141 Chapter 141: Troubles brewing

A sharp silence resumed in the throne room while everyone gawked at the little boy. 

For a moment, they saw golden eyes staring right into them, and in the next second, the light dimmed returning to his emerald eyes and his head dropped down.

Julian immediately tightened his hold over his son as he repeated those words. His face darkened when he understood that there was more to this visit making him clench his jaw.

He turned around and glowered at Usui, and asked sharply, "What have you not told me?"

Usui blinked as he snapped out of his trance. He scrunched up his brows before looking at the sleeping Rin.

"What was that?"

Julian narrowed his eyes and snarled, "Answer my question"

Usui knitted his brows as he asked stubbornly, "Answer mine first"

Both of them continued staring that one could feel the sparks between them.

Zelal piped in nervously, "Woah!! Let's not get feisty here."

Both of them ignored his words, as they continued their staring contest, both refusing to budge. 

Stella looked at Zelal and shook her head making Zelal shrug as if saying, 'I was just lowering the tension here'

Julian finally snapped as he marched towards Usui and caught his collar, startling Zelal and Stella. 

"Listen here, you brat. Tell me what you are hiding before it's too late. I have the right to know when it comes to my kingdom."

Usui pursed his lips but finally gave in as he thought the only word that calmed his mind.

'Father-in-law... father-in-law'

He looked at the anxious king in front of him and frowned before saying, "The demons have attacked Dhalia and Vernania town killing everyone in the towns. Since they are between the kingdom and the academy, Hazel thought..."

Julian released his collar as he stared and whispered, "the next target could be the kingdom."

Usui pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded.

Julian's hands trembled as he turned around as he thought of something. 

Usui glanced at his siblings who exchanged worried gazes with him. 

He heard the King ask, "Then why did you not tell this news when you arrived? Why did you choose to not say?"

Usui sighed, "Because we are still not sure. We were planning on confirming it before letting you in"

Julian shook his head as he paced in front of them. He was mumbling something under his breath and his face grew more anxious each second.

Suddenly, he stopped and turned around rapidly as he shot a question at the three people, "Where is my daughter now?"

Before they could answer, Julian widened his eyes as he said, "Don't tell me that she went to ambush them"

Usui widened his eyes as he yelled, "Whaaat!!! Nooo...."

"She needs to be at the academy because it is where she believes they would attack but-"

Usui nodded, "That's why we are here. In case things didn't go as we predicted, we can buy you guys some time."

Julian frowned, "I'm not letting you guys sacrifice yourselves for this kingdom. That's my duty."

He looked at the three of them and said, "You guys better go to the Sun kingdom and wait till the battle is over."

Instantly everyone's face darkened as they stared at the king as if saying.

'He did not just tell us to run away now'

Julian turned back to them as he proceeded to leave the throne room when Usui spoke, "I have no plans on returning to my kingdom till I know that the danger has passed ." He turned towards his siblings and said, "But I'm not forcing any of you to stay with me. You can leave and wait for me in the kingdom."

"Zeke, we are not leaving you here."

"Brother, we are not leaving you here."

Stella and Zelal shouted in unison making Usui shake his head.

He turned towards Julian, who was watching them with deep worry.

"See, we have already our stance. We are going to stay even if you want to chase us away."

Three black lines appeared on Julian's forehead before he sighed. He was very worried about them, he had this strange feeling that something bad will happen to them.

Usui smiled, "Hazel left her kingdom to me... I'm going to protect it with my life. As long as I'm around, I'm not going to let her drown in sorrow again."

Julian widened his eyes when he heard his words.

'Did he -'

Usui nodded making Julian look at him in amazement. 

'Looks like this brat managed to crawl into her heart that she finally revealed her inner fear.'

But still, Usui saw Julian shaking his head making him scrunch his brows. Why does he keep looking at Rin? which made him come back to his first question.

But before he could pester him, he saw Rin stirring awake making everyone focus their eyes on him.

Little Rin straightened up while rubbing his eyes, looking around confused.

He furrowed his brows when he realized his father was carrying him. 

'Wasn't he in his brother's arms? How is he in his father's arms?'

Rin looked at his father and asked confusedly, "What happened, Father?"

Julian smiled at him and rubbed his head fondly.

"You fell asleep in the middle of your discussion. I have been telling you not to read books so late into the night. Look at how your health has deteriorated."

Rin mumbled, "But I haven't been reading lately"

Julian just smiled at him making Rin pout before turning to Usui, who was looking at him strangely.

He tilted his head cutely and called out, "Big brother?"

Usui smiled and said, "Listen to your father, Rin. It's not good to read all night."

Rin pursed his lips and nodded his head slowly. He turned to look at Stella and smiled, "Hello sister Stella, I'm sorry for falling asleep while we were talking."

Stella shook her head as she said, "No..No it's fine. I can relate to your tiredness"

Rin tugged at Julian's clothes making the latter place the kid down who hurriedly ran off to Stella. He asked cutely, "How would you know sister?"

Stella bent down to his level, carefully adjusting the sleeping Zack on her shoulders. She smiled and gestured him to come closer and whispered, "Because I am the same as you."

Rin's eyes twinkled in excitement making the latter laugh and pinch his cheeks fondly. 

Rin looked at Zack and whispered, "Will he wake up soon?"

Stella shook her head, "He is too tired from all the events. Let's get him some rest in a comfortable bed."

Rin nodded.

"I will come with you too"

Stella carried Zack in one of her hands while she stretched her other hand to Rin, who clasped it excitedly. She nodded at the king and Usui before walking away with Rin, talking about books.

Usui waited till they were out of the door before he asked Julian, "Will you explain now?"

Julian looked at him, shaking his head as he said, "Hasn't Lily ever told you, 'Somethings are better left unsaid'?"

Usui narrowed his eyes as he said, "My mother even taught me that, 'when in doubt always seek for explanation'"

Julian laughed, "She is something... your mother."

Usui sighed, "I wasn't asking about how deep your connection was to my mother, you know"

Julian looked at him and said, "He's special... that's all you need to know now"

Usui frowned, "What do you mean by special?"

Julian shook his head and said, "If you want to know more about him, you should ask Hazel"

Usui pursed his lips when he realized Hazel was surrounded by secrets. Each time he thought he was getting closer to her, the farther he becomes.

The king exhaled before a steeled gaze appeared on his face.

"It's time to gather the royal guards and convey her thoughts to our generals."

Usui nodded, seemingly leaving the topic behind. 

"But before the discussion, you guys should rest. Follow the guards, they will take you to your rooms."

Usui nodded and bowed before glancing at his brother who nodded. Together, they left the throne room, leaving the king behind in deep thoughts.

He looked outside the window, gazing at the sunset, and murmured when he saw a reflection, "How many would die this time?"

Merlene sighed as she gazed at her aged husband who has many things to worry. She approached him and hugged him, "If they keep attacking, it wouldn't be too late for the world to know about him. They would come."

Julian looked at his wife, grasping her hand tightly as he vowed, "My Queen, don't worry. I swear to protect my family this time. I won't let anyone take anyone away from us."

He looked at their intertwined hands, bringing hers to his lips. He softly kissed it and said, "I will never let my children carry that burden again."

Merlene rubbed his cheek lovingly and murmured, "No one blames you"

He leaned into her hand and said softly, "That's what makes me want to protect our world more."

Merlene sighed before hugging him, her head on his chest as she said, "Things are beginning to change again"

He nodded, "At least this time, our daughter is strong and have her friends along with her."

Merlene nodded as they gazed at the sun setting down calmly, not knowing when will they get this leisure again.