The bedroom was filled with the soft, heavy breathing of tangled bodies.

Brandon lay in the very center of the massive bed, completely enveloped.

His face was squished comfortably between Dhayun’s full, soft breasts, one cheek pressed against the warm swell while his nose nestled in the valley between them.

His body was sandwiched tightly between Dhayun on his left and Jiyeon on his right.

Dhayun’s leg was thrown possessively over his hip, her arm draped across his chest. Jiyeon had curled herself against his back, one arm wrapped around his waist with her breasts pressed flush against his spine.

"Brandon... wake up..."

A gentle hand shook his shoulder.

Brandon made a low, protesting sound in his throat and instinctively nuzzled deeper into Dhayun’s chest.

His lips found her nipple and he gave it a lazy, sleepy suck before mumbling against her skin.

"What happened...?"

Eira stood beside the bed in an oversized t-shirt as she continued to gently shake him.

"Wake up..."

Brandon finally cracked one eye open, still half-buried in Dhayun’s breasts.

He blinked slowly, trying to focus on Eira’s face in the dim light.

Eira leaned down a little, keeping her voice low so she wouldn’t wake the others.

"There are people here to see you."

Brandon frowned and rubbed his face slowly between Dhayun’s soft breasts, giving her nipple one last lazy lick before lifting his head just enough to speak properly.

"...Now? What time is it?"

"Almost nine in the morning," Eira replied. "Someone from the Noble family."

Dhayun stirred slightly at the movement, letting out a sleepy hum and pulling Brandon’s head back down against her chest instinctively.

Jiyeon made a small protesting noise from behind him and tightened her arm around his waist, refusing to let go.

Brandon sighed deeply "Tell them I’ll be down in ten minutes."

Eira raised an eyebrow, "You’re literally face-deep in boobs right now. You sure you can get up?"

Brandon groaned but finally started to move.

He pressed one last affectionate kiss between Dhayun’s breasts before carefully disentangling himself from the pile of warm, naked bodies.

Dhayun whined softly as he pulled away, reaching out blindly to grab at him.

"Come back..."

Jiyeon made an even more needy sound and tried to hook her leg around his thigh to keep him in bed.

Brandon chuckled quietly and leaned down to kiss each of them on the forehead.

"Later. Go back to sleep."

He slipped out of bed and stretched his arms above his head with a low groan.

The faint marks from last night’s sex were still visible on his shoulders and back, with a few love bites and scratches.

Eira tiptoed to kiss his lips and murmured "I’ll tell them you’re coming."

She hurried out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Brandon ran a hand through his messy hair and glanced back at the bed.

Dhayun and Jiyeon had already gravitated toward each other in his absence, curling up together with soft, sleepy sighs.

He quickly pulled on a pair of black sweatpants and a loose gray t-shirt, then splashed some cold water on his face in the attached bathroom to wake himself up properly.

When he stepped into the hallway a few minutes later, Eira was waiting for him near the top of the stairs.

Brandon quickly walked down the stairs.

Florence was sitting gracefully on the long central sofa. Across from her sat Alandra Sytheria and her daughter Alyssa.

Alandra’s usual arrogance was gone and Alyssa sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

When Florence noticed Brandon approaching, her entire face softened with unmistakable fondness.

"Morning, darling."

Brandon walked over without hesitation and sank down beside her on the sofa "Morning, dear."

Alandra and Alyssa immediately stood up and bowed deeply at the waist.

"We are here to apologize for our rude behavior in the past," Alandra said and Alyssa remained silent with her head lowered.

At that exact moment, Elize walked in from the kitchen carrying a steaming mug of tea.

She placed it on the low table in front of Brandon with a soft clink.

"Here, Kael."

The moment Alandra and Alyssa saw Elize, both of them stiffened visibly.

Their shoulders tensed, and a flash of genuine fear crossed their faces.

’Elizabeth Fleurdys?’

Brandon picked up the mug, took a slow sip, and then looked directly at Alyssa.

"Do you know what you did wrong?"

Alyssa’s gaze trembled. She clearly had no idea which of her many past actions had finally pushed things this far.

"N-No..."

Brandon took another calm sip of tea, then turned his head slightly toward the staircase.

"Eira."

Eira, who had been standing near the bottom of the stairs nodded "Okie..."

She turned and hurried upstairs without another word.

A few moments later, Eira returned, leading Yverine by the hand.

Yverine looked sleepy but when her eyes landed on Alyssa and Alandra, her expression shifted ’Huh? What are they doing here?’

Brandon set his mug down and gestured for Yverine to come closer.

She walked over and stood beside him, one hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

Brandon looked back at Alyssa, "You humiliated Yverine in public. You mocked her skin color and belittled her in front of others."

Alyssa’s face went deathly pale "I-I..."

Alandra swallowed "We... we were wrong," she said, forcing the words out. "My daughter acted foolishly, and I reacted poorly. We humbly ask for your forgiveness."

Brandon was quiet for a moment and then he turned to Yverine.

"Do you accept their apology?"

Yverine looked at Alyssa and frowned.

Seeing her hesitation, Alyssa quickly knelt in front of her "Please forgive me for my crude behavior."

Yverine glanced away and gave a nod "I accept it."

Alyssa’s shoulders slumped in visible relief mixed with shame.

Alandra bowed even lower "Thank you...."

Brandon took another sip of his tea, then spoke again "This is your one and only warning. If either of you or anyone from House Sytheria ever disrespects any member of my family again, I won’t be as polite next time."

He set the mug down with a soft clink "Understood?"

Both women nodded quickly.

"Crystal clear,"

Brandon gave a faint nod "Good. Now go home. And tell your daughter to stay out of trouble. Also go and apologize to Esmery in the Academy."

Alandra and Alyssa bowed once more before turning and hurrying out of the living room.

Florence let out a soft laugh and rested her head on Brandon’s shoulder.

Yverine sat down on his lap and hugged his neck "Morning, Kael."

---

Brandon sat casually on the edge of the desk while Esmery sat in the high-backed chair right beside him inside the Headmistress office.

She was laughing "And both of them bowed three times in front of me," she said, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as another wave of laughter bubbled up.

At this time, Brandon’s phone rang, and he reached into his pocket.

Looking at Charlotte’s name, he quickly attended it "Char?"

From the other side, he heard Charlotte’s voice "Kael, I am free tomorrow; we can go to register and get your awakener license."

"Oh sure, Big Sister."

"Alight then."

He cancelled the call and Esmery leaned forward from her seat "is it Charlotte?"

"Yeah, I guess it’s time to get my awakener license so everyone won’t get confused about what my rank is..."

Esmery raised an eyebrow curiously "Hmm... Looking forward to it."