Chapter 68 - 67

Gideon has not been in this place for quite a while now. He still couldn't get used to the idea that people actually chose to live in these kinds of places. It's like a government office... well it is in a way but the fact it's also a residence.

'I did live in a big house as a kid but this is too much'

Gideon saw some maids cleaning the halls and he approached them.

"Hello, if it's alright can I ask for directions?"

The two maids seem to be surprised that someone suddenly approached them. Most of the people who come to the palace are accompanied by someone. They looked at one another before determining that this person looked too awkward and skinny to be suspicious.

"Depends on who you are and where you are trying to go" one of the maids responded to him and Gideon nodded.

"I'm Gideon Lemery, and I need to look for Pri-" Gideon stopped thinking if he should ask for Kaiden immediately. Was he really prepared to talk to Kaiden?

The two maids were already in shock once more to hear that this person right in front of them was Gideon Lemery. They remembered what happened to the nurses that treated him terribly and looked down upon him. The maids held their hands and gulped.

"S-Sir Gideon, are you perhaps looking for Prince Kaiden?" They asked with a smile. If only Gideon knew that their backs were slowly getting drenched with sweat due to nervousness.

"No no... I wanted to ask about Lord Amias. Do you know where he is? He was the one who had me go here"

"Lord Amias should be with the remaining Lords and his Highnesses in the King's Office"

"Didn't their meeting just end a while ago?" The other maid whispers and she suddenly realizes her mistake.

"Oh actually... we're not quite sure Sir Gideon" The maid lowered her head and Gideon sighed not knowing how to respond to the two confused maids.

"It's alright, I just did not want to bother him directly, in any case, they are still in the meeting" Gideon bowed his head a little bit and the two Maids bowed back to him as a response before skedaddling away to avoid any issues with him.

Gideon was a little bit aware that it was due to Kaiden that the staff here is afraid of him. It was a little bit better than the previous treatment where they would straight up act rudely towards him. But of course, it would still be best if they acted normal without any malice or fear behind it.

He texted Amias to ask where he was and the bastard did not even check the message. Gideon wanted to scream inside since he had no idea where he should go and he did not want to face Kaiden immediately.

'At least let me gain confidence and allies first'

He was still in the middle of his melodrama when suddenly a familiar voice called out his name.

"Is that you Gideon?"

Gideon turned around and it was Azazel. Azazel looked like he just got back from war with how haggard he looked compared to the usual.

"Azazel... Thank god I saw you"

"Just exactly who am I supposed to thank?"

Right... at some point the current nobles were worshipped as gods by humans.

"Nothing nothing just an expression... Um by any chance do you know where Amias is?"

"Ah..." It seems like Azazel suddenly remembered something as he averted his eyes to the side. That or he realized something.

"What is it?"

"I actually made Amias take over several of the work I need to be done since I haven't rested as much as you can see"

Gideon took a quick glance up and down once more and replied "I can tell".

Azazel laughed a little and rubbed his eyes.

"In any case, I'll just take over Amias' position here... What did you need from him?"

Azazel placed his hand on his hip as he waited for Gideon's response. He was also wondering how did that bastard manage to convince Gideon to come here to the palace when the kid looked like he wanted to go home already.

"I'll just talk about it with him at another time. I'd just like to ask where Lady Kassandra is since my mom still hasn't come home for a few days already"

Azazel raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.

"Alright, Kassey is with Damien. I'll take you there before I head to my room" He responds and tilted his head in a direction before they started walking.

On the topic of the room, Gideon couldn't help but suddenly ask about that. Azazel seemed to be taken aback by the sudden question on whether or not he had a room in the palace. He responded that all of them had a room here in any case that they had to stay overnight and could not return to their respective homes. He himself apparently had not been home for a while now since the war ended but he did not mind it since he gave some of his properties for orphanages.

Gideon who was connecting the dots with his story assumed that he gave the place where Kaiden and he grew up in. That would also make sense as to why Azazel knew where Kaiden was but it was still a mystery as to why he only decided to show up a few years too late.

'Is it to avoid suspicion from Luciel that he was in cahoots with Gabriella when she went into hiding?'

Who knows? The current "plot" right now strayed far from the original that Gideon can no longer rely on it.

Azazel continued to rant about how Luciel overworked him and Arda and the only reason why he's still managed to survive is that Arda took most of the paperwork while he took most of the fieldwork. It was for a reason since Arda was banned from using her powers but right now Luciel swapped their work.

"It's been a while since I sat down and actually read a lot of words, Even now I think I can still see words" He sounded like he was about to drift off somewhere with how tired he was.

'He sounds like me who had to go through school for the second time in this life'

It was absolute hell for Gideon to relearn the terms in different subjects as well as new history since this world was still different from his original world. But in this world, he was blessed to actually pursue college since he had to give that up to raise his younger sister.

"I think I know how you feel"

The both of them sighed and Azazel stopped walking when they reached a corner. This was near the King's Office, where they all had a meeting earlier. Azazel intentionally stopped here in any case that Kaiden was still in there. Azazel left early compared to the rest because he had nothing more to discuss with them.

"I think it would be best if you stay here while I go in and excuse Kassandra if she's still in there. But I'm certain they're still discussing some things" Azazel still knew that he needs to keep things confidential even though he just ranted about his work life to this kid.

"Alright, thank you" Gideon smiled and watched Azazel knock at the distant door before heading inside.

Only a few moments passed before Gideon felt a familiar warm presence nearby. Truly, he won't be able to avoid him in this place. He couldn't help but laugh at himself before taking in a breath and glancing behind him. His heart still beat rapidly in fear? anticipation? excitement?

"Gideon..."

"Kaiden"

Kaiden glanced to the door nearby before looking back at Gideon.

"Can we talk somewhere else?" after asking that, he discreetly bit his tongue wanting to smack himself for being impatient when Azazel told him to fix himself first before facing Gideon. But how could he when he hasn't seen him for so long?

Gideon had to consider it first since he still had this unknown irrational fear for Kaiden. but he suddenly heard something like a whisper behind his ear saying: "Don't worry, he will never hurt you". He quickly looked behind him to see no one was there and he glanced back at Kaiden.

"Sure... But somewhere out in the open" He didn't want to talk in a private room or in an enclosed area. He did not know why but it made it harder to breathe.

"That's fine with me, Let's talk in the Garden" Kaiden started walking away and Gideon slowly followed after the prince.

"Sorry I kept you waiting Gide...on..." Azazel who just exited the room was confused.

"You sure he was here?" Kassandra, who was behind him also looked around the hall and saw no evidence of Gideon being there.

"I swear I left the kid out here"