then glanced at his wife, whose brow had already furrowed in displeasure.
His eyes then shifted to Cheryl, who stood dutifully behind the doctor, irritation plain on his face.
"What are you doing just standing there? Where are the twins?" he barked, startling Cheryl from his daydream about what ability he might receive.
"Huh?" Cheryl looked up to see the vacant spot where the twins were meant to be.
"But I did call—"
"Don't give me worthless excuses, go find them immediately!" his father commanded, dismissing Cheryl from the room.
His oldest sibling smirked, watching him ascend the stairs without offering any assistance.
Cheryl navigated the expansive corridors, hurrying toward the twins' bedroom with a scowl. He was already frustrated at being treated this way in his own home.
Worse still, it was all because of two undisciplined children who simply happened to be his younger siblings.
'If everyone experienced the treatment I get, maybe they'd understand how this feels,' he sighed, pushing open the hallway doors.
He found the twins playing carelessly in their usual fashion when they should have been downstairs with everyone else.
What irritated him even more about their existence was the fact that he was only now receiving his awakening pill, when he should have received his years ago.
His parents had deemed it more appropriate for him to wait until the twins came of age so they could all undergo the ceremony together.
He'd waited five years just for them to pull something like this on the day of his awakening.
"Tsk! If I lay a hand on them, Father won't let it slide. I might have to wait another five years as punishment, which I absolutely can't afford."
"Hey! Alec and Aria, get yourselves downstairs before Father loses his temper!" he shouted, his voice reverberating through the corridor.
Both twins turned at the sound of his voice but showed no fear. Instead, they seemed entertained by his tone.
"What are you going to do if we don't?" They both giggled mockingly.
"Well, I'm not the one who'll suffer. If the doctor leaves today without administering your pills, you'll have to wait another five years before getting another chance," he said casually, shrugging his shoulders.
They immediately broke into a sprint, abandoning their game entirely, unwilling to miss their opportunity to gain their first abilities.
'I knew that would work. I've known you both for all ten years of your short lives.' He smiled, watching them race past him toward the staircase.
'Well, I'd better follow, or I'll likely be forgotten again as usual.'
He trailed behind them, jogging while they sprinted ahead without a backward glance.
They all arrived downstairs, and both parents beamed when they saw the twins.
"Thank goodness nothing happened to you," his mother exclaimed, pulling them into a tight embrace while shooting Cheryl sidelong glances.
'They were literally inside the house. What could possibly have happened to them?'
With everyone now assembled, the doctor pulled the table closer and opened his briefcase.
"Alright then, let's begin the procedure."