The screen in front of him flashed and showed a boy with white hair inside his chamber.
An old ladya���who he assumed to be his Nanny along with some maids dressing Adrian.
The boy's sunken and swollen eyes stared into nothing and the Nanny could only lament upon seeing him.
"It's done."
He lifted his head and forced a smile.
"Thank you."
The old lady knelt, she held Adrian's hand and caressed his head.
"Your Highness, I know it's hard, but, please be strong."
Adrian reluctantly nodded.
"Thank you."
"Let's go, Fredinand is waiting."
They got out of the room and an old man estimated around the late sixties could be seen.
The so-called Fredinand had gray hair combined with grayish eyes. His body was well-built and more fitted to be a fighter rather than a butlera���in his opinion.
"Your Highness, please, this way."
Fredinand lead in the front and the boy followed suit.
Soon they arrived at the hall and right after all of the Imperial Family gathered, they teleported.
They returned to the Sun Castle at the Capital City to hold Aerilyn's funeral.
The funeral was no different from royals in the modern ages, except for those moirologists.
Moirologists were professional mourners that were paid to cry during the funeral because men were deemed unfit to show raw emotions like grief.
They were supposed to be strong as potential family leaders, and no matter how sad Adrian was, he should not show it.
a���Sob a���Sob a���Sob
They continued to wail as Aerilyn's coffin lowered to the ground.
a���Tap!
Adrian glanced sideways when somebody placed his hand on top of his shoulder.
"Be strong."
A man with white hair and red eyes came into view; he was the Emperor, Arthur Leillucisa���his father.
He nodded weakly and returned his gaze to his mother's coffin.
After Aerilyn was laid to rest, one by one people began to leave, but not Adrian, he just stood there as if rooted to the ground and blankly staring into his mother's grave.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting."
Fredinand reminded him.
Adrian let out a deep sigh, he wanted to be here a little longer but he couldn't.
"I understand."
"Your Highness, please, this way."
The boy shadowed Fredinand.
Adrian halted his step and gazed at his mother's tomb for the last time before walking away.
Once Adrian arrived at his Palace, he immediately locked himself in his chamber.
Adrian crawled onto his bed and hugged both of his knees, his mind drifted.
The light in his cerulean eyes dimmed, imitating a bright sky that was covered by countless dark clouds.
The food prepared by the maids remained untouched as he refused to eat and drink.
"I heard you trying to starve yourself."
The boy's blue eyes rolled toward the voice and the sound of a gliding stone entered his ears.
a���Drrt!
A wall slid open and a black-haired boy with golden eyes could be seen, it was Nathaniel and behind him, there was a secret passage.
Adrian turned away as he lost interest and resumed his previous activitya���staring into nothing.
Nathaniel approached and sat next to Adrian.
"I'm sorry I didn't attend your mother's funeral, you know my mother."
"...it's alright."
Adrian answered without bothering to look at him.
His tone was cold and his warm personality nowhere to be found; changed into a gloomy one.
"Ian, look at me."
He peered at him and Nathaniel glared right into his eyes.
"I know it's hard, but remember... you're not alone. I'm here."
Adrian let out a thin smile and answered.
"...thank you."
��?��m Nathaniel patted Adrian's head.
"Here, I brought you cookies! Your favorite one."
Nathaniel took out a pouch from his Magical Sphere and gave it to Adrian, but he shook his head.
"I'm not hungry."
"Tsk."
Nathaniel clucked his tongue in annoyance.
He opened the lid to grab a cookie, then shoved it into Adrian's mouth.
"Unf!"
Of course, his action made Adrian startled, yet Nathaniel shamelessly ordered him.
"Eat it!"
And in the end, Adrian finished the cookie in silence.
"By the way, when I sneaked out on the plaza today, someone gave me a book."
"...I see."
He showed him a book. The cover of the book was purple and decorated with gold.
"The man said that this book was the hidden history of this world. It sounded so interesting so I received it."
"..."
"Well, I read some of the pages but it looked like the man was lying."
"..."
Nathaniel engaged his little brother in conversation, and even though Adrian answered them pathetically and mostly remained silent, the black-haired boy didn't give up and continued to spew some more.
What a bubble personality he had.
"The book was full of crap! It's written that man can turn into a Dragon and we can even resurrect the dead! What aa���"
"Can I read it?"
"Huh?"
Nathaniel was dazed, it was so un-Adrian to cut someone else's speech. But, whatever...
"Sure."
Nevertheless, he gave him the book without much thought.
"Thanks."
Adrian began to read it, however, an uneasiness crept into Nathaniel's heart bit by bit.
"Ian, you're nota���"
Adrian glanced at him and patiently waited for his brother's next word but there was only silence.
He shook his head and smiled.
At least, if reading the book could stop Adrian from drowning in sadness, then it was fine.
"Nevermind."
Nathaniel visited Adrian day by day. He always brought cookies and a new book every time he came.
Time flew and a week passed since Aerilyn's funeral.
a���Flip a���Flip a���Flip
The sound of flipping paper resounded throughout the chamber, Adrian's sapphire eyes moved as they scrutinized every single line written in the book.
Soon, knocks were heard followed by a voice.
"Your Highness, this is Fredinand."
"Come in."
He responded without removing his sight from the book.
"I'm coming in."
Fredinand entered the room with a silver platter in his hand; a single letter with a paper-knife rested on top of it.
He approached and stood next to Adrian.
"Your Highness."
The boy lifted his head, then took the envelope and the knife. He opened the envelope and read the letter.
His forehead ceased upon reading it.
"...coronation?"
"Yes. Her Highness the Consort will ascend the throne."
"It's not even a month after my mother's funeral and the Emperor wants to hold a coronation?"
Adrian scoffed in disbelief and clicked his tongue; it irked him.
A fire appeared in his hand and burned the letter into ashes.
"Reply that I won't attend it."
"I understand."
"Is there anything else?"
"The execution of Duke Lancaster."
Adrian turned to Fredinand, demanding a clear answer.
"What's the meaning of it?"
"Apparently, Duke Lancaster was blamed for Her Majesty's death due to his negligence in inspections of the safety of the fortress."
Adrian laughed wryly and stood.
He walked toward the window and gawked into the faraway distance.
"Let me guess, it's Duke Delacroix, isn't it?"
Fredinand nodded and explained further.
"Yes. Duke Delacroix created a petition in the name of giving justice to the late Empress and of course, His Majesty refused it. However, it seemed that Duke Delacroix had spread rumors among the people which had them rallying in front of the Sun Castle for days."
Adrian's lips drew an arc upon listening to his explanation.
"As expected of Duke Delacroix, he twisted the facts, while he was the mastermind of the accident."
"Unfortunately, we lack proof."
He turned and faced his head butler.
"Could you request an audience for me with my father?"
"As you wish."
With that, Fredinand left.
Be it in modern days or medieval, politics was dirty and disgusting at the same time.
Because the enemy would make the most of every opportunity available and justify any means to crush the opponents to expand their power.
And the so-called Duke Delacroix was kinda amazing and scary at the same time, he succeeded in using one stone to kill two birds.
His daughter ascended to the throne and his nemesis would be executed.
Looked like he had to watch out for that man, he was dangerous.
Adrian's white hair shimmered under the light as it danced along the wind.
His eyes were fixed on the book with a purple cover on top of the desk.
He walked closer and picked it up.
"Everything will return to normal if I can find it, right?"
He marched to his closet and wore a black robe. He scanned his bedroom and stuffed any valuable items into his magical sphere.
Not only that, but he also put the book given by Nathaniel, weapons, and many more.
Was that boy planning to run away?
Adrian marched to the walla���the secret passageway and opened it.
"Huh?"
His view suddenly turned blurry and his head spun.
He had no idea what was happening and everything went blackout.
.
.
.
A pair of sapphire jewels revealed as its eyelids lifted. A blinding light forced him to cover his eyes with his backhand.
As if recalling something, he raised his hand, and a tiny hand came into viewa���it was Adrians, or...
It was his now?
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