Ash drifted through the broken windows like black snowflakes as Rion stood in what remained of the great hall, clutching the tiny hand in his. The girl’s fingers trembled inside his own. She was only seven, too young to understand why the world she knew had burned overnight. Rion was seventeen, old enough to understand everything and young enough to feel the ache of it like a fresh bruise. His father’s final words echoed in his skull, louder than the crackle of dying embers as he gave the little girl to Rion. “Take care of her son....” Rion hadn’t realized those were farewell words. Not until he found his father among the fallen, near the noble lord and lady he had served his entire life. The betrayal had been swift. Unexpected. The kind that came from someone trusted. It's been ten years since that experience. Rion fulfilled his father's wish but in the process... he's stuck with this bratty girl who he unintentionally spoils rotten. " I expect you will stop behaving like a child and listen" Rion scolds, but there's an unavoidable fondness, affection in his eyes which ruins every scolding session