[2 days later]
"I think I get it now. "
In the past 2 days, I dumped my brain with all the information I could get, from how to use the mana to how the people used my affinities.
I found out that my memory and thinking speed improved a little, so I didn't struggle too much .
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
I closed my bracelet and moved to open my 'room's' door.
Opening it, I found Zephyr standing there, wearing one of my pajamas.
There was a shy girl half hidden behind him, she was clutching his sleeve tightly while trying to avoid eye contact with me.
She had similar features to Zephyr, but unlike Zephyr's sharp bloody eyes, her eyes were softer and brighter, and she didn't have elven ears like him .
He smiled. "So, what will you cook for us for breakfast?"
"...."
'Don't curse, don't curse, don't curse.'
"Aria and Silva are still sleeping, let's go out so we can speak properly."
"Oh, Sorry for that. "
I closed the door leaving Aria the Silva sleeping and after cursing the royal family in my mind for some time, I started making breakfast for 6 people.
So why was Zephyr even here? And who was that girl?
That girl was Zephyr's stepsister, Celestia.
Her mother was just a half-human maid in the king's mansion, but unfortunately, that bastard king decided that the queens weren't enough and ended up making her pregnant against her will.
He didn't care much about that, he was always busy and rarely returned to the mansion. So she ended up giving birth to Celestia. But after some months, the maid died due to 'illness'.
No one cared about a normal maid. She wasn't even cultivator, but Celestia was lucky enough to born with a mana core, getting the protection of the government and the attention of the king, so the queens couldn't harm her recklessly even though she didn't have the Stormblade name due to being a maid's daughter.
The queens knew that the king only cared about the talent. They saw Celeste as a potential danger, so they decided to stop her growth from a young age, forcing her to become a normal maid.
Then there was Zephyr, the third queen's youngest son, she had many sons and daughters, so she didn't care much about him. She just gave him hellish training and a special guard called Alfred like everyone else. She even tried to use him as a marriage tool multiple times, but Alfred always found a way to make them refuse. But she didn't mind much. He was just one of many.
That was until he awakened his mana core at the age of 10, becoming one of the youngest Exalted in Eldoria, and if that wasn't enough, he inherited the king's unique affinity, becoming the second holder of the Eclipse.
She became obsessed with him, trying to turn him into the king's favourite and her perfect tool. She gave him Celestia as his personal maid, started training him herself and tried to force him to be loyal to her.
But unfortunately for her, Zephyr was the most rebellious and stubborn of all her children. So nothing worked with him.
After meeting me and Aria, he decided to try to speak with Celestia, trying to form similar to us. Eventually, he succeeded and they became too close.
He started to protect her, train her, stop her from working as a maid, he allowed her to sleep with him in his room and gave her everything she wanted. She and Alfred became the only people he treated as a family in the royal mansion.
Yesterday, Celestia awakened her mana and aura cores, becoming officially Tier 2 exalted. She got wind and frost affinities and a physique related to them with special eyes that could detect lies.
Well, let's say this caused some troubles between her and some of her siblings which ended with Zephyr almost killing them.
His mother couldn't help against the pressure of the other queens and they decided to kick him with Alfred and Celestia out of the mansion without even contribution points until he apologizes.
He told us all that yesterday in the middle of the night, so we let them sleep in our mother's and grandmother's room .
And now I started regretting that.
I placed some water on the fire and shifted my attention to Zephyr .
"Keep standing here, when it boil , turn the fire off"
"Bu—"
"W-We can wait, thank you for everything, Mr.Raylin!" Celestia suddenly said while bowing her head gently.
I looked at her, then gave Zephyr a side look.
I was sure he understood the meaning immediately.
How the fuck is that polite girl your sister?!
I sighed and rushed to my room and looked at the sleeping Aria and Silva. I realized yesterday that Silva was a beast version of Aria, they both sleep like bears!
After 5 minutes I was finally able to make Aria move, then I carried Silva directly. I knew that she would wake up after seeing the food.
I saw the hot water and looked at Celestia."Do you like coffee or want something else?"
She answered immediately."Juice! I-I mean I prefer juice, and strawberry if possible. And let me help, I got used to the kitchen."
I nodded, then we made 3 cups of coffee for me, Zephyr and Alfred , 2 cups of strawberry juice for her and Aria, and a huge cup of milk for dear Silva.
I was shocked yesterday when she took the whole milk gallon with her hands and drank it in one minute.
'Why am I surrounded by gluttonous people.'
I dismissed those thoughts and made some pancakes for each one.
After some minutes I was done and found Aria sitting on the table with messy hair and tired eyes. I put the pancakes and drinks in front of each chair quickly.
'I miss my days in the restaurant sometimes.'
I sat on a chair with Silva on my lap, then I heard Zephyr's voice.
"Hey Alfred, you can eat with us, he made breakfast for everyone.
Then a green wind started gathering at one of the chairs and a man materialized.
He was an elf with long blonde hair and sharp green eyes. His hair was tied in a ponytail and he was wearing a servant's suit .
'I hate the fact that he is always watching.'
He gave up a kind, polite smile. "Then I should thank you, Mr. Raylin "
"Mr. Raylin and Mrs. Aria, thank you for everything, if it weren't for your help, we would be on the streets now." Celestia said while bowing a little .
"It's ok, the house was empty anyway ."
I shifted my gaze to Zephyr and he understood.
"...Cough, by the way, you can just call him Ray. He won't mind, and you can call her Cel. We are now living together, That also means he will cook for us everyday!"
Nevermind, he didn't understand.
I ended my breakfast and stood up.
"I will go practice my mana control now, any advice? "
Aria thought for a moment."Just don't attack yourself by mistake. With the necklace you won't die, but it's still painful."
Zephyr scratched his head in embarrassment. "I think I almost killed myself the first time I used my affinity, so be careful. "
I stood up and put Silva on my head, taking her with me.
Aria shouted "Hey, why are you taking that cat with you !"
"Meow!"
I tilted my head. "why not ? I would feel bored alone, and she is so cute to be left behind. "
Heading to the training area, I noticed that Silva's face was slightly red .
'I will never understand that cat.'
I looked at the table for a moment, they were still chatting and laughing like a real family.
I couldn't help but remember my mom and grandma… and how I lost them suddenly.
I clinched my fist for a moment.
'I will take revenge someday. I promise.'