Although it was only a slim chance of Kaiden seeing him and recognizing him. There was still a chance! And it's not something Gideon was willing to risk.
He tried his best to get back to his motorcycle but there were too many people blocking his way and because of his below-average height in this world, he was easily swept away by the mob of people trying to get closer to sneak a peek at the royalty.
'Fuck this cannon fodder's body! Even though I took care of this body, It's barely 175cm'
The carriage that had the king and prince approached the area Gideon was in. He already accepted his fate and hoped that Kaiden did not recognize him in this sea of people. Since he was already here, he might as well take a peek at what Kaiden looks like now.
In the distance, two people were sitting in an open carriage smiling and waving. The masses were shocked because the king seemed to have changed over the years and maybe it was due to his son. Even though the king's charm was blinding, he cannot compare to his son who had a rather forced smile and was waving.
"Kaiden, can't you at least be more sincere when smiling?" Luciel whispered to his son discreetly.
"Why should I? These people are here for you, not for me" Kaiden who was now 21 years old stole a glance from his old man with uninterested eyes.
Luciel felt his chest tighten because even though the shade was not the same, those eyes still reminded him of Gabriella. Seeing their son like this towards him made his guilt continue to fester in his heart. He let out a quick sigh and smiled at Kaiden. Luciel knew it was his fault in some way and hoped that one day Kaiden would forgive him.
"It'll be over soon, just smile a little brighter for me son" Luciel averted his gaze and looked at the people below them.
Kaiden suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and looked back at the masses beneath them and smiled.
The women swooned and some even screamed in joy at the sight of Kaiden smiling. Gideon couldn't take his eyes off him for some reason. He was just in shock that Kaiden grew up perfectly without him, which made him feel a little bit sad. This was what he wanted, wasn't it? To fully embrace being a cannon fodder in this stupid novel and live his days peacefully? Whatever that feeling is, he just pushed it away and continued to watch the parade. To be more specific, he continued to look at Kaiden. No words can describe how handsome Kaiden turned out to be. It makes sense for him to be this handsome since he is the Protagonist.
'If you weren't the protagonist, I would have complained about why I look more pretty rather than handsome!'
There was a brief moment when their eyes made eye contact that made Gideon immediately duck his head. He looked around and started to squeeze into the crowd to get away. Praying that Kaiden did not recognize him.
Luciel noticed his son was just staring blankly in a certain direction and he glanced in the direction to see nothing.
"Kaiden, did you see something?"
"Ah!" As if he was suddenly brought back to reality, Kaiden immediately looks at his father.
"I just thought that…" his words trailed off and he looked back in that direction and felt very sure of something.
"That?"
"Nothing" Kaiden finally smiled genuinely for the first time in years.
'I just thought that I saw a certain traitor'
"FUCK! I'M PRETTY SURE HE SAW ME!"
Gideon managed to crawl to his motorcycle and drive away from the capital. He needed to contact someone. Azazel? No, he can't be of help during this situation because he's busy with managing. Theodora? She's still working as well by guarding the parade in the shadows. Stephen was probably his best choice but he did not want to involve him any further in this mess.
Gideon drove away and knew that he shouldn't come back home for a while to keep the two of them safe. He could not guarantee that Kaiden did recognize him since it was only a brief moment for the both of them to lock eyes. Although he now has a better grasp on his powers, it's still not good enough to go up against Kaiden. At most, he can probably deal with thugs since he did not want to experience the trauma he went through 11 years ago.
Back at the Capital, the ball was about to start soon and Kaiden was still lost in his thoughts ever since the parade ended. Azazel took notice of this since he was one of the event coordinators, alongside Arda who was busy ordering people around to decorate the ballroom to perfection.
"Your Highness, is there something wrong?" Azazel called out to Kaiden.
"Oh" Kaiden looked at Azazel and remembered that this was the man who helped that traitor run away.
To this day Azazel still refused to tell him where Gideon was nor allowed anyone else to aid Kaiden on this specific request. His eyes narrowed and a smile appeared on his face.
'I don't need this guy's help since I already know Gideon is still residing in the Capital'
The entire time he searched outside the Capital but never within because who was stupid enough to stay close to their enemy? But at the same time, it was very clever because it meant that Gideon managed to run around under his nose.
"Oh nothing, I just remembered someone. I don't need to attend the ball right?" the way Kaiden said it sounded like he was asking for confirmation rather than permission.
"The king instructed-"
"I don't need to attend the ball right?" He repeated the question, now facing Azazel directly. Kaiden did not fear Azazel nor did Azazel fear Kaiden.
"I suppose you can excuse yourself early but you need to tell your father" Azazel backed down since he can't fight the prince on this day.
Kaiden seemed to be pleased with this response and turned away before stating that Azazel should just tell his master himself that he won't be joining this "stupid ball" since he had no partner anyways. Azazel only bit his lower lip in annoyance but went back to work mode and did what Kaiden had ordered. Luciel was a little disappointed in hearing that his son was once again uninterested in joining him in events. He really wanted to bond with his son and tried doing so over the past 11 years. But it seemed like no matter what, Kaiden already built a wall around his heart.
Gideon was close to the outskirts of the capital and he stopped driving for a moment to take a break. The sun was setting and although monsters were lurking, They were mostly docile and the Violent ones were the ones in the north to northeast. He squatted on the roadside next to his motorcycle and buried his head in his hands.
"I was already living a good life so far for so many years…" he finally broke down crying.
Gideon was not able to do this the moment he got sucked into this world because he always had someone next to him. Even in his dreams, this feeling haunted him but he could not cry out. Tears continued to stream down his face. He was not strong but he had to pretend to be one for his sister in his old life. And even in this life, he needed to act strong because he can't rely on anyone.
"I miss my family, I'm so sorry that big brother is weak" he mumbled to himself begging for forgiveness from his real family.
"I just want to go home, I never asked for this" He mumbled.
"There you are.."
Gideon hears an unfamiliar voice and looks up to see a woman in what appears like the capital's military uniform. She had a brooch that had the Lilith Flower engraved into it meaning she is one of Kassandra's subordinates.
"I'm sorry, you are?" Gideon wipes away his tears and stands up to extend his hand in greeting.
"Emilia, I'm Theodora's subordinate. She got worried when we received reports of someone going out of the capital at this time" She explained to Gideon who only nodded.
"I'm sorry Miss Emilia, but I can't return to the capital"
"What?"
"It's a little complicated to explain but I feel like I will put Stephen and Theodora in danger if I returned"
With this Emilia started laughing which got Gideon confused.
"Theodora in Danger? Boy, I've only lived for over 500 years now and when I tell you Theo is something else on the battlefield, I mean it. And besides, that's an insult to our master and her subordinates if one of us is weak" She smiled and Gideon profusely started apologizing for the remarks he made.
"It's alright, you're only worried about her but that's why I'm telling you this because she also worries about you so please come with me and return to the capital" Her eyes softened at the young boy in front of her and she patted his head.
'He's so small, I can see why Theo considers you as her own'
"Okay" Gideon mumbled out as he nodded.
Emilia made him hand over the keys to the motorcycle because she saw Gideon crying earlier so he needed to rest his eyes. At first, Gideon was hesitant but did not put up a fight and handed her the keys for her to drive. The two of them started driving back to the Capital and once they had returned home, Emilia gave him her calling card saying "If you feel like you can't talk to Theodora, you can talk to me instead. You're family to us now"
Gideon entered the empty house and absentmindedly said the word "Family…" before proceeding to dial someone because he really needed a friend right now.