Xavier's mood was unusually upbeat as he strolled into the grand foyer of his family's estate. He greeted everyone with a genuine smile, a marked difference from his usual indifferent demeanor as he walked past the imposing marble columns and ancestral paintings. The staff looked at each other in confusion; their usually stoic young master was acting out of character today, and his cheerful voice reverberated off the high ceilings.

"Morning, Mrs. Potts," Xavier called to the housekeeper, his voice smooth but with an edge that hinted he wasn't entirely comfortable with this new approachable demeanor. Her response, a cautious smile paired with a twitch of surprise, was noted but...