| Consequences |

8 Hours ago at the Auction house...

[King Glayder's PoV]

While the implication of his message towards the King of a country was provoking, this eight-year-old's reasoning and argument fascinated me. The other kid also stated some truths there, Sebastian really did lost to that adventurer Loki pathetically.

Even though Sebastian was a loyal guard that had served us for decades, it was beneath me to make this kid give up his pet. And yet, I still promised him beforehand that I would. Who would I be if I were to go back on my word?

Then, everything went south. 'Do the Royal Knight Guards only amount to this much…? To rush in simply because of an eight-year-old's provocation?'

I didn't bring my personal 'Templar Knights', thinking that there wouldn't be any trouble, but I couldn't have guessed that these fresh trainees would cause this much trouble…

Although it surprised me, I quickly composed myself. What's done is done. If a royal guard was to kill this child, the public might pity him and his family for a couple of days, but ultimately the fault would lie in the child's parents for getting in my way.

It was a pity that this kid's family was friends with Vincent. Cutting ties with the auction house owner may turn out to be… a bit inconvenient, in the future.

Yet, outside of all expectations, the eight-year-old displayed a series of movements that couldn't be more impeccably executed even if a Templar Knight had done it. So deftly did the boy knock out my Royal Guardsman.

'Harry, you fool. How inexperienced do you have to be that you even forgot to reinforce your body?! The only thing you're doing is give a bad name to the Royal Knights of Sapin!'

"KYYAAAAAAAAAA!" I instantly turned my head in the direction of the shrill scream.

My wife was staring wide-eyed at something behind me, causing me to turn around to get a better look.

'How is Sebastian, who was fine just a second ago, now on the ground clutching his left leg like that? His leg has several shards of bone sticking out, yet he's just glaring daggers at the boy?'

The conjurer fumbled for his staff on the ground and as soon as he grabbed it, pointed it at the boy while starting to mumble a spell.

"Enough, Sebastian!" I roared at him. Did this ignorant fool not know that all of this stemmed from his greed for a child's bond?

I grabbed his staff and snapped it in half. Sebastian just looked at me in shock—as if I'd betrayed him.

This pathetic ingrate…

"Stand down! This matter is over," I growled menacingly at him as we locked eyes.

'He is in the presence of a King! No matter how much he has gotten used to it, it's best that I remind him that I can end his life on a whim.'

As soon as I finished this thought, the boy fainted. His family and, what I can only assume were his friends, immediately rushed towards him. I sighed. 'Settling this incident will be rather tiring.'

I could see that the boy's family and friends were struggling not to lash out at me...But I see one kid standing in his place, looking at the fainted boy.

'How wise of them to know their place in front of their King.'

Thinking about the trouble this had caused, and what it will take to deal with it, I let out a deep breath.

"I imagine that that boy needs to be treated; please excuse yourselves so that we can settle this matter another time," I announced as I guided my wife and children outside, leaving the two pathetic clowns that I'd been foolish enough to once call Royal Knights to be picked up by his teammates.

I walked out of the room with my family,

'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?' I disregarded my thought as we descended the short stairs,

"Dear..." My wife, Priscilla, said in a worried tone.

She's the kindest woman I've ever met, so I immediately knew what is going on in her head.

"I will compensate the Leywin's family properly"

"Dad! Let's go home quickly, I can't wait to see the World Lion cub!" My son, Curtis said.

"We'll be there soon, be patient until then"

"..." I glanced at my daughter, she's quiet as always.

>FWOo<

I felt a sudden drop in temperature and I noticed that my breaths have turned into visible mists,

"Why's it so cold, I thought it was summer. Puuu~" Curtis rubbed his arm while my wife kept Kathyln close to her.

I took off my cloak and placed it on my daughter before turning back and looked at the stage and noticed that cold mist are appearing on it.

A sense of uneasiness washed over me.

"I'll be back shortly after. Wait for me in the carriage." I said to my wife before walking towards the room behind the stage.

It didn't take long for me to reach the storage room's entrance.

With a heavy heart, I pushed the cold door open and gasped as I saw four guards lying on the floor, their bodies covered in ice.

The one with the most serious injury is Sebastian. Apart from his messed up leg, his right arm has a piercing hole in it, blood didn't flow out as his body was engulfed in ice. Only his head remained out of ice.

The others has few cuts and frost bites but no serious injury like Sebastian whom I guarantees to be limping after this.

I looked up and saw the other boy standing in the center of the room, holding an ice spear in his right hand. His cheeks has frost layer on it along with his suit.

My heart sank as I realized what had happened. I didn't know the boy was a mage and a deviant's holder! At a young age at that! I missed my chance to make him my side,

"What have you done?" I kept my composure and asked the boy.

The boy turned towards me, his expression emotionless. "I did what needed to be done," he said, his voice calm and steady, releasing icy breath.

The boy stood there, holding the ice spear, his eyes fixed on me. The air around him was still frigid, and I could feel my body getting affected by it as I was getting chilly.

"That clearly isn't self-defense. Are you willing to take the consequence of your action" I said, not wanting to do anything rash.

I saw the ice spear in the boy's arm diminished, making me relieved.

"Of course" The boy looked at me apathetically and answered.

"...Don't worry about your friend, I'll compensate him." I reassured him before getting serious.

"As for you, you'll just spend a few days in 'Royal prison' at worst. I hope you know why" I said.

"Of course" he answered.

"I'll send my people to the Helstea's manor, don't try running away. I'm sure you don't know about the protector of the Glayder family."

"..."

"Two hours. That's the time you have" I said as I turned back only to see my wife and children peeking their heads.

'They never listens...' I thought but couldn't do anything.

'What's with these skillful children...' I thought, about to have a headache.

.

.

As soon as the King left the room for real this time.

Merlin melt the ice around the two guards but didn't melt the ice on Sebastian and Harry as they have to take responsibility for their irrational action.

Merlin walked out of the storage room using the other door only to meet with sweating Vincent.

"H-Hey..." Vincent stuttered.

"How's Art?" Merlin asked.

"Still unconscious. Everyone's in the carriage, waiting for you." Vincent said, wiping his cold sweat off his forehead. He took a peek in the storage room for a second and sighed.

Vincent and Merlin silently walked out of the Auction house before Vincent broke the silence.

"...Is it worth it?" He overheard the whole situation. Hell, he even witnessed when Merlin took action but he chose to stay silence...even holding his breath.

"I don't regret my decision" Merlin answered without hesitation.

They got in the carriage where everyone is. The carriage ride is silent as no one's in the mood to talk.

Upon reaching the manor, Art got check up and the doctor said he'll wake up soon. Everyone is relieved...

Lilia and Eleanor went to bed soon after, as the adults are all in the living room, Merlin included.

Merlin is looking at the slime-like object he won from the auction as Vincent spoke up,

"I have something to discuss everyone" Vincent announced seriously while stealing glances at Merlin who didn't seem to be paying attention.

The Twin-Horns member is there as well.

"It's about Merlin...The thing is..."

Vincent revealed the whole situation,

"What?!" Adam exclaimed.

"My god..." Angela gasped.

"Isn't it too much? Going to a prison for this?" Helen slammed the table.

"I know you did that for Art but..." Reynold said, looking at Merlin.

"..." Jasmine just silently stare at Merlin who's shaking in anger.

"I don't regret doing it! A-Art is my friend got it!? SO! SHUT UP OKAY? JUsT S-shut...hic...shut up..." Merlin outburst yelling before tears started falling from his eyes one after another, causing him to swipe it off before looking down at his lap, leaving his tears alone.

"..." This caused everyone to just look at Merlin, speechless.

'Despite knowing the consequence, he...' Everyone has this one thought.

>Pat<

Merlin felt a pat on his head but didn't bother looking up.

"I think...you did just the right thing" Jasmine said softly.

Merlin didn't see but everyone nodded at what Jasmine said.

"...Kyu..." Sylvie jumped and landed on Merlin's lap, getting a few stroke from Merlin.

Soon after, Angela, Helen, Alice, and Tabitha joined in the hug. Creating a reassuring group hug.

Reynold, Vincent, Adam, and Durden looked at each other and smile wryly after noticing something odd.

Merlin didn't break down crying, he just can't stop the tears from falling.

As for one of the reasons why Merlin cried...Seeing Art suddenly collapsed like that reminded him of his mother-figure...The majestic wolf who took care of him till he's 4. Also, seeing his best friend collapsing like that scared him.

Today, he felt like he's really being a part in their family...

***

[ PayPal me if you want to donate, https://www.paypal.me/Aframassan ]