Era of Catalyst

[809th year of Ecplipsis, 27th Marech]

Kairos, Age 9..

"Young master, Behave well. Sir Ronan is here with her daughter. You remember her right young master?" Helena spoke as she walked behind Kairos.

Kairos ran a hand through his crimson red hair, which had grown wilder over the past year, much like his height, now towering over his peers. He gave a half-hearted shrug, his mind already wandering.

"I know, I know. That brat, Leia."

His thoughts flickered back to the embarrassing memory from a year ago—his 7th birthday, the traditional dance he despised, and the humiliating fall that had Leia and him sprawled across the floor in front of everyone. Leia hasn't let him forget it since. Although it was her fault to begin with. Her dress was too big for such a dance!.

From that day whenever ever they meet. She would always end up bringing that as an argument along with his height. She also had height inferiority against him considering she was half a year older than him.

Helena shook her head slightly, sighing at Kairos' dismissive attitude, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Just be polite, young master. Sir Ronan and your father are hoping you and Leia will get along better

this time."

Kairos slowly pushed the door. Wide, Why will he knock it's his fathers office.

Helena remained outside, As there's no need for her to go in.

As Kairos pushed the door wide open, the room beyond came into view.His father sat on the sofa near the far end of the room, deep in conversation with Sir Ronan, a tall,broad-shouldered man whose presence always seemed to attract attention.

"His hair is longer now" Kairos thought.

Yes that's the thing that attracted the attention the most. His hair was too shiny.

Beside Ronan stood a young girl, Leia, who turned to meet Kairos's gaze as the door creaked open.

She looked at him for a second. Before moving her eyes and sipping on the tea as gracefully she could wearing a red dress.

Kairos face twisted for a second seeing this brat acting like he returned back to normal.

"Father I'm here"

His father, Lord Aelric, glanced up from his conversation, his piercing blue eyes settling on Kairos. With a slight nod, he gestured toward the seat opposite him.

"Come, Kairos. Join us."

Kairos hesitated for a moment, glancing at Leia, who sat perfectly poised, her expression as neutral as ever. The last time they were together, she had teased him mercilessly about the fall, and he had sworn to himself he wouldn't give her any more ammunition.

'Not today' he thought.

"Yes, Father," Kairos replied, his voice steady. He strode across the room, his long legs closing the distance quickly. He sat down on the armchair, crossing his legs and trying to mimic the same composed posture as his father. He was only nine, but his father expected him to act like an adult in these situations.

Ronan chuckled, his deep voice filling the room. "My, my, Kairos. You're growing taller by the day. Soon enough, you'll be as tall as me.

Kairos forced a smile. This big dude tried teasing him a lot too. But he couldn't as he was just a child and mistakes from him could be forgiven. Thus when Kairos was just six. He used to speak out loud, " shiny hair uncle" intentionally.

"Perhaps, Sir Ronan," kairos said politely, though he didn't care much for the compliment. It was always about his height. It didn't help that Leia seemed to shrink even more in comparison.Leia, now fully aware of the subtle jabs, narrowed her eyes at Kairos over her teacup.

"Or perhaps he'll just keep growing and never stop. Must be hard being a giant"

Kairos smiled at Leia.

"At least I can reach the top shelf, Miss Leia,"

Leia's eyebrows knitted in a scowl. her fingers tightening around the delicate teacup. He noticed the flash of irritation in her eyes, but she maintained her composure, determined not to let him see that she's really pissed off.

It was a small victory for Kairos, and he laughed inwardly, pleased with himself. 'You lack experience, brat,' he thought, amused by how easily he could irritate her like this.

But then a sudden memory flashed. Another smiling face appeared in those images. He wasn't feeling good anymore.

"Enough, Kairos. Leia." Kairo's father spoke.

His voice wasn't harsh.Kairos straightened his back. Leia lowered her teacup, blinking innocently as if she hadn't been on the verge of snapping at him.

Ronan, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, chuckled deeply, his broad shoulders shaking. "Ah, youth. You two remind me of lucian and Valeria when they were younger. Always bickering, but look at them now. You'll grow out of it. Your father was far fierce than you kairos.." He waved a hand dismissively, laughing loudly

Kairos' father,He gave Ronan a wry glance. Remembering some dark memories.but softened as he turned back to the children's.

"Why don't you go outside? Fresh air might do you both good." Kairo's father spoke.

Kairos opened his mouth to protest—he was sure that 'go outside' actually meant 'babysit Leia,' and he wasn't thrilled about it. But before he could speak.

"Haha! Good, good! Kairos, take her outside. She's been pestering me all morning about coming here. I wanted to see the garden, and she wouldn't stop talking about that ice cream she loves so much."

Leia's head snapped toward her father, her face flushed with sudden embarrassment. "Father!"

she barked, her voice sharp. "I didn't ask for any ice cream!"

Ronan gave her a bemused smile, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Oh? So all that talk about 'the best ice cream I've ever tasted, better than the palace cooks' was someone else's voice then, hmm?" He crossed his arms, still chuckling to himself.

Leia's cheeks turned even redder as she glared at him. "That was weeks ago! And I didn't pester you," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.

Kairos sighed in resignation, knowing there was no escaping this. "Fine, Father. Let's go, Leia."

Leia shot one last frustrated glare at her father, who simply smiled and waved her off as if her embarrassment was of no consequence. With a dramatic huff, she followed Kairos toward the door.

As they left the room, the heavy door closed behind them with a muted thud.

For a moment, both Lord Lucian and Sir Ronan sat quietly, sipping their tea, the faint echoes of Kairos and Leia's footsteps fading down the hallway.Then, breaking the silence, Ronan leaned back in his chair and let out a deep chuckle. He glanced at Lucian with a knowing grin. "Heya, don't they look good together?".