Not-So an Extra

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Resting against the plush backrest, Adrian's cerulean eyes gazed out of the carriage window at the passing scenery.

"Hmm…"

The boy crossed his arms and hummed as his thoughts took flight.

Two weeks after the conference, the Kearny Kingdom Ambassador arrived at the request of the Emperor to discuss the peace treaty.

Upon negotiating, Arthur inquired about the national coat of arms, and the response was as expected—it was a forgery.

According to the Kearny Kingdom's Ambassador, the emblem's reverse side contained codes identifying its owner. 

Additionally, the Ambassador noted that the material of the authentic emblem was different from that of the counterfeit versions.

All in all, everything was exactly as he had stated in the Conference Hall.

The Ambassador of Kearny Kingdom was shocked to learn that an organization attacked the Empire's refugee camp while pretending to be them. 

He vehemently denied that his kingdom had dispatched any army, let alone one of such a large quantity.

Following successful negotiations, the Imperial and Kearny Ambassadors departed for the Kearny Kingdom as planned in search of valuable resources.

Ferdinand also conveyed that the peace treaty would be signed upon the arrival of the Princess from the Kearny Kingdom.

Yes, the treaty would be finalized through the marriage between the two nations, resulting in Arthur gaining a new consort.

As the new palace was being constructed for the Kearny Princess, her anticipated arrival was estimated to be within three to four months.

Well, now that he screwed the novel's plot, would anything change in this world?

Nevertheless, Adrian shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, his heart light with no regrets. 

"The world is destined to keep rotating."

If there was a change, then that was the protagonist's problem, not him.

Excuse me; he was just simply living his life.

'Why should I let a mere book dictate my life? The novel's plot can go to hell for all I care.'

Soon after, the carriage came to a gentle halt, followed by Ferdinand's voice.

"Your Highness, we have arrived."

Ferdinand opened the carriage door, and Adrian stepped out. 

He approached an elderly man standing nearby, and the head butler quickly bowed to greet him with respect.

"I greet His Highness, Prince Adrian."

Adrian nodded in acknowledgment.

"You may rise."

Quickly complying with his order, the old man began again.

"Your Highness, kindly follow me. I will be your guide."

"Please."

The old man promptly resumed his guidance, leading them down the grandiose hallway of the palace.

He was currently at the Emperor's Palace in response to his father's invitation to a luncheon.

When a thought kicked in, Adrian asked the man in front of him.

"Has my brother arrived?"

"Yes, Your Highness. His Highness Prince Nathaniel arrived fifteen minutes ago."

"I see."

Arthur invited them for a luncheon before their departure to return to the Academy.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at a giant mahogany door. 

The butler stepped aside and bowed, gesturing for Adrian to enter.

"Your Highness, we have arrived. Please, head inside."

Nodding his head, the guard hastily opened the door and announced his arrival.

"His Highness Prince Adrian is entering!"

As he stepped into the dining room, his eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. 

There, he could see a black-haired boy waving his hand with his cheeky smile intact. 

Adrian let out a smirk and made his way over to him.

"It's been a while."

Nathaniel greeted him, and Adrian nodded upon settling down next to him.

"Yes, it has."

It had been two weeks since their last encounter.

Shortly, Nathaniel initiated a conversation, and they chatted casually.

However, Adrian couldn't help but notice how vastly different this interaction was from their first meeting.

Back then, their conversation had been stilted and dry, with barely a word exchanged between them.

But look at this now; their conversation flowed easily and naturally.

It seemed he was getting more and more comfortable around this bastard, huh?

Nevertheless, their dialogue came to an abrupt halt when the guard announced Arthur's arrival. 

"His Majesty the Emperor is entering!"

The boys quickly stood up when the door swung open, revealing a regal figure with white hair walking into the room.

They hastily bowed and greeted him.

"We greeted His Majesty the Emperor."

Arthur took his seat at the head of the table and beckoned for his sons to do the same. 

"Have a seat."

Settling back into their seats, the man turned his attention toward his two sons.

"So, how are you feeling today?"

Nathaniel and Adrian exchanged a quick glance before responding. 

"We're doing well, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking." 

Arthur stretched a gentle smile and nodded in satisfaction. 

"Good to hear. Also, I will tell you the details later; for now, let's enjoy the luncheon."

Shifting his sight toward the maids and butler in the corner of the room, the Emperor ordered.

"Bring the food."

Thus, maids and butlers immediately arranged the food on the table. 

As they ate, the room was filled with a solemn silence, broken only by the sound of utensils clinking against plates.

Finished with their meal, the maids placed a teacup in front of each of them and poured steaming hot tea into them. 

Adrian watched how the hot steam danced on top of the tea before dissipating into thin air.

The silence in the room was palpable as they sipped their tea, waiting for their father to speak. 

And finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Arthur spoke.

"Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my sons for their heroic actions that prevented a potentially disastrous accident at the refugee camp. However—"

Arthur paused, his expression turning serious.

Adrian didn't know, but he had a premonition of something ominous.

"—I heard an interesting story."

Arthur fixed his gaze on him and continued.

"That someone risked his life by casting numerous gigantic Magic Circles until he fell unconscious for three days."

Soon, his magenta eyes swiveled toward the black-haired boy.

"Not only him but there was also another who foolishly chased the enemy alone and nearly lost an arm due to his recklessness."

Arthur let out a deep sigh; his disappointment was palpable.

"While I appreciate the noble deed that both of you have done, it does not justify your wrong actions. Therefore, I regret to inform you that you will both be grounded for a year."

And what the fuck was that?