Chapter Twenty-Four
_ Tangled Family Ties
* * *
Tirk rak rak!
The sound of the wheels was clear due to the heavy silence in the carriage. He heard her tenth sigh in an hour, so he took her hand that she had placed in her lap, pulled it gently, and began to play with her fingers casually. She was looking at him in a state of shock, unable to say a word, for the warmth of his hands was nothing compared to his eyes, which carried a warmth that melted the iceberg surrounding her heart bit by bit..
"Despite the passage of all this time, you haven't changed."
Her eyes trembled, but he spoke softly..
"I still remember; when you get nervous, you press your fingers in this way.."
"Ah..."
"I know how worried you are, but everything will be alright.."
"..."
"You have always been like this, finding the way in the darkest of circumstances."
She was in a state of confusion and could not find words to say, so he clenched her small hand inside his and smiled with words that sounded like a lullaby making all the annoying sounds disappear.. She smiled and said:
"Thank you"
"You're welcome, we will arrive now..."
He quickly regained his playful personality and pointed out the window. Elite looked out as Altan Palace appeared on the horizon, so she closed her eyes, praying in her heart that things would be good, for last night had been truly catastrophic..
* * *
Half a day ago..
"Really!.. You will sleep at the palace tonight?!"
"Yes, my mother says they will be moving soon.."
The tone was gloomy, but the other's eyes gleamed and he said..
"Why don't you stay at my palace? It will be fun.."
"I don't want to leave my mother"
"She will live with you, come on please, we will play all night long"
Yohan was unusually excited, while Ayan's eyes looked at his mother from afar, frowning slightly..
"I heard that couples should sleep alone, she will sleep in another room, so why don't you come to my palace.."
Ayan's eyes widened. Was his mother going to sleep with that cunning man? He began to move toward them, but Yohan stopped him, tightening his lips firmly and without words. Ayan huffed and said:
"Fine, I will sleep in your palace, but in the early morning we set off to my mother"
"Alright."
Yohan's expression brightened and he pulled Ayan toward his uncle and Elite, who was talking to Sophia, and said joyfully..
"Duchess, Ayan will stay with me"
Elite smiled gently and patted the two children's heads:
"Good news"
The Empress smiled and folded her hands calmly:
"Then let us take the children to sleep, for it is late.."
"Mother!!"
Yohan grumbled while Ayan frowned, but Sophia, firmly looking into their eyes steadily, called her maid:
"Maia.. take the young Duke and the Crown Prince to the Crown Prince's palace to sleep.."
The nanny bowed obediently and turned to them calmly. Yohan grumbled, while Ayan kept looking at his mother, who waved to him with a smile. He sighed in frustration, then looked at Rose, who followed him with Maia..
"Rosie."
He spoke in a clear voice for Rose to hear, so she approached him, and he said in a whisper..
"What is my duty as a Duke when hosting a nobleman?"
Elite had told him the basics, but she hadn't touched on much since he was still young, and because he didn't want to ask his mother this time. He looked at Rose with steady eyes carrying a glint of sadness, and she spoke in a low voice:
"According to the guest's status, young master"
"Then my mother... and that prince, are very important guests"
She noticed his furrowed brows at the mention of Duke Estroin, so she suppressed her smile at his cuteness and said in a gentle whisper..
"Then as is the custom, let us prepare the guest house"
"Will it be ready by tomorrow morning?"
There was clear concern in his question, as he appreciated the extent of the effort in preparing and cleaning these places. She said with a reassuring smile:
"If the servants work hard now, it will be ready by the early morning.."
"Good, I will reward them"
Ayan's features relaxed slightly, but he frowned at Rose's remark..
"As you know, Duke Estroin has his knights, and it is necessary for them to be present with him.."
"Can't they stay with the Altan knights?.."
"I don't think that's possible.."
"Then prepare the western annex, they are now under Altan's protection, right?"
Ayan's tone carried a degree of arrogance. Rose smiled with pride, for this child was clever and knew what was needed, so she said..
"As the young Duke commands.. I will send word to the main palace to ensure everything"
Ayan felt that those hands that were gripping his heart tightly had loosened, so he went with Yohan to his room, which had cream-colored walls and most of the furniture was dominated by white and creamy white with golden chandeliers..
Yohan's room was not more luxurious than his own, but it was also intriguing. In one of its corners was a luxurious open cage where the Griffin played, and in another corner was a small desk, various bookshelves, and a shelf carrying models of castles or small cities. On the desk was an open book, and Ayan was not surprised upon reading its title (Secrets of Magic Stones). The maid approached the two children and said:
"The bath is ready, your Highnesses."
Ayan headed in first with Rose's help, and when he came out, Rose spoke gently:
"I will leave you now.. whenever you need me, I will be nearby.."
Ayan nodded in understanding and sat at a desk and began to read that book with boredom..
_ The Wishing Stone, when you wish with a sincere heart full of regret, the jewel responds to your wish no matter how difficult it may be... The Memory Stone grants you a memory from a different time or a different life.. Sto...
"Pure nonsense..."
Ayan closed the book in disgust and noticed some of Yohan's study papers; the handwriting was disastrous despite the correctness of the answers..
Ayan suppressed his laugh, and when he saw Yohan smiling while seeing him immersed in his privacy..
"Are you done prying?"
"Your handwriting is terrible.."
Yohan frowned slightly, then rolled his eyes and said:
"Writing is annoying"
When he realized that Yohan did not mind his curiosity, he moved from the desk then pointed to the model and said inquisitively:
"What is this?"
Yohan pulled a small table from under the desk and stood on it while carrying the model carefully and placed it on the desk:
"My uncle's gift on my last birthday.."
Ayan frowned inwardly, then Yohan spoke with eyes shining brightly:
"This is Serga Fortress, it was captured before my birthday, and my uncle found the model in the palace and gave it to me.. and he gave Dia a necklace of white emerald"
It was clear to Ayan that Yohan loved Erik very much, but he did not like this man at all; just remembering him made his limbs shiver..
'He is a master actor..'
Hours passed and it was past midnight. It seemed that the two children did not want to sleep, as they played with full enjoyment. Despite almost exhausting their energy, they wanted more fun. They stopped, panting, and Ayan said after a few minutes of silence:
"Why don't we go to your uncle's palace?"
Yohan narrowed his eyes, for Ayan's silence was dangerous. He said with pleading eyes, perhaps in a way he would accept:
"Didn't you say that we would sleep together.."
Ayan went silent for a moment, then stood up, grabbing Yohan's wrist:
"Come with me first."
"Ayan wait. I... "
Yohan was practically dragged with him, and they moved stealthily until they left the Crown Prince's palace. Quietly, they approached Erik's palace, but there, as usual, some patrols were roaming. Yohan looked at Ayan and said:
"Let's go back, we can't go out.."
"We're going"
Just as Ayan was about to move, Yohan grabbed him with genuine concern:
"Aren't you afraid that we will be punished if they catch us?"
It was a weak excuse, so Ayan frowned and looked at Yohan pleadingly. It seemed that Yohan was helpless before his friend, so he sighed and said:
"I assure you that everything is fine, but I will follow you"
Ayan smiled, for he was very stubborn once he decided to do something. When they finally entered the palace and before even ascending the stairs, they were grabbed by their shoulders from behind, and it was a masculine voice, somewhat calm..
"What are you two doing here?"
The two children froze in their places with anxiety.
* * *
After the party was almost over, Elite went out first, followed by her two maids, Laura and Tia, who helped her get ready. When they were almost finished, they felt a majestic presence and turned to the door.
"You may leave.."
The two maids bowed and departed while Elite turned to him. It was clear that he had finished his bath from his clean clothes and half-wet hair..
"Don't tell me you went to bathe in the Order of the Knights of Orlean.."
"You are correct"
Elite pulled a towel and gave it to him and said:
"Do you wish to catch a cold?"
"Are you afraid that you will be accused of neglecting your husband?"
"I am not one who cares about what others say.."
She sighed in helplessness, for sometimes he seemed more childish than her son. She looked at him firmly with burning eyes:
"I do not want you to get sick while we are at the beginning of this war.."
Erik feigned sadness and placed his hand on his heart:
"My wife treats me coldly.. my heart hurts"
"..."
Elite raised her eyebrow and looked at him like a child playing silly tricks. He stood up straight and said with a cold smile:
"Fine, let's talk.."
Elite sat on the bed while Erik pulled a chair and sat opposite her and said with a smiling face:
"Am I going to be scolded?"
"Erik, sometimes I feel that you are heartless"
He opened his eyes feigning shock, but he returned in seconds and smiled seriously before Elite's gaze:
"I will not dodge, I will speak"
"..."
"I convinced Count Branit of the matter, but he did not tell me the timing"
"I am not asking you about this.. the marriage proposal, did you know?"
He took a deep breath and said:
"I suspected it for a moment, but when I was put under the fait accompli, I found no one but you capable of helping me"
His tone was steady and his eyes were clear, no room for lying. She said:
"I don't deny, perhaps it was an opportunity to unite our forces"
"Currently, I want to investigate Estroin territory, but traveling back and forth is difficult. I am thinking of asking for help from Gorin Neva and linking the capital's palace to the territory."
Erik sighed and Elite understood what he meant. He realized that even the capital's palace had become ruins. But something suddenly piqued her curiosity:
"Erik.. "
"...?"
"Why were all of Estroin's palaces destroyed? Don't you find it strange?"
Delayed realization hit Erik's mind and he narrowed his eyes..
"I didn't think much about it, I was young back then.."
"Why don't we investigate..."
Elite stopped when she heard the noise in front of the room. She turned to Erik, raising her eyebrow in surprise. Erik stood up and opened the door, and there were Yohan and Ayan hanging in the air, and a young man with green hair and a strong body carrying them under his arms..
"Uncle"
"Mother"
Erik laughed at the sight of the two children, who seemed to feel embarrassed. Then he looked at the one standing without expression, waiting for orders.
'This boy does not care about the identity of these two children'
He said with a smile, suppressing his laughter:
"Jin, put them down, and tell me what happened"
"I caught them sneaking inside the palace, they tried to escape to no avail"
The two children glared at Jin with spite, for Yohan had asked him to let them return as if nothing had happened, but he refused and insisted on informing his master.
Elite suppressed her annoyance and approached the two children, saying in a stern tone:
"What if something bad had happened?"
"…"
"…"
They bowed in embarrassment. Jin spoke in a neutral tone:
"Your Majesties, the Crown Prince surrendered easily, but it seems the young Duke has no intention of backing down. It seems it was a perfect plan.."
The two children opened their eyes in shock and turned to him. How could he read their actions? Elite looked at Jin intently; dark green eyes and pure features. Despite being a knight with a strong body, he was thinner than his peers..
"Sir Jin Kinth, right?"
"Call me Roxana, your Majesty is the name that was given to me"
There was a slight tremor in Jin's eyes. She smiled gently..
"I am honored to meet the genius of war.."
"It was an honor for me to be under the command of Duke Estroin.."
They were sincere words that did not suit the situation. The children tried to enter to get out of the line of sight, but Erik spoke..
"Why did you two come?"
"I came to see my mother, is it not my right?"
Ayan's steadiness and stubbornness were the right place to provoke Ayan himself, but the time and place were not suitable, so he said coldly despite his smile:
"You have seen her, now go back.."
"Mother, I want to sleep next to you"
Erik opened his eyes in shock, for the child's eyes showed pure sincerity while he made that request..
Elite looked at Erik, then hugged Ayan and said:
"You can do that"
Yohan stepped back two steps, for he expected to be sent with Jin to his room alone, so he felt a tightness in his heart. Elite's next words brought him back to life:
"Sir Roxana, you may leave. The two children will stay here"
The weight fell from Yohan's heart, and despite his embarrassment, he felt gratitude and was unable to speak. Before he could find a word to say, he felt his feet floating, and his uncle's warmth surrounded him as he carried him. He looked at Ayan, who was carried by his mother..
"It's time for sleep, you two rascals.."
Yohan nodded and looked at the ceiling after the four of them were on the large bed. It was unusual; he did not remember ever sleeping next to his parents. He turned to Ayan, who was looking at him happily. It was clear that Ayan was used to this..
"Are you a baby, Ayan?"
"Of course, we are both children.."
When Yohan whispered to Ayan, Ayan's response was enough to make him seal his lips. He really is still a child, but why can't they live like the rest of the children..
...... To be continued ......