Chapter 191 [Event] [Celesta Twins' Birthday] [4]
"It's because of him!"
I stared at Jayden's picture, my mind filled with questions. "What's the deal with him?"
Sylvia brushed back her platinum-blond hair and crossed her arms. "It's my father," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "He gave me this picture and told me to try to establish a connection with him."
"So, King Charly is really planning to give you away to Jayden," I remarked sarcastically.
My father had always been fixated on elevating our family and the kingdom to greater heights, but I never imagined he would go so far as to involve Sylvia in his schemes.
Wait a minute.
"Weren't you promised to John?" I asked, recalling an earlier arrangement.
"Yes, I was, but my father changed his mind. He even gave me a picture of the Second Prince of the Arvatra Empire! He didn't even bother to ask for my opinion," Sylvia explained, her voice filled with sadness.
As I glanced at the picture of the Second Prince, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Sylvia. "This guy really has the face of someone who would mistreat his wife."
Sylvia bit her lip upon hearing my comment. "It's so unfair... even Mom gave up."
That's surprising.
I always thought Aunt Edith favored Sylvia more than the others.
"So, you're hiding..." I trailed off, piecing things together.
"Yes," Sylvia huffed, crossing her arms defensively. "I didn't want to go through with it. I refuse to be treated like an auctioned object."
"But you're a princess. Aurora is fulfilling her duty by marrying that guy," I remarked.
"You're echoing my parents' words," Sylvia quivered, her voice trembling. "I-I'm not like my sister, and I-"
"You're scared?" I cut to the chase, voicing the question that had been on my mind.
Sylvia's gaze shot up suddenly, confirming that I had hit the mark. She remained silent, simply nodding in response.
"Sigh..."
No one should blame her.
John is twisted and consumed by thoughts of Layla.
That Second Prince is undeniably unhinged.
And Jayden... he's simply untrustworthy.
"You're still just a kid after all," I muttered.
"What?!" Sylvia glared at me, attempting to throw a punch, but I easily dodged it and lightly tapped her on the head.
"Ouch! Why?!"
"You're definitely different from Aurora," I observed, a touch of surprise in my voice as I realized just how distinct she was from the disciplined First Princess.
"Is that a bad thing...?" Sylvia raised her gaze, her emerald eyes reflecting a hint of maturity.
This girl...
She's undoubtedly a Main Heroine of the Third Game.
She possesses that unique charm, still in its nascent stage, but in two years...
"You need to face them, or else you won't grow," I advised, turning to leave.
"I know," Sylvia nodded and followed me.
"Don't follow me. Go on your own," I instructed.
"No."
****
"What do you think, Jarett?" Charles asked the black-haired man in front of him.
Jarett Tarmias sipped the vin in his glass and nodded. "As long as Layla is promised to your first son, I wouldn't mind losing the engagement between my son and Sylvia."
Charles sighed in relief hearing that. "That's good news. I will announce their engagement after Aurora."
"Hm." Jarett nodded and shifted his gaze toward the grey-haired man approaching them.
"Oh, Thomen. You're finally here," Charles greeted Thomen. "I hope you brought all your children with you."
"Yes," Thomen nodded. "And Your Majesty about-"
"We found some clues about Brandon Delavoic," Charles said before Thomen could finish. "Donald." Charles called out toward a middle-aged man with hazel eyes.
"Your Majesty?" Donald Trueheart, the chancellor and Louisa's and Ronald's uncle arrived with a smile.
"Bring me Roger."
"As you wish," Donald nodded and started to look around him.
Fortunately he didn't have to look long to find Duke Roger who was currently busy boasting about his new son-in-law who was none other than Jayden Rayena.
Speaking of the latter…
"Oh my, Lord Jayden, you are the most handsome man I have ever seen."
"Indeed, you are befitting an Apostle of Eden!"
"May I have your number, Lord Jayden?"
"Are you looking for concubines?"
…was surrounded by women of nobility.
"..." Next to him Carla with crossed arms was coldly glaring at Jayden from behind the crowd of women.
"Ahaha. You are quite desired, son-in-law!" Duke Roger said without hiding the pride of getting the Apostle of Lumen as his son-in-law. He was showing off in front of all the other nobles who were glaring at him with greeted teeths.
If they knew that a commoner could be the Apostle of Lumen, they would have taken him right away but unfortunately they were too late.
"Roger, His Majesty is calling you," Donald called out.
"Oh, Donald? I'm with my son-in-law, why don't you greet him-"
"Roger." Donald called out again in a neutral tone but still with a smile on his face. "His Majesty is calling you."
Roger's smile vanished as he glared at Donald. "Your niece died last month but you didn't even change, Donald. Where's your nephew? Did you leave him-"
"Roger, enough." Peter Greenvern intervened, sensing Donald's face getting more and more cold. He was the last guy he wanted to anger here. "His Majesty is waiting."
"Kuh." Roger scoffed and joined the group. "Your Majesty."
"Roger is here. Peter, you may say it."
"Yes." Peter nodded. "Brandon Delavoic is most likely hidden inside the Dorian Capital."
….
….
"Come on Myra, you are not going to make that face until the end?" Elona asked.
Miranda, who was beautifully dressed in a dark green dress, smiled sadly. "I can't forget about Louisa, Elona. It's too hard for me."
Elona lowered her head when she heard Miranda. Then clenching her fists, she hugged Miranda abruptly.
"Elona…?" Miranda was surprised by the sudden hug.
"I-I also feel sad, big sister but I-I won't be able to turn the page without you."
Miranda felt Elona's body shivering in her embrace.
"That's why…please don't leave me," Elona added and Miranda hugged her back.
"I'm sorry," she patted Elona's hair gently and smiled. "How are your marks?"
"Ah! Our class is first, thanks to Aurora though!"
"It doesn't surprise me from Aurora but I would have put Alfred's class first."
"Yes, but Alfred recently…" Elona glanced at Milleia with an exasperated smile.
….
….
"Milady, may I have your number?"
"I'd also like to know-"
"Please, let us have a private conversation."
"I was here first."
"U-Um..." Milleia awkwardly glanced at the handsome men surrounding her, all vying for her attention.
"Leave her alone," Simon intervened with a sigh.
"They're truly repulsive!" Lyra chimed in.
"Unfortunately, power and status mean everything," Simon muttered, his complexion paling as he realized he himself was the Heir of the Falkrona House.
Noticing his distress, Lyra grasped Simon's hand, providing him some comfort.
"Where is Edward, Sir Simon?" Milleia suddenly inquired.
"Oh... Edward," Simon mumbled, thoughts swirling in his mind about his adopted brother whom he hadn't seen since the beginning of the examination. "I don't know..."
"Perhaps... perhaps I should relinquish my position as the Heir..."
Everything started to unravel within Simon's mind as he reflected on all that he had discovered and how Thomen didn't deny any of it.
All he needed was one word of denial, but it never came.
…..
…..
"What the hell?"
The exclamation rang out, and it was none other than Thomen who voiced his disbelief.
The grand doors of the hall swung open, revealing a stunning woman with flowing grey hair and captivating grey eyes. Every gaze in the room was immediately drawn to her. She was Belle Falkrona, renowned as one of the greatest strategists and a key reason behind the Falkrona army's unrivaled power in the entire kingdom.
However, what caught everyone's attention even more was the five-year-old boy cradled in Belle's arms. With his greyish-red hair and curious eyes, he glanced around the room, melting the hearts of all those who looked at him. He was truly adorable.
"It's okay, Orlin," Belle gently patted the boy's hair, her smile radiating warmth as she approached Thomen.
"What does this mean, Belle?" Thomen narrowed his eyes at his younger sister. It was the last thing he expected from Belle. If their father, Waylen, found out that he had allowed his sister to keep a secret relationship without his knowledge, he would be livid.
"Oh, dismiss any ideas you're conjuring up. I adopted him. He's my son," Belle announced proudly.
Orlin's amber eyes peered curiously at Thomen, but upon seeing his intimidating expression, he buried his face in Belle's neck.
"You're scaring him, brother," Belle glared at Thomen.
"You adopted him?" Thomen stifled a scoff.
Orlin possessed some grey hair, but Thomen couldn't fathom the connection with the boy's amber eyes.
"Could it be...?" Thomen's thoughts raced.
"Have you finally figured it out?" Belle sighed. "He is Edward's Familiar."
Thomen shook his head and hastily pulled Belle aside, finding a secluded spot where their conversation couldn't be overheard. "Is this some kind of joke, Belle? I can understand the amber eyes, but why does he have grey hair?"
"Sincerely, I don't know, brother," Belle confessed, her confusion mirroring Thomen's.
"It shouldn't be possible," Thomen muttered, the pieces of the puzzle not fitting together. "Edward never possessed the Falkrona Bloodline. He was merely bestowed a Legacy by Lord Horus after our father requested his favor. And Legacies aren't hereditary."