As the others conversed, Edgar poked his cousin on his shoulder. "Hey, Greg...?"

"Yeah?" Gregory responded and leaned toward Edgar.

"I'm not sure where I should live now," Edgar whispered.

"What do you mean?" Gregory questioned curiously.

"Well, after my parents... you know... I... I can't stay in their house anymore. But I cannot stay with you forever. I don't want to burden you," Edgar bashfully admitted.

"No, you won't be a burden," Gregory reassured him. "...But I have to be honest, I'm struggling with debt. I'm the only one with a job trying to maintain our big family house. You know about my parents, what happened to my mother and father... I can't keep up with the payments anymore..."

"Hey, I'm graduating this year. Once I get a job, I'll earn money to help you out," Edgar replied.

"It might not be enough. I've already received warnings from the government that they might evict us. That was months ago," Gregory informed Edgar.

"How much is the tax we should pay?" Edgar inquired.

"Maintaining the property costs thousands of gold coins. I only earn a hundred gold coins per month as an apprentice. And you, starting as a... what was it? A rookie? A rookie potion maker? Something like that. The salary for those positions barely reaches a hundred gold coins. And on top of that, we need to spend money on food, which could cost around half a hundred gold coins per month," Gregory explained, calculating the expenses. "So you see, it's challenging," he sighed.

"What should we do, then?" Edgar asked worryingly.

"We have to hope and pray that things will work out somehow," Gregory said as he frowned.

Frederick's eyes slowly gazed at the two cousins conversing.

"Are we going to end up on the streets?" Edgar snuggled closer to Gregory as Gregory wrapped his arm around Edgar.

"No, we won't. All we need is to find a solution," Gregory replied.

"Excuse me," Frederick asked, looking at Gregory and Edgar. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, sire," Gregory nodded calmly.

"We're gonna be fine?" Edgar tilted his head as he asked his cousin.

"We will be," Gregory replied instantly.

"Forgive me for eavesdropping on your private conversation, but I genuinely want to help. Please allow me to offer my assistance," Frederick stated.

Gregory glanced at his cousin before opening up about their situation. He noticed Oliver looking at him with concern. Taking a deep breath, Gregory shared his problems. "Sire, I have accumulated significant debt... and... my current salary isn't sufficient to meet the requirements. I might lose my house, and that includes my cousin, Edgar."

Frederick smiled warmly. "Well, how about this? Considering your commendable services in defending the city and your close friendship with my son, I would be delighted to give you an offer. I propose that both of you take up permanent residence in my grand mansion. You shall be exempted from any rental charges—as long as you uphold your responsibilities and avoid slacking off!" said Frederick.

"Woah, sire, no, that's too much," Gregory hurriedly declined.

"Sophia already has a room here," Frederick smirked, pointing his palm at Sophia.

Sophia giggled and raised her eyebrows.

"Well, I already have a guest room here. I'm already grateful, sire," Gregory replied respectfully.

"Are you telling me you'll keep living in that small guest room when dozens of luxurious rooms await you?" Frederick rubbed his chin.

"Yes," Gregory smiled, pulling his cousin closer. "Ed and I can share."

"No, I insist you and your cousin have your permanent bedrooms here, rent-free!" Frederick offered enthusiastically.

"Oh, it's too much. I don't want to burden you, sire," Gregory smiled. He then looked at his friend. "Oli?"

"Do what Dad says," Oliver winked.

Gregory sighed deeply. "Fine," he smiled.

"Bullseye!" Edgar punched the air.

"I'll at least pay some rent, sire," Gregory smirked.

"What about you, ladies? Would you like to live here too?" Frederick pointed at Sarrah and Bethany.

Sarrah and Bethany quickly raised their palms and shook their heads vigorously.

"You'll love it here," Oliver said.

"No," Sarrah answered.

"It's too much," Bethany smiled politely. "Sorry!"

"Nothing is too much!" Frederick grinned. "I want all of you to experience life inside this mansion, ladies!"

"We'll at least take the simple and temporary guest rooms, sir," Sarrah proposed.

"Sure thing," Frederick replied firmly.

Bethany chuckled and pressed her chest. "He's so nice~" she whispered to Sarrah.

"Indeed, he is," Sarrah replied.

Frederick then looked at Oliver. "Son? Show your friends their bedrooms, will you?" he smirked.

"Of course!" Oliver jumped from his seat.