"To our sister-in-law, of course," Karl said almost imdiately. "Did you not see our brother carrying it? Do you think he would carry just any woman’s scarf?"
Felix turned to him and pursed his lips.
Even Jasper pinched the space between his brows. "I think I have had enough for today. I can’t take his antics anymore."
"What antics?" Karl protested. "Do you think I am joking? If I am, then tell what you think. Whose scarf is that?"
"I think Big Brother is not the type to carry won’s accessories around like that. He might have got one simply to calm Eira down," Jasper said. Then, turning to Felix, he added his reason, "Didn’t you say that Eira had been missing her mother recently? It might be his way of dealing with it."
Felix’s gaze remained distant as he thought back.
What Jasper said wasn’t impossible to believe. But his instincts told him otherwise.
"That scarf," Felix began, his tone soft but analytical, "it looked very plain and simple."
Nothing like a planted prop.
"Felix," Karl cut in, "you are a great designer, and no one could ever doubt it. But can you not look down on other people’s designs? It was just a simple scarf. There’s nothing wrong with it being plain and simple."
Felix’s brows furrowed.
Jasper pressed a hand over his shoulder. "Don’t think too much. It might really be just a simple trick to soothe Eira." He checked the ti on his watch and took a deep breath. "It’s getting late. Go back and rest."
He gently patted Felix’s shoulder once before looking at Karl
" And you ... don’t stir up any more trouble. Learn your lesson when you have a chance. You aren’t getting any younger."
"I am not turning old overnight either," Karl argued.
Jasper didn’t bother responding. Sighing, he shook his head and turned away. "I can’t deal with you anymore." He waved dismissively and walked off.
Karl wanted to argue further, but Jasper was already gone. In the end, he turned to Felix.
"Felix, did you —"
He paused when he noticed Felix wasn’t listening at all, but was lost in his own thoughts.
"Are you still thinking of that scarf?" he asked, but got no response.
Sighing, he stepped closer and rested one arm over Felix’s shoulder in a casual manner. "Fine, tell , what do you need to do? Should I get you so premium silk fabrics?"
Felix frowned and turned to look at him.
Karl blinked. "What? You aren’t thinking about fabrics?"
Felix’s gaze dropped to the arm resting on his shoulder. He pushed it away with one finger and stepped aside, putting distance between them.
"I think I have also had enough for tonight. I will head back."
With that, he turned and left.
Karl tried to stop him, but gave up when he saw Felix walking away. Pressing his lips together, he sighed.
"These guys are truly heartless. Can they be a little more human? I am their own brother. yet —"
He sighed again, shaking his head.
"Three brothers, yet I am alone," he said, lanting. "If only I had one sister-in-law, things would have been better. Task ... If Old Demon really had a girlfriend, I would be much safer. But my luck isn’t that good."
You can make yourself lucky, a voice replied in his mind, and his eyes lit up.
He nodded decisively, "Yes, I can make myself lucky. All I have to do is get Big Brother a girlfriend. Once that happens, Eira gets a mom, and I get a sister-in-law. Yes!"
"Sister-in-law?"
"Yes, a sister-in-law —who will also be my shield against Old Demon," Karl replied instinctively, still carried by excitent.
Then his brows furrowed.
He had answered ... without checking who had spoken.
He turned slowly to look, only to find a young man standing not far away, leaning casually against the wall, polite but amusent flickering in his eyes.
His fra looked lean and harmless —but Karl knew better. The more harmless this man looked, the more dangerous he was. Otherwise, he would have been on Old Demon’s side.
"A-Asher?" Karl called, his expression shifting instantly. "When did you get here?"
Asher smiled before pushing himself off the wall. "Just a little earlier than it would have been comfortable for you, Young Master Karl."
Karl cleared his throat and laughed awkwardly, "Haha ... It’s been a while since I last saw you. Where have you been all these days?"
"I was arranging your stay at the southern borders."
"Borders?"
Asher nodded. "Yes. Boss said that you need training. So, what could be better than the real-ti military training at the borders?"
Only then did Karl realize how close he had co to disaster.
He had almost been sent to the borders. The actual borders.
Thank goodness, he escaped. Or else, he couldn’t even imagine —
"There is no need now," he said, slinging an arm around Asher’s shoulders. "I talked to Brother. And he realized he needs here more than he needs anywhere else. So, I am not going anywhere."
Asher stared at him and nodded like he had already received the change in orders. "Maybe for now."
"What do you an by for now?"
"Boss said to keep the arrangents on hold. They might be needed again in the future."
"They won’t be," Karl said, almost imdiately. "I am not going anywhere. If you want, you can keep it on hold, keep it as long as you want —it will just waste resources."
He paused and then added again. "But that’s also fine. It’s not like my Brother can’t afford it."
Asher said nothing. He only nodded.
"You ca looking for Brother, didn’t you?" Karl asked —but he didn’t wait for an answer. "Good. Go ahead. I still have sothing to do."
Before Asher could respond, Karl was already on his bike, starting the engine.
I need to act fast ... before it’s too late, he thought to himself —and sped away.
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