Not-So an Extra

After the afternoon tea concluded, and with the knowledge that Adrian was confined to his chamber, the group bid him farewell as they would depart to return to their respective kingdoms the following morning. When his friends were preparing to leave, Adrian requested Sylvina to stay back for a moment as he had something important to discuss with her.

Sitting side by side in a cozy corner of the room, Adrian fixed his gaze on Sylvina's coral-pink eyes and began. "Vivi, I'll get straight to the point. Do you still remember what I told you about the Blood-Controlling Oath?"

Focusing her attention on the boy in front of him, Sylvina nodded, "Yes, I do." Then she recited it, "We must assess our intentions and motivations. Are we seeking revenge, or are we genuinely acting in the interest of preserving harmony and protecting others? We must be honest with ourselves and ensure that the greater good drives our actions."

Pausing for a moment, Sylvina asked, "May I know why you brought it up?"

"Actually…" Adrian's voice trailed off, his gaze shifting away briefly before returning to meet her, his tone was serious, "Vivi, can you refrain from using that power from now on? I mean, it worked before, but I have no idea if it'll work a second time."

The reason that spells work was because they were against the villain of this world, if Sylvina were to use it other than the shitty organization, Adrian couldn't predict the outcome. So, it was better to warn her to prevent any potentially unpleasant consequences in the future.

Vivi nodded understandingly, her expression calm and composed. "Ah, sure, I don't have a problem with it." Chuckling awkwardly, she continued, "Honestly speaking, I'm not fond of using that power for too long. It feels kind of strange because I initially learned Blood-Controlling to help heal others."

As a twinge of guilt surged in, Adrian hastily apologized, "I'm sorry to force you to do something that goes against your will."

Sylvina quickly waved her hands in front of him, panic lacing her voice. "No, no, you don't have to apologize. You gave me the choice, and I willingly agreed. It's not your fault. Moreover, I'm happy that I can be of help to you and our friends."

Adrian let out a warm smile, "Thank you so much for your help back then, Vivi."

Sylivna played a crucial role in the fight against the man, without her help, there was no way they could defeat him.

Yet, Sylvina just chuckled, "What are you talking about? Aren't we a team? Of course, we should help each other!"

Adrian couldn't help but laugh too, "Ah, you're right."

As their laughter subsided, Sylvina returned her attention to Adrian, "So, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Ah," As a thought kicked in, Adrian requested, "Can you… keep this technique a secret between us?" It would be dangerous if the technique fell into the wrong hands.

Sylvina nodded solemnly, "Sure, I can do that for you."

With overflowing gratitude, Adrian expressed it. "Thank you so much."

"Here," Sylvina suddenly extended her pinky finger towards Adrian, causing him to raise an eyebrow, unsure of her intentions. Chuckling softly, she explained, "It means that I promise you that I'll keep it a secret and will never use it again."

Adrian's confusion transformed into a warm smile as he understood her gesture. 'Silly girl.' He then intertwined his pinky finger with hers, sealing their promise.

Retrieving her hand, she spoke excitedly, "By the way, don't forget to visit Yvonne Queendom if you ever have free time. I'll be your personal tour guide!"

Adrian's smile widened, touched by her thoughtfulness, "That sounds amazing. I'd love to take you up on that offer. Thank you."

With their conversation coming to an end, they bid each other farewell.

Resting his back into the plush seat, Adrian stared at the ceiling above him. The grand chandeliers, hanging like crystal constellations entered his view and his mind flew.

Letting out a resignation sigh, Adrian ran his hand through his hair, 'I need to talk to Nate.'

If they were to be separated for an extended period, then it would be better to resolve their misunderstanding as soon as possible. However, just as he was about to gather his thoughts, a series of knocks echoed through the room, drawing his attention toward the door.

Turning his gaze, Adrian found Nathaniel leaning casually against the door frame. A wry smile played on his brother's lips.

"It seems you have good friends," Nathaniel remarked as he entered the room.

'Speak of the devil, huh?' Adrian straightened his posture and responded, "Yeah."

Settling next to Adrian, he asked, "So, how are you feeling?"

Adrian mustered a smile and replied, "I'm pretty good, thanks. How about you?"

Nathaniel mirrored his smile and nodded, saying, "I'm good too."

As the maids finished tidying up the table, they placed fresh refreshments and tea before them. The room fell into a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their drinks, the tinkling of teacups occasionally breaking the stillness.

Once the maids exited the room and the door closed, Adrian initiated the conversation, "Did anything happen after I passed out?"

Distancing his teacup from his lips, Nathaniel responded, "Nothing much, really. After you unleashed your last attack, the Hydra was still alive, but one of the Elders arrived just in time and finished it off."

"I see," Adrian sipped his tea solemnly.

Well, considering the man was an Endless in its Incarnation mode, it would be weird if he could instantly kill it.

"Also, the man's body vanished without a trace," Nathaniel added.

"It looks like they retrieved the body." Adrian assumed.

Nathaniel nodded, "Yeah, undoubtedly."

Placing down the tea to the saucer, Adrian spoke, "As the Elder defeated it, I assumed that the Elder extracted the Orb from the man's body."

Nathaniel nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah."

Adrian mustered up his courage, feeling a knot of anxiety in his stomach as he turned to his brother, "Can I ask you about something?"

"Sure. Ask anyway," Nathaniel replied dismissively while placing the bite-sized strawberry shortcake onto his plate.

Despite his apprehension, Adrian pressed on, "Can you explain to me what you were doing in the watchtower back then?"

"..."

Nathaniel paused for a moment before eventually placing down his plate and turning to face Adrian. His expression was blank, devoid of any emotion. Deep down, however, he felt a pang of pain.

Despite everything they had been through together, Adrian's question made him realize that his brother didn't trust him. This realization fueled a growing rage within him, though he managed to keep it hidden for now.

Undeterred by his brother's reaction, Adrian reached into his Magical Sphere and retrieved a purple book, placing it on the table. "And why are you giving me this book?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically as they locked eyes. The once cozy ambiance now felt suffocating, and tension filled the air, intensifying with each passing moment.

Maintaining their gaze, Nathaniel leaned against the couch and spoke in a cold, controlled tone, "Before I answer your questions, can I ask you something?"

Adrian, trying to mask his own emotions, replied indifferently, "What is it?"

Nathaniel's voice remained icy as he inquired, "Have you met 'him'?"

"..."

However, instead of answering, Adrian remained silent. As his face was expressionless, Nathaniel was having a hard time reading his facial expression. He couldn't decipher whether Adrian had met 'him' or not. Nevertheless, Nathaniel patiently waited for a reply.

Adrian had no idea whom Nathaniel was referring to. 'Could it be Chrono?'

Considering that Chrono was an Endless and the bearer of the Time Sacred Orb, it was possible that he might have been still alive somewhere in this world. Although there was a tomb dedicated to him, Adrian doubted its authenticity, as historical records only mentioned Chrono stepping down from the throne without explicitly stating the cause of his death.

If he admitted that he hadn't met this mysterious figure, it was probable that Nathaniel wouldn't answer his question, or worse, he might even lie. On the other hand, if he lied about encountering the person, what if Nathaniel asked something that only the 'original' Adrian would know the answer to?

The truth gnawed at him, but he wasn't ready to divulge the fact that he was merely another man's soul residing within his little brother's body. He couldn't bring himself to say that he was not his real brother; that he was not the 'real' Adrian.

The bond they had formed over the years meant everything to him. The shared experiences, the ups and downs, the joy and sorrow—they were all cherished memories. Adrian couldn't bear the thought of shattering their relationship by revealing the truth.

His attachment to the people in this world grew stronger with each passing day, despite the knowledge that it was inherently wrong. He felt guilty for yearning for something that wasn't meant for him, but he couldn't help himself.

As a creaking sound broke through Adrian's reverie, he looked up to see Nathaniel rising from his seat.

"If that's your answer, then this is my answer," Nathaniel declared, his voice tinged with disappointment. Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door creaking shut behind him.

In a fit of anger, Adrian snatched a nearby book and hurled it across the room. He buried his face in his hands, feeling the weight of Nathaniel's lack of trust. He realized that despite the years they had spent together, Nathaniel still doubted him.

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