Chapter 18

When Stephen returned in the evening, he was surprised by the state of the house. He did not know what to say due to shock but the first thing he muttered was "Theo will murder me". He said those words with fear in his eyes. Gideon had to explain the entire thing slowly to Stephen and the latter looked like he was about to faint any time soon.

"So… Prince Kaiden barged in here the moment Theo left for the frontlines and harassed you"

"Not exactly like that though-"

"HE NEARLY CHOKED YOU TO DEATH, THAT BASTARD I'LL MAKE HIM REPAY" He angrily spat and Gideon had to pat him on the back.

"Uncle Stephen"

"DON'T UNCLE STEPHEN ME GIDEON!"

Gideon frowned and then coughed to correct himself,

"Steph, He's still the Prince and He healed me anyways after. I'm pretty sure he just had to vent out his anger"

"Do you really disregard yourself like that always Gideon?"

"Ah?"

The question Stephen had asked him made him stop and think about it for a moment. He never really considered himself in situations like this. The moment he does, it's always problems after problems that he just decided not to be a bother. He just wants to live his life at ease. But at the same time, He's accepted that he may die at any moment due to this character's destiny. He already died once, what's the worst that could happen the second time around? Stephen waited for his answer but saw that those green eyes were still staring at him at a loss that he couldn't help but hug the boy.

"Gideon, please put yourself first before others. You don't deserve any more pain" he patted his hair and Gideon just stood there not knowing what to do.

"I'm sorry"

"Haist just don't do it again"

He moved away from the hug and inspected Gideon from head to toe. Indeed he was back to mint condition as if nothing happened. If only the same thing could be done to the house.

"I suppose we can get a new house?"

He was already considering relocating somewhere else in the capital because their location was exposed. Now that their house had a hole in the floor, that may be the best option.

"A new house suddenly? Can't we just have the floors replaced?"

"We can but I've been considering moving anyways, and Theodora always travel a lot to the north so it would be easier for her if we were to move to the northern region of the capital"

Technically they could just move out of the capital but Theodora would still need to come back every other day to the capital to report. It would just be illogical to move away.

Stephen shows Gideon a bunch of houses and the prices of them were enough to make Gideon cry. Stephen noticed Gideon's expression and he states that the benefit that Theodora gets in her position is that she can have any house she wanted but it was strictly limited to one.

Gideon can guess it's because her job is life-threatening and it's the most that the Capital could repay for her service. While they were still browsing, a house caught Gideon's eye. It was similar to his old childhood home in his previous life. Viewing it made him remember all the times he and his family would spend together. There was an instance that reminded him that his dad carried him on his shoulders and ran around despite being tired from working.

"You've been staring at this house for a while now, Do you want to move here?" Stephen tilted his head to the side and Gideon immediately shook his head.

"Ah no, I was just reminded of something back when I was a kid"

Stephen shuts up realizing it might be rude to ask him about it. No one really knows about Gideon's past before entering the Orphanage at the age of 7 years old.

They settled on a split-level house mixed with Cottage style that was located up north. Stephen called Theodora to tell her about the news and proceeded onto calling some of Theodora's colleagues to help with the paperwork.

A week had passed since the incident and Kaiden thought about visiting Gideon now that he knew where he lived. He was sitting inside the meeting rooms.

"But I can't really just pop up there, especially after what I did last time…" Kaiden paced around the room thinking of a reason to go there.

'Wasn't the side of the house a bakery shop?' Kaiden thought to himself and decided to just go there under the guise of buying goods.

He did a terrible disguise of wearing a mask and a hat to hide his identity and snuck out of the palace to see Gideon. The moment he arrived, however, surprised him. The place looked desolate as if they already left the place for some time. He just stood in front of the house and one of the owners of the house next door saw him.

"Oh the family already moved out a week ago"

"Ah?" Kaiden glanced at the person and it was an elderly human male.

"I said the family that lives there already moved out a week ago, they even gave away desserts to us before they left"

"Is that so? Do you know where they live?"

The elderly man was surprised and felt a little suspicious about the stranger so he shook his head in response and said he did not know and immediately went inside the house to give Stephen a call about the situation.

Kaiden felt a little bit angry because he thought he and Gideon were fine. He thought that he might have scared him still and wanted to smack himself. Since the place was abandoned, he might as well explore the place to see where Gideon grew up all these years. Upon entering he saw that there were a few boxes still that have yet to be picked up meaning Gideon and his new "family" weren't exactly done with moving. That or they intentionally left the items.

Kaiden kept roaming around until he heard the front door open and close. He raised his guard and hid to see who it was. Gideon on the other hand, was already close by this place to pick up some of the remaining items when Stephen called him that Kaiden was most likely there. He rushed to arrive because he needed to explain that he wasn't hiding or anything and that he wasn't able to tell him about the sudden move due to the fact he didn't know how to contact him. Kaiden saw that it was Gideon and did his best to suppress the urge to demand an explanation on the matter. What surprised him was the next course of action that Gideon suddenly did.

"I know you're here Kaiden, Let's talk"

Kaiden got out of hiding and held onto a poker face while removing his terrible disguise.

"Oh you're brave to call me out"

"Before you misunderstand the situation, remember you did destroy the living room and that's pretty much the reason why we had to move"

"That…" Kaiden's eyes widened a bit and he immediately composed himself. Indeed he was at fault for that.

"And even if I wanted to tell you that we were going to move, I don't have your contact"

Kaiden's embarrassment went past the roof as his cheeks started to have a layer of redness. He got angry at Gideon for no reason again and misunderstood his actions. He mentally cursed at himself and wanted to disappear. Gideon saw the funny expression Kaiden had and resisted the urge to laugh but he couldn't.

"Stop Laughing!"

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist"

"Ugh" Kaiden rolled his eyes but in the end, he smiled a little because Gideon's smile was contagious

"I'm sorry for suddenly barging into your place uninvited" Kaiden took the initiative to apologize.

"Ah no need, but what brings you here?"

Kaiden stared at him for a moment as his mind went blank due to the sudden question. He already had a plan before he went here but it's as if that plan suddenly vanished.

"Um, to be honest, I have no idea myself" He blurted out honestly and Gideon was a little surprised.

"Oh, then are you free to help me bring these boxes to the new house?"