"When will you stop being childish, Javier?"
Javier flinched and spun around at the voice, one hand flying up to rub the back of his head with a sheepish grin. The grin froze the moment he saw who it was. His shoulders dropped, and his expression flattened into pure annoyance.
"Damn you, Cedric. Don't use Father's voice like that. You almost gave me a heart attack."
Cedric walked toward them across the sand, wearing a pair of dark blue beach trunks, his posture calm and composed. Marcellus strolled beside him, hands behind his head, whistling a lazy tune as he took in the scene with amused eyes.
"I don't sound like Father."
Aelius, Marcellus, and Athine, all turned their heads at once, fixing Cedric with narrow, skeptical stares.
Cedric blinked, glancing around at their expressions in confusion. He spread his hands slightly, his brow furrowing.
"What? It's true!"
Javier let out a short, flat scoff before pointing at Cedric.
