The dining hall was unusually quiet.
Only the faint clink of utensils against porcelain echoed through the space, restrained and distant. The long table—normally filled with conversation and presence—felt almost hollow.
At its center, Theodore sat in composed silence, enjoying his meal with measured elegance. Behind him, his assistant stood still, hands folded, eyes lowered.
Yet Theodore was not fully focused on the food before him.
His gaze drifted.
To the empty seat across the table.
Kael's seat.
Still untouched.
Still vacant.
He paused mid-motion.
Then, without turning his head fully, he spoke in a low whisper.
"Has Lord Kael remained in his office?"
His assistant leaned slightly closer, careful not to raise attention.
"I cannot confirm, my lord," he replied quietly. "However… I noticed that his meal was delivered to his room, not the office."
A small pause.
Theodore's fingers stilled against his utensils.
Then—
He resumed eating.
But his thoughts did not.
His room… not the office.
Elric had clearly stated that Kael was working.
And yet—
The details did not align.
Slowly, Theodore placed his utensils down.
The faint sound echoed louder than it should have.
He began to rise.
But before he could stand—
Footsteps.
Measured.
Approaching.
The doors opened.
And Kael entered.
A soft smile rested on his lips.
"I see you've already begun breakfast."
His tone was calm.
Even.
Controlled.
Theodore's eyes narrowed—just slightly.
Something felt… off.
But he did not show it.
He and his assistant rose and bowed.
"Good morning, Your Grace."
Kael nodded lightly and moved to his seat. Servants hurried forward, placing his meal before him with quiet efficiency.
The moment he sat, Theodore followed.
But his gaze remained fixed.
Observing.
Measuring.
"I heard you were occupied with paperwork this morning," Theodore began, tone casual. "I had hoped to invite you for a sparring session in the courtyard."
Kael turned to him.
A faint smile.
"Well, the workload has been accumulating. I thought it best to settle matters first."
Theodore nodded slowly.
"Understandable."
A pause.
Then—
"If you encounter difficulty with administrative matters, feel free to consult me. After all… you spent most of your life on the battlefield. A transition like this can be… demanding."
A subtle test.
Kael's eyes flickered for a brief moment—almost imperceptibly.
Then he smiled again.
"I appreciate the offer. However, I have Lady Elric and Lord Sebastian assisting me. Still… should I require your insight, I will not hesitate to ask."
Theodore watched him.
Closely.
The tone.
The pacing.
The slight delay.
Too careful.
Too measured.
Like someone choosing each word…
Instead of speaking naturally.
But he smiled.
"Very well."
Then, after a brief pause—
"How about a walk in your garden after this? I've heard Delcra's roses are unlike any in the Empire."
Kael blinked.
A fraction too long.
Then—
"…Perhaps this evening would be better."
A small pause before he continued.
"The garden is more beautiful under the sunset… and the weather suggests it may rain soon."
A reasonable answer.
But—
Again.
Slight hesitation.
Behind the calm expression, Albert steadied himself internally.
Careful.
Don't rush.
Don't slip.
Elric's words echoed in his mind:
Delay him. Avoid unnecessary interaction. Do not let him dig deeper.
Albert maintained the illusion.
Because this—
Was not Kael.
Theodore leaned back slightly.
Watching.
Calculating.
"Then I shall look forward to this evening."
A brief pause.
"While I wait… would it be acceptable for me to take a walk around your castle?"
There it was.
The real intent.
Exploration.
Observation.
Albert's smile held—
But barely.
Refusing would raise suspicion.
Agreeing would risk exposure.
For a moment—
Silence stretched thin.
Then—
The doors opened again.
A shift.
A presence.
Sebastian Smith entered with steady steps, bowing respectfully first to Theodore before approaching Kael's side.
He leaned in slightly.
His voice barely above a breath.
"My lord… Lord Kael has awakened. He requests your presence."
Albert's eyes flickered.
Relief—hidden beneath composure.
Perfect timing.
He straightened, expression calm as ever.
Then turned to Theodore.
"My apologies," he said smoothly. "It seems something requires my attention."
Theodore watched him.
Long.
Silent.
Then—
A faint smile.
"Of course. Duty comes first."
Albert inclined his head slightly.
"I will have someone guide you through the castle shortly."
With that—
He rose.
And left the hall.
The moment he stepped beyond the doors—
His expression fell.
The tension he had been holding finally loosened.
That was too close.
Behind him, in the dining hall—
Theodore remained seated.
Still.
Quiet.
His fingers tapped lightly against the table.
Once.
Twice.
"…Interesting."
He murmured softly.
Because something—
Was wrong.
And now—
He was certain of it.
-----------------------------------------
The moment Albert Chreas left the dining hall, his calm expression disappeared.
His steps quickened through the corridor.
Once.
Twice.
He glanced behind him, making sure no servants—or worse, Theodore's assistant—were following.
The hallway remained empty.
Only then did he finally reach the office door.
He pushed it open quickly, slipped inside, and shut it tightly behind him.
Click.
The lock turned.
Albert immediately removed the black wig from his head, revealing his original blue hair beneath.
He let out a long breath before bowing deeply toward the figure inside.
"I'm glad you're awake, Your Grace."
His tone was respectful and formal.
Kael lifted his gaze from the chair near the desk.
His face remained pale, but compared to this morning, the painful tightness around his brows had eased slightly.
Still—
He looked exhausted.
"But I still believe you should rest longer," Albert continued carefully.
From the corner of the office, Robert Dandelian sighed heavily.
"I already told him that," Robert muttered. "But he keeps worrying about Lord Valdran staying here."
Albert straightened his posture.
"Your Grace, it's truly fine. I can continue handling things like I did during the past five months."
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Kael looked at him quietly.
"That was when I wasn't here."
His tone remained calm, but firm.
"Now I am."
He lowered his eyes briefly toward the documents.
"I promised all of you that I would become a proper lord… someone useful."
The finality in his words silenced the room.
Albert and Robert exchanged glances.
Both helpless.
Both knowing how stubborn Kael could be once he made up his mind.
Finally, Robert walked toward the desk.
Without warning, he gathered several documents from Kael's hands.
Kael blinked.
"…Robert?"
Robert placed the documents aside firmly.
"Then only this once."
His tone turned unusually serious.
"You will handle Lord Valdran."
He pointed toward Albert.
"Lord Albert and I will manage the paperwork."
Then his gaze sharpened slightly.
"And you are going to sleep properly."
Kael opened his mouth, but Robert cut him off immediately.
"If you faint again like last night, I'll nag at you nonstop."
Silence.
Then—
Albert coughed suddenly, turning away slightly to hide the smile threatening to escape.
Seeing Kael startled by Robert's warning was strangely amusing.
Kael stared at Robert for a long moment.
Then sighed softly in defeat.
He already knew.
Once Robert started nagging, there would be no escape from it.
Slowly, Kael nodded.
"…Alright."
The relief on both Robert and Albert's faces was immediate.
-----------------------------------------
Later that evening—
As promised—
Kael went to meet Theodore.
The rain had already stopped.
Droplets still clung to the flower petals and leaves, reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun.
The garden smelled fresh.
Cool.
Peaceful.
Theodore stood near the entrance gate of the garden with his hands behind his back.
When Kael approached, Theodore gave a slight bow.
"Your Grace."
Kael wore a simple robe today.
Nothing overly formal.
Yet even with loose clothing and pale skin, he still carried an effortless elegance.
Though—
He looked thinner than before.
Too thin.
"I apologize for making you wait," Kael said calmly. "I rested for a while earlier."
Theodore studied him carefully.
Again—
That strange feeling returned.
This Kael felt different from the one at breakfast.
Not only the tone.
The atmosphere itself had changed.
Still—
Theodore smiled politely.
"It's no issue."
His eyes moved toward the garden.
"You chose the perfect timing. Delcra's garden is especially beautiful after rain."
They began walking side by side along the stone pathway.
The sound of water dripping from leaves accompanied their silence.
Kael watched Theodore quietly.
For the first time since arriving, the older man genuinely seemed impressed.
Not calculating.
Not probing.
Simply admiring.
"I see your servants take excellent care of this place," Theodore said.
Kael stopped briefly beside a blooming rose bush.
His fingers gently brushed the petals.
"Indeed."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"And I'm grateful to all of them."
Theodore turned slightly toward him.
Again—
The difference.
This morning's "Kael" had spoken carefully, almost stiffly.
But now—
This one felt natural.
Quiet.
Composed.
Real.
"You seem different from this morning."
Theodore said it directly.
Without hiding his suspicion.
Kael stilled faintly.
Then his gaze lowered toward the roses as he searched for an answer.
"Well… I encountered some trouble with paperwork earlier."
A small pause.
"But it's been resolved now."
Theodore stared at him for several seconds.
Long enough for silence to grow uncomfortable.
Then—
He spoke again.
"You know…"
His hand rose thoughtfully to his chin.
"This is actually the second time we've been alone together."
Kael's steps stopped.
"…Second?"
Theodore nodded slowly.
"Long ago. Before the war."
Kael's heart tightened.
Nobody had ever mentioned this.
Not Robert.
Not Elric.
Not Reinhardt.
He forced himself to remain calm.
"…Before?"
Theodore's gaze softened slightly.
"You looked very different back then."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"When I see you now, it reminds me that if I had my own child… he would probably be around your age."
Kael stayed silent.
Theodore continued walking slowly.
"At the time, I thought it was cruel."
His voice became quieter.
"To send such a young child into war."
His eyes narrowed slightly, recalling the memory.
"But you looked me straight in the eyes and told me…"
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"'I am the Hero chosen to save the world.'"
Kael could only smile faintly in response.
Because—
He didn't remember.
Not even a fragment.
Then suddenly—
Theodore stopped walking.
He turned fully toward Kael.
Kael stiffened slightly from the abrupt movement.
Theodore's expression had changed.
Gone was the polite smile.
Gone was the casual tone.
Now—
He looked serious.
Sharp.
Heavy.
"I have actually wanted to speak with you alone for a long time."
His voice lowered.
Firm.
"Without eyes watching us."
The evening wind passed between them quietly.
Rustling the wet leaves.
And for the first time—
Kael felt it clearly.
The strange familiarity.
The discomfort.
The feeling that something connected him to Theodore—
Something buried deep inside memories he no longer possessed.