The mansion was bustling with a nervous energy.
Rajak kept to the shadows of the halls, watching as the maids and butler hurriedly passed him by. They carried various things in their arms, and Rajak did his best to determine what they could possibly be doing.
He would have stayed in his rooms, or even slipped out to patrol the grounds. But the Noblesse had come to check on him, his expression one of concern. In fact, if it weren't for the Noble energy surrounding him, he would have mistaken him for a normal human. The Noblesse's shirt was rumpled and untucked, and he carried a child on his hip.
Well, the Noblesse had left him strict instructions about going outside. Now, he didn't know if that meant the grounds, the village, or even the home itself. But he wasn't about to ask.
So instead, he seized this opportunity to gather as much information as he could for his father. Everything he came across was disorienting, from stumbling into the kitchen and seeing one of the maids teaching the Noblesse how to cook, to the intimidating human humm a song to the infants.
After a few days of careful observation, Rajak had merely concluded that this was because the Noblesse was really an odd being. Surely the Nobles shouldn't expect him to practice the same ways as they do.
He could sense the aura of the human steadily approaching. Rajak had learned that the human, Frankenstein, could conceal his aura if he so wished. There were a few times when Frankenstein caught Rajak unawares. However, today, he seemed to be dropping his guard.
Rajak remained standing within the shadows when Frankenstein came down the halls. The human was conversing with the butler, handing off a few documents before turning to address two maids. Despite the multiple tasks he was clearly dealing with, he did not appear overwhelmed, even as he worked to keep the child in his arms from tugging on his hair.
"Ah, Rajak," Frankenstein said as he approached him. "Hold Takeo for me." Without a second thought, Frankenstein passed the child off to Rajak. Years of training and hardening his reflexes kept him from dropping the child in fright.
"W-wait…" Rajak stuttered, holding out the squirming infant, but Frankenstein was already moving away to address another maid.
Rajak stood in the halls, worry clenching his gut. He glanced down at the small child. Takeo, right? He was no longer dressed in the pink frills Rajak was accustomed to seeing. Something about...protection from trolls?
Rajak realized that the way he was holding the boy was not appropriate for a human baby. He had seen the Noblesse and Frankenstein cuddle the children close to their chests, but that seemed to be too much physical contact!
Takeo scrunched up his nose, looking fairly displeased with being held at such an arms distance. Rajak's internal panic spiked up. That was the face of someone about to cry!
Rajak hastily held him close, cringing when the warm body curled into his embrace. He released a hasty breath, closing his eyes as he wondered all sorts of horrible things. What if he was holding the child wrong? What if he damaged him? The disgrace on his family would be instrumental!
A soft sigh caught his attention, and Rajak glanced down to see Takeo rest his small head on Rajak's shoulders. One small hand clutched the fabric of Rajak's shirt, clinging to it as if it was all the comfort he sought.
Something warm stirred within Rajak. Warm and light, unlike the sunbeams of an early morning sunrise on the beach. No, this was fragile and precious.
"Thank you," Frankenstein said, smiling. His eyes softened when he saw the child, and Rajak was overcome with the realization that this was what it felt like to have a fatherly gaze on you.
Rajak shifted. "Um...here," he held Takeo out for Frankenstein, silently pleading for the child to be taken from him before he damaged the Noblesse's property. However, there was a deeper instinct within him yearning to hold the child closer.
Frankenstein graciously took Takeo, eyeing Rajak with a grin. "Was he a handful?"
"Not at all," Rajak replied. "He was very quiet for a child." He hesitated. "Might I ask, what is the purpose for all of this movement?"
"Oh, we are just making arrangements for the new household."
Rajak blinked. "Is someone taking over?"
"Yes. Master and I will be leaving for Lukedonia. We had made preparations for the people living here to take over." Frankenstein smiled. "They should be supported for many generations to come." His blue eyes flickered past the hallway, and his gaze softened.
Rajak followed his gaze and straightened up when he noticed the Noblesse approaching them. The Noblesse had not seen them yet, but rather, his gaze was focused on the toddler he was guiding with a careful hand.
The silver haired child, Rajak could never recall his name, noticed them first and scampered forward with a squeal. Frankenstein was already kneeling down to greet the excited child.
"Are you well?"
Rajak nearly jumped at the Noblesse's inquiry. He was once more grateful for the mask covering his face. "Yes sir. Very much. Your hospitality is generous."
The Noblesse smiled, his countenance brightening up. "Wonderful." His hand gently stroked Takeo when Frankenstein straightened up. "I apologize for the chaos."
Rajak blinked. The Noblesse...was apologizing? "Oh...I barely noticed it, sir." Rajak wondered if he could melt into the walls, but he steeled his nerves. His gaze landed on the silver haired child who was staring up at him.
"Pardon me, sir," Rajak stated. "But why has no announcement of the children been made? Are they ill?"
Raizel blinked. "No, the children are not ill." He glanced at Frankenstein, only to receive a shake of his head.
"Oh. Then why is there no event to celebrate their birth?"
Raizel's eyes widened. "Frankenstein! The children's birthdays!"
Frankenstein looked equally startled. "We...we will figure it out before we return Master. I promise."
Raizel nodded. "They will have to be significant days. Special and meaningful for the boys."
"Well then, I have a few ideas," Frankenstein mused, looking thoughtful. Rajak suddenly felt like he wasn't meant to be here, especially when both the Noblesse and human fell silent. But he was stuck in that moment where moving would draw unwanted attention to himself. So he steeled his nerves, drew on the powers of his ancestors and his father's training, and remained stationed where he was at.
So...this is taking longer than I thought, so I am giving you all a bonus chapter to hopefully keep you busy until I release the longer chapter! Happy reading!