Zosia: Quick Transmigration System
Chapter 85 - 83- Arc 3

By the time Aaron arrived at the place, the night was already setting in.

Coming down from the horse which despite running all night was not panting, neither was he.

A weary smile surfaced his face as he gazed at the building in front of him. He couldn't help but reminisce about the past.

Before they became estranged, they were two tightly bonded brothers who swept through the battlefield.

One was called the War God and the other the God Strategist.

He was the War God and still is. While his brother from a different mother but if the same father was a God Strategist.

If not for his lack of interest in the throne, he didn't think he would be sitting on that sit either.

He wouldn't really care as far as it wasn't any of his other brothers. Thinking of the only brother remaining from the multitude of siblings he once had, he lamented at the cruelty of the throne.

"Why did you come to see me?" A cold voice came out from the shadow that suddenly materialized in front of him.

"Tsk... Brother, it's been so long, can't you at least let me in." Aaron said with a pout.

"Don't play games with me, you have been sending me letters and I replied to none, doesn't that send you a message." The cold voice rang out again, this time with a tinge of annoyance.

"Aish, why behave like that. I thought you have forgiven me. Do you know how your little brother missed you." He said and went in for a hug.

The figure snorted then hugged him back, patting him at the back repeatedly.

"Fine. Follow me."

Aaron followed behind his brother as they entered the courtyard.

From a distance, it seemed odd to see a building without a gate and with no other structures around it. While those with keen eyesight might notice, most people, especially laymen, would overlook it and pass by, unaware that a house was even there.

"Brother, your formation skills has increased." Aaron praised as his eyes scanned the area. The intricacies of the hidden defenses were evident to him, though invisible to the untrained eye. Each step he took was careful and respectful of the powerful enchantments he knew were in place.

His brother, Adrian, acknowledged the compliment with a silent nod, his expression impassive. "You always were the more straightforward one, Aaron. Charging headfirst into battles while I worked from the shadows. Some things never change."

Aaron chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the still night. "True. But we made a good team, didn't we? Your strategies, my strength—we were unstoppable."

Adrian stopped abruptly, turning to face Aaron. His eyes, cold and calculating, seemed to pierce through Aaron's very soul. "We were. But things are different now. You're the king, Aaron. You have responsibilities. The throne is a heavy burden, one that changes people. I've seen it and you know it."

Aaron sighed, the weight of his position pressing down on him. "I didn't come here to talk about the throne, Adrian. I came to see my brother. The one person who understands the struggles I face. The one person I can trust."

Adrian's expression softened slightly, a flicker of the old bond between them resurfacing. "Trust is a rare commodity these days, brother. But I do remember our bond. Come, let's sit and talk."

They entered the house, a modest yet elegant structure that reflected Adrian's personality—unassuming yet full of hidden depths. They sat in a cozy room, the flickering light from the fireplace casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Aaron leaned back in his chair, relaxing for the first time in what felt like ages. "You know, sometimes I wonder how things might have been different if we had stayed together. If you had been by my side in the palace."

Adrian shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "The palace was never for me, Aaron. I thrive in the shadows, working behind the scenes. You, on the other hand, were born to lead. To inspire. We each have our roles to play. Besides, now I just want to live my life with Karl."

Aaron nodded thoughtfully. "True. But I could use your counsel, Adrian. The court is full of vipers. I don't know who to trust. I need someone who can see through the deceit and guide Zosia."

"Zosia?" He asked with confusion on his face.

"Oh my gosh! Don't tell me you didn't even bother to go through my letters?"

Adrian shrugged in response, prompting Aaron to glare at him.

"So tell me, who is she? Your new concubine or what?"

"Do you really plan to go into the shadows forever? What about Karl, c'mon, you need to spread your wings as well." Aaron asked instead.

"That's not what I asked you, Aaron." Adrian voice turned colder, his expression returning to its impassive nature.

"Don't give me that look. You know I am right. Anyway, Zosia is my daughter, My only one."

"Are the amount of concubines not enough to give you a daughter." Adrian clicked his tongue in askance.

"Don't rub salt on my wound, you know fully well what happened and why I can only have one child. The rest doesn't belong to me."

"You allowed yourself to be cuckold?!" Adrian asked in surprise and disbelief.

"What choice do I have Adrian, do you want me to make it easy for the enemies to find a way to penetrate and give those old foggies a chance."

"So, you want me to train your daughter?"

"Yes, I need you to guide and teach her."

Adrian leaned forward, his eyes intense. "You're asking a lot, Aaron. To return to the palace, to the life I left behind."

"Adrian, you should bring Karl along. He can become friends with Zosia." Aaron added with a persuasive voice.

"Aaron, you know I don't want to come back." Adrian planned to keep rejecting, his eyes unwittingly glanced at his brother. Thinking of how he still cared and even willing to come and meet him who was no longer useful, says a lot.

"But for you, my brother, I will consider it. On one condition." He continued after decided to agree.

Aaron breathes a sigh of relief at Adrian's agreement.

"Name it," Aaron said eagerly, hope sparking in his heart.

"Promise me you will remain true to yourself. That you will not let the throne change who you are. Be the king our people need, not the one the court wants you to be."

Aaron clasped Adrian's hand firmly. "I promise, Adrian. With you by my side, I know I can do it."

Adrian nodded, a rare smile breaking through his stoic demeanor. "Very well. I will come to the palace. But remember, brother, trust must be earned. And it can be lost in an instant."

Aaron stood, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Adrian."

"About my identity, how will you arrange it." Adrian asked.

"You don't need to worry about that." Aaron assured.

"Then I will leave that to you."

"What about Karl, I haven't seen him."

"His injury rekindled, I had to induce him to sleep." Adrian said wearily.

Aaron frowned, concern evident in his eyes. "How serious is it?"

Adrian's face darkened slightly. "It's manageable for now, but I need to keep a close watch on him. Karl has been through a lot, and his wounds—both physical and emotional—take time to heal."

Aaron placed a reassuring hand on Adrian's shoulder.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Karl is a strong lad. He'll pull through."

Adrian nodded, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "I hope so. He's been my anchor through everything. Without him..." He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion.

Aaron gave his brother a moment before speaking again. "When you're ready, bring Karl to the palace. We have the best healers, and maybe a change of environment will do him good."

Adrian sighed, a mixture of hope and resignation in his expression. "I'll think about it."

They spent the next few hours reminiscing about their childhood, battles fought side by side, and the dreams they once had. The bond between them, though strained by time and circumstance, began to mend.

As the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, Aaron stood, stretching his weary limbs.

"I should head back. The court will be waking soon, and I have matters to attend to. It may take me a while to get back."

Adrian rose as well, walking him to the door.

"Take care, brother. And remember our promise."

"I won't forget," Adrian replied, his voice firm.

"And Adrian—thank you. For everything."

They embraced once more, a hug that conveyed more than words ever could.

As Aaron mounted his horse, he looked back at Adrian, standing at the doorway, his figure a silhouette against the rising sun. With a final nod, Aaron spurred his horse and rode away, the road ahead uncertain but now with a renewed sense of purpose and the hope of getting his brother back and training Zosia to inherit the position from him.