A blue carriage stood before the Grand Mooncrest Mansion, waiting for the one who would soon board it. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, but it was comfortable, perfect for a long journey ahead.
All the inhabitants of Mooncrest Mansion stood around the carriage, bidding farewell to their young master. Their eyes were misty, but none of them wanted to send him off with sadness. They loved him too much for that, so they all smiled warmly at him, each smile carrying love, pride, and care.
Aegon smiled back at them, his chest swelling with emotion. He had grown attached to them over the years. Xiu wasn’t the only one who pampered him, after all. Every single person in the mansion treated him like their own.
He turned toward Arnold, who stood beside Xiu, his gaze shifting between his daughter and grandson. His sharp eyes narrowed as he noticed the redness in Xiu’s eyes.
"What happened to your eyes?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
"He punched me," Xiu said flatly, her tone unchanging as she pointed at Aegon.
"At least tell believable lies," Arnold scoffed, shaking his head in disappointment. He then looked at Aegon. "Are you ready? Do you need anything else?"
"I’m ready, and I’ve packed everything," Aegon replied confidently. "And if I ever need something, I’ll just get it. I still have the key to your treasury too."
"And his own money as well," Xiu added helpfully.
’Yeah, money is the last thing I’ll ever need. Even without these extra sources, the system has given me so much wealth I can’t even spend it all,’ Aegon thought with a wry smile.
Arnold smiled proudly and placed a firm hand on Aegon’s shoulder. He squeezed it gently and said, "You are my pride. Remember that."
"Oh, I definitely will," Aegon replied with a wide grin.
"Haha!" Arnold chuckled softly. "Go and explore the world. Achieve whatever you desire. And if you ever feel tired, remember you have a home to return to, and an old man waiting for you. I’m not dying until then."
’A home to return to...’
Arnold couldn’t read the emotions flickering across Aegon’s face, and even Aegon doubted his opa would understand it. In his previous life, he had always dreamed of having a home, a place to return to after leaving the hospital. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
He hadn’t found it then, but in this world, his luck had finally changed.
’I have a home,’ Aegon thought as his lips curled upward, forming one of his most genuine smiles. Coupled with his natural charm, it was a devastating sight, radiant and full of warmth.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, everyone there felt a different kind of love for him, so they only saw him as incredibly handsome.
"Go on, but remember to..." Xiu started, her voice taking on that nagging, motherly tone. Her list of warnings seemed endless, covering everything from proper meals to folding his clothes, as if he were a small child leaving home for the first time.
"Mother Hen, calm down!" Aegon interrupted, shaking her shoulders gently. "I’ll remember everything! Did you forget I have perfect memory?"
"Oh..." Xiu blinked, realizing she had indeed forgotten that little detail. "Anyways, just take care of yourself, and remember, you have no reason to fear anyone. If someone tries to cause trouble, just remember your name: Aegon Valeria Augustus."
"For once, I agree with her," Arnold said, nodding seriously. "Dusk City may not be the capital, but it’s still crawling with arrogant aristocrats. Worse, that Academy is full of pretentious fools. We army men never got along with those types."
’Well, that’s understandable,’ Aegon thought. ’Politics and the military have always been at odds.’
"So what I’m saying is, those people will probably try to make things difficult for you, or even drag you into their political games. Choose your decisions carefully. And if you ever do get involved in politics, remember that you have the Augustus Family behind you."
"I doubt I’ll get into politics," Aegon said with a small smile. "But I’ll remember that. Xiu taught me never to back down when things get tough."
"That’s good," Arnold said, nodding approvingly before ruffling his hair. "Go on then! Your new life is waiting."
Aegon gave Arnold a light hug but not Xiu, because he knew she’d get emotional all over again. She had barely managed to let him go against her own selfish desire to keep him close, so he didn’t want to make it harder for her.
"Well then, I’ll see you both soon," Aegon said, waving at the staff, who waved back tearfully yet cheerfully.
The scene was heartwarming enough to make his smile linger. He truly felt blessed to have so many people who loved him.
As Xiu watched him step into the carriage, she whispered under her breath, "Hecte, make sure no filthy bandits even dare to cross his path."
Xiu froze as Arnold’s heavy tone cut through the air. She turned toward him, startled. "Dad..."
"His dream is to explore the world," Arnold said, his tone calm but firm. "And he will see both the best and the worst parts of it. You can’t protect him from everything."
"I can!" Xiu protested instantly. "I can and I will protect him! He doesn’t need to see the dark side of the world. Why should I let anything taint his pure soul?"
"He’s the sun," Arnold said simply.
"And I don’t like that fact!" Xiu snapped, turning away. "He doesn’t need to shoulder responsibilities like that. Let him be the normal person he is and enjoy his life. If it takes my whole being to protect him from the darkness, then I’ll gladly give everything."
Arnold sighed and gently placed a hand on her head. "Do you know who was behind Nana’s death?"
Xiu froze instantly. Her eyes darkened as rage flickered across her face, memories flashing through her mind like lightning.
"He’s a Valerian," Arnold said quietly. "And they won’t let another Valerian live. Aegon will have to face them one day...inevitably. Don’t hinder his growth when that time comes."
He then looked toward the flickering shadow beneath the carriage and said in a low tone, "Just follow his orders. Don’t act on your own. He knows what’s best for him."
Xiu huffed angrily, clenching her fists. She turned to leave, but not before leaving behind a final declaration.
"Dad, we once chose him over revenge, and I’ll gladly do it again. But if they ever dare to touch even a single strand of his hair, then I, Chen Xiu, swear on my ancestors—I’ll wipe every single demon off the face of this continent. Remember that!"
As she ran off, Arnold sighed deeply, watching her retreating figure. He turned back toward the carriage, his eyes slowly shifting to a pale, ghostly white.
"Silly girl," he muttered softly, a chilling calmness in his tone. "You won’t get that chance, because White Death is already coming for them."