Chapter 161: 161 His Mother's cabin at the peak
Vivianne, with her understanding gaze, called Jacqueline over, and as she entered the room, "She will take you there," she said to Jaegar, indicating that Jacqueline would be his guide.
Vivianne thought that her grandson may need some closer time with his mother.
They both walked out of the room, and before leaving, Vivianne called Jaegar once more. Her voice carried a promise and an undeniable connection to their shared past. "Jaegar, I know I couldn't keep my promise to your mother, but I won't let anything happen to you. And wherever she is, she will be happy to see you.
Seeing you as you have grown up to be a fine young man fills my heart with pride. I know your mother would be proud too. Remember, she will always be watching over you and guiding you from wherever she is." With those final words, Vivianne and Jaegar left the room, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. "
With those words, Vivianne left the room, leaving Jacqueline to fulfil her new role.
She whispered to Jacqueline, "Watch him and take care of him.
He must be feeling down."
Jacqueline nodded in understanding, her commitment to her newfound brother unwavering.
She knew she had a lot to make up for, and she was determined to be there for Jaegar in any way she could. The fact that they had different mothers didn't affect her affection for Jaegar. effect
Jaegar walked out of the chamber, with Jacqueline following closely behind.
She expressed her condolences, and though it was late, she wanted to say, "Jaegar, I'm sorry about your mother."
Seeing as he didn't respond, she said, "Let's go. I will take you to her."
She led him through the palace and out to a balcony overlooking a breathtaking scene. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and sparkling lake below.
There, Jacqueline whistled, twisting her lips in a particular way.
Out of nowhere, a massive white-furred creature with giant wings swooped down and gracefully landed on the balcony.
Jaegar watched the beast with a mix of curiosity and detachment, his thoughts still consumed by his mother, Augusta.
Jacqueline gestured for Jaegar to climb onto the creature's back as she got on it first.
It had four legs, thick fur, a grey face with a round shape around its eyes and lips, and its body had fur of a light yellow colour. Its tail, wide and long as it was, twitched as it prepared to take flight.
With a powerful leap, the creature launched itself into the air.
Jacqueline sat calmly, accustomed to the ride, while Jaegar remained lost in thought.
She tried to break the silence and lighten the mood. "It's sad and heart-wrenching, but you can't keep sulking like this. You'll get wrinkles on your face," she teased.
Jaegar frowned, taken aback by her words. He muttered, "I just thought I would have a happy life with loving parents, but it seems like a dream now."
Over the roar of the wind, Jacqueline couldn't quite hear his words clearly. She asked, "What did you say?"
Jaegar sighed and shook his head. "It's nothing," he replied, his voice barely audible.
In a matter of minutes, they arrived at their destination—the mountain peak where the cabin was nestled.
Jaegar could see the cabin below, its appearance was weathered and overgrown with trees.
Jacqueline directed his attention towards a nearby grave, but instead, Jaegar walked to the porch and sat there, his gaze fixed on the cabin that held memories of his past.
He sat there for quite a while, and she walked around the place.
Sitting on the porch of the cabin, Jaegar couldn't help but feel a deep, unfulfilled longing within him. It was a yearning for the love and care of a parent who would hold him close and cherish his well-being.
Despite everything he had experienced and witnessed in his life, he still clung to that desire, and he couldn't help but feel a bit pathetic for it. It was as if a part of him yearned for something he had never truly known, and even after witnessing the pain and turmoil that came with it, that longing remained.
He thought about what Vivianne said and what his aunt said to him before coming here, at that time. He would have to talk to her about that man. Or maybe he could talk to him.
From what she said, he didn't seem like he was around much.
'Fuck, man, you haven't even met that woman, and you are feeling sad about it. Now shut the fucking thoughts and focus on the dickheads that are after you,' he said to himself.
He knew what he wanted, so he decided to work for it. He had already started to focus on the immemorial arts, and he wanted to level up.
Time will reveal everything.
He got up and breathed in deeply, trying to clear his mind of the conflicting emotions. He looked at the grave one last time and walked towards Jacqueline.
As Jaegar and Jacqueline sat on the porch, taking in the calming view, their conversation flowed easily.
"The view here is very calming," Jacqueline remarked, her gaze fixed on the serene landscape.
"Yeah, it is," Jaegar agreed.
"Should I call you Big Sister from now on?" he asked with a touch of playfulness in his voice.
Seeing
Jacqueline chuckled softly and shook her head. "You can, if you want," she replied, still captivated by the peaceful scenery.
"Have you calmed your mind?"
"Yeah, it is now."
"So, why did she call me to the empire now?" Jaegar questioned further.
Jacqueline adopted a more assertive tone, saying, "You are still talking rudely, but I'll let it slide for now.
As for the reason you were called, it was Grandfather. He wanted all his grandchildren to gather here in the palace. He wanted to see them all and have dinner with them."
"Grandfather is unwell, and he mostly stays in his private chambers most of the time.
And that dinner with him will be tonight," Jacqueline informed Jaegar, giving him a once-over. "And you need proper clothes."
Jaegar glanced down at his attire, realizing that his current outfit was quite out of place compared to the grandeur of the palace.
With Jacqueline leading the way, they hopped onto the beast and took to the skies. She expertly steered the creature high into the clouds and then back towards the palace. They landed on the balcony, and she guided him back to the chambers where they had first met.
Inside, she ordered the maids to bring out some suitable attire.
Jacqueline said, "I called in a tailor and arranged a few sets."
Jaegar reluctantly agreed, asking, "Do I really need to dress up for this?"
Jacqueline replied with firmness, "You have to. Our cousins will be there as well, and I don't want them to look down on you."
The arrival of the younger prince's son had already become the subject of palace gossip, with whispers and hushed conversations echoing through the grand corridors.
His presence, so unfamiliar to the palace, had stirred intrigue and curiosity among the palace.
The news of the new arrival had spread like wildfire, leaving no corner of the palace untouched by speculation.
As Jacqueline and Jaegar made their way back to the palace, the whispers and discussions only intensified, marking his arrival as a significant event in the palace's otherwise tranquil atmosphere.
Two maids came forward and led Jaegar into a room while Jacqueline went into another room.
The two maids, both in their mid-twenties, assisted Jaegar in changing. He couldn't help but flirt with them, and each time he spoke, they blushed uncontrollably.
A petite brunette with a friendly demeanour gently began to unbutton Jaegar's shirt. Her nimble fingers moved with practised ease, undoing each button one by one.
Jaegar stood there, feeling a bit self-conscious but also quite intrigued by the experience.
A slightly taller and more reserved redhead carefully helped him slide the shirt off his shoulders once all the buttons were undone. She folded it neatly and placed it on a nearby chair.
"So, tell me your names, ladies, I would rather babble than have this silence."
The brunette said, "Your Highness, please don't move."
Then she replied, "I'm Grace, and she is Emily."
Jaegar smiled, frowning, as she held his hands. He chuckled to himself, feeling her hands holding him gently.
Then she said, "We are just palace maids serving Lady Jacqueline."
"Tell me about your lady, then."
The young maids exchanged a quick glance before one of them, Grace, spoke up hesitantly, "Your Highness, we don't know much about Lady Jacqueline. She's always been rather secretive about her personal life. And she is rather mysterious in her ways."
Jaegar raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her mysterious demeanour. "Oh, is that so? She must be an interesting person, then."
The second maid, a redhead, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Highness. Lady Jacqueline is quite intelligent and skilled in various arts. She's always been devoted to her duties in the palace."
"But we had never seen her smile like we do now. Ever since you came to this hall, she has been smiling to herself."
Jaegar thought otherwise. She only smiled once, and the rest of the time, she was cold.