Chapter 285 - Temporary Separation (1/2)
TO SAY that Nia Moonchester was surprised when she woke up in an almost empty house would be an exaggeration.
Aside from the Supreme, the Black Serpent, and the children, everyone was gone. The Red Phoenix, the Golden Tiger, the former saint, and the former Black Serpent and Red Phoenix Knights had all vanished.
They probably left the North last night.
And she didn't even feel or hear anything. She fell asleep early and had a good night sleep. But that was the strangest thing. Whenever she was in the Royal Palace, or the temple where she was ”locked up,” she would always wake up even with the softest thud. She was pretty certain that her food didn't have any ”sleeping potion” on them though.
Is it my room? Did they put a calming spell in my room so I wouldn't wake up?
”Good morning, Nia Moonchester,” Lady Nystrom greeted her. She was preparing the table and Kiho was helping her. Winter and Julian, who both greeted her politely, were already seated. There was also a strange little girl between the two boys but she completely ignored her. ”We only have pancakes for breakfast since our food stock is empty now. Will that be alright with you?”
”I don't mind,” Nia said, then she sat down on the empty chair from across Winter. ”And Lady Nystrom, you can call me by my first name. Calling me by my full name every time hurts my ears.”
”Alright, Nia,” the Supreme said. ”Then, you can call me by my name first as well. It's not because I'm being friendly to you. I just don't want to appear rude if I call you by your name while you still address me politely.”
”I understand, Tilly,” she said, then she turned to Kiho who quietly poured tea in her teacup. ”You can also call me by my first name, Kiho. We're practically siblings after all.”
”I can call you by your first name, Nia,” Kiho said, then he looked down at her coldly. ”But don't act familiar with me. You were never my sister. You were just Elaine's replacement.”
She smiled faintly at the Black Serpent's coldness. ”Ah, it has been a while since I last heard that name,” she said, then she sipped her tea before she spoke again. ”It's funny how you're acting protective of Elaine now, Kiho. After all, you didn't care about her in the past. If you truly did, you would have rescued her the moment that you heard that Aku locked her up in the tower.”
It looked like she hit a nerve because Kiho's golden eyes glowed dangerously.
”If you don't want to have burnt pancakes for breakfast, don't you dare pester my husband,” Tilly warned her. ”We already have a binding vow so don't provoke us.”
”I'm just having a conversation with my ex-brother.”
”You mean brother-in-law,” Kiho said in a calm yet snarky manner. ”You were Aku's wife back then. And will still be even in this lifetime.”
This time, the Black Serpent hit a sensitive nerve of hers.
It didn't help that Winter and Julian both stifled a laughter. On the other hand, the little girl between the two young gentlemen didn't hold back and laughed aloud.
Children don't have manners these days.
”I knew I didn't have to defend you, hon,” the Supreme said delightfully. ”Nia, this is our last breakfast in this house. Let's eat in peace, shall we?”
She just rolled her eyes at that. ”Where are the others?”
”They already left,” Tilly said, then she smiled sweetly at her. ”I'm sorry but I won't tell you where they are.”
”I'm not that interested to know,” Nia said casually. ”Do we have honey for the pancakes?”
***
”JULIAN, SOLENN, take care of yourselves,” Tilly said while kneeling in front of the two kids. Behind Julian and Solenn, a warp in the form of a ring of fire was open. The Keepers from the other side of the portal was keeping it open with the help of Solenn's flame. ”I'm glad that you decided to drop by at our mansion in the Royal Capital first.”
Yes, that was the plan.
Julian and Solenn would take a detour first before when Wong called last night, he told them that they got an information regarding Elaine Moonchester and the Plane. For that matter, Lord Forrester went ahead to hear the details from the Keeper.
”Julian, Flint is at our home,” she said. It was one of the reasons why she was glad that Julian and Solenn would go to their mansion first. Flint was there, and she knew how much Julian wanted to be reunited with his other brother. ”Please send our regards to Flint.”
”And please tell Flint to wait for us,” Kiho said, then he got down on one knee and held their oldest son's shoulder gently. ”He'll always be my little rival anyway.”
Julian smiled and nodded. ”I'm sure Brother Flint will be glad to hear that, Mother, Father. Thank you for worrying about him.”
Both her and Kiho smiled at that.
”Brother, don't forget me while you're hanging out with Brother Flint,” Winter, who was a bit too clingy, said to his brother. ”Promise me that I will always be your favorite brother.”
”Of course, Winter,” Julian said with a kind smile. ”Would you like a farewell hug?”
Instead of verbally responding, Winter just hugged Julian tightly.
Their oldest son gently patted their youngest son's back as if he was comforting him.
I'm so happy that their bond is this strong now.
She didn't want to cry so she turned to Solenn instead.
Although she knew that Julian didn't mean ”elope” when he said he'd run awany with the young princess a while ago, she still couldn't help but get a little wary of her own niece. She knew that it was pathetic but her protectiveness as a mother couldn't be hidden.