Chapter 18
Ruins of ancient Dracaenae enclave, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire
For a very brief moment, there was an overwhelming sense of loss that Clarence hadn't encountered before. He blinked and shook his head, muttering, "What nonsense, how can I miss someone I just met?" Also, Firenze Jesso hadn't even stayed long enough for Clarence to care about him.
Chester's soft voice startled Clarence. "That's usually the reaction he always elicits from people." He stood in the doorway, watching him with wry calmness. "Whether they've known him for a lifetime or just met him." His matter-of-fact observation made Clarence study Chester closely.
"You're actually jealous of that reaction, are you not?" Clarence could tell, even if Chester wasn't willing to admit it. He was surprised by the following remarks. Something life-altering had made Chester talkative and remorseful about his childhood decisions. It was enough to make Clarence think twice about kicking Chester out of his presence.
His young guest was clearly having a revelation right now. Clarence watched Chester closely with some surprise. It was indeed a bitter pill for him to swallow and acknowledge, all the while without wallowing in a pit of self-pity regarding wrong choices made while very callow and immature. Clarence had to admire his composure while going through his very painful self-evaluation of his stupid choices.
"Sure I am; I've lived with it all my life." Chester nodded in acknowledgment of how he felt. "We were always compared to one another." He shrugged with a slight smile, though his eyes were murky with pain and self-hatred. "At least that was until Firenze stopped letting it happen and walked out of our lives." There were equal amounts of admiration and resentment coloring his voice. "Firenze always was the rebel of the two of us." Chester rubbed his jaw. "Then again, we were the middle of roughly three dozen children." There was chilling hatred in his voice when talking of his sire. "My father had a penchant for taking countless concubines and discarding them when they turned up barren or inferior of bloodline." Chester shook his head. "Strange that I thought that was the epitome of adulthood." He scowled. "Now I find it burdensome and downright disgraceful, not to mention contemptible and disgusting." It clearly left him with a sour aftertaste when he spat out that opinion.
*
Earlier, while watching Firenze in communication with his various contacts, Chester had felt so jealous, envious, and angry that he'd been tempted to disrupt the connection. Chester destroyed that urge by recognizing that it was just an immature and bratty reaction because of how stifling his life had been in Bellonia. He refused to give in to such a bad-tempered reaction. Besides, he'd finally repaired his relationship somewhat with Firenze; he didn't want to wreck it again out of sheer jealousy and envy.
He knew that Firenze could sense his negative emotions. However, he'd attempted to keep the communication open with Chester instead of shutting him down, which he'd been tempted to do. Chester was relieved that he hadn't given into temptation earlier.
As he faced the waiting communication channel, Chester closed his eyes. He sighed. "I know better than to trust those who work for the Jesso estate." Instead, he contacted Cress, his friend, and Firenze from way back. Cress had kept him abreast of all Firenze's activities.
That was all that had kept Chester sane in his younger years and the present. They'd kept their friendship platonic despite their parents' attempts to get them engaged. Chester shook his head in disbelief. "Surely our parents had known what would happen if that engagement went through." He grimaced sourly.
Neither Cress nor Chester wanted to ruin their friendship, which would happen if they were engaged. He shouldn't waste more time reminiscing about stupid parental decisions designed to destroy longtime friendships.
Now Chester had even more reason to keep things platonic. "Hey, Cress, how are things going?"
Cress frowned at Chester. Are you serious right now?" She snapped at him. "You'd better get out of wherever you are, fast. Make sure that twin of yours disappears from the Republic, too. He should take his mate with him as soon as possible."
Chester winced upon hearing that news. "Hmm, he just left to get teleported back to the Shantu Republic," he admitted in chagrin.
Cress hissed in disapproval. "You're an idiot, naive as hell too." She shook her head. "Look, I'm just saying this for your benefit. I've warned Commander Darmono and Merchant Lamberton to get those two to safety." She heaved a sigh. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, you've found Clarence Delarosa, right?"
Chester nodded. "It is his communication channel that we're using."
Cress' eyebrows rose. "No wonder it is untraceable." She looked approving. "Just take my word for it; you need to relocate quickly."
Chester sighed. "I need details to understand what is going on."
Cress grimaced. "You're a wanted fugitive. You can no longer use the name Chester Jesso." She sighed. "I've sent you some new documents that you can use for an ID in the future." Chester received the information and looked it over. He smiled a little. "I was wondering what I could do for a new living," he admitted.
Cress grunted. "Whatever, just tell Delarosa he's also on a fugitive list." She looked angry and disgusted. "The Naxos kingdom views him as a traitor for deserting them." She shook her head sadly when Chester winced.
"I somehow feel as if this is my fault," Chester admitted.
"Well, don't, because this went out hours eight months ago, after his disappearance," Cress advised. She went on to fill Chester in on the nitty-gritty details. "He has a bounty on him as well." She shrugged with a sigh. "They want him alive, but if he's dead, the bounty remains the same. They just want proof of his execution."
Well, that was horrible. Chester still felt he was to blame for having nearly exposed Clarence's hideout. "I'll relay the news to him. Thanks for giving me the newest updates." He sighed. "What about the Galos and Bellonia Empires?" He knew he would regret asking, but it was necessary.
"I don't believe this." Cress stared disbelievingly and facepalmed. "They're at war, citing you, Firenze, and Crown Prince Dekert as the instigators because of disobeying royal orders." She informed him. "Now get out of there before the barriers crash. I figure you've got forty-eight hours max."
She blacked out the video and communications channel.