The Greed of Kronos

Tea Time

Thirty-seven: Tea Time

If neither of them had the money to make use of, then how could they even go to Kronos’ house?

Kronos understood Astian’s concern; however, there was nothing to be worried about. He was prepared to even go to the other Empire if he would put a heart into it.

More importantly, when Kronos noticed that Astian barely touched his food, he then scowled and replied. “It’s fine. Eat more.”

Seeing his reaction, Astian did not press on it any longer and instead replied with a warm smile plastered on his face while drinking the blood wine that was served especially for him. “Alright then!”

That was the last conversation that they had on the dining table, and they finished their breakfast with an utter silence. It was quite understandable to Kronos to be silent, but for Astian to have some pondering moments, it was new to him. Astian was talkative, though why would he not talk to him?

Kronos thought that it was perhaps they did not have anything to talk about. Which was why the moment they stepped foot outside the dormitory, Kronos abruptly called Skia.

“Skia.”

Skia, on the other hand, even though confused as to why it was being summoned, replied with the utmost respect. “At your service, Master.”

The poor shadow king was supposed to appear when they got out of the school grounds itself, not the dormitory. Right when it was amidst of having breakfast too.

Astian, on the other hand, complimented Skia in awe as he once again saw how big Skia was. “Woah!”

It was not his first time, but every time Skia would show in its proper size, Astian could not help but to feel like it was his first time.

He lost track of admiring Skia that he did not notice Kronos giving out his hand in front of him with his usual blank expression. “Hand.”

Right when Kronos says that, Skia then bends its legs for them to reach its back. And that was when Astian realized that Skia was going to be their carriage.

Hence, while he offered his hand to Kronos, who assisted him on riding Skia on the back, Astian looked at Kronos with an excited expression and asked. “Are we going to ride the shadow king to go to your house?”

“The name is Skia.” The shadow king chuckled.

It has been a while since it heard of its title being directly addressed to it; that was why Skia could not help but to act embarrassed and instead unconsciously allowed a person other than its master to call its name.

Hearing that he was allowed to call the shadow king by its name, Astian then also felt embarrassed and honored that he could not help but to be flustered as he turned his face around to see Kronos, who was behind his back.

“Well, are we going to ride Skia?”

For the reason that it was the first time Kronos had someone ride Skia together with him, he had a drop of worry and anxiousness on what to do to keep him safe.

Hence, he pondered for a moment and thought of a solution. And when he did think of anything, he then embraced Astian in his arms and displayed his bare hands in front of him. “Yes. Hand.”

That was a decent idea for him. The only thing he could do to protect Astian in case of emergency was to embrace him and hold both of his hands so that they wouldn’t be separated. At that moment, Kronos somehow felt that he was born a genius.

Astian, on the other hand, although not sure of the purpose, did not hesitate to take his hands and looked at him with a warm smile. “Alright then…”

After that, Astian shifted his gaze towards Skia and also gave him a warm smile. “Skia, please take care of me.”

With the unfamiliar expression, Skia felt a tingling sensation that it could not help but to do its best as a thing for transportation. “Of course, young lord Astian.”

The whole life the shadow king had with Kronos was a cold stare or a sinister glare. If only Astian’s warm smile was a virus that could be pass to other people. One wonders what Kronos would look if he were to wear a friendly expression and gentle smile like his dear friend, Astian.

Getting rid of those thoughts, Skia then prepared itself to go to the Azvameth’s estate and stated, “Well then, we shall be departing.”

The moment Skia said that Kronos naturally tightened his grip towards Astian as if the latter was going to fall at any given moment.

And the weird gesture Kronos had done just made Astian to expect for a grand transportation. He was expecting for Skia to jump high in the air as he was anticipating to sightsee the Ezkyl Empire on top. How cool would it be for the wind to softly slap your cheeks and brush through your clothing? To feel like one with the birds flapping their wings to keep up and to see everything from a giant’s point of view. Would it feel like he had a pair of wings? While it was true that vampires could shapeshift into bats, they still thought that it was a useless power. Because a vampire can only turn into a bat as they wish in the night, and the night was far more dangerous for vampires. Well, it would not be considered precarious if their ancestors did not do something to have enemies, but it was, unfortunately, the case. That was why when Astian heard that they would be riding Skia, he could at least know how it would feel like to fly even without shapeshifting as a bat.

However, in one swish, all of Astian’s fantasy disappeared out of thin air. Because in just a blink, they were already in front of the Azvameth’s duchy.

And there, he thought that he would soar high. Astian could not help but to mentally cry in despair while Kronos was helping him get down on Skia. Right after Astian stepped foot on the ground, Skia was no longer there.

Of course, Kronos hid him for the sole reason that Hethera and Demiris were still unaware of its existence. Maybe after the summoning ritual, he could casually announce that he summoned Skia. That was why up until that moment, Skia could not be found out.

Astian also noticed that since they came without prior notice, no one welcomed them outside. And it would also mean that Kronos would be opening the main entrance by himself. If he were, to be honest, it was not a sight that he wished to see. Under noble etiquettes, only servants or guards could open the main door. If a noble were to open the main door by themselves, then that would also mean that it’s either they were an uneducated illegitimate family member or a noble purposely letting the crowd know that they are lowering their status.

“Come.” When Kronos looked at him with an unbothered face, he then slowly walked beside Kronos with a concerned expression. What should he do? Should he just push the door on behalf of Kronos, who seemed to be unaware?

But contrary to his worries, when they were already an inch away from the door, the door opened itself as if acknowledging the sudden coming home of an Azvameth bloodline.

And on top of that, as if everyone was expecting for his sudden visit, the butler was already waiting for Kronos with his head bowed lowly along with the line of maidservants dipping their heads lower than the butler.

And amidst his shocked expression, everyone welcomed Kronos in unison. “Welcome home, young master.”

Astian could not even have the time to process everything earlier. That he could not help but to look at Kronos with very much a puzzled expression on his face. And when Kronos met eyes with Astian, he leaned closer and whispered that he would explain later.

Actually, the door was automatic. It was said to be made by Hethera when she first stepped foot in the estate as a lover of Demiris. No one welcomed them as it was a surprise visit. Drakora seemed to have no high expectations from his only son, Demiris, about love that he did not mention it once. That was why Demiris thought of it as an act of sweet revenge from his mean father. Because of the noble etiquette, Hethera instead used her title as the great mage and instead directly teleported to Drakora’s office. And before Hethera planned on going home, she made the entrance door a magic door that would open automatically and would inform the maidservants if someone behind it was possessing the blood of Azvameth and Morlin. If not, then they would manually open the door themselves.

“Inform them.” He looked at the seemingly old butler who still stood with dignity and poise. Truly befitting for being a butler. He was also the one who told Kronos about the automatic door as he witnessed it right before his eyes.

With that being said, the butler then replied immediately with a respectful tone of voice before walking away to fetch Hethera and Demiris. “I heed your command.”

After the butler got out of their sight, the head maid then guided the two of them to the garden where the Azvameth would always go whenever they had something to discuss. The young master going home without prior notice and calling the master and the madam also meant that something happened at the Academy and that he needed to report it to his parents.

When they arrived at the garden, everything was already settled, as if Kronos told everyone that he was coming at that time. The tea and delicacies were also already placed and set to his liking that Astian could not help but to admire how the people in their estate were very much dedicated to their job serving the Azvameth.

They then settled down quietly as Kronos lifted up the teapot and poured Astian a cup of tea which made the latter to wave his hand in panic. “Oh no, we can’t start without your mother and father!”

With that being said, Kronos stared at the panicking Astain and then, later on, picked up a cookie and then shoved it towards Astian’s mouth. “It’s fine.”

It’s fine because he was rebelling at that moment. Kronos wanted for his mother and his father to know that he did not visit just because he missed them. But because he was upset.

Astian, on the other hand, refused to drink the tea that Kronos personally poured for him as he was still uncomfortable. But when Kronos started to drink tea too, he then felt like he did not have much choice but to follow him. However, he was still uncomfortable!

When two tall shadows were approaching on their way, Astian then looked up to see who had arrived and then abruptly flinched when he saw that it was actually the master and the madam of the estate.

They look so perfect, standing side by side together. And at that moment, Astian realized where Kronos inherited his expressionless face. It was both his mother and father.

With Kronos’ personality, Astian too expected for them to be like their son. But actually having their presence, the pressure was no joke.

However, the cold aura and blank expression they were wearing did not last. Because as soon as they saw Kronos casually having a sip of tea, their expression softened, and then they started to have a race on who could hug Kronos first.

And the first one to hug Kronos with admirable speed was the madam, Hethera Azvameth. “Kronos, my sweetheart!” Hethera smiled warmly as soon as she had a grip of his handsome son’s presence. She even could not control herself because she hugged Kronos way too tightly.

Kronos, on the other hand, said nothing. Why? Because he was used to being hugged tightly. It was worse in the past because it was Demiris, Hethera, and Aquila who would do such acts together. With only Hethera, it was nothing,

Even the master of the estate showed off a devastating look when he realized that he once again lost a contest with his wife. Hence, he gave Kronos a pat on the back while asking him a question. “How did you get here first thing in the morning?”

“Carriage.” Kronos simply lied without batting an eye as he once again poured Astian a cup of tea when he noticed that the lad already emptied his cup.

And by doing so, Hethera and Demiris looked at the unfamiliar guest and started grinning ear to ear with the thought that their son was treating him well.

“Oh my, who might this be?” Hethera started teasing as she looked at Astian and then at Kronos.