"Do we have to do this? Really?" I mumbled weakly at George, who answered back with an urgent look on his face as if to caution me of something.

"Yes, we do." Alyson, who tightly wrapped her hands against the handle of my wheelchair, answered in a heartbeat.

"But we have Renata with us."

"It will be good for others to see me pushing you instead of a maid...I know this is not the truth, but let me clarify it just in case. Are you too embarrassed to be seen together with your big sister? Is that it, Alex? Pray tell me that isn't the case, my lovely brother?"

Don't get me wrong; I didn't have a problem with Alyson whatsoever. It was just that I kinda need Renata to help me make my job at this event easier. And if Alyson was pushing me, that meant Renata wouldn't have a reason to accompany me inside.

'Shoulda known when Father gave that look...'

Yeap, Alyson was scary. She scared me the most nowadays.

"Why are you so quiet, Alex? Did I say something wrong? Could it really be you detest me, your one and only sister, so much that even the notion of us being close to each other is enough to make you wince in disgust?"

'What is this girl has in that head of hers? Damn it; she's relentless!'

"No, it's not...I-I really do want you to escort me inside, Sister." I decided to throw in the white flag before she barraged me yet again.

"Sister, what? Do pardon me, but I don't quite get what you mean. I think you are missing something there, Alex?" She asked, posing the most clueless look on her face.

"Can you please escort me, dear Sister?"

"Yes, that's what I thought. What a lovely and dashing brother I have."

'Am I being trained? It sure felt like so...'

"You are going to make so many girls cry in the future."

'No, no, no...we're going backward here. I think it's YOU that is going to make so many boys cry to their mom.'

"Care to enlighten me of what you had in mind?" Asked Alyson yet again, and I didn't like the look of this if I answered her wrong.

"I...It's nothing. I think nothing. Just...Nothing..."

'Really, just what the fuck am I saying...'

Fortunately, I got saved by the bell.

"Children, that is enough chatter. From now on, conduct yourself properly." Maya chided us tense was her tone as she urged George to walk faster toward the two individuals waiting for us in the distance.

We all know why she was like that. She always got strangely uptight whenever she met her in-laws.

"Father, Mother..." Smiled George softly as he gave them a simple greeting.

"It is great to see you both in great health, my honored Father and honored Mother."

'Wha...They've literally been staying here for a full week because George asked them. You've met them every single day since then-'

"It'll be wise to wipe that look off your face, Alex. Mom is scarier than me, and she is awfully sharp at things like this."

Alyson whispered slowly before she delightfully hopped toward the elderly couple.

"Grandpa, Grandma!!" Called Alyson, giddy.

The energetic Adam then followed suit with his still-broken speech, breaking away from Maya's grasp. Each of them soon found themselves in the safe arms of the couple, Alyson in Bella's and Adam in Rygor's.

Well, it was not accurate per se because the little goblin soon squirmed around and climbed his way up to Rygor's shoulder in the end. He sat there, claiming his throne with an enormous grin plastered on his mug.

"Alyson Von Dawson! What did I just say?" Maya's cold voice rang sharp.

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"Leave her be, child. She is still growing." Bella spoke shortly before she turned to Alyson. "And you, make sure to listen well to your mother, little rose."

"Yes, Grandma!" She hugged the woman tight in reply.

Rygor, on the other hand, just nodded with his usual scary mug in place.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, I will be in your hands today," I said my piece.

"Good." Hummed the man low in reply.

"Come back down, Adam. You can play after the party is over."

George picked the reluctant boy down and grasped his tiny hands, followed by Maya on the other side.

The birthday boy then led the group with both George and Maya on his side. I was pushed by Alyson again, with the elderly couple in tandem on our side, and we all marched toward the humongous door.

"The Duke of Dawson has arrived!!"

Signaled by the call of the guards, the door creaked open, and a world of light filled my vision.

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'Hm...It is as luxurious as Alyson made it out.'

Extragavant people wearing gaudy dresses and suits could be found everywhere in the huge ballroom.

Their eyes were glued to us as we entered. George, Maya, and Adam soon found themselves swarmed by the seemingly endless wave of guests.

Alyson also failed to escape the same fact and had to lead her admirers away from us since there was almost a truckload of them.

In the end, I was left to chill with my Rygor and Bella.

There was no short supply of peeking and long whispers asking about me. I mean, just look at me; I was as eye-catching as a freaking leprechaun.

'It will make my job a whole lot easier if I can use magic, but then again, it's best not to. I am not here to impress anyone.'

I had one goal on this specific occasion, and that was to find someone...

Someone who'd take center stage years from now when the impending doom came knocking.

I couldn't recall everything, but I still remembered their names from various things God showed me.

Anyway, following the exit of Alyson, Renata came and took the liberty of pushing the wheelchair.

Maybe George had predicted that Alyson would be busy with her fans as soon as she appeared because Renata was allowed to follow us inside the ballroom.

Not that I would complain, because it sure did work in my favor.

"Wow, there's a lot of people here, Grandpa, Grandma! Renata, slow down and show me more. I want to see them all!" I acted out the excited boy to the best of my ability.

But it was not some random bullshit without purpose. No, it was a code that I set with Renata beforehand. Since I didn't want to risk using magic in such close proximity to strangers, we had to settle with the old-school style.

Renata spun me slowly as if it were her calling to satisfy the whims of the disabled boy.

And then she tapped the handle twice ever so softly that only my enhanced ears could pick up. It was hard due to the noises from everywhere and all the more so because I needed to keep acting like a good little boy. But nevertheless, it was a success.

Toward the middle of a crowd in the distance, I spot a kid having a good time. He was standing with a bright and composed smile, surrounded by people from all sides.

He was wearing a neat and luxurious black and gold suit that placated the noble air of his natural disposition. The ruby-like hair was styled neatly and dashing to showcase the full charm of his visage. And lastly, the blue irises that seemed to see nothing but the innocence of the world were nothing but dreadful to the ladies' hearts at the party.

If this dude was born in my previous world, he would give 'em idols and actors a run for their money.

Howard Demeria Boreas...The fourth in line to the throne. The man who would spread his name far and wide as the Blood Crazed Prince.

Blood Crazed Prince...The title itself was self-explanatory already. A Prince who went raving mad whenever he saw blood. And I meant not the meek shit like seeing blood got his spirit pumping or whatever.

Nah, I meant he literally went batshit crazy...

Like a crazy dog, he would bite everyone who caught his eye, whether you're an ally or not. If he was on your side, it was no different than holding a ticking time bomb. You wouldn't know when, but it'd definitely blow up unless you toss it somewhere else.

But he was as troublesome as he was strong. He was very strong. That's how I remembered him, and that's why I needed this punk.

If I played my cards right, then I could put a leash on him and tackle one of the key points for the future in one go.

And that leash just happened to be there, sitting and grunting like an old man.

'There you are...' I mused inwardly

"I want to go there! Push me there, Renata." And she did, true to her duty.

I could hear Rygor calling out to me confusedly, but I chose to play it dumb and kept my sight straight and luckily, no one chose to bar my path, despite the naked curiosity they showcased.

At last, Howard seemed to notice the peculiarity and his eyebrow arched up in wonder.

'I finally find you...'

"Hello there," I called out to the little girl sitting just some distance away beside Howard, who frowned in disdain the minute her gaze landed on me.

She tilted to the side as her similar yet much darker scarlet hair flowed gently along the movement of her head. The emerald eyes, which differ from that of her brother, glowed brightly beneath the sparkles of the chandelier.

'Helena Demeria Boreas.' The leash and also the reason why Howard would be known as the Blood Crazed Prince.

"I am Alexander Von Dawson. Let's be friends!"