章節 20: 1.20 A Letter

Nero let out a small smile when he saw his mother laughing in glee. That's good, now he doesn't have to bear another awkward session with the Duke. And his siblings and mother would be very happy that they no longer have to hold back when it comes to the Duke.

Nero moved away from the railing, tucking his hair behind his ear as wind barged in his room. He went inside his working station.

Nero planned to either read novels to kill time or to scoop some additional information about the world he was at. He stood in front of an enormous bookshelf, eyes going through over their spine as he read the titles.

One book was titled [The Origin]. Nero deduced that it must be the history of the empire. Such piqued his interest and he was about to take the book when a folded parchment paper slipped off between [The Origin] and another thick book.

Nero pushed [The Origin] back to its shelf and crouched down to take what seemed to be a letter. He was right. There was a message directed to him. He leaned on his working desk and read its content.

'Master, your most devoted servant has been going around, carrying out your commands. Yet you still have not checked in on him. Should I start to worry that you are neglecting me, dear Master? -Cx'

"Cx," Nero muttered under his breath. This was the same sender when he first opened his in this novel.

This person seems like the Nero's most trusted ally. Nero twirled the letter around his fingers as he worked his brain.

Huh, well this is surprising. Linda haven't mentioned such character.

He then thought back to the vivid dream he just had. Does this person had something to do with that too?

Nero decided to look for more clues.

He opened every compartment he could see, looking for more notes from the same sender yet he found none. When Nero looked back to the recent letter, he was stunned to see it burning into nothing but ashes.

"My Lord?" He heard Mei's voice from his bedroom. "Your bath is ready, My Lord."

---

Breakfast was to be dined at the pavilion once again. Nero walked under the flower-filled arch.

He donned a royal robe this time, since his wardrobe has also been updated.

There was a whole collection of clothes that his mother had bought whenever she thought that it would suit her youngest son.

The royal robe was dyed in muted blue with white accents. Nero forwent with the emerald ornaments and settled for thin gold accessories around his skin. His hair was also adorned with scattered golden laurel leaves.

His personal helpers were walking behind him and the three tried so hard not to squeal at how ethereal their master looked. Mei and Gio secretly gave each other a high five for a job well done on their work. Francine fondly shook her head when she caught what the two did.

"Good morning," Nero greeted once he was within earshot. He placed a peck on her mother's cheek and gave a nod to his father before sitting beside the Mirae.

As per seating etiquette, the spouse would seat on the left of the head of the family while the first child is to sit on the right. Beside Calix was Simone so that would mean Nero was to seat beside the duchess.

When the duke took his first bite, everyone started to eat. As Nero drizzled some honey on the pancakes, he heard the duchess comment on his clothes.

"You look very lovely today, my son." Calix grunted his agreement and he could also see the approving stare from the duke. Nero smiled to his mother. "The credit goes all to you, mother. Thank you for the clothes."

"Nonsense," the duchess jokingly rolled her eyes. "With that face, whatever you wear does not matter."

'But I'm the combination of your looks and the duke' Nero amusedly thought to himself.

Calix must have sensed what went on his brain as the eldest lord let out a grin. "Then both halves of the credit would be yours and fathers, mother," Calix said.

"Hmm, is that so?" The Duchess let out a smug look as she held the duke's hand. "Then your father and I accept. With both of our blood, our dear Nero is twice as beautiful."

"Hold on," Simone interrupted. "Then that would mean Calix and I are half as good-looking as Nero?" Since Calix resembled their father and Simone resembled their mother. Nero bit back a chuckle when Calix gave Simone an irritated look before saying, "How about you think before you speak?"

The Duchess let out a hearty laugh while the Duke let out a fond smile. The breakfast then continued as the two older lords bickered while Nero gave one liners that made even the staff laugh for how witty and funny his comments were.

Nero caught sight of Butler Zerlon and he raised his brow in curiosity as he bent down to whisper something on the duke's ear. He then proceeded to hand over a letter and everyone halted at the view of the imperial seal.

"Dear, what does it say?" Duchess Mirae worriedly asked when Duke Veron furrowed his brows. They waited as the Duke folded the letter and gave it back to Butler Zerlon.

"His Majesty asks for Nero's presence." He said with a low, serious tone as his jaw clenched.

"What does he want this time?" Mirae can't help but blurt out which made everyone look at her with sympathy.

Duke Veron immediately went to his wife to comfort. "Don't worry, my dear. I will visit the palace tomorrow," he said as he caressed the duchess' hair.

"Let me come with," the duchess said with a determined look. Duke Veron gave her a loving smile before nodding.

Calix, on the other side, was quiet. His face was pinched into a stressed expression. He wondered why the sudden call when the High Priest had passed over his letter. If he ignored his message then that would mean that it had not reached the imperial palace because the High Priest deemed such message as unnecessary.

Calix absentmindedly tapped on the table, his finger stopping when he remembered something.

"Monrell," he muttered recalling how intense Lumierre was looking at Nero.