"Don't worry, Morpho. You'll always be more important to me than some animal" Rhamn reassured with a warm voice.
Cyril sat on a familiar bed and looked around his room.
It was simple in style with nothing interesting around, only an old training stick.
The room was even smaller than the one he has at the academy.
Cyril never saw this as a bad thing, not like he needed too much room.
But looking at Morpho, a thought that more space is better crept into his head. "I agree."
The cat joined him with a graceful jump and lay down in a comfortable position in the middle of the bed.
While it was falling asleep, Cyril couldn't help but pet it.
"So what do you think about a little idea?" Rhamn cautiously asked.
Cyril anticipated this conversation for some time already.
"Because you want it to happen too!" Rhamn sat closer and hugged him. "Please?"
I'll have to think about it some more. It's not a simple matter... In the end he postponed it.
"Alright, I'll ask again tomorrow. I know you want to!" Rhamn, he said with a smile and lay down on the bed.
Soon Cyril did too, although in an awkward position because the cat was taking up all of the space.
Since there was no terrarium in here, Morpho had to be content with a desk.
"Good night, everyone" "Good night"
This night Cyril dreamt of being in a cafe surrounded by cats on all sides. It was a happy dream.
...
Cyril woke up slightly later than usual today.
He quickly washed up in the bath and clothed himself.
I'll have breakfast here and then move back to the academy. He thought while walking towards the dining room.
The words Ophelia said to him were still stuck at the back of his head.
My mother, huh... He didn't remember her, but he had heard a few things from other people.
If he wanted to, he could try investigating some things about her.
But maybe I should wait for now... Maybe waiting for his father to tell him was the correct thing to do. "We are not in a hurry."
At this moment, Cyril heard someone shouting near the entrance of the mansion.
With furrowed brows he quickly went towards the balcony to see the situation.
"Please! I just need one more month; I'll pay back in full, I beg of you." It was an almost crying voice of someone in their later years.
Right near the entrance, a man in his fifties was kneeling on the ground before Arthur Felling.
Cyril's father looked at this scene with the usual cold expression.
At his side was a man in butler uniform, Cornelius.
"I am afraid it is too late; you should've thought about it before you took the money." The butler spoke on behalf of his master.
With a merciless look, he motioned for the guards to take the crying man.
"No, no, I have a family; they need to eat. I beg you!" The man was kicking and screaming the whole way. The guard had to calm him down more forcefully.
In such a manner the random intruder was taken out from the territory.
Another life ruined... Cyril watched the whole event with a calm gaze. This was an event he has experienced too many times in the past.
His father was now a usurer. He lent money to other people at high interest.
Only the desperate were his clients, and it wasn't rare for one of them to be unable to pay up.
In this case his father would send someone to collect whatever they could.
As one can imagine, such a profession wasn't popular in the Empire. Many people have shunned the Felling family.
Cyril could see where they were coming from. He still didn't understand why his father would give up being a knight and become a money lender.
Arthur Felling noticed Cyril at the balcony at this moment.
"Breakfast is ready" he said with an unperturbed expression and walked back towards the mansion.
Cornelius at the side bowed as a greeting to Cyril and followed after him.
Cyril stood still for a bit more time, enjoying the clear skies.
"Is that why you are so against your father?" Rhamn leaned on the railings.
I am not sure. Maybe? Cyril talked to Rhamn for a bit under the rising sun.
After this he left the balcony and went towards the dining room.
Breakfast was carried out in the same awkward silence.
This time Morpho was also offered a plate with food.
"I will be leaving for the academy after this," Cyril said as a matter of fact.
His father nodded in understanding; he didn't expect anything more.
"Cyril, what do you want to do in the future?" Suddenly he asked with a serious voice.
Cyril was taken aback by such a question out of nowhere.
He looked at his father only to discover that his face didn't look too good.
He looked like he didn't get enough sleep the previous night.
"Learn what I can in Ailanthus and become a knight in the future. That is all for now." Cyril didn't have any grand aspirations in life.
Though for many, becoming a knight is already grand enough.
"I am not sure you'll be... suitable as a knight," Arthur Felling said with a difficult expression.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cyril quickly said in response.
"Just trust my experience; find some other goal." His father didn't continue, switching his attention back to the food.
But before long he raised his head again. "Another matter."
What now?
"I'll send Ophelia to the academy; if you need anything from her, she'll be at your disposal," Arthur said.
"I don't need a maid in there. Besides, Ailanthus doesn't allow servants" Cyril said in rejection.
"There is always a way. You just need to know the right approach," his father replied in an instructive manner.
Cyril wasn't too satisfied with this and wanted to say more, but he was interrupted.
"It's too late for your words. Ophelia is there already," Arthur said and continued eating.
At least it's Ophelia. Cyril gave up after a few seconds and continued eating.
After he was done, Cyril got up and grabbed his things.
"Goodbye." Without any more words, he turned around and went towards the exit.
Arthur Felling looked at his departing back with a conflicted expression.
Finally out of the mansion, Cyril walked on the familiar path towards the manarail.
Morpho flew around and explored the unfamiliar street while Rhamn talked with Cyril.
"How about it? Did you think it through?" Rhamn returned to her request yesterday.
Cyril, with helplessness, looked her in the eyes for a few seconds.
Fine, it shouldn't be too bad. In the end he relented.
"Thank you, Cyril! When are we doing it?" Rhamn couldn't contain her excitement.
Let's not be in a hurry; I'll return to the academy first.
During this time Morpho was flying with a bit less enthusiasm.
Eventually she returned to Cyril's shoulder and twitched her antennae in displeasure.
"Oh, don't worry, we'll always love you. Right, Cyril?" Rhamn now was trying to coax Morpho. Cyril helped too, of course.
The poor butterfly felt threatened by their decision.
At least Cyril wasn't bored on the way to the academy. He always had someone to talk to.
...
When they arrived at Ailanthus, Morpho was already back to her normal self.
Rhamn had to promise a lot of things to her before she calmed down.
"Heh, it's like taking candy from a baby." Rhamn wiped her non-existent sweat and flashed a wicked smile.
Somehow Rhamn talked Morpho into wanting more lessons.
Cyril wasn't sure how she was able to do that. "Talent"
In a light mood, they reached their dormitory.
Cyril went inside and lay down on the bed.
Morpho with joy landed in her familiar terrarium.
In the end, did he really only want to see me? Cyril thought about the purpose behind his homecoming.
For some reason the thought of his dad only wanting to check up on him didn't sit right. Cyril always expected a hidden motive.
"What should we do now?" Rhamn moved his attention away from the unpleasant things.
Let's go to the library. I have an idea. Cyril got up and stretched.
"I see... We might need that" Rhamn thought for a moment and agreed with him.
Without wasting any time, they reached the library. The old lady behind the counter gave him a familiar nod.
While he wasn't the most frequent visitor of this place, the local librarian liked him and didn't mind him bringing a butterfly.
Cyril wanted to find some books on magic creatures again, but before he had the chance to do this, he spotted Rose sitting at one of the tables.
She also noticed him at this moment and motioned him to come closer without any words. They were in a library after all.
He slowly came over first and greeted her with a lowered voice.
"Good timing. I tried looking for you yesterday but didn't find you," Rose said with a relieved expression.
She put her book aside temporarily and brought out a ticket to somewhere.
"I've been given some tickets to the new zoo. Do you want to come? Myra and Edmund already agreed." Her lowered voice was tinged with excitement.
"Looking at some animals should be fun." Rhamn was in approval of this idea. Cyril liked it too.
"Sure, when are we going? The lessons are resumed tomorrow." Cyril agreed and picked up the ticket.
"We'll go on the weekend," Replied Rose.
She was really looking forward to this trip. In the Empire's zoo one could meet many different magic creatures as well.
The tickets are usually quickly sold out, but this time she got some through her parents' connections.
Cyril caught up with her some more before going away for his own business.
Rose, with a lingering smile, picked up her book and resumed reading.
It's a good opportunity to finally see a magic creature in person thought Cyril while looking for the right book.
"Yes! I can't wait to see what animals are there." Rhamn agreed with all her heart.
Only Morpho wasn't too big of a fan of this idea. But she didn't complain.
With a relaxed state of mind, they spend this evening reading everything about magic creatures, from their anatomy to behavior.
Remembering how Rhamn changed his eyes to see in the dark, Cyril felt that understanding these creatures in depth was important.