A few days later.
Wade sat inside the carriage, as he gazed outside the window at the expansive mountain range that stretched through the horizon.
His thoughts at this moment were quite simple: put up the best behavior of a 'noble' that he was taught since his birth.
However, it would be extremely hard for him to do so, as he only occasionally received the proper etiquette lessons, which would later completely fade away from his mind since he never even attended a social gathering of elites.
Moreover, he was used to being quite willful and felt closer to the way of life of the village people rather than nobility.
After all, only a single man tied him to this status - his Uncle.
Since his birth, he rarely ever saw his Uncle. Only when he happened to be free would they dine together when Wade returned in summer.
But from what he understood. His Uncle didn't particularly care about him, only raising him because Wade was his blood. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to extend further than this.
He didn't have any memories of his mother, but he was told by his Uncle that she died bringing him into this world. But oddly enough, he didn't even bother to tell him about her personality, appearance, or quirks. Only her name - Rafaella Alexo.
As for his father, his Uncle never mentioned him and everybody Wade tried to ask about him didn't know him. As if his father never existed, or even worse - he was a nobody with no status and died like a dog before Wade's birth.
Whatever it was, his Uncle - Vlad Alexo, was his only kin in this world.
—--
Time slowly passed.
Eventually, Wade looked out to see the familiar sight of tall city walls that stretched hundreds of meters up in the air. The white stone that they were made of faintly glowed with golden luster. Signature color of Alexo.
In front of the gate, hundreds of men were lined up, all dressed in the same silver armor with the Crest of Alexo.
The grandeur was heart-palpating, as the city in front of him was no ordinary one, but a capital of the Alexo Dukedom, Alexo City.
Here, only the members and the servants of Alexo were allowed to reside. As this place was more like a city-sized giant estate. This was the core of the whole family, as even some members might not be allowed in, only permitting pure-bloods.
Naturally, the only reason that Wade was allowed in was once again because of his Uncle. Even he couldn't help but gasp each time he saw the city. This place was one of the most important ones in the entire Solheart Kingdom, only second to the city estate of the Royal Family, the Royal House of Solheart.
One of the soldiers approached the carriage, as Wade was requested to disembark to be inspected.
Usually, it would be incredibly disrespectful for someone who had direct blood ties to Vlad Alexo to be treated as an intruder in his own home, but everyone knew the attitude that the main family had regarding Wade. Thus, he was treated just like any other branch family member. Not having any say in any matter.
It didn't take long before they were permitted to enter the city, as the luxurious carriage moved into the city through the massive gates that depicted various scenes of the commonly known history of Alexo.
The carriage was scrutinized by the watchful gazes of guards as it passed through. Eventually, the carriage entered the city, as a scene straight out of a fairy tale appeared in front of Wade's eyes.
He saw countless people, old and young, having the same golden hair and eyes. Albeit there were some who had different colors, it was easy to understand that they were likely to be branch members or outsiders who came to seek an audience with the main family.
Everyone who looked even a little different than this golden sea of people would stick out like a sore thumb and many family members would often look at them out of their oddity.
Fortunately, Wade was spared such treatment as the carriage sped off into the core of the city.
Some time later, they seemed to have entered a special area, as previously populated apartment complexes, training grounds and malls were replaced by fields of lush green grass that stretched as far as an eye could see.
Occasionally, there would be manors, villas and skyscrapers standing far away from each other, as this place was where the true core of Alexo lay.
Each estate was more extravagant than the other. The deeper the carriage went, the heavier and more majestic the aura around them became.
Eventually, the carriage entered one of the manors. It didn't seem to stand out much except for it having blue chrysanthemums planted on every plot of land.
Moreover, the gate also held the symbol of a single blooming flower, with golden vines surrounding it.
Wade's mood instantly soured the moment he got off the carriage, only to see a line of servants standing in front of him.
He didn't greet anyone nor bother looking them in the eye, as he simply entered the manor, with only a single maid following behind.
He navigated his way through the hallways that were decorated in all kinds of things. Be it paintings depicting unfamiliar faces or the silky carpets that hung on the walls, showing grand battles of the past.
However, the only thing that Wade felt was coldness. He didn't like this place, as every time he came here, he would become a prisoner.
The heavy aura of the estate was something he disliked since his childhood. No one here cared about him, but he was still forced to come because of his connection to that man.
After a few minutes of silent walking, Wade stood in front of the double doors that held the same symbol as on the gate. His heart tightened, as he hesitated to knock on the door.
Knowing well what kind of experience would befall him…that was his fear since his birth…the cold gaze of his Uncle.