While Oliver was lying in bed with Gallio focusing on his wound, Imran pulled Antony aside. "Brother, I know you said that your nephew behaved frivolously, but I believe you are wrong."

Normally Antony would have protested because he had closely watched Oliver grow up and became exceedingly disappointed by what he saw. However, in just a few moments, his opinion had been shaken.

Oliver had stood up to the Royal Guards, then used his own body as a shield to protect his brother. Not only was the action selfless, but Oliver moved with the precision and grace of a veteran warrior. Although injured, he stood on his own two feet and continued a conversation with no word of complaint. This was not the behavior of the child Antony thought he knew.

"He seems... different," Antony murmured.

Imran shook his head. "He hid from everyone to the point that not even you could see."

"I don't understand why."

With a deep sigh and a reluctant look and squeezed Antony's shoulder. "The person who set him up was the royal family. He wasn't surprised about the revelation and even found a way to guard himself against their attack... I suspect he has been waging his own secret war with his fiancé for years now."

Antony shook. "By himself?"

"Fewer people to implicate, I suppose. He only asked for my help because he had no other recourse. Otherwise, he would have found his way out of this mess."

"Was he really at The Apex?" Antony asked.

"Only to confirm who set him up," Imran explained. "He saw this coming."

"How did I not see?" Antony said. "How could he be shouldering this alone for so long? And why expose himself now?"

"Those are questions you have to ask him. But, if you want my opinion, start mentoring him to be your successor. There is no one else worthy."

Antony gave Imran a curious glance. "That's high praise coming from you."

"If you don't take him under your wing, I will steal him from Bierze and make him my successor. To think... someone so young could make me struggle in a chess match."

Antony almost fell but recalled that Imran said their chess game went on all night. Who could dare contend with Imran, the master strategist? Could his nephew be this powerful? Had he always been blind?

Imran chuckled. "Not to mention, his sword skills are extraordinary. I look forward to our next spar."

The words we too shocking. Hadn't Oliver only started learning a month ago? Did he hide this as well?

"It sounds like you're talking about a completely different person. Has my nephew been possessed?" Antony said softly.

Imran laughed. "If I were in Oliver's shoes, I would prepare for a fallout with the Belelots. I do not think this engagement will last much longer, especially with your prince's coming-of-age ceremony approaching."

"For once, I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do or how to support him."

Rebirth was too outrageous for the old General to fathom, so he clutched onto the misconception that Oliver had hidden his true personality and motives. The Belelots were always wary of the Kardoses, and Oliver's position as royal fiancé placed a large target on his back. In this situation, being known as an idiot rather than a genius could guarantee his survival.

He wanted to talk to Oliver more and show that he had a comrade in his lonely fight. But for now, all conversations were delayed while Oliver was being treated.

Inside the manor, Oliver's parents came rushing to his room. His mother gasped and clutched at her heart when she saw the wound. Most young men would complain or cry about such a grievous wound, yet Oliver was joking with Gallio and Savvi as they treated him.

Sarah was pouting next to his bed. "Stop distracting the priest while you're getting treated, Oliver. I swear the smarter you seem, the more reckless you become."

Several other maids and Butler Julian were also in the room waiting with anticipation for the diagnosis. They bit back a laugh from Sarah's words.

"Don't look down on my skills. Only my father is better than me at healing." Gallio said arrogantly. "I can even remove this scar with a couple of treatments."

"Scars are commonplace. All I need is the ability to swing a sword." Oliver said with a smile. "That way, I can personally thank Tomin for his gift."

Savvi laughed happily. "That'll be easy. It depends on how you want to do it: out in the open or covertly. I found a few routes into the Royal Guards' dorm rooms if it's the latter. Should be simple enough to slip in and—"

He stopped talking when he saw the Duke and Duchess at the door. This caused everyone to notice them, and they quickly scrambled and bowed. "Your Grace."

Oliver's mother, Sophia, looked around the room to see the servants who had gathered. "I didn't realize Oli was so popular with everyone."

Antony also came to the room, and his brow creased. When did Oliver win over the staff? Another layer of mystery was added to Oliver.

Oliver gingerly moved to greet his parents, but Gallio and Savvi pushed him back down on the bed. Gallio noticed Oliver's discomfort with revealing his wound, so he quickly draped a blanket over his back.

"Idiot," Gallio said bluntly. "If you reopen your wound, I'll stab you myself."

Oliver laughed softly. "I am so touched by your friendship."  His parents had moved to the side of the bed so he wouldn't have to move much to see them.  "Mother, Father, I apologize for my state."

Sophia gently rubbed his head and bravely held back her tears.  "I heard you protected Avery.  We're proud of you."

"Ah... I was lucky." Oliver didn't know how to handle praise from his parents.

A scoff was heard at the door. "Isn't it his fault that Avery almost got hurt in the first place? Without him causing trouble, the Royal Guards would have no business here."

The room turned to see Ewen at the door.  Oliver sighed inwardly and wondered how he never saw how rotten this kid was.

Savvi clicked his tongue. "Are you saying he is causing trouble because he was with Gallio and me?"

Ewen was obviously ignorant of international politics.  He gave them a smug look. "Well, if the shoe fits."

Oliver pushed off the hands that held him down.  He moved and sat at the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket over his shoulders to cover the scars on his chest and stomach so no one would notice. He breathed slowly, embracing the pain caused by his movements, and then glared darkly.

This bastard committed familicide with a smile.

"Watch your words, Ewen." Oliver's voice was eerily low, sounding like a predator ready to pounce.

Only Ewen did not notice this chilling change.  "You have done nothing but play all your life, dragging our name through the mud.  And you think that because you blocked a sword and made new friends, we will believe you have become a good man?"

"Ewen!" Sophia cried out, shocked by the harsh words.

"I think you've said enough," Aaron said at the same time.  His shoulders were tense, and his brows furrowed with anger.

"I don't know how everyone just forgot the shit he put—" Ewen's words were cut off when Conrad grabbed his collar and yanked him out of the room.

"Cute kid," Gallio said with a tight smile. "I can take him to the church and have him test some remedies I'm concocting."

"Or I can use him for target practice," Savvi said with a dark laugh.

Oliver shook his head. "He wasn't wrong.  You two are trouble." He turned to his mother. "Don't fret over his words. He has been locked away and sheltered in school for a long time, so he may have forgotten himself. We won't take him seriously."

Sophia nodded and urged him to lay back down so Gallio could tend to him. "Do you know why the Royal Guards wanted to arrest you?"

Oliver hesitated, not willing to tell the truth. His parents don't know how malicious the Belelots were. "I think there was a misunderstanding with the Sloan brothers. Someone may have seen me talking to them in town and assumed I went with them to The Apex."

Aaron let out an angry breath. "Then your fiancé should have come check with you directly instead of trying to arrest you like some criminal. Doesn't he have any respect for our family?"

"I'll call upon him directly when it's convenient," Oliver said with little care. He wasn't interested in conversing with him and only looked forward to when they would break the engagement.

Only Antony realized his disinterest in having a conversation with the prince. Suddenly Antony felt sour, realizing he had wrongfully viewed his nephew with disdain.

The Royal Guards made no other move against Oliver and seemed to have stuck their heads in the ground, fearing possible retaliation from the Kardos, Tuah, and Commodus families. Tomin had disrespected large figures, and inside the palace, Piers was seething.

"I wanted him destroyed! Ruined! And instead, you offended three large families from three different kingdoms!" Piers threw a vase at Tomin, who ducked out of the way with fear in his eyes.

"I didn't mean to."

"Don't you understand!? He has been quiet, too quiet. This must mean that he's plotting something. He threatens my throne! But now you invited a bigger risk!"

"My Prince, perhaps he is just trying to lay low. He embarrassed you and his family before." Tomin tried to argue.

Piers shook his head. "Why my father insisted on this engagement is beyond me. I wanted to destroy him before my coming-of-age, so I do not face too much backlash. But he has been calm, so people are gossiping about him in a positive light, claiming he is serious about becoming the Royal Consort. It's bullshit."

"I don't think he is that intelligent."

Piers clicked his tongue with disgust. "I don't want to risk it."

The day turned to night, and Savvi and Gallio returned to their residences in Bierze. Oliver was already healing with the help of Gallio and his dragon heart, so the pain was minimal, and the gash was closing.

The moon was bright, and he felt anxious in his soul. Things were already changing in this lifetime. He didn't know if it was beneficial, but at least he would not live a desolate life like before. Today, he almost lost Avery, and that thought terrified him. He needed to be more cautious with his moves. He needed to see more possibilities and outcomes—strategizing at least 20 steps in advance.

Unable to calm himself, he snuck out of the manor with his practice swords. He padded through the gardens where the hedges were high, and no one could see him from the estate. He took a deep breath and slowly started to practice his sword techniques. He didn't use speed but slowed each step to a crawl. He wanted to practice his form with his two swords and rebuild his body.

The rustling wind and his breaths were all that sounded in the garden. His moves were as smooth as water cutting through a stream. There were no flaws and no pauses, just pure swordsmanship.

Many hours passed as he practiced, and he only put his swords down when he heard the rustling of feathers. He looked up and held out his arm. A raven swooped down and perched on his elbow. Oliver took the message strapped to its leg. He read it.

[Still, be wary of those with the jeweled hat. An expected invitation and an insult will arrive at the end of the week. Regarding your request, the family is moving through the south after the Coming-of-Age. Their carts are only half full. We will confirm where they will fill them.]

The jeweled hat was the crown. Oliver was pleased to know that Ella had people within the palace. This made things easier for him. Also, it looked like the Russells were making their move. He was lucky to have met Imran and Savvi because now he had allies on the other side of the border. If the Viscount made a move, they would be able to trap him.

Oliver pulled out a silver ribbon and tied it to the raven's leg. He didn't need to draft a reply. The ribbon was enough to let Ella know he had received the message.

Once the raven flew away, Oliver pulled a small match from his pocket and lit it with a flick of his finger, burning the message.

He sighed lightly and looked up towards the moon. Everything will be set in motion soon.

However, his thoughts were interrupted by soft footsteps behind him. He turned quickly; his killing intent made the air tremble. Few could sneak up on him, so whoever did was extremely powerful.

But Oliver reined in his killing intent when he saw Antony approaching him. Antony's approach made Oliver recall the years he served under him. He dropped his swords and bowed his head a little. "Uncle."

Antony let out a long breath, his shoulders sinking a bit. He moved and sat down on a stone bench near Oliver. "Who are you?"

Oliver shook. "What do you mean?"

Antony gave him a penetrating look. "My nephew is a mindless coward. His only strength is to spend money and act like a fool."

Oliver sighed. These words were not unfamiliar. Antony had said this before while training him in the war. He was harsher then, fed up with Oliver's lazy and careless attitude.

Now, Antony has repeated these words, but the tone is different. It was almost sorrowful.

"Uncle... I'm sorry for my past actions." Oliver said these words but knew it was never enough. He had too much to apologize for in this lifetime and the last.

Antony shook his head. "I was wrong."

Oliver looked at him in shock. How could Antony be wrong? He was the greatest Guardian of Kardos history.

"Suddenly, the foolish boy I have known has won over the household staff, made Tomin Lamariel kick an iron plate, and befriended the Tauhs and the Commodus' future Pope. He rivals Imran in a game of chess—a game of strategy, no less. He has created ties with The Raven. He wields his blades like he had held them for decades... and he protects his kin." Antony said quietly. "So, I must ask, who are you?"

Oliver walked over to him and knelt in front of him. "I'm simply your nephew if you will still have me."

"Then, nephew, tell me why you have acted like a disgraceful hooligan?"

Oliver wished he could tell him the truth, but who could believe such a thing as being reborn because of a dragon's heart and magic? He searched for a reasonable excuse, but before he opened his mouth, he remembered that his uncle used to tell his soldiers that if they could not speak the truth, he would rather them remain silent.

Oliver did not alter his gaze but did not say a single word. At that moment, his eyes reflected his long struggle. His decades on the blood-soaked battlefield had made his gaze unfathomable. He had been fighting for too long and suffered too many losses. Only a soldier could see the sufferings of another soldier.

Antony moved from the bench and knelt with Oliver before pulling him into an embrace.

Oliver felt his body nearly shatter in Antony's arms. He longed for his affection again. He yearned for one more conversation. He wanted one more battle. He needed his uncle, his father figure, his General. He lost him early in the war, and instead of mourning, he spent his time drowning in hate. Only after he killed Imran he realized how much he missed his uncle. And now, in this new life, he was with him again.

The old Ghost's vision blurred with tears. "I'm sorry." He whispered again. "I'm so sorry."

Antony wanted to stop him and insist there was nothing to apologize for, but Oliver's shuddering body made his words falter.

"Uncle... I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't good enough. I should have been better. I should have tried harder... I'm so sorry." Oliver's voice was strained, and his arms desperately grabbed onto Antony's clothes. It wasn't a fraction of what he wanted to say, but it was all he could muster.

Antony held on to him, unsure what Oliver was apologizing for, but he knew that he had experienced something difficult. There was something he regretted so profoundly that he had to admonish himself and plead forgiveness.

Antony felt a chill up his spine, thinking of what Oliver could have experienced. What could make a 19-year-old child feel so much guilt, and what could make him exert such a powerful and baleful killing intent?

He vowed inwardly never to let Oliver fight alone again.

••••••A/N••••••

Holy cow, I love you guys. Thank you so much for sticking with me on this one.

If you have read my other novels, I typically have my MCs suffering from either no family or bad family relationships. This is the first time I really ventured in a strong family dynamic (ignoring Ewen). Antony was a character I was really excited to introduce you to. I don't know why I like him so much. Maybe because he was the main reason why Oliver changed in his first life, but he was never able to show his uncle how much of an impact he had in his life. He became this larger-than-life character in Oliver's mind and I just grew attached.

Anyway, thank you for continuing with this novel. I know we're only 13 chapters in, so there is much more to come. ❤️