"Suit yourself.", Giliath said, uttering to himself.
Giliath shrugged his shoulders, seeing the door before him now tightly shut. He could attempt to smack it wide open, but it would likely prove no use. He saw a bluish barrier surrounding the door. This wasn't just any mere glow. The door was actively locked by magic. It was telling Giliath that he couldn't head inside Naoto's room. Someone was blocking him from doing so. That's why his eyes remain calm. He acted as if he expected this to happen once he realized there were "guests" here.
"Still, these witches are even more unpredictable than what past history dictates. If this guest would have shown even the slightest bit of hostility, I would have torn down this door right here and now. I know you aren't "Normal" like Rean is, Naoto...", Giliath uttered to himself. From the day Naoto was born, he knew he was different from your average child. Not in the way of having the responsibility of nobility, or potentially rising to the throne in the future. No, Giliath felt something else when Naoto was born. He couldn't put it into words. It was inexplicable.
"But either way, you are still my son, Naoto. If anything happens to you, witch or not, I will pull you back from that abyss.", Giliath uttered, smiling. As he knew he wasn't welcomed for the time being, something stopped him from immediately returning to the dining room. It was a voice. At the same time, his body was suddenly enveloped by a hidden black mass that the naked eye couldn't see. Giliath's expression turned weird for a split second, and this new expression was very similar to what Franz displayed back in the City of Roer. Yet this voice seemed to have come from Giliath himself.
"Aren't you at least a little curious about the boy's origins?", The deeper voice said, escaping from Giliath's lips.
"...", Giliath didn't immediately respond. At first he ignored this voice. Nor did he seem startled by it in the slightest. His eyelids shifted ever so slightly downward, becoming serious.
"I know as much as Aurora does. Naoto has come forth to bear his other self, as a royal to the Auslese blood. However, Aurora's impurity will cause his path to be filled with uncertainty. That isn't his only inheritance that he is rightful to claim.", Giliath spoke softly, answering the deeper voice. The voice seemed doubtful.
"You know what I mean, Giliath. The boy's soul. It shines ever so brightly. I can hardly wait to savor it, kekeke.", Giliath's mouth moved again.", The deeper voice said, letting out a creepy laugh. Hearing this, Giliath's expression turned even more serious.
"As long as I am still standing I will not permit you to touch Naoto. It is not nor will it ever be your time.", Giliath uttered, scoffing at the black mist.
"Only for now. I will agree the time is not yet ripe. I still need to claim yours first. Yours will bring my plan to fruition. Do not keep me waiting for long...", The deeper voice said, answering Giliath. The black mist soon vanished from Giliath's body, leaving Giliath alone to his own devices.
Giliath could only sigh after this exchange took place.
"I still do not know who you are. The day you decide to show yourself, I fear a calamity may come with it....", Giliath said, shaking his head. "As to whether Naoto and Rean will take part in it, only the Goddess Aidios herself will know.", Giliath said, concluding the matter for now.
As he wrapped up his thoughts, Giliath felt the surrounding atmosphere back to normal, apart from the bluish glow still emanating from the sealed door. The incantation was still active, barring his entry into Naoto's room. Seeing as he had no business left here, he made his way toward the end of the staircase. Giliath carried his feet back down to the living room and kitchen. Upon seeing Giliath come back down, Kasia and Rean looked at him with a hint of worry in their eyes. But that wasn't the only thing. During these few moments, a couple figures wearing full-blown black suits and sunglasses could be seen next to them. Orbal pistols could be seen equipped at their waists.
These were the secret service guys that the Imperial Family assigns to members of high importance. Due to a certain figure inside Giliath's family, these members only ever made an appearance because of something of great importance, or when one's life was at risk. They didn't even show up when the Cryptid attacked yesterday. Giliath didn't feel any sort of threat from them. In fact, they showed respect in their eyes that were hidden away by the sunglasses.
One of them spoke back to Giliath.
"General Osborne, you and His Highness Naoto have been summoned by His Imperial Majesty. The Accession for Prince Eugent is set to take place in two months' time. His Imperial Majesty wishes to have a private meeting with you and His Highness Naoto before he passes. You do not need to immediately head to Valflame Palace, but the closer it reaches the Accession Day, the riskier it will become to hold a conversation with His Imperial Majesty. He has one final duty to give to His Highness Naoto.", One of the secret service members said.
Kasia raised her eyes, not expecting them to say that. Let alone addressing her son as "His Highness".
"So His Imperial Majesty really did know. Just how tightlipped is Aurora's secret?", Kasia uttered to herself. Giliath simply laughed.
"Haha! So the time has indeed come. That old fool really did know all along. I don't even have access to those records. His Imperial Majesty only waited until now before he kicked the bucket. Is he intending to end it with him?", Giliath said, wondering.
"Even you didn't know, husband?", Kasia said, raising her eyes at him. That came as a surprise to her.
"Unfortunately as it is, His Imperial Majesty did remain tightlipped on the matter. It is a matter of national security after all. It does sound like he wants to shed some light during his final moments. I see no reason not to go.", Giliath said, answering Kasia's doubt. He then looked back at the couple of figures standing beside them. "Tell your men to prepare the car. We will depart during the evening, and meet with His Imperial Majesty in the morning on Monday.", Giliath declared.
"You can't head immediately, General Osborne?", One of the men in black questioned.
"Correct. His Highness currently cannot be disturbed. He is in a meeting with another guest of sorts. I don't think it will last too long. You are free to stay until the evening when it is time to depart.", Giliath answered.
"Understood, General Osborne. We will proceed to wait and secure the perimeter until it is time to depart.", The other secret service member please. Kasia knew well not to disturb them. They only had one duty, ensuring the safety of the parties concerned. They needed to make sure they arrived at Valflame Palace at all cost. Kasia knew they couldn't be persuaded. If they really wanted to persuade someone, it would be His Imperial Majesty. And Kasia knew that was someone far above her own position.
All Kasia could do was look back at Giliath while the secret service members departed the villa, and began to maintain a relative position.
"Is this really alright?", Kasia asked, still worried.
"Yes. We've been invited by none other than His Imperial Majesty. Seeing as I'm part of the Imperial Army, if I disobey a direct order like this, it would be equivalent to mutiny. We will be departing tonight Kasia. Please look after Rean for me. This was bound to happen. We've also received the date of the Accession for Prince Eugent. It will happen in two months. I fear times might be changing before long. The nobles will likely gather."
I too fear that will be the case. But this will be a good opportunity to let Naoto mingle with his like minded persons. His Imperial Majesty isn't one to be underestimated.", Kasia responded, letting out a light laugh.
"You are right about that, Kasia. Lady Aurora chose Liberl's side in the end, but she never denied the heritage she bore. Her predecessors come from the now ruined House of Duke Phoenix. They've served in the Arnor Family for generations. Now I might not be able to dip into those records, but I've heard enough on my own through Lady Aurora.
"I've heard enough through the grapevine too. Princess Aurora von Auslese, born into the Auslese royalty. And my dear half-sister. It is a shame she passed away due to childbirth. But all the more reason this cannot escape these walls. She goes by another name, Aurora Reise Phoenix...", Kasia said, returning serious again.
Seeing Kasia's seriousness, Giliath approached Kasia, and gave her a hug. Rean just looked on, eyes full of curiosity.
"Who is that, mama?", Rean decided to ask. Kasia simply smiled back at Rean.
"That will be something you should discover yourself in the future, Rean.", Kasia answered.
"Well, I don't really get it, but alright, mama. Is Brother fine, daddy?", Rean asked.
"He is, Rean. You don't need to worry. Once his visitor has left, the two of us will depart back to the capital. You will not be able to see your older brother for a little while. Please bear with it for now, alright?", Giliath asked, picking Rean up into his arms. Rean snuggled against Giliath, and happily smiled back.
"Okay!", Rean happily answered. As for Kasia, she looked at Giliath once more.
"Was this your plan the entire time, husband? Do you intend to revitalize House Phoenix?", Kasia decided to ask.
"I am merely keeping my promise to Lady Aurora. I loved her just as much as I do you, Kasia.", Giliath answered, smiling back at Kasia. "Revitalizing House Phoenix is but the first step. The noble system is rooted deep in Erebonia. I doubt most of them still know of House Phoenix's existence. Once the Great Houses come to realize it, they will be thrown into chaos."
"And while that chaos unfolds, I will secure my own standing. I will rise into the position and become Erebonia's Chancellor!", Giliath declared, revealing his ambition for the first time. Kasia's turn turned wide in shock. Rean just stared on, not understanding much of what had just been announced...