Not surprising, actually. Anyone would be shocked to learn such a big truth. And for Hadrian himself, he must have felt completely lied to and fooled.
After that, feelings of guilt will begin to haunt him. This is not good, Axelle thought before she closed Hadrian's bedroom door.
But no matter how bitter, the truth must be revealed. Axelle believes Hadrian is a strong person. That person should get up soon after this.
"Is… Father going to be okay?" muttered Desmond.
Axelle tightened his grip on Desmond's hand. "Marquess Hadrian is a strong person. He will surely recover soon."
"But… Mother is currently also sick, and now Father. And I… I'm still too weak," said Desmond. "How will this family be?"
Rheannon sick? Axelle thought, no wonder he didn't see her. "Lady Rheannon is sick?"
"She said she was tired after going out to investigate my old house," said Desmond.
"Can I see your mother?"
Desmond takes Axelle to Rheannon.
Rheannon herself was sitting on her bed and writing something. She did look a little sick but still well enough to do something about it.
If she works like that, it's only natural that she won't recover soon, thought Axelle.
Rheannon smiled at him. "It turns out that you have come, Prince Axelle."
Axelle's eyes widened at Rheannon's voice. While in his care, Rheannon mostly mumbles and uses signs. Now she was able to speak clearly. "Desmond said you were sick. Shouldn't you be resting?"
"People are just too much. I can still work," said Rheannon. She chuckled when he found Desmond frowning at that. "Why did you bring Prince Axelle here? Where's Hadrian?"
"Father just fell down," Desmond told him.
"Because of me, sorry," said Axelle. "I… said something on the spur of the moment."
"Understandable. Especially during these few days, I couldn't use my power on Hadrian. I guess… the demon around him are coming back to him."
"Then let me do it!" blurted Desmond. "I'm a demon controller, too, right?"
Rheannon smiled at Desmond. "Not now, you're still too young," she said. "The demons will not threaten your father's life. He will be fine."
"Later, I will try something to make Marquess Hadrian feel more at ease," Axelle added.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then Yana comes in, and it turns out that she is looking for Desmond. It's time for the boy to have lunch. So with a heavy heart, Desmond went.
Yana also informed that Axelle's room had been occupied. Axelle said goodbye to Rheannon and left.
The room he occupied was a small luxury he could not experience in Zion. Not that Zion is a bother, it's just that here he is served much the same as when he was still living in the palace.
Yeah, but Axelle isn't here to relax.
***
"Oh. From here, everything really becomes clearer. Thank you for bringing me here, Sir Ichabod."
"No big deal, Prince Axelle. But… why do you want to be escorted to the highest peak of this residence?"
Axelle stared at the farmland and residential land expanse in front of the Melchoir residence. Everything was sparkling golden. But this building feels a little more gloomy with a dark aura surrounding it.
Even the ruins of the Whitley residence I had passed were cleaner than this one, thought Axelle.
He then smiled at Ichabod. "Has the priest from a nearby temple never stopped by?" asked Axelle.
"Not to my knowledge. His Grace asked the priest to just work for the residents. So if something happens, His Grace always stops by the temple," Ichabod replied.
No wonder, thought Axelle. "My abilities are not much, but if permitted, I would like to perform purification on this residence."
"If you are willing to do it, I will be pleased," said Ichabod earnestly.
"I… have troubled Marquess Hadrian all along. Please take my small action as a token of gratitude."
Axelle closed her eyes and began to pray.
[By all majesty and by Your permission, I ask for protection. For the people I love, love, and care about – make them beings who are always happy. Please make this residence a comfortable and safe place to take shelter.]
Beside him, Ichabod felt something. No, even he saw something. A gentle aura surrounded the Melchoir residence.
And it all comes from within Axelle.
Like a miracle, Ichabod's mind was stunned.
Axelle, the Outcast Prince, who is said to have no power, turns out to have this much holy power.
If the Palace and Beulah Temple discover this, things will only get worse, Ichabod thought.
"Thank you for your help, Prince Axelle," Ichabod said after Axelle finished.
Axelle smiled faintly. "Thank You. It's still not much because I'm still in the stage of learning my skills."
They started walking back to the main building.
"You learned it in the Holy City of Zion?" asked Ichabod.
"Yes. Some people helped me there, especially Priest Cyrus and Lady Colton," Axelle replied.
"Eh?" Ichabod furrowed his brows. "Lady Colton?"
"Marioline, Duke Colton's daughter," Axelle told him. He, too, looked confused. "Her Ladyship has a great holy ability too. Having lived and studied in Zion for a long time, her skills are more well-trained than mine."
"I-I just found out about that," Ichabod muttered. "To be honest, I had negative thoughts when I found out Duke Colton sent his daughter alone to Zion."
"Maybe it was intentional..." Axelle said doubtfully. "Because High Priest Meical…"
"Recently, we learned of High Priest Meical's evil intentions," continued Ichabod. He let out a long breath. "But we still don't know the real reason. So far, we only know that His Eminence is after Young Master Desmond–and it seems you are too."
"I was shocked when I first learned about it from Duke Colton. Moreover… it seems His Majesty the King and Priest Meical have different desires."
"Yes. Who would have thought that in the end the two of them kept secrets from each other?" said Ichabod. "If they get into an argument and find out that the Marquess already knows about all these truths, I… I don't know what will happen to this kingdom."
Axel was silent. They were now in one of the gardens of the Melchoir residence on the road to the main residence.
Beautiful and well-maintained garden. Exactly what Axelle wanted in his garden someday. It's full of autumn flowers, colorful, and makes anyone happy to look at it.
"If you ascend to the king's seat later, the kingdom's state will definitely still be in turmoil," said Ichabod cautiously.
Axelle stopped in her tracks and looked at Ichabod. "You… think that I can ascend to the throne?"
"No one is more deserving than you, Prince Axelle. Aren't you–we all–do this for that reason?"
That's right. Axelle's visit to Paiton is not for fun. He's here to ask for help and create an alias. He's here to take the throne.