Chapter 46: Guilty
(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don’t hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)
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"So, thank you, father", Orion said with a bow.
Erevan looked at Orion and smiled.
"You’re welcome, Orion. I am quite surprised, though," Erevan said.
"How so?" Orion asked.
"Well, I fully expected you to complain or at least show some measure of dissatisfaction", Erevan clarified.
Orion raised an eyebrow " Oh, I do have complaints, but I’ll save them for later, like I said, today is for appreciation". He clarified.
"Very well, you can also show your appreciation by putting in a word for me with your mother", Erevan said with a wry smile.
Orion chuckled.
"Of course, father," he said with a smile.
"Alright, I’m sure your mother has you on some time limit, go freshen up and eat. Later tonight at dinner, I have something to announce. You can go for now." Erevan said, turning back to his work.
Orion nodded before stepping out.
’Wonder what he has to say. Pointless to guess anyway’ Orion thought while walking towards his room.
An hour later, he was walking towards the garden to find Aurora. He had taken his bath and changed into a fresh set of clothes, and he had also filled his stomach to the brim.
’Absolutely nothing like home,’ Orion thought, bliss written all over his face.
He soon arrived in front of his mother, who was sipping tea while reading a book and conversing with Isolde.
Aurora noticed her son approaching, her eye appraising his newfound aura.
He’d changed, her baby had changed, although she wasn’t a natural-born warrior or fighter, she herself had been through enough to tell the difference between Orion of weeks ago vs Orion of now.
The way he walked was now guarded as though prepared at any moment for combat; his easygoing posture was gone. His innocent and childish aura was still present but faint.
And all this at the age of six, her son was truly spectacular, but even that didn’t stop her from worrying. She had heard what happened at the Ivory estate, but she had no idea what exactly Orion had gone through.
She was sure, Erevan knew, he had his ways, but she’d never ask him; it was going to be a while before she spoke to him again.
Still, Erevan or not, she was going to get everything; her baby wouldn’t hide anything from her after all.
"Feeling better?" She asked, after he sat down.
"Yes, a lot better. It’s surprising how much I missed home. I can’t imagine what Lyrielle must be feeling like," Orion said in an amused yet nostalgic tone.
"Knowing her, I’m sure she’s already formed her clique; you don’t have to worry," Aurora said with a smile.
"Oh, I’m not worried", Orion chuckled.
"Are you looking forward to going to the academy?" Aurora asked.
"More than you can imagine," Orion replied.
"Although I missed home, going out and meeting people was exciting. Dangerous, yes, but liberating, if that’s the right word," Orion said with stars in his eyes.
There it was, Aurora couldn’t fathom how a child could have matured so fast, he didn’t speak like a child, she had raised Lyrielle, although Lyrielle had been smart and quite sharp in her own right, Orion was different, far different, although, she would never admit it, she kind of understood why Erevan would do what he did.
"Did you make a new friend?" Aurora asked.
"Huh?"
"Most of the time, when children leave their homes and come back saying they enjoyed staying out with your degree of enthusiasm, it’s because they made new friends." Aurora clarified.
She could never speak to six-year-old Lyrielle like this.
Orion processed what she said before a solemn expression appeared on his face.
"Are you asking because you know, or because you don’t?" Orion asked with a complicated expression.
"Because I don’t." She replied.
"If your guess is that I’ve extracted information from Isolde, then I must tell you that you’re wrong. I want to hear it from your mouth," Aurora clarified.
"Yes, I made friends, two in fact," Orion said.
"Male or female?" Aurora asked.
"Male and female," Orion replied.
"I’m guessing the Marquis’ daughter is one of them?" Aurora asked.
"Yes, her name’s Alice. Alice Ivory." Orion replied.
"And the other?" She asked.
"Michael Wickle", Orion replied.
"That is an interesting duo, Orion. How’d you meet them?" Aurora asked.
"This sounds like some kind of investigation, Mom," Orion said, a bit perplexed.
"Well, I’m sorry if I’m genuinely curious how my son’s first time outside my vicinity went, but I do have to know. Besides, I already told you I’m getting all the details," Aurora said while calmly sipping her tea.
Orion just sighed.
"Well, go on." She encouraged with a gesture.
And so Orion explained everything he went through at the Ivory estate, how he met Alice and Michael, their tour, the library, the garden, the morning of the wedding and everything.
When he got to the point about Barnes, he had to omit some things; he couldn’t explain anything about the system after all. He wasn’t sure when he would inform anybody or whether he would inform anybody.
Aurora was visibly annoyed and angered when she heard about Barnes.
He finally concluded what had occurred at the estate and his ominous goodbye with Alice.
They all fell silent when he was done, Aurora and Isolde still processing all he’s explained.
"It’s a pity what happened to Alice, she was such a nice and charming young lady", Isolde said with a solemn expression.
"And how do you feel about it?" Aurora asked Orion, her expression unreadable.
"Guilty," Orion replied.
"But it wasn’t your fault," she asked again.
"I’ve noticed my logic and emotions don’t go hand in hand, and I doubt I’m the only one," Orion replied.
"And if she goes against you in the future like she has not so subtly implied", Aurora asked.
"Then I would end her, friend or not", Orion replied, his tone flat.
Aurora tilted her head before setting her mug down and getting up She walked towards Orion, picking him up from his chair and hugging him.
"As much as I hate to agree with your father, he’s right. I can’t keep pampering you. While I’m tempted to discourage you, I am proud of your answer. Friend or not, nothing goes against the Chronos and survives our wrath," She said in a solemn and stern tone.
Aurora had always been for her children to enjoy their toddler years before facing whatever the world had for them, but if Erevan’s words were anything to go by, then she had to start preparing her son, for he was a one in a million chance to raise the Chronos higher.
The day soon passed with Aurora and Orion conversing and catching up.
It was late evening, and Orion was currently on his bed, discussing with his system.
’I think it’s time I set new goals for myself. I doubt I’d be going out for a long while, so I have a lot of time to do whatever I need. Haven’t had time to train lately, fighting’s probably training in itself though.’ Orion thought, his mind all over the place.
’But what can I work towards? Just have to keep training, I can ask father for a better library and probably someone to spar against, I still have ETF to grind. Guess I’ll be busy after all’ Orion thought with a sigh.
A knock soon sounded on his door, before Isolde walked in.
"Young master, dinner is ready", Isolde announced.
"Oh, I’m coming", Orion said, stepping down from his bed before following Isolde.
"Are father and mother there?" Orion asked.
"Yes, the patriarch and the lady are already there, oh even-" Isolde said before stopping halfway.
"Even?" Orion asked.
"Nothing, young master," she replied with a suspicious smile.
"If you really didn’t want me to know about something, Isolde, you shouldn’t mention it in the first place. Starting and stopping halfway is just diabolical." Orion said with an exasperated smile.
"Pardon me, young master, it was my mistake", Isolde said with a muffled laugh.
’Probably has to do with what he said he has to announce,’ Orion thought.
They soon walked into the dining area where maids bustled about, serving dishes for the family.
Erevan sat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed, but his eyes sneaking glances at Aurora on his right side, who paid no attention to him.
On his left is where Orion’s gaze eventually fell; another silver head sat there, her posture rigid and composed, a book in her hands.
She had a young but somewhat mature face, like a teenager in the prime of her years, silver hair framing her face, with a few of them being braids and a moderate bust.
As soon as Orion’s eyes fell on her, her gaze also left her book, settling on him. She tilted her head, a curious expression on her face.
Orion didn’t linger; he walked towards his mother before taking a seat beside her, his eyes focused on the dish spread in front of him.
Cough..cough.