Chapter 447: Hate Born from Jealousy

The people of Far Mile stood in silence, at the end of the streets, in their homes, in shops, or at their jobs, eyeing the large convoy that made an extremely public but pointless display as it drove down the roads. Adrian sat in the one carriage that wasn’t an open top, looking out at the people with a thin, satisfied smile on his face. He had to strike a perfect balance in gaining attention.

He couldn’t have music playing as he marched through the streets with an army. That would make it obvious that he was trying to get people to notice. But having multiple carriages all flying the Imperial Flag was fine. It may have seemed over the top to the common man, but for foreign spies, it was the perfect blend of glamour and protection for a foreign visit without being excessive.

Closing his eyes, the ride lasted for another ten minutes before coming to a stop. Stepping out of the carriage, workers got to work instantly, unloading the convoy of carriages and loading the ship. All around the ship, Unyielding Guards stood, their eyes scanning every man, woman and child, not trusting a single one of them. Although it was rare for the common person to see an Unyielding soldier, they had seen them enough in the city to feel nervous from their gaze and try to duck away.

Sighing, Adrian took out the scroll he had been given and watched the goods being unloaded, mentally crossing off the things he saw. The whole process took an hour and a half, and finally, happy that things were completed, pocketed the scroll and boarded the ship. Although he wanted to leave, he knew to wait, because Alfred was sending something else.

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A day passed, and unlike Adrian’s public display when entering the city, a second group arrived. Although smaller, its guard was heavier, with numerous Unyielding escorting one man. Sebastian looked around the city with a cold gaze before staring at the ship. In his hand, he held a small box. He watched Adrian come down the steps towards him. Placing his hand on his chest, he lowered his head towards the Duke.

"Your Grace. Let us find somewhere to talk in private." Moving to the side, Adrian indicated for Sebastian to walk past, peeking at him from the corner of his eyes. He had heard about Sebastian, even though he rarely left his territory. It hadn’t been long since Sebastian became Head Butler and then control of the interior management of the Palace, but in that time, he had made himself the wall between Alfred and anyone who wished to see him.

Without any titles, Sebastian had clawed his way up and now wielded significant power. Although there were some people he couldn’t stop, no matter what, from seeing Alfred, like Issac, if any noble wished to meet the Emperor, it was completely up to Sebastian if that was allowed. Adrian couldn’t help but be impressed. From Head Butler, Sebastian had made himself irrapacable to Alfred and took control of all internal affairs to head interior management. He went from having no power to being Alfred’s gatekeeper.

Letting himself into the captain’s room on the ship, Sebastian took a seat and placed the box on the desk. Adrian sat opposite in the captain’s seat and watched as Sebastian opened the box, revealing a black gem inside. Shock was all he could feel, too scared to even touch it.

"Why have you given me this? I am not allowed to be near this." It was the colour of the Lindonfall family, a gem that only the Imperial family could own. Few people had tried to own one in the past, and when discovered possessing one, they were heavily punished. Execution wasn’t off the table; a few rare incidents had occurred in the past, before Alfred’s reign.

"This is the final gift you must offer to the Emperor Cyrus." Sebastian paused and pushed the box over, closing its lid, "Although in Ammar this is reserved only for the Imperial family, you know of its nature in the Lisaponic Empire. Correct?"

"Yeah." Adrian leaned back and fiddled with the armrest, "Black gems are cursed. Something stupid like they come from the endless void where Khors’ light doesn’t reach." Adrian picked up the box and carefully took the gem out, "This isn’t exactly a way to make peace with Cyrus. Either we are uninformed savages or people who wish to curse him."

"The Prime Minister and, by extension, His Majesty believe that you will know how to use this gem to the best of its ability. They don’t expect Cyrus to take it, but if he does, it’s not a significant loss. Prince Edward was already given his own gem, and two have been secured for the twins." Sebastian calmly explained, whilst Adrian stared at the beautiful gem.

He could understand why the belief in the curse existed when staring at it. It was dark like an empty night sky, a black void that seemed to absorb light. He could also tell why it was being used. Small white gaps were in it. Although it added beauty, it was an imperfect gem, unlike the pure black held by the Imperial family.

Putting it back and closing the box, Adrian smiled, "I have an idea of how this could be used, but it’s dangerous to even take it with me." Adrian looked up into Sebastian’s eyes, "Will that be all?"

"That will be all. You are to depart within the week." Sebastian stood up. In a single graceful movement, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head. Holding it for half a second, he rose and left the room, departing the city to return to Brookhaven.

Adrian stared at the box and picked it up. Placing it inside his breast pocket, he gently patting it, making sure it was secure. Everything he had with him didn’t matter. If something went missing, he would investigate but not be too worried. The gem, however, was something he could only trust himself to hold. If it were lost before arriving at his destination, he wouldn’t escape punishment.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself up and walked out of the room. Seeing Sebastian’s carriage slowly leave, he looked up to the captain. "Prepare to leave if everything is ready." The captain gave a stern nod and issued orders, the crew running around to make their final checks. Heading back inside the room, Adrian collapsed on the chair and waited, taking his mask off to relax.

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Within his group of friends, Balder sat with a blank expression, staring daggers at Sameul and Edward. His friends all around him told jokes to one another and laughed out loud, peeking at Balder from the corners of their eyes to see if he would laugh. The first few times, he didn’t react; they thought he didn’t find it funny, but after one too many times, they couldn’t help but get worried.

"Hello." One of them said with a playful voice, waving his hand in front of Balders’ eyes, finally snapping him out of his hateful gaze.

"What?" Balder snapped, stunning those around him. Seeing that he surprised them with his attitude, Balder took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "Sorry, I just... sorry." With a soft smile, he looked at the group, who all dryly chuckled, trying to ease the tension.

They didn’t know what happened, but ever since Balder was punished, he had been a little different. Angry. Irratiable. Annoyed. They had silently agreed with one another not to get involved until the boy himself said something.

Seeing his friends finally at ease, Balder smiled to himself and stared at Edward again. Ever since he was smacked, he had been angry. He couldn’t understand why he was being treated harshly over a joke. What was meant to be harmless teasing of his brother had turned into something else. Before, he didn’t really mean anything he said to Edward. Whilst he hadn’t liked Edward before, he didn’t hate him either, just using his brother as a way to get popular.

Balder clenched his small fists. But now, he was hit because of Edward. He was treated worst then Edward. He didn’t understand why Edward was treated so nicely. Everyone treated his brother like the greatest thing on earth. Even his own twin sister treated Edward better than him. He couldn’t stand it. He had become an outcast in the family. It made no sense.

Everyone he had ever spoken to always said how much he looked like his father. The small remarks he had heard in the palace from servants who thought they were alone. Saying things about Edward that were crueller than anything he had ever said. It was obvious that Edward was the odd one out in the family, so why was he treated like it?

Balder couldn’t help but take a few deep, angry breaths, his emotions getting the better of him. Each thought made him want to go over and push Edward off his chair. He couldn’t stand him, always being pushed around, treated like the greatest thing in the world. But with a deep calm breath, Balder stopped himself, scared of being punished by Alfred or worse by Isra.

Looking up at Abu and Violet, he frowned.’They have to leave, or Father will find out.’Looking at the two, he quickly turned to his sister. Although she said she wanted no part in his plans to get back at Edward and Samuel, it didn’t mean she couldn’t help.’I’ll get sister to make them leave. And then...’His usually playful grin when he thought about harassing his brother had changed, a hateful, cruel look in it.