CHAPTER 17: KNIGHT COMANDER TOSIN [2]

Knock!!

Knock!!

Eden’s eyes fluttered open as heavy knocks rang on his door.

’...Who is disturbing my sleep?’

He groaned, covering his face with the pillow.

"Eden!!"

Abel’s voice echoed, muffled as it reached Eden’s ears.

"Open the door!!"

"Tch."

Eden clicked his tongue loudly as he pushed himself off the bed.

He reached the door and swung it open, finding his brother outside.

"What?" Eden asked, not hiding his annoyance.

"Get ready." Abel said, turning around. "Mother is calling you."

Eeden frowned. "Why?"

Abel didn’t respond as he walked out of the place without looking back.

’...Ah, fuck him.’

Eden groaned inwardly before he shut the door.

’Why is Mother calling me anyway?’

He let out a sigh but began to get ready nonetheless.

---

It only took Eden a while before he walked out of his room, fully dressed.

When he reached the main hall, he found Evelynn and Abel already waiting for him.

His mother smiled and walked toward him, hugging him gently. "...Are you up?"

"Yeah." Eden groaned, taking a step back. "Why did you call me?"

She smiled and grabbed his hand gently. "Let’s go," she said. "The night market is really good during this season."

"....Are we going shopping?" Eden asked, already feeling tired.

"Yes," she replied. "Spend some time with your poor mother, please."

’Now I can’t even say no.’

Eden thought as he glanced at Abel, who was tagging along with them.

Though Eden could tell he didn’t like going out... not even one bit.

’...Whatever.’

Eeden thought as he focused on spending time with his mother.

---

Being in the residential area came with its own perks.

The three of them reached the market in just five minutes.

The city was different at night.

Lanterns floated in the air like gentle fireflies, and the streets were lined with colorful stalls selling food, jewelry, and clothes.

The air smelled like grilled meat, sweet bread, and something Eden couldn’t quite name... but it made his stomach growl.

Evelynn smiled, clearly pleased by the lively scene.

"See? Isn’t it lovely?" she asked.

Eden shrugged. "It’s... alright."

[Just admit it’s cool, you gremlin.]

’Sana, shut up.’

Abel walked beside them with his hands in his pockets, eyes glued to the ground.

He looked like a depressed ghost forced on a family trip.

Evelynn tightened her grip on Eden’s hand, her other hand grabbing Abel.

"You guys used to run around the market when you were young," she said with a gentle smile. "It was quite fun to see you being so lively."

Eden raised a brow. ’....The young Eden, huh?’

Eden had little to no memories about his childhood.

He didn’t know much about how things were.

And that made him a little bit anxious.

Despite him swearing not to think about it... he couldn’t help it.

’...In the end, I am nothing but a stranger to them who took their son’s place—’

Eden stopped because Evelynn stood close to a stall.

She pointed at something steaming. "Three honey crisps, please."

Abel didn’t react.

Eden blinked. "...Honey what now?"

The stall owner handed them thin fried bread sprinkled with sugar and filled with warm melted honey.

Eden took the thing and was the first to take a bite.

’Holy— this is illegal-level good.’

Evelynn giggled at his expression.

"I knew you’d like it."

Even Abel paused and slowly took a bite... and his eyes widened.

"...Not bad," he mumbled.

Eden smirked. "Wow, big praise coming from the emotionless statue."

Abel glared, but didn’t deny it.

They kept walking around the market.

Evelynn stopped at random stalls, trying on earrings, smelling perfumes, dragging both her sons along.

At one point she even held up a scarf.

"Eeden, try this. You’d look handsome."

Eden stared flatly. "...Mother, it’s pink."

"And?"

"...Nothing. Just... bold choice."

’She looks happy.’

Eden thought, giving his mother a side glance.

Maybe it’s because of his exponential talent or maybe it’s something else.

’....Why did she even ask me to show off my talent?’

Eden still hadn’t found out the reason for this.

He was still in the dark about why she would ask such a thing.

’...There is definitely something fishy about this woman.’

Eden rubbed his chin as his mother looked around.

She suddenly blinked as she looked at both of her sons.

"Wait here," she instructed. "I will be right back."

Eden stood awkwardly as she left him alone with Abel.

’...Argh, how am I supposed to deal with him?’

Eden let out a sigh as Abel glared at him from the side.

After a long awkward pause, Abel finally spoke.

"Do not get too comfortable with divine talent," he said coldly. "If you don’t work hard, you will die."

Eden blinked at him, not expecting that to be the first thing Abel said.

"...Thanks?" he replied, unsure whether to be annoyed or impressed.

Abel didn’t look at him. His eyes stayed fixed on the ground, hands still buried in his pockets.

"I’m saying this because I’ve seen it before," Abel continued. "People with high talent get lazy. They think the world will open for them just because they’re ’special.’"

’Dude, you’re just a year older than me, stop acting mature.’

Eden still raised a brow. "...And then?"

"They die," Abel said flatly. "Forgotten by everyone."

Eden stared at him for a moment.

’...Wow. That was a very Abel way to say ’good luck.’’

[He cares, he just speaks in ’depression.’]

’Yeah, thanks, translator-san.’

Eden crossed his arms. "I don’t plan to slack off."

Abel finally looked at him through half-lidded eyes.

"The way you are, I really think you will die," he said. "Leaving our parents disappointed."

"...."

Something clicked within Eden’s mind as he felt his veins bulge.

"....Keep your words to yourself, Abel," Eden said coldly. "If you are jealous of my talent, then say so."

Abel’s eyes twitched.

For the first time, his expression cracked.

"...Jealous?" he repeated, voice low. "You think I’m jealous of you?"

Eden didn’t flinch. "Aren’t you? You hate that I awakened something you never could."

Abel’s jaw tightened.

A small, humorless laugh left his lips.

"...You really don’t get it."

He turned fully toward Eden now, anger clear in his eyes.

"You walk around acting like the world is a joke. You don’t even want the responsibility that comes with your power."

Eden narrowed his eyes. "And what? You think being gloomy all day makes you better?"

Abel stepped closer.

"You were handed something people would kill for," he said, voice trembling with fury.

"Mother and Father spent years trying to help me... and I still awakened nothing."

His hands were clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"And yet you... who does fucking nothing... gets a divine class."

Eden didn’t move back. "And you think that gives you the right to look down on me?"

"I don’t look down on you," he said. "I’m disgusted by you."

Eden’s expression fell cold instantly. "Then maybe stop pretending to care about whether I die or not."

Abel clicked his tongue. "I don’t care if you die. I care about what happens after. Father and mother will be sad because of you."

Eden stepped closer too, the space between them shrinking.

"You act like you’re protecting the family," he said quietly. "But you’re really just scared of being replaced."

That hit something. Abel grabbed Eden by the collar. "Say that again."

Eden didn’t even blink. "You’re scared."

Abel’s teeth grit.

His fist rose but immediately stopped because a familiar voice rang behind them.

"Boys."

They both froze on instinct.

Eden turned.

Evelynn stood there, holding a small paper bag, smiling softly.

But her eyes... her eyes were cold.

"Did I not say," she spoke gently, "to wait here quietly?"

Abel immediately let go of Eden and stepped back.

Eden straightened his shirt, brows still furrowed.

Evelynn walked closer, her smile warming again.

"Now," she said sweetly, holding up the bag, "who wants candied almonds?"

"Can I—?"

BOMMM!!!!!

Before Eden could speak, a loud explosion shook the entire city.

Evelynn instinctively covered both her sons as her gaze turned toward the palace.

Eden’s gaze also shifted as the burning palace reflected in his eyes.

"....Father?"