The air in the house was thick with tension. Theodore, Lorenzo, and Mattheo sat stiffly in the sitting room, their expressions ranging from indifference to mild hostility. You sat across from them, arms crossed, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Near the fireplace, S/verus stood with his usual commanding presence. His sharp gaze swept over the three boys, unreadable yet expectant.

“You will stay here,” he said, his voice calm but absolute. “Whether you like it or not.”

Mattheo scoffed,. “Yeah? And what if we don’t?”

S/verus barely reacted, his tone remaining calm. “Then you are welcome to find your own means of survival. But considering you have no family, no resources, and no knowledge of the world beyond the castle, I doubt you’d last long.”

Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably. Theodore kept his eyes on the floor.

You sighed. “Look, none of us wanted this. But we don’t have a choice.”

Weeks passed, and though the boys still bristled at authority, small changes began to take root. Meals were once silent, but now, occasional remarks were exchanged. One evening, you caught Lorenzo smirking at one of your sarcastic comments instead of rolling his eyes.

One night, as you and Lorenzo prepared dinner, he nudged you with his elbow. “You’re not as unbearable as I thought,” he admitted.

“You’re still annoying,” you shot back, passing him a plate.

In another room, Mattheo and Theodore sat with S/verus in his study. Theodore, who usually kept to himself, finally spoke. “Can you teach me more about potions?”

S/verus studied him for a long moment before giving a curt nod. “If you are willing to put in the effort, I expect excellence.”

Mattheo smirked. “Yeah, no thanks. I’ll stick to dueling.”

S/verus merely hummed in response, but the tiniest flicker of amusement crossed his face.

By the time winter arrived, the house no longer felt cold. Laughter echoed through the halls, and even S/verus seemed to enjoy their presence.

The boys had found something they didn’t realize they needed: a home.