Chapter 397 - Side Story (Dimitri)(3)(unedited) (1/2)
Dimitri was standing by Regaelon's side in the emperor's office. Since the empire has been newly establish, the work Regaleon has been making increased tenfold, compared when he was just the king of Grandcrest. As Regaleon's right hand man and personal assistant, Dimitri has been helping him with his work as much as possible.
”Hah, the sun has nearly set and I only have just done half of this mountain of doc.u.ments.” Regaleon sighed. ”I want to get this done before dinner. I want to spend dinner with my family, as I have promised Alicia that I will never skip it now that the twins are growing up.”
”The twins just turned one year old your majesty. They would really need time and attention from you, their father.” Dimitri said with a smile. ”Why not leave the rest to me? I do not have anything to do back in my house.”
”You really are a life saver, Dimitri.” Regaleon smiled with Dimitri's gesture. ”But you cannot do this every time, you also have your own life to live. You are now this old and still not married. Do you not have any woman you fancy? I can help you if you fancy any high noble's daughter, you know you are going to be the grand duke of South Atlantia in the future. You will be one of the most sought of bachelors.”
”Unfortunately, I do not have any woman I fancy, your majesty.” Dimitri smiled solemnly. ”Since the day I have worked under your mother and you, I haven't have the time to think of such feelings.”
”How long has it been, Dimitri?” Regaleon asked. ”The first time my mother and I saw you on the streets and took you in?”
”It has been such a long time your majesty.” Dimitri replied. ”I was just a five year old kid that lost his only parent and his home. I have been staying on the streets of one of Grandcrest's cities when her highness, your mother took me in.”
<Flashback>
The streets in a Grandcrest city were busy because it was a market day. The war had just ended and many refugees from Atlantia were homeless and loitering on the streets of many cities such as this.
In a fancy carriage, the little Regaleon was riding with his mother. They were going thru the busy street market.
”My lady, the street is quite busy. I am afraid that we will be arriving late at the manor.” The coach man said.
”It is okay. I would like to go down and take a look in the market.” Regaleon's mother said.
”B-But my lady… his highness the crown prince might not approve of this!” The coach man said with a frightened look.
”Do not worry. If you do not report this to his highness, then there will be no problem.” Regaleon's mother said while winking to the coach man. ”You can wait for us on the way towards the manor. We will not take too long.”
”B-But my lady…” The coach man wanted to oppose, but Regaleon's mother came down of the carriage and carried the little Regaleon on her arms.
Regaleon's mother walked thru the market while carrying the little Regaleon and sometimes making him walk on his little feet. She bought some apples in one of the stalls and gave Regaleon one to eat. While she was paying for the apples, a street kid stole some apples from the stall. The owner saw this and started chasing the kid. In some distance, the store owner tripped and fell on the ground and was not able to catch the kid.
While all of this is happening, another street kid about five years old took some cash from the cash register silently. Regaleon saw this and pointed to the little boy who was Dimitri.
”Mama…” The little Regaleon said and pointed to the little Dimitri. Regaleon's mother saw the little Dimitri stealing.
”Hey!” Regaleon's mother scolded.
The little Dimitri was startled and scrambled to run away. Regaleon's mother ran after him. While she was running, a small rock appeared just in front of her out of nowhere. She was quick on her feet and was able to avoid it, because if not she could have tripped.
Because of that, Regaleon's mother knew that the little Dimitri was an Atlantian child. She then became more determined to get the little Dimitri.
The little Dimitri was running with the money he was able steal from the apple stall. When he saw that he was in the clear, his pace decreased until it came to a stop. He hid at a corner and put the money on the ground and started to count. He did not realize that a group of men came to surround him.
”Well what do we have here?” A big thug looking man asked. ”Look what this kid stole?”
”Do you not know that this is our turf, little kid?” Another said mockingly. ”If you want to steal from here, then you need to give your earnings to us. You can say that it is a kind of rent.”
The little Dimitri looked at the thugs with angry eyes and refused to give the money he stole.
”This kid is brave boss.” Another man said. ”I think we need to teach him a lesson so that he learns.”
”Heh, then beat this little boy up so he learns.” The one they call boss ordered.
The thugs had their fists cracking and looked at the little Dimitri menacingly, but Dimitri held his ground. When the thugs started to attack him, Dimitri fought back. He was strong for his age, but he was not able to beat many grown men at a time. He tried using his magic, but he could only conjure small rocks that hit the thugs. He was still little and does not know how to use his magic powers since it manifested when his mother dies.
”This boy is a f*cking Atlantian!” One of the thugs said.
”Kill him.” Another said. ”Those f*cking Atlantians are sc.u.m.”
The little Dimitri was being beaten. He remembered what the villagers did to him and his mother, and his eyes started to get darker and darker until a woman's voice was heard.
”What are you doing to a little boy?!” It was Regaleon's mother carrying him in her arms.
”Oh look what we have here?” The boss said. ”It looks like we hit jackpot. She looks like a noble. I am sure her husband will pay a hefty price for his wife and kid.”
”Don't you dare lay a hand on that little boy, let alone my son!” Regaleon's mother said with a chilling tone.
The thugs had their focus on Regaleon's mother now. The little Dimitri was left on the ground bruised and bleeding from the beating.
”No! Lady, run!!” Dimitri does not want to see what happened to his mother happened to this mother and son.
”Do not worry, I will save you.” Regaleon's mother told him. ”I am not that weak.”