"Are you crying?"
Ian asked as he placed his hand on Albert's shoulder. He didn't mean it literally, since there wasn't any tear in the Prince's eyes. He just felt like Albert's expression was weird when he looked at him. And the surprised expression the prince made at his question was more than enough as an answer.
'This guy... He's so happy with just this much?'
Ian felt a sense of regret and helplessness as he looked at the young prince. He wasn't even twenty years old and yet he had to face so many hardships. Not even having a place to call home after fighting enemy's all day long, it was such an exhausting feeling, and Ian knew it very well.
"Who's crying? Have you finally lost it?"
Albert tried to avoid the topic by making silly jokes and Ian also went along with his jokes.
"I lost mine years ago, you didn't know that?"
"You really are crazy."
"Haha.. alright alright.. Let's
"I forgot about the kids!"Ian sprang up from his almost asleep state as he shouted. He was so shocked and distracted by Albert's presence that he forgot to ask Miller about the kids.Ripler, Kio and the other's from the island were supposed to come with him. Ian slapped himself in the cheek at his own carelessness and got up from bed."Where are you going?"Came a voice from behind him. It was Albert, he was rubbing his eyes as he looked at Ian with a sleepy gaze. He looked to his right. Ash and the maze was sleeping peacefully there. The four of them were sleeping at the same bed since none of them wanted to leave the room."Oh.. I forgot I had an important matter to check up on.""Right now?"Albert asked, a little surprised. It was almost midnight. The pin dropping silence around them was giving them an idea of exactly how late it was. The whole world was asleep by then."Umm.
"They're here!"Ian excitedly went down the stairs followed by the others. As the carriages stopped in front of the gate, a few knights came out first and led the children behind them.Ian went forward and received them from the knights. The knights bowed their head and left, letting the kids and Ian finally meet."Welcome.."Ian smiled as he welcomed them into the mansion. Although they looked a bit hesitant at first, seeing Ian acting like his usual self, they soon became comfortable."Aren't you all tired? It must've been a long journey.."Ian said as he signalled them to follow him inside."It was fun.""We used a teleportation portal for the first time!""The knight uncle said that they were there to guard and protect us."They spoke as they followed Ian like baby ducks following their mother."Of course. It's important we make sure that
"Young master, are you close with the prince?" Asked Arthur after Albert left. Corner was in charge of escorting him back to the royal palace, which left Arthur with Ian. "Hmm... We became friends yesterday." "Yesterday? But you guys seemed so close..." Ian wondered if Arthur also wanted to become friends with Albert. In the original novel, they did became quite close aquintances after the incident at the Lancaster duchy. But since Ian was the one who took the credit this time, Albert's attention changed as he focused on Ian instead of Arthur. "He's seems like a friendly guy. Oh, he also mentioned you yesterday. He wanted to get to know the knight that saved him." "Did he?" Arthur couldn't hide the slight excitement showing on his face as Ian put him on the spotlight. There was very few people in the world who didn't like be
"what-ugh!""Oof-""Uwah!"The knights gathered in a circle all jumped up in shock as the water dragon disappeared and drenched them in water.It was cool and refreshing but since none of them was ready for the sudden drenching, they all looked like wet rats as they stood there hopelessly."Pfft...hahahaha..."Among that crowd of shocked people, Ian was the only one who burst out laughing at the scene in front of him. He was finally feeling better after drenching them.It was a petty revenge for the constant stares he received from them everyday which made him self conscious."Young master..."Their admiring gazes were gone and was filled with puppy like stares full of complaint as they looked at Ian. Ian couldn't help but laugh even harder as he faced those gazes."Ahahaha... Pfftt.. what the hell.. hahaha.."As they tried to shake off the w
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?"Albert asked Ian who was wearing his usual mask and robe."I apologize for not getting your permission beforehand. I felt like this would be the safest spot if we're meeting up in secret, you see."That was indeed true. There was no other place in the kingdom as godforsaken as this palace, the one of the deceased queen. If it wasn't for Albert sending his own servants once in a while to take care of this place, it would've turned into a playground for the wild animals.'To think this would be the fate of the queen of a kingdom...'Ian couldn't help but sigh at the thought of it."You still haven't answered my question. Who are you? Remove your mask.""Oh! I cannot do that, I apologize once again. As for my identity, I'm Noah, a prophet.""A what?"&n
After Ian told Albert the secret about his brother, Reynold, they couldn't continue their conversation for much longer. Albert was too distracted by his complicated thoughts and feelings to focus on anything else."We should end today's meeting here."Ian wanted to give Albert the time he needed go gather himself. They decided to meet on a later date and left the place. Arthur decided to escort Albert back to the palace so they parted their ways at that."Don't forget to do what I asked you."Ian said to the both of them. He had different instructions for Arthur which he had explained to him before leaving the place."The night air sure feels great."Ian said as he stretched. He was walking along the riverbank while enjoying the refreshing air of the night. It made him feel relaxed and calm."That's right. It's cold and refres
Ian wondered for a second what he should say to get out of the situation quickly and he soon got a few answers. He judged them by their importance and chose one that'd be the toughest to achieve otherwise. Once he was done deciding, he looked at the King with a determined expression."It seems like you've finally found something that you want. Speak."Said the king with a smirk, wandering the extent of Ian's greed. And Ian was very greedy indeed, much more than what he could've expected."I wish for one of my knights to be bestowed the title of a Marquis."He said with a smug expression knowing how difficult it was to grant someone a title, even for the King. He wanted the King to have a hard time and intentionally asked for that."...What?""How presumptuous!""Such Impudence in front of the King!"The King was dumbfounded while his aids reacted viciously. Ian wondered if they'll ask him to get the hell out of ther
"There was this little kid and his brother. They were orphan.. and the world was a dangerous place to live in..." Ian said as he tried to remember that hellish world that he had to face all alone with only his brother by his side. The zombie attacks were the least of their worries. Whether they'll be able to find something to eat or drink the next day was much more worrisome and of importance. "But they still didn't give up. They fought and fought. They cried and laughed together, ate and starved together as well." 'It wasn't too bad a life.' Ian thought as he saw the prince wriggle under his blanket. "After a few years of struggling, they even managed to find people whom they could call family. Isn't that great?" Ian asked, knowing he won't receive a reply. He didn't mind either. "One day, the brothe