Ryuu nodded. “Exactly.”
Zoe leaned her head against Gage’s shoulder as he choked up a bit. “I think I’m going to like being the older brother for a change.”
“Are they twins like us?” Neil asked.
Ame shook his head. “No, I am twenty years older.”
“I am more outgoing. Ame likes to stay at home,” Yuki added.
Zoe looked down. “Do you wish you had stayed in Japan? Everything is different here. Will you get homesick?”
Both boys shook their heads back and forth repeatedly. “No! Ryuu-sama said we could have a real home here. A real family. He is honorable. He did not lie.” Ame held onto her sleeve with both hands. “We are not things to you.”
“I won’t ask again. Instead, I’ll share with you everything about this place as I learn it. I have just arrived, and before that, I was kept alone, so everything is new to me too. We’ll discover things together.”
Ame and Yuki exchanged glances, then nodded to her. “We’d like that.”
Yuki leaned back to look up at Gage. “What do we do to keepAneuesafe?”
“Her fire magic gets out of hand sometimes. Your main priority is to ensure she’s safe. Your second priority will be to minimize damage to any structure we’re in or around,” Gage explained.
“Gage, that sounded too much like orders,” Zoe said, fussing at him.
Yuki and Ame half bowed in their chairs. “We appreciate clear orders so that we can best serve you.”
“I want you to have time to yourselves too. Is there anything you want or want to learn?” Zoe asked.
Ame looked to Yuki, who nodded his support before Ame’s eyes fell to his hands in his lap. “I would like to learn more about cooking and serving a house in the same manner a squire would.”
Yuki looked at Gage. “I would like to learn how to fight. That way, I can keep myAneueand my brother safe.”
“Ame is more than welcome to come to the palace on his days off. I can show him recipes and what I do to support the queen,” Cord offered.
“I will also help for as long as I’m here,” Ryuu added.
Gage turned to Aiden, looking a bit lost.
Aiden raised a brow. “Not so easy, is it? Looking after a younger warrior.” He sat back and looked at Yuki. “We can come up with some abbreviated drills for him. Sascha has studied martial arts and can help,” he eyed Yuki. “I don’t say that because you’re from Japan, but martial arts are one of the best equalizers I have seen in battle. Your size would not be a hindrance.”
Yuki bowed. “I will be guided by myAniue’slord.”
Aiden’s eyebrows shot up. “Lord?”
Yuki tilted his head. “Is that not the term?”
Aiden cleared his throat. “You can just call me commander. It’s what I am.”
“Thank you for correcting my words.”
Pip tugged on Meryn’s sleeve in much the same manner Ame had to her. “Can I do introductions?”
Meryn gave a nod. “Good idea. You’re the best at them.”
Pip’s chest puffed out, and he stood. In his own way of speaking, he went around the table and introduced everyone, including interesting observations from his time with them. Zoe found his simple words and phrasing to be enchanting.
Looking down, she noticed that Ame and Yuki were nodding as they listened. Pip’s easy way of speaking meant the boys could follow along. When he was done, Ame looked up at her and pointed to Oron. “That one changed his name to Vi’Eirlea, becoming Lady Meryn’s brother, but he was already tied to her because her cousin is mated to Oron’s adopted brother?”
Zoe frowned. “Yes, exactly. It is a bit of a tangle, isn’t it?”