Not-So an Extra

Adrian was seen getting dressed by the maids.

He touched his hair while looking at his reflection in the mirror.

White hair...

He had dyed his hair in many colors in his previous life but had never tried white.

It was said that white hair was the hallmark of the Leillucis bloodline; the Imperial Family.

And because of it, Nathaniel was accused of being an illegitimate child.

Since there were no accurate paternity tests in the Middle Ages, this made it somewhat difficult to prove to the public.

What was so wrong if Nathaniel took after his mother's genes instead of his father's?

What Adrian meant was, if Nathaniel was not the Emperor's child, how could he have a blessing from the founder of this Empire?

Why would Chrono bless someone who was not his descendant?

It did not make any sense.

But, whatever.

It was none of his business anyway.

"Haa..."

However, Adrian could only sigh when he saw how puffy his eyes were; last night's tragedy flooded his head.

He only took a bite but the effect was far beyond imagination and thanks to it, he wept all night long!

What a scary cookie, he should ban it from his life.

"Your Highness, it's all done."

A maid informed him and they stepped back.

"Thank you."

Adrian took a better look at himself in the mirror.

Wavy white hair combined with a pair of blue eyes. Tall nose with a sharp jawline, and flawless palish skin.

This boy was quite tall for his age. The only flaw to this body was way too skinny.

But what could he say?

Adrian was unconscious for four months, so it was understandable, and getting more muscle was added to his new homework list.

Overall, Adrian would doubtlessly become a celebrity if he was born in the modern age.

His eyes rolled to the side of the mirror when Marie stepped forward behind him.

"Your Highness, His Grace is waiting for you."

"I understand."

He turned around and Marie was seen offering her hand.

"Shall we?"

Adrian shook his head.

"Thank you, I'm fine."

Silence descended enveloping the room and he could feel how many eyes were piercing him.

Feign ignorant, Adrian opened his mouth.

"Could you show me the way?"

"Ah..."

Marie withdrew her hand with disappointment as she straightened her back and forced out a smile.

"Yes, please this way."

With that, they exited the room and headed to the drawing room.

"Can you tell me more about my grandfather?"

All Adrian knew was that Graham Lancaster was a Duke, nothing more.

But it never hurts to collect a piece or two of information, right?

Marie turned to him and smiled benignly, then she began to explain.

"His Grace is a Commander of the 3rd Corps, the Leader of the Egberg Region in the West, a Sword Master, and the Lancaster Family is known as the Shield of the Aeon Empire."

Ho, he had no idea if his grandfather would be that amazing.

A Commander was the head of a Corps consisting of 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers or knights. **

If he remembered correctly, there was a forest called the Forest of Death which directly faced the Western Border.

A mysterious forest that continued to spawn monsters.

It was written in the novel that many had tried to conquer this forest, but none had ever reached its center.

If it was in Egberg Region, then the meaning of 'the Shield' must be referring to blocking the monster's route to the Aeon Empire.

"I see. Thank you, Nanny."

"It is my pleasure."

Shortly, they arrived in front of a giant door and the guard announced his presence.

"His Highness Prince Adrian is entering!"

The door swung open, revealing two old men and he stepped inside.

An old man with grayish hair wearing a butler uniform bowed as soon as he saw Adrian.

The other had blonde hair with a pair of blue eyes, estimated to be around mid-fifties; he was Graham Lancaster, his grandfather.

"Good day, Duke Lancaster."

Adrian greeted him, however, the man didn't say a word and just eyed him intently.

His grandson addressed him by title and let alone hugged him, he didn't even smile and kept an expressionless face.

It felt strange and after seeing those cold eyes, Graham thought that the boy before him looked nothing like his grandson.

He learned about Adrian's memory loss, but he never heard of how memory loss could change a person's personality.

Although Adrian's eyes appeared indifferent, they weren't.

If you look carefully, his eyes were calm–way too calm; resembling still waters.

Usually, his grandson would be flustered and avert his eyes if he gawked at him too long, yet, looked at him; he gazed back at him nonchalantly.

"Your Grace will burn a hole in His Highness' eyes if Duke Lancaster keeps staring at the Prince like that."

Graham turned to the voice and Marie was seen smiling at him.

"Ah, Marie, it's been a long time."

"It has, Your Grace."

Marie bowed to him and switched to Adrian.

"Your Highness, please have a seat."

He did as she told and Graham followed suit.

Soon, the maid poured tea and they enjoyed it before starting a conversation.

"What happened to your eyes?"

Adrian distanced the teacup from his lips and glanced at Graham.

"I had a nightmare."

A terrifying one–that cookie.

The Duke just chuckled, Adrian would always be Adrian; it seemed he was thinking useless thoughts.

"You looked better than I thought."

"Thank you."

"I'll get to the point since I'm busy."

Graham put down his teacup.

"This is your birthday gift from your mother."

He placed a rectangular box on the table and opened it.

A longsword with its scabbard resting side by side was revealed.

The sword's fuller was carved with an elegant white etching pattern.

But the one that caught Adrian's attention was its blade.

It had distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water; it was doubtlessly Damascus steel.

Adrian took another sip of his tea.

'How interesting.'

Not only visually stunning with their intricate patterns, but they were also known for being incredibly sharp.

However, the recipe for creating them had been lost to history.

Adrian put down his teacup.

"May I try it?"

Graham shrugged.

"It's yours anyway."

He took it out and studied the sword.

Surprisingly, its weight was considered pretty light for a long sword.

Also, imagine how much money he could make if this sword were to be auctioned off in modern times?

"And this man will become your head butler starting today."

Adrian put the sword back in the box and turned to the man introduced by his grandfather.

"Your Highness, my name is Fredinand. If you need any assistance, please feel free to call me."

That old man standing beside Graham was none other than Fredinand; the one who had a body like a fighter which he saw back in the 'sights'.

Curious about his strength, Adrian peeked at his [STATUS WINDOW]. **

'What a surprise.'

Who would have thought the old man before him was a Tier 8 assassin with an average S-rank combat rating?

Looking back at the assassins he had encountered before, they seemed to be nothing compared to Ferdinand.

Adrian turned to Graham and asked.

"Are you sure to leave him with me?"

"Why? Do you not like him because he's too old?"

Adrian shook his head.

"No, it's not like that. I was just asking."

"Why would I mind if I was the one who assigned him to be your new head butler?"

So, in other words, Graham gifted one of his men to him?

Truthfully, it was too much.

But considering the rough path Adrian would walk in, maybe he could use Fredinand as insurance.

"If it's like that, then, thank you so much for the gifts, Your Grace."

"Tsk."

Graham clucked his tongue in annoyance and spoke exasperatedly.

"Could you stop calling me 'Your Grace'? I came here as your grandfather, not as Duke Lancaster."

"I understand."

He sighed and stood.

"Come here."

Adrian did as instructed and soon, warmth wrapped around his body.

Graham embraced Adrian tightly and whispered.

"I'm just glad that you're safe. I promise I'll never let those Delacroix dogs hurt you again."

An indescribable feeling swirled inside.

He knew the love people gave wasn't meant for him, but then again, he had become Adrian.

"Thank you... Grandpa."

Adrian hugged Graham back.

Let's... live his new life.