bookpower Chapter 220: Overflow (3)
Chapter 220: Overflow (3)
Chapter 220: Overflow (3)
By the next morning, everything had almost cleared up.
Had he been wrong to shout at Heint in that moment of disappointment?
Surely, there must have been a reason for it.
―Good job, Lucion. You’re so kind!
At Ratta’s sudden praise, Russell and Bethel burst into laughter.
Lucion understood the intention behind it, but it felt odd.
―They say that when you fight, you have to reconcile, and accepting reconciliation is really, really hard. So, I think Lucion is really kind!
Ratta raised her front paw and petted Lucion.
Knock, knock.
[It seems Novio has arrived.]
Russell looked towards the door and gestured to Bethel.
[Let’s make some space.]
[What’s gotten into you?]
[We all have days like this once in a while, don’t we?]
Russell smirked and slipped out of the room first.
Lucion rose from his seat and opened the door.
Novio appeared momentarily surprised, but as soon as he caught sight of the flushed and profusely sweating Lucion, he immediately placed a hand on his forehead.
It felt warm.
“Do you have a fever?”
“Don’t worry. Everyone gets sick sometimes. I was surprised when Hume asked for you, Father, but I never thought you’d actually come.” Lucion smiled, content just to see Novio.
As the door slid open, Carson smirked and said, “When the youngest acts spoiled, I have to come, don’t I?”
“S-spoiled?”
“Hume said you wanted to eat a meal with me and our father. Wasn’t that right?” Carson asked, a little disappointed, and Lucion couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
“Exactly. I would like us to eat together.” Lucion rubbed his palm, feeling a bit ticklish, and clenched his fist.
“It would have been nice if Shaela were here too, even though she’s angry. She can’t leave the Magic Tower for a while after hitting a royal knight. That’s too bad.”
“Father was very pleased.”
When Carson raised the corners of his lips, Novio let out a dry cough.
“I was just about to mention that the timing isn’t right. Because His Majesty wanted it to appear as if the royal family and the frontier were at odds, Shaela couldn’t return home either. I should contact His Majesty today and make my voice heard,” Novio chuckled and entered the room.
“Let’s eat together here today.”
With a table set up, it was a proper dining table no matter what they placed on it.
The table was simply set with food, and the three of them along with the animal enjoyed their meal together.
Occasionally, it seemed like Carson was observing Lucion’s reactions, but at this point, it should be sufficient.
Feeling a slight fullness in his belly, Lucion decided it was time to address the matter at hand.
“I heard the news that the Magic Tower will be opening soon.”
At Lucion’s sudden comment, Novio and Carson looked at him with pale faces.
‘What’s going on? They look like they’ve seen a ghost.’
Their expressions seemed to hope he wouldn’t say anything further, but Lucion smiled and continued.
“I’ve decided to go to the Magic Tower. Please grant me permission.”
“...”
Novio pressed his lips tightly together and let out a suppressed groan.
It was a significant achievement to identify the enemy by sending Lucion outside, but each time he went out, he got injured, making Novio want to pull his hair out.
“Since you’re still injured, why don’t you consider delaying it a little?”
Carson said cautiously, which was unlike him.
It seemed like he was holding back something he really wanted to say.
“I can’t. I have to be there the day before the opening.”
“Can you tell us why?” Novio asked, his face slightly tense.
“Because I’ve made a promise to meet my sister,” Lucion mentioned with enthusiasm, referring to his strong ally.
“You mean... with Shaela?” Carson blurted out in surprise.
How could he possibly say this out loud, especially about Shaela?
“Yep. I promised my sister I’d meet her.”
Lucion’s excitement was palpable.
Novio’s expression softened at the mention of Shaela.
“When did you arrange to meet her?”
“She said I could come anytime before the opening. So, I need to start arranging the meeting soon.”
“You’ll need a communication device then.”
“That’s right. I saw her using one when I met her in the East.”
“Shaela never really uses them. What makes letters so special to her? Is she that averse to not being able to cast magic in them?” Novio expressed his frustration.
He felt like there should be a wine glass next to him instead of a water cup at that moment.
‘Her letters are indeed beautiful.’
Lucion chuckled lightly.
“Anyway, Lucion, I feel a bit neglected.”
After having breakfast, Lucion had fallen into a deep sleep, feverish and weak.
The doctor suggested it was due to exhaustion and his injuries, but cautiously mentioned that it could also be a result of mental shock.
Although the poisoning attempt had failed, and Carson had discussed it with his father and was mentally prepared, his heart ached to see Lucion’s immediate symptoms.
“Is that you, Brother?” Lucion’s voice cracked slightly as he spoke.
“Yeah. Hume just went to the kitchen. He said he would force you to eat soup, whether you like it or not.”
[See? Hume was right, wasn’t he? It’s strange if you’re not feeling unwell after absorbing two black orbs.]
[Are you alright, Lord Lucion? If you had moved today, I would have been the one to nag you, not Hume.]
As Carson continued speaking, Lucion could hear Russell and Bethel’s concerns packed with fussiness, which made him chuckle.
Sometimes, when he opened his eyes and found no one in the room, his heart would sink.
But now, even if Russell and Bethel weren’t there, the soft breathing of Ratta sleeping next to him reassured him, making this moment feel very comforting.
Lucion turned his head.
“If it’s Ratta, she would have happily chased after Hume at the mention of the kitchen. I don’t understand what’s so great about eating.”
[By the way, Ratta told me to tell you not to cry if she’s not there.]
Bethel giggled as she conveyed Ratta’s message.
‘That’s so like Ratta.’
Lucion tried to smile in response but briefly closed his eyes and then opened them, conscious of Carson’s presence.
“Lucion.”
Carson’s book looked slightly crumpled in his hands.
For some reason, he appeared anxious and tense.
“I’m sorry, Lucion.”
“What are you apologizing for?” Lucion propped himself up to drink some water but paused to look at him.
If it was about the past, he had already assured that it was fine; had he been the only one to think it was resolved neatly?
“Just... I wanted to say that.”
However, Carson’s reaction was not what it seemed.
Carson was troubled by something else, something other than the kidnapping incident.
What could it be?
Lucion was curious but decided not to pry further.
The time that had passed, perhaps without his knowledge, might have left Carson with a sense of guilt.
Taking a deep breath, Lucion lightened the mood with a jest.
“Did you happen to eat my macarons?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t like sweet things,” Carson replied, chuckling lightly.
“I don’t understand why you’re apologizing to me, but what if I refuse to accept it?”
“...”
Carson hesitated.
A bitter look spread across his face.
“Then I might be very troubled. But there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“I’m pretty simple, brother. Just do everything for me, buy me whatever I want, let me do whatever I want, and, oh, let me talk informally to you for just one minute. No, three minutes.”
“Are macarons included as a bonus, then?”
“Of course, that’s a given.”
“If you wish to speak informally, feel free to do so anytime.”
“Ah, you might be shocked if I actually do it, though?”
“...Well, that might be true.”
Whether he had a moment of thought or not, Carson already seemed shocked.
“If you have done anything wrong to me, you can follow what I’ve just mentioned.”
Lucion organized his thoughts clearly and beamed brightly, showing his teeth.
“Thank you, Lucion,” Carson returned the smile.
“No, I am the one who should be more grateful.”
Now, Lucion was certain of how much Carson cared for him.
The novel ‘The Grasp of Darkness,’ no matter how many times he had read it, was a world that had already occurred in reality.
Carson had abandoned his name, abandoned his existence, and lived as Hamel, wearing a mask like his own.
To kill him as Lucion, not as the Hand of the Void’s middle boss, just because he was his brother.
How much pain must he have been in?
Even though he had only seen it as a novel, he felt so sad.
“Go back to sleep. You must be feeling dizzy.”
Thinking that he might get emotional if he looked at Carson again, Lucion turned his head away, but Carson’s voice sounded especially warm today.
[Indeed. Rest now. It’s essential to avoid dwelling on other thoughts.]
With Russell urging him as well, Lucion pretended to give in, took a sip of water, and lay back down again.
He closed his eyes, feeling a deep, comforting warmth fill his chest.
Carson should never again have to stain his hands with Lucion’s blood.
Never.