CHAPTER 25: ALICE’S ABYSS I

(A/N Big thanks to

Talvin_Shiji

For the power stones, they mean a lot. For the past few days, I have been updating every two days. I had trouble with power and Internet, but from now on, I plan on resuming one Chapter per day.

As usual, please don’t hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

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"Welcome to my Abyss!" Alice said with an excited smile.

"Pfft, your abyss. That sounds so cringe," Orion said while trying to hold his laughter.

Alice’s face started burning up. "What? It’s fitting!"

"How so?" Orion asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It’s my abyss because I tend to get lost in it," Alice explained.

"Get lost in it, you get lost in your library?"

"No, you dummy. In this library is a brilliant and diverse selection of new worlds. And they are all available for me to peruse whenever I want, such liberty to dive in is why this is my abyss," Alice said with a fanatic expression.

"You sure know some big words for your age," Orion chuckled.

"Yet you understand those words, why can’t I?" Alice asked.

"Fair enough. So, you are a story reader," Orion asked with a bland tone.

"You put it in such a crude way. ’I’m a fan of the literary arts’ is an appropriate way to state it," Alice corrected.

"Right...Literary art," Orion said while walking towards a shelf and picking up a book.

"You looked excited when I mentioned visiting the library earlier. I thought you were also an avid reader," Alice said, tilting her head curiously.

"Oh, I’m an avid reader, just not for the ’Literary arts,’" He said with a finger quote.

"What’s that?" she asked

"What?"

"The thing you did with your hand," She stated

"Oh, that’s a habit of mine," He replied, picking up another book.

"So, what do you read?" She asked.

"Hmmm... History, I’m a history fan, I guess," He replied, turning to her with a smile.

"That is.... Bland. You sound like an old man." She muttered.

"History is good, history is educational, history is entertaining, history is fun, history is magical. I don’t see your point," Orion said, picking up another book.

"Neither would an old man," She replied with an eye roll.

"Ouch," He exclaimed, putting a hand on his chest.

"So, can you take me to the history section? It’s all fairy tales here," Orion sighed while returning another book.

"I haven’t actively searched for any books on history, so I’m not sure where exactly they are, and I doubt grandpa Jude would be willing to show you where they are," Alice said with a finger on her chin.

"Yeah, he seems to dislike me for some reason," Orion said, exasperated.

"It’s not all bad, you can use this chance to read a book for real, and I know just the perfect one," Alice said while dragging Orion towards another shelf.

"The Peak," Orion stated, staring at a black book with the words written in bold red on it.

"Yes, sounds plain right?" Alice asked with a smirk.

"Is this a don’t judge a book by its cover’ situation?" Orion asked with a raised brow.

"Don’t judge a book by its cover, that’s... exactly it. Nice phrase," Alice replied.

"I judged it by its cover, before Grandpa Jude encouraged me to read it, and it’s now my turn to encourage you," She said with a smile.

"Are you sure. I don’t think there’s enough time for me to finish a book this big, Alice, and I’d rather not start and enjoy it just to be denied the pleasure of finishing," Orion asked, skeptical.

"Don’t worry, I’ll ask my brother to convince Grandpa Jude to let you have it," Alice reassured him.

"Here I thought it would be important to you," Orion said.

"It’s not that important," Alice said, clutching her bracelet.

’I didn’t notice she wore a bracelet,’ Orion thought, intrigued.

"I’m guessing the bracelet is," Orion asked.

"More than you can imagine," She replied with a smile.

"Alright, I’ll give it a try," Orion said.

"Great, I’ll go get my own book," Alice said, running off.

"Wait! We’re starting now!?" Orion shouted at her departing figure.

"Yes!!" She shouted back.

They spent two hours in the library in silence, both engrossed in their respective books; even the reluctant Orion was fully invested in the book by this point.

Isolde had to come fetch Orion before they parted ways, both planning on returning the next day.

"I’m guessing the play-date was successful," Isolde asked with a smile on her face.

"Yes, it was, I enjoyed myself," Orion replied with a smile.

Isolde was visibly surprised; she fully expected Orion to deny and tell her off for calling their tour a playdate.

"I’m glad," She replied.

They soon arrived at their quarters. Orion walked in to see his father playing another chess match with the reluctant Zurvan.

"Hahaha, you never learn, Zurvan. It’s not just about taking pieces," Erevan said, laughing at the miserable Zurvan.

Orion looked at this scene and sighed, "Where did the stoic Erevan Chronos go?" he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that," Erevan said while rearranging the board.

"Of course you did. Father, don’t you think Zurvan has had enough? You’ve beaten him a million times now, I’m sure the message of your superiority has been passed across." Orion said.

Zurvan looked at Orion as though looking at a savior, while nodding along.

"Oh, please, this isn’t about superiority. Zurvan himself is having fun. Right, Zurvan?" Erevan asked, turning to face the guard.

"Of course, my lord, I’m incredibly lucky to have the opportunity of playing with you," Zurvan replied with a polite smile.

"See," Erevan said while pointing at him.

’Blink twice if you are being threatened, Zurvan, ’ Orion thought, amused.

"Well, I tried my best. I’m going to sleep, Father." Orion said, shaking his head

"Wait, how did your date go?" Erevan asked with a smirk.

"Incredibly well, I had a wonderful time," Orion replied with a smirk of his own.

"Is that so? I reckon you’ll continue tomorrow," Erevan asked

"Yes," Orion replied.

"Alright, goodnight, son," Erevan said before turning back to his game.

Orion frowned. He didn’t like this; his father was acting strange.

He just sighed and walked to his room, ’What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger,’ he thought, trying to set his mind at ease.

The next two days passed in a flash; Orion and Alice continued to reconvene in the library every noon, where they spent the rest of their day reading.

Alice had successfully dragged him into her abyss, not that Orion was complaining.

The wedding preparations went smoothly, the garden was a hub of activity throughout, and he hadn’t seen the Marquis or his son and fiancée since that dinner, but that didn’t bother him.

It was the morning of the Wedding, and Isolde, as usual, was his aide in preparing. The event was set to begin at noon; before then, he continued his usual proficiency grinding. His status hadn’t seen any recent changes, but he wasn’t worried.

He could hear the bustling of people around the estate. It seemed other nobles had started arriving; he was curious to meet other noble families. He’d met two so far, one pleasant and the other neutral.

Isolde soon walked in to see him sitting cross-legged on his bed.

"Young master, I think it’s time you started getting ready. The event will start in an hour, and I’ve heard Lady Alice is already asking of you," Isolde said.

"Alright, any news about my father?" Orion asked.

For some reason, he hadn’t seen his father since waking up this morning, and it was starting to worry him.

He just sighed.

"I’m sure the Patriarch is fine," Isolde said, trying to reassure Orion while helping him put on his attire.

"I’m not worried about his safety, Isolde, I’m worried about ours," Orion replied.

"Right, well, I’m sure everything will be fine," She said.

"I hope so," he said.

Soon he was fully dressed.

He wore a silver white tunic with matching gold accents, with similar trousers and a golden boot fit for his small legs.

His silver hair and golden eyes made the outfit even more regal, though he hadn’t gotten that imposing physique, he was well on his way towards it.

"You look perfect, young master. I’m sure your mother would have loved to see you in this outfit," Isolde complimented him with a smile.

"I’m sure she would," Orion said with a smile.

He wouldn’t admit it, but the few weeks spent away from his mother were enough to see how much he loved and missed her.

Isolde could tell what he was thinking.

"Don’t worry, young master, I’m sure you’ll see her in a few days," She said.

"Alright, let’s head out. I’d rather not keep Alice waiting," He said.

A few hours later, everyone was seated in the garden.

The garden was designed and well-decorated, with the blooming flowers and trees adding to the aesthetics.

Nobles of different calibers in attendance. Orion sat beside Alice, who was practically beaming with happiness.

Marquis Evan sat opposite the In-laws at the very front of the event, the pride of a father radiating from him.

They all looked at the young couple taking their vows.

"You may kiss the bride," The priest said.

They had just put their lips together when-

"Kra-splrrchhhhh"