Aegon tried to think of an answer but couldn’t find one. Samuel was quite open about himself, yet at the sa ti he kept so much hidden. Everything about him was such a mystery.
He shrugged. "Because I’m so handso and nice?"
"Haha!" Micheal chuckled, rembering sothing. "You’re not far from the truth, actually. Look around you. Do you think everything is normal here?"
Aegon did as he was told and scanned the courtyard bustling with the celebration party. Everyone was carefree, as if there were no troubles in their lives.
They were enjoying themselves to the fullest.
"I guess normal parties are boring. This isn’t normal," Aegon answered. "Everyone is having fun."
"You really have an answer to everything," Micheal clicked his tongue and said. "And you’re right too. Nothing is normal here, but in a different sense than you imagine."
He leaned against the table and continued, "I’m guessing you’ve never been to a noble’s parties. They’re very different from this one. Completely different."
"Like how?"
"Hmm, if I have to summarize the difference, then their parties, or balls as they call them, are restricted and very formal. It’s understandable considering their purpose, but it’s suffocating. We have to act there."
Micheal gestured toward Samuel, who was arguing with Amon about sothing.
"This party has freedom. There’s no restriction and no formalities. Everyone is themselves because they don’t have to pretend. No one here is judging anyone. It feels... liberating."
When Aegon imagined the balls of noble houses the way Micheal described them, he grimaced. He definitely didn’t want to attend any of those.
’Sounds like a pain in the ass.’
"I’ve never seen Father so carefree and relaxed," Micheal smiled. "We rarely see him smile in the palace. At least he treats better, but the rest say he’s emotionless. Too strict."
"I don’t think we’re talking about the sa person," Aegon said, finding it hard to believe.
"But it’s the truth," Micheal sighed. "What I ant to say is that he finds freedom with you and your family. He doesn’t need to be the Emperor. Just an old man who is happy to go along."
Aegon stared deeply at Samuel and asked, "I probably shouldn’t ask this, but is it related to him being a Demigod?"
"You answered your own question already. You shouldn’t know this," Micheal said after a mont of surprise. "But yes, it is related. And all I can say is that you’re helping him a lot. He’s still intact because of you and your family."
He stared at the twilight sky and said, "The whole world treats him with reverence. Even his own family, including . I can’t help it. The more this happens, the more Samuel Morningstar ceases to exist. Instead, all that remains is a husk transford into Samuel the Emperor."
Swirling his wine, he continued in an even tone.
"Perhaps this is why he values you so much. Because of you, Samuel is alive and well. He sees a friend in you, soone who keeps him anchored to humanity and to himself."
"I don’t think I’m that important," Aegon said, a bit uncomfortable with the conversation. "I’m sure there are others who know him as just Samuel."
Micheal simply smiled. "I’ll let you believe that for now, but I hope you understand this is very important. Without Samuel Morningstar, the Emperor won’t function properly. So please keep him alive."
Aegon put the wine glass down, losing the mood to enjoy it. He took a deep breath and said, "I’ll see."
"Don’t be so uncomfortable," Micheal chuckled. "Just be yourself and maintain your current relationship with him. That’s all he needs."
Aegon humd in understanding.
"Also, he gave you that pendant because of this, perhaps," Micheal said, patting Aegon’s chest lightly. "Cherish it, Aegon. You’ll understand its value when the day cos."
"There’s more to this?" Aegon asked.
"Of course," Micheal smiled. "But you don’t need to worry about it right now."
Aegon felt the warm pendant against his chest and nodded slowly.
"I ca here just to have a small talk, but things went differently," Micheal said, standing straight. "Still, I enjoyed our conversation. I hope we can et again in the future."
"You’re so formal," Aegon said, snapping out of his daze.
"Can’t help it," Micheal shrugged. "Anyways, enjoy the party. It’s your day after all. I won’t disturb you any longer."
Aegon nodded and watched him walk away. He thought Micheal would stay, but the prince directly left the party.
’I guess he needs so ti to process this.’ Aegon gripped the pendant tightly before turning toward Samuel and Amon.
He strode toward their table and stopped right before them. The two of them also stopped their argunt and turned to face him.
"You need sothing?" Samuel asked.
"Can I punch you?" Aegon asked straightforwardly.
Samuel gave him a disdainful look and said, "Grow a few more inches before talking, brat."
Aegon’s lips twitched as he thought, ’Yup, this old man is very human.’
"If you can sell the Mana Battery to ," Amon said, adjusting his monocle, "then I can do this task for you. Really, I’m also itching for it."
"If you want a beating, then just say so," Samuel snorted. "I’ll give you plenty of that. Don’t forget how often I used to beat you into a pulp back then."
"But that’s only after I managed to make a joke out of you before everyone. Isn’t that why you were always so angry, Golden Boy?" Amon asked.
’And they forgot about ,’ Aegon was speechless. ’Damn these two. I got worried for nothing.’
He sighed and then walked away, too tired of their nonsense. Inwardly, he decided to forget about the matter for now and just enjoy the party.
Back at the table, the two stopped arguing as Amon said quietly, "Your son told him about the pendant."
Samuel didn’t say anything.
"You know it’s better to just tell him, right?" Amon continued. "He deserves to know."
"Arnold found sothing in the Nightmare Desert," Samuel said while looking down at his wine. "And Aegon has found many things about Olena’s death. I feel like I’m almost there, but going forward scares . That fear makes hesitant to tell him everything."
"What did you find?" Amon asked, curious.
Samuel gave his old friend a resigned look and said, his voice heavy.
"The Retribution might already be upon us."
Reviews
All reviews (0)