I Became the Tyrant's Beloved Omega - Chapter 17.2
Though a full two weeks had passed since Aiden left, Noah seemed unable to pull himself out of his deep sense of loss. Tommy, who was quite worried about Noah, meant to let him rest.
“For the past eight years. I looked after Aiden like my youngest brother… no, almost like my own child, so your heart must be in pieces too, Noah.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll finish up quickly.”
“Noah….”
“If I just stay still, more idle thoughts come up. It’s times like this that I need to keep my body moving.”
Noah, who had forced a smile like that, moved his dishwashing hands a little faster. Tommy cast him a pitying look. Johan, who came in carrying a laundry basket, met Tommy’s eyes and approached Noah’s side.
“Noah, the weather’s gotten terribly hot. Let’s go to the stream, do the laundry, and play in the water for a bit.”
“Yes, just a moment. Let me just finish this.”
After finishing the dishes, Noah reached out to take the laundry basket Johan was holding, but Johan only dodged Noah’s hand.
“I’ll carry it.”
“But….”
“If you keep this up, I’ll tell you to go to your room and rest.”
“…Yes.”
Noah smiled faintly and answered a beat slower. On the way to the stream behind the monastery with Noah, Johan carefully broached the subject.
“Noah, did you know that Aiden was of the imperial family?”
“…No.”
Noah could not say that he knew Aiden’s identity from his memories of his previous life. So he told another lie. Johan, who could not possibly know Noah’s thoughts, began asking this and that only now, two weeks after Aiden had left.
The fact that the Emperor had visited a remote monastery near the border was astonishing enough, but the fact that Aiden, whom everyone had thought abandoned by poor parents, was of noble imperial blood was an even greater shock to the people of the monastery.
“What on earth was Aiden’s story?”
“…….”
Johan subtly probed Noah, but Noah said nothing.
“Oh dear! All this time I’ve been ordering around a precious imperial family member as I pleased. At this rate I might get dragged off somewhere for insulting the imperial family.”
Johan deliberately tossed a silly joke at Noah, but Noah’s mood showed no sign of improving. Arriving at the stream in the awkward atmosphere, Noah was suddenly overcome with emotion. It was because the image of Aiden, who had splashed into the stream water before his eyes and smiled brightly at him, came to mind.
“Noah, just cry your heart out.”
Johan said, patting Noah’s shoulder. At that moment, Noah sank down on the spot and burst into heartbreaking sobs.
* * *
Passing through the dizzyingly splendid city streets, an open square revealed itself. Aiden, who had lived nearly his whole life in a remote monastery in the forest, was completely overwhelmed. The golden gate glittering in the distance was, to Aiden’s eyes, the very height of luxury. He could not even remember how many enormous buildings he had passed after going through the gate. Accustomed to a monotonous and ascetic life, the grand and magnificent imperial palace was nothing short of a great shock.
The Emperor, weak of body and exhausted from the long journey, abandoned Aiden and vanished somewhere the moment they arrived at the imperial palace. A manservant approached Aiden, who was flustered and unsure of what to do.
“Good day. My name is Mark Weyden. From now on, if you need anything, you may call for me.”
“Ah, hello.”
Mark, who had bowed deeply and greeted him with courtesy, met Aiden’s eyes. Deep, clear eyes. Mark, who usually dealt with people blinded by wealth and power in the imperial palace, found Aiden’s untainted appearance a little unfamiliar. But soon he stepped aside to stand at an angle beside Aiden and waited for what would follow.
“…My name is Aiden Christopher Vertex.”
With Aiden’s words, an awkward silence fell between the two. Soon Mark pointed with both hands to where they should go and guided Aiden.
“Come this way.”
Aiden began to move with hesitant steps, following Mark, who walked ahead. Along the high-ceilinged, long corridor, tall arched windows stretched endlessly. On the floor, a splendid carpet with fine embroidery stood out, laid without a single gap.
“From now on, you may stay in this room. We have prepared it in advance, but if anything is uncomfortable or if there is anything you wish for, please tell us.”
“Ah….”
“Then rest.”
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