Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 94 - Extortion

Previously:

Elaru gives Kiel the ring she had made for him two days ago. Rhur visits his father, Alaric, in hopes that he would give him enough money to pay for his Black Pearl restaurant tab.

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Rhur Rroda didn't need to continue with his story. Alaric had already caught on to the main point. Nice try. Alaric barely contained himself from rolling his eyes. He spoke up, interrupting Rhur's tear-jerking play. "A man's debt has to be paid by his own hands. What is the point of you taking your brother out for a meal if I'm the one paying for it? It would make your entire gesture of brotherly love meaningless."

Brotherly love? Rhur's eyebrow twitched. The old man was clearly mocking him.

Rhur smiled wryly. Of course you wouldn't help me out. You are always on his side.

But I expected as much.

Rhur's eyes flashed with resentment, yet his face turned even more pitiful looking. It was so sad that anyone's heart would be moved, wanting nothing more than to comfort this unfortunate devilishly handsome beauty.

"I guess you are right, father." Rhur sighed sadly.

Then, surprisingly, he nodded politely to Alaric and declared. "Then I'll be going back to Ashar, father. It was nice seeing you."

Rhur didn't wait for his father's response, and he turned his back to him, taking several steps towards the door.

Alaric sipped his tea leisurely, his eyes following Rhur. He was waiting for Rhur to stop and say a few more heart-wrenching words, after all, it wasn't like him to give up this easily.

And indeed, before reaching the door, Rhur stopped and turned his head sideways towards Alaric. "Oh, I almost forgot. I'm not sure if you are aware, father, but little brother got himself a girlfriend. A fine lady, if I must say. I had such a fun time chatting with them over lunch."

The tea Alaric was sipping suddenly came spouting out of his mouth, the solemn face replaced with utter shock. What?!? Kiel got a girlfriend?? "You are not lying to me, are you?" Alaric couldn't help but exclaim.

He'd be more inclined to believe that his younger son was gay than he would believe that he got himself a girlfriend. In fact, Rhur had even tricked Kiel into coming to a brothel once, yet he still walked out without as much as touching a woman.

Rhur looked at Alaric with such a pained expression, as if saying "How could you even ask that, dear father?" and exclaimed. "Father, of course, I wouldn't dare lie to you!"

Seeing that Rhur seemed to be sincere, the cold aura of Alaric suddenly turned mild. This news seemed to have improved his mood considerably. Excellent! Best news I've heard all year! I might get some grandchildren yet!

"Well, then. Until next time, father." Rhur turned to walk away, pain still lingering in his eyes. However, as soon as he turned his back to Alaric, the pained expression was replaced with a smirk.

What Rhur expected to happen, indeed happened right away.

"Wait!" Alaric stopped him from leaving. "Come back. Tell me about this 'girlfriend'."

Rhur internally snorted, but outwards he still looked like a pitiful child. "Ah, I am not really in the mood to talk about it..."

Alaric's eyebrow twitched, and his gaze turned colder once again. "And let me guess... you'd feel much more talkative with a sack of mythril coins?"