"C'mon, what kind of weird demands are they?" Azzy stared at Claire in disbelief as she put forth the demands while they were returning to Aclein in train.
"It is what they are. If you don't hold your promise, then, I won't talk to you." Claire looked away, showing her stubbornness regarding this matter.
According to their bet, the loser should adhere to three demands of the winner and Azzy also agreed to fulfill it, back then. But, now, when he actually heard of them, he felt a little bit regret.
It's not that they were impossible but they were just embarrassing.
The first demand is to write atleast a 500-word love poem/letter for her and broadcast on the radio Aclein, in the evening 7 o'clock "Love You" program so that the whole city listens to it. C'mon, what's the need of doing that? He will be so embarrassed when it airs.
The second demand was a simple one. She wanted to visit his house and spend time with his family members. Azzy was completely fine with it but he was a little bit embarrassed when she boldly mentioned that she also wanted to learn cooking from her mother-in-law.
As for the final demand, it was the most embarrassing of them all. He needed to be defeated by Estella in a formal match. Until now, Azzy never lost to anyone. So, losing her is the same as humiliating himself. Moreover, it should also be a convincing defeat where no one will point out that he was holding back a lot.
Azzy could understand the first two ones as it was just something that belongs to their relationship but he couldn't understand what Claire would gain by making his boyfriend, a loser.
Well, maybe, it's also not a bad idea to remove the public attention on him and shift it towards Estella. Was Claire thinking of him perhaps?
A definite "NO." Claire was only thinking of keeping away from Estella and for some reason, Azzy couldn't see that and the Reaper don't want to bother with his love life, at least not anymore.
In the end, his pride didn't allow him to fake a defeat and he asked her to change the third demand.
After a brief silence, she let out a smile, changing it to a completely opposite situation. Azzy, however, readily accepted it.
She grabbed his arm and kissed his cheeks, "I knew you were the best."
Azzy blushed a bit because of the people around looking at them and just closed his eyes to take a nap.
After 12 hours of journey, Azzy and Claire reached Aclein. As for Gideon, he didn't travel with them as he had to meet with his master.
After escorting her to the academy, Azzy started to walk towards his home while his hidden super bodyguard continued to follow secretly.
A week ago, Aria followed him to the Silver City, intruded into the WAMO Headquarters, then, secretly monitored him at the training center, and eventually, returned with the both of them. From start to end, Azzy couldn't even sense her presence at all.
It was around 11 o'clock in the evening. The residential street was silent with most of the houses having their lights switched off, indicating that everyone is asleep.
As he neared the home, Azzy saw that the lights in Affea Mansion are still on. He mumbled to himself, "Are they waiting for me?"
He opened the gate and entered the compound.
*knock* knock*
He knocked on the door twice.
To his surprise, a very familiar person opened the door.
"Eh? Ethan?" Azzy was taken aback to see this servant who served him from the movement he was born in. But, then, he remembered that the person before him should be a stranger in this timeline. So, he didn't talk to him and just entered the mansion, only to see his foster parents are having tea with a young woman that he has never seen before in his life. But, the stoic expression on her is too familiar.
"Azzy, you are back." Affea was always the first to spot him as her gaze is often towards the entrance door whenever he was about to come home.
It was then, the seemingly young-looking woman turned her head to look at him.
Oakley then hurriedly spoke, "Azzy, come here and greet our esteemed guest. The matriarch is waiting for you several hours."
"Matriarch?" Azzy wondered who this woman is and what she wanted with him. Nevertheless, he walked forwards towards them and greeted her with a bow. "Hello."
"My name is Pandora Night, the leader of the Night clan of Freyles." She casually introduced herself and took a sip of tea.
"Pandora Night? Never heard but I guess she's the previous leader of the Night Clan before Aidus Night took over the position." Azzy fell into thoughts for a moment before he asked, "Is there anything that I can do?"
Ethan Night, the rank-6 expert of the clan frowned when he heard Azzy's emotionless tone. Azzy's expression and tone made it seem like he was disrespecting the Matriarch. On the other hand, Pandora herself didn't care much about his tone and proceeded to speak her intentions, "the story is long and I didn't have that much time to waste. So, I'll tell you briefly and you can ask for the details from your foster parents.
An important marriage ceremony is going to be taking place at the Royal Castle of Freyles. Many esteemed guests are invited. Your parents are family. So, naturally, they are also invited and so are you.
But, the real reason for inviting you is different. I was impressed with the abilities that you showcased during the Champions League. A person with your potential shouldn't limit yourself to a tiny city like this. That's why I'm willing to give you an opportunity. The rest is your choice to make."
Soon, she left the house with her servant, leaving behind a confused Azzy who looked at Affea and Oakley for an explanation.
For some reason, both of them looked a bit nervous. After a brief silence, Oakley slowly replied, "Azzy, the thing is that she's actually my great grandmother, and she…"
"Let's talk about it, tomorrow." Affea hurriedly interrupted him and changed the topic, "our son just came home after a week and you wanted to talk about all that history? Let him rest."
She turned towards him and said, "You must be tired from the long journey. We can talk about everything in the morning."
"But, I need to go to the academy before 6." Azzy reminded her and took a seat. "Aunt Affea, what is it?"
Both of them looked at each other before Affea take the seat and explained a few things that Azzy already knew some of them. The first is that Oakley isn't a commoner but is the heir of the Night clan. But, he went against the clan rules and married an outsider with a strong bloodline. So, he was expelled as a result and from her side, both of them made an enemy out of her ex-fiancée.
Apart from the secret about the Death Clan's existence, Affea reluctantly revealed everything.
At first, Azzy wanted to reject the invitation but as he heard the names of the bride and bridegroom, Azzy agreed to take an absence from the academy and attend the marriage.
Affea and Oakley were happy that Azzy is coming with them.
"Okay, go and get sleep, now. We'll talk with your principal about your absence." Oakley said to him.
Azzy said good night to them and went to his room to sleep. Meanwhile, Affea and Oakley went to their room calmly before Oakley activated a seal that suppresses all kinds of sound within the barrier.
"Why didn't you say it to him?" He asked her in a serious tone.
"What should I tell him?" Affea also turned serious, "That your great grandmother is suspecting our Azzy as a descendant of Crescent clan and she wanted to confirm it? What would he think of us? If not for the fact that I would get to meet Avia, I would have never let him attend the wedding. It's your fault. Why did you leave our daughter, there?"
"Oh, really?" Oakley argued back with his logic. "Isn't it more because of your family? To get you back, they even kidnapped Avia."
While the husband and wife started their argument, Azzy was talking with the Reaper.