Aias: from a world of kaijus to a world of fantasy and magic

Chapter 92

Hearing Edwen say, "Uncle," with Aria next to him, his eyes went wide, and his mouth hung open in complete shock.

Uncle? ... Why, Uncle? ... uncle... ... ... UNCLE!!!

What the heck does Edwen mean by uncle?! Wait, is Athrun royalty? No, that can't be right, can it? The current king only has two brothers; one of them is married to a ducal family, and the other is married to one of our allied kingdoms.

I've studied the faces of every person of high importance to the kingdom and others, so remembering their two faces and the kings as well, I turn my head to stare at Athrun's face and look at him closely with many thoughts going through my mind.

He showed some similarities to them, but some differences. Could he be an illegitimate child of the previous king? No, that isn't right either because Edwen knows about Athrun, which means the royal family knows about his existence. If Athrun were an illegitimate child, he would be dead or taken in by the royal family unofficially and have his existence completely hidden and confined from the public eye, since this world is medieval and all; they can't have royal blood be spread to the commoners. However, both options can't be right because I would have heard something about it before I ran away through rumors, or it would have been taught to me as part of my noble upbringing.

"My, my, there you are, Edwen—no, I mean Philip. Is that what you call yourself these days?"

Aria, also hearing Edwen say "uncle" without knowing, and Athrun's casual demeanor like they knew each other, her eyes darted between the two of them in disbelief, and she put two and two together and gasped.

"Huh? Uncle? Wait, what?"

"Ah, you must be Ilesha, I believe. It's so nice to meet you."

Bowing, acting much like a gentleman, which kind of took me by surprise, but only the very tiniest bit, since I was still trying to put the pieces together on how Athrun was a member of royalty, he then said.

"Why don't we go somewhere much more private? It is my treat. We have much to discuss, Philip."

Returning to his usual aloof smile, he directed it toward Edwen—but there was a faintly menacing edge to it, as if he were quietly angry at someone in particular.

Taking a step back and gulping, Edwen asks. "Uncle, what are you doing here? I—I thought you were busy with more important matters other than me?"

"Oh, Philip, are you implying that I can't make time for my dear nephew? What kind of uncle would I be? After all, I was just passing by, and the least I could do was stop to say hello."

Reading between the lines, Aria yelped, realizing that Athrun already knew about Edwen secretly traveling with them to find me. Aria took a moment to gather up her courage and pleaded, trying to shift the blame so it wouldn't fall entirely on Edwen.

"Please, don't blame Edwen. I was the one who told him to come with me."

Looking away from Edwen, his menacing aura was, for some reason, gone, replaced with a gentle one that kind of admired her bravery.

"There's no need to be afraid. Like I said, I'm only here to see you since I happen to be passing through on business, specifically with Blake. Now then, let's go. I know a good place where we can talk."

Saying that, Athrun told us to follow him. However, as we walked, Edwen looked at me strangely for some reason. Different from how he usually looked at me, he looked like he wanted to ask something, relating to Athrun saying that he had business with me.

Reaching a fancy-looking restaurant, a doorman was there to greet us in, followed by a waiter who led us to a private room. They all, for some reason, seem to be familiar with Athrun or given prior notice of our arrival, or a mix of both, which seems strange.