CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107: AN IDEA

The morning sun shone gently over the Chancellor’s estate, casting golden light on the wide courtyard. A black carriage with golden details stood outside the front steps—marked with the seal of the Grand Duke. The horses were already prepared, and the coachman sat quietly, waiting.

Axelius stood in front of the carriage, his hair still slightly messy from sleep, but his face looked fresh and bright. Around him, the maids and the butler of the estate stood respectfully in a line, bowing as they bid him farewell.

Elena stood beside him, arms crossed, her brow furrowed. She stared at him with a disapproving look. "Tsk. How can you sleep that long? What are you, hibernating?" she muttered.

Axelius gave her a lazy chuckle. "Kids should sleep long," he said with a smirk. "Look at me—taller than you now."

"Hah!" Elena scoffed, placing one hand on her hip. "Males do tend to grow taller than us females! Besides, only your body changed—not your insides!"

Before their teasing could continue, Elena’s father stepped in with a thoughtful expression. "Now I’m starting to wonder... should I reconsider your engagement? You two suit each other well."

"NO!" Elena shouted instantly, cheeks puffed in frustration.

"How did we suit each other?!" Axelius said at the same time, eyes wide.

The Chancellor blinked at their strong reaction. Elena turned around in a huff, arms crossed again, while the maids and butler quietly shook their heads behind them.

Axelius stepped up into the carriage. As it began to move, the people of the estate bowed respectfully. From the open carriage window, Axelius leaned out and shouted playfully, "Don’t miss me, okay?!"

"Never!" Elena shouted back without turning, her voice sharp.

Axelius burst into laughter. Then his eyes landed on Elena’s younger brother, who was leaning casually against the front gate.

With a grin, Axelius pointed at the boy’s shoulder. "Hey, what’s that?"

The boy looked at his shoulder—and froze.

There, crawling slowly, was a large centipede.

"Aaaaaaahhhh!!!" he screamed, his face pale with terror. "GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!"

Panic broke out at once. Maids rushed toward him, the butler tried to catch the centipede, Elena looked around in alarm, and her father blinked in confusion.

"What now?!" the Chancellor muttered, scratching his cheek.

Inside the carriage, Axelius laughed so hard he had to wipe tears from his eyes. He leaned back and looked at Owen, who sat across from him with arms crossed and a tired look.

Owen gave a long sigh. "You’re lucky the Chancellor is a kind man. Anyone else would’ve punished you by now."

Axelius grinned and waved a hand. "Owen, tsk tsk tsk. I’m telling you again—enjoy life to the fullest. We didn’t get to enjoy childhood before... wait, actually, we never had one."

"But we’re an adult."

He chuckled again, the sound bright and full of mischief.

"I may be an adult inside," he added, stretching his arms behind his head, "but right now, I’m just a cute, handsome eleven-year-old boy. Let me enjoy my life, okay? You know what we’ve been through. If I’m going to die one day, I want to die knowing I was happy."

Then he leaned out the window again and shouted toward the front of the carriage, "Is this not gonna go faster?!"

The guards riding ahead glanced back, shaking their heads. Owen watched him quietly, the corners of his mouth lifting just a little.

"...What am I even worrying about," he whispered, finally leaning back with a sigh.

The carriage rolled quietly along the forest path. Axelius had calmed down now, leaning on the window with his cheek against the cool wood. His eyes were half-closed. He looked peaceful about to fall asleep... until—

Thud!

"Ow—!" Axelius hit his forehead against the window when the carriage hit a small bump. He sat up straight, rubbing his head and wiping the bit of drool on his cheek. "We’re not there yet?" he asked, still half-asleep.

Owen looked up from his book and replied calmly, "The main road was blocked. A tree fell, so we’re taking the long way."

Axelius groaned, "What? It’s so boring in here. I can’t even sleep properly!" He leaned back, arms crossed, then suddenly snapped his fingers. "Wait, Maybe I should invent a car."

Axelius turned to him with a bright look in his eyes. "Let’s go make vehicles!"

"You should probably start with something simple, like bikes or motors. If you suddenly make cars, people might freak out."

"Nope!" Axelius said, shaking his head. "I don’t care. I prefer cars. I have money anyway." He placed his fingers on his chin and looked out the window. "Now, how should I start?"

Meanwhile, After Axelius left a carriage arrived and stopped in front of Elena. Her eyes widened when she saw the crest.

"It’s the royal family’s crest..." she whispered.

A guard stepped forward, opened the carriage door, and helped someone out.

The moment Elena’s family saw her, the maids and butlers quickly straightened up and bowed. A girl about 11 years old, stepped out of the carriage with grace.

She is Tiana Elanore Archantia, One of princesses of the Kingdom of Archantia. She returned their bows politely.

Elena’s father stepped forward and bowed as well. "Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here today? Or would you prefer to come inside first?"

"My visit today is concerning a young man named Axelius Dravenhart," she said.

Gasps escaped from a few of the maids, and even Elena’s father looked surprised.

"May I ask why Your Grace is seeking him?"

Princess Tiana placed a hand over her chest. "Yesterday... he saved me."

Everyone went silent.

"There was an incident yesterday, but thanks to Young Lord Axelius, I was unharmed." she continued,

A heavy silence followed her words. Then, Princess Tiana looked around and asked gently, "Isn’t Axelius Dravenhart here?"

Elena’s father gave a respectful bow. "Young Lord Axelius just left, Your Grace. He has returned to the Grand Duke’s estate."

Tiana’s violet eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "So, he is the Grand Duke’s son..." she murmured. "Is he one of the Dravenhart twins?"

Before anyone else could speak, Elena stepped forward and answered respectfully, "No, Your Grace. Axelius Dravenhart is the sixth son of the Grand Duke. You may know him better as the black-haired Dravenhart."

Princess Tiana’s eyes widened a little. She muttered under her breath, "The rumored mana-less Dravenhart... I see."

After a moment of silence, Princess Tiana gave a small nod, her expression composed.

"I see. Since he is not here, then I shall visit the Grand Duke’s estate instead," she said softly.

She turned gracefully, the folds of her dress swaying with her movement. Just as she reached the carriage, she paused and glanced back at Elena and her family.

"Unfortunately, I must return for now. My schedule does not allow me to stay long," she added with a polite smile.

The guards opened the carriage door once more, and Princess Tiana stepped inside without another word.

The carriage slowly pulled away, leaving Elena and her family still stunned by the unexpected visit.