Chapter 151: Back To Business.

’I… wasn’t planning to.’ Ezra thought as he continued to cover Lior’s eyes and ears.

He kept his hand firm over the child’s face, blocking as much of the scene as he could, even pressing lightly against Lior’s ear when Circe’s voice rose again.

“YOU CANNOT KEEP DOING THIS TO ME! I AM THE QUEEN!” Circe screams, kicking and struggling as her maids pull her away. “SAMSON, YOU PATHETIC SHIT!”

The words echoed across the garden, sharp and unrestrained.

Ezra didn’t move.

’Did she really just call the KING pathetic…shit?’

He just kept Lior close, his body slightly angled as if that alone could shield him from everything happening.

Samson sighs, running a hand through his hair, the reaction almost tired rather than angry as he glanced at Aurelia. “I told you it was a mistake to bring her.”

Aurelia frowns. “I should go check if she’s okay, Your Majesty.”

Samson didn’t speak. He just gestured for her to go.

’She wants to see if the queen’s okay even though the queen obviously doesn’t like her?’ Ezra thought, watching as Aurelia got up from her seat.

It didn’t make sense.

Not after what just happened.

But Aurelia didn’t hesitate.

However—

She didn’t follow behind Circe yet.

Instead, she went to Ezra’s side.

Ezra didn’t move.

He didn’t even breathe as he straightened slightly, letting his hand fall away from Lior just enough, his expression settling into something neutral, composed, as if nothing had just happened.

“Captain.” Aurelia smiles down at him.

“Please, my lady, just call me Ezra.” Ezra moves slightly away from Lior, though he stays close enough to keep him within reach.

Lior was obviously bothered, his eyes darting slightly, his small hands still tense.

He was quietly concerned.

Trying not to show it.

After all, this is the second time he has seen someone go absolutely mad.

’He’s trying to be brave,’ Ezra thought, a small ache forming in his chest.

He probably was afraid.

But trying not to be.

That was Lior the whole time they’ve been in Luxaelis.

Trying to be brave.

Ezra wanted to keep consoling him, but Ezra had to put his attention on Aurelia for now.

She seemed like she only wanted to say one thing before going.

“Ezra.” Aurelia smiles, placing a gentle hand on his cheek.

The touch was soft.

And very unexpected that it made Ezra tense up.

“I wasn’t given the chance to get it to you in person, so I will do it now,” she whispers, her gaze warm, almost relieved.

“Thank you.”

Ezra blinked.

Momentarily confused.

“For saving my baby all those years ago. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have known… I wouldn’t have known what was happening with Aurien, though I had a feeling something was wrong. I never would’ve thought it was that bad.”

Oh.

It was about that.

Ezra’s expression softened just slightly.

“It was all by chance, my lady.” Ezra smiles back at her, modest, almost dismissive. “It is an honor, but I’m sure anyone part of the Sunward Sentinels who saw that would’ve stepped in.”

Aurelia just laughs quietly.

“You saved his life and made him want to improve himself. Let me tell you now, your effects on others aren’t as small and insignificant as you may think.”

Ezra didn’t respond to that.

He didn’t know how to.

She didn’t wait for one either.

She didn’t say anything more, just turned to look at Kaelis. “I’m sorry this happened.”

“It’s not your fault, Auntie. You have faith in her becoming… nicer. It just so happens she isn’t,” Kaelis says, giving her a small smile as he cleaned himself with a napkin, though the dampness of the tea still clung to him.

’They seem really, really close,’ Ezra noted.

There was ease there.

Something familiar.

It seemed they really did have a good relationship.

Aurelia just gives Kaelis a hug despite the fact that Kaelis was soaked in tea, not caring at all, before finally walking away.

And just like that—

She was gone.

Leaving Ezra, Kaelis, Lior, and the king in an awkward silence.

Well, just awkward.

Mostly for Ezra and Lior.

The air felt heavier now that she had left, like whatever balance she brought with her had disappeared the moment she stepped away.

Ezra could still feel where her presence had softened things, and now that it was gone, everything felt sharper again.

Because once the king sits back on his chair, he looks at Kaelis with narrowed eyes.

“Why must you aggravate her?”

’What?’

“What?”

Both Ezra’s thoughts and the word Kaelis spoke were in sync.

Ezra blinked.

That question didn’t make sense.

Now, Ezra thought Kaelis was very annoying as annoying as the next person, but he didn’t really do anything worth all Circe’s harsh words and being splashed with warm tea.

If anything—

Kaelis had held back.

More than expected.

Kaelis squeezes his long, white hair, the strands still stained with brown, droplets falling back onto the table and floor without care.

“The question is, Father, why do you STILL bring her out?” Kaelis asks with a calm tone, but with emphasis. “After everything she’s done, and you knew she had it out for me.”

There was a lot to unpack there.

Well, two things.

The only two things Kaelis said.

’After everything she’s done?’ Ezra thought, his brows furrowing slightly. ’And Circe’s actively out for Kaelis?’

That didn’t sound like simple dislike.

That sounded… ongoing.

And a little too personal.

Why?

What else does she do?

What else has she done?

And… does Helios know?

Ezra’s gaze dropped for a moment, the thought sitting uncomfortably in his chest.

If he did know—

Then why hasn’t he said anything?

Done anything to help Kaelis?

“Hah…” Samson let out an exasperated sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “She was threatening to hurt herself if she didn’t meet Ezra. She somehow found out about him coming here.”

Ezra stiffened.

’Me?’

That didn’t make anything better.

If anything, it made everything worse.

Ezra was severely confused and concerned; everything he was hearing was just… concerning.

“As if she would ever actually hurt herself, Father. She loves herself too much.”

Kaelis didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t soften the words.

“I can’t be too sure nowadays,” Samson answers, his tone quieter now, more thoughtful. Then he looks at Ezra.

Ezra flinched.

It was small.

Barely noticeable.

But it was there.

The king’s gaze felt heavier than it should have, like it wasn’t just looking at him, but through him, weighing something Ezra didn’t even know he was showing.

“But never mind that now. We should get to business.” Samson leans on the table, staring intently at Ezra. “I am sure you already know everything by now, yes? As to why I spoke to you when you arrived, as to Kaelis’ position now, considering your little protege was the one who was taken.”

The words settled in the air.

It was both clear and direct.

Ezra felt his chest tighten slightly.

’So he knows I understand,’ Ezra thought, keeping his expression steady, even as the weight of the situation pressed in.

There was no room to pretend ignorance now.

No room to hesitate.

Ezra nods slowly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

His voice came out even.

Controlled.

But inside, his thoughts were already moving, lining up everything he had to say, everything he couldn’t afford to say wrong.

Samson watched him for a second longer, then leaned back slightly.

“Okay then, the floor is both of yours,” Samson tells Kaelis and Ezra, gesturing at them. “Tell me everything you know, and everything that happened.”

Ezra glanced at Kaelis for just a moment, unsure how to start.

There were too many things to say.

Too many details that suddenly felt heavier now that they were being said in front of the king.

’Where do we even begin?’ Ezra thought, keeping his face neutral despite the uncertainty.

Kaelis, who was mostly dry now, opens his mouth.

“Well, first of all, we’ve confirmed that the cult does exist, as you thought, Father, the Dark Ones started with a cult.”

Ezra’s eyes flicked toward the king briefly.

’The king was the one who theorized it?’ Ezra thought, tilting his head just a little before looking back at Kaelis.

That… explained a lot.

Why wasn’t the king surprised?

Why did he sound so certain earlier?

“Not only that, but they are the ones who are kidnapping children.”

The words landed more heavily this time.

There was no room for doubt in Kaelis’ tone.

No hesitation.

“Do you have any idea why they are kidnapping? Is it related to the existence of Dark Ones?” Samson asks.

His voice was calm.

But there was an edge beneath it now.

Focused.

“For the main existence? No. The kidnappings are way too recent,” Kaelis says. “But I do believe it has something to do with the docile Dark Ones, the ones that turned even though they were still alive.”

Ezra’s fingers curled slightly against his lap.

“Does that mean you think they’re sacrificing children?” Ezra had to ask; he wanted to have an idea of what could happen to Ranie and Larnie.

And what would’ve happened to Lior if they hadn’t arrived on time?

Kaelis shook his head. “No.”

“Then what?” Samson asks, making Kaelis’ face darken a bit.

“I think they’re using the parents.”

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