Rowan woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than he had in weeks.
He stretched an arm and turned only to freeze at the sight of his wife sleeping upside down. Stella lay on the bed with her legs straight up against the headboard, her feet were almost touching her face like she was performing an ancient yoga ritual in her sleep.
'Stella sure has some weird sleeping positions,' he thought, blinking twice just to make sure she wasn't possessed.
He slipped out of bed quietly.
Judging by the first signs of sunlight creeping in from the curtains, it was barely 6 A.M on the house clock.
Which meant it was early enough to get to Pagoda Waterfalls without a rush.
He grinned proudly to himself.
'I managed to pull some favors and get all of these fuckers to bring their sons today,' he thought.
It hadn't been easy convincing multiple noble families to participate in a fake mission.
Nor had it been easy pretending that the search for a "Unique Item" was legitimate. 'Though there's not even any Unique Item in the Pagoda Waterfalls, so it's a perfect time to chill.'
Yes.
Today was supposed to be relaxation disguised as duty.
Hot springs… Beer… Silence away from work… No paperwork… No clan politics… It was just peace and paradise.
Rowan practically floated into the adjoining bathroom.
He brushed his teeth, took a long refreshing bath, and put on a new set of expensive robes that were deep navy blue with silver embroidery and enchantments woven into the fabric.
It was perfect for hot springs.
'I'm ready to soak in the hot springs and drink some beer,' he thought with a content sigh.
He left the bathroom and walked toward the training room, mentally preparing himself for a day of father-son "bonding" that would mainly consist of him chilling while Ren did all the work.
The sun had risen a little higher now, orange light filtering through the mansion's windows.
Ren was usually in the training room at this time, screaming as he sliced dummies into pieces. So being a bit late wouldn't be a problem…
Until Rowan passed by Ren's bedroom.
He paused.
He heard noises.
Soft, sleepy noises.
He narrowed his eyes.
'Is Alina in her brother's room?' The sounds didn't match her light, airy voice though. They sounded deeper and definitely did not belong to his daughter. 'Or is it his personal butler sleeping on his bed…?'
Ren was known for strange behavior. Maybe he'd finally snapped and taken his butler hostage.
Curiosity and a healthy dose of dread pushed Rowan to open the door.
The moment he did, his face ran through forty different emotions in two seconds.
Ren was sprawled across the bed with one leg dangling off the edge and hugging his pillow.
He was drooling and sleeping like a baby who hadn't experienced emotional trauma.
He looked… peaceful.
Rowan's jaw dropped.
His eyebrows shot up and his eye twitched. He stormed forward in a blur of righteous fury.
"Ren!!!!"
He grabbed the boy by the ankle and yanked him so hard off the bed that Ren slid all the way across the mattress with a confused grunt.
"You're STILL sleeping?! At this time?! Did you forget we have somewhere to go?!" Rowan barked, tugging again as if Ren were an oversized sack of flour.
"Five more minutes…" Ren mumbled, hugging the pillow tighter. "The bed is just too so—"
Too soft? Too comfortable? Too heavenly for someone who used to sleep in a collapsing mattress on Earth? Yes.
But Rowan was not having it.
Not after spending half the night begging, bribing, and borderline blackmailing multiple noble families to bring their sons to Pagoda Waterfalls today.
All because Ren had volunteered. The son who had never shown interest in anything other than the Saintess or training.
"GET. TO. THE. BATH." Rowan commanded, lifting Ren entirely by his leg and flinging him toward the personal bathroom.
Ren crashed straight into the bathroom door.
The door shattered.
But Ren still raised a thumb.
"I'm awake."
"Good," Rowan growled, crossing his arms. "Get to freshening up, fucker."
…
A short while later, Ren and Rowan stood outside the mansion, with Alina trailing behind them clutching her drawing book.
She wore a long dress that covered her legs completely, she was a bit nervous but excited.
Ren, on the other hand, wore an outfit suited for exploration that was enchanted to expand or tighten depending on movement.
Meanwhile, Rowan was glaring at Ren like a disappointed gym coach.
"Alright, let's go get the griffins… we're late because of someone."
Ren only smirked, adjusting his hair.
They reached the backyard, dominated by an ancient towering tree.
Several butlers trimmed the grass around its roots. Rowan stepped beneath the massive branches and whistled sharply.
A rush of wind followed.
"Get down, girl," Rowan said proudly as a massive griffin descended with a powerful flap of its wings.
The griffin had golden feathers and majestic eyes.
Rowan stroked her head affectionately. "We'll be going to Pagoda Waterfalls."
The griffin nodded then turned to Ren.
And tilted her head at him with open confusion because this was the same boy who normally used Reo only to sprint toward the church at ridiculous speeds.
"I'm confused as well, Eli…" Rowan muttered.
Then he sighed. "Come on, Ren. Call yours down."
Ren stepped forward, clearing his throat dramatically.
"Reo."
A smaller, more timid griffin swooped down.
He was still majestic with white and blue feathers shimmering under the sunlight but noticeably shy with his wings lowered as it avoided eye contact.
Ren could guess why.
The original Ren probably mistreated the poor thing, using him for rough flying and yelling when he didn't obey instantly.
Ren reached forward and gently massaged Reo's head. "We need to go."
Reo's eyes went wide with shock. This was the first affectionate gesture he had ever received from his master.
The griffin practically yelped in excitement, wings spreading as if ready to prove itself.
"Alright, it seems Reo is raring to go," Rowan said proudly, patting Eli's back. "Alina, would you like to get on?"
She shook her head.
"I want to ride with big brother… if that's okay," she murmured, looking up at Ren with the cutest pair of puppy eyes she could muster.
It was SUPER EFFECTIVE.
Ren melted immediately. "...Yeah sure, get on."
Alina climbed onto Reo's back first, gripping the reins lightly.
Ren swung up behind her, making sure she was secure. She blushed and her heart skipped.
'Big brother cares about my safety…'
Rowan stared jealously before climbing onto Eli's back. "Let's go."
With a single powerful flap, the griffins shot into the air, soaring above the estate.
Everything seemed perfect—
Until Reo suddenly veered hard left.
Straight toward the Holy Church.
"Oi… oi! Not the church, we're going to Pagoda Waterfalls," Ren said, grabbing the reins. "Follow Eli!"
Reo screeched mid-air, his wings flapping wildly as if confused.
Was his master actually changing? The only times Ren rode him before were to sprint to the church. What was happening to the universe?
Reo turned sharply, rushing back behind Eli.
"Are we ready now?" Rowan asked, glancing back.
Alina was woozy with her head tilted slightly from the sudden whiplash.
Ren noticed immediately.
He placed a gentle hand on her head, smoothing her hair with his hand.
"Reo, slow down. Alina is with us, so be on your best behavior… Now let's go."