The Emperor's Omega Is An Extra-Chapter 265: Initial History (7)

The memories of Arren’s birthday were both bitter and sweet to him. But more than that, it was still an experience that he would never forget.

The happiness that he felt magnified his fantasy, and the pain that came after brought him back to his reality. Even though Arren expected it, being rejected for the first time still left a faint scar in his heart and even confidence.

After that night, while he said that he would still continue his visit to the palace, Arren was still compelled to give himself a buffer. He didn’t visit the palace for a few months; at least he had an excuse for himself.

He was not avoiding the emperor; the school year had only started and he was busy, that was all. Of course, it was debatable if he himself was convinced by this reason.

"Heartless," Arren muttered in the air as he pursed his lips. Looking at the big screen, where the news was reporting the emperor’s visit to an institution.

He bit his lips and looked away. Being heartbroken didn’t mean a thing; at the end of the day, Arren still liked him. Sighing to his heart, the car continued on its way until the big screen couldn’t be seen or heard anymore.

Leaning on the windows, he shut his eyes. What even was he doing? Was he too naive to think that if he didn’t visit, the emperor would visit him first? That was a delusion he couldn’t even dare to think about.

The emperor might even think that he was already giving up his ’innocent feelings’ after being rejected, which was normal for those youths his age.

What he was doing was only tormenting himself. Arren had thought about it over and over again, and the conclusion he reached was all the same. He missed the emperor. Arren badly wants to see him again.

It didn’t matter that he only thought of him as a kid. Arren only wanted to see him and talk with him again. Perhaps he could also get accustomed to this, and without knowing it, his feelings would fade eventually.

He hoped so. Although a part of him was unconvinced that it would come true.

As his mind raced, he seemed to have decided.

"Let’s visit the palace." All his thoughts merged into that one simple decision.

After avoiding coming into the palace for months, Arren found himself again before the garden, which hosted all his visits. In fact, he could even confidently declare that he was more familiar with this place compared to those royal attendants who were living in the palace.

As soon as he entered the garden and approached the center where the small table was located, Arren froze where he stood. The corner of his eyes heated up, and he clenched his lips.

"What is this?" he mumbled; faint resentment could be heard in his voice. "How can you do this knowing I... I’ll continue to hope."

There at the table, fresh cookies and cakes were served, as they always had been. No one was there, but it was obvious that this arrangement was prepared for him.

Arren slowly approached the table, sitting in his usual seat, as he took one cookie and bit it. The familiar taste quickly graced his tongue after a few months.

He lowered his head and ate quietly. At that moment, his decision became firm. Staying by His Majesty’s side, Arren couldn’t think of the reason why he couldn’t.

For what would happen in the future, or if this decision would hurt him more than just being rejected in the end, Arren chose to enjoy the present. The future affairs were for future Arren to deal with.

"Arren?" The calm voice, which he hadn’t heard for months, sounded behind him.

Arren, who was sitting at the table while preparing the tea, turned around and gave a carefree smile.

"Hello, Your Majesty." His cheerful greeting, devoid of any respectful stance, made the ambiance rather comfortable.

Like he said, being oblivious to anything, Arren would try to master it from today onwards.

As they stared at each other, the fleeting time passed, and soon the routine had returned. It was as if the confession and rejection didn’t happen at all.

A year had passed once more; Arren had turned 16 years old. His appearance had become more profound; rumors of him had already spread in the capital, and his suitors had only increased.

Arren didn’t care too much about it, and he never entertained suitors or set up dates among nobles. His appearance hardly made a difference to him, as it was useless against someone he admired so much.

A year had passed again, but Arren’s feelings had hardly changed. He still liked the emperor, but what he learned over the past year was his ability to control his feelings.

Interacting with the emperor without feelings involved seemed to be his norm. At least he never tried to bring up his feelings again. His act was so successful that Arren also seemed to forget it on the surface.

The annual banquet, which all nobles and even dignitaries attend or hope to attend, was happening. The event wasn’t too formal; in a sense, socializing among nobles was much more casual.

Arren looked at the wine in front of him or the servants who were serving drinks with desire and curiosity in his eyes. He couldn’t help but gulp as he watched some nobles drink from their glasses.

He was at the age when curiosity about the taste of alcohol or the desire to try pretty much anything was at its peak. Of course, if he did drink alcohol, he wouldn’t see the end of it from his dad.

However, one sip... should be fine, right?

Smacking his lips, as his hand, which was about to reach out on one glass of wine, a fake cough interrupted his thoughts.

Deeply startled, Arren almost jumped, and his heart raced as though he were caught committing a crime. His neck hurriedly snapped to the side, and he looked at the newcomer. Immediately, his face soured.

"So, it’s just you." Arren failed to hold his expression; his displeasure was clearly conveyed.

The newcomer laughed at his reaction, not the least bit offended, as if already used to it. Instead, his eyes shifted to the rows of wine glasses on the table and to Arren with a knowing grin.

Arren swallowed and clasped his hand. He would never admit that he thought of taking one sip of the wine.

"Why are you here, Chief Levin?" Arren diverted the topic; his tone, though, wasn’t respectful at all.

The one in front of him was Levin Ford, the Chief of the Royal Guards and the head bodyguard of the emperor. Not to mention, he had rightfully royal blood in his veins as Princess Coreen’s son, the emperor’s paternal aunt.

If one could hear how he was acting against him, they would undoubtedly drop their jaws in shock. Even as the son of the Duke, his brazen act was an act of disrespect towards the emperor’s right-hand man.

Of course, as Arren was often visiting the palace, or, in other words, the emperor, how could he not encounter Levin? They were already extremely familiar with each other at this point.

Like earlier, Levin only laughed at his question and lack of respect. He leaned forward until his lips were already beside Arren’s ears.

"His Majesty is looking for you."

Arren’s eyes widened, and he forgot that the one in front of him was his nemesis for a moment.

The emperor is looking for me? fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

His eyes twinkled with anticipation, and he instinctively grabbed Levin’s arm to guide and see the emperor.

The two forgot their ambiguous position in the hall full of prying eyes. Surely, rumors spread the next day.