Chapter 42

As if he was struck by lightning from clear skies, Lennox stood dumbfounded reading her answers.

Question: explain the writer's view on the revolution of mining as the text described?

Everlys' answer: he does not like dark caves.

Question: the relation between the second and the fifth paragraph is?

Everlys' answer: first come, first served.

Question: what word from the third paragraph could be considered as synonyms for"rationale"?

Everlys' answer: bread (was not even from the text).

' what the.....won't her stupidity infect me if I keep reading this? Damn, she tortured that Welfmore child to the point that he gave her less than zero. I mean what exactly is growing inside that head of her? Mushrooms? Frogs? For fuck sake!!!!!'

Not being able to look at it anymore, Lennox averted his gaze to accidentally fell on the top of the sheet [ name: Iverli ]

Iverli------------------->Everly???

' she got -1 'cause she misspelt her own name!!!!!'

Wearing a dark expression, Lennox silently returned the sheets in the file then stuffed it under the pile of papers at Jennings desk.

'Let's just forget that it ever existed '

Drowning in awkward silence, the pair of father and son did not utter a single word, nor any of them had the intention to do so.

Both of them stayed quiet until Carson knocked the door hurriedly, after allowing him to enter, Carson bowed as he said:" your majesty, general Egerton has arrived and is requesting an attendance ".

Hearing that name, Jennings immediately jumped on his feet as he said: "let him in, and send someone to summon Everly over urgently".

' general Bernard? I thought he won't be coming for a while '

Not long passed after Carson left when a tall muscular man entered the study, he bowed his head mannerly saying with his deep baritone voice:" greetings your majesty, prince Lennox ".

Jennings nodded:" it's good to see you safe and sound, Bernard".

Leaving his usual cold and rude tone, Lennox greeted the man as well:" it's been a while, general ".

He can not be disrespectful towards this very man, he would not actually. After all, Bernard Egerton was the sole human being that managed to win against Lennox in a fair skills battle. To Lennox those who taught him something he lacked are the only ones deserves to be respected, the rest are just garbage and shit.

Jennings gestured to Bernard to take a seat as he also sat on the opposite side, while Lennox simply leaned at the desk.

Jennings: "did you come here directly since arriving at the capital? you must have been exhausted from your journey".

Bernard smiled faintly as he said:" roaming across the continent wasn't easy I admit, but I could not let little one wait for me any longer, so I had to bother your grace at such hour".

"Not at all, please rest in the palace before you head back" said Jennings, waving his hand.

' how strange..... why are these two suddenly acting all formal? They used to be like some old couple, are they fighting or something?'

With a long pause, Jennings said worriedly:" then have you perhaps found–".

Bernard cut him, he said closing his eyes tightly:" it was fruitless, all of them dried long ago, and some already began collapsing ".

Wearing a fierce and guilty expression, Jennings ground his teeth and tightened his fist 'til his knuckles turned white, silently staring at the ground.

' what the hell is wrong with this atmosphere?

'

However, the heavy atmosphere did not last long, as Everly quickly dashed through the door.

"Brother Ba!!!!".

Instantly the moment she opened the door, Everly jumped into Bernards' embrace, both warped their hands tightly around each other, worried, Bernard asked:" are you doing fine, baby girl?".

"I am alright " nodding, Everly quickly grabbed the bearded man's face saying:" what about brother Ba? Are okay?".

With a warm smile, Bernard answered:" I am fine seeing you, little Eve".

' brother Ba? Little Eve? What the holy cow?!!!! She is general Egertons' sister? But she is a Love!! This man here looks like a giant bear!!! I have long since realized that we don't share a blood relation, but to be this man's relative..... this is quite unexpected '

Snapping out of it, Everly hesitated before she said in a low voice:" brother Ba, did you find an active gate?".

Bernard frowned distressingly, he said with apologetic tone:" I am sorry, there was none ".

For a moment, Everly stiffened hopelessly,  but soon she regained her consciousness as she hugged the man carrying her, she said softly:" it's okay, I am happy brother is helping me, I will just find another way".

' oi, done from your lovely family union? Mind explaining some shit? And why is this old bastard looking like he killed all of your family,?! Damn, chill bro'

******

As he thought, no one explained anything and he had to return back to his room.

" send a secret letter to Ajiad Alphonsus, tell him to meet me tomorrow by midnight, let's see how useful he can be" said Lennox to the umbrella butler.

The umbrella butler affirmed clearly then exited the room.

'Things looked complicated, if the general and the old bastard were actually in disagreement, then what could be the reason to make that old couple suddenly turn to strangers? Let that aside, wouldn't it be unreasonable for the general to entrust his little sister to someone he doesn't even want to look at? And what are these gates that made him cross the whole continent searching for them?'

He closed his eyes, thinking deeply but soon opened them again by the 'tap' sound from his balcony.

" what brings you here when you are supposed to be asleep" said Lennox as he opened the door of the balcony.

Everly said while avoiding eye contact with him:" ah..... I came to say goodbye ".

Lennox raised a brow: "hm?".

Fidgeting, she said:" I am leaving with brother Ba today, so I thought that at least I should say goodbye ".

"Leavening? Right now?".

"Hn..... but I will come visit sometime later "

"..."

".... then I will go now".

"Hey! When you need help come find me, I don't mind killing time hunting beasts ".

"Hn!! I will, Lennox too, I don't mind wandering around in the city ".

end volume 2.