NOVEL NEXT 75 – The General Talks to the King (Part 2)
Chapter 75 - The General Talks to the King (Part 2)
Aside from the person who had died, there were only two other people in the world with these special eyes, and one of them was a woman nearing 200 years old. Yes, you guessed it... my teacher, Adrihna. That woman was more extraordinary than I had imagined, and her abilities to read mana were sought after by the three kingdoms and by nobles who wanted her to train their mage children. She and her brother were the only other two existing users of these special eyes. Now you understand why my family wants to keep the existence of my eyes a secret? There are only two people in the world with these special eyes, and I would be the third. That’s why we wanted to keep my eyes hidden.
My aunt let out a relieved sigh.
“It would be ironic if the awakening happened right here,” Aunt Margie laughed, taking a sip of her wine.
Chloe squeezed my hand.
“If it starts to hurt again, let me know.”
I nodded. The worst of the pain had passed, but there was still an annoying discomfort every time I blinked, like a sharp pain as if my eyelid was scratching my pupil.
“Finally, we've made it to you!” a familiar voice called out.
“Grand Duke!” Aunt Margie stood up, and we followed suit.
The painful, burning sensation returned, but this time it felt like someone was plunging a heated spoon into my eyes.
This damn pain is getting worse!
It felt like a searing heat, and my head started to throb.
Is this really happening in front of the Grand Duke? This has to be some kind of joke!
“Just call me Ryan,” he laughed.
We bowed, and he returned the gesture.
“It’s been a year since I last saw you two, and you’ve grown so much!” he said, looking at Chloe and me.
The Grand Duke then turned to Kinue.
“You must be that apprentice maid. Your ears are very cute, young lady,” he said.
“T-Thank you,” Kinue replied shyly.
The pain surged again, and I had to focus hard not to cover my eyes with my hands. The light in the room felt like it was burning my vision.
Noticing my discomfort, Aunt Margie quickly intervened.
“This party is wonderful; I’m in love with this wine,” she said, pointing to the bottle, steering the conversation away.
She knew Ryan took pride in overseeing the logistics involving the beverages, and a smile spread across his face.
“I personally selected each bottle delivered as a gift for the tables, and since I know you... I made sure to pick something special.”
Aunt Margie laughed.
“Handsome and a skilled knight,” she teased, stepping in front of me to hide my struggle.
Ryan blushed, clearly buying into her flattery.
The pain kept intensifying, and my mother looked at me, but there was nothing she could do. I had to remain still like a statue while enduring that burning sensation. I even heard something crack inside my head, a sound similar to the awakening of my Mana Gem.
“The king approaches!” a guard in golden armor announced.
Ryan stepped aside, and a group of people began to make their way toward us.
Thank god! Fuck! It’s easing up!
Aunt Margie shot me a quick glance and positioned herself in front of us.
The king was coming, flanked by more guards in golden armor. He had several women with him and more unfamiliar people trailing behind.
The king approached and began speaking to us, but no sound came from his mouth. I couldn’t understand what was happening until I realized that the entire world had stopped making noise. At that moment, it hit me.
WHAT!? I’M DEAF!
Panic surged through me as all the sounds of the environment vanished, leaving me in complete silence. I didn’t know how to react, and the fear was rising fast. Occasionally, I’d hear a sound, but it would quickly fade, and my entire head felt like it was burning as if hot liquid was flowing through it.
The king talked to my aunt, who had positioned herself in front of us. As the head of our family, she needed to take the lead, while the rest of us stood in a line according to our rank. Chloe and I were behind my aunt, and Kinue and my mother stood behind us because they were commoners. The king greeted Chloe, who responded shyly, but there was a problem... I was next.
FUCK!
The king stopped in front of me, smiling, and spoke, but even though his mouth was moving, I heard nothing.
I’M SCREWED!
I glanced at my aunt, who had no idea what was happening to me, and she tried to signal with a raised eyebrow not to leave the king hanging.
The king laughed and reassured someone before turning back to speak to me, but I didn’t know what to say since I hadn’t heard him.
I’M FUCKED! They think I’m disrespecting the king!
Some guards approached me with serious expressions.
“He must just be shy, right, young man?” the king said, smiling, though I could see impatience creeping in.
“Yes, sir. I’m just a bit overwhelmed by your presence…” I stammered, trying to sound like a nervous child.
FINALLY, I CAN HEAR AGAIN!
The king let out a hearty laugh, and the guards relaxed.
“I told you, he’s just nervous. It’s alright, isn’t it, my friend?” he said, giving me a friendly pat on the shoulder.
“Yes, my lord…” I replied, almost convincing myself that I was shy.
“It’s normal for them to react this way around us,” said a boy standing next to the king. It was Duncan, the king’s son and heir to the throne.
“You must be the family’s servant,” the king said, greeting Kinue, though he didn’t touch her hand since she wasn’t of noble birth.
“There’s one more person.”
The king moved on.
“My goodness! What a beautiful woman,” the king remarked.
“Thank you,” my mother responded.
WHAT!?
The king approached her.
“Are you, by any chance, the daughter of a great noble family? You’re very beautiful,” he complimented.
I can’t believe this… I’m going to kill this bastard.
“I’m of common birth.”
“So, you’re a personal servant to this family as well? We could always use more help at the palace,” he said.
My aunt stepped in.
“She’s the mother of my nephew.”
The king’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Mother? She has a child? She looks so young…” one of the guards commented.
The king smiled widely.
“Lady, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble... there's a table reserved for some of the royal family’s closer guests. I’ll be dining there after I spend some time at the main table,” the king said, clearly flirting with my mother.
THIS SON OF A BITCH IS HITTING ON MY MOM!
My aunt gave a fake smile, but I could see the fury in her eyes.
“I’m with my family, and I’ll be staying with them,” my mother replied firmly.
“This is an invitation from the king to dine at his table. It’s not something just anyone gets,” a soldier added.
DID HE REALLY JUST TALK TO MY MOM LIKE THAT!? I MUST BE GOING CRAZY!
“It’s alright, Phill,” the king said, laughing.