Chapter 24: Rules
The morning sun spilled through the wide-open curtains, flooding the room with warm light. Axelius sat up slowly, stretching his arms over his head and letting out a long yawn. His eyes blinked lazily as he looked out the window, the sunlight illuminating the gardens outside. He smiled, his mood oddly cheerful. "What a beautiful day," he muttered to himself, his grin stretching wider.
With a hop, he jumped down from his bed, his feet landing softly on the floor. He wasted no time, going through his usual routine—brushing his teeth, washing his face, and fixing his unruly hair. The maids came in shortly after, assisting him with his clothes, tightening the buttons on his coat and adjusting his collar just right.
"You seem extra cheerful today," Owen remarked, his small voice amused.
Axelius only chuckled, "The sun's out, Owen. Nothing wrong with enjoying it."
Axelius barely had time to finish adjusting his collar when the door to his room slammed open with a force that rattled the walls. Cyruz stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury, followed by two maids who looked both terrified and anxious. His fists were clenched, his breathing harsh, and his gaze locked directly on Axelius.
"It's you, isn't it?! You did something!" Cyruz's voice boomed across the room, filled with rage and accusation.
Axelius raised an eyebrow, barely blinking at the dramatic entrance. He crossed his arms, leaning back against his chair with a look of pure amusement. "Good morning, Cyruz. Always a pleasure," he said coolly, ignoring the tension radiating off his half-brother.
Cyruz's eyes flared, and he jabbed a finger toward Axelius. "Don't you 'good morning' me! What did you do to my maid?!" he shouted, stepping forward with enough force that the floorboards creaked.
Axelius tilted his head, his eyes flickering with amusement. "Your maid?" he echoed slowly, like he was savoring the words.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from the hall, and the very maid they were talking about entered, her face flushed from running. She caught her breath and immediately moved to Axelius's side, bowing her head respectfully. Cyruz's eyes widened with disbelief, his face turning red with fury. "There! Look at that! Why is she standing by your side?!"
Axelius gave her a sidelong glance, the corners of his lips curling up. "Oh? I suppose she prefers this side now," he mused, tapping his chin dramatically. "Is there a problem, Cyruz?"