Kou walked behind Ciel, who was happily sampling various dishes and fruits, carrying a large assortment of food in his arms. As Ciel munched on a strange-looking fish skewered onto a small wooden stick, he turned to Kou and extended it towards him.
Ciel: "Kou! You have to try this, it's really good!"
He spoke while chewing the fish.
Kou sighed deeply..
Kou (thinking): "It's been nine days since he said he'd conduct research, but all he's done is wander around and laze about..."
Kou: "This is my clan, remember? Of course I know how the food tastes. That's Frostfin, it's a famous dish... And besides, shouldn't you be conducting research?!"
Ciel: "I'm just resting for a while."
A vein twitched on Kou's forehead out of frustration.
Kou: "Ciel! You said you came to my clan to conduct research! All you've done is stroll around!"
Ciel took another bite of the fish and swallowed it.
Ciel: "Calm down. That much anger isn't good for you."
Kou: "Take this seriously for once! I've been feeding a total stranger in my clan for nine days!!"
Ciel: "Come on, don't be so harsh. I'm taking this seriously enough. A little break doesn't hurt. Cheer up."
Kou: "I've had enough! If you don't take this seriously, I'll have you expelled from the clan!!"
Ciel: "Aw! Don't be so cruel!!"
Ciel clung to Kou's left side pleadingly, but Kou turned his head sharply to the right, refusing to look at him.
Ciel let out a sigh.
Ciel: "Alright, if you say so. Is there a famous or skilled mage you know in the clan?"
Kou thought for a moment.
Kou: "Actually, in almost every generation, the most powerful and skilled mage becomes the clan leader. My father is one of them. But..."
Ciel: "But what?"
Kou: "Forget it, let's just go."
Ciel: "Wait, let's buy a gift for your father!"
Kou: "Aren't the things I'm carrying enough?"
Ciel: "We're talking about the clan leader! Of course, it's not enough!!"
Kou: "Stop messing around. We bought all these with my money anyway!"
Ciel: "What could I do?! They either give you discounts or freebies because you're the heir!!"
Kou: "Enough! Let's go already! I want to get this over with..."
Ciel glanced at Kou seriously for a brief moment, raising his eyebrow, but quickly shook off his thoughts. He grabbed a bright red apple from Kou's bags and took a bite, following him closely.
***
Ciel and Kou stood before a long passage leading to a large wooden mansion, much of it covered in snow. As the gate opened, a servant respectfully bowed before them.
Munching on a variety of fruits, Ciel spoke with his mouth full.
Ciel: "You know, my clan is almost the same as this one. Except, of course, for the snow, the long mansion, and all that. But you already know, right? Every clan surrounds its territory with walls or barriers to mark their domain."
Kou answered tensely, not even looking at Ciel.
Kou: "Of course I know. I'm the heir to one of the three great clans..."
Ciel began to worry about Kou's demeanor but decided not to meddle.
Ciel: "My clan is actually hidden in a very secret place. Normally, it's lush and full of life. But in winter, it's covered in snow just like here. Anyway, right at the center of the clan, there's a huge ancient Japanese manor. Despite being ancient, it's as solid as iron... My father personally tested and approved it."
Kou: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ciel: "In the Voldrald clan, there's an abandoned tradition. When a child turns ten, their strength is tested by either their father or mother. And by tested, I mean they get beaten until they either pass out, fall into a coma, or worse. My father still upholds this tradition, but only at the main manor—his own house."
Kou chuckled. Kou: "What the heck? Did you get beaten too?"
Ciel let out a short laugh. Ciel: "My dad knocked me out for four whole days!"
They continued giggling as they walked through the mansion, but Kou's laughter abruptly stopped when a man with long brown hair, narrow black eyes, and a face resembling Kou's appeared in the hallway. Ciel initially didn't understand what was going on but quickly stopped laughing too.
Once the man passed, Ciel couldn't hold back his curiosity.
Ciel: "Who was that? That wasn't your father, right? He looks way too young..."
Kou: "No, that's not my father. My father is actually a very kind and gentle man. That was my older brother."
Ciel looked genuinely surprised. Ciel: "Your brother?"
Kou: "Yeah, I know. We barely look alike. Especially the hair color."
Ciel: "Then... is your father's hair blue?"
Kou: "No, my dad's hair is black. My mom's hair is like mine—kind of a faded blue. You could even call it ice blue."
Ciel thought for a moment, then casually grabbed a bag of potato chips from one of Kou's shopping bags and continued walking.
As Ciel and Kou kept moving through the corridor, they turned a corner—and Kou accidentally bumped into another tall, muscular man with long black hair. The man quickly caught both Kou and the bags before anything fell, then stepped back.
Man: "Kou, you brought a friend with you?—Wait a second, you..."
Ciel, munching on the potato chips, choked and coughed, then blurted out loudly:
Ciel: "MR. TARO?!"
Taro: "CIEL?!"