Gideon stared at Kaiden at a loss for words. Anyone who thought about this logically would realize that it was in the best interest of everyone to have Kaiden be united with his father. He took a deep breath before he started to explain it in a much clearer light.
"The reason is simple, I did not belong there"
"What?"
"Your father and the others only wanted you and Ms. Valerie to come to the capital, I was just an extra"
'Literally, I am just an extra in your story Kaiden' Gideon thought to himself.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Heh"
Kaiden leaned back in his seat and covered his bemused expression with his hand.
"Just an extra… even so you could still have stayed with me. Give me a much better reason Gideon, even if it's a lie"
"The agreement was only for you to go back. Even if one of us insisted, I won't get the same treatment as you"
"Oh? How come? Why are you so sure it would be like that when you didn't even bother to try"
"Because I was only kept alive for that very purpose"
Kaiden fell silent for a moment when he heard that sentence. Indeed he did say that Gideon could lie his way out and this was just a silly idea that came up so he can consider letting him live. But when Gideon spoke those words, it made him wonder if it was the truth or a lie. Seeing Kaiden fell silent Gideon continued to speak.
"Back then, I was about to be taken away by demi-humans. Azazel and Amias showed up just in time to save me and Azazel told me to convince Ms. Valerie to go with him to the capital"
Kaiden still did not respond to him and thus Gideon took this as a sign for him to continue.
"I asked why and Azazel was about to discuss the reason why when Amias tried to prevent him from doing so. But it resulted in Azazel threatening Amias. Now tell me, if I were to reject his request even after rescuing me, would I be able to live? The most they could do is indeed leave me alive, but abandon me in that area where my fate is left unknown"
"Gideon"
"If it's still not clear enough for you, They would not care about what would happen to me. Even if I came with you to the Capital, I will never be welcomed"
"Then you should have told me this back then!"
"Then what? You'd protect me from them?"
"YES! I promised I would protect you as long as you promised to stay by my side"
"Kaiden, be logical here. You were a child back then who could barely keep their powers in check"
Kaiden really felt shitty with this entire thing. All this time he held a grudge against Gideon for going back on his word. He still could not forgive Gideon for leaving him but the truth was that his friend did not betray him and only chose the best option for the both of them.
"I know I said you could try to lie your way out of this but I just want to ask if what you told me is the truth"
"It is the truth, you can ask all the people involved. They might have different versions but we will all have one truth in common. The king only asked for you and Ms. Valerie"
Gideon still felt his body aching a little. He was not able to fully heal himself to stay conscious even though he knew he had no chance against Kaiden no matter what he does. For now, Gideon only waited for Kaiden to respond to him because the latter was staring at him. Although it does remind him of their brief childhood together, it was not the time to reminisce. Kaiden instead got up and walked towards Gideon.
At first, he thought 'This is it, I'll die.' He was about to use his last bit of powers to defend himself but instead felt the body ache go away.
Gideon's eyes widened... Kaiden just healed him. He was about to ask him something but the words were stuck in his throat. Kaiden didn't wait for him to speak and was about to leave.
"You don't need to hide anymore, I'll let this go but" He stopped in his tracks as if he was thinking about something.
"You still need to make up for all those years you avoided me"
Gideon was confused about what this meant but Kaiden was already gone and Theodora's living room was a wreck.
The moment Kaiden returned to the Castle, he was still conflicted about the entire situation and needed to get to the bottom of it to verify Gideon's claim. But before he could do any of that, he was greeted by Alexander who looked panic-stricken by seeing the Prince.
"Your Highness, The king has requested- no demanded your presence as soon as possible. He is currently tending to Lord Azazel's condition in the Caduceus Wing"
"I see, I'll go there now"
"Your Highness before you do"
Alexander stopped Kaiden who was about to go to the king. He saw Kaiden as a little brother and looked out for him even if it was ordered by the king directly since he was indeed one of the few who had Siblings that are close to Kaiden's age. So knowing about the current situation, he can't help but be worried for him but at the same time, he was panicking about the current state of Gideon that he needed to ask.
Although he guessed half of it back then, Kaiden was sure that Gideon and Azazel had an agreement. And hearing that Azazel was being treated by his father directly meant that Azazel swore an oath and possibly it was regarding Gideon's safety.
"Gideon is safe, I left him in one piece. Do bring him here sometimes, He won't admit it but he likes to be around people" He briefly stated this to Alexander and left to see his father.
Alexander was left there standing with a confused expression that the other guards that were patrolling the grounds saw him and had to snap him out of his daze. Alexander saluted and excused himself while muttering to himself.
"What exactly did you mean by that, your highness" he mumbled before going back to help out Lady Arda with her work.
Kaiden arrived at the Caduceus Wing. To this day, he had yet to explore this huge castle that his father made. According to Azazel, his mother loved fairy tales during her time living as a human. She joked that she once dreamt that one day she'll be able to live in a castle somewhere where there are mountains and beaches not far from it. His father had this castle built in her memory. That's the reason why even though he saw that in other regions they had tall and grand buildings, they still chose to make this their place of retirement.
"Father I've returned" Kaiden made his way into the private room that was assigned for the Nobles.
Luciel still had his back facing Kaiden and Azazel was sitting on the bed with a ghastly complexion.
"Your Highness" he spoke but his voice was still a little weak.
"Stay quiet Azazel, you still need to rest" Luciel cuts in to prevent him from wasting more of his energy. Azazel only smiled awkwardly and nodded.
Kaiden walked closer to the two and saw that his father was focused on healing Azazel. His expression was similar to the one he would have whenever his mother was mentioned. He did not know what to say since he was not really close with the both of them. It was Luciel who broke the silence filling the room.
"Did you plan this?"
"Pardon?"
Kaiden had an idea of what his father was trying to say but of course, he's done making assumptions so he'll wait for the other person to tell him what they meant.
"Having the monsters attack the northern part of the capital as well as have demi-humans wreak havoc in the other regions"
Luciel stopped healing Azazel because he was already tired. Kaiden walks up to the other side of the bed and starts healing Azazel. Since he was half-angel, it was less consumption of his powers and it was more efficient.
"Did you do all of those just to get back at that child who left you?"
Luciel was trying his best to stay calm despite his fury. It can be said that before all of the things that happened, He and the Nobles started as an odd bunch of friends who shared a common goal to live their life to the fullest and never betray one another. Even though their ideals started to change, they remained comrades. Azazel in particular was the first person who stood up for Luciel and the common friend he had with Gabriella. He already lost his love, he does not want to lose his closest friend as well.
"I did not do any of those but I simply took the opportunity to sneak out" Kaiden bluntly states that it even made Azazel cough because it meant that he terribly misunderstood Kaiden.
'To think I thought you were that despicable..' Azazel thought to himself and glanced at Luciel who still looked indifferent.
"Your Highness" Azazel speaks out once more and to his surprise, his voice is no longer weak. Kaiden indeed was superior in power compared to them.
"Gideon is fine. I only punched him but I healed him up" Kaiden once again says honestly that it made the situation even more awkward.
"You are aware that Azazel had sworn an Oath to keep that child safe in exchange for your safety right?" Luciel stared dangerously at his own son that looked up at him straight in the eyes.
"I was not"
"Weren't you wondering why we kept Gideon from you?" Azazel spoke up again to stop any conflict.