The estate was quiet after the long night of the party, the tension from earlier still lingering in the air. Alexa moved with purpose through the dimly lit hallways, her thoughts replaying the events of the past hours.
She had rescued Vleid during her scouting mission at the Shiro base, something she had not expected to do. Now, back at the estate, she found herself checking on his wounds in one of the private rooms.
Vleid sat on the edge of the bed, his usual sharp eyes now dulled slightly from exhaustion. The bandages wrapped around his shoulder bore the marks of his earlier injuries, though they had been treated properly. Despite his condition, there was still something unshaken in his demeanor—a quiet resilience that made him difficult to read. To many, Vleid carried the air of a cheerful pup, easygoing and charming, but beneath that exterior lay something deeper, something elusive.
The moment he had first laid eyes on Alexa, he knew. Something unspoken had settled in his chest, a pull toward her that felt instinctive, inevitable. She was his partner, his bond, and maybe—just maybe—his soulmate.
Alexa, however, remained oblivious to the weight of that realization. She stood before him, carefully assessing his condition. She had always had an uncanny ability to read people, an innate talent that allowed her to sense their intentions with remarkable accuracy. It had served her well in the crime world, making her a sharp strategist and a leader who was hard to deceive.
But magic? That was another story. Growing up in a world of logic, deals, and tangible threats, she had long dismissed the idea of anything beyond the mundane. To her, power came from skill, intelligence, and influence—not from something as fantastical as magic.
"You should rest. The wounds aren't deep, but they still need time to heal," Alexa said, her tone steady but distant as she secured the last of the bandages and stroked his silver fur.Vleid exhaled sharply, then turned his gaze up to her. "Thank you, Alexa. You really saved me there."
Alexa blinked, momentarily taken aback. She slowly straightened, her brows slightly furrowed as she studied him.
"Am I hearing things, or did the Fox just thank me?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of exaggerated gasp and eerie confusion.
Vleid smirked, his usual confidence flickering back into place. "Don't get used to it."
Alexa scoffed, crossing her arms. "I won't. I might just write it down, though, for future reference."
Vleid chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Do what you want. But... I meant it."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room, an unspoken understanding settling between them. Alexa sighed, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off the strange weight of sincerity.
"Just get some rest, Vleid. You're at the Black estate now. No one's coming for you here."
As she turned to leave, Vleid watched her go, an unreadable expression in his eyes. Then, as if deciding it was time, he spoke again.
"Alexa... there's something you should know."
She paused, glancing back at him. "What is it?"
His expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "I was sent here by your grandparents—the King and Queen of Astralis. I am here to be your guardian."
Alexa's eyes widened slightly, the weight of his words settling over her. She let out a quiet scoff, shaking her head. "Right. The King and Queen of a magical kingdom. Next, you'll tell me I'm secretly a lost princess with hidden powers."
Vleid held her gaze steadily. "I know you don't believe in magic, Alexa. But it doesn't change the truth. Whether you accept it or not, it's already a part of you."
Alexa exhaled sharply, frustration flickering in her eyes. "I live in a world of deals, threats, and bloodshed. Magic isn't real. What is real is the power people fight for—the kind you earn, not the kind you're supposedly born with."
Vleid didn't argue. He simply smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Then, I guess it's only a matter of time before you see for yourself."
Alexa narrowed her eyes slightly, crossing her arms. "If you're really a talking and magical fox, how come you were injured back there? Did someone make fun of you, or were you dragged by some thug?" she asked, a hint of mockery in her tone, clearly finding the idea absurd.
Vleid let out a short huff, his ears twitching slightly. "No. I was actually looking for your estate but ended up in that area instead. I had your actual location locked on, but turns out you were there, so I was teleported to that area. And those thugs chased me out with their guns. I couldn't just carelessly use my powers in this unknown, no-mana world," he retorted with a bit of embarrassment.
Alexa raised a brow at him, shaking her head. "Convenient excuse," she muttered.
Even if the whole situation with Vleid felt absurd, Alexa couldn't bring herself to leave. Despite her skepticism, her instincts wouldn't let her walk away—not when he was still injured. With a quiet sigh, she settled into a nearby chair, arms crossed as if convincing herself she was only staying to keep an eye on him. But as exhaustion from the long night caught up to her, she huffed and muttered, "I guess I really do have a soft spot for you. Looks like I'm staying here tonight."
Eventually, her head tilted to the side, and before she knew it, she had drifted into sleep, the soft rise and fall of Vleid's breathing the last thing she registered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The dawn of morning painted the sky in soft hues of orange and blue as Xander took a jog around the estate. The crisp air helped clear his mind after the previous night's events, though a lingering sense of unease remained. His thoughts drifted between security concerns and upcoming projects when something out of place caught his attention.
The gate to their animal sanctuary was left open.
Xander frowned. "Who would dare go in there and not close the gate? What if the animals just leave?" he muttered to himself, already making his way toward it.Stepping inside, he scanned the area. The sanctuary was one of Alexa's pet projects, a garden-like haven for injured or rescued animals. It was supposed to be a secured space, yet now, someone had left it vulnerable.
As he walked deeper inside, movement from the shade of a nearby tree caught his eye. His brow furrowed as he approached, only to halt in surprise.
A massive black feline lounged under the tree, its golden eyes lazily flicking toward him. Its mane, silken and smooth, caught the soft morning light, giving it an almost ethereal sheen.Xander took a cautious step forward, observing the beast. "Now, who is this little thing?" he mused, despite the fact that the 'little thing' was a full-grown lion.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Let me guess... another adopted animal by Nee-san."
The lion lifted its head, amusement evident in its sharp gaze. "What do you mean adopted? I came here of my own accord, you fool."Xander's hand instinctively moved to the pistol at his back, drawing it as he aimed at the lion.
"Will you really shoot me, brother? I am but a poor animal who just lost his way," the lion mockingly said to him. "I am one of the guardians your parents are expecting to arrive. The queen didn't mention that their grandkids were this ignorant about Astralis, tch!"
As Xander slowly lowered his gun, the lion watched him with a knowing gaze. "Astralis—my home, your mother's birthplace—Princess Helena's kingdom. And yes, guardians. We were sent here to retrieve you as per the agreement made between Their Royal Highnesses seventeen years ago."
Confusion flickered in his eyes as the creak of the gate echoed through the sanctuary. Turning toward the sound, he saw his mother stepping inside. "Yes, dear, my home," she said gently. "We haven't told you anything about this, but your father knows."
As the lion inclined its head in a respectful bow to the newly arrived presence, Helena responded with a graceful curtsy. "Xander, why don't you give him a name first? That way, the bond can begin to take shape, and then we can continue this conversation inside. Everyone else has already met their guardians."
Xander, still bewildered, studied the lion intently—its thick black mane, golden eyes, and unmistakably arrogant demeanor. With a smirk, he crossed his arms. "Leo. Your name will be Leo. Since you're so full of yourself, it suits you." The lion regarded him for a long moment before exhaling a resigned sigh. "Very well. As you wish."
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The family was gathered in the veranda as the early morning light bathed the estate in soft golden hues. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread lingered in the air. Breakfast was served—coffee for Kian, hot chocolate for Xander and Xanthine, and hot hibiscus tea for Alexa and Helena.
Kian, who had been silently observing his children, finally set his cup down and called their attention. "Kids."
All eyes turned to him as he leaned forward slightly, his gaze firm yet composed. "Your guardians are here. I hope you will treat them well. Your grandparents sent them to prepare you for what's to come, and we will leave for their realm in two months."
There was a pause as his words sank in. Then, just as the siblings exchanged glances, their father delivered the final piece of news. Silence followed his words, the weight of his statement settling over the table as the reality of their situation began to sink in.
Alexa's grip on her teacup tightened. Xander raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Xanthine simply blinked, setting down the pastry she had been so focused on.
""What do you mean by guardians, Dad? I heard Mom mention this last night when we were at Hirono," Alexa asked, slowly sipping her tea.
"Nee-san, they actually talk. Like, full conversations. It's beyond shocking." Xander said, still trying to process it all.
"Dianne, too. I swear, there's no limit to her proud demeanor, but once she starts talking, she never stops." Xanthine giggled, recalling their conversation from the previous night.
""Well, children," Helena began, her tone gentle yet firm as she spread jam on her morning bread. "As they've told you, they come from Astralis—the place I once called home before I met your father. Guardians are protectors and guides, meant to help us return. Only those of noble rank are granted one." She handed the piece of bread to Kian, her expression unreadable as she let her words settle over the table. Helena briefly explained while spreading jam on their morning bread then hand it out to her husband.
Helena straightened her posture, her gaze sweeping across the veranda before she spoke, her voice carrying an air of quiet authority. "Leo, Vleid, Dianne—please come forward. Dante, Talon, as well. It's time to formally introduce you to the family."
At her call, the Guardians emerged, their forms shifting seamlessly into human appearances.
Shapeshifting was a rare ability, even in Astralis, reserved for only a select few. Dante, with an air of quiet wisdom, was a male pegasus, while Talon, sharp-eyed and poised, was a female hippogriff. Each carried an unmistakable presence, their auras speaking of their purpose and the duties they had sworn to uphold.
Their children gasped, caught off guard by this sudden revelation. It was only then that they began to connect the dots, realizing that they, too, had experienced unexplainable occurrences whenever their emotions were heightened.
"Dianne, you look so mature—I thought we were the same age. That body of yours is unbelievable," Xanthine remarked, her eyes widening in astonishment. Before her stood a red-haired woman with a sharp nose and doll-like eyes, yet her youthful face seemed oddly mismatched with her mature, statuesque appearance.
Xander tried to keep his composure, but the sheer weight of it all was pressing down on him. "Mom, everything is happening so fast. I'm still trying to process it, but it's overwhelming.
Should we keep their identities a secret from our subordinates? What about their backgrounds—do we need to fabricate identities for them? And then there's school... exams are coming up, and we have projects to finish. How are we supposed to juggle all of this?" His voice wavered slightly, unease creeping into his tone despite his best effort to stay collected.
""Relax, bro. We've got plenty of time. No need to stress yourself out over the future. As for school, you can always transfer to Celestia Academy in the capital," Leo said with a lazy smirk, shrugging as if it was the simplest thing in the world. His golden eyes gleamed with mischief, sharp and knowing, contrasting with the relaxed air he carried. Cornrows framed his face, giving him a sleek and effortless look, while the subtle glint of eyebrow piercings only added to his roguish charm.
While Xander and Xanthine were captivated by their guardians, Alexa's gaze remained fixed on Vleid. The wounds he sustained the previous night were still evident, faint marks lingering on his jaw and shoulder, silent reminders of the battle he had endured.
"How's your injury, Vleid?" Alexa asked, casually gesturing for a maid to seat their guest. She then tapped the space beside her, silently inviting Vleid to join her.Vleid's ears twitched slightly before he settled down next to her. "I'm healing, thanks to your excellent care," he replied, his tone calm yet laced with quiet amusement.
Alexa maintained her composure, though a lingering sense of unease gnawed at her. The events of last night had felt surreal, yet Xander's words had stuck with her—reminding her of the fine line she walked between their underworld responsibilities and the life she once thought was her own. As she mulled over these thoughts, Kian's voice cut through the silence.
"Son, don't overthink it for now. Let them settle in first. Their rooms are ready, just across from yours. I had Sebastian make the necessary arrangements." Kian's tone was consenting an unspoken warning—a silent reminder that a father's eyes missed nothing when it came to his daughter imposed yet firm as he turned his attention to Alexa. "And as for you, my eldest, regarding that gift last night—I received the report. Come to my office and bring Vleid with you before you head to school. And remember, you all need to be there by 8 a.m., so don't keep me waiting." His gaze briefly shifted to Vleid, sharp and assessing, the kind of look that sent an unspoken warning—a silent reminder that a father's eyes missed nothing when it came to his daughter.
Before heading to university, Alexa made her way to her father's office. The space was neat and meticulously arranged, just as she expected. Kian stood near the window, adjusting the cuffs of his coat while Helena was focused on fixing his necktie, a quiet moment of familiarity between them.
Alexa approached him without a word and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, gently slipping it into his coat pocket with a subtle touch. Kian glanced down at her, his sharp eyes momentarily softening.
Helena, finishing with the tie, gave a small smile. "It suits you perfectly."Kian sighed, straightening his posture. "You both have a habit of fussing over me."Alexa smirked. "It's because you need it."
Kian exhaled, his expression changed from dotting father to a strict leader as he processed the situation. "We've managed to gather a few clues about the culprit, but not enough to pinpoint them. Whoever they are, they're more elusive than we anticipated. At first, we thought getting evidence would be easy, but it turns out there's more to this." His sharp gaze met Alexa's. "Be careful, my daughter. Keep an eye on your siblings at school—protect them if anything happens."
She gave a small nod before leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her father's forehead. Then, stepping back, she cast a glance at the clock. University awaited, but the morning's conversation—and the looming presence of the Guardians—remained heavy in her mind.
"I'll be going now. Don't let the company stress you out too much, Dad."
Kian chuckled. "I should be telling you that."With a final glance, Alexa turned and left, preparing herself for the day ahead.