Hans opened the door for his Young Master and the two ladies who accompanied the former on his birthday party.
Hans already knew that the two of them had a special relationship with Zion, so he treated the two ladies with great respect and courtesy. The staff of the hotel, who had been informed of their arrival, greeted them like VIP Guests then escorted them to the topmost floor, where the special event for Zion's birthday was going to be held.
"Bwadah!" Rhia, who saw her brother's arrival, ran with her arms spread wide.
Her shout caught everyone's attention, prompting them all to look at the entrance, where the teenage boy was hugging and kissing his little sister on her cheek, making her giggle.
Although he had a feeling that his family would come, he was still surprised that they had come to celebrate his birthday.
Remi was a step behind Rhia, so she was a little late from greeting him first.
However, Thirteen still gave her a hug and kissed her cheek once before thanking her for coming.
Rhia had already decided to stick with her big brother, not caring that she was ruining his suit.
Tiona even gave her approval to the little girl who had coiled her arms around her brother's neck, refusing to let go.
This forced Thirteen to carry her like a big baby, making Rhia smile from ear to ear.
As Thirteen scanned the room, he saw his grandparents, Arthur and Lady Callista, seated on the table and looking in his direction.
Arthur looked aloof, while Lady Callista looked at him with a warm smile on her face.
Her relationship with Zion had always been good, and by now, she already knew that the one that cured her was none other than her grandson, who had achieved many amazing things that surprised her to no end.
Shana, Rhianna, Diana, and Mildred also attended this party, wearing dresses that made their beauty shine even more.
Thirteen gave them all a nod of greeting as his gaze continued to scan the surroundings.
Just as he expected, Roland wasn't around. However, Clark, Char, and Vincent were present.
Joshua believed that making an appearance would just make the celebration awkward, so he decided to not attend for everyone's sake.
Thirteen's Squad Captains were also there. But aside from Cristopher and Colbert, who were completely at ease, the rest had stiff smiles on their faces because the Grand Marshal and the Field Marshal, as well as Arthur Leventis, were there.
These three people were among the most powerful people in Pangea, and being in the same room as them was making them feel pressured.
Of course, Gerald, Alessia, Mikhail, and Shasha were naturally present to celebrate Zion's birthday. Fortunately, only these people had been invited to the party, making it somewhat count as a private affair.
"Since the birthday celebrant is here, let's now sing him a happy birthday!" Gerald said, which immediately prompted Rhia to start singing. "Happy birthday to you~" Rhia, who was currently being carried by her brother, started to sing. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Bwadah~ Happy birthday to you..."
The little girl then kissed Thirteen's cheek, making everyone feel as if their hearts were melting.
"No good, Rhia. We should sing together." Remi pouted. "Un!" Rhia, who had just taken the spotlight, nodded. "Sing together!"
Gerald, who didn't care about his age, or what others would think of him, began to clap his hand and sing.
The others followed along, making Rhia sing along as well.
Alessia then approached her son, carrying a small cake with a candle that was shaped in the number fourteen. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you."
"Happy birthday, happy birthday… Happy birthday to you!"
Just as Thirteen was about to blow on the candle to complete the custom, Rhia took a deep breath and blew the candle out instead.
Seeing the youngest in their family take it upon herself to complete the ceremony, Gerald roared in laughter, while Alessia smiled helplessly.
Thirteen didn't mind his sister's antics and was amused, even feeling something warm bubbling inside of his chest.
It was a feeling that he had already felt in the past while living in Pangea. It seemed that this emotion people referred to as "happiness" was something he was slowly starting to adapt to.
He already understood what familial love was because he could say with utmost confidence that he loved his family.
Even if it meant putting his life on the line, he wouldn't hesitate to protect them from harm.
Thirteen also understood that Erica was teaching him a different kind of love, which was different from familial love.
Although he, too, cared for Erica and Sherry and would equally do everything in his power to protect them, he knew that this wasn't the love that both the ladies expected of him.
Truth be told, the word "love" was like a taboo word for Thirteen.
Many of his former hosts had been betrayed by their lovers, which had left a very deep scar that was impossible to heal in his soul. Because of this, his subconscious mind and even his most primal instincts were extremely wary of any concept of romantic love. He had always thought that love made people weak.
Thirteen believed that this was the same reason why his Hosts had perished—they had created a weakness that their enemies could exploit.
As the System of Cannon Fodders, he despised love very much. Because if his Hosts hadn't fallen in love then, they would have lived a more happy and carefree life.
At least, that was what Thirteen thought as a System. But now that he had become a human, he was starting to feel things he had never felt before.
Back then, he only felt rage, sadness, heartbreak, loneliness, and helplessness.
But now, as his circle grew, he was starting to subconsciously close off his feelings to those who were trying to worm their way inside his heart.
If not for Erica's stubbornness, Thirteen might have reverted to his former self, who believed that anyone and anything could be treated as a tool in order for him to reach his goal.
"Bwadah?" Rhia, who was looking at her brother, lightly tapped his cheek. "Are you crying?"
"Huh?" Thirteen raised his hand to wipe at the side of his face and felt the wetness on his cheek. Remembering the fate of his hosts had made him remember the heartache that Erica and Sherry had kept at bay inside his heart.
Still, as he held his little sister in his arms, Thirteen knew that his circumstances and the circumstances of his previous Hosts were different.
As the teenage boy looked at the people who had gathered to celebrate his birthday, he made a vow in his heart.
Regardless of what would happen in the future, he would not hesitate even if he walked a path of thorns.
Those who harmed his people would become his enemy.
That was all there was to it.
As for love? Thirteen wished to better understand it.
And when the time came for Fate to use it against him, he would be prepared to give her a good slap and tell her to get lost.
Pushing aside these thoughts, Thirteen sincerely thanked everyone for coming to celebrate his birthday. "Thank you, everyone," Thirteen replied. "Now that I am fourteen, please expect that I will create more troublesome things for each and every one of you."
His speech was met with laughter because not everyone in the room took him seriously.
Only Arthur, Michael, and Hans, who knew how black-hearted Zion truly was, didn't laugh when he said that he would create troublesome things in the future.
In fact, the three of them became worried instead.
The older Zion got, the greater the trouble he caused and attracted.
Arthur truly hoped with every fiber of his being that his no-good grandson would not bring the downfall of the Leventis Family during his lifetime.
[E/N: The solution is easy. Die early.]