Chapter 75: New home

I tapped my pencil on my desk while staring at the sketch. It was the Man o' war. The same trouble I was having before. How does this work!?

Amelia slept lazily on my lap. While I looked at the paper with multiple expressions, mostly made of confusion and frustration. There was no hope if I couldn't get it to work.

Three knocks sounded on my door as I sat in frustration.

"Come in," I answered the knocks.

The response was my door slowly cracking open. In came Felix with a tray. Consisting of tea and a light meal of toast.

"Breakfast is~ served!" He said while placing the tray down on the table. "It's light, as you asked for,"

Though he knew what would happen in the coming days, he was rather joyful and enthusiastic.

"Thank you," I showed my gratitude. "If Zenith comes, bring him over to my office," I told Felix as he stared at the scattered sketches that lay on my desk.

"What are these?" Felix asked with a curious gaze. "Are they for the locomotive?"

"Not at all," I put aside the sketch. "This was for something else. Something more… adventurous,"

Felix's eyes lit up as he heard the word 'adventurous' as if he was ready for one.

"What kind!?" He asked enthusiastically. "Where will we be going!"

"Far away," I answered with a smile. "Beyond what our ancestors or any living being have gone,"

A big grin lit up his face as he thought more about the description I provided. I couldn't help but copy the same smile on his face and plaster it on mine.

"Very well!" He exclaimed before taking his leave.

Felix quickly turned around and began to leave. Just as he reached the doorway, he stopped and turned back.

"Oh~ I almost forgot," Felix looked back. "Speaking of someone meeting you,"

"Who is it?" I asked him with an ignorant face.

"Lady Kathlyn. She would like to speak to you,"

I stared at him blankly for a few seconds. "Send her in then,"

He chuckled under his breath and turned around, opening the door and leaving it open.

I took my toast and took a bite from it. It was already covered with butter at just the right amount. The taste of butter filled my mouth in bliss. The taste of natural butter.

Though, the food can wait. I placed it back down on the plate and looked at the door, waiting for Kathlyn to walk through.

There were faint sounds of footsteps coming closer and closer. I had already memorised Kathlyn's footstep pattern and knew it would be her.

She peeked around the right corner of the door. Our eyes met and she walked forward, coming out in a long blue dress. It was nothing to marvel at but I was still encapsulated by it.

"Good morning, Artorius," She greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning!" I smiled back. "What do you want to talk about?"

Kathlyn was fidgeting with her hair while avoiding eye contact. Something that she never did. She could hold eye contact with me without breaking a sweat.

"Well... it's nothing serious," She spoke softly. "But, when should I go back home?"

"When?" I questioned her back. "Hmm, I wonder,"

"W-well! It's not like I don't like it here! I need to go back home and… you know! I need to take care of my plants!" She panicked while trying to explain herself.

Seeing her panic, I start to chuckle. "Why are you afraid!?" I asked her while laughing. "You can leave at any given moment. I never forced you, nor am I going to force you to stay. If you wish to leave this instant, you can,"

Kathlyn calmed down and took a deep breath. "I-I see, I was panicking for no reason then," She smiled, being given reassurance. "Well, though I want to stay longer… I need to leave before my plants die,"

"Very well," I clapped my hands softly. "Just tell Felix and he will arrange the rest,"

Her face lit up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "A-alright!" She said happily.

Just then, Amelia woke up from her nap and jumped down from my lap. She walked around the table and saw Kathlyn. Just from seeing her, she became euphoric and started to run around her.

Kathlyn was easygoing with Amelia. Within a heartbeat, she picked up Amelia and carried her. Amelia was really fond of Kathlyn too. The two of them, though never speaking to one another, grew a bond that I could only describe as a mother-and-daughter relationship

Wait a minute…

My cheeks began to turn red as I looked away. I averted my gaze and began looking at the man o' war with keen interest.

"Are you alright?" Kathlyn asked with a worried tone. "Your face is red,"

"I-I'm fine," I answered. "Might be the alcohol in my system,"

She sighs and shakes her head. "You need to get a hold of yourself," Kathlyn said, sounding disappointed.

I turned around and looked at her. "What do you mean?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"You drink too much," She told me with worried eyes. "Seeing you drink so much… has me worried. I can't tell when you're sober or when you're drunk,"

The look in her eyes… the worried expression… It made me feel something I couldn't describe. It was… not pleasant.

"I understand," I shamefully spoke out. "If you say so. I'll try to get a hold of myself,"

Kathlyn's lips curled into a gentle smile, telling me that she was satisfied with my answer. She sighs before looking around the room, avoiding eye contact once again.

"I'll get going then," She said with a smile that hid something behind it.

She tried to put Amelia down but Amelia was not having it. She clung onto her dress with her claws when she tried to place her on the ground.

"Uhm…" She murmured. "I suppose you don't mind if I take her for now, right?" She gave me an awkward smile.

"It's fine. She might not be seeing you in a while and I understand that,"

Kathlyn nods before turning around and leaving. I was finally left alone in my room. Ready to finish my work.

The tea cooled down before I could take a sip from it. Even though I thought it would taste bad, I was taken aback. The tea wasn't any ordinary tea… It was Kathlyn's special brew.

How cute.

ZENITH'S POV

As I trot through the forest, a gentle yet unsettling wind passes through the entire forest. Not a single animal made a noise. No insects, no mammals. Only the slow and soft sound of horse hooves sounded in my ears.

The forest was heavily covered with new leaves that had grown. Fir trees surrounded the entire forest and gave shade to the path. It shaded most of the rising sun. But flickers of sun rays passed through the gaps, keeping the path well-lit.

Though the pathway was through a forest, it was well-maintained. Not a single fault could be seen. It made for a nice pathway to slowly trot through on a horse.

I looked around my surroundings, to make sure I'm not being spied on. An eerie feeling came from the silence of the forest. The forest had fallen silent. It was not a good sign when a forest is dead quiet.

I looked to my right and noticed a red tint. It caught my eyes but when I looked closer, they were just flowers. Red spider lilies to be exact. A rare sight to catch them by the road. Even rarer to see them out in the open, beside a road.

It was odd seeing a single batch of them too. They aren't seen in the wild that often. Ever since I entered this forest, I've felt strange. As if I did not belong here.

Was it right to leave in a fit of anger? They dismissed me on purpose. I had no reason to stay.

As my mind wandered around for logic, I was met with nothing. I scratch my head and slap myself, trying to calm myself and think properly.

Just then, I realised I was not far from my destination. The blue-coloured roof of the estate slowly came into view. I peeked over my horse to see and sure enough, it was there.

A mighty estate in the middle of a forest, placed on top of a small hill. It was the perfect place for escaping from reality. The perfect place to escape my past.

I picked up some pace, speeding down the road. My heart raced as I grew closer and closer to the estate. This is where I can find a new home.

Soon enough, I came to a halt. Right in front of the gate. The horse was unstable but I managed to control it. It kicked itself onto its hind legs and started to make noises.

Hearing the commotion made by the horse, guards came to check. They noticed my struggle with the horse till I managed to calm it down.

"Oi! Who are you!?" One of the guards exclaimed.

I turned my gaze to the guards who were knights in shining armour. He saw my attire but didn't recognize me.

"State your reason to be on the premises of this estate!" The other guard shouted, with a much deeper voice.

"I'm here to meet with King Artorius," I answered as I stepped down from the horse.

The two guards turned to each other and stared. They wore a helmet that covered their face but could see through the gaps the helmet provided them. No words were exchanged, only a short stare before turning to me.

"We aren't expecting anyone," The guard on the left replied. "Leave before we have to use force,"

I clicked my tongue out of frustration. "Tch. I can't deal with this anymore,"

"Leave!" The guard shouted.

"I'm Zenith, a former royal guard that served his majesty, Emperor Alaric. I'm here to speak to King Artorius! I was invited by the king himself to meet at his estate,"

The guards froze in their spots. Using my title as a royal guard was the only way.

Or so I thought.

Behind the two metal-clad soldiers, a man wearing a similar uniform to mine came out of the estate. He had white hair and a well-kept beard that matched the colour of his hair. It was a face I recognized from afar.

"Let the boy in," Felix commanded.

The two guards turned around and looked at Felix. They bow to greet him before rushing to open the gates.

Slowly, the gates start to crack open as Felix comes closer and closer. He had a bright smile on his face, something I didn't expect to see from him. Maybe I will ruin his mood.

He halted at a distance away from me, flinging his arms open. He welcomed me into the estate.

"Welcome home, o weary soldier!" Felix exclaimed with joy. "I have awaited your arrival,"

His words entered my ears and filled me with joy. Something clicked in my mind when he mentioned the word 'home'.

I spoke no words but proceeded to walk forward. I was drawn inside, like a moth to a light. Every worry I had disappeared.

"Let me take you to Artorius. I know that's what you're after," Felix says with a sinister grin.

Even though his smile had evil intent, I was not worried. I knew this was much better than the castle.

FELIX'S POV

Zenith looked much more different than the party. His hair was messy and his clothes were ragged. Dark circles and bags under his eyes. His coat loosely hung onto his left shoulder as he took one step at a time, entering the estate like a mind-controlled undead.

His jaw was cracked open as he walked inside. The guards stared at the young boy as he slowly walked inside, trying to not tip over.

"Do you wish to speak to Artorius?" I asked him with a friendly smile.

He looked at me with dreaded eyes. "Y-yes…" He answered with a cough in his throat.

The boy hasn't taken a bath in a few days. He smelled like he came from a barn. Artorius would not be so happy to meet him in such a sorry state.

"Come, I will take you," I picked him up under his arms. "Let's take you to the man who fixes everyone,"

His body loosened and fell limp. He was breathing slowly but was not unconscious. He was exhausted.

Slowly, I carried his limp body through the yard and into the foyer. Artorius was inside his room upstairs. It would be a pain to take him up on my own.

Lucky for me, I spotted a servant with curly hair in pine green. He noticed me entering and knew what to do.

"Do you need help?" He asked me while eyeing up the near corpse-like body of Zenith.

"Is that a question?"

He nodded and took action immediately.

He took the other side and carried him up the staircase. It took a lot of manpower but we managed to get him up the staircase.

"To his- majesty's room?" The servant asked while grunting.

"Precisely, his office,"

The two of us powered through while carrying him. Though he looked like he weighed less than the average human, he weighed as much as I would. But, he was not overweight.

We both struggled to take him to the office. Zenith was slowly losing consciousness and his breathing became much slower. It made me panic from how shallow his breathing was.

"What happened to him?" The servant asked. "He doesn't seem like the average servant,"

"He's a royal knight," I answered. "He was supposed to meet Artorius. But it seems like exhaustion got to him first, perhaps death too,"

After a long and gruelling walk, we finally made it outside Artorius' office. It had nearly been an hour since I last saw him. He will be in for quite the surprise.

I knock on his door. Three times as usual. His answer was the usual too.

"Come in," His voice rang through.

The servant opened the door and helped me drag Zenith inside. Artorius' face lit up as he saw the gift I had brought him.

"He came to the gate and walked in like he was being mind controlled. Suddenly he collapsed and I had to carry him,"

The longer I explained, the wider his smile became. His eyes lit up as he stared at the grey-haired boy that we held on by his arms.

"Very well, very well!" Artorius exclaimed with joy. "You can leave now. Felix and I will deal with him,"

The servant, who was quite terrified by now, swiftly took his leave before he saw something he was not supposed to.

I threw his body to the ground. He landed face-first but did not move.

"Oof!" He groaned.

Artorius stood up from his chair and looked at the boy with a curious gaze. A joyful smile that went from ear to ear now turned into an ominous smirk.

"He will be of great use," Artorius said under his breath.