Two weeks later…
“Zion, are you sure about this?” Alessia asked as she worriedly fixed her son’s clothes, making sure that he would look presentable in front of his Grandfather and Grandmother.
“I am.” Thirteen nodded. “Don’t think too much, Mother.”
“When you’re there, please watch your manners. Don’t talk rudely to people, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Be obedient and follow Han’s instructions,” Alessia nagged. “Please, don’t be rude to people, okay?”
“How rude,” Thirteen arched an eyebrow. “You mentioned being rude twice, Mother. I don’t think I’m rude.”
“Zion, you talk to adults as if they are your equals. That is being rude.”
“You’re right, Mother. I should talk to them like the insignificant insects that they are.”
“… Forget what I said earlier,” Alessia said anxiously. “Just be more polite, okay?”
Thirteen nodded. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Good.” Alessia smiled as she looked at her son’s reflection in the mirror.
Although Zion was still young, his good looks were already apparent, which was expected of someone born between her and Gerald.
He looked more like his father, with the exception of his green eyes that he inherited from his mother.
After making sure that nothing was wrong with his clothes, Alessia kissed his right cheek before taking him to the living room, where Hans was waiting.
“He looks almost exactly like Master Gerald when he was his age,” Hans commented. “I’ll have to be honest. Originally, I was skeptical about bringing him with me to the party to lighten up My Lady’s mood. But, after seeing him now, I’m sure my Lady will thank me for bringing him with me to the party… as to how the Master will think, I’ll worry about it later.”
“You have it hard, Hans,” Alessia said with pity.
“First and foremost, my loyalty is to Lady Callista,” Hans replied firmly. “Even if I suffer a bit later, it will be worth it.”
Thirteen listened to the conversation and caught a few things of interest.
First and foremost, although Hans was employed as a Butler in the Leventis Household, it seemed that he prioritized his Mistress, Lady Callista, over his Master, Arthur Leventis.
‘Maybe I can use this.’ Thirteen smiled internally as he followed behind the Butler, who would take him to the Leventis Residence.
The Continent of Aldebaran was jointly ruled by the Central Government, a Monarch Clan, and three Prestigious Families.
The four other Monarch Clans, as well as the other Prestigious Families, had “Branches” that were allowed to operate within the Aldebaran Continent.
This was the arrangement for all continents, which meant that the Leventis Family had other Branch Families on the other continents as well.
Hans brought his own car, which they would be riding to travel to their destination.
At first, he wanted to bring a limousine, but there was no spare that was available for him to use because they were already reserved by the members of the Main and Branch Families.
“Young Master Zion, I’m sure that Lady Alessia has already told you this, but please, be on your best behavior the moment we arrive at the Main Residence,” Hans said as he looked at the five-year-old in his rear-view mirror.
“Understood, Hans,” Thirteen replied. “You’re such a worrywart. I mean, what can possibly go wrong?”
“Young Master, please, don’t jinx it.”
“Tsk.”
The Butler shook his head helplessly as he shifted his attention back to the road. It wasn’t just the Leventis Family that would participate in this special event.
Representatives of the Five Monarch Clans and nine other Prestigious Families would also be present in the celebration.
While Hans was deep in thought about how Zion would be treated by the Leventis Family, the little boy suddenly asked him a question.
“Tell me, Hans. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to cure my Grandma’s illness?”
“Young Master, are you saying that you have a way to cure My Lady’s poison?”
“That will depend on your answer, Hans.”
As someone who had followed his Hosts in different world settings, Thirteen had a hunch that Hans liked his Grandma.
Liking was perhaps an understatement. He was pretty sure that Hans was in love with her. But, he wasn’t sure of it. Because of this, he decided to ask a question that would confirm whether his suspicions were correct or not.
“Young Master, My Lady has been seen by many Specialists, including experts from the Five Monarch Clans and the Ten Prestigious Families. The only thing they could do for her was to suppress the spread of the poison in her body, allowing her to live a somewhat normal life. I doubt that a five-year-old like Young Master Zion has a means to cu—”
But, before he could finish what he was going to say, Thirteen cut him off.
“Hans, do you really believe that bullsh*t?” Thirteen asked. “Every poison has an antidote, and every sickness has a cure. Some of them are just not discovered yet. So, I ask you once again—IF, and I say IF, I can cure Grandma’s condition, what are you willing to do for me in return?
“You already said it. She had already been checked by numerous Specialists, and the only thing they were able to do was suppress the poison in her body. So, you have nothing to lose by telling me the price you are willing to pay so that her suffering can finally end.”
Hans pulled the car to the side and stared at the rear-view mirror, showing the reflection of a five-year-old boy who had a faint smile plastered on his face.
“Young Master Zion, are you really five years old?”
“You still haven’t answered my questions, Hans. So, what are you willing to give in exchange for my Grandma’s cure?”
Hans remained silent for half a minute before he gave his reply.
“I would do anything you ask me to, is what I’d like to say,” Hans replied. “But, I have a feeling that I would come to regret that decision. So, how about a compromise? Cure My Lady of her illness, and you can order me three times. As long as they are within my abilities, I will do them.
“Even if I have to risk my life to follow those orders. However, I have one condition. These orders must not harm the Leventis Family, in any way whatsoever.”
The corner of Thirteen’s lips rose up in a smirk because he finally confirmed Hans’ true feelings for his Grandma. Since that was the case, he would exploit his feelings for her, and make him one of his first allies outside of his own family.
“Good,” Thirteen replied. “When we arrive at the Leventis Residence, I want you to do something for me.”
The young boy told the Butler what he needed to do in order to determine if he would be able to help his Grandma or not.
Once the five-year-old was finished with his explanation, the Butler nodded his head and agreed to his instructions.
“Young Master, you were hospitalized after that incident, right?” Hans asked.
“Mmm, that’s right,” Thirteen replied.
“Are you still the Young Master whom I know?” Hans asked in a teasing tone. “If I didn’t know better, I’d probably think that a Devil had taken over his body.”
“How rude,” Thirteen replied. “Although there are instances where Devils do possess the bodies of people, they prefer to take the souls of people more.”
“Then, that means that the current Young Master is more dangerous than a Devil.”
“Only to my enemies, Hans. As for those who I consider to be my people, I will be their strongest ally and most steadfast of supporters.”
Hans felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the devilish smile on the five-year-old’s face.
Although his Rank was a Champion, one who was considered a true Powerhouse in the world, he still felt as if he was just a puppet on a string who was dancing on the palm of the little boy’s hand.