Chapter 7: Invasion of privacy

Aaron had just had dinner, and he had only one plate—which was very unusual—because of his strong anticipation to see the damned red-haired girl who had been coaching Damien.

Damien had locked himself in his room and refused to eat all evening. Even when his mother had sent Abigail to him, he had declined and sent her back, saying he’d eat later in the night and that she should leave enough quantity for five people.

Aaron and his sister had glanced at each other, and he instinctively knew it was an indication that the red-haired girl was coming tonight.

He dropped his spoon and, taking the last scoop, tried to leave the table, but his mother’s persistent gaze forced him to pause.

"I thought you were joking when you said just one serving," she said quizzically.

Aaron smiled awkwardly. Without waiting for any response, his mother chuckled and continued.

"But you were not. Where did my gluttonous baby boy go?"

Aaron smiled as he stood up and picked up his empty plate.

"Your gluttonous baby is still here. He’s just a little full today."

At that moment, Aaron’s stepmother—Damien’s mum—grumbled audibly to herself.

"At least that means more for Damien."

She gave Abigail a side glance.

"Make Damien’s five servings six servings. It seems that absurd strength of his has been making him demand more food of late. Give him all the food he needs. He’s a future national asset."

Abigail nodded with a firm expression.

"Yes, Ma’am."

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

’Or maybe he is just feeding a red-haired girl and not really eating it.’

He turned to his stepmother.

"Ma’am... When is Dad returning from the barracks?"

Aaron could have asked his mum this question, as she also knew the answer to it, but he decided against it and asked his stepmom instead. She hadn’t said a word to him all evening. He knew she didn’t really like him or his sister very much, but he didn’t think she truly hated them. She was just a conflicted woman.

Damien’s mum raised her head and stared at him in irritation, making her blonde hair and green eyes more visible under the candlelight.

"He returns tomorrow."

Aaron nodded slowly.

’Please stop glaring at me. It’s just one question. Oh, right... I should be in bed.’

He forced a tired yawn and glanced at every face at the table.

"Today’s training really took a toll on my body. I’m afraid I need to go to bed."

Susan—Aaron’s mum—smiled sweetly.

"Go to bed, dear. You don’t need to apologize for resting. Abbie and I will clear the dishes."

Abigail groaned loudly from where she sat.

"Mom! You’re spoiling him too much."

Susan ignored Abigail’s retorts and escorted Aaron to his bedroom, but not before forcing him to take some bitter medication for his body aches, which, in reality, were nonexistent.

Aaron lay silently on his bed as he stared blankly at the ceiling.

It was almost midnight, and everyone had gone to bed. According to Abigail, it was around this hour that Damien’s red-haired girlfriend entered their house and headed to Damien’s room, but he hadn’t heard a single sound that indicated the presence of an outsider in the house.

Damien’s room wasn’t very far from his own. In fact, it was on the same corridor. It was impossible for anyone to head toward Damien’s room without walking past his door.

’So why?’

It was already an hour past midnight, and he still had not heard a single soul walk past his door.

Beginning to feel frustrated, he got off his bed and paced around his room restlessly.

Unable to take it anymore, he marched to his door, opened it slightly, and rested his curious gaze on his brother’s room.

He narrowed his eyes.

The dim candlelight escaping from underneath the door indicated that his brother was still awake. And... He was hearing a few whispers. Whispers he hadn’t heard when he remained in his room. Whispers that clearly indicated his brother definitely was not alone in the room.

Aaron frowned in confusion.

’How the hell did she sneak in without my notice?’

He had been awake for hours, waiting patiently to hear someone walk past his room, but he heard nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Aaron was certain she had not been in the room before he went to bed. Abigail had confirmed it herself on his behalf. He was damn certain. He hated to admit it.

But the only logical conclusion was that the strange girl had sneaked into their house like she had always done and entered his brother’s room without his notice.

’Despite how hard I tried to notice!’

However, now that he thought of it, it made more sense. Abigail had claimed the girl had been coming around for a while now, and he never knew. If he had caught her just by staying awake, then it made more sense for him to have already accidentally caught her on one of the days she visited. He wasn’t a very deep sleeper.

Taking his body off his door, Aaron closed it noiselessly and crept back to his bed.

He stared blankly at the ceiling with an expression that was way too mature for the face of an eleven-year-old.

’That confirms it. She’s abnormal.’

Aaron had not met or seen this red-haired girl, but if there was a girl who was roughly Damien’s age, capable of training Damien, and could easily evade his senses without even actively trying...

Then there was only one explanation for such a feat.

She was probably one of the true prodigies of this world or possibly...

’A reincarnated person... Like me.’

Aaron’s face froze at this sudden and unacceptable realization. Lying in the deep darkness his room offered him, his heart pounded wildly. He didn’t know if it was pounding out of excitement or fear, but he knew he had to meet this mysterious girl at all costs.

He was no longer patient. In fact, he was restlessly impatient.

For a moment, he frantically wandered around his room, rambling inaudible words to himself. He deliberated for a short moment before giving his door a decisive hard stare. Before he knew it, he had already walked out of his room.

He strode purposefully to Damien’s door, took a deep breath, tried unsuccessfully to calm his shaky legs, and then gave the door a single loud knock.