Chapter 17 Ch. 17: New Life [3]

Adrian and Aerilyn continued to enjoy their tea but it wasn't long due to her work and soon she left.

Boredom crept in.

Truthfully, he wanted to go outside but his Nanny wouldn't let him, so Adrian asked her to bring him some history books.

He decided to begin his investigation of the book given by Nathaniel.

So far, Adrian managed to finish two books but none of them were close to the Void History.

However, it was too early to give up because there were plenty of books to dig.

And right now, he was reading his third book while sitting on his bed.

"Your Highness, it's time for bed."

Marie reminded him.

"Alright."

Adrian put the book on the bedside and made a comfortable position to sleep.

Marie smiled gently and stroked his head.

"Good night, Your Highness."

"Good night, Nanny."

When she was about to leave, Adrian's voice stopped her.

"Can you call Fredinand for me? I want to ask him something."

"I understand."

She came out of the room and not long after, Fredinand entered.

"Is there anything I can help, Your Highness?"

Today, his Nanny woke him at 6 am and he had a hunch that it was the outset of his daily routine.

"Do you have a silent magic device?"

Just like its name, it was a device that silenced a certain range, preventing anyone outside of that range from eavesdropping.

"I don't have it at the moment. But if Your Highness needs it, I could bring it tomorrow."

"Wake me up at 4 am and don't forget to take it with you, also don't let Marie find out."

Although Ferdinand had no idea why Adrian needed it, nevertheless, he nodded his head.

"As you wish."

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Early in the morning, Fredinand did as he requested; he woke him exactly at 4 am.

"Did you bring it?"

"Yes, I did."

Fredinand showed him the device and Adrian nodded.

The boy got off the bed and stretched his body.

The 30-minutes walking a day truly hindered him from his goal of gaining some muscle.

Adrian was unsure of when the ban would finally be lifted, but in the meantime, decided to do the exercise covertly.

Done with his stretching, Adrian instructed Fredinand to activate it and told him to watch the clock.

Soon, he commenced sprinting.

Thanks to the privilege he got as a Prince, Adrian had a spacious chamber, and he could run freely inside it.

Everything seemed fine, he did well in the first three rounds only until he progressed through the fifth round; Adrian began to struggle.

Cold sweat broke out and a tingling sensation spread throughout his body.

His lungs felt tight and he was short of breath.

"Haa... Haa..."

Despite all that, Adrian forced his legs to keep moving.

"Your Highness, it would be best if you stop."

Ignoring Fredinand's advice, he continued to run.

Minutes passed and dizziness overtook his head along with his vision that turned hazed.

His stomach churned and he felt like being choked by an invisible force.

"Cough, cough!"

Adrian was seen coughing several times and it intensified, yet, he didn't stop.

The boy's condition worsened as time went by and Fredinand could only watch him silently.

Now he understood why Adrian needed the silent magic device and what 'don't let Marie find out' meant.

Adrian knew he would cough when neared his limits.

He was also well aware of Marie's strictness and if she found out, she would doubtlessly tell his mother.

Needless to say, the results would put him at a disadvantage.

And that was why he asked him to turn on the device, it was to prevent others from knowing what he was doing.

Fredinand clucked his tongue inwardly.

That brat, he had planned everything.

What was more, Adrian dragged him into his schemes.

"Ugh!"

Adrian lost his balance and landed on his knees.

"Cough, cough!"

"Your Highness–"

Before Fredinand could move, the boy stopped him.

"Don't."

He was taken aback, he wondered what could have driven Adrian to that state, but eventually heeded his order.

"Cough, cough! Urp!"

This time, Adrian threw up a mouthful of saliva.

"Cough, cough!"

He coughed heavily between his haggard breaths and instead of stopping, the damn imp got up and resumed his previous action.

Shortly, Adrian slowed down and walked toward the couch then sat.

Fredinand approached him.

"Haa... H–how much for... cough, cough, times..."

Rather than worry about himself, Adrian asked him how many minutes he had been running.

He glanced at his pocket watch and answered.

"Eighteen minutes."

"I see."

He wiped the sweat dripping down his chin with the back of his hand.

Adrian was drenched in sweat, and seeing the boy's trembling body and unfocused eyes, Fredinand knew–he was on the verge of fainting.

However, the brat in front of him acted as if it didn't matter at all; he kept maintaining his insouciant face.

But surprisingly, Adrian had some control over himself; it was true he overexerted but he knew exactly when to stop.

After his coughing subsided, Fredinand handed him a glass of water.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

He drank it before leaning back and closing his eyes; attempting to relax and regulate his breathing.

Ferdinand patiently waited next to him and once Adrian's breath returned to its normal pace, he spoke.

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but wouldn't it be better if Your Highness just focused on recovering?"

His eyelids slid open and revealed a pair of blue eyes.

"I lost my memory because I was weak."

"Weak?"

"Yes."

Fredinand's forehead furrowed and his mind drifted.

He read the accident report, it was written that Adrian fell from a height of 25 meters and survived without fractures.

Nine assassins' corpses were found in the forest and eight of them confirmed that magic was the cause of their deaths.

Yet, he said he was weak while possessing the highest rank of all affinities.

If what Adrian meant was his physique, then he shouldn't generalize things.

No one was perfect, everyone had their own strengths and weaknesses.

"Your Highness just regained consciousness three days ago, so–"

"No."

Adrian shook his head.

"How can I stay idle while my enemy are sharpening their blade to cut my throat?"

"Your Highness is a Prince and there are many who are willing to lay down their lives for you."

The corners of Adrian's mouth tugged or it seemed like that because his eyes didn't align with it.

He placed the glass on the table, stood, and faced Fredinand.

"Well, how sweet. But, what if they separate me like in the last accident? Who will protect me?"

Fredinand shut his mouth.

"Furthermore, I don't want to fall into the same pit and I can't rely on others my entire life; I don't want to be a burden."

The boy sighed.

"I'm simply doing this for my survival in this cruel world."

What he said was not wrong.

Life as heir to the throne was fraught with danger because the enemy faction wouldn't give up until they got rid of him.

"I hope you can respect my decision."

With that, Adrian walked out into the open space and started doing squats, push-ups, and more.

But he had to rest in between practices because it was still too much for him.

Fredinand watched the boy struggle in silence once again.

Adrian might be young–way too young, but he was more mature than he had expected and a curve formed on his lips.

Graham was right, the boy was indeed interesting.

Once Adrian finished his workout, Fredinand gave him a towel.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

He wiped his face but noticing the old man's bizarre stare, Adrian spat his mind.

"Is there something on my face?"

Fredinand shook his head.

"Your Highness, do you know who I am?"

They knew each other's names, so Adrian assumed he was asking for his real identity.

"Someone who could fight?"

Of course, Adrian wasn't a fool to get it right as that would be hella suspicious.

Fredinand smiled benignly and asked.

"May I know why Your Highness thought so?"

"First is your build and second, are the calluses on your palms."

Fredinand stared at his palm as Adrian continued.

"The callus that results from hard labor and from learning how to wield a weapon are different."

The old man's smile stretched wide.

"Your Highness, I am a well-trained assassin disguised as a head butler assigned by His Grace, Duke Lancaster."

"I see."

Well, he knew that much so there was nothing to be surprised about–or not.

Fredinand knelt on one knee in front of him and raised both his hands; he was paying homage.

"Your Highness."

Adrian shut his mouth tightly.

He knew what Fredinand was up to, but this was beyond his wild imagination.

"Are you sure about this? We just met yesterday."

"I never once doubted my heart, Your Highness."

"Alright."

Adrian extended his hand and Ferdinand put his hand between his.

"I pledge my allegiance to Prince Adrian Leillucis and will dedicate the rest of my life to the Prince."

"I acknowledge you as my personal bodyguard and I entrust my life to you."

That day, Fredinand swore his loyalty to Adrian.

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Adrian stared at his [STATUS WINDOW] with a face devoid of any expression. **

He couldn't help but sigh.

It had been a month since he had begun his workout, yet, there was no change in his physical stats–just like the first time he saw it.

Did premature birth slow down his physical progress?

He had no idea, whatsoever.

"Your Highness, we have arrived."

Fredinand's voice interrupted his thought.

They stopped in front of a giant oak gate and on each side were knights guarding it.

"His Highness Prince Adrian is entering!"

The guard announced his arrival and the gate swung open, revealing an expansive training ground.

Two people were seen standing in the middle of the field.

For your information, today was the beginning of his normal routine and his first schedule was martial arts training.

A black-haired boy turned around and waved his hand to him.

It was Nathaniel.