Meanwhile, in the Order...
Hugo leaned against the kitchen counter, gulping down a mouthful of water. From where he stood, he could see his wife panting — wheezing, even — hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath after chasing the children.
However, it was obvious Kiara wouldn’t catch Chacha or Second. Chacha was riding on the black panther’s back, and Second, for some reason, had his little pony with him.
"That game was definitely not fair," he muttered.
Yet Hugo couldn’t help but smile as he watched his wife struggle. Not because he enjoyed seeing her suffer, but because he knew her well. Seeing her play with his niece and nephew was always something to admire.
It made him wonder how she would be as a mother of their children.
"Should I help her?" he wondered aloud, just as he noticed someone approaching. "What do you think?"
When Hugo lifted his gaze, he saw Sybil standing across from him.
"Isn’t she a lovely person?" Sybil quipped, mixing her drink. "I was surprised when you brought your wife here."
"She already knows about the Order," Hugo laughed. "I had to take her with me too, since... I always miss her whenever I’m out on a mission."
She chuckled. "I still find it amusing that you got married."
"Sybil, what you should find amusing is my first brother getting married," he argued. "His chances were lower than mine. That’s why I didn’t let go of my wife when I had the chance — hahaha!"
Atlas’s siblings didn’t visit the manor often, except for Slater. But Sybil knew all of them, as she considered them the saviors of the Order.
Hugo arched a brow when he noticed Sybil’s drink. "Alcohol this early, Sybil? You’re not getting any younger."
"That’s exactly the reason," she quipped, swirling her drink. "I’m not getting any younger, so why not enjoy it while I still can?"
With that, she chugged it and hissed in satisfaction. Hugo shook his head as he watched the older woman. Though Sybil was fitter than most people her age, her lifestyle was a little concerning.
"Say, Sybil," Hugo rested his arms on the counter. "Are you trying to die?"
Sybil paused, then looked at him and laughed. "Does it look like that?"
"I’m just asking. I heard you’ve been drinking more often lately."
"Haha. No, I’m not trying to kill myself," she said, shaking her head. "I’m just saying... since the Order stabilized under Atlas’s leadership, and everyone accepted him as head of the Zorken family, I realized something."
Her wrinkled eyes softened as she looked at her empty glass. "All my life, I dedicated myself to maintaining the Order until the heir claimed it. But I let someone else claim it... and yet, I don’t regret it at all."
"I gave it to the right person," she said with pride. "However, since Atlas took over, my use to him has lessened. And now... I don’t really have anything left to do."
It had been fun when Lola first arrived. For a short while, Sybil felt needed again. But after Ravah, she knew Lola, like Atlas, could stand on her own.
"So I decided to do things I never did when I was young," she added, smiling at Hugo. "One of them is drinking at midday. And maybe getting wasted, as young people say."
Hugo let out a small chuckle.
"That’s why, while you’re young, do what makes you happy," she advised. "I’m not talking about chasing danger, but about what truly matters once you reach this age."
"You’re still young," she said. "Your wife is young too — beautiful and intelligent. She could find someone else. Men would line up just to get a minute with her. Hugo, the master took this position and sacrificed his freedom so his family could live how they wanted and fail as many times as they needed."
Her smile softened. "He might not say it, but he’s always worried about you."
"I know," Hugo said with a weak chuckle. "He always sends reinforcements when I’m on a mission, just to make sure I come back."
He turned toward the sliding door. His wife was no longer in the same spot, but he could still see her running after the twins. "But lately, I’ve been thinking about things I never thought about before."
"Oh? Thinking of having children of your own?" she teased.
"Haha!" Hugo laughed. "I’m not sure about that, but I want First Brother to be happy. Truly happy. And I plan to make sure that happiness lasts, so he stops worrying about us. I’m sure Penny, Nina, and Slater feel the same."
His smile softened. "That’s right... all we want right now is for him to be happy. Genuinely and irritatingly happy — that kind."
"I’m sure your brother is already happy," Sybil replied gently. "With the little master, the little miss... and Madam, I’m certain he’s happier than he could ever say. Unless something happens to them, which I doubt."
*****
Hours later...
"Baby?" Lola peeked her head through the door, quickly spotting Atlas at the desk. She smiled and walked in, closing the door behind her. "What are you still doing here? We agreed to watch a movie with the kids."
"I’m just checking something," he said, pausing. "I’m almost done."
She pursed her lips and nodded. "Should I help you?"
"It’s alright."
"Ehh... but I already picked up these papers," she said, grabbing a stack. "Two is better than one. That way we’ll finish faster."
Atlas studied her for a second, her face still bright despite the tiring day. He nodded helplessly and returned to arranging his desk. But as he picked up a file, he heard glass shatter, followed by a heavy thud behind him.
THUD!
Instinctively, he turned toward Lola, and his pupils constricted.
A few steps away, the papers she had been carrying fluttered through the room. Her body lay on the floor, and blood spread beneath her from the side of her neck.