The cold war ended when Rok and Cale returned home holding hands. Naturally, Vicross exhaled a sigh of relief because he didn't have to cut himself in half to babysit them. It's hard to manage and babysit when twins are not together.

"Perhaps I should become a nanny instead of a chef."

"You'd better be," Rok deadpans, smirking.

He was lazing (again) in the kitchen while waiting for some snacks. Cale was leaning on him while reading a book. Bassen was also comfortably idling on Cale's stomach.

And there's the count, sipping tea as if he had no responsibilities in the county.

Amazing, just like his father and his children.

"I expected to find you here," Violan said as she walked into the kitchen. Since the entire family was present, the chefs were all staring at the counter. The countess sat down, poured herself a cup of tea, and savored the silence and aroma of food with her family.

"Now I know why these rascals are always here."

Vicross shook his head. Ron simply smiled, as he always did. His little masters are simply adorable!

"One week from now," Violan says, "there's a ball."

"Where?"

"At Viscountess Ubarr's." Violan looked at the twins and said, "It'll be good to introduce them properly to the Northeast leaders. It saves us the thing of introducing them at a later time. I don't want their standing to be on haywires from now on."

After all, having the favor and support of the Count and Countess are different matters. Violan has already declared them to be her children, but it seems that nobles still brand them as illegitimates.

"We're alright," Rok said.

"Yep, that's normal," Cale said. He rose with Bassen moving from his belly to lean on Rok's side. The older brother carefully wrapped his arms around his baby brother while the younger twin pressed the toddler in between them.

"While you're fine with that, I am not."

The two shut up and smiled adorably.

"I won't work."

Cale laughs since Rok finds this kind of thing tiring.

"We can see Hyung dancing with young Lady Ubbar." Cale chirps, earning a frown from his brother.

"Dancing with my lefty feet isn't so bad," Rok boasted. He's not very good at dancing. While his brain contains all information and he can ace academic classes better than Cale, his social life is a mess because he can't drink, dance, etc. He's also wondering if he's not good at singing and playing an instrument.

"You also stepped on Madam Pompey's feet in class. That was awesome stiff dancing, Hyung."

The spouses laughed. Rok is good at academics and martial arts, but he is terrible at socializing. Cale nails it. How can these twins, who share the same blood and the hobby of flipping houses, be so dissimilar at times like this?

Anyway, they're cute, and that's all that matters. Deruth will always be proud of them.

And soo....

The twins decided to sneak up on the Sten Marquessates' holiday house. Deruth and Violan had already retired for the night and the two of them decided to go and retrieved something that might help them send the marquis to high blood pressure.

"It's time to mess up with Venion Sten."

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Urgh!" Rok and Cale panicked and stumbled back. Ron and Vicross is standing before them with their brows up high.

"Um, taking a stroll?"

"In the middle of the night?"

Hyung! Who said that this old man was not vicious?!

Since when did he not become one?

"Just be careful."

When they turned around, their father, who appeared to have awoken due to their noises, was looking at them through the window.

"We will!"

He's still awake!

"I'll clean up the mess after."

Hearing that, Rok and Cale stood up and smiled, "Yes!"

Ron and Vicross went with them. Venion and the Viscount Tolz are doing something in the area. They weren't wrong. They discovered the underground tunnel and the black egg along with several beast eggs in it.

Rok smiled victoriously before he took the black egg that he read from the novel.

Cale was initially perplexed, but soon recognized the mana encircling the egg.

"Please don't tell me—"

"Yes..." Rok said triumphantly, his gaze fixed on the loot in his hand.

"An emergency food," Cale deadpans, earning his brother a huge scowl. He began chuckling and laughing incessantly as he observed his older brother's irritation.

"You little shit, try eating a dragon egg."

"I'm only joking; you were far too serious."

"Well, this is a good protein source."

"Don't add to his madness, Vicross," Rok warns. Even Ron cracked a small smile as he watched his son and these two rascals talk shit.

"Well, Hyung-nim, we shouldn't leave without giving them something, should we?"

It's not a mana-induced bomb, but a real bomb, complete with gunpowder.

"Well, if Father said he'd clean up our mess, we might as well give him some work."

"What a filial son," Ron murmurs, dropping the torched on the ground. Explosions followed. Vicross already had all of the beast eggs, and Cale and Rok had left with the black egg. They just blew up the entire villa next to the Viscounty of Tolz. Ron made traces to the opposite side.

But the Count who was waiting for them felt like the world had betrayed him after looking a the loot in their hands.

"What's that?"

"An emergency food!" The twins cackled at Deruth's expression. His expression morphed into an owlish, stupid face.

Deruth pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Do you know what a crime is?!"

Oh, fucking death god! Deruth had promised to clean up their mess, but he hadn't expected them to rob anyone! worse, commit arson while doing so!

"an action or omission that constitutes an offense that the state may prosecute and is punishable by law," Rok responded.

Deruth coughed.

He can feel a headache coming on after this. He came to one conclusion: they are indeed his children! He used to be like this, committing crimes all over before assuming leadership of the county! He didn't expect and didn't expect these to get that from him!

"Hah. You are my children. Anyhow, let's talk about what to do next."

Of course, Deruth was bracing himself the next morning, but no one arrived at the inn where they were staying. He just decided to leave and go to Ubar, where his rascals planned to swim in the whirlpools of the Ubar Region.

God forbid. He didn't expect his children to like this kind of thrill!

Violan just huffed and looked over at the two. If they hadn't had Vicross, they'd be on their way to kingdom come, given how dangerous their games are.

"What is this bullshit?" Rok frowned as he noticed all the hearty balloons adorning the Viscounty.

"Language..."

"I'm sorry, mother," Rok apologized, his puppy eyes shining brightly.

"What's wrong with those balloons?" Cale inquired. He couldn't move because Bassen was sleeping on his lap.

"Look so cheezy."

"You're just a hopeless unromantic," Cale scoffs at his older brother, earning yet another gruff.

Rok frowned, so this world celebrates Valentine's Day as well? What a load of cheese.

But it's romantic. Cale interjected and pursed his lips. We've got to get chocolates and sweets.

"We do?" Rok innocently smiled.

Deruth and Violan looked at him.

"Seems they're telepathically conversing again." Deruth smiled and patted Rok's head. Violan did the same with Cale, earning themselves a sheepish smile.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Sweets and chocolates," Cale replied and looked at his brother.

"Sweet-toothed Rok..." Deruth smiled, "Be careful of cavities."

"I will..."

Well, it could be heaven if not for the Northeast Nobles showcasing their children's talents for the ball. Rok and Cale frowned at how a ball suddenly turned into a game, to a wrestle, and an intermission number. Northeast Nobles sure likes to mess up the order of their laziness.

This is the first time I've ever wanted a slacker life. Cale comments.

"Haha... told you." They're tiring themselves out.

"We've seen how talented the children are! But I wonder why are the Henituse Household not making any effort."

Violan's ears perched. They're targeting the twins.

She was about to say something when Rok interjected, "Because if we do, we'll outshine all the noble children's performance."

"Right!" Cale seconded and hands his brother another sweet.

Violan looked at Deruth, but her husband shook his head. She secretly smiled. I guess that trait of hating to lose seems hereditary.

The twins stood up and placed Bassen on Deruth's lap. They scurried to the grand piano decorating the halls with no one to play.

"Dad! Anything will do?"

"No! Feel free to request..."

Deruth chuckled.

"How about mother?"

"Anything..."

Rok sat on the chair with Cale beside him. They seemed to be fighting over something but they wouldn't know since they were talking inside their heads.

It was when the first notes resonated within the halls.

[Try listening to this: ]

Cale and Rok were playing together a love song.

Woah. so cheezy.

For my loveless Hyung-nim! Hahahhahaha

Damn you! Why did you play this of all things?

Because I want to rub your loveless, dense love life haha haha!

You're my bastard dongsaeng!

The notes of the piece echoed beautifully, as it goes softer to louder and harsher. Little hands move as if the piano is a part of their limbs.

They had soft smiles on their faces as they run the notes with delicacy and elegance never heard from other performances.

The softer the sound gets, the softer and fluffy the atmosphere becomes.

Especially when the twins seemed to be enjoying the piece rather than impressing the entirety of the nobles.

Although it begins as a noise in the background, the steady beat makes it round. It's so simple, just a push play that creates a story for one moment of someone's life.

The sound lingers as if ready at any possible time, lifting them off their feet and feel all those emotions within the song.

Away from grief, sorrow, and pain.

There's admiration and appreciation within the language of the score.

It was subtle but the twins seems like they were playing for one person other than many.

The last of the notes still echoed beautifully. Two smiles decorated the ambiance of the hall.

Who said they're talentless?

Who said they're trash?

Those illegitimates are above and more special than the children that they forced to perfection.

But why is there.... A distance in the meaning of the song?

Every noble looked at Deruth who seemed to be satisfied with how things turned out in his family.

Even Deruth noticed that distant sound.

"Even at this time."

It was loud even for Violan to hear.

It was supposed to be a heartful and tearful moment.

While others marvel at the talent that their children displayed, the father who understands how they think and move was heartbroken.

If love is knowable, it is, after all, loneliness.

Despite its outcome and cause...

The bitter waiting... the illusory promise...

To throw away that pride and greed.

To be able to keep them by his side.

Year after year, after missing so much of their youth.

To the one who was left forgotten.

To the one who searched and waited.

The blurry silhouette on those tearful eyes.

Looking at it but can't reach out.

Love is this unspeakable yearning....

An unconditional unspeakable yearning.

"They still can't trust me."

The misery of being unable to touch their heart.

TBC

The feels! happy f*cking Valentines' day!

LF: someone to care for this lonely lonely heart.

I'm tempted to burst all those balloons inside the bus this morning hahahahahahha!