Chapter 406 - 405: Beautiful II

Chapter 406: Chapter 405: Beautiful II

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Kenway Keep — Philadelphia — Pennsylvania — Holy Commonwealth of Pennmere

The Great Room of Kenway Keep was a cavernous space of warm amber light, heavy velvet drapes, and the rich, pervasive aroma of Celestial tobacco. Sunlight slanted through the high, arched windows, illuminating the swirling blue haze of smoke that hung like a lazy ghost over the two men seated by the massive hearth.

Leonard and Bernard Kenway, the pillars of the family’s elder generation, were ensconced in deep leather armchairs, the latest editions of The London Chronicle spread across their knees like maps of a dying world. Between them sat a low coffee table laden with delicate porcelain cups of Celestial tea and glass ashtrays, where the glowing embers of Alaric’s premium gift cigars released a fragrance of aged cedar and spiced honey.

"It’s a desperate bit of ink, isn’t it, Leonard?" Bernard muttered, his voice a gravelly rumble as he tapped a long cylinder of ash into the tray. He squinted through his spectacles at a column of text, his weathered face etched with a mixture of amusement and disdain. "King George is painting us like a den of heathens and upstarts, using ten-dollar words to say he’s still sore about his treasury being empty."

Leonard chuckled, a dry, rhythmic sound that lacked any real malice toward his former homeland. He took a slow sip of the steaming tea, the celestial herbs immediately sharpening his senses and soothing the ache in his joints. "He’s adamant, I’ll give him that. He’s writing for an audience that wants to believe the American colonies are still a British playground. He’s painting Pennmere in a bad light by whispering about ’divine hubris’ and ’unregulated growth,’ all while praying to the gods that the French or the Spanish do the dirty work of crushing us for him."

"Aye," Bernard agreed, leaning back and letting a thick plume of smoke escape his lips. "He’s waiting for us to crumble against the Spanish in the south or the French in the west so he can sail his redcoats back into the Delaware and call it a rescue. The man’s a dreamer, if nothing else."

"Ah, father... Unc!"

Both men’s brows rose in unison as they turned toward the grand staircase that spiraled down from the upper tiers of the Keep. Alaric Jonathan Kenway was descending with his usual predatory grace, the gold accents of his Vanguard uniform shimmering, but it was the pair following him that stole the breath from the room. Kassandra walked beside him with her effortless, queenly poise, but behind them hovered a figure of such delicate, ethereal beauty that Bernard nearly forgot to hold his cigar.

"Who’s that behind ya’ll, ’Laric? Kassandra?" Bernard asked, his eyes widening as he hurriedly placed his newspaper down to focus on the newcomer. He gestured with his cigar, his voice dropping into a tone of gruff, bewildered suspicion. "You aimin’ to have a concubine now, ’Laric? Or did you just decide the Keep needed more flowers in the hallways?"

Leonard’s brow twitched violently at the suggestion, his gaze snapping to his son with a sudden, paternal sternness that could chill a room.

"Hey, son... polygamy’s a sin," he stated, his voice booming with the weight of a man who still held his moral compass tight. "I don’t care if you’re close friends with the King himself; William Penn would still have your head for a capital crime like that. We didn’t raise you to be a sultan."

The volume of Leonard’s voice acted like a dinner bell for the rest of the household. From a nearby hallway, a small procession of the Kenway women appeared, drawn by the commotion. Eleanor, Alaric’s mother, led the way with her eyes full of maternal concern, followed closely by Linette, Bernard’s wife and Edward’s mother. Behind them came Caroline Scott-Kenway, who was carefully cradling a four-year-old little Jennifer, and finally, Hannah Collowhill Penn, the Queen of Pennmere and wife to William, who had been visiting to check on the women of the Keep.

Alaric stopped at the base of the stairs, looking at the gathered family with a dry, knowing smirk that suggested he was savoring every second of their confusion.

"Whatever you think you’re seeing right now," Alaric said, his voice smooth and carrying a hint of a laugh, "is an illusion made entirely of genetics and your own expectations."

The family stood in a stunned semi-circle, their faces a gallery of bewilderment. Eleanor blinked rapidly, her gaze darting between Alaric and the beautiful creature behind him, while Hannah Penn stepped forward with a faint, regal smile, though her curiosity was evident.

"Good morning, Hannah," Alaric nodded toward the Queen, his voice softening with genuine respect for the woman who helped rule his Commonwealth. "A lovely morning for a visit, isn’t it?"

"A very interesting one, it seems," Hannah replied, her eyes lingering on the figure in the silk kimono-style attire. "Alaric, what on earth are you talking about? Who is this young lady?"

Alaric’s grin widened, and he stepped aside, placing a hand on the newcomer’s shoulder. "Family, your Majesty... allow me to introduce my student. This is Yuki Haku. And despite the sheer beauty that seems to be short-circuiting your brains, he is a man."

The silence that followed was heavy and absolute, broken only by the sharp hiss of a hot ember hitting fabric. Bernard’s cigar had slipped from his slackened jaw, landing directly on his trousers. He let out a strangled wince, slapping at his leg as the tip burned a small, dark hole in the expensive wool.

Leonard’s newspaper slipped from his fingers, fluttering to the floor like a wounded bird. Eleanor covered her mouth with both hands in silent shock, while Linette’s eyes nearly bulged from her head. Caroline almost let little Jennifer slip from her hip in her surprise, and Hannah Penn simply blinked, her mouth parting in a rare moment of royal speechlessness.

Alaric turned to Haku and gestured toward the group. "Go on, Haku. Introduce yourself."

Haku stepped forward, his movements possessing the fluid, understated grace of a dancer. He bowed deeply, his long, dark hair cascading over his shoulders like a silken veil, before straightening and offering a polite, disarming smile.

"I am Yuki Haku," he said, his voice a perfect, melodic blend that sat precisely on the line between masculine and feminine. "I’m deeply honored to meet the family of my Sensei. I hope I have not caused too much distress."

"Japanese?"

The word was spoken in perfect, synchronized unison by Leonard, Bernard, Caroline, Eleanor, and Linette.

Haku’s eyes widened in surprise as the family began to introduce themselves... not in English, but in fluent, rhythmic Japanese that carried the slight, formal inflection of the high courts. Eleanor stepped forward first, her initial shock giving way to a warm, welcoming light as she spoke the language with a practiced ease that made Kassandra’s brow lift in genuine astonishment.

"You see?" Alaric whispered to Kassandra, earning himself a quiet, amused chuckle from his wife as she watched the linguistic ambush.

"I had no idea they were so dedicated to their studies," Kassandra murmured.

Alaric was about to suggest they move toward the dining hall for breakfast, but he was silenced before he could even draw breath. Eleanor, Linette, and Caroline descended upon Haku like a flock of intrigued birds, encircling the boy with a flurry of questions and admiring glances.

"Oh, your skin is like porcelain!" Eleanor exclaimed, reaching out to gently touch Haku’s cheek, her Japanese perfect and maternal. "How is it so smooth? Do you use a specific herb? Or is it just the air of the East?"

"And your eyes," Linette added, leaning in with widened, curious eyes. "Are you truly a boy? You’re more beautiful than any debutante I’ve seen in London or Philadelphia. Are you... are you interested in men, Haku? Is that the way of things in your home?"

Haku stood in the center of the whirlwind, his face flushing a faint, delicate pink as he tried to answer three questions at once, his politeness never wavering even as he looked toward Alaric for a rescue that wasn’t coming. Alaric, for his part, had doubled over, laughing loudly at the sheer absurdity of the interrogation.

"They’re fascinated, Haku!" Alaric managed to gasp out between laughs. "Don’t worry, they only bite when they’re hungry!"

As the women continued to fuss over a bewildered Haku, Alaric turned his attention to Hannah Penn, who had remained slightly apart from the chaos. "And how have you been, Hannah? Truly? I hope William hasn’t been working you to the bone."

Hannah smiled wryly, patting her stomach with a hand. "Everything has been quite good, Alaric. Though, you should know that William and I are expecting another child later this year. The household is going to be even noisier than usual."

Alaric’s smile turned slightly wry. "Another one? Gods, the Penn line is going to outnumber the Vanguard at this rate. Congratulations, Hannah. That is truly wonderful news."

Suddenly, Alaric’s head snapped toward the eastern windows, his expression shifting in an instant. The laughter vanished, replaced by a sharp, focused intensity. He felt it before he heard it... a massive, rhythmic vibration in the earth and a signature of raw, unyielding power that he hadn’t felt in months.

"Ah... Gods, I missed that goliath," Alaric murmured, a genuine, wide smile spreading across his face.

Kassandra followed his gaze, nodding her head in recognition. "Thulani. I believe today was the scheduled date for his return from the southern frontier."

Alaric’s excitement was palpable. He clapped his hands together once, the sound echoing through the Great Room like a pistol shot, cutting through the chatter of the women and the soft questions being thrown at Haku.

"Change of plans!" Alaric shouted, his voice booming with the authority of a Lord Commander. He didn’t wait for a servant; he looked directly toward the archway leading to the kitchens and projected his voice so the Head Chef would have no choice but to hear. "Chef! We will have a light breakfast for the morning and afternoon! But for tonight, I want an extravagant banquet! Every single Vanguard member currently stationed in Philadelphia is invited. We are celebrating a return and a reunion! Prepare for hundreds of men!"

A moment later, the Head Chef appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a towel and looking at Alaric with a mix of exhaustion and professional pride. "A banquet for the whole Philadelphia garrison, Lord Kenway? On such short notice?"

"Yes!" Alaric barked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yes, Lord Kenway!" the Chef shouted back, already spinning on his heel to begin the frantic preparations.

Alaric turned back to his family, his hand resting on Haku’s shoulder to ground the boy as the household began to transform into a hive of celebratory activity. For the first time in years, the Keep wasn’t a fortress of secrets or a hub of political maneuvering. It was a home, preparing to welcome one of its own back from the wilds.

And as the sun climbed higher over Philadelphia, Alaric Jonathan Kenway realized that the two weeks he had been gifted were already shaping up to be the most eventful of his life.

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