Matthew woke up with a huge grin. Like normal, Alfred was beside his bed, dressed for the day. Occasionally, Matthew wondered how Alfred always knew when he was awake, but he never questioned it.

He didn't really question anything anymore. Alfred didn't like that, and Matthew hated it when Alfred was unhappy with him.

"Alfred?" Matthew mumbled while yawning, a smile still on his face.

Alfred didn't respond as he picked him up and Matthew could feel his smile dimming slightly in reflex. Despite all the promises Alfred had made, Matthew still didn't want to look bad for the village children. What if they didn't like him because of that?

He waited patiently in Alfred's arms as he was taken to his bathroom, tension draining out his body as quickly as it entered.

With a broad grin on his face, Alfred stroked his hair. "Let's go get you ready for today, bro."

And Alfred helped Matthew with everything. He seemed to always have time for his little brother. Matthew knew he was Alfred's top priority.

"Okay!" he beamed, excitement tinging his voice. Maybe they would all play fun games like he always did with Alfred? It was rare for him to interact with anyone else and despite his eagerness, he was a bit nervous. The warm bubble bath didn't seem to curb that nervousness as much as he hoped, but Alfred reassured him as he brushed his hair that the children would adore him

After Alfred finished helping him clean up (and Matthew knew there were maids around, but somehow, he had never met any of them), they went to have breakfast that consisted of pancakes, back and strip bacon, eggs, and sausages. Matthew drowned everything in the syrup on the large table, ignoring any of the words coming out of Alfred's mouth about his liberal usage of syrup. This was about the only thing he didn't listen to Alfred about because when he had pancakes and syrup, the whole world just disappeared.

"Mattie, you know using that much syrup isn't good for you. What if you get sick?" Alfred frowned, watching the overflowing syrup attempting to spread onto the table.

Matthew, breaking out of his pancake trance turned to his brother, swallowing what was in his mouth. "But... but..." he pouted, almost breaking out into tears, "my pancakes!" Alfred tutted but continued to eat his own breakfast while helping to feed Matthew and clearing both their plates when they were done.

Alfred lifted Matthew out of his chair and carried him into another brightly-lit room. Matthew's eyes widened in joy as he took in the room filled with toys, games, and various outdoor activities. It seemed large enough to add in a few small water slides, making it obvious that finding a play space was not going to be a problem for Alfred.

Matthew reached a hand towards one of the toy piles on the ground, questioning Alfred as they walked towards them on the specific items. There was everything from a baseball bat to a football, and while hockey was obviously the best sport, he was still decent at these ones.

Only a few minutes later did a knocking sound come from the door, leading Alfred to carefully set down his brother before turning around and going to open it. A small group of children trotted in, respectfully greeting Alfred before standing in a straight line. Matthew wasn't too sure what Alfred was saying to them, but surely it wasn't too important since Alfred left him here and didn't bring him over. His theory was confirmed when they soon came over as a group as he shyly peeked through his hair.

"Mattie, these are your new playmates. Do you want to introduce yourself?" Matthew nodded in response a bit hesitantly. He started moving slowly, taking a shaky step towards the others. It had been a while since he actually had to walk. Even though Alfred trusted him to move under his own power every so often, he was always watching whenever he did. It didn't matter though that he was always carried everywhere; he was good for his big brother. Very good. The best.

"My name is Matthew W. Jones; it's nice to meet all of you." He started playing with his Imperial Uniform - the type that Princes wore, his brother said, unsure of what impression the other children already had of him.

He didn't have a chance to ponder too deeply before the children in front of him bowed synchronously as well, soft 'Lord Matthew's leaving their lips.

After a few long seconds of bent heads, they all stood straight, and the first one in the line – a boy with silverish hair and a single white streak going through the right bang broke from the formation and went up to him. Like the other male children, he seemed to be dressed in an outfit similar to his own, if much simpler.

"My name is Gillen Sachen, eldest son of Lord Radian Sachen of the 1st House." He went back to his spot in line and another came up. It was a female and a practical duplicate of the first boy but with longer hair.

"I am Jillien Sachen, eldest daughter of Lord Radian Sachen of the 1st House and next in line for our family's title." Gillen glared at the girl darkly. He turned back to Matthew and gave him a small smile.

"I'm sorry for my twin's stupidity - she has this idiotic notion that though I'm the first-born, she'll be head of the family."

Jillien turned and snapped back just as quickly. "Shut up! I'm way better than you. Don't make me prove it right here and now."

Gillen chuckled, clearly humoured by her reply. "As if you could, little sister. Maybe you should just go back to your simple dolls and dresses while I do all the difficult tasks like leading the family."

"That's it, bring it on!"

The two went to fight in a corner and the next child came up.

The blond introduced himself, saying, "I am Lulwen Sachen, third eldest child of Radian Sachen of the 1st House. I beg your pardon, but I must get those two now before they kill each other like last Tuesday..." before going to join the two eldest siblings.

This repeated itself similarly until all 6 children had been introduced, though he was still confused with all the new names and faces.

"Um, so... what do you guys want to do?" Matthew asked quietly. He really liked this Gillen person and his sister. They and their brother Lulwen reminded him of something. Or… someones? What it was though was out of his reach, and his head was starting to hurt the more he thought on it.

It was Gillen who responded to his query, stating, "Whatever you want to do is fine with us. What type of friends would we be if we didn't play fun games?"

Matthew agreed whole-heartedly. "How about... Hide and Seek?"

The other children nodded in approval before they all huddled together to decide the seeker.

She walked into the room, cell phone in one hand and a thick sheet of something blank in her other.

"Is this how you wanted it, Master?" She asked, biting her lip roughly, scarcely breathing as she anticipated the answer. Her face fell completely when Alfred shook his head.

"Not exactly... but if nothing goes wrong, this will do too. Don't worry your pretty little head over dying just yet; you've served me well and I'm sure you will continue to do so." The woman - Sarah, holding her breath, let out a huge sigh of relief. She would live another day.

"So, they're going to tell Mattie about how cool I am, right?"

"Of course, that's why they're here."

"Alright, you watch Mattie then. If anything happens to him, it's your life that's forfeit."

"Un-understood..."

"Great. See you at lunch!"