Chapter 190 [Event] [Celesta Twins' Birthday] [3]



"Oh, you're already here?" Elona greeted them as she emerged from their mansion, adorned in a stunning grey dress that left Jayden momentarily mesmerized.

"Yes, Elona, you look beautiful!" Milleia exclaimed.

"You too, Milleia!" Elona replied, genuinely admiring Milleia's beauty. With her long blue hair tied back, complemented by her light pink eyes and her elegant blue dress, Milleia was truly a sight to behold. "And Jayden, you're looking good too!" Elona added with a grin, taking note of Jayden's blue suit.

"Thanks," Jayden responded. "You look beautiful as well."

As they chatted, Simon emerged from the mansion, dressed in a formal suit, though his expression seemed troubled.

"Simon..." Elona attempted to call out to him.

Simon, noticing their presence, simply nodded at them before entering one of the Falkrona House carriages. "Please proceed."

"Yes, milord," the coachman acknowledged, and the carriage set off.

Sensing Jayden's and Milleia's inquisitive gazes, Elona changed the topic. "Oh, by the way! Brother is joining us!"

"Huh?!"

"R-Really?!"

Jayden and Milleia were taken aback by the unexpected news.

"Yes," Elona confirmed with a smile.

"I've tried to contact him, but he never responded. I'm glad," Jayden remarked.

"Yes, he even ignored me..." Elona muttered, though she didn't hold it against him. She sensed that something had happened while she was unconscious, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Hey!" Another carriage approached, and Carla's head appeared from the window.

"Carla!" Jayden moved toward the carriage and assisted Carla as she disembarked. Carla, wearing a breathtaking green dress, captivated Jayden's attention, and he found it difficult to tear his eyes away from her, admiring her beauty.

"Jayden." Carla's brother, who was also inside the carriage, greeted his brother-in-law with a smile.

"Mathis." Jayden shook his hand with a smile. Over the course of a month, they had conversed extensively and become good friends. Jayden then turned his attention back to Carla and took hold of her hand. They were now engaged and had no need to hide their affection any longer.

"Elona." The lively conversation came to a halt as an elegant man emerged from the mansion, dressed in a classy grey suit.

"Father."

"Where's Simon?" Thomen inquired, searching for his foster son.

Elona's expression grew awkward as her father asked the question. "He... left earlier."

"I see." Thomen nodded, seemingly unfazed, and then turned his attention to Carla and Mathis. "Carla. Mathis."

"Uncle," Carla and Mathis greeted Thomen, whom they had known since childhood.

"Well, why don't we all share the same carriage?" Carla suggested. "My carriage is spacious enough for all of us."

Elona glanced at her father, who nodded in agreement before entering a separate carriage.

Thus, Jayden, Milleia, and Elona joined Carla in her carriage, while the knights of the Falkrona army and the knights of Duke Roger formed a protective guard around the carriages as they made their way toward the Celesta Royal Palace.

…..

? ? ? ? .

…..

…..

"Lord Falkrona," the knights stationed at the entrance of the palace respectfully greeted Thomen and the others accompanying him.

They were guided to an upper floor, making their way towards a specific hall. The knights guarding the doors bowed their heads and promptly opened the tall doors, which emitted a distinct cracking sound.

As the doors swung open, a bright light spilled out from the hall, revealing Thomen and the rest of the group. The hall was already filled with important nobles and their children from the Celesta Kingdom, all of whom turned their attention towards them as they entered.

"I'm so nervous..." Milleia murmured, feeling overwhelmed by the numerous gazes directed her way.

"I feel the same," Jayden admitted, still unaccustomed to being the center of attention.

Ever since the news broke about Jayden being the Apostle of Lumen and Milleia being the bearer of Raphiel's bloodline, they had become the focus of attention at the academy. However, the intensity was amplified here, with not only students but also middle-aged men and women and high-ranking nobles present.

"Stand tall, Jayden. Remember, you're my fiancé!" Carla nudged Jayden playfully, prompting him to straighten his posture and face the crowd with a determined expression.

"Oh, Lyra!" Milleia exclaimed, spotting Lyra in a beautiful brown dress. Lyra was engaged in lively conversation—or perhaps even flirting—with Simon, who had transformed from his previous sullen demeanor to one of pure delight.

Over the past month, Simon and Lyra had also become engaged, as Lyra had persistently worked to lift Simon's spirits. Both Thomen and Lyra's father approved, recognizing the promising future that lay ahead for their children.

"Milleia!" Lyra exclaimed, embracing Milleia upon seeing her. The three of them shared a warm exchange, catching up on the latest developments and eagerly anticipating the upcoming celebration.

****

I stood in a stockage room within the palace, facing Aurora who looked radiant in her golden dress.

"Amael," she spoke.

"Yes." Thanks to Aurora's help, I had managed to sneak into the palace while disguising myself, evading the knights who patrolled the area. With my blindfold concealing my identity, I was able to move about without drawing too much attention.

"I'm glad you came," Aurora said with a smile.

"Did you doubt that I would?" I asked, curious about her expectations.

"I had my doubts," she admitted. "But I hoped that you would."

"And why did you call upon me? Did you fear something might happen on your birthday?" I inquired.I think you should take a look at

"Yes, but before that..." Aurora approached me, her hand reaching out to touch my blindfold. "Shall we end this little charade?"

I was surprised by her suggestion, but I complied and removed my blindfold. My hair returned to its natural grey color. "When did you realize?" I asked, intrigued.

"When Elona mentioned you to me, I had my suspicions, and they were confirmed when you appeared in the dungeon and that child," Aurora explained.

"Why did you pretend not to know until now?" I questioned, curious about her motives.

"Because... I enjoyed our friendly conversations these past months," Aurora confessed.

"I see," I responded, not showing any particular reaction. "So, do you still require my assistance?"

Aurora nodded earnestly. "I'm not asking for help as Amael, but as you, Edward. Of course, you have the choice to refuse. But I'm concerned for everyone's well-being, and I know you care for Elona, don't you?"

"You're right, Aurora. However, I won't be playing detective for you," I declared firmly.

"I understand," Aurora said reluctantly, understanding my decision.

"Then..."

"Wait," Aurora interrupted me, grabbing hold of my arm.

"What is it?" I asked, curious about her sudden hesitation.

"Thank you, Edward. Thank you for everything," Aurora expressed her gratitude with a genuine smile.

Looking at her, I couldn't help but return the smile. "It's a shame, isn't it, Aurora?"

"Hmm?" Aurora raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"If I had maintained my disguise for a few more weeks, you..." I trailed off, allowing her to finish my sentence.

"I would have fallen in love with you," Aurora completed my words, nodding in agreement. "Given a little more time, I would have fallen in love with you again, Edward."

"It's a pity," I remarked.

A month ago, when I was still heavily influenced by Edward's persona, I had felt love for Aurora. However, as the memories of my past life resurfaced, my feelings towards her gradually diminished, especially considering her engagement to another and the changes in my own perspective.

"A pity indeed," Aurora concurred, her sapphire eyes fixed on me. "If only you had been like this when we were engaged..."

"It wouldn't have worked either," I interjected, surprising Aurora with my response. I continued, undeterred. "Our engagement wouldn't have succeeded because, above all else, the Kingdom is your priority, Aurora."

Even if I didn't believe Brandon entirely, if what he said about me being not compatible with Eden was true then there might come a day where I wouldn't be welcomed in the Celesta Kingdom which is a sacred place worship of Eden, anymore. 

And if Aurora had to choose between her Kingdom and me....

Yeah. 

It wouldn't have worked.

Aurora's eyes widened briefly before she lowered her head in agreement. "Yes. The Kingdom comes before anything else." She said and left the room.

Aurora embodied that kind of personality.

The first time she called off our engagement, it wasn't solely because she was repulsed by me, although that was one of the reasons.

No.

The main reason she ended our engagement was her fear of the potential impact on the reputation of the Celesta's Kingdom if she were to marry someone like me.

And now, she was betrothed to the First Prince of the Arvatra Empire. This alliance was set to mend centuries of animosity between our two nations. The importance of this engagement was crystal clear to Aurora.

She was undoubtedly a better fit for the role of Heir than Alfred.

Now...

I made my way to the end of the room, swinging open the cupboard door and yanking the person inside by the arm.

"H-Hey!"

"What are you doing here?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on the girl who possessed a beauty rivaling that of her sister, with whom I had been conversing until now. "Sylvia."

Sylvia, dressed in a stunning emerald-green gown, shot me a glare with her mesmerizing emerald eyes, her fingers gently caressing her arm. "T-That's my question, Edward! What were you discussing with sister?"

"You were spying on us, weren't you? You must have overheard," I remarked with a scoff.

Sylvia looked away momentarily before locking eyes with me once more. "Aurora... she told me that you had changed, but it seems she was right all along."

Silence hung between us for a moment.

I hadn't spoken to Sylvia in years, so her confusion was understandable.

"What were you doing here?" I repeated, circling back to the original topic.

"T-That's..." Sylvia stammered, clearly flustered by my insistence.

"What were you doing here, Sylvia?" I leaned in closer, adopting the same commanding stance I used to have with her.

"Oh, stop that! I'm not a child anymore!" Sylvia exclaimed, covering my face with her hand, embarrassment flooding her as she reminisced about our past interactions.

"Then?" I removed her hand and pressed her for an answer.

Sylvia reached into the void and pulled out a photograph. "It's because of him!"

It was a picture of Jayden.