Chapitre 8: The Grand Duke Picks Up a Son on the Side (3)
I took the child back to our camp and once again faced the incredulous eyes of my men. I truly cannot blame them. This was the second time I brought someone back from out of nowhere.
I swear this is not a regular thing. It just sort of happens. I don't know how but it just does.
I saw the rushing forms of Captain Arthur and old William once again like it was déjà vu.
"Your Excellency!"
"Master Skandar!"
See? Even their dialogues are the same as the previous ones. I felt speechless at the sight.
I sighed and spoke in a sheepish tone, "I'm alright. Abi and I checked on something and came across a survivor of the merchant company."
"Was it that fluctuation of- ?" I cut off William's statement. I was aware that he knew it was a disturbance in both mana and aura. But I'd rather have that certain bit hidden for now.
"William, will you please send a basin of warm water and possibly a spare shirt of mine sent to my tent? This child needs to be cleaned up." I requested and proceeded to my tent without another word. Abi followed me smilingly.
I settled down the child on my bed which was still the same way I left it. I could feel Abi's stare boring through my back. So, I decided to confront him about it.
"What?" I spoke in a bland tone.
Abi held his chin in contemplation as he continued to eye me with marvel.
"You don't look like someone who likes children. You are oddly affectionate to this one though. Is it a side effect of the seal? But that's not possible, as far as I know." He muttered to himself.
I stilled at a certain phrase from his ramblings.
Side effect? That freaking seal had a side effect? But he cast it like it was some simple spell without even a word of warning.
Oh wait, it's a habit. He was like this with the vow of the soul too. I should have been more careful.
"I would appreciate it if you come clean, Abi. Does that seal have a side effect?" I asked seriously.
"Nah. That's not possible." He replied with a firm shake of his head.
Just when I was about to feel relieved, Abi suddenly stilled and gazed at me and the child with concern in his purple eyes.
I felt an ill-omened foreboding.
"On second thought, let me confirm it again." He expressed, awkwardly scratching his cheek.
Seriously? This damn Jinn!
I breathed in and out. My blood pressure became unstable ever since I met this guy. I feel like he enjoys tap dancing on my last good nerve.
"That would be assuring," I said emotionlessly in my standard polite tone.
Abi cleared his throat uncomfortably and flicked his finger. A ray of violet light enveloped me and the child briefly.
When the light disappeared, I could see the Jinn unmoving from his place with a flummoxed expression on his dumb face.
A shiver ran down my spine as the ominous feeling intensified.
"How is it, Abi?" I questioned as calmly as possible.
The Jinn in question sucked in a deep breath and peered at me with a guilty look in his eyes.
"Well, there's a little situation," He started.
I smiled, at least I tried to. I could foresee another troublesome situation.
Should I have postponed going to the Capital? I seem to face a lot of issues ever since I stepped out.
"To give you the gist of it, your blood integrated with the aura and mana of the kid. Suffice to say, he now has your blood in him in all sense of the word." Abi clarified, discomfited at his own words.
I stilled in my seat and stared his soul out. I take it back. This Jinn is not reliable at all. The more I ponder on his words, the more this belief is magnified.
"Get rid of that condescending look of yours. It doesn't match your face at all." Abi cried in injustice.
"You do know that is not the issue here. You're telling me that because of the seal, this kid has become my son." I asked again in disbelief.
As someone who has once lived in a place where this thing called genetics exists, this does not make sense at all.
Then again, this is a fantasy world of magic and that whole enchilada. Nothing makes sense.
"You could say that. All I know is, this kid may not be of your flesh but he certainly is of your blood now." Abi reiterated with a helpless nod.
My temples throbbed at this… revelation, for the lack of a better word.
Dearest mother and father, I seem to have not only taken another son for you. But even a grandson as well. And all on the same day.
Just as I have calmed my nerves down and kept my ever-immaculate image of tranquility, William arrived with the things I have requested.
I motioned for him to put down the basin and took the cloth from his hands. It's not that I'm being diligent or kind by taking the initiative to take care of the child. It was just that I had to do something to clear my mind.
"Your Excellency, you should leave such a thing to me." William hurriedly implored. I waved my hand in refusal which baffled the old guy.
Abi patted him on the shoulders, "Let him be. He needs the distraction. Not to mention, that is his responsibility as a parent."
I shook my head at Abi's antics. As someone who relished in making fun of people, of course, he wouldn't let this opportunity slide. Even if it was his fault in the first place.
William gasped at Abi's exposé. I could feel his questioning eyes trained on me who was busying himself with wiping down the child and changing his clothes.
I felt a brief flash of anger when I saw the slave mark on the child's wrist. Of which I nonchalantly erased.
I may not be able to seal his rampaging powers and caused a whole other type of mess like Abi.
But I am capable of this much and without creating a source of commotion in the process, unlike a certain Jinn.
I sighed for the nth time and faced the two other men in the room with a wooden look on my face.
"Abi, it would be kind of you to stop making fun of this troublesome situation you created and explain it to my retainer," I spoke neutrally and tucked in the little boy.
"I will go and talk to the Knight Captain regarding the changes in our travel arrangements. Do enlighten William while I am away." After that, I left the two on their own and looked for Sir Arthur.
Since we have added companions for this trip, it would be better to arrive as soon as possible. A lot of things needed to be settled.
First of all, the matter of my son who was begotten bizarrely.
And then there was that affair, as well. One that will mark the start of my era as a villain.
Of course, I haven't forgotten that. This is the whole reason I'm willing to go through so many troubles in the first place.
You could say it's a necessary evil I have to endure.
After directing Sir Arthur on the necessities of our travel. I went back to my tent and found a William with an understanding expression and an Abi lounging lazily on the other bed.
"I take it you're aware of the circumstances now?" I asked William, nonetheless.
The latter concurred in agreement as his eyes peeked at the sleeping form of the child.
"Good. I will inform my parents of the circumstances once we arrive in the Capital. You only have to take care of the other legalities that are required. No matter how sudden it may be, the boy now has Konstantin's blood in him. That much is undeniable. Konstantin children cannot be left alone and uncared for." I stated in a matter-of-fact tone to which William wholeheartedly affirmed with a nod.
"The child most likely does not have a name yet due to his previous circumstances. Your Excellency must bestow him one." William then brought a particular subject up after I spoke.
I was about to answer when a rustle of fabric was heard and a pair of unknowing, amber eyes gazed at us in confusion.
"The little one is awake now. Just in time for you to give him his name." Abi interrupted excitedly.
I turned towards the bed and met a confused pair of eyes.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone