Someone was constantly moving their hand on my head gently as I became conscious. I opened my eyes to see Maria lighten up as I woke up.
"Alex, how are you feeling?"
"I am fine." I looked around to see Albert talking with a guy at the corner of the room. Maria followed my gaze to Albert.
"Albert?" Albert turned to Maria and came over. The guy that Albert was talking to went outside of the room, but he looked at me as he went out. Something was definitely wrong. Their gaze was not at all like usual.
"What happened, mama, papa?" I looked at both Albert and Maria for an answer. They both looked at each other before looking back at me. Maria opened her mouth, but Albert spoke first.
"Alex, have you ever met an A class or above class mana-beast?" Albert met my eyes. Was he talking about Ariella? I wonder if it is safe to tell them?
"I wememba meeting a big scwawy beast once, but I don't wememba the incident very wew. Why? What happened, papa?" Albert stared at me for a second or two.
"Alex, I don't think you will understand this, but a beast has given you a part of its soul and the power that comes with it is just too much for your body to control. Pearson sealed about half of its ability until you're strong enough to control its full power."
"Albert, what's the use of telling it to him now? He won't understand." It was Maria who said that. She patted my head once more.
"Papa, wiw I die?" I needed to know. To be honest, this was new to me.
"No, dear. You just have to slowly train to tame the foreign soul in your body and make it yours." I put a hand over the spot that was hurting back then.
"Would I have died if we didn't figuwe it out?"
"Yes." Maria slapped Albert's arm as he responded to my question. "Ow, honey."
"You should explain it more, so he doesn't get scared." Albert was massaging the place Maria had slapped him. He, then, nodded in agreement.
"Okay, Alex! Picture this. You have a bowl of water. The bowl is your body, and the water is your soul. When I put oil into the water, the oil and the water separate, right?" I nodded as he looked at me for an answer. "If your body has two types of souls inside it that does not mix together, your body will start breaking down because the two souls will fight for dominance. When the body breaks, you will die, but
you can prevent it by training your soul, mind, and body to absorb the other soul as yours."
I was getting it, but he didn't really have to use the analogy. I got it otherwise. Maria turned to me.
"Alex, make sure no one finds out about this. There are all sorts of people in this corrupted world, and I don't want any of them to get their creepy hands on you. Also-" I could see the hesitation in her eyes as if she didn't want to talk to me about it.
"Darling, go ahead. We have to tell him sooner or later." Maria took a deep breath and slowly let it out. I knew she was preparing herself for letting it out without getting emotional.
"We are not your parents. Your grandfather kidnapped you from your real parents." I was certainly shocked. I didn't think they would actually say the truth to me so soon. I could see Maria starting to tear up a little. It must have been really tough for her to say that. "I adopted you on a three-year promise, but he is coming for you earlier. So we plan on training you with King Howard for four years before taking you back to your family back...at your real home."
Maria wiped away her tears as she continued. "To be honest, I am being selfish. I know I should take you home by now, but please just a little bit more. I promise to take you home after four years."
"You know, mama, this wiw always be my home, and you wilw always be a pawt of my famiwy." I had to say it, so
she could feel a little bit better. Emperor Deacon never left a crying woman alone, so why should I? Maria gave me a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you." Next, it was Albert's turn.
��No, Alex. We should thank you for being our son since you have only brought happiness in our lives ever since we brought you here." They both smiled at me with teary eyes. "Also, you will be leaving here tomorrow morning, so you should catch up on some sleep. I do wish you could stay a little bit longer, but never under these circumstances."
"Who else knows about my situation? About the beast's souw inside me?"
"Me, Maria, King Howard, and the palace physician. So, only five of us, including you. However, I am going to say this again 'make sure you don't tell this to anyone'."
"Okay."
"Goodnight, Alex." Maria gave me a goodnight kiss like she always does before bedtime. They closed the door as they left, leaving me all alone in my bedroom. I laid down on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. So Ariella gave a part of her soul to me, but why? I was like a total stranger to her.
Thinking of Ariella made me think of her egg. I wonder if it had hatched by now? I turned to my side; then I turned to my other side trying to get comfortable and start sleeping.
I could not. My thoughts were running wild about my situation. Maria indirectly begged me to stay four more years with them too. I did miss my family, but this was also a chance to get stronger. I could learn how to wield magic or start strengthening my body.
I don't know when or how I fell asleep, but I only realized it when I woke up in the morning. I was woken up by my maid. I got freshened up and started getting ready. Apparently, the maid was rushing me, saying that the carriage was already here to pick me up. I didn't even get the time to eat any breakfast as I usually do. I was only given crackers to satisfy my hunger. When I went inside the carriage, Maria and Albert were already there. Just when I got inside, I felt like someone watching me, but it was different from the last time.
I looked back to see no one.
"What is it, Alex?" I looked back at the smiling couple.
"Nothing." I got inside and started to head toward the palace.