While the St. Claire estate was filled with joy at the return of their Young Master, a similar situation was seen in the Tanner household.

The two young masters had returned and along with them had come a new guest whom they had never seen before.

The Duke wasn't in the estate so it was only the Duchess who was around to welcome her sons and the newcomer who had arrived today.

Topher had arrived a lot earlier than Taylor who had brought someone else with him.

The mother and son had been seated in the Parlor when the butler of the household informed them of the second young master's arrival.

The two did not head out but instead, waited for Taylor to appear in the Parlor.

Duchess Beatrice Tanner smiled when she saw her younger son entering the room but soon raised her brow at what was in his hands.

The wooden picnic basket he had carried into the room was at the center of the Duchess's attention and this did not change until the boy sat next to her.

"Mother, there's someone you should meet,

" Taylor confessed as he slowly lifted the lid of the picnic basket.

The mother leaned closer to take a peek at what was inside but Topher made no such efforts, implying that he was already aware of what his brother was planning to do.

The noble lady's eyes widened at the sight she found inside and she raised her head, gawking at her son in surprise and confusion.

The gloating look on Taylor's face which also depicted his pride made Topher scoff at him but the Duchess was too overwhelmed with excitement at what she saw to notice her elder son's reaction.

She wished to inquire about it yet stopped when she saw him reaching his hands into the basket.

As she watched from the side, Taylor picked up the one whom he wished to introduce to his mother.

A grey short-haired cat with black stripes going against the length of its body was soon placed on his lap.

"I've decided to call him Celestial.

" Taylor declared while rubbing the back of the cat who seemed to be enjoying the gentle massage.

Duchess Tanner gushed at the beautiful cat her son had brought home and wanted nothing more than to pick him up and embrace the feline.

However, before she could act upon her desires, the cat's eyes fluttered open before it raised its head in her direction.

Those piercing golden eyes were disoriented at first from its nap but they were now looking into her eyes, causing the Duchess to freeze in place.

"Cel, be nice! That's my mother.

" Taylor chided when he noticed that his cat was now growling at her right in his presence.

As though Celestial understood what he had just said, it licked his arm before laying back down on his lap like the obedient little kitten it was.

Witnessing this sight was shocking for the Duchess who widened her eyes once again.

She had thought that her son had picked up this splendid-looking stray cat somewhere on his way back home but now seemed to have a different conclusion, especially after learning that the cat understood and obeyed him so well.

"Is Celestial an etcher, son?

" She inquired and gasped when he nodded in reply.

This was the surprise he had prepared for his family and his friends who would also be meeting his etcher soon.

Topher did not interfere as Taylor began to narrate how and where he had met his fated beast, also explaining why he had not brought it back home until now.

At the Royal Academy, there were a few boys who brought their etchers along with them but most of them left their beasts in the safe confines of their home.

This was not only to keep their etchers safe but also to protect the pride of a few other noble children who had not yet found their fated beast and might never be able to do the same in the future as well.

However, Taylor's circumstances were different and hence he had kept Celestial with him at the Academy from when they had formed a bond until it was time for them to return to the Capital for their short break.

Thinking of etchers, Topher recalled that he had been unable to see Rouge, his red fox, for so many months.

Therefore, while his mother and brother were diving deep into some other topics, he chose to head over to see what his etcher was up to.

He had met her the moment he returned home but felt that their brief reunion wasn't enough and hence was heading over there once again.

The pair of mother and son did not notice that Topher had left the room as they were too engrossed with catching up about the events that had taken place in the last six months.

The Duchess was at the center of the noble society so Taylor learned a lot from her encounters and in the same way, the young boy was adept at keeping track of how his peers were doing in the Academy.

Thus right now, they were sharing notes about what had taken place in their absence.

"I wasn't the only one who found an etcher, mother.

" Taylor confessed when he thought of another person who had also found their etcher while staying at the Academy.

Duchess Tanner wasn't surprised to hear the name of this other person and knew that soon the entire Capital would hear all about it as well.

She then went on to add that a lot had taken place while the boys had been away at the Academy.

She spoke about the Jorbin family who had relocated to the Capital, the lack of an engagement between the Kiron and Yona family, and also the much talked about the affair of Earl Blaise which had garnered too much attention among the noble families in the last few months.

"Stanley has no clue,

" Taylor revealed as the last part had somehow reached the Academy as well but everyone made sure to keep this matter away from the ears of Earl Blaise's only son.

It was common for noblemen to have mistresses but they kept them hidden from the family and under no circumstances would the status of these ladies be equal to or higher than the legal wife.

However, no matter how one was to put it, the son of the legal wife would be annoyed to hear such nonsense being spread about their family.

While Taylor did not have much contact with Stanley Blaise, he knew that the other boy was someone who minded his own business and did not cause problems for others.

'Zimon Yona is the only issue here…' He frowned as that was the only person he was cautious against.

That boy did not care if he stomped on the pride of someone else as long as he got what he aimed for.

Everyone hoped that Stanley would be kept in the dark about what was going on in his household but only Zimon Yona did not pay any attention to it.

There was no saying when he might blurt something out before Stanley.

Thankfully, nothing of that sort had taken place until now but who could predict what would happen now that they were all in Amarthea.

'Hope the two do not meet each other..' Taylor scoffed as that would be the best for both Stanley and everyone around them.