Chapter 13 Ch. 13: The Returnee [2]

The black-haired boy stared at his reflection in the tea, the steam dancing over his teacup before dissipating into the air.

He raised his head and a white-haired boy sitting across from him seemed to be enjoying his tea.

Adrian lowered his teacup and glanced at him, his face was devoid of any expression.

Nathaniel learned about Adrian's memory loss but experiencing it firsthand made his anger grow stronger.

If only he had found him sooner, his little brother wouldn't have suffered from memory loss.

Just look at him, Adrian who was warm and cheerful was nowhere to be found and now he turned cold and indifferent.

Furthermore, the brat just eyed him without even bothering to open his mouth.

As the silence continued to suffocate him, Nathaniel eventually spoke.

"I'm sorry for what happened."

"Thank you."

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good."

"..."

"..."

The flatter Adrian's answer, the more awkward the atmosphere.

Nathaniel was taken aback, even during their first meeting he wasn't this troubled.

So why now?

He didn't understand, it felt like there was a thick and high impenetrable wall between them.

"Shall we introduce ourselves, then?"

Nathaniel suggested, but Adrian shook his head.

The black-haired boy tilted his head, he didn't think that was a good idea.

"My mother talked a lot about you."

"...I–I see."

Nathaniel answered in a weak, barely audible voice.

Adrian could tell how disappointed he was. However, ignoring him, Adrian took another sip of his tea.

He had more or less known Nathaniel inside and out thanks to the novel, so he decided not to do anything unnecessary.

Moreover, after listening to his voice, Adrian realized that Nathaniel was the one who helped him back then.

He distanced the teacup away from his lips and darted at the boy in front of him.

"Thank you."

"Uh, for what?"

Somehow, Nathaniel looked like someone who was lost in the woods–confusion painted his face.

It was true that Nathaniel would end his life, but that didn't mean he could discredit him.

He believed there was a reason behind every action, and his job was to uncover it to get a better understanding of why he killed his half-brother.

And once he figured it out, he might be able to get a chance to avoid the bloodshed.

–Clack!

Adrian placed his teacup on the table and shrugged.

"I don't know, but my feelings tell me to do so."

The corners of Nathaniel's lips raised, lifting the hint of uneasiness that had drawn on his face.

"Hmm, I see. Uh, by the way–"

He took something out from his Magical Sphere and put them on the table.

"–It's kinda late but, happy birthday."

"?"

One of Adrian's eyebrows rose; he demanded an explanation.

"You were unconscious for a long time, you even missed your birthday."

Adrian took a peek at his [Status Window] and his age did change to 7. **

"How many days have I passed out?"

"Not how many days, but how many months. You were unconscious for four months."

Nathaniel rectified him.

"Ah, I see."

Adrian nodded his head in understanding, well, he didn't expect it to take that long.

"Thank you so much for the gifts."

"Don't mention it. You can open it if you want."

There was a rectangular thing wrapped neatly and a pouch.

"It's such a good book."

Adrian could only frown.

Why did he spoil the present? Shouldn't it be a secret to surprise the recipient?

Regardless, Adrian picked up the gift and started to open it, but as the 'thing' slipped out of the cover, his fingers stiffened.

He looked at the boy across from him and sure enough, receiving such a long stare made Nathaniel nervous, he couldn't help but ask.

"Is the present... not to your liking?"

Adrian shook his head.

"No, I was just surprised... and pleased."

Adrian wasn't lying, he was surprised by the gift, but Nathaniel was baffled by his words.

Pleased? Um, excuse me, but which face was PLEASED?

Because his cold face didn't seem to change; it remained the same as the first time he walked into this room.

A book with a purple cover framed golden was in Adrian's hand.

It was the same book that Nathaniel had given the real Adrian in the 'sight'.

He vividly remembered how Nathaniel complained about how bad the book was, but now he complimented it?

'Something isn't right.'

Wasting no more time, Adrian clicked on Nathaniel's [Status Window]. **

The first thing that caught his attention was his [Gifts]. **

Just like him, Nathaniel was also blessed by the founder of this Empire, but why was it written in black?

'The Returnee...'

His forehead wrinkled.

The only thing that came to his mind was...

Adrian returned his vision to his half-brother.

Nathaniel smiled crookedly; he was beyond awkward, and even his lips quivered so hard.

'Did he turn back in time?'

If it was the case, then it explained why he gave him the book much earlier.

But, what was his intention in doing this?

Did he also want him to run away like the original Adrian?

Another thing to watch out for was his other gift. It was something he could not take lightly.

Moreover, now he understood how Nathaniel was able to best the assassin's physical rank, although his average rank was C.

It was doubtlessly that Nathaniel used that gift to raise his combat rating to B average; which gave him a slight edge over the assassin. **

Now, let's say that he failed to avoid the red flag and he had to fight Nathaniel.

Even if he managed to catch up to Nathaniel's physical rank, it would be nearly impossible to defeat him unless he surpassed him by 3 ranks.

'What a troublesome Gift.'

Adrian could see how the difficulty level of his arduous journey had increased.

Well, as expected of this world's protagonist, he had the special plot armor befitting his role.

"By the way–"

Nathaniel's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"–My enrollment paper for the Academy came today. I'll be leaving in a month, so... let's create good memories."

Nathaniel smiled gently, but rather than a suggestion it sounded more like a plea to him.

"...sure."

Nevertheless, Nathaniel turning back the time was still his wild guess and it was premature to judge it.

For the time being, he would just observe him.

"I'm taking up so much of your time, you must be tired. I'll be going now."

Nathaniel stood up and Adrian followed him. He tried to make a bow but Nathaniel stopped him.

"You don't have to be so formal with me."

"If that's what you want."

Adrian straightened his back, Nathaniel walked over and hugged him.

"I'm glad that you're safe."

"..."

An uncomfortable feeling swirled inside him, and whatever it was, Adrian didn't like it.

Nathaniel released him and patted his head before leaving.

Once he left, Adrian sat down and leaned his back against the couch, he crossed both his arms and legs.

His eyes fixed on the purple book on the table and next to it was a small bag.

Adrian reached for the pouch and his attention turned to the door as it opened, revealing his Nanny and several maids.

Ignoring them, Adrian opened the lid.

"Allow me to guess. Is it cookies?"

"Yes."

The content of the pouch was exactly as the Nanny said.

She chuckled and added.

"It's Your Highness' favorite."

"My favorite?"

The Nanny took the book to let the maids clean the table and she spoke whilst marching to the bookshelf.

"Yes! His Highness Prince Nathaniel always brings it every time he visits."

"I see."

Adrian moved and sat on the edge of his bed. He picked up a cookie and took a bite.

"Huh?"

The cookie in his hand fell right after his tongue tasted it.

He wiped his cheeks and his palms turned damp. Tears flew out uncontrollably from his eyes.

It happened again–just back in his subconscious, he was crying without knowing the reason.

Adrian climbed into his bed and covered his whole body with the blanket.

"Take those cookies away."

The room fell into a dead silence.

They stopped whatever they were doing and turned their heads toward the voice.

Cookies were seen scattered on the floor with its pouch.

They were surprised; they knew how much Adrian loved the cookies, but now he wanted to throw it away?

·ƈθm The Nanny approached him and asked.

"Your Highness, is something wrong with the cookie?"

"Just... take them away... please."

"I... I understand."

No matter how much Adrian tried to stop his tears, it was to no avail.