"Indee~ Indee!"
Silas was practically ushered—no, gently forced—into sitting down on the wooden sofa in the living room. The younger Indeedee sister placed a cup of red tea into his hands and urged him repeatedly to drink, her bright eyes filled with anticipation.
"Alright, alright, I'll drink."
He took a small sip. The tea entered his mouth with a light bitterness that quickly transformed into a lingering sweetness, smooth and refined on the tongue. The flavor was unexpectedly excellent.
"It's very good."
With practiced familiarity, Silas lifted his hand and rested it atop the younger Indeedee's head, giving it a firm but affectionate rub.
"Indee~"
The younger sister beamed with delight, rubbing against his palm before scampering away, only to return moments later from the study carrying a book.
Silas glanced at the two Indeedee. They were each carrying out their usual, well-rehearsed tasks, treating him completely as though he were the Fossil Duke himself.
That was not a good sign.
The Fossil Duke's passing had affected them far too deeply, so deeply that they had begun to blur reality with imagination.
Lowering his gaze, Silas looked at the book in his hands. It was a photo album.
"Indeedee, may I take a look?"
"Indee~"
The younger sister poked her head out from the kitchen and chirped happily in response.
They were overjoyed that the Duke had "returned," and were busily preparing a lavish lunch to welcome him back.
Silas glanced toward the kitchen where the two Indeedee were bustling about. The younger sister had a lively and cheerful personality, while the older brother was quiet and taciturn, yet flawlessly executed every task assigned to him.
He opened the album.
The very first photograph was a family portrait of the Fossil Duke together with all the Pokémon of the manor.
It was Silas's first time seeing the Fossil Duke. The man wore a gentle, benevolent smile. His eyes were always slightly narrowed, giving him a calm and approachable air from beginning to end.
Every photo thereafter showed the same expression.
He treated Pokémon with a warmth no less than Silas himself did.
It was no wonder the Indeedee siblings had mistaken Silas for him.
As he turned page after page, a faint smile curved Silas's lips.
Each photograph represented a small story, a fragment of shared memories. Silas became completely immersed in them.
He did not even notice the Indeedee siblings approaching until they called out to inform him that the meal was ready, pulling him back to reality.
"It's time to eat?"
"Indee~"
The younger sister tugged at his sleeve and led him to the dining table.
One by one, delicious dishes were carried out by the older brother and carefully arranged before him.
The two Indeedee stood on either side of Silas like loyal guardians, gazing at him with hopeful, expectant eyes.
Being watched like that left him with little choice.
He picked up his utensils and sampled each dish in turn, offering different comments and praise for each.
"Oh, right—you two should sit down and eat with me."
He beckoned to them and took out the dish he had brought from his bag—Mapo Tofu.
"Indee!"
The older brother immediately gave the younger sister a stern look, silently reminding her not to behave so improperly.
"It's alright," Silas waved his hand dismissively and personally guided both Indeedee into seats at the table.
"There's only the three of us here. No need to be so formal. Try the dish I brought from outside."
"Indee…"
A flicker of emotion passed through the older brother's eyes. He glanced at his sister, who wore an excited grin, then at the human who was looking at them with such open anticipation.
He took a bite.
"Isn't it delicious?"
"If you like it, eat more. You two look very thin."
Silas actively placed food into their bowls. In his opinion, Pokémon should look round and healthy—that was what made them truly adorable.
With the effect of the Mapo Tofu working its magic, the dishes were soon completely cleared.
The older brother stood and began tidying up the tableware.
The younger sister brought Silas another cup of red tea.
He had her stand in front of him. A faint upward curve remained at the corner of her lips, and the white fur on her chest looked especially soft.
"You've both been very tired these past few days, haven't you? After this, go take a nap."
His voice was gentle.
He could clearly see the exhaustion in their faces. They hadn't slept properly for days, and today they had been busy again because of him. The fatigue clung stubbornly to their expressions.
"Indee~"
The younger sister shook her head, insisting that they were not tired. Their master had returned—there were still so many things to do.
Silas reached out and caught her just as she was about to resume working, smiling warmly.
"Work is endless. What matters most for you right now is rest."
"Is it that you can't fall asleep? Don't worry, I have a solution."
He gave them a mysterious smile and took out a feather—the Lunar Feather.
"Here, when you take your nap, just hold this feather and you'll definitely fall asleep. You might even have a beautiful dream."
Before the younger sister could protest, Silas gently ushered her into a small adjoining room, calling the older brother in as well.
He helped both of them lie down and carefully covered them with small blankets.
"Close your eyes and sleep obediently. I'll stay here and watch over you."
"Ind—"
The younger sister started to say something, but the older brother quietly stopped her. The two Pokémon closed their eyes together.
This time was different from the days before. It took only a short while for them to drift into slumber.
The Lunar Feather emitted a soft, moonlike glow. The light rippled outward like gentle waves, dispelling nightmares and soothing wounded hearts.
Silas observed them for a while. Seeing how peacefully they slept, he decided to step outside and inform Butler Bron.
Within their dreams, the Indeedee siblings once again saw the Fossil Duke.
He spoke to them at length, giving many instructions and offering many words of guidance.
At last, he gently urged them to begin a new chapter in their lives, not to remain forever immersed in the sorrow of the past.
Gradually, the Duke's figure became translucent.
The Indeedee siblings reached out anxiously, trying to grasp him but their hands met only empty air.
They awoke from the dream.
The younger sister hurriedly wiped at the corner of her eyes.
The older brother still wore his usual stoic, world-weary expression, but now there was something new within it—a faint glimmer of anticipation for the life ahead.
Those who have passed cannot return.
It was time for them to embrace a new beginning.
The younger sister poked her brother lightly with her small hand and whispered, "Indee!"
(Brother, do you like that human from earlier?)
Before he could answer, she responded to her own question.
"Indee~"
(I like that human. He's as gentle as the Duke was. And I heard that his ranch has many Pokémon who need care. I will not disappoint the Duke's expectations.)
At the manor, because they were the youngest, it was often the other Pokémon who took care of them.
What the Duke had most wished to see was that, in addition to caring for themselves, they would one day care for other Pokémon as well.
They would never let him down.
They would take good care of themselves—and of others.
The older brother shot his sister a sidelong glance, recalling every small detail of his interaction with Silas.
Perhaps going to help at his ranch would indeed be a good choice.
"Indee! (^▽^)"
(Brother! Brother, do you like that human?)
The younger sister clung to his arm and tilted her head up at him, sweetly coaxing him for a definite answer.
"Indee."
(I like him too.)
"Indee…"
(If we both like him, then let's go help at his ranch.)
(He must have many things to manage on his own. If we go, we can share his burden.)
Just as the two Indeedee were whispering to each other, Silas finished preparing dinner.
He held back the eager Cyclizar and knocked gently on the door first.
"Indeedee, are you awake? Dinner's ready. Come eat with me."
"Indee! Indee!" \(0o0)/
(Oh no, oh no! We overslept! First impressions are very important!)
The younger sister hurried out in a fluster, with the older brother following close behind. He, too, felt a sense of urgency.
Yet with his perpetually expressionless, world-weary face, unless one knew him intimately, it was nearly impossible to discern his true thoughts.
(End of Chapter)