Chapter 4: Neighbours
Ethan’s expressions started to darken, but he knew that whatever she just said wasn’t exaggerated. He let a sigh pass through his nose before continuing. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you for thinking about my health."
A bright smile appeared on his face while he looked at Athena. The moment she noticed his smile, her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t let it take over her. Quickly, she composed herself even before anyone could notice.
Ethan walked over to the bed and sat in a corner. He faced Athena and Isolde and said politely. "It’s almost 3 AM; we should go to sleep, or you both will have dark circles." His tone was cheesy, trying to tease them.
An uneasy silence settled over them. The mere thought of waking up with dark circles was enough to make any woman anxious, and neither Athena nor Isolde wished to see their beauty hindered because of it.
Athena closed her eyes, while Isolde quietly sank back onto the bed and did the same, determined to get as much sleep as possible.
Ethan chuckled lightly, but it was enough for them to take notice of. Athena’s brows furrowed, but she didn’t say anything and kept her eyes closed, trying to fall asleep.
Ethan slowly lowered himself onto the bed. Closing his eyes, he relaxed his body and, within moments, quietly drifted off to sleep alongside the other two.
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Hours passed as the bright rays of sun finally stretched across the land. Through the windows, some of it reflected over the floor. A cool morning breeze entered alongside them.
Ethan was the first one to wake up; he lifted himself and sat. He stretched his arms deeper into the air.
A yawn left his mouth as he looked at his wives; both of them were asleep soundly. Yet both of them looked magnificent beneath the morning sun.
Their ocean-blue and raven-black hair shimmered under the golden rays, making their already breathtaking beauty appear even more mesmerising.
’These two... are way out of my league.’ He muttered inwardly.
He shook his head, letting these thoughts slip away as he travelled towards the hall. When he entered the chamber, loud knocking sounds echoed through the room. The sound was coming from outside.
He didn’t waste any time and opened the front gate. Two women stood there; wooden baskets hung in their hands. Fruits, dairy products, and many more eatables were kept in them.
Ethan’s attention shifted back to them as he asked. "Yes? How may I help you, ladies?"
The blonde-haired woman, a blue headband resting neatly across her forehead, stepped forward with a warm smile.
"You’re our new neighbours, so Sara and I thought we’d stop by with a few things to welcome you." She lifted the basket slightly. "Please accept these as a small housewarming gift."
Ethan slightly hesitated to accept the offer; every normal human being would have accepted it without even thinking twice. But after what happened yesterday, he had to be cautious about his surroundings.
Then a thought clicked inside his mind. ’Wait... didn’t I get a skill named ’Eyes of Providence’? Let’s see if it works.’
Ethan’s irises widened; the colour of his eyes leant towards bright gold, although it wasn’t visible to anyone else.
A blue translucent screen flickered in his sight; entries were listed over it.
═══════════════════
◇ EYES OF PROVIDENCE ◇
═══════════════════
[Target Analysis]
───────────────────
[Name]
└ Sara
[Threat Level]
└ A-Rank
[Talent]
└ B
[Potential]
└ A
[Loyalty]
└ Neutral
[Current Intent]
└ Welcoming the new neighbours.
[Personality Traits]
└ Quiet
└ Blunt
└ Protective
└ Kind-hearted
[Hidden Injuries]
└ Old scar tissue across the right shoulder.
└ Mana pathways slightly strained.
[Fate Value]
└ High
[Concealed Objects]
└ Greatsword (Spatial Storage)
└ Emergency Healing Potion ×2
[Falsehood]
└ None Detected
[Remarks]
└ Will only resort to violence if someone precious to her is threatened.
═══════════════════
[Target Analysis]
───────────────────
[Name]
└ Elina
[Threat Level]
└ None
[Talent]
└ D
[Potential]
└ C
[Loyalty]
└ Friendly
[Current Intent]
└ Delivering a housewarming gift.
[Personality Traits]
└ Gentle
└ Compassionate
└ Humble
└ Nurturing
[Hidden Injuries]
└ None
[Fate Value]
└ Average
[Concealed Objects]
└ None
[Falsehood]
└ None Detected
[Remarks]
└ Possesses no hostile intentions.
═══════════════════
After he read through it whole, he took a breath of relief. Right away, a warm smile appeared on his face, gesturing with his hand towards the inside. "Please don’t stand outside. We can talk while having tea, right?"
A smile on Elina’s face brightened as she covered her mouth and muttered. "You’re so gentle, mister."
She stepped through the doorway, with Sara following closely behind. Ethan’s gaze instinctively shifted to the woman behind her.
Sara was anything but ordinary. Her towering figure stood nearly seven feet tall, her broad, muscular frame exuding raw strength.
Every step she took carried an imposing presence, as though the air itself grew heavier around her. Even standing silently, she radiated an aura that made it impossible to overlook her.
’Is she a giant or something? Because I’ve never seen a woman that tall in my entire life.’ Ethan said inwardly.
But he composed himself, walked towards the couch, and made them both sit there. He looked towards their bedroom before continuing. "Please wait here; I’ll bring my wives too." He said softly.
"It’s fine, we can wait," Elina said.
Ethan gave a soft nod before making his way to their bedroom; he noticed that both Athena and Isolde were already awake.
Isolde was sitting with her legs still crossed; her back was leant next to the bed’s support. On the other hand, Athena lay there staring aimlessly at the ceiling.
"Were we expecting guests?" Athena asked; her tone remained neutral.
Ethan shook his head once and stopped beside Athena. "No, we weren’t expecting any guests," he said calmly. "Our neighbours came over to bring us some food supplies as a housewarming gift. Don’t worry, they’re not harmful to us."
His words raised a sense of confusion in her mind. "How are you so sure?"
Ethan leant next to her, rested his elbow over the bed, and gave support to his chin. "During my childhood, I was often bored. There wasn’t much to do at the Pendragon Estate, so I spent my time studying human psychology." He smiled faintly before continuing, "That’s why I’m so confident in my judgement of people."