Gifted

Once everyone returned to the mansion with Scott in tow, it was safe to say that everything became more hectic and all over the place, than it already was, at Lady Maria's Guild. Scott's guild members rushed to him and not so forcefully took him from Bobby and Cameron who was helping him first.

"They're really passionate, aren't they" Bobby said with a low voice that only him and Cameron could hear, as he watched Scott's guild members support him like he was made out of glass.

"I guess you could say that" Cameron said with a wry smile.

Then all of a sudden, a loud voice boomed, causing Cameron to jump in surprise.

"What the heck-" Cameron muttered with a deep frown on his face.

"Bring Master Scott to the best private quarters here, hurry! And for goodness sake, can somebody find something to cover up our beloved Master! It is not right for our Guild Master to be humiliated like this! And why are none of you melting that gigantic ice coffin, can't you people see that Hyun is in there?!" Arthur started throwing out commands, like he owns the place.

"Isn't he taking the 'make yourself at home' thing a little too seriously?" Fleur remarked with an ugly frown on her face. From the get go, she admitted that Arthur was more of a diva than her. But his actions and pretentiousness is going way over the top for her own liking.

A young Gifted from Scott's guild was about to melt the ice coffin when Scott suddenly shouted.

"Nobody touch that ice coffin, unless I say so!" Scott commanded with a hard and authoritative voice, causing the young Gifted that was about to melt the ice coffin to cower in fear.

"But-" Arthur was about to argue, only to be silenced by Scott, when the latter glared at him.

Getting irritated and more embarrassed that he already is, Scott shot a glare at Arthur that says "Shut the hell up!". Thankfully, Arthur's sensitivity towards Scott helped a lot, that when he saw Scott glaring at him, he immediately shut his mouth.

"Scott" Maria's calm voice entered Scott's ears, prompting him to turn his head and see Maria walking towards him.

"Thank you Lady Maria for the help that you've sen met. If it weren't for them, I would've been already dead by now." Scott said with sincere gratitude in his voice.

Arthur badly wanted to retort something about Scott being saved by Lady Maria's guild, when in his mind and truth it was the other way around; but he kept his mouth shut as Scott was still glaring at him.

"Well, I'm just glad that you are alive." Maria said with a gentle smile on her face, before turning to the Gifteds that are currently supporting Scott's body.

"Follow Isabelle, she will lead you to a room where Scott can rest and recuperate from his injuries" Maria instructed the Gifteds, to which the Gifted obeyed immediately before saying their thanks.

As the day turned into night, things seemed to have calmed down, even for just a little bit. A stray Shadow or two has successfully wandered their way towards the Guild mansion but were easily taken care off. So far, the Shadows are still ransacking the rest of the most populated place in the Castle, which in turn gave everyone in Maria's guild some breathing room.

Gifteds who are still fit and are in great condition were instructed to take turns in guarding the mansion from any potential threats.

The moment Jae had slightly recovered, he went and started treating patients left and right, without any regard on his own health. Not even his wife could stop him from doing his duty. It was only when most of patients has been taken cared for, that Maria has finally convinced Jae to stop and take a rest, to which he reluctantly obliged.

Rooms to accommodate Scott's guild members has also been a challenge, as Maria's Guild Mansion is not as big as the other three. Thankfully, Pearl suggested that everyone from Maria's guild will move to the main mansion, since there are still plenty of vacant rooms available; so that Scott's guild members can move into the dorm house. The plan was perfect, so Maria implemented it immediately.

Along with all the things that has been happening inside the mansion, what also worried Maria is that they still haven't heard a single word from Lady Oba or even the Grandmaster ever since this whole ordeal happened, which casted a looming dark cloud over her heart.

Although worried, Maria decided to focus on things that they can do, as it would only burned them more if she kept on overthinking.

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When Halberd finally opened his eyes, he slowly blinked the blurriness on his eyes away and was greeted by a ceiling above him. As Halberd slowly supported himself with his arms to help himself into a sitting position, the lights in the room automatically turned on. The light's brightness matched Halberd's pace, in order not to suddenly shock Halberd with blinding light. Halberd was scanning the unfamiliar dimly lit room when the door to the room slid open, causing him to swiftly turn his head to its direction.

The moment he turned his head, his eyes widen in disbelief, as unshed tears started to pool on his eyes. His whole system was shocked to the core, causing his body to tremble. He felt like his heart was going to burst out of his c.h.e.s.t because of how hard it kept beating. He stared in disbelief as the person in front of him gave him the most sweetest smile, that he'd never thought he would ever see again.

"Oh, you're awake!" The person in front of him said in surprise which caused her eyes to sparkle.

As the familiar soft and gentle voice entered Halberd's ears, it only confirmed even more that what he is seeing is real. It only proved that he wasn't just seeing things and that he wasn't actually loosing his mind.

The person walked over to the side of the bed and placed the tray she was carrying on the bedside table before taking a sit on the bed.

"Cha-Charlotte?" Halberd's raspy voice trembled, as he slowly reached out to Charlotte's face with trembling hands.

Charlotte's tender and loving gaze never left her husband, as Halberd's hands reached out to her. Once Halberd was able to gently cup Charlotte's face, his hands started to tremble even more as tears started streaming down on his cheeks.

"Y-You're real! It really is you!" Halberd's voice broke, as his arms swiftly wrapped around Charlotte in tight embrace.

"I thought- I thought, I would never see you again!" Halberd cried as he held on to Charlotte for dear life. His embrace on Charlotte was so tight, as if Charlotte would suddenly vanish.

"You're still such a big crybaby" Charlotte said with a gentle soft voice, which only made Halberd cry even harder.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you! I'm so sorry Charlotte! I'm so so sorry!" Halberd kept apologizing as he continued to cry on her arms.

"Shhhh.....It's all in the past now. What matters now is that we are both alive" Charlotte consoled Halberd with a gentle soothing voice, as she gently rubbed Scott's back.

Halberd didn't know how long he cried but Charlotte never once let go of him, which made his heart gently squeeze.

Once Halberd finally calmed down, he finally let go of Charlotte and created some distance between them.

Halberd looked into Charlotte's eyes with determination and said.

"I know that it's shameless of me to ask you this but please give me another chance to be your servant. I swear on my life that I will protect you, even if it means my death. Just please, please give me another chance." Halberd begged but the gentle smile on Charlotte's face suddenly vanished, which made Halberd's heart drop.

"I'm sorry that I even asked. I know a person like me doesn't deserve a second chance" Halberd said with a self deprecating laugh, as he hang his head low in shame and embarrassment.

After a few second of agonizing silence from Charlotte, she finally spoke.

"I can no longer be your master, Halberd" Charlotte said with great tenderness in her voice, that Halberd felt like she was still consoling him, which made him feel even more shameful and embarrassed.

"I know" Halberd said with a sad voice but he definitely didn't expect what he heard next.

"Halberd, you are my husband and I'm your wife. We are equals. How can I treat my husband as someone lower that me?" Charlotte said which made Halberd's head shot up and gaze at her with disbelief.

"It is all in the past Halberd. We no longer live a life that's bound by our families' traditions. Now, you are Halberd, my husband and I am Charlotte, your wife." Charlotte said lovingly, as she stares deep into Halberd's eyes with pure una.d.u.l.terated love.

What Charlotte said made Halberd snap out of his old thinking and helped him realize who he currently is. Status doesn't mean anything anymore, as they are already free from the bounds of tradition. Their past doesn't matter anymore, because now, him and Charlotte can make a new beginning. Them being reunited in the Castle is actually Halberd's second chance. A second chance to be with his wife and a second chance at a new beginning.

Realizing everything, Halberd's heart bursts with love as he once again gently cupped Charlotte's face with both hands, before kissing her with fervent passion. Charlotte kissed her husband back with the same passion, as she slowly wrap her arms around Halberd's neck. Transferring his hands on his wife's back, Halberd gently laid Charlotte on the bed without breaking their connected lips.

When Halberd broke away from the kiss, both were left breathless. Their faces were just millimeters apart, as they both stared into each other's eyes with so much love and extreme longing for each other. They breathed the same air while their hearts beat the same rhythm. The temperature in the room definitely turned up from the couple's intense passion.

"I love you Charlotte Nightingale. I will forever love you for as long as I live" Halberd said with great tenderness, before kissing his wife once again.

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The couple lay on the bed, in each other's arms, tangled in sheets, as they quietly basked in the afterglow of their intense and steamy lovemaking.

Charlotte's head lay on Halberd's left c.h.e.s.t with a content smile plastered on her face, while she idly traced the peaks and valleys of her husband's abs with her finger. Ever since Charlotte had met Halberd, her eyes were always drawn to his abdominal muscles and continued marveling at how perfectly sculpted they are.

Halberd's left arm is wrapped around his wife's shoulders while his head rests on his right arm. He really could help but grin like a loon, as he kept thinking that after being separated for so many years, they have finally reunited. He's still pinching himself, whenever he sees his wife on his arms.

The quiet pink atmosphere was disturbed when a sudden loud beeping noise filled the room.

"What is that?" Halberd slowly sat up, when Charlotte broke away from him.

Charlotte got out of bed in all her n.a.k.e.d glory and almost gave Halberd a heart attack when she bent over, giving him a full view of her luscious assets. Seeing her husband's l.u.s.t filled eyes, Charlotte stealthily smirked triumphantly before fishing out her MGC from her discarded clothes on the floor.

When Charlotte unlocked her MGC, a simple message from Isabelle popped out on her screen.

"Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. If you wanna stay by your husband, I'll just bring you food instead. -Izzy"

Charlotte typed out a quick reply before turning back to his husband, who's obviously still checking her out.

"Dinner will be ready in thirty" Charlotte informed her husband with a knowing smile before continuing "C'mon, I'll help you get cleaned up." which caused her husband to let out a d.e.s.i.r.e filled smile.

"You're gonna take a bath with me?" Halberd questioned with a raised brow, while smiling mischievously.

"Of coarse, you are still recovering. Plus, it would save time" Charlotte just said like it's the most logical thing to say, while giving her husband a seductive wink before entering the bathroom.

Except for the minor detail that they've already partook in an extensive exercise session and Halberd is clearly still okay, the "recovering injured" part was clearly just an excuse. But the "saving time" one was definitely a valid enough reason, for them to bathe together. And with that conclusion, Halberd hurriedly got out of bed and entered the bathroom in records time.

As the warm water fell on their tried muscles, Halberd couldn't help but keep staring at his once ripped shoulder with disbelief and amazement. He was only able to notice it now, since a lot of things happened earlier but seeing his fully healed shoulder, absolutely amazed him.

He still remembered vividly how his shoulder got ripped off and the excruciating pain that it brought, but when he touched his shoulder, it felt like nothing ever happened to it. There were no scars nor wounds on his shoulders, which really dumbfounded Halberd.

"I can't wait for you to meet the person that saved you" Charlotte said when she caught her husband staring and touching his shoulder, which snapped Halberd out of his trance.

The husband and wife continued bathing together and thankfully stayed true to their word of "saving time", as they got out of the shower room with still having fifteen minutes to prepare, get dressed and head to the dinning pavilion.

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On the other hand.

The moment June arrived at the Guild mansion, he immediately carried Andrew to his room and gently lay his brother on the bed.

Warm golden flames danced around June's left hand, when he placed it on Andrew's c.h.e.s.t. The flames spread out through Andrew's body, as it began healing and restoring his lost energy. June kept his hand on Andrew's c.h.e.s.t for an hour before he removed it. June went to the bathroom and filled up a small basin with water before walking out. June proceeded to gently strip Andrew off of his dirty clothes, only leaving his boxer b.r.i.e.f.s on, before wiping his body with a clean towel.

Once June felt that he'd clean most of Andrew's body, he carefully tucked Andrew between the sheets, before heading to the bathroom once again to throw the water and cleaned the towel that he'd just used.

After June got out of the bathroom, he went to check on Andrew once again. Seeing the steady rise and fall of Andrew's c.h.e.s.t, June let out a tired sigh before gently brushing the stray strands of hair on Andrew's face with a soft smile on his face.

As June quietly sat on the couch near Andrew's bed, the door to Andrew's roomed opened. Jordan quietly peeked inside and saw June with an amused smile on his face because of his playful antics. With a soft chuckle, June gestured for Jordan to enter the room before patting the empty space on the couch beside him.

Jordan quietly entered the room, making sure not to disturb Andrew's rest, and sat next June.

"How are you feeling?" June asked with a low voice, once Jordan sat beside him.

"It's really crazy out there" Jordan honestly answered with a tired sigh, as he hugged his katana close to him.

June ruffled Jordan's hair before he gently pulled his youngest bother's head onto his shoulder.

"I know you're tired. You take a rest, I'll watch over the both of you." June said with brotherly love, while wrapping his arm around Jordan's shoulders.

The moment Jordan's head laid on June's warm shoulder, he immediately felt drowsy.

"Okay" Jordan said with a yawn before completely snoozing off to dreamland.

June never thought that he'd care so much for someone other than his mother, but here he is with a family and friends that he couldn't even imagined of having in the past. At that moment, June sincerely thanked God for sending Andrew, Jordan and now Halberd to him, to become his brothers. Not just figuratively but also by blood.

Andrew slept for about three hours before he woke up. Andrew groggily sat up on his bed before noticing that he had nothing on except his boxer b.r.i.e.f.s.

"How'er you feeling?" June asked, causing Jordan to lift his head to see June and Jordan, who's still currently sleeping beside June.

Andrew couldn't help but smile at the adorable view in front of him, before saying.

"I feel oddly well rested" Andrew answered honestly

"Andrew"

"Yeah?"

"I'm proud of you!" June said with great pride in his voice, while giving Andrew a proud smile.

"Thanks" Andrew said shyly as he began to blush.

Jordan on the other hand, suddenly stirred awake.

"Oh, you're awake" Jordan said while yawning, when he saw Andrew sitting on the bed.

"How was your sleep?" June gently asked the still sleepy Jordan.

"It was really amazing" Jordan said with another yawn, before slowly rubbing his eyes.

It was then, that June's MGC vibrated. June fished out his MGC out of his pant's pocket and saw a message from Isabelle, that dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. June informed his two brothers of the message, before telling Andrew to take a bath. While Andrew is taking a bath, June and Jordan chatted with each other.