A thin layer of snow had gathered on the ground, and the man left shallow footprints in his wake.
Ethel followed his footprints from behind, hopping from one to the next, closely tailing him.
"Milty."
"Hmm?"
"Can I always stay by your side and live with you?"
…
The robot made its way to the East wing with a faint smile, familiar with the route.
The servants greeted her politely as she passed, all assuming she was Chloe.
From a small garden nearby, two voices could be heard.
"Dad, I think you should wait a little longer, Mom doesn't want to see you."
Theodore played with the flying robot that Alexander had given him, responding disinterestedly to Tristan beside him.
To win the child's affection, Tristan, far from looking like an adult, was seated on the ground with his brows tightly knit, watching him seriously.
"Do you know, these past few days Chase has been hanging around your mother?"