Chapter 41: Revealing secrets(3)

Stygian and Lucius waited for Dusk's explanation with a solemn expression. They spoke no words but one could see that they had become much more serious at just the mention of a certain woman's name.

Stygian was apprehensive to learn any information about his wife, as he feared that she really had left because of him. But he knew now was not the time for the cowardice he showed these past few years. So he prepared to hear out Dusk.

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Dusk explained the situation to the both of them. The Destiny of the woman named Aerith Nightmoon and her ties to the world's fate. He also revealed his meeting with the goddess and how he got that information.

Stygian and Lucius remained silent during it all. But after Dusk was done explaining they seemed to release the breaths they were holding for so long.

"I see...This turned out to be quite a prophecy. Not only does it concern my wife, but the whole world as well..." Stygian spoke first, muttering to himself.

"Yes. It's hard to believe but since Dusk is a reincarnator, nothing's out of the realm of possibility. We should prepare for the worst." Lucius said with a sigh.

Dusk looked at the both of them. He knew it was the right decision to let these two know. No one else would likely believe him, after all. But although he didn't regret it, it still felt strange to tell them his deepest secrets. It wasn't something he had done in his previous life.

"Dusk. You want our help, correct? Unless I'm mistaken there's no reason for you to tell us all this, otherwise." Stygian asked the boy with a solemn gaze.

Dusk nodded.

"That's right. Mr.Nightmoon. For me to change Mrs Nightmoon's destiny and in turn change the world's fate, I would need to locate her whereabouts and...also prepare for the dangers ahead. Since I doubt just finding her would be enough to alter the prophecy. I spilled all my secrets precisely because this matter isn't something I can handle until I grow strong enough to venture into the outside world. Yet, the clock is ticking and training all day for another 5 years is not going to help progress the search for Mrs Nightmoon."

Dusk looked directly into the eyes of Stygian.

"So I would like to ask for your assistance. This property concerns us as well as the whole world, after all."

Hearing Dusk's thoughts Stygian and Lucius stared at each other for a few seconds

"Obviously, we'd help you Dusk. But...you called me and your Mr and Mrs Nightmoon...do you not consider us your parents?" Stygian looked at Dusk with a painful expression.

Dusk already confirmed that Stygian knows about the process of reincarnation, and how Dusk Jone's soul is the same as Dusk Nightmoon. The only difference lay in their memories. So it made sense that he was concerned that his child no longer saw him as a parent due to having past life memories.

"To be honest, It's hard to. I have my past life memories of where I was around 16 when I died. When I regained memories here, considering our relationship these past few years it seemed more like I was being taken care of by a stranger than a parent." Dusk replied honestly.

He could see that his words caused Stygian grief but he decided against lying. That's what he had been doing all this time, after all. Acting like a child and deceiving everyone around him. But it was best to be honest with the man he needed help from.

"I...see. No, you're right. In fact, I didn't even have the right to ask you that. I started neglecting you even before you gained your past life memories. Aerith was always the one who truly managed to bring the child happiness. While I didn't do anything of note all this time. Hating me wouldn't be out of question." Stygian said with a heavy heart.

The man who seemed cold and distant had suddenly turned into someone who showed weakness. For Dusk, it was an interesting sight. But he had things he had to say.

"Mr Nightmoon. I don't hate you. I won't lie, the past few years you certainly didn't seem like an ideal parent. The negligence you showed towards your biological child was unbefitting of a father, even more so since you didn't know about my reincarnation. However...you're wrong when you say you did nothing of note for the previous me, before." Dusk spoke in a soft tone.

Dusk had accessed the memories of his previous self these past few years. He did it, one to find information about Aerith and Two to avoid a situation where he faces a problem for not knowing a certain memory. But while slowly accessing these memories over the years, he found some interesting moments concerning Stygian.

Stygian actually did show kindness to the child Dusk. Just as much as Aerith. But the child of the Nightmoon family wasn't observant enough to notice his subtle kindness. As a child, Dusk was afraid of Stygian due to his usual cold and expressionless face. Stygian likely knew of this.

Stygian in the guise of asking where Aerith had gone, would always confirm whether Dusk had gone to sleep at night. Often when Dusk would come for lunch or dinner, Stygian would be seen talking to the chef at the table. Although the child Dusk didn't know what it was about, Dusk Jones was able to piece a few of the conversations together and found that he would inquire about the nutritional values of the food served to Dusk. He would even personally taste-test food in case something was amiss.

There were countless more examples of similar kindness that Stygian showed in the past. Although the man indeed failed his duty as a parent after Aerith's sudden disappearance, it would be a lie to say he was always a failure. Even the young master Dusk had a feeling that his Stygian was kind somehow, despite not being able to see it.

"I won't go into detail about what kind of kindness you showed my child self but know I am aware of them now. The proof of your affection lies in the fact that I feel a bond with you in my soul just as I feel it with Mrs. Nightmoon, despite practically being strangers."

Stygian and Lucius were both aware of the

affection a child would feel towards his parents when given enough care. It was something that would be imprinted on the soul, only when the parents showed genuine love.

"I...see. I still think I'm a failure of a father. But your words do comfort me, Dusk." Stygian gave Dusk a warm smile.

Dusk also smiled at the man, this time he wasn't faking it.

"COUGH!! COUGH!! Not to ruin the moment but uh maybe we should discuss the important matter at hand now?" Lucius suddenly ruined the heartwarming atmosphere.

"...Yes, you're right. Let's discuss the prophecy again..." Stygian said visibly annoyed.

"You two sure were having a wholesome father-son moment. I felt awkward standing here." Lucius laughed.

"Like you're one to talk, Lucius. I bet you hugged your daughter and bawled your eyes out in front of everyone when you found your daughter..." Stygian chuckled.

"Hey! You did the same with Dusk when we were near the mansion!" Lucius retorted.

"Excluding the bawling, yes."

"..."

After a moment of glaring at each other, the two started laughing. It was a rare sight of Lucius not minding the formalities and laughing with his friend, which Stygian accepted happily. Dusk could see the two were indeed close.

"Daddy! Dusk! Are you two in there?! Why can't I meet you right now!"

"Young miss, they told us it was an urgent discussion! Please don't disturb them!"

Muffled voices could be heard behind the locked door. The three weren't bothered about whether the discussion was leaked as the door room was made soundproof with mana before the discussion. Dismissing the maids and servants was just another precaution.

The three decided today's discussion would end here by exchanging gazes before Lucius opened the door.

"Dusk! Come to my house! Daddy, I want all of us to stay together!" Dawn started making demands as soon as entering the room.

Hearing this Lucius sighed.

"Dear, please don't make such high demands. They are nobles while we are commoners..."

"And also you're way too loud, so I refuse to sleep in the same roof as you," Dusk added.

"Hey!" Dawn lightly punched Dusk on his shoulder.

"I'll report you for abuse and harassment." Dusk glared at Dawn.

"Young master, please don't." Lucius pleaded with a worried look.

The mansion became lively again through Dusk and Dawn's presence. Magnus, Gloria, and Stygian along with some of the other servants who had returned smiled at the scene. They were all glad that the two children were back.

But three individuals in the room knew that retaining this bright atmosphere would be difficult in the coming days due to the prophecy that concerned both Aerith Nightmoon and the world of Tellus mater.