翁公在厨房和我猛烈撞击

"I need you with something, Lucas," Nikolai had a sudden epiphany as he stared at the bastard. Lucas snapped out of his daze when he heard Nikolai\'s seriousness, and mana seeped out of his body.

"Anything," he said with sobriety gained through mana. "I never thought a proud person like you would ask for my help."

"The matter at hand is quite serious," said Nikolai as he looked around. "But we cannot be heard discussing it," as soon as he finished his words, a barrier of wind appeared around them.

"You can talk freely now."

"Her highness is in danger," revealed Nikolai, and the aura around Lucas morphed. A crushing presence appeared instead of the usual carefree bastard of Rosia. "I believe that she is going to be attacked in the ritual."

"Then we need to prevent her from attending."

"Such a thing would lead to war between the two kingdoms, and it would alert the Bestial Kingdom. Therefore, I believe they are the masterminds behind this."

"How did you know of such a thing?"

"I have a special ability to tell of people\'s intentions. For example, the priest from earlier felt greed toward the princess."

"That old man is just an ugly toad lusting over the swan," Lucas shook his head. "I met a fair share of old men desiring her. But, unfortunately, this is not enough."

"I have a friend who is an archeologist, and she told me that the ritual includes an offering. I fear that this ritual is only a way to assassinate the princess and summon the Warriors of Fera. This will be the beginning of the war if they succeed."

Lucas was quiet as he pondered the matter. Nikolai knew it was a stretch for this man to believe him, but he was the best person to convince Maria and keep Edward away for two days.

"I will help you, only to make sure that she is safe. What do I need to do?"

"Are you unafraid that I am using you?"

"At worst, I will be used. At best, I will save Maria. There is not even a reason to consider the matter. I have no issue being used to make sure she is safe."

\'A fool in love is the perfect title for this youngster,\' Nikolai thought with a smile. However, he was not lying, as this would also save the princess. So then, Nikolai proceeded to tell the plan.

***

"You need Lyle?" asked Princess Maria as she held her arms in front of her. "I don\'t understand why you two are suddenly so close," she said, squinting her eyes.

\'I missed such a possibility. Naturally, the princess is jealous,\' Nikolai was suddenly nervous as he stood beside the Scoundrel of Rosia. 

"We met a few days ago in the forest," smiled Lucas, and his words made the princess blush and look away. "I need him with my training for the upcoming Lost Garden."

"I did not know you were participating in that," she frowned and glanced at Nikolai. "And how are you useful to him, Lyle?"

"Young master Griffin says that I have interesting ideas regarding his usage of the wind. I was only telling him about a technique I learned a guardian spirit. If you need anything else, I would be happy to decline his offer."

"You would be happy to decline it regardless," Lucas sighed with emotions. "I believe Lyle has the answer to make me grow stronger. The Lost Garden will be my chance to gain recognition in the kingdom."

"Recognition, huh?" the princess was quiet. "Are there people you want to be recognized by, Young Master Griffin?"

"There are, and one of them is none other than your father," Lucas said with a grin, and the princess blushed deeply. Nikolai marveled at how his words remained respectful but somehow conveyed his affection.

\'This bastard is a player,\' noted Nikolai as he looked at the gems-embedded green mask of Lucas.

"I understand. You two can spend the next few days together. However, Lyle needs to return before the ritual. Is that clear?"

"As clear as day, your highness," Nikolai bowed. "Please inform Master Edward of my absence. It might create a misunderstanding that I fled."

"I shall," she said before staring at Lucas for a long time, and the man returned it with a smile. "I will leave now," the princess excused herself and left. 

"People will think you are harassing the princess if you keep looking staring at her back," warned Nikolai to the mesmerized Lucas.

"I will marry her one day, so it does not matter what they think," said Lucas with confidence. Nikolai could tell that this was one of his purposes to live.

"Love is not so bad, after all," sighed Nikolai, and Lucas finally turned toward him. "From all the things you live for, love is the most meaningful."

"Have you ever been in love?" Lucas asked. Nikolai was quiet and glanced toward Lilith, chatting to another noble. Their eyes met, and an attraction was similar to the one they shared in their past life.

"I thought that I did, but it was an illusion of love."

"You can try again, Lyle," said Lucas as he lightly punched Nikolai\'s chest. "This heart is still beating, and it can still feel."

Nikolai stared at the young man, who was quite similar but so different. They shared a similar beginning, but their current selves were far different from each other.

\'Why did I end like this? I became weak, obsessed, and defiled. Lucas was similar to me, but he kept true to himself. I don\'t think he would ever compromise anything for a place to belong.\'

This was his sin. Nikolai did everything to stand beside Lilith, even changing himself. Lilith did not kill him only once, but twice. She killed his body before he went back in time, and she killed his soul ever since he met her.

***

Taly stared at the mansion in front of her. The dark being looked nothing other than a young man wearing a mask, and he had led her to a luxurious estate.

"I will remind you once again. My friend does not know that you are deciphering how to sneak into Celestia, but a prophecy regarding the next ritual. Do not reveal the truth, or I will kill you."

"I am not a kid," she frowned. "I will do my job as long as you protect me. However, are you a noble? This mansion belongs to nobility."

"What difference does it make?"

"I hate nobles."

"I am not a noble, but my friend is," Nikolai said while alerting his voice using mana. "I feel the same toward nobles, but my friend is different."

"They are always different," grumbled Taly. "I will trust you for now."

"You have no one else to trust. I can tell that you haven\'t slept for the past few days, and my protection will change that. We must go in now; my friend is waiting."

Nikolai walked into the mansion, and the guards did not stop him under their master\'s instructions. Instead, a butler was bowing toward him as soon as he entered the estate, and he led the way toward Lucas. 

"You are finally here," said Lucas, looking bored. "This must be your friend, the archeologist. You didn\'t tell me that she is the prettiest woman in existence."

"You are only making her feel disgusted and scared, so drop the niceties," Nikolai said as he walked in, and Lucas stared at him silently because of his altered voice.

"You need to teach me how to make your voice sound so cool," said Lucas with amusement, and Taly squinted her eyes at Nikolai. "Well, we are going to protect her from here. This door leads you to your room, where you can work and rest."

"I think you should send the guards away," Nikolai suggested. "The creatures that are after her will kill them all to get to us, and I want no unnecessary bloodshed."

"They only listen to my father\'s commands," said Lucas with a sigh. "However, we can find a different place to protect her. I know of a hidden house where we can stay there."

"The guards will be helpful," said Taly. "We are fighting against an army, and I fear that only the two of you won\'t be enough."

"She is underestimating your strength," Nikolai turned to Lucas. "Are you going to depend on your father for this?"

"Let\'s go to the secret house," Lucas jumped off his chair with a smirk. "I will show you that I can do more than water a forest."

Nikolai smiled at how carefree this youth was until his father was mentioned.. It seems that out of everyone who rivaled Lucas, his father was his nemesis.