The Emperor's Omega Is An Extra-Chapter 267: Initial History (9)

It wasn’t hard to think that it was the emperor’s doing. Even his father, who wasn’t against him visiting the palace, began to give him various chores or take him somewhere.

Arren could sense that his father was doing this under the order of someone, or at least he was giving some hints. Who else in this empire could have a bigger influence on his father than the emperor himself?

As days passed, the bluish and white lanterns began to decorate the households and establishments of the empire. The Moonlight Festival, one of the great celebrations in the empire, had arrived.

The Katz Mansion was livelier these days as their relatives or part of the House of Katz from their domain came into the capital as per tradition.

However, even though the mansion was lively, Arren couldn’t fully enjoy the once-a-year festival. The banquet on the last day of the festival was one of the most sought-after, and banquets are usually held. It was the same in the Katz mansion and other noble or normal households.

Looking at his relatives having the time of their lives and talking with each other, Arren didn’t have the intention or the mood to get along with them.

On the table, it was him, and his father was left. His father should be talking with the other elders, but Arren was aware he was not leaving because of him. His mood was especially obvious to the Duke.

"Is there something wrong, son?" His voice filled with worry lingered in the air for a few seconds before Arren managed to lift his head and looked at his father.

"Dad..." Arren pursed his lips and fidgeted with his fingers, suddenly having a hard time asking.

"Hmm?" His father gestured for him to continue.

Swallowing his dry saliva, Arren chose to voice out what had been bothering him these days.

"Dad, am I not allowed to visit the palace again?" His gaze never leaves his father’s face. He wanted to know his reaction and, if he could, read his expression.

The Duke, even if he guessed it to some extent, was still slightly surprised. His behavior couldn’t be concealed from Arren’s current scrutinizing gaze.

Arren’s heart further sank. Was he really prohibited from visiting the palace now? Why? Did he do something wrong? More than being suddenly restricted from visiting, Arren was especially bothered by what he did for the emperor to stop him from visiting.

As much as he could remember, the last time they saw each other was the night of the annual banquet. Arren couldn’t recall that he had done anything at all.

"So... I’m right." Arren’s lips twisted into a bitter smile and he lowered his head; his mood further darkened.

Looking at his son, the Duke sighed and gently stroked his son’s hair as though giving comfort.

"I also don’t know."

His answer seemed only an excuse for Arren. However, Arren couldn’t come up with anything to say in the end. His mind was still preoccupied with the reason.

Perhaps... Was it because of his obvious feelings?

After the Moonlight Festival and the fact that his father had taken him to visit the Katz Domain, the vacation served as a good distraction for him. And they only returned when school was about to resume. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

A week after school started, on a weekend, Arren received an invitation. An invitation to visit the palace.

"His Majesty the Empress invited me?" Looking at the royal attendant, Arren couldn’t help but cut in. His confusion was written in his eyes.

The empress and him really did get acquainted that last time, but Arren couldn’t say it was enough for the empress to invite him to tea in the palace.

His father, the Duke, at his side, wore a rather unusual expression. Even though he was trying to maintain his composed expression in front of Arren and especially the royal attendant, the Duke’s expression still had a hint of unease.

Arren didn’t know the reason why. Was being invited by the empress that bad?

"Uh... Dad, should I go?" Arren leaned over and whispered.

He was an official noble, and being invited to a party never needed permission from his father, but that was only if the party involved the nobles of his age.

An invitation from the mother empress was a whole different league; he needed his father’s opinion.

His father looked at him, no, stared at him for a few seconds before exhaling a sigh. Instead of answering Arren, he faced the royal attendant and smiled.

"Being invited by His Majesty the Empress is an honor. My son... will surely come." His tone, however, carried a hint of worry.

As decided, the next day, Arren set foot again on the palace grounds. Arren also knew that refusing the empress’ invitation was akin to disrespecting him, so he really had no choice but to come.

In all honesty, Arren was also very willing to come and visit the palace. The place which he had always frequented for the past couple of years, but it had been a while since he visited again.

For some reason, his nerves were tense, and the comfortable sense that he always had when visiting was not present. Arren was undeniably nervous about what was about to happen, or at least the possibility of seeing someone he had always wanted to see.

"Young Master Arren, this way, please."

Arren was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the voice of the royal attendant who welcomed him at the entrance of the palace. When he visited the palace, Arren would go straight to the garden. This was his first time being escorted by a royal attendant.

He blinked and stood politely. "Ah, yes." He tried to smile, but there was still awkwardness in the air. The royal attendant seemed to not mind his mood, and she started walking.

Their way was familiar to him, the same direction in which he often passed when going to the garden, but they didn’t stop and went deeper. Even for Arren, the place was new to him.

Soon, they stopped in front of a room.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Arren is here." The royal attendant announced his arrival, and the door opened from the inside.

Arren took a cautious step forward and was greeted by the empress.

"Arren, you’re here. Come and join me." The mother empress’ tone was still as gentle and friendly as ever, but for some reason, he was too... friendly.

Of course, Arren couldn’t think of too much, and he joined soon after. Being in the vicinity of the mother empress, he hardly could think of anything and went along with the conversation.

Although his awkwardness hasn’t changed since their last meeting. Arren also felt something strange about the whole ordeal but he had to focus and not think of anything else.

The tea time ended a few hours later; even Arren was surprised at how the time had passed. After giving his farewell, of which the empress made sure he promised to return and visit him again, Arren prepared to go home.

Treading the same path earlier, Arren soon stopped in his tracks. His gaze landed on someone who stood in his way.

The familiar casual grin that graced his lips was still evidently present despite the unusual atmosphere. Levin Ford, the emperor’s Chief Royal Guard.

Seeing the man made Arren’s heart pound in a more unsettling yet also expecting way. His gaze, which gave his thoughts, stared straight at him, waiting for what he came for, anticipating something.

Levin opened his mouth with a toothy grin, as if about to tease Arren again, but seeing his complexion, he seemed to have decided to drop it and speak of his intentions.

"Your Majesty has been waiting for you."

Arren’s breath hitched, and the pounding of his heart increased significantly. Just thinking of the emperor who was waiting for him made him want to run and eagerly meet him. However, he was also afraid. Arren wasn’t so sure of the reason why the emperor wanted to see him.

No matter how conflicted Arren’s thoughts were, he still found himself following Levin.