Chapter 16: Child Side Chat

After the gift presentation to the twins, there is a feast. Various type of foods is being served. Everyone enjoyed the food the royal palace severed. Food warmed up their stomachs in this cold winter.

The feast ended and the nobles are free to socialize between themselves. Even the royals join in with everybody. Adrian was chatting with the count's children, Kyle, Julie, Conor and Scott that he met at the inn.

"You sure are ballsy presenting the royal twins commoner items. Your father is another one pushing you to the stage, letting you to go alone. Look at you, just 5 years old doing an adult's job." Conor Davison made a remark but form his tone he felt pity for Adrian.

"Hahaha… That is quite normal. My dad sometimes did push some responsibility to me. I have to realise I'm the Eldest son of the Cross family. It's fine, I cannot hate him. Everyone has weaknesses." Adrian said his piece. It sounded too matured for someone his age.

"Tch… Is this why the eldest always so annoying." Conor clicks his tongue.

"Do you have a problem with someone being an eldest?" Kyle Shields and Adrian shot back at Conor at the same time.

"Fufufu… Look at you two, being pumped up by a trouble maker. So cute. If Adrian is a little older, I wouldn't mind having him. Fufufu… joking. It only a joke" Julie Turner enjoying the moment.

"We know…" The boys replied at the same time like they are used to Julie's antics.

"Adrian, you are the same age as Scott. Please take care of him in the future. You'll have my favour." Kyle asking a favour from Adrian took care of his little brother.

"Sure. We are the same age anyway. Let's look out for each other in the future." Adrian extends his hands to Scott.

"Of course, Adrian." Scott shakes back with a big smile on his face excited in the new friendship.

Conor started being rowdy and Julie adds fuel to the fire. Kyle and Adrian trying to stop the two from their childish bicker. Scott enjoying the scene like a normal day to day event.

Suddenly, a handsome boy with bright blonde hair approaches the loud group with a clam face. He looks 6 years old but Adrian knows that he must be the same age as him.

"Adrian Cross, you are the shame of nobility. Presenting the royal twins with commoner items. You should be a shame of yourself." The boy speaks with quite a loud voice attracting the crowd's attention.

"Oh? And how should I address the most noble of nobles like yourself?" Adrian did not want to analyse this guy. I will be a waste of time so he wants to play with him.

"I am Ian Cromwell, the youngest of the Duke family. You better remember it. You will need a son of the Duke's family to teach you some noble etiquette." Ian spoke with his nose held up high.

"What can you teach me? Please say whatever you wish. It is an opportunity to learn from each other. Especially from someone on the same age." Adrian shows a calm face accompanying a smile.

Oscar approach Duke Cromwell exchanging some whispers than they both smile. Malcom saw this and approach them too.

"Can't I get in this too. I'm Adrian's father." Malcom words stir some small whispers among the crowds.

"I will oversee them. Please be fair." The king words reach the adults they begin to settle down and whisper with each other.

The kids around are confuse but they keep watching the interaction between Ian and Adrian.

"Nobles should always be above the commoners. You should not stoop to their level." Ian gives an uneducated remark.

"Hahaha… it seems like you just pull out a lesson from your mind. That is not a noble lesson, it is a childish outburst. Sigh… thank you for the useless exchange. Please excuse me." Adrian gives a sharp reply but still shows his noble elegance.

"Wait, what did you say? Hey, wait I'm not done yet." Ian was so angry he rushed to Adrian to stop him.

Then in a split second, Adrian dodges the hand reaching his shoulder in a swift motion. Ian trips and bumps into Scott who is holding juice that was absent minded at the moment. Kyle pulls Scott up before Scott falls down. Ian was covered in juice while on the floor. His eyes looks like he wants to cry.

Duke Cromwell wants to rush in to help his boy but Adrian already there lifting him up.

"There, there, don't cry. Nobles shouldn't cry in public. Cheer up, accidents happen. Here take this. You can go to the washroom, wash the juice with warm water and ask someone to dry it with magic. Then comeback look as you first came here. Okay?" Adrian gives the teary Ian his handkerchief and call a waiter to help Ian.

"Scott, are you fine?" Adrian asked Scott after Ian leaves.

"I'm fine. My big brother is the best. He sure is fast to safe me but my juice is empty." Scott praises his brother while looking at his empty glass.

"Ugh… Forget the juice." The group rolled their eyes at the suddenly puzzled Scott.

They did not realise that the adults are cheering or groaning after the event finish. Seeing Adrian still help Ian after being mocked shows that Adrian mentality is already matured. They could not wait to see Adrian's full potential in the future including the king and queen.

"All of you pay up of what you owed from each other." The king said in a voice that is enough for the adults to hear. That is a secret deal among them.

A moment later, Duke Cromwell meets Adrian along with Ian.

"Thank you for teaching my youngest son some pointers. We owe you one. Hope you can treat Ian as a friend in the future. We hope to see you again." Duke Cromwell nodded while letting Ian bow towards Adrian then they left just like that.

Adrian nodded but didn't think they should thank him personally. Well, all is well and ends well. Thinking of 'well', the Wells family approach Adrian. The other kids bow and leaves Adrian alone.

"Young Adrian, we finally meet. Rumour about you is circulating around the nobles. As I had hope, the rumours are true." The king spoke in a soft tone with the queen nodded in agreement. The twins are just staring at Adrian with stars in their eyes filled with gratitude for his excellent gift. The princess is holding the doll in her hands while the prince straps his wooden sword on his hip.

"Your Majesty, your praise honours me. I am also honoured to be in the presence of the royal family. Please don't over praise me and say as you will your Majesty." Adrian kept it humble while bowing and showing respect.

"Analyse"

[Name: Elijah Wells] [Age: 35]

[Level: 3 Sun Power]

[STR: 623] [AGI: 593] [END: 596] [INT: 600] [Mana: 34053]

[Affinity: Earth, Plant, Light]

"So, this is the kingdom's strongest mage. Look at those numbers. He is in his 30s too. This world is more dangerous than I expected. I need to work hard while growing up before 10 years old. Aria did tell me mana can bring great benefits." Adrian thought while feeling excited.

"We don't want to request you as the 'king' and 'queen' of the kingdom. We came here as a 'father' and 'mother'. We hope that you can be great friends with our children." The queen jumped in the conversation. The twins behind beamed a big smile wanting to know Adrian more.

"That is right. The more friends the better. Please take care of them." Elijah agrees with a smile

"Of course. I'm happy to be friends with the prince and the princess. I will come to visit them from time to time. They can just call me Adrian. Please take care of me as well." Adrian does a small bow to the twins as an introduction.

"It's our pleasure as well." The twins replied excitedly.