?A few days passed since Ethan woke up, and the news of his awakening spread even more rapidly throughout Akarxia. People in small towns, cities, and taverns heard tails of the emergence of a potential powerhouse making Ethan's fame sore through all heights.
While Ethan was currently sitting below the cherry blossom tree in the backyard of the mansion leisurely reading a book he had picked from the mansion's library.
He was reading about something called 'Dune of Destiny Reading'.
A strong breeze blew by—making the pages turn rapidly, the sound of rustling leaves and pages fluttering along with the whizzing of wind rang in the vicinity.
Ethan inhaled deeply enjoying the pleasant moment of peace for he knew that it would be short-lived.
As to why he was reading about something called the 'Dune of Destiny Reading', we would have to rewind to the day Ethan woke up from the cocoon, and the first time after that saw his Family.
~~~
He was leisurely sitting on the chair with a calm and composed expression on his face which oddly suited him after he woke up. His eyes had that flare of resolve as well as the drive of a goal this time which he previously lacked.
The door of his room slammed hard as Aisha was the first one who came running in a hurry first thing when she heard that Ethan woke up.
She stopped in her tracks momentarily seeing Ethan sitting on the chair like that but soon after forgot whichever emotion had surfaced in her heart as only happiness and gratitude remained.
She ran up to him and hugged him tightly caressing his cheeks and hair as muffled soft sobs escaped her mouth.
"Mother! You must have been worried. Tell me, how long was I out for?" Ethan asked and hugged Aisha as well as he stroked her back trying to calm her down.
Aisha was so glad to see him alive and well that she did not even realize how strange he was acting than usual, "Ten Whole Days! You...! You...! Why must you always make your mother worry like this?" Aisha finally released him from the tight hug and asked.
"Okay Okay... Don't cry anymore. I will not make you worry again." Ethan answered as he wiped some teardrops that were trickling over Aisha's face.
It was now that Aisha finally noticed the oddity—but before she could say anything, everyone else arrived as well.
Naenna was the second person to hug him as she too came running and threw herself straight into Ethan's arms. She puffed her cheeks as her eyes became moist; she looked at Ethan poutingly and bonked lightly on his head with her fist.
"Idiot Eth! I have promised big brother Shirin to keep you safe! What would I have said to him if anything were to happen to you!?" She yelled in his ear.
She was still the same loving big sis but... somewhat changed over time from a shy little girl to a free spirit.
After that, his grandparents arrived along with Alier, Albaer, and Luceryc. freewebnove l.com
Both his grandparents acted as if they weren't worried at all, but everyone laughed it off as saying that they weren't worried and did not care was equal to saying that Earth is flat.
Luceryc was as detached from life as one could be. He looked like he was woken up at 2 AM and forcefully brought along with everyone else, which might or might not be the case. Homie didn't give one flying shit if Ethan died or lived.
Earlene maintained her distance as this was more of a family moment and did not want to be the third wheel but questions were swirling in her mind as she saw Ethan casually losing his act of being dumb and no one even seemed to notice. It came off just that naturally.
"Oh? Uncle... You look rather pale. Are you fine?" Ethan suddenly asked amidst all cheering and jeering.
"Huh? Oh... Nothing... I have just been under the rug recently. But I'm glad that you're now safe. Do you know that your father flew day and night on Hooch's back to get help for you?" Alier said as he swiftly rolled the dice over to Albaer.
Ethan was truly confused as to why Alier looked so pale. He could never have expected that he was indirectly the reason why Alier was like that.
Ethan hadn't known that Albaer did all that so he was surprised. This new family loved him dearly but he wasn't able to bring himself to feel the same way as they did for him.
Perhaps it was because he had memories of his past life, 'After I died, did they mourn for me? They didn't seem to care when I was alive anyways...' f(r)eewebnovel
The thought flashed through Ethan's head as he got flashbacks of the obscure silhouettes of his previous family along with their cold and uncaring faces.
Ethan cleared his mind of unpleasant thoughts quickly and looked at Albaer who was looking at him strangely.
"Ethan, you... seem different." Albaer said with surprise, bafflement, and a hint of unrealized joy.
He was the first one to realize the change in Ethan as he was the one most conscious of Ethan's faults, although he never showed it on his face or spoke out loud. He was a father but along with that he was also a Duke of the Kingdom and Ethan was his heir. He felt worried whenever he thought of Ethan's dullness.
"Father... I am no longer shackled by the chains imposed on my mind. It is truly a blessing from the Creator himself." Ethan gave a vague reply leaving the implication on individual assumptions with a smile as he looked at Albaer, but from the corner of his eye; he sneakily observed Alier.
Ever since Ethan woke up, his senses were somewhat sharpened. He noticed Alier's face twitch and then momentarily turn as if he had eaten a fly before quickly turning back to normal.
Ethan then felt a chill on his spine as he sensed a very concealed, targeted wave of bloodlust and murderous intent coming his way from Alier's direction.
Just a few seconds after though, it disappeared as if all was but Ethan's misconception.
Albaer's face bloomed with delight as if the blossoming of thousands of flowers as he processed what Ethan had said. His mind was so occupied with joy that he completely ignored the feeling that he was forgetting something important.
"Good! Good! Good! Albert, go and have the notary write invitation letters for Ethan's seventh birthday. Start preparations for a monumental celebration, and invite all neighboring Lords along with every significant person or house we know of. We will also perform the 'Dune of Destiny Reading' on the occasion and officially announce that my son has made history!" Albaer said with a lot of enthusiasm.
Albert nodded happily and left immediately. Seriously though, that poor man needed to rest first but Albaer dumped another load of responsibility on him.
And with the announcement, everyone broke out in cheers, giggles as well as a family banter.
~~~
And that brings us to the time when Ethan was reading about whatever The Dune of Destiny Reading was.
Ethan closed and placed the book on the ground as he leaned back onto the tree trunk. Suddenly, the peaceful environment reminded him of that girl he had seen when he first woke up. He was later told that she was called Anicia.
He somehow felt that Anicia looked exactly like the kind of surroundings he was in. Peaceful, kind, selfless, and caring as well as pure. That's the kind of feeling he got from her.
The thought of Anicia made him remember that she was unconscious for quite a few days and because of that Ethan wasn't able to say his gratitude to her.
'Oh well, I will say it when she comes back from the city outing, hasn't she gone with Earlene and Naenna?... I too need to go out and see the city for myself it seems.' Ethan thought as the corner of his lips curled up in a dubious smile. He seemed to be cooking up some kind of shady scheme in his head.
'I heard that Anicia girl will be staying here until my birthday and her family will also be invited for the occasion. I should ask her what she wants for saving my life. I don't want to owe a dept—it is too burdensome.' Ethan thought looking up in the sky at the drifting white clouds of various weird shapes and sizes.
The blowing wind was cold, birds were chirping, the water over in the stone-paved pool flowed calmly, the redhorn, silverlily and dragonseer flowers around him were giving off an enchanting fragrance as the flower petals and pink cherry blossom leaves occasionally landed on his head and shoulders.
Ethan casually picked one of the flower petals around him with the tip of his thumb and index finger. Suddenly the peace and serenity were broken when a maid entered the backyard with a message from Albaer.
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