CHAPTER 484: 483. SPINNING LIES IS MY SECOND NATURE (2)

The lunch at the Lockwoods turned out quite as Ocean had imagined. Count Lewinsteins’s family was also there along with Asher and they only had to ask about Mirielle, her family and to get acquainted Ocean Ryujin himself.

But even they wouldn’t have expected him to come with four kids who clung to him. Sol was carried by Ocean himself who quietly went along with how Ocean treated me but apart from him, the Queen of Mordino, the future Grand Duke of Sestia and the Crown Prince of their own country were hovering around the masked man like his loyal puppies.

There was an unspeakable tension across the large dining hall which was decorated with a feast.

Ocean and Sol seemed like they were only there to eat as they kept their heads down and serving themselves plate after plate.

"Mas-Marquis, would you like to taste this as well? It’s quite delicious." Miri said and Ocean looked at her.

His smile was charming as he accepted the piece of juicy meat that Miri offered him.

"You don’t have to take care of me so much Your Majesty. I’m not a child."

"Nonsense, you always keep neglecting yourself while looking after everyone around you. You should at least have one friend who would remind you of eating." Miri said and Ocean wondered just when had he neglected his own health.

He was a Dragon and there was no way he would get sick or something and also, he had only ever skipped his meals a couple of times but there were people around him who would remind him of his meals and necessities.

Sol coughed lightly making Davian pick up a glass of water and place it before him.

"Besides, I never expected that Sir Asher Lewinsteins of Holy Order to now be working at Ryujin family of Sestia." Arian spoke and Asher all but flinched.

"Well... After I left temple I had nowhere to go and... Master offered me to take me with him so..."

Allan and Count Lewinstein averted their eyes while Angelina looked at Asher, he gave her a smile which she returned with slight melancholy and regret in her eyes.

"It was quite kind of you, Marquis Ryujin." Gareth said.

Davian chuckled, "Master has a habit of collecting strays, most of the people at his estate are like that. It’s become an insider joke for everyone who’s under him that whenever Master goes on a trip, instead of souvenirs he brings back a stray."

Miri chuckled while Sol’s lips also curled up slightly.

"It’s a bit rude to call them strays, Your Highness." Ocean defended and Davian smirked at him.

"What else would you call them, Mas-Marquis? You always go around acting like a parent for every other person whom you find pitiful."

Ocean gave him a knowing look but didn’t say anything except for a smile and Ocean noticed as how Sol had momentarily stopped eating. Ocean placed his hand over his head ruffling his hair a little making Sol look at him.

"Is there anything wrong with that?" Ocean asked Davian, "The ones who don’t have anything need only one hand that could pull them out of the darkness. I’m just at the right place at the right time so, what’s wrong with me wanting to bring them all under my wing of I am capable of it?"

Davian stared at Ocean’s face for a moment before he chuckled, "Can’t deny that..."

Arian also stayed silent for a moment not moving, as if he had recalled the night when Ocean had saved his life from the assassins. They were complete strangers or so he thought but the enemy nation’s person had saved him and he also knew about him. He could have taken away the Dragon sword that Arian had attended had at that time but he didn’t. He healed him and had ever since been an enigmantic presence in his life.

As of today, he had only some respect and more curiosity about the Dragon who probably didn’t care anything about nationality or people’s statuses. What he wanted to do? What he was thinking? What he did? Was all a mystery that he wished to uncover.

After lunch, Ocean managed to get his puppies off his back by getting the kids including Sol to play with them while he talked with Marquis Lockwood. There had been an idea that he had in mind to increase his influence in Denril and strengthen his network lines.

And the most efficient way was-

"Pardon? A trade agreement?" Gareth asked and Ocean smiled.

"Yes, My Lord, I may not look like it but I am affiliated with the Mage’s Tower of Sestia. You might have heard of the magical devices that they create and distribute."

Gareth found it quite hard to believe, he had heard a lot about the Mage’s Tower of Sestia and also about the man who was taking a walk with him. Ocean Ryujin and his Oasis Foundation which though was for the betterment of people but it was an untouchable fortress for those who wanted it for their greedy purposes. Not even the royal family had any say in the administration of the Foundation. It was solely the empire of Ocean Ryujin.

Gareth observed Ocean cautiously before he asked, "I heard their devices are quite expensive and we are still in the initial days of adjusting to the peace between the two kingdoms, My Lord. Wouldn’t there be problems with taxes and distribution rights?"

Ocean chortled, "I know what you’re worried about but don’t worry, the devices that would be distributed now would be in bulk and the profits would be evenly given. The Archmage and I have been talking about this and I am going to talk with both the monarchs of the respective kingdoms well, even with Her Majesty of Mordino so as to show the world of the wonders that the Mage’s Tower can create."

Gareth pondered over it, still unconvinced. Ocean observed him and his brooch started radiating faint glow.

Gareth who saw this gasped, "My-My Lord, your brooch!"

Ocean looked down and smiled, "It’s fine, My Lord. No need to be worried, this is one of the devices that I personally designed."

Gareth was still pretty shaken as he watched Ocean pluck the device off of his lapels and brushed his gloved thumb over it before a voice started spilling from it.

"Master? Master, are you there?"

Gareth stumbled back and Ocean chuckled before explaining, "This is called a communication device. It connects you to the person who is holding a communicated device even if you two are in different corners of the world."

"Master? Who are you talking to?" Kai who had called asked.

Ocean turned his attention to the device and then glanced from the corner of his eye at Gareth who stared at he device with wide eyes.

"I’m here, Kai. How are you?" Ocean spoke.

"I’m good, Master! How are you? Why didn’t you reach back to me when you left? I had been waiting everyday! An-And how’s Sol? Is he having fun there?" Kai asked.

Gareth stared at the device dumbfounded, the voice coming from the brooch was clear and there was even the faint sounds of the background that bled through slowly.

"Are you at Eldarf?" Ocean asked hearing the sounds of kids quarrelling in the background.

"Yes," Kai chuckled, "I was bored without you and Sol so, I came here to play with Big Brothers and Big Sisters."

"Hm? And what about Remi, Enora and others? Don’t you play with them?"

"I do, but... well..." Kai’s voice carried the hint of loneliness and Ocean sighed. He didn’t like leaving Kai behind after what had happened.

"You are safe there, right? Are you following my instructions properly?"

"Yes, Master. I never go anywhere alone and whatever happens I keep the dagger and the devices that you gave me." He responded, Ocean felt somewhat relieved.

Gareth frowned a bit before he asked, "What about his mother?"

"Mother?" Kai questioned, "Who’s with you Master? Did I call at the wrong time?"

Ocean looked at Gareth and then thought of something before his face took on the expression of melancholy, his eyelashes grew downcast.

"I’ll... explain later, child. I am with an acquaintance." Ocean spoke, his tone drenched in silent pain.

Gareth frowned unable to understand what just happened for the tone to shift.

"I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were busy." Kai quickly apologised.

Ocean’s lips curled up in a melancholic smile as the wind blew through his ruffling his coat and making his hair dance.

"No, no." He said, "I’m happy that you called. I’m sorry for leaving you alone like this. I hope you will bear it till I returned Kai. I’ll bring you a lot of gifts."

"Uh... Yes, Master." Kai’s voice was confused but Gareth could only stare at Ocean’s face which was scrunched up.

The radiance that emanated from the brooch faded away and Ocean brought his hand over covering his eyes as he clenched his other fist.

"Marquis, what’s wrong?" Gareth asked and Ocean sighed deeply giving Gareth the same melancholic smile.

"I... couldn’t lie anymore."

Gareth couldn’t understand, "What do you mean? Lie about what?"

Ocean turned his head, "The truth is..."

Gareth listened intently, while Ocean held on to his expression as if he were on stage playing the part of a heartbroken man.

"The truth is... Mirielle has already passed away."

There was a long moment of silence before Gareth snapped out of his trance and almost shouted.

"What?!"

Ocean turned his face looking back at Gareth who’s face was as white as a sheet of paper.

"It’s true, Mirielle had passed away... A while ago."

Gareth was still unable to process as he frowned and then asked.

"But then, how come you told us that she and her family were all right? And even Mr Ace who had visited us looked really happy when he spoke of his wife and son. How could she?"

Ocean reached out and placed his hand over Gareth’s shoulder.

"It was after he returned that it happened, Mirielle had been diagnosed with a disease and the healing magic wouldn’t work on her. My power wasn’t enough to save her so, she chose to leave her son in our hands and..."

Ocean squeezed his eyes shut before he turned away.

"I... I wasn’t able to tell your wife about it because she looked so happy and eager to know about her... In that case, how could I have gone ahead and told her that Mirielle..."

"B-But even Asher seemed to be doing well, I mean, he seemed really happy and even he didn’t tell us..." Gareth fumbled over his words and Ocean looked back at him.

"The news about Mirielle’s death had been only between myself and D’Arc household. My people don’t know about so naturally, I hadn’t told Asher about it and to keep him from suffering through this trauma right when things were working out with his family, I had sent him over to my business partner Duke Aurelius’ family. I thought once the situation was settled we would break the news." Ocean made up a story.

Gareth’s eyebrows were furrowed and lips pursed in a grim line before he asked, "How... is Lord Ace?"

Ocean shook his head, "He drowned himself in work and alcohol after her passing... wouldn’t even look after Kai so, I took Kai to my own place. He had been acting all happy but I knew he would be devastated if he stayed there watching his father waste away behind his mother. One couldn’t do anything while the other mourns, after all."

Ocean added a sniffle and Gareth looked down. He surely hadn’t expected such a painful news, he had heard a lot about Saintess Mirielle not only from his wife and her family but also from the people of the kingdom. Now suddenly hearing of her death was unsettling. But how would he ever tell Angelina about it?

Angelina had been thinking of meeting with her since forever and she had also writing letters and receiving replies. But wait, when was the last reply that she received?

Gareth maintained a long moment of silence before he reached out and placed a hand over his Ocean’s shoulder given it a gentle squeeze.

Ocean closed his eyes giving a silent prayer for Mirielle’s spirit.

[The Preserver is impressed by your acting.]

"You got impressed just with this?"

[The Preserver chuckles.]

[The Preserver has sent the performance clip of your acting to The Eternal Ascetic.]

"You’ve recorded my acting?"

[The Preserver is looking forward to be even more impressed by you.]