James Gardner was silent long enough for Riley Mackenzie to become increasingly uncomfortable.James, come on, don't make me feel worse, Riley thought.After a long silence while staring blankly, the young man who was shorter in height than Riley finally said, “It's ... quite a complicated matter. So complicated that I don't know how to tell you.”He then smiled sadly and added, “But … no problem, now I can visit him.”Riley swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond to James' words. His guilt hit his chest again and this time it all kept him silent.Oh, why did James have to have the last name “Gardner”? Riley wondered again.If only James' father was just a soldier who was killed and not Jody Gardner, he would have been able to immediately comfort the grieving James.Unfortunately, his father was Jody Gardner whose death was related to his father's so he had a hard time coming up with words of comfort. In fact, just to express his sorrow he could not do it. Alen, who was still sta
Alen suddenly looked down deeply. He suddenly became sad again. The young man took a deep breath before exhaling slowly and turned to Riley again.With a sad look he said, “They're really worried about you, Riley. They even argued about who should save you.”Riley bit his lower lip and looked down for an instant.“They didn't want you to get hurt, so they decided that one of them should go find you. At that time they told me that you were ... the son of General Mackenzie and they also told me that ....”Alen stopped speaking as his tears fell again. He did not know why the loss was so painful.But, for sure he was having a hard time holding back his sadness. He steeled himself and said, “They asked me to help you hide your true identity.”Riley was stunned.The young man shook his head, finding it hard to take it all in. Alen touched his shoulder, “It's not your fault. They ... are just trying to protect you and I ... will do as they ask.”“You don't have to worry, Riley! Your secret
James, who was stared at with a gawking expression, immediately shifted his direction of view and lowered his head, avoiding Alen's gaze.The young man said softly, “Damn it! You have to pretend you didn't see me like this, Smith!”Alen snorted softly and walked over to the sobbing young man. He patted James' shoulder gently and said, “I didn't see you cry, so don't worry!”James wiped away his tears and looked back at his father's grave with eyes that were still a little bit wet.Alen glanced at the young man in a different way.Usually James always displayed a flat, cold and haughty expression. The young man seemed to have thorns around him that made others reluctant to approach.However, what he saw this time was not a young man like that. He saw an ordinary young man who could be sad when facing something painful. Hearing his conversation with Riley earlier, he thought there might be a prohibition coming from James' mother's side to visit his father's funeral. But, again, it was
The bewildered Alen heard James say again, “Oh, no. No, you don't. You really don't have to worry about me, Dad. They're very good to me, they won't betray me, I'm sure.”Alen was even more dumbfounded. The young man blinked his eyes repeatedly to try to get rid of his discomfort. But, still he didn't feel good at all.While he was still extremely confused, James looked over to him with a furrowed brow and narrowed eyes. “What's wrong?” Alen asked quickly.James let out a long breath, “I called you earlier. Didn't you hear that?”Alen gaped, “Huh? When?”James rolled his eyes lazily and immediately got up from where he was kneeling. He then pulled Alen's arm and told him to come closer. “Huh, w-what do you want to do?” Alen asked stammeringly as he turned his head towards the back where James was standing at attention.“Geez, Smith. I just asked you to talk to my dad for a minute. You're ....” James shook his head, looking rather annoyed that Alen was actually not listening to him
James Gardner replied without turning to Alen, “Why should we take another way? It would be a waste of time.”Alen swallowed harshly, “But, James. There's ....”“I know, so what, what did I do wrong to avoid him?” James said, who still did not turn to his friend.However, Alen did not want to give up. Nervously he said again, “You don't have anything wrong, but you-”“Never mind, Alen. I'm not afraid of him and shouldn't he be the one feeling uncomfortable?”Alen was silent, at a loss for an answer.James finally turned his head and looked at Alen straight, “He's the one who made a child born and grow up without a father. Shouldn't he feel guilty for that?”Hearing James' words that were full of pent-up emotions finally made Alen completely give up. He couldn't hold James back and he didn't want James to go even crazier if he denied him.“Come on, we have to get to the dorm quickly, Riley must be waiting for us,” James said.Alen had just realized one thing, and that was the way James
After James finished speaking in a cold tone but with a gaze that held such wounds, William immediately fell silent. He would have rather heard the young man yelling at him and cursing at him than that look that made him feel guilty.“James,” Alen called in a low tone.Andrew said, “James, watch what you say!”James shifted his gaze from William to Andrew, “Why, General Reece? What I'm saying is the truth. It was indeed General Mackenzie who killed my father.”Andrew bit his teeth, “But ... you can't talk in that tone to-”“Why not? I am not demanding retribution for my father's death from General Mackenzie. What I am asking is why General Mackenzie can be so very calm as if he doesn't have the slightest guilt towards me. He-”“General Mackenzie only did what he was supposed to do, James. You should know what we were dealing with back then.” Andrew explained in the hope that James would immediately shut up.Unfortunately, James was not one to give in easily when talking to someone, A
James gave a small nod. However, when he saw the surprised expression on Riley's face he hastily added, “Oh, I should have known something like this could happen, Riley.”James scratched the back of his head which was still wet and continued, “After all this palace is not as big as the ocean, of course the possibility of me meeting him is quite big too.”He shrugged his shoulders and smiled a little, while Riley was still speechless as if a lot of things had suddenly popped into his head.James let out a long sigh, “I'm a bit overreacting I guess. You ... don't have to think about it, Riley. I'm fine. It's just that I'm ....”“It's just what, James?” Riley quickly asked, wanted to know more.While Alen could only hold his breath, not daring to interrupt for fear that he would misspeak.Riley swallowed and looked into James' eyes. The young man finally ventured to say, “Are you sure you're okay?”James snorted, “You don't believe me, Riley?”“How can you be okay when you met someone wh
“I'm very sure, Your Majesty,” Andrew said in a confident tone.Keannu looked skeptical so Andrew had to reassure the king by saying, “This way will make the people of Ans De Lou happy.”Keannu's eyes widened, “Really? Explain to me how!”Andrew Reece, the war general of the Ans De Lou Kingdom nodded enthusiastically. He explained in detail about the way in just a few sentences, but it made Keannu smile widely.The king with two children nodded and now looked much more excited, “That's a good method. When will you summon them, General?”“After the day of mourning is over, Your Majesty,” Andrew replied.Keannu nodded his head once, “Alright, I'll give the official order for that right away. And you ... can summon them according to the list of soldiers who you think do meet our criteria.”“Yes, Your Majesty,” Andrew said as he was finally able to release one burden on his shoulders, namely the problem related to the number of royal soldiers whose numbers were reduced a lot due to the w
James shook his head, "I can't say right now."Reiner immediately let out a disappointed sigh. "You are ... making us curious.""Right, why can't you say it now?" Ben asked with a curious expression."Can't you give us just a little ... bright spot?" Shin tried to persuade hopefully.James chuckled softly, "Sorry, I really can't tell you guys right now, but ... I'm sure it won't be long before we know everything."Diego gave him an unsure look, "Will it be us or will it be you?"James flashed a bright smile, "Of course we all will.""I don't believe it," Alen said quickly.The war general blinked repeatedly and looked at each of his good friends with a puzzled look.He then pointed at himself with his right index finger and said, "You think I'm lying? Since when did I lie or break my promise?"Ben frowned and looked thoughtful. He looked up as if he was considering something.An exasperated James said, "Damn it! Do you have to think just to answer a simple question?"Diego held back a
Ben immediately grimaced. Meanwhile, Alen and Shin laughed crisply together. Then, Diego pretended to look up.However, Reiner boldly replied, "It's not about feeling sorry for you. I ... just think Riley is too much."James clucked his tongue and took the empty seat next to Diego who immediately turned to him with the same look."That's his right," James replied, sounding casual."Rights? What right do you mean, the right to put his best friend in trouble?" Reiner replied cluelessly.James shrugged, "I've been causing him trouble for the past few years as well."Shin widened his eyes, "Hey, what are you talking about? What trouble? He-""I left this palace and let Riley handle all the problems in this kingdom by herself. I mean ... I know you guys have always been there for him and so many great warriors have helped him, but ... yeah it's still hard for him," James explained after cutting off Shin's words that he hadn't finished yet.
Reiner frowned when he saw James' expression which he found very strange. Moreover, he also saw how James' lips suddenly formed a smile."What's wrong with you?" Reiner finally chose to ask.James once again smiled at Reiner, making Reiner wink.Reiner also got goosebumps instantly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you're going crazy, James!"A sigh was immediately heard from James. He snorted in exasperation, "Damn it! I still have hopes of meeting Riley, even if it's not now. Why should I go crazy?"Hearing that, Reiner let out a sigh of relief. Because, James' nagging was one of the ways that showed that his good friend was really just fine. "Then, why are you being like that? Smiling horribly. Very strange, just so you know! Not like your usual self," Reiner explained, who still looked a bit horrified.James grinned again, revealing his row of clean teeth. He then said, "Oh, it's about Gary Davis. You ... just made me realize something, Rei.""Realized? About what?" Reiner a
Instead of answering James Gardner's question, Xylan Wellington said, "I ... I know what you're trying to say, General Gardner."Great, so what's the answer? Reiner thought, starting to feel lazy.James raised an eyebrow, "Yes, Your Majesty?"Xylan sighed softly, then closed his eyes for a few seconds. After regaining control of himself he replied, "It was my negligence, General Gardner.""Negligence? About what, Your Majesty?" James asked, sounding like he wanted a clearer answer."My sister. I ... know she has done wrong," Xylan said quietly.The viceroy bowed his head for a few seconds, while James remained silent, waiting for him to speak again.And without James pressing him, Xylan said, "I've actually noticed something strange about her. This ... even, before you set out to find my brother-in-law again, General Gardner."James' eyes widened instantly, but he still refrained from commenting.Xylan cleared his throat softly before continuing, "But ... even when I felt something wa
Hearing the new war general's question, Xylan Wellington laughed awkwardly.It was a laugh that didn't really come off, in fact, it sounded so strange that it made anyone who heard the viceroy's laughter confused.Reiner also looked at Xylan with a strange gaze while James did not even blink. The look in his eyes showed a demand.A demand for an explanation from Xylan regarding what he had just said.When he saw that urgent questioning look, Xylan finally stopped laughing. He cleared his throat softly before saying, "Hm ... I know from the main soldier.""The main soldier?" James repeated as he frowned.Xylan gulped and smiled clumsily, "The king's court soldiers, General Gardner."Oh, that wasn't really what James meant. He knew without even asking that the main soldiers were the palace soldiers specifically assigned to escort and guard him.There were usually five of them and one of them was required to stay by his side
James Gardner remained silent, giving no clear answer to Reiner's question.An immediate anxiety struck the ground war commander. Not wanting to be ignored by James, Reiner asked again, "James, tell me. Are you going to stay in the palace? You're not going to leave, right?"He looked anxiously at James who was staring out the car window. However, after he waited patiently enough he finally heard James answer, "I don't know."Reiner's heart was like being hit by a rock instantly."So ... are you leaving?" the man asked in a tone that sounded disappointed."It depends."Reiner, who was still staring at James, raised an eyebrow, looking confused, "Depends on what?"James sighed softly, "It depends on King Xylan's answer."Reiner was getting more and more confused. However, he did not have time to ask further as the car they were in had already entered the main gate of the Ans De Lou Royal palace. Even so, Reiner still did not want to give up so easily so he continued to stick to James e
At first Michelle Veren didn't understand what James Gardner was asking. However, when she saw the look on the general's face, she immediately knew he meant the time of the departure of the three people they were looking for.So, the Veren boutique owner replied, "About an hour ago, General Gardner."Hearing that answer, Reiner immediately went limp. But, it was inversely proportional to James who was even full of enthusiasm. This could be seen from James who even said, "Come on, Rei. Let's go after him."Reiner looked sadly at his best friend and replied, "It won't catch up, James. It's been too long."James did not even listen to Reiner's words and ordered some of his men, "Prepare the car, let's go after them!""James," Reiner called softly.James ignored the call and kept saying to his men who were still quietly waiting, "Find out through the CCTV which area they are currently in. They ... should be visible if they take the highway from behind this building."Reiner bit his own
Unfortunately it was all too late for the young girl to realize. All the words of the girl named Alice Porter were clearly heard by Reiner Anderson and James Gardner.With a dark look on his face, James said, "Miss, you-""No, no. I just misspoke, I ... I don't know anything. You heard me wrong," Alice said, whose face paled even more. Especially when she saw the aura of James Gardner, the terrifying war general, she found it even harder to breathe.Reiner also could not help himself so he said in an exasperated tone, "Tell me everything you know or you ... will know how terrible it is when you face the two of us.""I don't care if you are a woman. I can still find a punishment that you deserve," Reiner continued coldly.Alice swallowed harshly. Of course the young girl was very confused. Moreover, no one was trying to help her at all. All the employees in the boutique looked so frightened that no one dared to open their mouths."Say it now! We don't have much time, Miss!" James gro
James' question immediately made Reiner silent for a few moments. He stared at the boutique with a confused look on his face.Meanwhile, James didn't want to waste any more time so he wordlessly walked towards the boutique owned by Michelle Veren, a forty-year-old female designer who was quite famous in the country.Reiner didn't just stand by and do nothing, lamenting his inaccuracy. He followed James with a small trot right behind James without a word.As soon as James was faster than him to reach the door, he immediately saw the two boutique guards who opened the door for them."Can I help you?" one of the boutique guards asked James."I'm looking for Princess Rowena. Where is she now?" James asked back matter-of-factly as he darted his eyes all over the first floor of the boutique.Although there was a suspicion rising in James' mind, the young man put his anxiety ahead of his suspicion."You're looking for Princess Rowena? Who are you? You-""James Gardner. Royal War General Ans