Chapter 19

While Gian was resting that night, the door slowly open, revealing the Marquis together with his eldest son, Viel. He gently fixes the blanket on Gian before checking his temperature. Although he's still feverish, Gian's condition is much better now compared to his earlier state. As the Marquis quietly looks at his youngest son, Viel suddenly asks something.

"Father, why did you... lie earlier?" Viel asked his father with hesitation.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about what happened at the party. You told them that it was me who created those ideas."

"I didn't say anything." Frederick said with his eyes solely looking at Gian. "It was them who thought of it."

"And you never corrected them, father."

Silence suddenly envelops Gian's room. Frederick is still looking at Gian while Viel is waiting for his father to answer him. Seconds later, Frederick let out a soft sigh.

"Do you still remember your mother?" Frederick asked.

"Of course." Viel answered, although he is confused why did his father suddenly asked about his mother. "I will never forget her."

"And do you also remember the time when he asked you a favor?"

"...Yes."

"You promised your mother, Serilla, to treat Gian with kindness, to guide him as he grows older, to protect him at all cost, and to be a good brother to him." Frederick said to Viel as if trying to remind him about his last promises to his mother.

Serilla Cres Val is the wife of Frederick and the mother of his two sons. Serilla died five months after she gave birth to her youngest son. Even though she tried her best to stay alive, the internal damaged her body received when she gave birth affected her health. At the same time, her condition was already weak even before she gave birth to her youngest son.

Serilla's condition worsened that even the most capable doctor in their kingdom cannot save her anymore.

But before she died, Serilla asked a favor for her oldest son who was just a five-year-old kid at that time. While baby Gian was sleeping beside Serilla, Viel was holding his mother's pale and bony hand. With a great difficulty, Serilla told Viel to be a good brother to Gian. She asked her husband and son to take good care of Gian and guide him to become a good and kind man in the future. A few minutes after that, Serilla slowly closed her eyes to go to a place where she can never return to her family's side anymore.

Serilla's injured body was making her suffer each day that passed. Serilla always suppressed the pain she felt and still gave them a smile to avoid making the people around her scared, especially her children. Frederick knew that it was Gian who gave a huge reason for Serilla to stay alive. They really tried their best even if they all know that it will be futile in the end.

Even though Viel was still very young at that time, he can still remember his promise to his mother. In fact, Viel already had a faint understanding of what really happened at that time. And to fulfill his promise with Serilla, Viel never treated Gian badly and helped him as he grows older. Viel supported Gian with whatever he does and always remind him that he will always be on his side no matter what happens.

Frederick runs his fingers through Gian's hair. He developed this habit as he raised his two sons for the past years.

"We promised Serilla to protect him at all costs." Frederick said. "The incident earlier..."

"It's intentional. In fact, you planned not to introduce Gian as the one who created these plans." Viel said. "But father, Gian will feel sad if he learns about it."

"When that time comes, I will take the blame. All I want is to make your brother safe."

"But father, we—"

Instead of answering his son, Frederick gives Viel a long stare. Without him saying anything, Viel understands the meaning of it in his heart. All he can do is to nod his head in understanding.

"As long as we can, Viel. We have to do it. For your mother."

Frederick and Viel stay in Gian's room a little more before they leave the room. When they quietly close the door, Russel loudly let out a sigh. Russel heard the conversation between the Marquis and the young General. After knowing the truth, his anger and grievance were lessened.

Looking at Gian who is still clueless about what happened in his room a while ago, Russel let out a sigh again. The truth is, Russel helped Gian in this matter because he wanted him to use this chance to build a reputation for himself. If this kingdom learned the truth, their words will spread and Gian will gain his own fame and reputation. But all of their efforts were all for naught.

"Sigh. Dude, what will you do without me?" Russel asked Gian who is currently sleeping.

As Russel tries to be quiet again, a shimmering light glows and it twirls around the room before it stops in front of Gian's bed. The shimmering light slowly turned into the shape of a woman dressed in white.

"We meet again, Russel Ferrer."

"Femora?!" Russel exclaimed in surprise. "Gracious! You are really here!"

Russel's voice is filled with giddiness. He didn't think to see a familiar face aside from Gian and the people in his mansion will makes him this excitement. Femora smiles and hums in response.

"I thought I will never have a chance to see you again!" Russel said.

"Why not?" Femora asked before tilting her head. "Obviously, I also want to see the most handsome guardian I'm currently punishing because he is too kind-hearted to save his friend."

"..."

"This goddess missed the old days were the most handsome guardian was serving me a cup of good wine, you know? How I wish to see that handsome guardian again and let him serve me personally."

"..."

"Why are you not responding, my dear? Don't tell me that you forgot how you bragged these things to your little friend?"

"Hehehe..." Russel can't do anything but to let out an awkward laugh. He didn't expect that Femora will hear it too as he told Gian about it.

"So how was the most handsome guardian who used to serve me personally before? Are you doing well these days?"

"...Stop it, okay? I know that you know the reason why I did that."

"Ooh? Do I?" Femore feigned innocence.

"..."

When Russel didn't respond back, Femora let out a joyous laugh. She is obviously enjoying teasing Russel right now. And as usual, Russel still cannot do anything aside from listening to this goddess who suddenly showed up.

"Why are you here anyway?" Russel asked, trying to change the topic.

"Nothing. I just want to personally see the two people I spend my self-earned powers in order to bring them back into life." Femora said. "And I must say, you two are doing a great job to entertain me."

"...Then I'm glad that we can make you happy with our performance, our beautiful benefactor." Russel lazily said.

"Too bad, your plan for this child had failed." Femora said as she gently sits on the edge on Gian's bed and stroke her long finger on his cheek. "Poor Gian. He must be very upset and disappointed with his family right now."

"Stop it. You'll wake him up." Russel reminded her.

"Don't tell Gian about it."

"Huh?"

"The conversation between the Marquis and his son. Don't ever mention it to Gian."

"But why?!" Russel asked in surprise. "He has the right to know!"

"Because that is what I want." Femora said.

"But Gian—"

"Dare to disobey me and I will make sure you will suffer a lot."

Femora then turn her head and look at the pen placed next to Gian's pillow. She has a beautiful yet terrifying smile on her face. Russel mentally nods his head as he acts trying to zip his mouth close.

"I assumed that you clearly understand my order. Right, my dear Russel?"

"Uh... Sure?" He hesitantly answered Femora.

"Not only you are handsome and attractive, but you are also an obedient guardian, my dear Russel." Femora cooed.

Russel is really sure that Femora will call him a 'handsome guardian' for a while. Though it's really good to hear coming from a beautiful goddess like her, it is still embarrassing to think that Femora heard how he boasted about this fake information with Gian.

'Oh, fuck it. Then just let her call me that. And besides, I know to myself that I am being honest when I said that I am really handsome!'

Femora gracefully stand up and flip her long silver strands. She takes a heated glance at Russel and Gian before she smiles at them.

"Make sure to obey me, Russel." She reminded him. "And be sure to entertain me more in the future."

Before Russel can answer the goddess, Femora flicks her slender fingers. Her body suddenly turns into golden dust. The golden specks of dust are forming into a small tornado and twirls around the room just like what it did a while ago. Then the golden clouds of dust are slowly disappearing in the air until it completely vanishes.

"And that's it. I'm hoping not to see you again." Russel said. Then his attention is back to Gian. "How lucky you are. Still ignorant with the things that happened here."

Not receiving any response from Gian, Russel can only let out a loud sigh.