"YOUNG MASTER!"
Damien shot upright, tangled helplessly in his sheets, heart racing an confused at the booming voice. The next instant, the room flooded with blinding sunlight as his valet, Phillipp, mercilessly yanked open the curtains.
"Wha—!?" Damien squinted, bringing his hands up to shield his eyes from the glaring morning sun. "Phillipp, what in the world is going on?"
"An important guest is visiting today, second young master." Phillipp turned around and bustled about the room, throwing open wardrobes and pulling out clothing at expert speed. "So, it's time to rise."
Damien groaned, flopping back onto his pillows. "Can't I skip this?"
I just can't get a break.
For the past few months, Damien had been bustling his ass off learning and adjusting to the world he was thrust into. Every morning was busy, there wasn't a day where he rested. He was exhausted.
But still, even after two months, no task missions were ever assigned. Heck, the main mission had yet to even appear.
What conditions need to met in order for it to pop up? Damien wondered.
System: [This one doesn't know, host. So far, missions have only been given when triggered by external factors.]
Damien steered his attention from the floating system to Phillipp who nagged him.
"Absolutely not!" Phillipp replied firmly, whisking Damien's blankets away in one smooth, ruthless motion. "The visitor today is the Master's old friend, Friedrich and his son. The Master has been looking forward to this meeting as the two have not met in years."
He pouted slightly. "Alright, fine. But what about breakfast?"
"You'll be dining with the guests, young master."
Damien sighed, eyes following Phillipp's swift figure move around, already finishing picking out his clothes for the day. Phillipp held out a cozy and warm outfit. "Now, let's dress quickly, so as to not keep your father and brother waiting."
"Alright..." He slowly replied, shaking his head as he dragged himself reluctantly from the comfort of his bed.
...
Damien stood quietly at his father's side, squinting slightly as a black luxury car rolled smoothly up the estate's long driveway. Lukas, on his left, watched with a calm expression. The gravel crunched beneath the tires, slowly making its way nearer. Then, he glanced up at his father, catching a rare softness in Arel's usually impassive features.
"Lukas, Damien," Arel murmured softly, "Be sure to greet our guests properly."
"Yes, father." Both of them responded.
Seeing his father act so differently, he asked the system:
Hey system, who are the guests coming in today? Phillipp said that Arel had been long time friends with them, right?
System: [That's correct, host. Today's guests are Friedrich von Forst and his son. Arel and Friedrich built a strong friendship while partnering on a major trade expansion project when they were young. The Forst family runs one of the largest businesses in the logistics sector, known for its influence across trade, finance, and manufacturing.]
So... it's another mega rich family. Damien sighed inwardly. No matter id he spent ten or twenty years here, he doubted he'd ever grow used to the luxury nor this lavish lifestyle.
The car rolled to a graceful halt, and the driver stepped out to open the rear door. From the vehicle emerged a tall, elegantly dressed man. He had a head full of thick golden curls and wore an easy smile. Then, Damien's attention shifted immediately to the small figure that emerged cautiously from behind him.
The boy looked to be around Damien's age, perhaps a bit older, with the same soft golden curls framing a shy, angelic face. Bright blue eyes glanced around nervously, quickly examining his surroundings. Damien couldn't help but put on a gentle, reassuring smile, remembering how intimidating the grand estate could appear to someone seeing it for the first time.
"Arel! It's been too long!" The man greeted warmly, clasping Arel's outstretched hand firmly.
"Indeed, Friedrich." Arel replied, a genuine warmth coloring his voice. "And this must be Johann."
Johann, the boy stepped forward. Then his gaze landed squarely on Damien's gentle smile, eyes widening suddenly as if dazzled.
"An angel?..." Johann blurted out softly.
Silence.
"Ah—" Catching himself, Johann placed a hand over his mouth, his face flushing bright red. "S-Sorry I..."
Damien blinked, startled. Beside him, Lukas stiffened visibly, his eyes narrowing immediately as he eyed Johann with clear suspicion.
Friedrich laughed softly and stroked Johann's hair seemingly to comfort the boy. "Johann, this is Damien. Arel's youngest son. And this is his brother, Lukas."
Johann's cheeks flushed deeply as he hesitated, glancing up at his father briefly for reassurance. After a gentle nod of encouragement, Johann timidly reached out, clasping Damien's hand with his own. Smiling sheepishly, he said, "Sorry about that. Uhm... Hi, Damien, its nice to meet you."
Damien shook Johann's hand warmly, quickly recovering his composure. "Nice to meet you too, Johann. Welcome to the Hertz Estate."
Johann turned politely to Lukas, extending his hand. Lukas's once narrowed eyes was quickly replaced with a bright smile. "Hello." He shook Johann's hand, slightly tighter than necessary. But Johann didn't seem to notice and smiled back.
As the everyone made their way towards the residence, Johann immediately fell into step beside Damien, eyes sparkling with admiration. Lukas immediately moved closer, subtly slipping an arm around Damien's shoulders, pulling him protectively closer.
"Your house is amazing, Damien." Johann said enthusiastically, eyes wandering around in awe.
Damien smiled gently, noticing Lukas's sudden proximity, becoming slightly confused. "Thank you. If you like, I can show you around some more after breakfast."
Johann perked up immediately. "I'd love that!"
...
After breakfast, Damien led Johann through the estate, showing him various rooms with Johann enthusiastically commenting on everything. Lukas shadowed them, subtly yet persistently ensuring Damien stayed close to him, occasionally steering him gently by the shoulders whenever Johann drifted too near.
When they eventually reached the sprawling gardens, the trio decided to take a rest at the gazebo and have some tea. As walked side by side, Johann slowly began to open up, his shy demeanor gradually easing away in the comforting presence Damien effortlessly provided.
"You're really nice, Damien..." Johann suddenly murmured, his eyes lowered shyly as they walked through a fragrant row of blooming roses.
Damien's hands couldn't help but twitch.
Haa... This kid is too cute. Look at his big round eyes and his red cheeks! He really reminds me of a bunny. I really want to pinch...
System: [Host...]
I know, I know...
Damien felt a wave of nostalgia. The cheerful, innocent Johann reminded him of his little cousin—back when family gatherings were a regular thing and laughter came easily. He cherished those moments when he was close with his family members, his cousins—always teasing them to no end. They used to even call him "The Tickler 3000" for his expertise in the art of tickling. But after his parents separated and his mother became busier, the gatherings stopped, and the bond they shared faded with time.
Without thinking, Damien habitually reached out and gently patted Johann's head.
Johann's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a soft blush rising to his cheeks.
"O-Oh sorry! Without thinking I..."
"It's fine..." Johann said softly, smiling shyly as he fiddled nervously with something beneath his collar.
Curiously, Damien tilted his head. "You've been playing with that since this morning. What is it?"
Johann hesitated briefly, then carefully pulled out a delicate silver necklace, a simple yet elegant ring hanging from it. "It was my mother's," Johann explained softly, eyes growing misty. "She gave it to me before she passed. I usually fiddle with it when I get nervous."
He held out his hand with the necklace on his palm.
Instinctively, Damien reached out, gently touching the smooth metal of the ring. At that precise moment, a familiar chime echoed softly in his mind, accompanied by the system's distinct voice:
[Ding! New Task Mission Assigned]
[Mission: Prevent the obsession of Johann and the downfall of the Hertz family]
[Time Limit: None]
[Reward: Access to the status window]
You have got to be sh*tting me...
Damien blinked, quickly masking his inner conflict with a soft and warm smile. "It's beautiful, Johann."
"Thank you..."
Lukas cleared his throat loudly, stepping slightly between them, clearly uncomfortable with Johann's closeness. "That's very nice, Johann. Perhaps we should head back inside. It's getting rather chilly for afternoon tea."
Johann nodded quickly, carefully tucking the necklace back into his shirt. "Yes, you're right, Lukas."
As they walked back, Lukas subtly yet firmly looped his arm around Damien's shoulders again, gently tugging him closer. Damien glanced at Lukas with amusement, quietly shaking his head but allowing his brother's protective gesture without complaint.
Lukas gave a small sigh.
By evening, Johann had thoroughly enjoyed himself, blissfully unaware of Lukas's subtle maneuvering. As their guests departed, Johann waved enthusiastically, promising to visit again soon.
Once alone, Damien turned to Lukas. "Lukas, you were acting rather strangely today."
Lukas huffed dramatically, crossing his arms. "I don't know what you mean."
Damien laughed softly, nudging Lukas playfully. "Were you jealous?"
"Me? Jealous?" Lukas scoffed, feigning innocence. The young child's cheeks bulged as he pouted. "Never. I was merely ensuring you remained un-kidnapped. Clearly, he thought you were some kind of angel. He even said the words out loud."
Damien chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Lukas..."
Lukas hmphed, then smiled, unable to fully suppress the affectionate warmth that softened his eyes. "Okay, I know. I'm being a bit ridiculous..."
Laughing together, they stepped back into the warm embrace of their home, Lukas quietly deciding to protect and keep his eye on his brother from now on.
...
Late at night, when the Hertz Estate grew quiet, Damien sat alone on his bed.
"System."
System: [Yes, host?]
"Give me the mission information. Now."
System: [Yes, host. Gathering relevant memory fragments...]
[Commencing...]