The Greed of Kronos

The Relatives in the North

Sixty-nine: The Relatives in the North

After a moment, Eros and Kronos dived into the bed as they were exhausted and not used to waking up early. And as much as they wanted to close their eyes and take a rest, both of them could not sleep a wink, probably because they were at an unfamiliar place. Hence, they decided to come out of their room and observe the entire ship at a veranda nearby. For the reason that they left at dawn, Kronos and Eros had witnessed the sun rising as its bright figure resonated the clear blue sea.

The seagulls were screaming, screeching, and squawking as if telling the people nearby that the sun had risen and it was another day to start living. The salty breeze was cold as it softly slapped the skin of Kronos, who was currently leaning towards the railings, and continued observing on how the sun slowly went up. The ship was sailing on its usual ride of the waves; however, at that moment, Kronos felt that they were so slow. What causes such hallucinations?

Simple. Bad memories. The last time Kronos set foot on a sea vessel transporting people, he was on a cruise. While the others were busy expanding their social status by talking to each other, he was in the restricted area, planting a bomb and stopping the engine in the middle of the sea.

He may be used to the screams of help, he still could not stop himself from taking pity on them. And all he could do was to silently say sorry.

Recalling a bad memory in his past life, Kronos looked away and started to walk back towards their room. At the sight of the lively ship sailing across the sea, he suddenly felt drowsy, and thus a moment after, he fell asleep.

And just like that, three days on the ship flew at the speed of a cheetah. Nothing special happened as they were always playing card games by betting real and significant deals if they were not too lazy to walk around the ship. Kronos would occasionally get out of their room to see the sunset and the sunrise while Skia and Raven were in a hunt of monsters under the sea.

“So this is the north,” Eros mumbled as he stepped on the land after a while.

Because he was wearing an outfit that he would usually wear at the imperial capital, when a strong breeze welcomed them, he immediately shivered from the cold.

Seeing this, Kronos heaved a sigh as he placed another layer of coat on Eros. “I f*****g told you earlier to put on extra layers because it’s f*****g cold in the north.”

Well, he did not sign up to be the crown prince’s babysitter. Why must he be stubborn all the time?

With that being said, Eros looked at the extra layer of clothes that was placed on him and then remembered that Kronos did tell him that the cold in the north was very severe. However, it seemed like he was preoccupied with finding out why Kronos chose the north for their investigation when as far as he knew, he didn’t have a social life to have a comrade in that cold place.

He could not possibly tell Kronos that he had forgotten because he didn’t want another scolding from him. That was why Eros showed off his angelic smile instead and replied. “It’s fine~ You are taking care of me so well anyway~.”

Hearing this, Kronos stared at Eros for a moment before he heaved a sigh. “Whatever. Follow me.” After saying that, he turned around and started to walk in a particular direction.

When Eros noticed that Kronos acted as if he was familiar with the place, he then began to feel rest assured and joined Kronos by his side. “Hmm? Alright then~.”

When they got outside the pier, it was unexpectedly lively. There was a nearby plaza when he looked on his left side and a fish market when he looked on his right side. Either of the two destinations was packed by people who either wanted to go outside or wanted to eat fish for breakfast.

Unexpectedly, Kronos turned to his left and entered the plaza as if it was not new to him. Although there was no pouring of snow, the road was still completely piled up. And it makes the temperature colder than ever. However, it seemed like the people in the north were so used to the cold that they got the luxury to play outside with the right amount of layers on them.

Because Eros was only following Kronos, he really had no idea on where they were going. But when they arrived at a secluded place, he had a hunch on what they were going to do.

“Skia,” Kronos mumbled as he looked at in front of him.

It might be a funny thing to see because Kronos looked like he was talking to something invisible. But then, no time was spared on judging Kronos because the shadow king was always anticipating for a call.

And with that, Skia appeared before his eyes while dipping its head like usual and greeting Kronos with the utmost respect. “Yes, Master.”

It was admirable how Skia would always pop out of nowhere and get excited every time Kronos had something to do for him. However, as far as Eros was aware, Kronos had two familiars. But it seems like Kronos was still so used to calling Skia all the time that he would sometimes forget the other one.

Thoughts aside, Eros then heard Kronos say a word to Skia, which was apparent as both Eros and Skia knew what it meant. “Mansion.”

With that being said, Skia then replied abruptly. “Yes, I still remember where the mansion was erected. Shall we go?”

So it seems like Kronos had a social life and knew someone in the northern part of the empire. That was why he was feeling familiar with the place and all.

It was a discovery for Eros, who had known Kronos for a long time. Hence, he joins in to their conversation with his usual angelic look and tone of voice. “What mansion?”

Hearing this, both Skia and Kronos shifted their gaze towards Eros at the same time as Skia explained the situation. “Ah. Master has relatives living here, and we are going there, so your highness, you need to ride together with Master because your familiar does not know of the location.”

It was not just mere acquaintances but blood relatives. With that being said, Eros felt like he knew only half of Kronos when he was always confident that he knew everything about the latter.

“Aww, why~?” He then replied.

And it was then followed by Skia responding to his question. “The entrance is not visible to guests, you see.”

With that being said, Eros then looked at Skia and smiled with his usual angelic and warm smile. “Alright then, Kronos and Skia, I’ll be in your care~.”

When they arrived, the scenery had changed. As far as Eros could remember, they were in the north where the snow was piling up, and a blizzard might occur at any moment. But then, the landscape that he was currently looking at was far from the north at all.

The trees were abundant and green, the sun was up, and the surroundings were warm and cozy. There were no traces of snow at all. And in front of them was a vast mansion that was surrounded by flowers and such.

Seeing this, Eros looked at Kronos as if asking where in the world they were currently at because it did not look like they were in the north. But then Kronos said that they’re still in the north, so be it. Magic exists for some reason, after all.

When Eros decided to go down, even before his foot could touch the ground, Kronos pulled him back on one hand while his other hand was dripping with blood because of the knife that he caught mid air.

And the next thing Eros knew, a voice coming from the gardens of the mansion suddenly was addressing Kronos. “You’ve improved, Kronos.”

Hearing this, Eros then looked at the owner of the voice, who was slowly walking towards them. And to his surprise, it was a Madame of an old age but strange enough, her body and face looked young. More importantly, Eros felt like he saw the familiar face somewhere.

On the other hand, Kronos hopped down to be on the ground as he also carefully let Eros get down. And when he met gaze with the Madame, he looked at his hand and scowled. “Tch.”

Because Eros was a noble with an imperial blood, he had the blessing of the deity. And that means that anyone with an imperial blood has an extra potential of healing ability. Although it was not known to other people, Kronos was aware of it as Eros and Agape would occasionally heal him.

Just like at that moment when Eros carefully grabbed his hand and used his healing ability while talking to the Madame. “Wow, did the Madame try to kill me with this knife~”

With that being said, the Madame then smiled back as she replied. “Of course. I thought that there was an outsider. My mistake, your highness.”

‘She still did that despite knowing of my status?’

Eros wanted to say that, but then, he was holding back because she was a relative of Kronos. Instead, he focused on healing Kronos as the wound was pretty deep.

And because the crown prince seemed to be quiet and was focused on Kronos’ wounds, she then looked at Kronos and raised a brow. “So? What brings you all the way here, my grandson?”

“Grandma,” Kronos replied.

It was a greeting and, at the same time, an introduction.

And because Eros was aware of that fact, when Kronos’ hand was good as new, he looked at the Madame and showed off his usual angelic smile. “I see, so you are that Tala Morlin? It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Hearing this, the Madame then smiled back as she dipped her head ever so slightly. “It is an honor for my name to reach the imperial capital.”

With that being said, Eros then chuckled as he replied nonchalantly. “What are you saying~? After all, you were once an imperial Dame Commander.”

Tala Morlin. No wonder her face was familiar. Apart from their strong genes wherein her daughter, Hethera Morlin, certainly looked like the split image of herself, she also made a name back when Eros was still a child.

Tala was one of those knights who fearlessly fought on the frontlines during the war, and she was the only Dame Commander ever recorded in history. However, just like an ordinary lady, Tala Morlin also met her own other half and had Hethera.

That was why she quit being a Dame and focused on raising Hethera because her husband was unfortunately born with a weak body. When Hethera was in labor, her mother and father could not come because that was also the day Tala’s husband collapsed. And if it was not for Hethera’s magic, her father may be leaving the world that moment Kronos entered that world and had his second life.

The first time Kronos saw his grandfather, he was in a state of coma. But for some reason, the last time he saw him, he was in his wheelchair and was enjoying the view of his garden.

Snapping back to reality, Tala then replied as she laughed nonchalantly. “What a frivolous thing to say, your highness. Past is past. I am especially happy now.”

Tala had no bad memory when she was still a Dame Commander because she gained a lot of comrades. But then, she has never been so happy like how she currently was, whether when Tala was in the front lines or when she was promoted into a commander.

Hearing this, Eros then replied genuinely. “Well, that’s a good thing to hear~.”

Shortly after that, Tala then invited the two of them inside as they, of course, followed her tracks. “Dear me, why am I keeping the two of you here? Come inside.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Madame~” Eros replied.

Because the place was vast, Eros would not be surprised if one of them would get lost despite following the owner of the mansion. But then, it was not new to the crown prince who was residing at the imperial palace. He still would occasionally get lost at that prominent place.

And it seemed like Kronos was afraid of getting lost, too, as he was walking closely in order to follow his grandmother without getting her out of sight.

When they entered the mansion, it was grander than Eros was expecting it to be. “Wow~ Your place is huge and well-maintained~.”

Everywhere was sparkling, and it was cozy, probably because it was a home for the two lovers. They were then directed to the sitting room that was also grand with the ceiling so high.

With that being said, Tala chuckled as she replied to Eros but then when she mentioned Kronos, she looked at her grandson with a glare. “You flatter me, your highness. Wait here in the sitting room because my grandson paid a surprise visit together with the crown prince. I did not prepare any room.”

And by doing so, Kronos settled down on the couch as he averted his gaze in order for him to not meet with his grandmother’s glare.

Because of that, Eros laughed before he looked at Tala and replied. “Take your time and no rush.”

When he was about to settle down, there seemed to be an object scattered on the couch, which he picked up and inspected. “What is this? A toy?”

With that being said, the walking away, Tala marched back to the place where Eros was currently standing and picked up the toys that were scattered for the crown prince to sit. “Oh, what is that doing over there? It belongs to my granddaughter.”

“Granddaughter?” Eros tilted his head.

And even before Tala could speak, a cute voice spoke outside of the sitting room. “Grandma? I heard that a guest arrived.”

And because the door was slightly opened, Eros happened to catch a glimpse of the child’s facial features. Her long hair was white, and the color of her eyes that was protected by her long lashes was ocean eyes. In short, she was the carbon copy of Kronos but in a girl’s version. They look the same, and at the same time, they were really not. Perhaps it was because of the shy gaze of the child while Kronos would always have this emotionless expression with him.

Still, Eros did know that Kronos had a cousin.

On the other hand, Tala gave the child a pat on the head as she looked at her with a soft expression and guided her to the couch where Kronos and Eros were currently settling down. “Yes, sweetheart. Look who’s here.”

The child then shyly walked, and the excited look on her face was visible up until she passed for air as soon as she saw Kronos. “NO WAAAY!!!”

The shy expression was long gone as the child pounced on Kronos and was more excited than ever. “KYAAH!! BIG BROTHER KRONOS!!”

Seeing this, Eros seemed to be satisfied as the child was acting so cute in front of Kronos. But then, his lips froze when Kronos smiled sweetly towards the child and hugged her back as he mumbled. “Sister.”

“What?! You have a sister?!”

And it was right at that moment when Eros felt like he knew nothing of Kronos. At all.