Free Web NovelChapter 99: _A Guide’s Work Never Ends
"Little one." Viktor took measured steps into the living room, brushing past Ambrose’s reluctant grip on his elbow.
The little boy blinked at the S-Rank with innocent eyes, seeming oblivious to the gravity of what he just uttered. Devon had his hand on his forehead as Viktor lowered himself in front of the child.
"What’s your name?"
Orion paused, glancing at Ambrose as if seeking permission to speak. The latter shook his head but Viktor snapped his fingers in front of the boy’s face.
"You said you wanted a dagger like Ambrose’s, right?" He pointed his thumb back casually.
Ambrose’s face paled while Devon grabbed Viktor’s shoulder. "Okay, that’s enough—"
"Hey, hey..." Viktor swatted his palm without looking back, icy blue eyes pinned on the boy. "I’m talking to this cute little fellow. So," he leaned a bit closer, "you’d like me to get you a cool weapon too, hm?"
To the frustration of Ambrose and Devon, Orion nodded his head once, his little cheeks reddening.
Viktor grinned. "Good boy," his head tilted. "So do you mind telling me why you called me that?"
Orion frowned. "You mean... uncle Viktor?"
This time, Ambrose was the one who stepped in. "I think that’s enough," he hooked an arm under Viktor’s shoulder and pulled him back.
Unlike when Devon did it, the Esper didn’t protest, instead turning his head to Ambrose with an amused smirk.
"Viktor, you know how kids are." The Guide chuckled, gulping when he realised Viktor’s eyes were lingering too long on his naked torso. "They... they always say the wildest things."
Sadly, Viktor didn’t buy it, slowly slipping away from Ambrose’s hold. "While that may be true," he inclined his head to Orion again, "a child doesn’t just call a stranger ’uncle’ out of the blue."
Devon spoke before Ambrose could. "And how can you be so sure?"
"Because I’ve been around enough kids."
"Wow—who on earth would let a menace like you around their kids?" Devon fluidly moved to throw a jab, hoping it would veer Viktor’s attention away from what happened.
Futile.
"Funny," Viktor didn’t even crack a smile. He stayed silent too long for anyone’s comfort, his gaze travelling past all of them. "Ambrose, what’s the relationship between you and the kid again?"
Ambrose’s features twitched. "Listen, I appreciate your gifts and all," he said, lowering the dagger and flowers. "But you can’t just waltz in here and start bombarding me with questions."
"You make it seem like I’m some stranger in your life," Viktor made a pouty face on purpose. "I thought we’d become... close."
Devon’s eyes squinted at the way he said it. He looked between Ambrose and Viktor as if expecting an explanation.
At this point, Ambrose had had enough. He grabbed Viktor by the shoulder, leading him to the door and then out of the suite. "Can you please stop this?" He whispered, shutting the door.
Viktor only set a foot forward, stopping the door from closing all the way. He brought his mouth near the small space, muttering in return.
"Where’s the fun in that, little bird?"
Ambrose grunted, managing to lock it completely on his face. He backed against the door, eyes batting shut. After catching his breath, he glared at Orion.
"What have I told you about talking to strangers, young man?"
Orion scooted to his Papa’s side, his head lowering. "U–Uncle Viktor—"
"For Christ’s sake, Orion!" Ambrose snapped. "He’s not your uncle, okay? God, why do you have to keep saying weird things like that?"
The rise in his voice startled Orion.
His daddy has never yelled at him like that, he thought to himself.
Tears gleamed in his eyes before he could control them, his lips trembling. "I–I’m sorry, daddy. I didn’t... I didn’t mean to make you mad."
Ambrose halted, noticing the way his voice cracked. Guilt slammed into his chest but it was too late. Orion ran out of the living room, heading for the suite’s bedroom.
"Orion—no, buddy, wait!" Devon shouted after him but the kid had already banged the door behind him, his sobs loud enough for both men to hear.
The Esper’s fingers twitched, his head swerving to Ambrose. "Care to explain what all that was about?"
Ambrose tried and failed to speak, a lump settling in his throat. Devon maintained eye contact for several seconds, sighing when their son’s sobs grew louder.
"You’re better than his, Rose." That was all he said after the excruciating silence.
He turned on his heels, rushing to the bedroom. Once the door clicked behind him, the bouquet slipped out of Ambrose’s fingers.
"I didn’t... mean to..." he croaked, slowly lowering himself into a sofa.
This was one of his biggest fears about having a child. What if he messes it up? What if he isn’t able to regulate his emotions around them?
"And somehow I got served with one from an alternate timeline," he brushed a palm from his face then through his hair, exhaling. "Aura. You still have no idea where exactly he came from, do you?"
[Believe me, sweetheart. If there were any new details on that little anomaly I’d be the first to scream it to you.]
Gods.
Just great.
[However, I do have info on some stats you’d love to see.]
Ambrose arched his brow as a system screen appeared before him.
[Viktor’s attraction points: 79%]
[Unlock a copy of his Esper abilities to acquire resonance with the new A-Rank Frost Dagger.]
He stared in awe at the attraction point numbers.
Seventy-nine?
He’s barely done anything with that Casanova of an S-Rank.
"Damn, he’s easy." He scoffed, shaking his head. He glanced briefly at the bedroom door, noticing how Orion’s sobs had stopped.
At least someone was being a good parent.
His eyes slid back to the Frost Dagger set between the fingers of his right hand. He dangled it around lazily, a decisive light glinting in his eyes.
"I guess this means I’ll have to take seducing the glorified snow man more seriously," his lips thinned. "A Guide’s work never really ends."
