Hearing Edwen say, "Uncle," with Aria next to him, his eyes went wide, and his mouth hung open in complete shock.

Uncle? ... Why, Uncle? ... uncle… … … UNCLE!!!

What the heck does Edwen mean by uncle?! Wait, is Athrun royalty? No, that can't be right, can it? The current king only has two brothers; one of them is married to a ducal family, and the other is married to one of our allied kingdoms.

I've studied the faces of every person of high importance to the kingdom and others, so remembering their two faces and the kings as well, I turn my head to stare at Athrun's face and look at him closely with many thoughts going through my mind.

He showed some similarities to them, but some differences. Could he be an illegitimate child of the previous king? No, that isn't right either because Edwen knows about Athrun, which means the royal family knows about his existence. If Athrun were an illegitimate child, he would be dead or taken in by the royal family unofficially and have his existence completely hidden and confined from the public eye, since this world is medieval and all; they can't have royal blood be spread to the commoners. However, both options can't be right because I would have heard something about it before I ran away through rumors, or it would have been taught to me as part of my noble upbringing.

"My, my, there you are, Edwen—no, I mean Philip. Is that what you call yourself these days?"

Aria, also hearing Edwen say "uncle" without knowing, and Athrun's casual demeanor like they knew each other, her eyes darted between the two of them in disbelief, and she put two and two together and gasped.

"Huh? Uncle? Wait, what?"

"Ah, you must be Ilesha, I believe. It's so nice to meet you."

Bowing, acting much like a gentleman, which kind of took me by surprise, but only the very tiniest bit, since I was still trying to put the pieces together on how Athrun was a member of royalty, he then said.

"Why don't we go somewhere much more private? It is my treat. We have much to discuss, Philip."

Returning to his usual aloof smile, he directed it toward Edwen—but there was a faintly menacing edge to it, as if he were quietly angry at someone in particular.

Taking a step back and gulping, Edwen asks. "Uncle, what are you doing here? I—I thought you were busy with more important matters other than me?"

"Oh, Philip, are you implying that I can't make time for my dear nephew? What kind of uncle would I be? After all, I was just passing by, and the least I could do was stop to say hello."

Reading between the lines, Aria yelped, realizing that Athrun already knew about Edwen secretly traveling with them to find me. Aria took a moment to gather up her courage and pleaded, trying to shift the blame so it wouldn't fall entirely on Edwen.

"Please, don't blame Edwen. I was the one who told him to come with me."

Looking away from Edwen, his menacing aura was, for some reason, gone, replaced with a gentle one that kind of admired her bravery.

"There's no need to be afraid. Like I said, I'm only here to see you since I happen to be passing through on business, specifically with Blake. Now then, let's go. I know a good place where we can talk."

Saying that, Athrun told us to follow him. However, as we walked, Edwen looked at me strangely for some reason. Different from how he usually looked at me, he looked like he wanted to ask something, relating to Athrun saying that he had business with me.

Reaching a fancy-looking restaurant, a doorman was there to greet us in, followed by a waiter who led us to a private room. They all, for some reason, seem to be familiar with Athrun or given prior notice of our arrival, or a mix of both, which seems strange.

Either way, after being seated in a private room and ordering what's on the menu, with the waiters leaving, Athrun was the first to speak.

"Okay, let's see. Ah, yes, Edwen."

Straightening a bit when Athrun said his name, "Yes, uncle."

"Your mother and father are very concerned about you. Have you written to them yet? I've presumed you know how much trouble you're in when you come back."

"Yes, I am very much aware."

"Huh, I figured as much. Good luck with that; your mother is quite scary when she is mad, especially so when you ran away for a couple of months."

Gulping at Athrun's comment about the queen, from what I personally know of her, I could say he is definitely screwed, and it was good luck knowing him, which is all I'm going to say.

Huh… it has been quite a long time since I last thought of Queen Amalee. When we met, she honestly felt more like my actual mother than the one I have in this life, granted, I never actually knew what it was like to have one, since I was an orphan and never really knew who my parents were in my past life.

"So then, since we are very much on the topic, how is your search for Lady Rita going?'

Raising an eyebrow at what he had said, Edwen nearly jumped up from his seat, but he stopped himself and answered.

"Uncle, Blake is here with us. Why did you reveal that to him?"

Shrugging his shoulders, "Well, I know you still haven't found her; maybe Blake can help since I can trust his ability, and the fact that you have less than a week to find her.

Looking to face me, he then said, "However, that's not the reason I'm telling him all this. He's mainly here to watch over all of you. You see, your mother originally wanted me to do it, but I'm far too busy, so I've asked Blake to take my place instead."

Reading between the lines of what he was saying, I couldn't help but feel a bit impressed and admittedly pleased. I was surprised that Athrun knew that I was trying to mislead them and that he was helping me by actually letting me in on their secret mission to find me.

"Blake, I know a week is not enough time to find her, but you could at least find some more leads on her whereabouts. The communication artifact should be more than enough of a reward, right?"

Edwen, hearing the word communication artifact, I saw him make a visible reaction. There was something more to Athrun, just paying me to help and watch over them, which I already knew about, vaguely, more like I'd been unknowingly inducted into something from what I can tell from him.

Knowing Athrun, he likely won't tell me for now, so I'd better not ask and just play along.

"I guess so, but I need to be filled in on the details from you, your highness Prince Edwin Selendrai, Third Prince of the Kingdom of Selendrai, and Lady Aria Ravenwell, daughter of Baron Ravenwell."

Listening to me list both of their real names, they seem shocked that I knew, so Aria was the first to speak.

"Blake, how do you know that?"

Not saying that they didn't really hide their identity all that well; granted, I'm one to talk, but it makes it easy for Clare to track them.

The only reason the kingdoms Edwen has traveled to find me haven't really made any accusations yet is because of the plausible deniability of it all, which I guess is what Edwen is banking on if he does not get caught, especially since he's surprisingly good at evading notice or capture, thanks to Clare of all people.

"I have my sources, plus bounties placed on you all, specifically Prince Edwen, made it pretty easy for me to know who you all are."

"Wait, what?" Astonished that a bounty was placed on them, I was surprised that they didn't know about it.

"You don't know?"

"Umm… no, but I didn't think anyone would do something that crazy."

Shrugging my shoulders, "That's fair enough, but you should have known something was up when people were constantly coming after you, Prince Edwen."

Stunned into silence, it was like he was piecing it all together and was too embarrassed to admit that Aria spoke for him.

"Blake, umm… We kind of thought that we were really unlucky because, umm… those assassins that came to us weren't really the biggest thing we had to worry about."

"How so?"

Not acting any differently from how I am talking to them right now, since I already knew the culprit, I ask that, pretending not to know.

"We kind of had to fight off hordes of monsters or a really strong one once every week."

"Really?"

Sensing Athrun's thoughts under his seemingly amused snicker. Thankfully, it was more about how similar both their parties are instead of Athrun knowing that Clare was the one who sent those monsters and people after them, which he doesn't seem to know anything about.

Making sure I was pondering, I pretended to be silent till Aria then asked me.

"So, Blake, are you really going to help us find Rita?"

Looking at her, I ask. "By Rita, do you mean Rita Lucendi, Eric's younger sister, who I heard had gone missing?"

"Yes, that is her. You're really well informed. His Highness, Prince Athrun—"

Cutting in, "Just call me Athrun; there is no need for honorifics here, please."

"Ah… yes, Mr. Athrun, you have really chosen a capable person. So thank you for the help."

Bowing deeply, Aria genuinely thanked me for helping them find me, which honestly makes things a bit too awkward because I really felt kind of bad for lying to her, Edwen, not too much, but Aria seemed so pure that it kind of hurt to lie to her.

So, trying not to get too sentimental about it since this is my life and Clare's at stake, I asked.

"So, why don't we get started by filling me in on your activities for the last couple of months, as well as any details you want to share?"

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Preceding to catch me up on everything, but in reality, it's more just filling in the details since I already knew about most of it from Clare. Granted, hearing what Clare threw at them from a first-hand account, I internally grimace, hearing all that because it felt like she had a personal grudge against them.

So, filling in parts that Clare and I didn't know, such as all the connections they have made, followed by enemies, their journey to places Clare couldn't really keep track of, their thought process of finding me, etc.

With all that in mind, it did help shape what I already knew about their journey to find. After listening to it, which I couldn't help but find deeply ironic, after all the time and effort they'd spent searching, the person they were looking for was right in front of them.

After explaining all that, Edwen asks what I think, wanting my opinion on the matter, which I give.

"When you all came to Acton, did you all not think the lead you found that says Rita went over to the neighboring country was planted by Rita herself?"

"Yes, however, it was the only one we've managed to find, and we confirmed it when we visited a town in the neighboring country, when someone saw someone who matched Rita's appearance, which confirms our original lead."

"I see, then, how you thought of the possibility that Rita had someone who led you all astray? It would have made sense that she stayed here since she still has connections and allies, instead of gambling it all in another kingdom she hasn't ever been to, just after running away."

Taking a moment to think it over, Edwen and Aria were both open books, Edwen the most, which I was kind of disappointed to see since he should know the version of me I presented to him whenever we meet, but oh well, it's a benefit to me, so I won't complain at all.

"I… I… didn't think of that."

Saying that, Edwen placed a finger on his chin and thought, which Aria then asked.

"Does that mean Rita is still in the kingdom? Do you know where she might have gone?"

Already preparing a lie to tell, which, after much thought put into it, I said.

"Most likely, Acton, after she came here to Farsbarow, but after that, I'm not sure."

"Acton? Why do you think that?"

Edwen, saying that, look at me on why I thought Acton was a place I would go specifically.

"Simple, it's the closest city to Farsbarow, and since it's a city, it's a good place to meet up with some of her connections or maybe lose her tracks since it's almost impossible to find someone there due to how big it is and the number of people coming in and out there; they can't really have an accurate log of everyone."

"Is that so?"

Immediately getting up from his chair, Edwen looked like he was about to leave for Acton, but I stopped him and said.

"Edwen, stop."

"Huh? What is it, Blake? We don't have time to waste."

"You have to think about this logically. What I told you is only speculative, nothing more."

"How so? If you say she is or was in Acton, then we should go?"

"No, I think we should confirm things here to get our facts right."

"Won't that leave us with too little time to go to Acton to find Rita?"

"Yes, but if you go now, then we wouldn't have any concrete idea of where Rita has gone. So that is why, after you get back home, why don't you let me go to Acton and try to find any trace if she was there?"

Then, turning to look at Athrun, I ask. "Isn't that right? It's part of our agreement that I also help them when I can after I watch over them."

Nodding yes, "Yes, that is also what we agree on."

Playing along, I waited for Edwen's response, which, within my expectations, was that he sat right down and contemplated.

"Okay, I guess you're right."

Good, so he fell for my lies. Getting them off my back should be easy after they leave. I'll just say that I couldn't find any traces or some traces that lead to another place in a letter.

"Wow, you're really amazing, Blake. We would have never figured that out on our own."

"Yes, Blake, those are some excellent deductions right there."

Smirking as he said that, Athrun leaned back slightly in his chair, looking like he wanted to laugh under his aloof smile, to which he then said.

"Well then, I believe that's all for now, and I believe our food should be ready any moment."

Snapping his fingers, the door to our private room opened, and several waiters came in with our food ready.

Placing our food in front of us, I saw Edwen got a steak with a wine reduction sauce served alongside roasted potatoes. Aria got some lamb chops with a drizzle of mint sauce and a side of vegetables. Athrun got pan-seared white fish with a light herb sauce, with wild rice and buttered asparagus.

As for me, contrary to what they ordered, I decided to treat myself.

"Wow, Blake, you seem to have a sweet tooth."

"My, that is something new. I, too, didn't know you had a big sweet tooth."

Aria and Athrun, look at what I've ordered, which was a lemon tart, a slice of chocolate cake, and a very large strawberry sundae that was the size of my head.

I don't usually eat this much sugar, but it's been a long time since I ate any, and Clare would usually say no whenever I ask her to make something with a lot of sugar, since it's bad for me.

"Eh," shrugging my shoulders, "you could say that."

So, picking up a spoon, I dug into the strawberry sundae first and thought, "God, I miss this," as the vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth, followed by the sweet and fruity strawberry sauce swirl in the ice cream.

And after 5 or 6 spoonfuls, I decided to switch it up a bit with the slice of chocolate cake and the lemon tart I had ordered to break away from the sweetness of the strawberry sundae.

Continued alternating between the strawberry sundae, chocolate cake, and lemon tart, happily savoring each bite as I went.

Aria and Edwen's perspective

Aria, taking a bite of her lamb chops, was a bit self-conscious about minding her manners. Watching Edwen and Athrun eating their food with manners befitting royalty, and Blake, who was also surprisingly elegantly eating and switching between his strawberry sundae, chocolate cake, and lemon tart, which was close to Edwen and Athrun's own table manners, she made sure she was consciously doing the same.

Edwen, on the other hand, calmly ate his meal, but he couldn't help but steal glances at Blake, who seemed to be enjoying himself eating all three of his desserts. A small pang of bitterness fills his mind watching him, not because of him getting Aria's attention, but his uncle's.

As the third prince who is not destined for the crown, he was instead made to be his uncle's successor. Though he does not know what his uncle does, he knows that it is important, as much so as the king. It requires him to not only be smart but also really strong as an individual and deeply resourceful.

Yet, Blake, someone from commoner origins, is someone who meets all those criteria. Remembering the communication artifact his uncle gave to Blake, he understood its significance. It was something like a sign of trust or a rite of passage from what he knew, something his uncle would give him once he thought he was ready to join the order he was in, which was unknown to almost everyone, even himself, save for the king and queen and other select individuals.

Not really tasting the food in front of him, only one thing was purely on his mind: who the hell was Blake?

I'd better investigate him once I get back home. Thinking this to himself, Edwen continued to take short glances at Blake, expressionless, while Blake enjoyed his meal, to get as much information out of him as he could.

Being a prince, he has his own information network, but he thought that he should be careful investigating him because if Blake were as capable as his uncle thinks, he may or may not be treading on dangerous ground.

Continuing to eat, and once they all had finished, Blake was the first to get up, announcing.

"Thanks for the meal; I guess I have work to do."

"Huh? Wait, Blake, aren't you coming to investigate with us?"

Shaking his head at Aria's question, he responded.

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline. Since Athrun hired me, I'll have to contact some people."

"Oh, really? I see, thank you for helping us."

"I'm being paid for it, so see you tomorrow, and I'll tell you what I could find."

Arai, a bit impressed that Blake immediately wasted no time getting to work on finding Eric's younger sister, Edwen's eyes twitched as jealousy overtook him, replacing the bitterness that had filled his mind.

However, due to his uncle being in the same room as him, he held his tongue and did nothing.

Quickly leaving, Edwen and Aria were about to leave also, till Athrun stopped them.

"Wait, you two, I have something else to ask you."

Hearing Athrun stopping them, Edwen's face lit up till…

"It's about these two things I've found."

Taking out and presenting them a pair of throwing knives, both Aria's and Edwen's eyes widen seeing the throwing knives that belonged to Blake, that were kept in their room, now in front of them, in Athrun's hands.

"I wonder who these belong to?"

Letting out a loud yelp, Aria looked panicked, as if she'd been caught doing something she definitely shouldn't have.

Also a bit panicked, Edwen managed to regain his composure really quickly due to his upbringing as a prince and said.

"Umm… uncle, how did you get that?"

With a smile, he nonchalantly said, "I took it from that… umm… what was his name? ... Ah, right, Serell's room, you see. It was quite easy, you know. But anyway, I'm curious, nephew, why do you have something like this? You know you're not supposed to have these things?"

Hearing what he said, Edwen was confused, and he asked, "What do you mean, uncle?"

Genuinely expressing confusion over his response, Athrun sighs and answers with a slightly disappointed look, his usual smile gone.

"So you haven't been keeping up with your studies when you were off on your adventures then?"

Not responding, as Edwen felt shame as he heard his uncle's mildly disappointed voice, which sounded to him as deep disapproval, he gritted his teeth at himself for not doing that, even though during his journey to find Rita, he practically had no time to do so. However, thinking to himself, as his uncle's successor, that should be completely doable for him.

Seeing Edwen gripping his hand tightly under his false mask that hid his actual expression, Aria spoke up, trying to cover for Edwen again.

"Mr. Athrun, please don't blame it only on Edwen. If… if… studying is all he needs, I'll gladly help him catch up with everything he needs to know."

"Really? You know it's quite a lot, even for me? It could take months?"

"I am well aware."

Firmly saying that, Athrun smirked at her response, filled with her emotions, with not any deceit in it.

Snickering a bit, "My, what a spirited response. Are you really going to keep that promise?"

Nodding up and down, she firmly said, "Yes."

Then, turning to look at Edwen, "I am impressed; you've certainly chosen a suitable fiancée."

Hearing the first part, Edwen's initial emotion was gone, and he was filled with happiness from his praise till his face turned all red hearing the second part.

Not only him, but Aria too, to which Edwen shouted stutteringly.

"Uncle! Please, we are looking for my fiancée Rita; it's improper to bring that up!"

Shrugging, "Ex, you mean? Plus, I think it's best that Rita didn't marry you, even if she had magical powers. For now, let's just wait and see. You'll be seeing her soon or a bit later with or without Blake's help."

Hearing what he said, both Aria and Edwen stop their blushing, realizing what he was implying in his words.

"What, uncle? Do you know where Rita is?"

"Do you really know where Rita is, Mr. Athrun? Please tell us."

Smiling at their sudden questions, he instead placed a finger on his lips and said.

"Nope."

Simply saying that, they were stunned. Edwen almost shouted out, but he stopped himself before asking in a much calmer voice.

"But why, Uncle?"

Plainly responding, Athrun only spoke one word, and it was "Reasons."

After a moment or two of silence, he then said, switching the subject to what he had originally asked them about.

"So, about the throwing knives I've found in your friend's room, where did you get them?"

Surprised by him changing the subject and being too stunned by Edwen's uncle not telling them where Rita was after all they had gone through, Aris answered absent-mindedly.

"There, Blake's, but I believe he used them to save me from a group of dire wolves chasing me and left them."

Catching herself before she could say any more by covering her mouth.

Hearing Aria spew it out loud, Edwen can't help but sigh to himself inside. He continues by saying that they planned to give it back, but they broke one of them, so they decided to keep them for a bit longer till they go back home and have someone fix it.

Saying all that, Athrun said, with his usual smile. "I see, but I'm going to have to stop you right there."

"What is it, Uncle?"

"You see, those runes on these knives, how do I put it, are top secret military information."

Taking a collective moment to process what Athrun had said, Aria and Edwen but let out a collective "What" out loud.

"Well, since I've found these two, I guess I can get the person who engraved this knife for them, since I'm looking for them. It seems I just missed it by a day or so. If you don't mind, I'll get going now."

Quickly leaving and waving goodbye, leaving Edwen and Aria stunned with an amused smile, Edwen and Aria looked at each other, knowing exactly what the other was thinking. Both of them, sharing the same thought, thought to themselves, Who exactly was Blake?

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