Abel was sitting on a crate in the dark corner of the fort of the capital. Wearing a cloak with his hood almost covering the upper part of his face, he kept an unlit cigar in between his teeth. He stretched his legs straight, his back leaning against the stacked crates behind him.
"I am honored to be welcomed by you." A man's voice caressed his ear, making Abel snap his eyes ever so slowly.
Abel slowly peeled his eyes away from the night sky, setting them on the person standing several feet away from him. Unlike the quiet night sky, which allowed thick clouds to dominate it, the fort was bustling. People were unloading a bunch of crates. Some were consumers hoping to get a better deal to sell in the market and the sort.
Abel ignored the usual scene around him, narrowing his eyes, sizing up the man from head to toe. The side of his lips curled up slightly, eyes glinting in amusement.
The man standing several feet away from him was wearing a thick cloak, covering half of his upper face. But the cloak he was wearing did not conceal his long stature and lean physique. Nor did it hide the aura the man was exuding and the scent of blood coursing through his veins.
"Quick question." Abel slowly rose to his feet, raising his chin, making his eyelids droop. "I hope you give me a satisfactory answer."
The man's crimson eyes, under the shade of his hood, glinted. He remained silent, staring at this man, Abel, whom he had never seen for a very long time. His throat bobbed the more he stared at Abel, almost in awe at how this man's aura never change.
"Are you…" Abel paused, removing the unlit cigar from his lips. "Are you the man she married? You know who I am talking about."
"No," answered the man to Abel without a second hesitation. "You are asking the wrong La Crox."
"Is that so?" Abel rocked his head in understanding. "Then why are you here? You should've brought that man here as a gift. I heard a lot of things... apparently, not so pleasant things."
The man drew his lips into a thin line, breathing out carefully. "That man… is dead."
"Your nephew."
This time, Abel's brows rose. "Ameria's son?"
"I'm even more surprised how you seem to care about your sister's husband, but haven't known he's been dead."
"Well, my sister hates it when other people meddle with her business. However, it sounds like they are about to meddle with mine. Therefore, I would love to mess with them first lest I don't get the chance once they arrive here, carrying their problem they want me, the reliable and wealthy big brother, to solve." Abel shrugged indifferently. When he smacked his lips and studied the man's demure once more, he tilted his head to the side.
"So?" he added. "What is a La Crox doing in my territory all alone?"
The man went quiet for a moment before he lowered his head. "Lady Mathilda asked me to seek her siblings."
"And for what reason?"
"Her words were seek your help. She didn't elaborate which type of help she needed, but I assume you already had an idea what sort of help she needed." The man slowly raised his head, meeting Abel's eyes once again. "Hence, I am here."
"Siblings' help, huh?" Abel rocked his head in understanding. "By siblings, you mean…"
"Abel and Marsella."
"And you came here first?"
"No." The man's reply was quick and firm. "I tried to seek Lady Marsella first."
"However?"
"However, I wasn't granted entry to where she was and it was impossible to meet her right now. That is why I came in here not to waste time."
Abel laughed, scratching his temple with his index. "Time… I guess time isn't on your side."
"It is not."
"Very well." Abel shrugged. He turned on his heel without clarifying anyway, making the man furrow his brows. But just as he took a step, Abel stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
"Mathilda… how was she?" he asked out of plain curiosity since he hadn't seen his sister for many, many years. Not that he missed her, but he wanted to make sure she was alright.
"No harm… or rather, no grave harm has done yet."
"Is that so?" Abel snapped his eyes ever so tenderly, sauntering away leisurely, waving. "Find the way to the Imperial Palace and seek for lodging. You came at the right time. I needed extra manpower or my dearest vassal will fry my brain again."
<strong>******</strong>
<strong>[ Imperial Palace ]</strong>
"Damn…" Conan could only watch Sunny across from him eat, slacked jaw. The latter had been eating nonstop, and even after Aries and Conan finished their meal, the little girl was still enjoying her dessert.
"Hey, where are you all putting that food?" he asked out of plain curiosity, gazing at the little girl's tiny figure. Sunny's head had barely crossed the table, but her appetite was surely monstrous.
"Tummy." Sunny blinked, facing Aries as the latter wiped the corner of Sunny's lips with a white cloth.
"Don't mind him. He's just jealous you can eat so much." Aries smiled at the little girl, before clicking her tongue as soon as she set her eyes back to Conan.
Conan scrunched his nose up in dismay. "Jealous? I feel like throwing up because I felt so full just watching her gobble up all the food within her reach."
"This is why you haven't had a wife yet." Aries snapped her tongue once more, causing Conan to gasp in dismay.
With his hand across his chest, Conan harrumphed. "That is so rude! Whose fault is it I haven't gotten a wife, eh? It's your husband's fault, hogging all the ladies' attention."
"What?" Aries scoffed, but bit her tongue when she realized Sunny was still there. She covered Sunny's ears mildly, glaring daggers at Conan. "Don't blame Abel for being sinfully beautiful."
"Lady Aries, do you have a loose screw in the head? I mean, your husband is a notorious —"
Creak…
"Is a notorious, what, Conan?"
Conan froze in an instant as soon as he heard Abel's voice echo in the private dining hall. Seeing how his complexion paled, Aries scoffed.
"What? Why are you suddenly silent?" she snorted, and before she could turn her head in Abel's direction, Sunny jumped and called happily.
"Uncle~!"
Aries furrowed her brows and her gaze followed Sunny's figure to the entrance. She tilted her head, seeing an unfamiliar figure behind Abel. When Sunny reached the two, she run past Abel and hugged the other man. Meanwhile, Abel sauntered towards her, planting a kiss on her cheek before sitting down beside her.
"Who…?" she trailed off, setting her eyes back to Abel, and then noticed Conan from the corner of her eyes. Aries cast Conan a look, and to her surprise, Conan was frowning.
"What a bothersome guest," was what Conan spat out, and then walked away without a word.
"What's going on…?" she wondered, watching Conan's retreating figure.
"Just some ghost in our past." Aries looked back at Abel upon hearing his answer, seeing him wink slightly. "Or rather, a ghost in his past. Don't worry. He will keep Conan busy for me."
Aries pressed her lips, studying Abel's face. She then shifted her eyes past Abel and onto the entrance, seeing the man under a cloak hold Sunny's hand. When the man straightened his back, he cast Aries a look and bowed, and then guided Sunny away.
"Will there be an inner dispute?" she murmured, only to hear Abel say, "maybe, maybe not? Depends on Conan."
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