Chapter 84: Family struggles

Felix and I split up right after exiting the pub. He left without further question, disappearing in the bustling crowds of the city.

I walked my own way with Amelia on my shoulder. Being stopped by a few pedestrians on the way. But I managed to not waste too much time.

"Let's go in," I sigh and say softly.

As I opened the door, a bell sounded with the door. The soft scent of a garden filled me with joy as soon as I stepped in.

"Welcome- Oh, Artorius!" Kathlyn exclaimed excitedly as I walked in.

Amelia didn't think twice before jumping off my shoulder and dashing towards Kathlyn.

"Good afternoon, Kathlyn," I said with a gentle smile. "It's been a while,"

She wore a common-looking dress. A white kirtle with a dark red coat covered the kirtle and gave her a sleeve. As always, she makes the most common outfits stand out.

Kathlyn came dashing around the counter towards me. She embraced me in a warm hug as I stood right in front of the door, clueless and unable to act.

"It's been so long!" She said while squeezing me tight. "You've been quite busy, haven't you?"

Without many options, I smiled and held onto her. "Too busy," I said softly.

I take a deep sigh and relax for once. It had been a while since I saw Kathlyn. She hadn't written to me nor did I come to see her.

We let go of each other and looked into each other's eyes. Her lush green eyes sparkled as they stared into mine.

"Congratulations on the success!" She said and broke the silence. "I haven't seen it yet but I've heard all about it!"

"Ah, thank you!" I chuckled. "I'm glad the hard work is paying off,"

All this time, Amelia tried to grab her attention from me. Though she was unsuccessful till now. She had been clawing at her gently for quite some time now.

"Ah~ Amelia!" Kathlyn exclaimed, overjoyed from seeing her. "How have you been?"

She picked up Amelia in her arms and cuddled her. Even after growing up, Amelia was still like a child when she met Kathlyn.

"She's grown so big!" Kathlyn said while playing with Amelia.

"She barely fits on my shoulders now," I tried to continue.

"A miracle she still does," Kathlyn chuckled.

Kathlyn's eyes wandered from Amelia towards me. She looked at me with a stare I never saw. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she gawked at me.

"My… what are you wearing?" She said while hiding her awe behind her hands.

"Oh, this?" I said while glancing down at my uniform. "I had to attend a ceremony this afternoon. That's why I'm in my uniform,"

She seemed surprised by my uniform. Her eyes wouldn't look away even for a second.

"It makes you look really… mature," She muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her with a sour look.

"N-nothing!" She exclaimed. "It's just strange to me seeing you in a military uniform. I've seen you in many outfits except this one,"

"Oh, that's because it's new!" I explained. "It's my idea,"

She started to walk closer to me, looking at my left shoulder and smiling back at me.

"Five stars… How rare!"

We both shared a laugh as she complimented me more. It felt wrong being the only one getting compliments. I should say something back.

"Come upstairs!" Kathlyn says while turning around. "I'll make you tea like usual,"

"Ah, actually," I stopped her. "Not today. I'm running on a tight schedule,"

Kathlyn turned around and looked at me with curious eyes. "Hmm, where are you headed next?" She asked.

"I'll be out of the city for two weeks again," I answered. "There's some work at the capital I need to sort out,"

"Hm? What kind of work?"

"Well, I wished to traverse a cave two months prior. But, I didn't have time to deal with all the shenanigans that I was part of. Now that I have time, it's time for me to finish some business,"

She pondered for a moment before it clicked in her mind. "Wait, are you talking about the cave that has been under surveillance by the royal guards?"

I nodded reluctantly.

Her face dawned with dread as I nodded. "I-isn't it too dangerous for you to go alone?"

"Calm down!" I reassured her. "There won't be any danger if it's me,"

"But-" She protested before being cut off.

The bell on the door sounded as the door opened. A mailman peeked through from the outside and noticed me.

"Y-your majesty!" He exclaimed. "Good afternoon!"

He entered and bowed down, greeting me first before standing upright.

"A-ah! Miss Kathlyn! A letter came for you," He stuttered before rummaging through his bag that was hung around his shoulder.

He brought out a letter and nervously handed it forward. Kathlyn took it from his hands and stared at it with a skeptical look.

"I'll excuse myself then!" The mailman glanced back and forth between the two of us before leaving in a hurry.

"Huh, who is it from?" I turned around and looked at Kathlyn.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw her hands tremble. Her eyes were wide open and staring at the letter she held with her left hand.

"H-hey, what's wrong?" I asked her.

She made no sound and began trembling. A tear comes out of her eye and slowly rolls down her cheek.

"K-Kathlyn?" I called out again.

"O-oh, sorry," She zoned back in. "I got lost for a minute…" She said while wiping the tears off her face.

"Why are you crying? Who's the letter from?" I asked her in a worried voice.

She looked away from me. It made me even more worried. She wouldn't look at me more and speak to me about it.

"Amelia, what's her emotion?" I asked out through telepathy.

"Blue, sad…" Amelia uttered back.

"Kathlyn, please explain to me what's wrong," I asked her once more, speaking more softly.

"It's a letter from my uncle…" She finally said something. "He hasn't written to me since father passed…"

Her story was suspicious. An uncle that didn't contact her after a tragedy. Suddenly trying to come back into her life.

"I-is that bad?" I asked her straightforwardly.

"I… don't know. It's been so long. The last time he wrote a letter to us…"

"What happened?"

"He said he would cut all contact."

She couldn't hold onto her tears any longer. They came down as those words left her mouth. She lets go of Amelia and tries to clean her tears.

It irritated me to see her cry so much. She was too emotional for her good. Even still, the people who make her cry irritated me more.

I knelt on one knee and brought out my handkerchief. A sense of deja vu came up as I began clearing her tears.

"Open the letter," I smiled at her. "Read what it has to say,"

Kathlyn grabbed my hand as I cleaned the tears off her face. Her crying slowly stopped as she composed herself once again.

"O-okay," Her voice broke as she spoke.

She quickly opened the seal of the letter. The stamp was unique. It was a stamp that nobles usually use. The quality of the envelope also seemed rather expensive compared to the average ones.

Slowly, she began reading through the letter. Tears still filled up in her eyes, yet none came out.

I got back on my feet and waited for her to finish reading the letter. Though I was on a tight schedule, I needed to solve this before I left.

"What do you think it says?" Amelia asked me while sitting down next to my feet.

"I'm not sure. If it's anything but good, I won't be happy,"

With every passing second, my heartbeat rose. I held my breath as she read for an extended period. As if time slowed down.

She finally looked up from the letter and into my eyes. A soft smile of woe broke from her lips.

"It's bad," She softly cried out, biting her lower lip.

For once, rage filled me. It had been a while since I felt anger. Usually, it's just mild irritation. But this time, it was anger that filled my mind.

Before I commit an act of hate crime, I take a deep breath and calm myself. I slowly walked towards Kathlyn and snatched the letter from her hands.

"Dear Kathlyn, it's been a while, hasn't it?

It's your uncle writing to you. How is your mother? I hope she's still alive and well. It would be a shame if she would pass. She's your only family now, right? Even the royal family has forgotten about it. What a fall from grace.

Anyways! I'm just letting you know that I'll be visiting the city in two weeks. Maybe I would stop by your store. We're also running a bit low on money. Perhaps you can help out your old uncle? It will be appreciated. We might allow you to enter the family again!

That's all from me. Hope it reaches you fast and you are prepared to pay up."

This condescending tone. The arrogance that he shows. My patience is at my limit.

Kathlyn still refused to face me. I handed her the letter again and clenched my fist, trying to not lose it.

"Don't fear it. Let him come," I told her as I walked away.

"A-Artorius… Please… don't do anything rash," She muttered.

"It's fine," I reassured her as I walked away. "Wait a week, I'll be back soon."

ALEXANDER'S POV

Vincent and I sat in the reading room with a chess board and the pieces. It was quiet and comfortable. A dim light keeps the room lit up. Just about enough for us to see the board.

It had been a while since we had started the game. It was nearing the end. This should be my win.

This was Vincent's move now. He's been pondering his move for a while. His chin was propped on the palm of his hand that was placed firmly on the arm of the chair.

Felix also came to spectate our match. He's been standing over the chess board and looking carefully over us as we continued to play the game.

Vincent finally made a move. He moved his queen next to my knight. Which was a single move away from checking his king.

It was a safe jump. I can check his king.

I nonchalantly picked up my knight and placed it in the white box. Vincent was shocked to realise the bold mistake he had made.

"You're clever," He muttered out

An arrogant smirk broke from my lips. "I know,"

He went back to pondering his move once again. If there was a timer, I would've won by now.

"What's the time?" I asked Felix while looking at the chessboard.

Felix took out his watch and quickly checked. "It's four minutes past two," He answered me.

"We need to end this quickly," I told Vincent. "I have a train to catch at half past two,"

"If so, I surrender," Vincent sighs and admits defeat.

A triumphant smile escapes my lips, overjoyed by victory. "Haha! I told you!"

"I underestimated you heavily!" Vincent exclaimed. "Never knew you were a chess prodigy,"

"Hehe," I snickered while scratching the back of my head.

Suddenly, the door to our cozy room flung open. A gust of wind spread across the room and blew my hair back.

A familiar figure stood in front of the door, holding the door open with the palm of his hand. It was none other than Artorius.

"Woah~ What's the issue?" I asked as I looked at him.

His eyes were full of fury. The first time I had seen them with such anger. He must've had a bad day.

"Oh, nothing," His face suddenly went mellow. "I was getting tired looking for you,"

The sudden change in emotion confused me. Vincent also noticed and seemed skeptical.

"Anyways, we should leave now," Artorius said while entering the room. "The train leaves in just under half an hour,"

"Sure," I said while standing up. "I was waiting for you,"

His eyes had a keen interest in the chess board. He glanced at it before looking back at me and nodding.

"Finish the game first,"

"Vincent gave up," I said arrogantly.

He laughed loudly hearing that he quit. "Hah! What an idiot,"

"Shut up," Vincent said while puffing his cheeks in anger.

"Well, grab your bags. We're off on our new creation!" Artorius exclaimed excitedly.

Artorius seemed more animated than usual today. Though he has quite the personality, it's not without its fair share of mystery and secrets.

Such an unpredictable character…