Chapter 197: Soren’s Tale [1]
The paperwork, payment, and final discharge logistics took little time to resolve. Before they left, Soren went to meet Aunt Clara to inform her of their departure and share their new address. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to leave the hospital for work anytime soon, given that her husband still required her full-time care and attention. She apologized profusely, but Soren quickly reassured her, fully understanding her situation, before warmly bidding her farewell.
True to his word, Emperor Hector picked them up an hour later. In about twenty minutes, they arrived at their destination.
It was a massive private villa located not far from the city center. Surrounded by high stone walls and wrought-iron gates, the estate offered a surprising amount of seclusion despite its proximity to the heart of the city. The main building was an architectural marvel, blending modern luxury with classic elegance and featuring expansive windows overlooking the courtyard.
"I haven’t been here for a long time, and I only had it cleaned up yesterday, so sorry if there is still some lingering dust or if anything feels a bit out of place," Hector said as he led the way.
"Please don’t worry about it, Sir," Soren responded politely, keeping a steady pace right beside him. "This is already far more than we could have asked for. We truly appreciate your hospitality."
Hector dismissed it with a casual wave of his hand and guided them inside, then down a spacious hallway before stopping in front of a large set of doors. He pushed them open to reveal a beautifully furnished suite equipped with everything they could possibly need.
"You can stay here," he said, turning to look at them. "Get yourself settled in first, and if you want, I will show you the rest of the estate later."
"Um, would it be alright if I used the kitchen?" Soren asked, shifting slightly. "I wanted to cook something for lunch."
Hector nodded readily. "Of course. Just head back down the hallway, take the first right, and it’s at the very end of the corridor. It should be fully stocked with fresh ingredients."
Checking his watch, the Emperor then bid them farewell. "I have some matters to attend to elsewhere and need to head out now, but I will be back by early evening. Please, make yourselves completely at home and don’t hesitate to use whatever you need."
"Understood, Sir. Have a safe trip," Soren bid him farewell.
Once the Emperor left, Soren turned his attention back to Ethea, guiding her forward into their new quarters. The suite was bright, illuminated by the soft sunlight filtering through the windows.
"Do you want to lie down and rest for a bit?" he asked softly, stepping around to face her.
Ethea shook her head. "I want to watch you cook."
Soren chuckled, adjusting his stance. "Alright, then let’s go."
He smoothly turned her wheelchair, navigating back toward the main corridor. On the way, Soren voiced a thought that had been lingering in his mind. "Sir Hector is a bit different from what I expected."
Ethea tilted her head. "...How?"
"Well, during our very first meeting, he rarely spoke, so I naturally assumed he was the stoic type," Soren explained, a wry smile touching his lips. "But today, he was surprisingly conversational. Almost ordinary, in a way. He spoke a lot more freely too. Could it be... because of you?"
"...Who knows," Ethea murmured softly, her gaze drifting ahead.
Soren chuckled. "Perhaps I just got a completely wrong impression the first time around."
Ethea didn’t respond, but the corner of her lips twitched upward.
’...Hmm.’ Soren kept his eyes ahead, adjusting his grip on the wheelchair handles as he decided it was time to address what they had started back at the hospital.
’Ethea. Don’t look around or react outwardly, just listen to my voice.’
A brief silence stretched between them before her response echoed back.
’...You can use telepathy?’
’Something like that,’ Soren replied mentally. ’I promise I will explain everything to you slowly, step by step. But for now, let’s continue our conversation like this. Even though we are alone, I think this is the best way to keep things completely private.’
’...Alright.’
’Good, but before we start, I want to warn you,’ Soren continued, his mental tone softening with concern. ’This will likely be painful for you because we are going to end up digging into your past.’
A brief pause followed, her presence in his mind remaining steady.
’...It is fine. I have been expecting this conversation for a long time.’
’I see...’
Half a minute passed in silence.
’...Soren?’ Ethea called worriedly.
’Ah, sorry!’ he apologized, feeling a bit sheepish. ’I actually got a little nervous and forgot where to start.’
’...’
Ethea didn’t reply, but through the connection, he could easily tell she was laughing at him.
’Ahem. I know. L-Let’s just start from the beginning.’
Soren took a steadying breath, steering her wheelchair forward as he gathered his thoughts.
’I want to be completely honest with you,’ he began. ’Since I am asking you to share your past, it is only fair that I start with mine. Though compared to yours, my life might seem trivial, or even a bit boring because—’
’No,’ Ethea interrupted, her mental voice firm enough to cut off his self-deprecating trail of thought. ’Do not diminish your own life. Nothing about you is irrelevant to me.’ A pause. ’I want to hear all of it.’
’...Thank you.’
He smiled as he positioned her wheelchair near the island. As he slowly laid the ingredients out on the counter, his thoughts drifted back.
’I... I was born into a family obsessed with climbing the noble ladder. They measure your worth by the influence, power, and prestige you can secure for the family name. Naturally, this means every new generation is carrying a heavy burden of expectation from birth. Under normal circumstances, children are given decent care and supported until they undergo their awakening, which is when the family decides their actual worth.’
’...’
’I was never granted that grace period. For me, the verdict was passed the very day I came into the world.’
He picked up a fresh ingredient, his hands steady as he began to wash it.
’My mother fell seriously ill right after giving birth to me...’
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