Chapter 203. Long time no see, son2022.01.11.
“Then I will return, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Enrique. Go carefully.”
Enrique bowed to Mabel, who waved goodbye, and closed the door of the office. As soon as the door closed, the smile on his face disappeared.
‘I passed today safely.’
To assist His Majesty the Emperor as if nothing had happened. I still managed to do just fine. Although often heart-throbbing. I took a deep breath and turned around to see Aidan waiting for his shift. Enrique greeted him again with a smile on his face.
“Then I’ll see you on the next shift, Count Aserad.”
Aidan nodded and Enrique passed him and disappeared. Aidan just stared at her back. Aidan originally had no interest in the feelings or conditions of others except for Mabel. So it was rare for me to make an evaluation in my heart.
‘It’s annoying.’
If you think about it, Enrique has been an eyesore since a long time ago. However, Aidan was silent, as Mabel had no right to interfere with whoever she had by her side. The annoyance, which was like a small bug, gradually grew by eating emotions, and soon became a desire called jealousy. Thus, he drew sympathy for the weak-minded Mabel. As a result, it was seen that the relationship between the two had become different from before. That was exactly what Aidan had hoped for. As Aidan entered the office, Mabel, who had been reading papers under the sunlight, smiled and looked up.
“I’m here?”
“yes.”
As Aidan approached and held out his hand, Mabel, who inadvertently grabbed her, tilted her head and looked up at him. Aidan wanted to fully possess that smile that was more dazzling than sunlight. The warmth that touches your fingertips. all. entire. Today, as always, he hid his dark feelings behind his expressionless face.
***
Enrique, who was leaving the building, bumped into Renesmee, who was on her way to her office.
“Enrique.”
“Meet Her Highness the Princess.”
“Are you done working now?”
“yes.”
“Then, is it okay for a minute?”
Since there was no good reason to refuse, Enrique complied with Renesmee’s proposal. Returning to the villa where Renesmee is staying, they sat facing each other in the drawing room. Soon the fragrant aroma of tea filled them. Enrique drank the tea Renesmee had recommended and studied her expression.
‘It seems to have changed somehow.’
He spoke less than usual and his expression was calm. When we met again at the Seed of God Verification Ceremony, he was the same as when he was young, but now it was to the point that I thought he was a completely different person. Then, when their eyes met, Renesmee smiled lightly and put the teacup down.
“It’s really been a while since you two were talking face-to-face like this, right?”
“That’s right.”
“He’s kind, but his distancing attitude is still the same.”
The content was scathing, but Renesmee’s tone was kind.
“I couldn’t say anything last time because I wasn’t in a good mood. It’s late, but congratulations on becoming a knight, Enrique.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The two drank tea in silence. Enrique broke the stillness when the warm tea cooled slightly and the bitter taste became stronger.
“majesty. Do you have something to tell me?”
“Yes, I had something to say.”
Renesmee, who was enjoying a peaceful time, brought up the main topic with a surprised face.
“I know that Enrique was rejected by His Majesty.”
“How can you do that…”
“You can see it if you pay attention.”
The minute cracks that seem to be unable to bear the awkwardness when they are together. Just a few days ago, I felt that the atmosphere had changed. If Mabel, who has a friendly and caring personality, felt awkward, the only answer was a confession. The smile disappeared from Enrique’s face. Renesmee looked at the dark expression anxiously and asked.
“are you okay?”
“yes.”
Enrique wasn’t really okay. But it had to be okay. Even if it’s not okay, there’s nothing I can do about it. Suddenly, Renesmee suggested.
“Can I help you?”
At Renesmee’s question, Enrique stared at her as if trying to figure out her intentions.
‘Help me. what?’
A person’s emotions are not something that can be moved with someone’s help. Enrique answered firmly without the slightest hesitation.
“it’s okay.”
It wasn’t that I wasn’t greedy for His Majesty’s side. I have always wanted that position. But can it be occupied by the intervention of others? Even so, what does that mean?
“Yes, Enrique is such a person.”
Renesmee held the teacup with a slightly empty smile. At the banquet hall where I first saw Enrique, I coveted the blond boy under the chandelier shining as if he were alone. The fact that his gaze was exclusively on the young emperor of Ermano ignited Renesmee’s obsession. So it was. What Enrique coveted. There was a time when I dreamed in vain that I would have been happy if that noble heart had turned to me. But now I didn’t even want it. Because I already knew that it wouldn’t work.
“Renesmee Schlangard. You are my only hope.”
Renesmee remembered the voice of someone saying that she believed in her. There was nowhere to retreat now.
***
Devlin’s envoy visited today as well. Mabel calmed down those who argued that the envoy should be imprisoned immediately and sent the envoy back. Of course, he didn’t send it back. The first time he summoned Ho-ho and threatened him, and then the second time he terrified him with a giant sheep.
‘Anyway, I can’t see my father.’
As Devlin started in earnest, I naturally thought that Esteban would take the lead in this matter, but it was unexpectedly quiet. So, it was only up to Mabel to deal with the servants who were voicing their voices in this situation.
“your majesty. Rumors are spreading all over the continent about what he was up to in Devlin.”
“yes. Our empire is expressed like a rogue boat that forcibly brought in an heir from another country and made it a nobleman. I think you are right to do something before this ridiculous rumor spreads further.”
“I have told Your Majesty that there is a way. Are you ready yet?”
be ready Mabel, who pondered for a moment with her chin resting on her chin, nodded as if she had made up her mind.
“I’m still ready, but it doesn’t matter. I am going to send a press release to the newspaper.”
Mabel distributed the materials he had prepared in the first place to his servants. Hot. The servants’ eyes widened to the size of a lantern.
“This is…”
“Is this for real?”
Mabel was very satisfied with the appearance of his servants who were astonished by the unbelievable contents of the data. . . . [“The son hidden from the God King?” The true identity is Count Aserad…!] [The past of the rich red-eyed god-king and Count Aserad.] [Is it Devlin’s bloodline or Abelardo’s bloodline? The prelude to the succession war!] Articles poured in. It was a shocking report that the real son of God King Michael Abelardo was Aidan Aserad. The succession controversy related to Aidan entered a new phase.
***
Fight bullshit with bullshit. So, what Mabel came up with was to make Aidan a stepdad. [To the great god-king Michael. I think Michael has already heard about Devlin’s trick this time. So, I have a request for you. …would you like to adopt a son? My son doesn’t talk much, but he’s nice. He often skips meals, but he is strong and works well. Think about it seriously. -Bbribriga] [I don’t like it. -The great god-king Michael] [To the petty god-king Michael. Why don’t you cooperate when you say you have to stop Devlin? God Seed strikes? -Bree] [But Aidan Aserad is something… not mean. so i hate it -The great God King Michael] [Did you curse at our Aidan? -B] [It’s not an insult, it’s a fact. -Mi] [If that’s the only reason, just say you’ll know! -B] [I agree if I’d rather have Bribri as my daughter. -Dad] [Don’t leave me alone.] Who can say that this conversation is a discussion in which the nation’s top decision makers have fierce interests? A childish quarrel that lasted for several days ended with Mabel winning. Aidan suddenly had a father, and Michael suddenly became a father. The only winner was Mabel.
***
The news of the appearance of the prince of Devlin, which heated up the continent, was soon buried under the article that the hidden son of the new King Abelardo was Count Aserad. Arguments about what is true were fiercely contested. The Devlin Empire began to condemn newspapers across the continent, saying that Aidan must be Devlin’s bloodline, so they published a ridiculous article. However, the continent’s national power had already leaned heavily towards Ermano, so the Devlin Empire’s threat did not work. And a few days later, Abelardo, who had been consistent with a wait-and-see attitude about this situation, made a move. The god king, famous for his heavy steps, came to Ermano. A lot of attention was focused on the encounter between the rumored party, the God King, and Earl Aserad. To make matters worse, Mabel gathered all kinds of reporters and aristocrats to create a touching reunion scene.
“Long time no see son.”
“…shit.”
Aidan, who was about to leave immediately, had no choice but to stand in the gaze of Mabel, who was looking at them with a happy face from behind. Seeing Aidan like that, Michael opened his arms with a fake smile.
“Son. You have to come and hug your father.”
“shut up.”
“Because there is no such thing as cheap. So I said I didn’t like it…”
Michael looked at Mabel with a dissatisfied expression, but Mabel responded by swearing with her eyes.
“Aidan. Aren’t you happy, Dad?”
“…”
“Aidan?”
It’s Mabel’s plan, so I can’t ruin it. Aidan trembled and approached Michael and held him in his arms.
It was truly spectacular to see two young men of the same age hugging each other. The reporters were excited and took pictures with expensive magic tool cameras. All the onlookers watched the reunion with moving eyes.
“Aww! It’s so moving!”
“To see the scene of the father and son reunion…”
“The God King said he had finally found his son who had been lost in the past. I’m so glad.”
The God King and his hidden son, Aidan, played around with the past narrative added according to Mabel’s taste. The God King actually had a lover many years ago and dated her, but broke up due to a mutual misunderstanding. But in fact… the lover was carrying a child! Then, the lover’s family collapsed, and the situation was in need, so he gave birth to a baby in a difficult situation, but lost it. It was a story that could not be heard without tears, that the baby who had been sold to Devlin by chance was actually Aidan Aserad, the hidden son of the God King.
“You were her son. For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off those red eyes that resembled mine.”
“…”
Aidan clenched his fists. Mabel hurriedly intervened in the precarious scene, as if he was going to attack at any moment.
“Shouldn’t the rich and the poor be able to solve their quarrels? You better give the reunited rich man some time.”
The reporters who caught the scoop quickly left the place. The onlookers also made a fuss and left their seats. The surroundings became quiet, and the only ones left were those who knew roughly the details of this plan.
“At this level, that Baron must have been quite agitated.”
Michael accepted Mabel’s plan just for that.
“Since Veron is committing fraud with false incitement, we should respond with the same strategy. In fact, this side is more similar in appearance than that side. Red eyes.”
The factor of red eyes was also the most important factor that gave the new king a chance to win in this public opinion match. Michael looked at Aidan, who was still displeased as if he had touched something dirty, and answered in a tone that was no different from usual.
“What I just said is not completely empty. For some reason, I felt a strange sense of kinship with those red eyes.”
On the continent, people with red eyes were rare. Aidan was the first to see a red-eyed stranger in the life of the God King for a long time.
“How will Devlin come out now?”
“No matter how it turns out, I don’t need another child, so leave me out.”
***
Although the God King made his position clear, Devlin’s argument was also consistent. Today, as always, the envoy stepped into Ermano’s audience room.
“The Ermano Empire, please stop the fraud with Abelardo and return Devlica’s successor, Aidan Devlica, immediately.”
One thing that was different from usual was that in addition to the emperor Mabel, the emperor Esteban was also present in the audience room today. He didn’t seem interested, so why did he show up today? Mabel had doubts, but quickly erased them.
“His Majesty the Emperor told me to convey it. This is the last chance to resolve it peacefully.”
“is it? Did you say it was the last time?”
Esteban, who had been quiet all along, opened his mouth. Mabel looked at Esteban sitting next to her.
“dad?”
Esteban’s reaction was unusual.
‘Why are you worried?’
to that bullshit. It’s not even worth worrying about. Though uneasy, Mabel believed her father. But Esteban opened her mouth for a while.
“…don’t let that happen.”
“ah-!”
Esteban’s answer was faster than Mabel’s cry.
“Only if you can leave this land.”
