Free Web NovelChapter 98: _Leave It To The Grown-Ups
Ambrose made sure to take a long dip in the bathtub later that day. Once he was done and standing in front of the bathroom mirror he felt... different.
Like something in him changed.
He rested his hands on the sink’s cool surface, staring at his reflection with a heavy chest. "These stupid feelings will pass."
It definitely couldn’t be guilt eating him up anymore. That crook had what was coming for him. But the thought of taking another life. Without hesitation too.
[Sooner or later you’ll have to get over this, you know?]
Ambrose’s jaw worked. "Well, sorry. We humans can actually feel things deeply."
[Not all of you.] Aura was quick with the response. [The road to getting stronger was never meant to be easy. And you’ve seen your own fair share of death since transmigration.]
"Still not the same thing as killing someone."
[No—but it means you’ve got to start preparing yourself. Sometimes the biggest monsters aren’t the ones crawling out of dungeon Rifts. They’re those walking among you. Who could kill you if and when given the chance.]
[So the question is... do you let them kill you? Or do you kill them first?]
A short breath left Ambrose’s mouth as he lowered his head.
He hated how inspiring all that sounded.
"I guess you’re right," he inhaled, twirling a stray strand of his wet hair. "I can’t help but wonder though. Who exactly sent that guy? He didn’t seem like he was doing all that for himself."
[He definitely wasn’t. I’d keep an eye out if I were you.]
Ambrose smiled.
Somehow the nagging mechanical voice in his head didn’t sound so bad right now.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door just then. Ambrose’s neck snapped to it as it opened quietly, stopping after leaving a few inches of space.
"Daddy? It’s me. Orion."
Ambrose stifled a laugh, shaking his head. "I know, little guy."
"Can I come in?"
"Of course. I’m done."
The door opened all the way, Orion peeking in his head first. Once he’d crept in with the rest of his body, a radiant smile stretched his mouth.
"I enjoyed the ice cream." He giggled, evidence of his words present in the form of a pink cream on the side of his mouth. After licking it off, he added. "Thank you, daddy."
"Aww." Ambrose stepped away from the mirror, ruffling the little guy’s hair. "You’re welcome, buddy. I’m sorry we have to keep you in here while we’re out there being... grown up."
Orion pouted playfully. "I want to be a grown-up too. So I can go on dungeon raids and attend fancy meetings." He shone those little front teeth. "Like you and papa."
Ambrose’s eyes slid to the bedroom for a beat.
At the edge of one of the beds sat Devon. He was too busy adjusting the sleeves of his black shirt to hear them. Or at least, that’s what Ambrose thought.
In reality, Devon had a smirk playing on his lips when he heard Orion’s words.
"Trust me," Ambrose chuckled nervously. "You don’t want to be an adult. In fact, I kinda wish I were a child. Fewer responsibilities. Less... worries."
The smile on Devon’s face faltered. He swerved his head fully to the bathroom, taking in Ambrose and the emptiness in his eyes.
Orion seemed to notice too, head tilting innocently. "Daddy? Are you happy?"
... Happy.
Before Ambrose got the chance to give a response, a knock sounded on the living room door. Everyone paused—Devon was already on his feet after a couple of seconds.
"I’ll get it."
Ambrose smiled as Devon scurried to the living room. He grabbed Orion’s little hand, pulling him to the wardrobe. "Want to help daddy pick what to wear for the final meeting this evening?"
As expected, Orion’s eyes glowed with pure excitement. "Yes!"
They’d gotten to the wardrobe and had already begun looking through the clothes Ambrose brought here. Then—
—A familiar chill swept over him. He frowned, head spinning to the living room again.
[ALERT.]
[Visitor is the host’s second permanently linked Esper.]
Ambrose’s pulse stuttered, his fists clenching. "Viktor."
"Viktor?!" Simultaneously, Devon called the name out like a curse when he opened the door and saw the Ice Prince casually standing outside. "What are you doing here?"
Morozov wore an icy blue trench coat with white fur linings at the collars. He held a small white gift box in one hand and revealed his other hand which had a bouquet.
"Nice to see you too, Devvy." He grinned, stretching his neck to take a look at the suite. "Hmm. Looks homey. Is Ambrose inside or—"
He took a step in but Devon blocked him with a foot, eyes narrowing.
"I believe I asked you a question."
Viktor arched his brow. "You seem unusually restless. Should I be concerned... or amused?"
"You should be hopping the heck out of here."
"Whoa, whoa... I don’t think a certain someone would like you talking like that." Viktor winked, his eyes flitting to something behind Devon.
The latter frowned, pivoting around just to see a shirtless Ambrose standing behind him. With Orion lingering shyly beside him.
Viktor took the opportunity, stretching out the gifts he brought. "If I can’t come in, can I at least drop this with you?" A pause. "I’d especially like to see you open the box."
Ambrose’s body stiffened with hesitation.
He glanced at Devon, unable to read the look in his eyes. He sure as heck didn’t need this drama... not right now.
On the other hand, Viktor bit his bottom lip, taking in the totality of the Guide—fresh out of a bath. The scent of lavender and vanilla as well as the sight of his sexy body made his mind swirl with the wildest thoughts.
’Control yourself, Viktor.’
"Oh," Ambrose faked a cough, breaking the distance with careful movements. "T–Thanks." He took the box and flowers, sniffing the latter first.
Hiding the small smile raising the corner of his mouth, he turned away to open the box. He half expected a necklace or some kind of fancy jewellery he might only wear once before forgetting about it.
What he never imagined... was a dagger.
Icy blue with jagged edges and a smooth, blue handle. Ambrose blinked, meeting Viktor’s expectant eyes.
"An A-Rank dagger," he pointed out casually. "I just figured out that since you seem to be around dangerous situations you’d otherwise not belong in, you might as well have something to defend yourself."
Ambrose lowered the box, pulling out the dagger. He twirled it between his fingers, mesmerised by the way it glinted under the room’s lighting.
Devon watched him with gritted teeth, shooting Viktor a glare.
Before any of the adults could do or say anything further, Orion pointed in awe at the dagger. "That looks so cool," he exclaimed, the cheeriest smile on his face. "Uncle Viktor, could you get me one like it too?"
Colour disappeared instantly from Devon and Ambrose’s cheeks.
In contrast, Viktor’s smug smirk dropped, his gaze darting to the little boy. He frowned, looking between Ambrose and the kid repeatedly.
"... What did he just call me?"
