THE NEXT DAY. Unfortunately our protagonist Arius just met Vincent again.
"Greetings your highness!" Vincent gave him a sparkling smile.
"What. Are you here."
"You're not even greeting me back." Vincent pouted.
"Answer my question."
"Did you read the file I gave you yesterday?"
"Yes."
"...All of it?"
"No."
"Okay then do you have any questions with what you've read up till now? "
"...Yea..." Arius spoke irritatedly.
He didn't want to spend even a second with this guy. He always got a bad feeling from him. Speaking of which, if Vincent comes to the Palace, surely he isn't alone...His mother would visit as well.
"Where is your mother?"
"...Is that your question?"
"No. But answer."
"In His Majesty's Office..."
It's not an audience this time. If it's simply an office meeting it's probably quite short.
Arius looked at the wall clock.
"How long since you've been here?"
"We just arrived..." Vincent was confused at first, but soon realized what Arius was worried about.
"My mother told me to not go inside his office no matter what, until she comes out. I wonder what they're doing there...together." Vincent teased.
1
"Probably discussing some important matters."
Right, don't overthink.
"Then moving on to your questions."
"Yea..."
Creak!
The maids entered with cookies and juice. As they opened the door, Athanasia was standing beside the door trying to peek inside. Vincent and Athanasia made eye contact and Athanasia voiced her surprise.
"VINCENT!" Athanasia ran towards him to get a closer view.
"It really is you! But– What– " Athanasia looked at his noble clothes and Arius and showed her confusion.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
IT TOOK SOME TIME TO EXPLAIN everything to Athanasia but she adapted quickly.
"But why is the county doing all this?" She asked the same question as Arius had asked.
"We just want what's best for the empire." Vincent smiled angelically.
Athanasia didn't look convinced.
"He said something else to me last time." Arius whispered to Athanasia.
"He said, his mother admires the emperor, and so by helping him out like this...she was hoping he might..." Arius whispered in her ear and Athanasia imagined the same thing as Arius did.
A third mom.
Vincent was casually eating the cookies brought in by the maids as he saw the royal siblings whisper to each other.
"I can hear you, you know." He stated.
Arius and Athanasia gave him a disbelieving look, to which he immediately replied, "Yeah, okay , I can't."
Knock!
Knock!
"Come inside." Arius allowed.
"Your Highness, the young master of the Alpheus Duchy has arrived." Olivia spoke.
Ack! That was today.
"Alpheus? Why'd you call that dog here?" Vincent asked and everyone in the room had horrified expressions.
Arius got up and smacked Vincent in his head.
"You can't say that to someone of higher rank than you!" He reprimanded him.
"Ow...so wait does that mean you can call him a dog?"
" . . . " Silence.
"So that's a yes."
"Ugh, anyway. How long will you be in the capital?"
"For a month."
Arius made a disgusted face.
"Aw , I'm hurt."
"Leave for now. Go meet Gunther and Cadell and explain yourselves to them. I have to go to the duke's son. There's plenty of time for you to answer my questions. Come at a later date and time." Arius told him and then told Olivia to escort the Duke's son to the garden.
"I'm going with Vincent!" Athanasia declared while Vincent was leaving. Arius gave her a weird look and so did Olivia.
"Oh my, princess , have you fallen in love–"
"I was going to visit dad." Athanasia explained while cutting off Vincent.
She signaled Arius to not worry and that she'd make sure to seperate Claude and Vincent's mom. Arius gave her a thumbs up and the two went their own ways.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
ARIUS ENTERED THE GARDEN of the Sapphire Palace, scanning for a dog. But what he saw in the garden was a puppy.
Ijekiel was standing with his hand gently touching the petals of one of the roses. A smile on his face as he looked at the rose.
Arius knew Ijekiel had great looks but seeing him in the flesh was just something else.
"Do you like roses?" Arius walked forward, into Ijekiel's view.
"Ah, Blessings and Glory upon the first star of the Obelian Empire." Ijekiel bowed.
"You may rise. Greetings to you as well. You still haven't answered my question."
"Not particularly, but my cousin likes roses a lot. "
"Ah, are you referring to Lady Margarita? "
"Yes, she's always visiting the greenhouse and roaming around the gardens and asks me to accompany her all the time." Ijekiel chuckled at the memory.
"I can understand, my sister does the same thing. " Arius chuckled when he thought of how Athanasia literally fell in the lake just to get a flower, ah well that flower was a magical creature that specialized in luring people.
"What are your hobbies?" Arius asked as he began walking deeper into the garden. Ijekiel nervously followed behind.
"Uh...Reading! and chess...and" Ijekiel was thinking hard about any other things he might've done during his free time.
"Chess? "
"Yes, Does your Highness play chess as well?"
"Not very often but I do know how to play. How about a match of chess?" Arius turned and asked the puppy-like boy following him.
His face brightened up immediately and he enthusiastically replied.
"It would be an honour!"
4 WINS, O LOSSES FOR IJEKIEL and 4 losses and 0 wins for Arius.
"You're...really good at this game..." Arius complimented him as he moved another one of his pieces.
"Your Highness isn't bad himse–" Before Ijekiel could complete his sentence Arius gave him the look of 'Don't. Just, Don't '
Arius sank his head down.
This kid...is really extraordinary. As he said, I'm not usually bad at chess but his strategies in this game are just too good.
He's not even reincarnated, just where is this talent coming from?
"Now now Your Highness, don't take a mere game too seriously...should I let you win this time?"
"There's no point if you allow me to win." Arius pouted and picked up a cookie from the plate beside them.
"Uh then...how about we practice daily? " Ijekiel asked while fiddling with his fingers.
'He can be shy? Cute.'
Arius grinned at him while agreeing to his idea.
"This much is enough for today then!" Arius exclaimed as he stood up from his seat.
It had been an hour or more since they had been playing. Arius's mind drifted towards other possible activities they could do when Ijekiel suggested an idea.
"Then, how about taking a walk in the garden? You must be tired from sitting in a chair all this time."
Ijekiel smiled at him
'How thoughtful.'
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
THE TWO TALKED A WHOLE LOT as they walked through the garden. Ijekiel slowly eased up around Arius and the two began talking simply as friends, placing their status aside.
That included more casual addresses.
"Kiel, is there a reason you're going all the way to Arlanta for studies?"
"Uh, Father said that it would be nice to make some friends with nobility from other kingdoms...so..."
Arius suddenly placed his hands on both shoulders of Ijekiel and asked him dead seriously, "And are you going just because of what he said?"
Ijekiel looked a bit nervous and he avoided eye contact with Arius , leading Arius to the conclusion that he was.
"Kiel..." Arius loosened his grip on Ijekiels shoulders and continued, "Do you like studying?"
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
4 WINS, O LOSSES FOR IJEKIEL and 4 losses and 0 wins for Arius.
"You're...really good at this game..." Arius complimented him as he moved another one of his pieces.
"Your Highness isn't bad himse–" Before Ijekiel could complete his sentence Arius gave him the look of 'Don't. Just, Don't '
Arius sank his head down.
This kid...is really extraordinary. As he said, I'm not usually bad at chess but his strategies in this game are just too good.
He's not even reincarnated, just where is this talent coming from?
"Now now Your Highness, don't take a mere game too seriously...should I let you win this time?"
"There's no point if you allow me to win." Arius pouted and picked up a cookie from the plate beside them.
"Uh then...how about we practice daily? " Ijekiel asked while fiddling with his fingers.
'He can be shy? Cute.'
Arius grinned at him while agreeing to his idea.
"This much is enough for today then!" Arius exclaimed as he stood up from his seat.
It had been an hour or more since they had been playing. Arius's mind drifted towards other possible activities they could do when Ijekiel suggested an idea.
"Then, how about taking a walk in the garden? You must be tired from sitting in a chair all this time."
Ijekiel smiled at him
'How thoughtful.'
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
THE TWO TALKED A WHOLE LOT as they walked through the garden. Ijekiel slowly eased up around Arius and the two began talking simply as friends, placing their status aside.
That included more casual addresses.
"Kiel, is there a reason you're going all the way to Arlanta for studies?"
"Uh, Father said that it would be nice to make some friends with nobility from other kingdoms...so..."
Arius suddenly placed his hands on both shoulders of Ijekiel and asked him dead seriously, "And are you going just because of what he said?"
Ijekiel looked a bit nervous and he avoided eye contact with Arius , leading Arius to the conclusion that he was.
"Kiel..." Arius loosened his grip on Ijekiels shoulders and continued, "Do you like studying?"
YOU'LL ALSO LIKE
Error 404 by RebelleFleur00
Error 404
24.2M
942K
Rebel Simmons was just a girl who was dealt a shitty hand in the game of life. Despite her harsh and abusive upbringing, she worked hard, and studied harder. With an IQ...
Four's Game (SEU, #1) [SAMPLE] by UniqueAlexJ
Four's Game (SEU, #1) [SAMPLE]
5M
7K
#1 Southeastern University Series Natosha Jackson is from the south-side slums of Ridgeport. She's your average bookworm and mathematic fanatic. To pay her dues to the d...
Their Innocent Flower by x-SecretWriter-x
Their Innocent Flower
7.7M
114K
On Hiatus as working on other projects that better represent me as a writer, this book is honestly very cliche Wattpad so if that's what you like then go ahead lmao. Pr...
My Prince [ WMMAP X OC! PRINCE ] by fujoshiixxx
My Prince [ WMMAP X OC! PRINCE ]
42.4K
2K
DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE DIE AND MOSTLY BEING REBORN IN THE SAME MANHWA THAT HIS FRIEND FORCED HIM TO READ TO, WHO MADE ME A PRINCESS AND WHY THE HECK IS HE A SON...
Yukashi | VK Fanfic | ✓ by RoyFanfics
Yukashi | VK Fanfic | ✓
89K
3.2K
[UNEDITED] Zero Kiryu hears of a new Night Class student attending Cross Academy. When the new student doesn't show up with the rest of the Night class during the exchan...
Mr. Mafia And Mrs. CEO by omfg_af
Mr. Mafia And Mrs. CEO
13.4M
301K
[BEING RE-WRITTEN RN] Book one in the D'Angelo Series (Also the first maybe three chaps might be cringe, IT GETS BETTER I SWEAR 😭) What happens when two worlds of arro...
"Yes, I find the concept of discovering new things interesting."
"But there's a limit. And also priorities. Sure, studying is important but your father isn't doing this for your education but the connections you would form from this opportunity." Arius spoke seriously, his eyes looked straight into Ijekiel's.
The latter's eyes, which seemed confident during their chess time, seemed to be slightly wavering over the prince's words.
Arius completely let go of him and began walking forward slowly while continuing.
"Although I agree, this would be helpful for you, but...is this really what you want? " Arius looked at him with a sympathetic look.
Ijekiel seemed to be lost in some deep thoughts.
"Big brother, don't leave." The words of a certain young girl rushed back to his head.
Arius smiled slightly. The first seed of doubt has been sowed.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
IJEKEIL LEFT AFTER THEIR WALKED through the garden. Arius was lazily sitting on the couch in his room, while reading a certain novel by his favourite author yet.
He paused for a moment and looked out of his window. Remembering his time with Ijekiel, thoughts overwhelmed me.
'Was I being too evil? Basically, being a bad Influence on the kid. But, he's going abroad just to study and make connections. His father is practically using him as a pawn. All for what? Exactly what is Duke Alpheus thinking?'
Arius kept staring out of his window and onto the clouds scattered through the vast sky.
Creak!
Athanasia carefully came inside and shut the door. She sat beside Arius up on the couch. Arius looked at his little sister, being too lazy to start a conversation.
He was greeted by a similar look from Athanasia, which forced him to ask her what happened.
"Gun and Cad...met Vincent."
'Oh...right, they must be shocked.'
"Where are those two right now? And oh right, you went to meet dad, how'd it go?"
Athanasia's face went pale over the question and Arius didn't need to even ask her to know that they would soon have a third mom.
A moment of silence remained as the two siblings stared into absolutely nothing.
Everything was happening so fast, they needed some time to process everything.
"I wanna see dad. Athy, instead of keeping our thoughts to ourselves, let's just talk to dad about it."
Athanasia nodded.
The gloomy atmosphere broke when Olivia came inside to inform the siblings about Lunch with Claude.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
THE TWO ENTERED THE Garnet Palace for lunch. Their knights stood outside the dining room while the royal siblings went inside.
"Glory and Blessings upon the stars of the Obelian Empire. I, Vivia Lennox, greet Your Highnesses. "
"Glory and Blessings upon the stars of the Obelian Empire. I, Vincent Lennox, greet Your Highnesses."
The two spoke in unison.
'Vincent...and his mother?' Arius thought as he viewed the two lilac heads.
'But what are they doing here? in the dining room...Oh Dad's here too!'
Arius looked at Athanasia who seemed to be confused as well.
"Greetings to you as well Countess, and Young lord." The two royals greeted each other politely.
"Arius, Athanasia. " Claude called to them and the two children ran up to their fathers seat.
"They will be joining us for today's lunch." Claude told them. The two nobility present within the room carefully began sitting on the chairs surrounding the table.
The woman, Vivia Lennox, took the seat closest to the emperors. The seat on which Athanasia would usually sit. The siblings decided to sit side by side and exactly in front of them sat the noble guests of the day.
3
The siblings wanted to talk with Claude, alone. But their plans were ruined and not only that, but another problem arose,
Claude was quiet.
When Vivia Lennox sat on the seat of Athanasia. Claude didn't say anything.
Arius could feel himself get mad slightly but he decided he was overthinking and making up conclusions. Right, Claude must have a good reason for allowing a noble to have lunch with him.
Arius's eyes glowed coldly as he stared at the noble who had stolen his father's attention and time.
Vivia Lennox
The name itself brought a wave of annoyance to Arius's head. This little lunch time is gonna be quite hell.
"BOTH OF YOUR CHILD have grown up so splendidly." Vivia complimented as she viewed the children eating their food with grace and proper etiquette.
1
Arius and Athanasia simply smiled at the woman but did not reply since Claude remained quiet as well.
"They're such adorable children." Vivia kept showering compliments as she glued her eyes to the siblings.
This was starting to make them uncomfortable so Arius decided to begin a conversation since Claude was clearly focusing on his food.
"Thank you for your kind words, countess." Arius smiled angelically before asking her a question, "I've heard a lot about the countess' brilliant skills from my tutors."
"Oh my , have you? It's an honour."
"The honour is mine to be able to meet someone I highly admire. Despite all your tales I have a question, "If you and Sir Felix were to fight, which one of you would be stronger?" Arius asked.
"Felix? hmm...well I'd lose against him. That man's crazy when it comes to the sword." Vivia spoke as she chuckled at the thought.
"So the Knight of Crimson Blood is stronger than the Dancing Lilac? " Arius mumbled and Vivia proudly smiled at her title.
Unlike Felix, she seemed proud of it.
"Prince Arius, are you interested in swordsmanship?" Vivia asked him to which Arius nodded his head.
"Have you started any training with the sword yet?"
"Not as of yet, I intended to when Sir Felix returned."
"Ah, then If I may make a request, would it be alright for Vincent to join you during training?" Vivia asked.
"Mother–" Vincent tried to interject but Vivia elbow punched him in the stomach.
1
"Well? " She asked, smiling, completely ignoring her son, clutching to his stomach in pain.
Arius was surprised to say the least, but he had to reply or else it'd be rude. "Frankly, I don't like your son." Arius replied honestly and Claude began glaring at Vincent who was already shrinking due to his mother's hit.
4
Athanasia looked at Arius, since she was caught off guard by his sudden honesty.
"But if we train together, I'll have several opportunities to beat him up, so I accept it." Arius concluded, to which Vivia burst out laughing.
"How rude!" Vincent spoke out.
1
Her laugh resembled Vincent's and immediately Arius knew Vincent took after Vivia a lot.
No wonder he didn't like that woman. He felt bad for the husband.
"That would be appreciated! " Vivia replied, still laughing slightly.
Arius noticed Claude staring at him. The two looked at each other for a while.
"What did that boy do?" Claude asked, still glaring at Vincent.
"Nothing. I just don't like him." Arius shrugged.
He did initially find Vincent suspicious. And later on Vincent also told him about his mothers admiration for the emperor.
"Countess, How do you and Daddy know each other? You knew Felix as well." This time , Athanasia who has been observing the interactions asked.
"Ah, well me and Claude- Now His Majesty, used to go to the same academy. Felix was also there. It was a foreign academy and we met there. Felix and I were in the swordsmanship department, and His Majesty was in another one. But since Felix used to go find him every minute he got, I also met him and we spent a lot of time together at the academy."
'...Dad's school friend?...' The two siblings processed the thought.
"Spent a lot of time together? More like you kept following me around. " Claude scoffed.
"If I had known you were the prince of Obelia , I would've kept my distance, but you used magic to hide your eyes! How unfair and I even fell in love with your looks during that time!" Vivia complained.
Claude smiled slightly, very slightly. A smile that faded just as quickly as it appeared, but no matter how little the smile stayed for, the siblings saw it.
Claude smiled. When he was talking to that woman. How often does Claude smile? Only when he's with his children.
Not even with Felix has Claude ever smiled and yet, here he was smiling after talking with a woman.
That woman.
Athanasia and Arius felt a pang in their chest. Vivia Lennox was Claude's childhood and school friend. She's known Claude since his teen years.
She even admitted she had a crush on Claude during their time at the academy.
A new side of Claude. They just saw a new side of Claude, and it was so different from their usual dad that they couldn't help but feel weird.
Athanasia noticed the two had been spacing out for a while and carefully poked Arius with her elbow.
"...Dad, do you have more friends besides the countess?" Arius asked, trying to sound enthusiastic but he was actually wishing for this meal to be over.
"No." Claude replied.
"Liar." Vivia interjected, she then leaned forward and placed her left hand on the side of her mouth.
"Arius, you dad here has several friends but he hardly acknowledges them! During his time at the academy he met several people and made several friends but he doesn't know how to maintain friendships. This idiot." Vivia whispered to Arius across the table, expecting that Claude wouldn't hear her.
The siblings were surprised to say the least with the sudden change of tone and formalities the noble just showed.
Claude didn't say anything, showing that they were close enough to talk casually.
Arius and Athanasia were getting more and more uncomfortable by the second. Their minds were going wild and they wanted to talk to Claude about this.
Athanasia placed her utensils down, and she had finished her meal.
Arius was also nearing the end of his own meal. Proper Etiquette suggests one wait till the others finish their meals as well, before leaving the table.
But the siblings didn't have enough patience to deal with stupid etiquettes.
As soon as Arius finished his meal, he looked at Athanasia who looked back towards him. They slightly nodded to each other and Arius tried a trick he had learned not too long ago.
'Snow, Follow my scent. Follow it. And come to the dining room. And then try to take me away from the room.' He tried conveying his thoughts to the beast telepathically.
Since Snow is a beast formed by the excess mana Arius held, he is a part of Arius's mana. And Arius, knowing somewhat knowledge of mana, tried to communicate and command his mana, which was currently in the form of a divine beast.
It had worked once before when he tried but currently, there was nothing. Arius and Athanasia waited for about two minutes. They couldn't stay silent so they began making small talk again.
Small talk continued for a while longer before everyone on the table was done with their meal.
Arius and Athanasia felt a relief course through their veins and decided to get up and leave, but before they could.
"Bring the Desserts and tea." Claude ordered one of the maids.
Never had Athanasia and Arius hated desserts more than they had at this very moment.
They were gonna burst crying since they just wanted to go away from here and process everything that just happened.
Arius literally felt like he would start crying. The tension and overthinking he had going in his mind was destroying him.
He had social anxiety in his previous life and the symptoms were rising up again.
He felt suffocated in that room.
He didn't know why.
He didn't know how to keep conversing and so Athanasia was taking the lead right now and asking Vivia random questions.
'Gosh I hate this so much.' Arius thought.
Knock!
Knock!
Everyone's attention went towards the door.
'Ugh the desserts are here. I'm gonna have indigestion soon.' Athanasia thought as she eyed the door.
The door opened and the one who came inside was not a maid. Not a maid, Not a human at all. It was Snow.
"SNOW!" Arius stood up from his seat.
Snow flew over to Arius and kept hovering above his head.
"I thought you were with Raven, where is he?" Arius asked. Snow kept going in a certain direction and looking back at Arius.
"Did something happen to Raven?" Athanasia stood up as well.
"I guess it's trying to lead us." Arius concluded.
"We should hurry then!" Athanasia exclaimed as she was worried about her divine beast.
"Countess, Dad." Arius turned towards them, "If you would excuse us, please enjoy your time." Arius bowed slightly and so did Athanasia.
Afterwards the two left the room.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
"HAAAAAH! THAT WAS SUFFOCATING!" Arius exclaimed as he was now outside.
"Tell me about it!" Athanasia agreed.
"Your Highness!" Cadell and Gunther greeted them outside.
"I'm so happy to see you guys!" Arius spoke.
"Huh why?" Cadell asked as he was confused. Gunther had the same look.
"We should really make a way for us to communicate without talking and at far distances." Arius suggested.
"I know right!" Athanasia agreed.
The knights stood there confused as to what the royals were discussing.
"We'll explain when we get back. We need to get back first." Arius sighed and began going back to his Palace.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
ARIUS RELAXED AS HE SOAKED in his nice warm bath. It was a bubble bath, filled with flower oil, Jasmine oil.
He got a moment of distraction from the stressful thoughts he was having moments before.
Snow was in the bath as well. He was jumping up and down in the bath, causing the bubbles to scatter in the whole room.
Arius played with Snow and cleaned him up as well. It was a fun and relaxing time. He enjoyed his bath a lot despite him not usually wanting to take it.
After bathing, he came to his bed and lazily layed on it. Snow jumping on the bed as well and then licking Arius's face.
"Mmhah Snow!" Arius giggled at the cute animal and picked him up. "You're so cute!" Arius began petting Snow.
Creak!
In came Athanasia along with Raven, followed by Cadell and Gunther with plates filled with cookies.
The four of them sat down on the carpet and engaged in a deep talk. All four of them had been thinking deeply about something. Starting with, Arius.
"Vivia Lennox, used to be Dad's friend during his school time. They seemed close. And dad doesn't just invite anyone for lunch. Do you think she'll be here for dinner as well?" Arius began asking them.
"I was patrolling around the area and I did seem to look at a pair of lilac heads. The chances of her being there during dinner is high." Gunther answered.
Arius and Athanasia both sighed.
"I'm not going for dinner." The siblings replied in unison.
They looked at each other and once again replied in sync, "We're not feeling well."
The siblings had decided.
"Is there a reason your highnesses don't like her?" Cadell asked.
"Daddy's being too nice to her. He was even smiling while talking to her. What if she seduces him and we get a third mom? " Athanasia complained.
"And an annoying step brother." Arius added.
"I don't think His Majesty would do that, your highness. He really loves you too, from what I've observed. Lennox County manages the territory in the east and it doesn't come to the capital often, so if they're visiting ,I'm sure His Majesty simply wishes to spend time with an old friend." Gunther reasoned.
Arius and Athanasia looked at each other and began viewing things differently.
'...Why do I love overthinking?' Arius asked himself.
3
Their moods shifted slightly when they talked about what was bothering them. And now, it was their knight's turn.
"Speaking of which, Vincent is Vivia Lennox's son. He's the successor of the county. You met him in the morning right?" Arius brought it up.
"Your highness! You knew about that and didn't tell us?!" Cadell voiced his anger.
"Hey calm down, I'm sure his highness has his reasons. " Gunther hushed him, but he too seemed a bit hurt.
'Woah, what, they seem way too shocked. ' Arius thought and looked at Athanasia who avoided his gaze.
"I only found out recently. A few days ago, but I wasn't completely sure either. After he visited my Palace yesterday , my suspicions were confirmed. I sent him to meet you both today. I was shocked as well yesterday and I forgot to tell you." Arius explained.
'I am lying, but most of it is true.'
"Tch" Cadell made a sound before staying quiet.
Silence emerged as all four of them quietly nibbled on the cookies.
"Sorry, I took my anger out on you." Cadell apologized.
"It's just– Vincent– he– we–"
Gunther smacked Cadell from the back and told him, "Stop. Breathe. And Relax you idiot."
"Ughhhh, I'm going for sword practice. I need to cool my head!" Cadell stood up and looked at Athanasia for permission, which she gave him.
Thud!
Gunther sighed as the door closed.
"I apologize for his rude behaviour."
"No need, I can understand how you must feel."
"We've known Vincent since years, and we just...didn't see this coming. After what happened with the slave auction, we really hate the nobility. And I know it's not Vincent's fault but! If he was a noble, a count's son at that, he could've helped us. He– He could've done something! But it was you... who helped us."
Gunther became silent and Arius was thinking about their situation. He had received the file containing information on all the children, but he didn't have time to completely read everything.
But from what he had read, Gunther Soliva Deferim. Him and Mia come from a travelling tribe well-known for their swordsmanship. The tribe, Deferim.
Their green hair is an identifying feature of the Deferims.
The tribesmen were all strong people, but they were killed after rejecting a kingdom's request of becoming their knights.
The kingdom's pride couldn't accept the rejection and thus ambushed them in the middle of the knight with magicians.
The only survivors were the two siblings who were found by Vivia Lennox.
For Gunther, Vincent and his mother were probably like angels who helped him and his sister when they needed it most.
Lennox gave him shelter, food, clothes and taught him how to survive. He never doubted them. He blindly followed and trusted them, thinking it was all goodwill.
And now, he finds out Vincent is a noble. Him being a noble doesn't change much, but the slave auction.
Mia getting kidnapped. Gunther sent several letters to Vincent asking for advice and help.
Yet, no reply came. Gunther at first thought that since Vincent is also just a commoner and not to mention he lives in the Eastern borders of the empire it would take long for him to either come to the capital or even advise him.
But he was a noble.
He had money for carriages. He could've made it to the capital in two days' time.
He could've.
Plainly spoken, finding out he was a noble simply made him realize things. It made him come out of the blind trust he had been giving Vincent. It made him think, and question things.
Him and Mia were orphan children with nothing to offer. So then why did Vincent and his mother help them?
At first he thought it's because they were extremely kind people. But now his thoughts are changing.
There were several other orphans and beggars he had seen wandering in Obelia's darker areas. And yet he never did wonder, why , why is he being given such a treatment?
Arius could tell by the expression of Gunther that he had finally started to become more wary of his surroundings.
That he had begun to realize what the twins had already known.
The Lennox county has other aims. Hidden Aims.
"I know I sound selfish, I should just be grateful to them. But-"
"No, you have every right to feel the way you do. I personally don't like Vincent so telling you he's the villain here would just be my own opinions. But Gunther, as far as we've talked Vincent says he only intended to help orphans because you had talent which the county was seeking."
Gunther looked at him a bit confused.
"According to the County, a war with the empire to the north, Merika Empire is approaching. The county is trying to gather talents that will help the empire in that time. Your and Cadells sword skills, Lifa and Jaspers fast movements, the twins information gathering, Elio and Ruby's culinary skills will probably play a part as well in their plan. And Mia might have a role as well." Arius elaborated.
Gunther gritted his teeth and lowered his head.
They're being used.
He knows that.
But,
Even so, they saved them.
Does that mean their lives are now in the County's hands?
THIS WAS THE DARK REALITY.
After hearing the explanation from Arius, Gunther also excused himself as he needed time to process it all and transfer it to Cadell. Thus, he went to the training grounds behind the two palaces, leaving the royal siblings alone.
"Athy, is something bothering you?" Arius asked as he was lying on the floor after the whole talk.
"Not at all! Except just that woman." Athanasia smiled brightly, but Arius could feel lies in her words. She usually doesn't talk with him in her bubbly tone.
Arius sat up straight to see her munching on some biscuits.
"You don't need-"
"Oh right, you met the Duke's son today, what was he like?" Athanasia cut off Arius's statement with her question.
"Kiel? Arius asked, a bit surprised by the sudden topic.
"Oh my , close enough to be calling nicknames? Does he call you Ari too?" Athanasia teased.
"Well he's come to be my friend so nicknames are normal, but when the hell did my nickname become Ari?"
"Aw , you don't remember? I nicknamed you Ari."
"Why does it sound so feminine? you do realize I'm supposed to be your brother."
"Precisely , I wanted a sister!"
"Then should I ask Kiel to bring his cousin along as well. Er...technically she's also our cousin."
Athanasia smacked Arius in the head.
"Idiot! I don't want Claude and Jennette to meet. Not until Claude is completely in my favour. "
"Favour, huh?..." Arius mumbled.
"Brother, should we eat something to make ourselves sick?" Athanasia asked.
"Can't we just act ?"
"Sure , but is Via gonna let you? "
"Yeah don't worry about that. Plus if we were to eat something and get a stomach ache, Dad might kill the chefs who prepared today's lunch."
"Ack– right. But if he cares so much about us then he should give us some alone time! with him!" Athanasia complained.
"Yeah but Gunther's right, the Lennox manage territory in the eastern borders, Vincent said he'd return in a month so we should just bear them till then. Dad does enjoy that woman's company since she's her friend. And that's a rare occurrence so let's just be patient for Dad's sake."
ATHANASIA HAD NOW LEFT for her own Palace since she realized that Raven truly had not appeared before her since lunch.
Snow was going with her to make sure she finds Raven and then returning to Arius.
While Athanasia was gone, Arius went and laid on his bed. Staring at the ceiling.
Time flew as he only stared at thin air, and soon Olivia came to his room.
"Your Highness, it's time for dinner with His Majesty."
"Aghh!" Arius groaned from his spot on the bed.
"Your Highness, are you feeling alright?" Olivia came closer to Arius and placed her hand on his forehead to check the temperature.
"Via, my head hurts." Arius weakly spoke.
Olivia sighed and sat beside Arius on the bed.
"Your Highness, instead of faking illness, why not tell me a reason for not going to dinner?"
Arius mentally facepalmed. Was his acting that bad? Or was Olivia just really good at these things?
"If you do not wish to go, then I won't force you, but at least tell me why?"
Arius sat up straight with a pout and frown on his face.
"...Vivia Lennox..." Arius mumbled.
Olivia just stared at him with a smile.
"Your Highness..." She spoke as she stroked his hair with her hands. Arius looked up to see her emerald eyes.
"can you please speak louder?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh. uh." Arius's brain became slow at processing before becoming normal, "Vivia Lennox."
"Countess Lennox? Did she say something to you, Your highness?"
"No...but she's super close with dad and Dad also enjoys her company... he was even smiling during Lunch... Via...will I get a third mom?" Arius asked as he lowered his head.
"S-Such thoughts, Your Highness!" Olivia enclosed Arius into a gentle hug. She began rubbing his back with her hands.
"Your Highness, His Majesty... wouldn't-"
"No need to say that Via, Dad does unpredictable things at times. It's okay... I want him to be happy... it's okay, but I still don't wanna go to dinner because there's a possibility she'll be there and I wouldn't wanna ruin their time." Arius smiled at Olivia.
Olivia looked at him, worry dripping from her eyes. She kept rubbing Arius's back for quite some time and even sang him a Lullaby until Arius eventually fell asleep.
Finally leaving after assuring he had slept.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
OLIVIA THEN HEADED TO LILIAN to let her know that Arius would not be going.
"The princess is also not going?" Olivia asked in surprise.
Lilian looked at her with worried eyes. Lilian's and Olivia's both were red from the edges.
"Is the reason because of Countess Lennox?" Olivia asked and Lilian nodded her head.
"Sir Felix isn't here either. I want to inform His Majesty about his children's thoughts but ... " Lilian voiced her concern.
"The current knights are also too young to talk with His Majesty confidently and voice our concerns." Olivia added.
"Shall we wait for Sir Felix to return then?"
"How long has it been since his departure?"
"Today's the third day."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.───
MEANWHILE BETWEEN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS the rocky mountains of the west remained the remains of Feradona. A kingdom which after being conquered was under the governance of Isaac Villarreal.
A devoted follower of Claude for decades. He used to be Claude's tutor during his teen years and even helped in devising a plan for the battle between brothers.
He had gained Claude's trust and was later entrusted with the Feradona ruins to govern and Isaac's whole household was given the rights to rule the whole territory, of course in accordance with the laws of Obelia since Feradona had become a part of Obelia.
Felix had journeyed all the way to the west of the empire, to meet Isaac and discuss the matter with him.
He had brought as many as fifteen knights alongside him, since the Robane Household always produced elite swordsmen and Felix was simply ordered to capture the masterminds behind the assassination attempts.
But, Felix was surprised to say the least when he saw the updates in Feradona.
"Lord Isaac...is dead?"