Marcus smiled when he saw that Minerva was too immersed as he unconsciously told her about his life as Leno.
He didn't expect that he would share his experiences to someone other than his father. Maybe someday, he'd tell his mother about what happened. But to others except for his family? He didn't think so.
But with Minerva, he unknowingly spilled the past that he deeply hidden on his heart. Perhaps the reason for this was that she, herself, was also reborn just like him? Therefore, although he didn't know her past, he could somehow feel a connection with her.
Just like the connection that he felt when he first met his father, Lorenzo.
××××
"Your Excellency!" Marcus greeted in surprise when he saw the first ever Saint Archmage. He stayed in Santi's estate for a while yet he never glimpse even the shadow of Lorenzo.
It was we
"Have you decided?"Marcus glanced at Princess Kristina's reflection in the mirror as she brushed his long hair and braided it like she used to do.He remained silent and Princess Kristina did not speak any further. After a few seconds, he opened his mouth to ask."If I leave, what would happen to the child in the mother's womb?"Princess Kristina showed a surprise expression and halted braiding his hair. Afterward, she smiled softly at him and patted his head."Were you worried about your sibling?""I... just thought that the child would be lonely if I left."Princess Kristina sighed helplessly at him. Marcus was taken aback when he was suddenly enveloped in her warm embrace as she gently patted his back."You're such a good child. I don't know why the emperor and Janeth could not see it."Marcus drooped his eyes. Before his th
"Wow, you two looked serious. I just left for a while, and yet your expressions have become this solemn. Were you that sad to be left by me?"Minerva snapped her head to the direction of the door when she heard her Uncle Lorenzo's voice. She pursed her lips as she was left speechless by him.Solemn? Why did he think that their expressions were solemn? The two of them looked calm and peaceful, especially Marcus. As if he hadn't shared his sad and tragic life with her back then when he was Leno."Little Minnie, if you were that sad, how about you'd call Cassie and let her come here to accompany you? You could also call for Shirley, Elise, and especially Julia." Uncle Lorenzo said this with a gentle smile on his face.However, Minerva knew deep inside that he was just scheming.Uncle Lorenzo was too good. He used the pretext of her being sad and her father no
"Your Highness! We missed you! The estate felt lonely without you." Shirley said upon seeing her.Minerva forced a smile on her face and sighed. She glared at her Uncle Lorenzo, whose smile stretched across his face. His eyes twinkled in delight as his eyes focused on the woman in the back."Hmp!" She snorted and crossed her arms.She refused to admit that she had lost to her uncle Lorenzo's persistence. Despite her attempts to block Uncle Lorenzo, it was all in vain as he was always three steps ahead of her.Uncle Lorenzo must've felt her mood wasn't good when he glanced at her direction. He chuckled and patted her head before he returned his gaze at the four maids in front."Welcome to my humble abode. Forgive me if I invited you here for such a short time. Santi had left Little Minnie in my care for a while since he had an emergency. But as much a
"Uncle! I want to stay with you!" Minerva shouted firmly and grabbed his arm. He schemed against her so Julia could come here? She wouldn't make it easy for him then! Minerva was disappointed with Uncle Lorenzo's laughter at her actions, which made Minerva angry. She wanted to see him disappointed that he was unable to be with Julia, but contrary to her expectations, it seemed that he had seen it coming. "Well, then. I'd be glad to do so!" However, before Uncle Lorenzo could carry her, a blue light suddenly shone and her father appeared. "Daddy!" Minerva exclaimed in surprise. Her father smiled faintly at her and gathered her in his arms
Minerva was in the good mood all day long. Although Uncle Lorenzo was persistent and even though her father would sometimes back him, she still hindered his plan to get close to Julia.Unfortunately, Marcus somehow backed Uncle Lorenzo, hence she threw him out. And now, it was only her and Julia inside this chamber. Julia was combing Minerva's hair as she would sneak a glance at her through the reflection of the mirror."Julia?""Yes, Your Highness?" She asked with a smile on her face.Minerva stared at her. Of all her four maids, Julia was the one who she could feel the sincerity of the most.She knew that Cassie only saw her as someone she needed to take care of. As her father paid for her services, she also did her best to do her job well.Despite this, Minerva did not harbor any dislike or disappointment towards Cassie. After all, she was truly
"...Did you feel this way because I had hindered Uncle Lorenzo from making a move on you?""No, Your Highness. Even without Your Highness's intervention, I still did not plan to be attached to His Excellency. "Minerva stared at Julia, whose gentle smile still hung on her face. She wanted to grimace at her expression but just stopped herself."May I know why?"Although Minerva was curious, she didn't want to burden her at all. She didn't want to make Julia feel that she had infringed on her "affair" with her Uncle Uncle. Even if it was likely the case, Minerva did it just to annoy her uncle, who did not think but pestered her nonstop. And now that she had something to her advantage against him, h
Minerva had a lot to say about Julia in regards to her Uncle Lorenzo. Words did not come between them, but she defended her uncle. However, was she in a position to say that? With the way that this went, it seemed that Julia had made up her mind.Still, she could only say that it was only for now. After all, with Uncle Lorenzo's ways, it was impossible for him to give up.She sighed and just remained silent. A few seconds later, a knock was heard and the door swung open. It was her father who looked a bit tired.As soon as their eyes met in the reflection in the mirror, he smiled gently at her and went in her direction. And Julia, who was done braiding her hair, nimbly retreated to the side to bow and quietly left the room."Hello, my cheeky little girl." Her father greeted her and kissed her hair.Minerva beamed at her father and hugged him. "Hello, daddy
"She's asleep now?"Santi, whose face had lit up brightly earlier, had now become serious. He just swept a glance at Lorenzo, who was leaning against the pillar as both of his arms were crossed.He did not answer Lorenzo and the latter did not say any further. They just stared for a moment before they both went into the direction of the study.As soon as they both entered, Santi sat on the couch and spread his arms on the top of the back rest as he rested his head on it. He just closed his eyes and remained silent. Lorenzo, on the other hand, sat in front of him."…you almost exploded." Lorenzo said, after a long silence.Santi did not react. He just heaved a heavy sigh before he lifted his head and glanced at Lorenzo."And I admire my patience for not doing so."Lorenzo chuckled at his reponse. However, he soon turned serious."