New love or Past love?

Side Chapter: New love or Past love?

Narrator's POV

A young boy with dark blond hair could be seen packing up books into a small box, carefully wrapping them with foam, and tying it into safety.

"Young master, Lenard. It is time for tea." (Ellis) muttered, giving a slight bow to his young master who fixes his loose glasses, bringing it up a little clumsy.

Ellis was the head maid's nephew and he was in charge of taking care of the library and perhaps even the young master himself who lounges around the place after Kein has left. He had nowhere to go for company other than the private library or the gardens.

Lenard replies with a smiling contented face after working tirelessly organizing the books he just got for Kein as a surprise. It's a box of girl's love visual novels illegally obtained from [Sprivanto]! Of course it must've cost a ton but he planned to spoil his little cousin rotten!

"Thank you Ellis. You've been a wonderful friend ever since we've met." (Lenard) says sighing leaving the box to be delivered tomorrow. "I hope Kein will like the books I've picked for her. I certainly don't want her to be bored or have no entertainment after all she just told me she found a temporary place to live in. I'm worried!"

He received Kein's letter a few days ago stating that she is fine and well currently residing in Baron Hill's home. Ellis gives Lenard a smile as he boldly takes his hand. "I'm sure the young miss is alright. Please do not worry and have some tea." (Ellis)

Lenard panicked with a flushed face nodding in answer. He can't refuse the offer of tea nor the offer from a really handsome person. He covers his flustered face with his hands doing his best to reply, "P-Please join me then. I will be more comfortable if I have someone to talk to while I drink."

Ellis was about to refuse but he just couldn't after his young master asked him of that. He nodded as he prepared tea for two people. Truly, he thought the young master was kind. "Oh! Have you also finished the book we have referenced? What do you think of the main lead ending up with the handsome assassin instead of the prince?"

"I believe that the assassin would be a much better choice for the main lead. Of course, the prince might be the first love but the assassin would've been his last and I prefer the last over the first." (Ellis) replied seriously to Lenard as he gave him his tea.

Lenard takes the tea cup gently rubbing his fingers over the rim of the cup playing around with it. "This is rather hard. To choose your first love or your second love, how philosophical and rather confusing." he says sadly taking a sip of his tea.

Ellis sits down to Lenard having a sip of his own cup placing it down into the table asking, "If you had to choose between your first love or your second love. Which one will you pick?"

Lenard tilts his head into a serious deep thinking. He really wanted to answer seriously, placing his hand under his chin. "There was a saying, two answers to the question. You should pick the first love because he wouldn't be your first for nothing."

Ellis places his shoulder playfully on the table gazing at Lenard admiringly, "What's the other answer?"

"If you love two people at the same time, choose the second. Because if you really loved the first one, you wouldn't have fallen for the second one." (Lenard) answers weirdly feeling confused and a sudden realization has swept in, "I-I mean it's just a saying there's not much evidence that it's right!"

Ellis laughs softly, taking in his young master's adorable expression. It made him want to pet his head but he knew his limits. A servant could never lay a hand with selfish intentions against his master. "Young master, I agree on the second love. Truly, if you really loved the first then you would never..."

Lenard stares at Ellis for a moment. Somehow it felt like time has stopped, "You would have never fallen in love with the-"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A knock on the door interrupted them as a maid's voice was heard. "Young master Lenard, you have a visitor. It's Lord Vincent Wolford." (Maid)

The timing was impeccable, Ellis noticed that Lenard's thoughts were now drifting away and that he couldn't do anything for the meantime. "Um... Ellis, do you mind continuing the conversation later?" (Lenard) asked him, to which Ellis responded with a simple nod not replying in words anymore.

He, after all, knew Lenard's feelings towards the son of the Duke. He thought it was even foolish to try but... can you blame him?

Lord Vincent opened the library door, his face lighting up the moment he saw Lenard but he hid it away in a mask after noticing they weren't alone.

He sees Ellis at the side standing firmly close to Lenard, "Greetings to the Viscount's son." (Lord Vincent) greeted with a bow as Lenard did the same but he was really nervous when he did it.

"G-Greetings to the Duke's son. Lord Vincent, it's a pleasure to be in your presence." (Lenard)

Vincent glances at Ellis then never bothered to notice him again. "Lenard, why are you not responding to my requests of visit? Has our friendship become this shallow?" (Vincent) teased a little but Lenard thought of it as a literal question.

"I-I've been busy with um... work." (Lenard)

"Is that so? What work have you been doing nowadays?" (Vincent) asked , taking initiative for the whole conversation. Lenard was confused as to why he was nervous after all there's no reason to be?

"Work... with a friend that's um confidential." (Lenard) answered, trying his best not to slip, taking a glance at Ellis who smiled being reminded of the book time they had together.

It would be embarrassing if Lord Vincent knew about what they were doing. Is what Lenard thought at that moment wanting to divert the conversation into something else but he didn't know what.

Vincent noticed that he was uncomfortable as he noticed the unfamiliar figure that was just standing in the corner, "Is he your new aid?"

Ellis smiled politely at Vincent knowing his place, taking a bow, "Yes I am, it is a pleasure to meet you, my lord. My name is Ellis Regan, a humble servant of the Yulien household." (Ellis) introduced himself with a clear voice.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well," (Lord Vincent) replied , taking a deep sigh with how the atmosphere has been so he just decided on a topic he knows Lenard will participate actively in. "How is Kein? I have not heard from her these days. Is she well?"

Lenard's eyes lit up at the mention of Kein. Truly, he loved Kein deeply. "Kein is doing well; she's taking residence in Baron Edward Hill's home. I'm actually going to send her these!" He walked over to the box bringing it over to Vincent but he was unsuccessful as he couldn't lift the box full of books because it was too heavy.

Lenard was a little weak on carrying heavy things, Vincent noticed this and was about to help Lenard standing up from his seat however...

"Young master, here let me help you with that." (Ellis) got to Lenard first taking the box from his arms, their shoulders brushing a little. Lenard's face flushed a little being thankful for Ellis or else he really might've dropped the box onto the ground and damaged the goods.

"T-Thank you as always..." (Lenard)

"For you, young master. This task is an easy one to fulfill." (Ellis) was bold to say this in front of Vincent. Ellis knew Lenard liked this man and he wondered... What's so special about him?

Vincent felt irritated for some reason he couldn't understand while seeing these two converse like that.

'I was supposed to be the one to help him first.' is what Vincent thought as Ellis places the box onto the table carefully.

Vincent with no words took the box and inspected the books that were inside. All of it was in the genre of romance, comedy, it was all about love stories between two girls. There was nothing with it but... "Why is there not even one educational book for Kein?" (Vincent) takes a book, his fingers brushing with it as he reads a couple of pages at a fast speed.

"Have you not read the synopsis? There are some parts in here children like Kein are not meant to see." he continues as Lenard thought oh no here we go again.

"It is what Kein would've wanted and I'm giving it to her. Surely the book would only contain little intimate things like holding hands or kissing. There is nothing wrong with it right?" (Lenard) crosses his arms firmly, stopping his feet into the ground.

"She's ten, Lenard." (Vincent) argued back. "There shall not be any holding hands or even kissing until she is of adult age."

"What are you her father?!" (Lenard) yelled in frustration as the both of them fought again. These days... they can hardly ever talk about something without it ending in a fight.

"Well what are you? Her mother?!" (Vincent) yells back as Lenard was about to cry.

"I wish I were! Kein doesn't have a mom or a dad and I'm doing my best being that for her!" (Lenard)

Vincent felt like he fucked up big time not knowing what to say. "I... I... uh..." he didn't know what to do but surely the logical choice was to apologize- it was in the heat of the moment. He had to fix it.

Ellis steps forward taking Lenard by the arm protectively before he could, "If you don't mind me, Lord Vincent. The young master needs his rest, please give him some time to recover. He's been working hard all these days after all." (Ellis)

Lenard looks up at Ellis feeling weird as he takes his hands into his chest, "Please leave."

Vincent looked at Lenard torn about leaving or apologizing first. "Lenard I-" he stopped his words when he noticed Ellis smiling at him menacingly behind Lenard. "I'll... come and visit you again."

Vincent left in a hurry wondering... Ellis Regan. What kind of person could he be for Lenard to hold onto him like that?

Ellis sighed letting go of Lenard who gave him a worried look. "I'm sorry, young master. I have acted rashly. I hope this does not affect your relationship at all. After all... you like him right?"

Lenard nods having talked all of it out with Ellis before, "I do like him but... I don't think he feels the same way towards me." (Lenard) answered , slumping into a nearby chair looking at the opened box that was meant to be delivered to Kein. "I have to reorganize the books again."

Ellis leans over to Lenard, taking him by surprise. He almost fell out of his chair, "I will help, young master. To get the work done faster."

Lenard nods thankful for the help. Ellis smiles warmly looking at Lenard admiring his blond hair, cute nose, and dark blue eyes. He thinks to himself how could a son of Duke not admire such a beautiful specimen in front of him.

Ellis reaches out to pat Lenard's head but he retrieves his hand quickly before muttering to himself, "If he will not take you, then I will take you for myself first. I'll wait until you've moved on from him." (Ellis)

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Viscount Lenois Yulien can be seen fiddling with a cigar, as his wife the Countess Haren lights it up for him with fire magic. Both of them could be seen taking a map, and a letter having the seal of the [Winshern] royal family.

It was Lenard's and Lucas's parents who stood over talking to each other, smiling widely.

"When the resistance has been fully formed, in nine years or so... we just have to wait patiently. Then we'll have the position we've always wanted and all the lands and titles we deserve." (Viscount Lenois) laughs while taking a smoke of his cigar as his wife rolls her eyes.

"Our son will join the Royal Knights to obtain more merits. Lucas will certainly develop his fire magic more and become strong like me." (Aunt Haren) bragged to his husband but the Viscount could only disagree.

"Our little scholar Lenard will take over the household, if your little brat will be joining the knights. I want Lenard to manage the Yulien household name." (Viscount Lenois) laughs looking his wife in the eye.

"Once the royal family had been desperate enough to marry the heir to the throne to the [Winshern] royalties. Then by surprise, we'll help them take over the country." (Viscount Lenois)

He clicks his tongue however remembering what could've been a powerful pawn, "You should've treated your niece better, Haren. How could you not tell me she could make art like that? You know how this country is obsessed with silly portraits like those!" (Viscount Lenois)

Countess Haren scoffs at her husband's scolding, "I have no reason to be kind to such a mistake. My sister should've aborted that little devil the moment she spawned out of her."

"Still we could've used her to get closer to the Royal family first to earn their trust. A wasted opportunity." (Viscount Lenois)

Countess Haren glares at him for even mentioning the little devil spawn that her twin sister made. Kein Rosenguard, what a joke.

They are from a fallen noble house, they could've had everything if only Countess Haren's sister married the Duke but now she had to run away with a mere mage leaving all the responsibilities to her.

How selfish of her sister. It's a good thing she died already.

Countess Haren thought standing up, taking a glass of wine from the cupboard pouring it over a glass and whisking her hand playfully drinking like there was no tomorrow. "To the resistance. May the royal bloodline soon crumble."