Restlessness

The ensuing days unfolded seamlessly, with Kaizer, despite his demanding role as the grand duke, managing to carve out precious moments to share with Eugene. However, the respite proved fleeting, as Lancelotte, appearing visibly fatigued from the persistent tug-of-war with the grand duke over Eugene's company, consistently intervened to pull Kaizer away.

Eugene observed Kaizer and Lancelotte with avid interest.

The next day, Eugene decided to visit the training of the fourth battalion while contemplating the upcoming war and the second prince's rebellion.

Hearing that Eugene went to the training ground, Kaizer immediately teleported beside Eugene with a dark face and said, "My muscle, it's better than them. Why not watch me train?"

With his chin resting on his palm, Eugene heartlessly said, "Get lost."

Kaizer couldn't stand still and tried his best to block Eugene's sight while avoiding being kicked. The presence of the two powerful people in the empire instilled fear in the knights, compelling them to strive to sustain their movements. Their bodies became rigid as they listened to the grand duke's whining, immediately becoming anxious, not daring to show off.

Internally, everyone was in despair.

"Young master, kindly direct your focus to the grand duke!" echoed the silent plea within their minds.

Eugene grew exasperated with Kaizer, prompting him to rise and deliver a precise kick to his lover. This action caused Kaizer to soar through the air before landing on the ground in a quivering state.

The knight's jaw drops as they watch the grand duke slowly get up while laughing, holding his stomach.

"As expected of my lover, you're really strong---" Kaizer vomit blood.

Knights: "..."

Eugene: "..."

Knights: Grand Duke!!!

Everyone had grown accustomed to the former grand duke's pampering of the young master, and witnessing even the slightest injury to Kaizer would typically send the former grand duke into a fit of rage. As a result, the knights couldn't help but tremble on their knees and rush towards the grand duke, fearing that the former patriarch would blame them for the incident.

Eugene, however, watched Kaizer in disgust and said, "Quit pretending and get up."

Of course, the Katnier knew what was happening in the main castle.

He could only rub his chin in contemplation and nod his head in amusement. After all, whose husband wasn't scolded by their wife? He had experienced the same with Keerto back then when the pregnancy was found out, and his hair was almost burned if it weren't for his quick reaction.

Father & Son: Proud.jpg

Eugene walks out of the training ground dragging the body of his lover away and sends it to Lancelotte with crossed arms, saying, "Take this man back. I assume he hasn't finished his workload."

Lancelotte weeps silently, devoid of tears, and nearly kneels before Eugene, imploring the young master to remain with the grand duke while he attends to his duties, trying to prevent the master from wandering.

However, before he could descend to the ground, Eugene sneered and delivered a kick to Kaizer, remarking, "You wanted to be the grand duke? Now get your ass up and do the paperwork. Don't bother me every day, I'm getting tired of your face."

Lancelotte: "???" Get your ass up? What's that?

Lancelotte, unfamiliar with modern colloquialisms, found himself perpetually baffled by the peculiar language used by the two masters, struggling to translate the meaning of their words. Expressions like "ass up" left Lancelotte covering his face, his ears burning red, as he pondered whether the two masters were discussing bedtime matters.

"Darling how could you get tired of seeing this handsome face!"

Eugene opened his palm and lit a fireball.

"Let's see your handsome face in the next life."

Kaizer sweats and looks at his lover pitifully, "I get it, I get it, calm down. I will work now."

Lancelotte nods his face while wiping his invisible tears, waving a white flag for the grand duke. Now with young master Eugene's order seems like the workloads will lessen today. He could finally rest his tired body the day after tomorrow.

Eugene returned to his room to rest, and upon waking up, he headed directly to the dining hall for dinner. During the meal, Kaizer eagerly served him, taking advantage of the spare moments to touch Eugene in various ways, attempting to seduce him. However, Eugene remained impassive, like a stone, frustrating Kaizer and almost prompting him to pounce on Eugene like a hungry wolf then and there.

"Darling~"

Eugene clicks his tongue, "Oh."

Observing the disinterested demeanor of the person in front of him, Kaizer let his tail and ears droop. Eugene found this amusing and began to playfully pinch Kaizer's ears repeatedly. He enjoyed Kaizer's divine beast form, which was perfect for cuddling. However, in the human world, they were limited to only displaying ears and tails. How unfortunate it is to not hug a huge fluffy beast.

"Did you finish your work?"

Kaizer snorted, "Such an easy task, It could be finished in just a half day."

Eugene raised his eyebrow, "Then why did you let it pile up for days?"

"Spending time with you is the most important than those papers."

Eugene hummed, "Stupid."

After dinner, Kaizer and Eugene headed to the training ground, leaving Lancelotte contentedly packing his things to return home. He appreciated it when the grand duke was focused on his work, as it allowed him more time for rest.

While sparring, both talk about the empire's matter.

The palace is far from peaceful following Kaizer and his brothers' ascension. It is said that the empress is restless and the movement is becoming more and more obvious. Now the emperor is starting to show signs of illness and the two princes are already battling for the position of the throne.

Eugene grimaces as he recalls Lincoln.

Lincoln disappears after Maxmillian seizes the throne, and Eugene remains skeptical about the rumors that the former crown prince is imprisoned in an underground dungeon. After all, Lincoln had committed malevolent deeds like his mother, hiding his true nature behind a facade of innocence. He bet that Maxmillian killed Lincoln to take revenge for being demoted to the status of the second prince despite being originally the crown prince.

"Will the grand dukedom support Prince Maxmillian?"

Kaizer chuckles, "I like the dark heart of that person. His energy is suitable to sustain me."

He wanted Maxmillian to become one of his devotees to strengthen his presence as a god here in Artha. To do that, one of the Catharis family must move to influence the second prince and introduce his testaments.

He looked forward to observing the conflict between the palace and the church this time.

"It must be easy for you to collect dark energy in this world. After all, everyone is evil."

Kaizer saw Eugene's sneering expression and sighed.

"If it weren't for the fact that you stole the goddess's power, I wouldn't be absorbing so much. What will you do if heaven traces you in this world? You are still an immature god; you can't defeat them. I am the only one who can save you."

"I need saving? Kaizer, you must have forgotten how I escape from the eyes of those damn gods and enter the heavenly realm without them noticing my presence."

Eugene laughs mockingly.

"If I could kill a heavenly existence once, I could still do it twice. As long as I get my revenge It is me who will continue to hunt."

Kaizer's lip twitched.

"You only have a limited grasp of reality. However, since you wanted revenge, I don't mind using every means to make them disappear and to make you survive."....to send you back.

Eugene didn't speak but he tightened his grasp on his sword and attacked Kaizer.

He hated this man's self-sacrifice.

Who needed to be saved? Eugene knew he couldn't be saved no matter what and there were only two endings given to him. One is to disappear completely and the other is to become fragments and jump from one world to another.

It only means one thing and that is "suffering".

He hated his immortality. He had enough of living.

Because of belief, he tried to live this life but that doesn't mean he's forgetting his desire to die.

He had enough.

Kaizer should also learn how to give up.

...to give up on him.

"Let's stop for today."

Kaizer opened his storage and grabbed a towel to wipe Eugene's sweat.

"A letter from your brother arrived earlier. He wanted you to visit the manor saying that your little sister misses you. I can order the knights to escort you to the Marquis's estate tomorrow."

Eugene hummed.

"You're not coming with me?"

Kaizer laughed, "I need to go to the palace. The emperor summoned me."

Eugene frowns, "For what?"

"Regarding the border issue, something is amiss, and another war might erupt. The emperor is keen on preventing it, especially since the Nacos war concluded not too long ago. Another conflict could lead to public protests demanding a peace treaty, as nobody would want to see their family members sent to war again."

Hmmm.

Just as he expected. Two wars before the second prince's rebellion.

This time, not only the citizens but even the church would condemn the emperor. Having the church criticize the royal family is like having countless bees around you.

No wonder the emperor fell ill.

"Enjoy your day tomorrow. You can go shopping with your younger sister, and simply forward the bill to the grand dukedom. Lancelotte will take care of the payment. Get whatever you like."

Kaizer hugged Eugene and carried him back inside the castle.

The servants around would peak at the two masters.

Despite the fear, they still can't help but admire.

Seeing the loving atmosphere. The servants were amazed and couldn't help but talk around. Now even the outside world knew how the grand duke favored the second young master of the Shradinza Household. This led to nobles pleasing the Marquis, hoping to get benefits and connections. Fortunately, Euric knew who were wolves, foxes, and sheep.

He wouldn't let others take advantage of the Shradinza Household.

Even the Del Viltaria Household faces the same situation and Casimin who has memories of his past life couldn't help but sneer while remembering the faces of those people who contributed to his little brother's death.

So to get revenge, he started to create a trap for them.

"Brother."

Britanny frowns and covers her mouth using her fan, saying, "The academy is holding a ceremony. A guardian must attend but my mother is ill, and I couldn't bear to keep her outside for long..."

Britanny coughed and continued, "It's not like I wanted you to come. I'm just informing you. If you're busy there's no need to bother. It's just an awarding ceremony, not that special."

Casimin frown.

"How could you say that? Of course, I'll go!"

Britanny raises her fan, almost covering her half face. She rolls her eyes but her lips form a smile.

"Hmp, of course, you should."

Casimin laughed seeing his little sister's red face and couldn't help but tease.

"Are you worried that I won't go because I'm busy? Is that why you wish to see your brother? Hmm. What to do, my little sister is just so cute that I couldn't refuse."

Britanny's face turned redder as she slammed her hands on the table and shouted, "I'm not! Stupid!" before dragging her dress and running away.

Casimin laughs while holding his stomach.

Her little sister is really cute.

Seeing his little sister running away from Casimin's office with a red face, Cadmus raised his eyebrow and opened the door only to witness his brother's laughing appearance.

"Did you tease Brittany again?"

"You're here." Casimin waved at his little brother, still laughing.

"Come on. Our little sister is too cute. I can't help it."

Cadmus sighs, "If you continue teasing her, you'll be hated."

"No way!"

Cadmus put the papers on the desk and said, "This is the report from the grand duke. I'll take your paperwork tomorrow, just attend Britanny's awarding ceremony. I already asked the academy for a leave and I already got permission."

Casimin looks at his little brother gratefully. 

"Did you visit the tower?"

Cadmus nodded, "The chief magician is inquiring about your visit to the tower to collect some of Father's belongings. He also mentioned that you should make an official announcement and take over Father's position. If not, they are also considering the possibility of Eugene taking up a position in the tower."

Casimin sneered, "Those old men are restless."

Cadmus lowered his gaze, "Indeed."