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Grey POV:

Today was the day we were going to start our training. After having all my secrets and worries in the open yesterday, I felt a huge wave of relief as I now knew people would still accept me. Maybe not all of them, but I should always remember that there are people who care.

Caera is someone who I'll be eternally grateful for. It is probably her acceptance that made me feel happy the most. She was someone from outside my family, and yet she did not push me away.

[A/n: 'Outside' (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ ]

Sylvie was running around the field and I was chasing her. We decided to do this until Seris and Caera arrived so that we could start our training together. Sylv was surprisingly nimble on her feet as she dashed around the grassy fields and occasionally hid behind trees while peeking enough to just show her golden eyes and stubby horns.

"Brother too slow!" she screamed before running to another tree and repeating the process while I acted like I couldn't catch her. Mother sat in the shade under a tree where tables and chairs were set up, enough for five people. She watched over us with a content smile and a happy expression.

We played around for a while until Seris and Caera arrived. Caera's expression brightened up on seeing me whereas Seris had the usual neutral face.

"Good morning Grey!"

"Good morning Caera. Seris."

"Morning to you too Grey"

I led them to where mother was and soon all of us were seated.

Before we could continue our conversation, a portal manifested nearby and Agrona walked through followed closely by a guard.

We all stood up with the exception of mother and Sylvie who was confused.

"We greet the High Sovereign." said Caera and Seris in unison as I stayed silent.

"Rise. I heard from your reports that you're starting training today. I came to give..." He stopped talking as soon as his eyes landed on Sylvie. She got a little scared as she hid behind me.

Agrona still hadn't spoken as he continued to stare at his daughter, his face apathetic. And Seris is reporting to Agrona? She seems loyal to him.

"Sylvie, come here. Meet your father." mother said as she gently pushed Sylvie towards Agrona.

"Da-daddy?" Sylvie voiced in a low tone as she held her hands behind her back drawing circles with one leg on the ground. She unintentionally gave the 'puppy eyes' look too.

We all saw it. A crack in Agrona's apathetic expression. His face faltered before turning into an expression that showcased guilt. His brows twitched for a moment before it was replaced by his previous expressionless face.

His change in demeanor was clearly something that I used to do a lot myself, masking one's emotions. What was Agrona guilty of? Neglecting his daughter? But to affect someone like him it had to be pretty severe.

"Hello there my little one. Hope you are enjoying yourself" he replied, almost avoiding her.

"And as I was saying, here are some beast cores I have obtained for your training. Use them well." he said as a guard handed over a dimensional ring to Seris.

He soon left as if in a hurry without waiting for our responses.

"Mama, was daddy angry?" Sylvie asked mother in a dejected tone.

"No, my daughter. He was...surprised, not angry. So don't be sad" she replied, caressing Sylvie's feather-like hair. Sylvie soon brightened up.

Looking over to my side, I could see that Caera was frozen in her place with beads of sweat on her forehead. I had completely forgotten that his aura was overwhelming to others.