28 Chapter 28

Kaiden went back to the library to see if Luciel was still there but he no longer felt his powers there. And just basing off the fact that Alexander was still outside his office waiting for his boss to return, He wasn't there as well. There was one other place that Luciel would visit in his free time and that was the greenhouse. Kaiden walked to the garden area and followed the pathway that led to the greenhouse.

He was correct, Luciel was standing there looking at several flowerbeds. He was even using his powers to cut off the weeds that began to grow around. Those very flowers were planted by Gabriella and whenever she was staying in Luciel's previous manor, she'd often take care of them. Luciel had the flowers moved here so that he could preserve Gabriella's Memories because these were more willing than their kin.

"Just what the hell did you do to Gideon?"

Luciel already sensed Kaiden coming here but he only bothered to turn around now and greet his son. Kaiden's expression was dark, filled with hatred. Luciel always wondered if this was his karma since those eyes always reminded him of Gabriella.

"I didn't do anything to him. We were just talki-"

"Bullshit. You threatened him, otherwise, he wouldn't make that face" 

Or be willing to come with me at least.

"Why do you care so much about him Kaiden? I'd understand if you just had a little crush on him but isn't this taking things too far?"

"TOO FAR? ARE YOU HEARING YOURSELF? YOU FUCKING TERRIFIED HIM"

Kaiden gathered all of his powers and tried to attack his father. Luciel only sighed as he was already used to Kaiden's outbursts in the past and dealt with it like usual. To his surprise, however, Kaiden overpowered the array he had set up and thus he was forced to put more of his strength to deflect his son's attack.

'He got stronger..'

Azazel heard the commotion nearby and teleported to tackle down the attacker. He was surprised it was Kaiden and he had to adjust his hold to prevent Kaiden from being hurt.

"KAIDEN! CALM DOWN!"

"HOW AM I GOING TO CALM DOWN IF HE THREATENED GIDEON"

"HE IS THE KING AND YOUR FATHER"

Kaiden was breathing heavily but his father only looked down at him with a serious expression. Luciel didn't say anything as if he was deep in thought and later sighed before motioning for Azazel to get off the young prince.

"I'm not putting this against you, Kaiden. But understand this, My actions were for your safety. That friend of yours is of unknown origins" Luciel began to explain the situation and before Kaiden could retort the last sentence because he also had a copy of Gideon's data. "Yes, he does have a file that states he's from the southern capital region. Upon checking further, he was only found there."

Kaiden was angry and confused. He kept listening to his father's explanation regarding Gideon's unknown background and how there were even forgeries of his documents. He had every right to be suspicious of him because Kaiden, his son, is personally involved.

"Father, even if all of that were true, he is still my friend. Don't act like you're not a hypocrite when you lied the entire time to my mother" Luciel pursed his lips because Kaiden had hit the nail on its head.

"He was the only person who had been honest to me or at least wasn't forced to be kind to me. Don't meddle with my private affairs, I can handle myself" Kaiden warned Luciel before walking out of the greenhouse.

Azazel was concerned if Kaiden was okay but he couldn't leave his friend as well. He called out to Luciel and the latter started speaking;

"He got stronger"

"Pardon?"

"Kaiden. He got stronger. I just didn't show it but I had to put in more effort in suppressing his powers than usual"

Wasn't this good news? but at the same time...

"I'm concerned that he would go out of control if he continue to let his emotions get the best of him" Luciel sighed again and went back to the flowers that remained unharmed.

When Kaiden finally returned, Gideon didn't look like he was doing alright. He was quietly sipping his iced tea while Damien suddenly stopped speaking midway. He was talking about the job of a Demon Noble and several other basic stuff about their system. Arda had her tablet in her hands and it seemed like she was reading a file that was recently sent to her. Although it looked like nothing was off, it was merely Gideon's expression that angered Kaiden further.

"Did I miss something?" Kaiden asked sarcastically.

"Ah Kaiden" Gideon snapped out of his trance and finally noticed his presence.

"Not really, your highness. The food got delivered some time ago and I suppose Damien is entertaining our guest" Arda took a sip of her drink after speaking.

Damien glanced at Arda before responding "I was just telling him about the castle"

"I see, I'll speak with you two later. Let's go, Gideon, I'll show you around"

"Okay"

Gideon placed down his drink before thanking the two. Kaiden led him outside and walked beside him. He was slowing down his pace so that Gideon would be in the front.

"What happened?" Kaiden asked out of concern and Gideon was unsure of it himself.

Earlier, the two started arguing about a situation that involved Amias. As a reader, he had not known about this, and perhaps this was written after he got sent into this world. The book was still ongoing at that time after all.

"Um, what did Amias do?" Gideon asked hesitantly and Arda looked at him with offense.

"This does not involve outsiders... Argh! Look at what you made me do Damien!"

Arda sighed and then a knock could be heard. A servant came in and brought in the refreshments that Arda had asked for. Arda went to her desk and took her tablet to review some materials. Perhaps Gideon was looking away in shame for too long that Damien started to feel bad. He called out to him and started to talk about himself instead.

"They were arguing with each other but stopped when the food arrived. L-lord Damien then talked about himself and not long after that you returned"

"Oh, I see"

Kaiden sensed that it wasn't the full story. He wanted to take Gideon to the Garden to help him relax, he couldn't because his father was still there. Instead, he guided Gideon into the Ballroom. Gideon's eyes sparkled at how beautiful the empty room was and wondered what it would look like if there was an actual event.

"Come over here, Gideon"

Kaiden motioned for Gideon to follow him. After feeling around a specific area of the wall, a click could be heard. Kaiden pushed the wall and it revealed a hidden pathway. He motioned for Gideon to enter and the other hesitantly went in before Kaiden followed from behind. He closed the secret entrance and suddenly there was only darkness. Kaiden created fire embers and blew them away that it looked like fireflies dancing in the dark. Slowly the pathway was lit up by his power.

"Father got this place and renovated it to match Mother's fantasy. It came with these secret paths and I'm pretty sure he's aware of it but just didn't bother to care" Kaiden spoke as they walked in a certain direction.

"I claimed this place for myself and now I'm the only one who can use it"

Kaiden gently held Gideon by the wrist and walked down further the path. there was an area that looked like it had a large space but it was too dark to see. Kaiden snapped his fingers and slowly there were magic stones that he had placed around the area that began to light up. It revealed a secret hideout that had some cushions and a makeshift shelf.

Why does the prince have to hide in such a place?

As if Kaiden had read his thoughts, he began to explain. "Back then, I didn't like my lessons. So I tried hiding to escape it. I found this place and I'd just stay here"

Kaiden sets down a blanket and patted the cushions before throwing them on top and sitting down. Gideon sat down next to Kaiden and looked at the shelves.

"Those are some books that I like reading" Kaiden reached out to a book and it was a romance novel?

"I didn't take you for a guy who would read those" Gideon suddenly blurted out and Kaiden grinned.

"Oh? What did you think I would read?"

Gideon realized he had spoken too much and by chance, he suddenly noticed a familiar album in the corner. He grabbed it and flipped through the first page. It brought a sense of nostalgia to him.

"You still have this" Gideon murmured as he examined the album he had given 11 years ago.