“Now, let me introduce myself once again. I’m William, you can call me Uncle. Although you may not remember, I have seen you grow. You used to call me Uncle. As for your father was my—” his eyes flickered for a moment as his head drooped. Shaking his head, he looked up again and continued, “Your father is my friend. As a matter of fact, we’ve been friends since we were little brats.” He sighed as he shook his head.

“As William said, treat this place as your home,” a melodious voice which seemed to soothe the soul came from somewhere at my side.

Turning my head, I stared in the direction the voice came from. Standing there was a lady, her arctic colored hair tied behind in a neat ponytail. She was a young woman who looked to be in her late teens. Her luscious red lips curled in a warm smile as her azure eyes gazed at Uncle. She was leaning against the wall next to the window while sipping a cup of some drink. The sunlight brushed against her cheek, illuminating her face. Although she looked a bit haggard, her complexion was way healthier when compared to Uncle. Her act of just standing there filled the air with a noble poise, similar to that exuded by Uncle if not far exceeding that in every sense of the word. The leaves through the window seemed to dance while looking at her. Yet, there were small bags beneath her eyes and a few wrinkles here and there. Even then, she was capable enough to make heads turn wherever she went, even in the attire she was like right now, not to mention the situation when she would properly dress up.

Pulling my eyes away from here, I noticed that there was someone behind her, as evident by the small hand wrapped around her legs.

Uncle lowered his head for a little, looking to be in deep thought. He muttered something inaudible under his breath before he turned to the woman and said, “Aria, there are kids here. Reputation and image, maintain my reputation and image. Don’t do anything untoward.”

Oh… So she is Aria. I nodded to myself in understanding. Is she Uncle’s daughter?

Her brow twitched as she gave Uncle a weird look.

Uncle tilted his head to the side in response as he looked back at her, looking the picture of ‘Did I say anything wrong?’

Her eyes narrowed to slits as the smile on her face stiffened. A moment later, a confused expression replaced her smile as she cocked her head to the side as she asked, “Did it ever exist in the first place? I don’t remember anything like that?”

“Don’t remember what?” Uncle asked, his brows furrowing.

Looking pleased with herself, Aria replied in a monotone, “Your reputation.”

Uncle shot her a look as if he was being wronged.

Aira’s expression darkened as she said, exasperated, “Enough with the act. I’m too tired to continue it anymore. Come to the point.”

“Aria my wife, we talked about it before. I hope you remember it,” Uncle responded.

What the — his wife?! But the difference! I thought, flabbergasted. At same time, I couldn’t prevent an odd expression from crawling up my face. So do I call her Aunt?

“I hope you have given thought to what I said as well.” She replied in an irritated tone to Uncle before turning to me. In a polite tone contrasting with one from earlier, she asked, “Yes, kid, you got something to say?”

The change in tone… so fast… I was rendered flabbergasted and confused at the same time due to the scene which played out.

Subconsciously, I blurted what I wanted to ask, “Is it true that you’re her wife? I mean, he is an old man and you look so young.”

Aunt’s brows furrowed as an odd expression filled her face. Amusedly, she asked, “Where did you hear that?”

My gaze shifted to the unassuming looking boy in the corner, who was looking at the window. A moment later, he shivered a little. I could somewhat imagine the look on his face.

Aunt sighed as she resignedly replied, “I am your aunt. As for the age difference…” Her gaze darted towards Uncle before she sighed and said, “It’s the usual procedure. They forced a young, beautiful woman like me to marry a rich geezer for the sake of saving her parents. Isn’t that right?” Her tone was a blend of wrath, bitterness, and forgoing. I could somewhat sympathize with her.

Uncle’s expression became a bit grim as he stared at his feet, as if searching for something. Shaking his head, he whispered, “Aria, please, leave me some face. Or I wouldn’t be able to stand proud when facing kids again. Just… try to understand.” Although he had whispered, he was still loud enough that I could hear him clearly.

The lady sighed as she shook her head. Then, as if a new thought struck her, she blinked while giving an innocent look as she said, “Your thick skin can’t bear it? I’m amazed.” Although she tried to look confused, her slight smirk betrayed her.

“Aria…” Uncle spoke, practically begging now. In response, she sighed as she nodded her head, still smiling slightly.

Uncle looked up as he breathed a sigh. Then he turned to me, his voice filled with both pride and embarrassment as he flattered, “She is my wife, Aria. So, she would ofcourse be your Aunt. Ain’t she great? My wife is the best wife there is. She can do everything perfectly and no one can hold a candle to her. She is unmatchable…” Words flowed out of Uncle’s mouth as naturally as water flowing down a slope. Aunt looked at me with a wry smile. I smiled back at her, unsure of what to say.

After a while, she sighed and said, “Enough buttering, William. Get back to introductions. We don’t have all day. We have to eat breakfast and I have other matters to take care of afterwards.”

My eyes jumped a little after hearing those words as I realized that Uncle was still going on with the flattery, never stopping for even a breath in the middle. On top of that, he looked like he could keep on going for at least a few hours, as if it were a regular routine. At that moment, I couldn’t help but admire him a little. That level of buttering… Just amazing. I’m kind of impressed.

While I was still in admiration, Uncle looked at Aunt as if he had been wronged and said, “How can you say that Aria? What all I said was all true! There is no one in this world who can be as amazing as you are!” His devotion filled his eyes as he gazed at Aunt, looking the picture that he would go through hell and high water for her.