King Edmund's eyes squinted as he looked at leaving Adrian's back.
'This kid... is really interesting...'
'He ruined my initial plan and...'
'And dared to threaten me... The king...'
'What an interesting fellow...'
'But he is still a kid who hasn't seen the world.'
"Father. Why didn't you-!" Prince Cedric who witnessed everything tried to speak up but his mother stopped him.
"He did nothing that is worth mentioning, son." The King whispered in a low voice but enough for his son to hear. "Moreover, there are too many eyes."
King Edmund maintained his composed facade, concealing the underlying currents of intrigue and calculations. He understood the delicacy of the situation, and despite everything that unfolded, his mind was already at work, navigating through the complex web of political and personal implications.
Then he motioned his family to follow him.
"I'm glad to receive such honorable guests in my kingdom...."
King Edmund flattered the two professors and expressed how happy he was to have them. He then congratulated his son for gaining the recognition of such a powerful person and becoming his disciple. He expressed how happy and proud he was as a father.
He then apologized to them and expressed how sad he was seeing two siblings breaking apart from each other. He encouraged Aurelia, saying it wasn't her who was at fault. And if she wished he could easily give the Lighthaven Family back to her and she could also stay as the crown prince's fiance.
However, Aurelia didn't respond to the king for a while and suddenly tried to attack him saying it was all his, the king's fault.
But, her new master stopped her at the right moment, before she would do something stupid. Then, Aurelia fainted. Maybe she was too tired or overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil she had just experienced.
"We will be taking our leave since my disciple isn't feeling well. And thanks for inviting us, King Edmund." Lady Seraphina said as she picked up unconscious Aurelia.
"Of course, I understand you." King Edmund nodded.
"We will be leaving as well, disciple," Seraphelis spoke. "You got anything to say to your parents?"
Aurelius nodded his head slightly to his master and then faced his family.
"Thank you for taking 'good' care of me till now." He started with a slight bow of his head. "I am grateful that you raised me even though I was sick and destined to die. But now, I have found hope. Hope which may cure my illness, and I must follow this new journey with my master. I appreciate the efforts you've put into nurturing me, and I harbor no ill feelings. Farewell."
With a last bow of courtesy, he stood straight up and turned back to his master. "I'm ready to go, Master."
"Haha, alright." Seraphelis chuckled and then flicked his fingers.
The next moment, Aurelies felt his body becoming light and moving upward.
"Be ready for some pressure, disciple." Aurelies then heard Seraphelis's warning. "I will fasten up a little since we need to catch up to your ex-fiance and her master."
"Ehhh-?!"
Aurelius barely had time to register Seraphelis's warning before a sudden surge of pressure enveloped him. The world around him blurred, and he felt as if he were being propelled through a tunnel of energy. The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting, and he could sense the rapid displacement of space around him.
Within moments, the pressure subsided, and Aurelius found himself standing in a completely different location. The surroundings were unfamiliar, but he knew they were still in the capital, albeit above it.
"Hey, can you look after her for a bit? I have something I need to do." Aurelius heard Lady Seraphina's voice from their right side.
"Huh? Ok." His master agreed. "Wait... You aren't going after that kid, are you?"
"...Why ask if you know?" The Lady muttered before disappearing into particles of light.
"M-master. She isn't going to do any harm to her brother, right?" Aurelius asked guessing who the Lady went after.
"Haha, you are quite sharp, aren't you? Well, I wasn't wrong choosing you then." Seraphelis laughed. "And to answer your question, no, she won't hurt him. Well, she will have a deep talk with him, that's all."
"Ok... But her brother was really strange at that time..." Aurelius muttered. "He used to treasure his sister the most from what I heard and know... So why? Or has he been hiding his true colors all this time? Or..."
Seraphelis sighed as he heard his disciple.
'Right, he is still a kid. Moreover, he has still yet to see the real world. He needs to learn about humans and their nature as well...'
"Don't bother thinking about these. You will understand everything when the time comes." He advised his disciple.
"Oh, ok master," Aurelius replied while giving one last glance at the city.
'He is a good brother, at least better than mine...'
_____ ____ _
Adrian walked past the carriage, ignoring the driver's shouts.
He picked up his pace and changed his direction into a more secluded street. Since today was the Awakening Day, there seem to be fewer people than usual.
"Stop."
As Adrian was about to turn to another street, he heard a commanding voice and so stopped and turned toward the voice.
"What? Did you come to take revenge for your disciple?" Adrian spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"...Why did you do that?" The voice asked.
"I don't understand what you are implying," Adrian replied, feigning ignorance.
"...Was there no other way?" The voice asked again. "Why did you have to hurt her?"
"...Like I said, I don't-"
"We both know you are lying." The voice cut through Adrian's attempt at denial, revealing a mix of disappointment and concern. "So, tell me why? And don't try to lie, I can easily tell if you do."
"..."
"...Because it was the best for the both of us this way."