Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Adrian undid the soundproof barrier with a flick of his fingers, the faint shimmer of magic dissipating into the air like morning mist under sunlight. He turned his back to the King, who stood frozen, locked in his own tumultuous thoughts. A small part of Adrian considered staying, perhaps pushing the knife a little deeper—not with violence, but with words, the kind that left lasting scars.

But no, he dismissed the idea.

Revenge, even small and fleeting, didn't suit him.

He preferred his current actions: a measured strike that planted seeds of doubt and forced the King to reckon with his own mistakes. That was enough.

As he walked through the garden, his thoughts shifted.

'Does Aurelius even care about becoming the king?

' The thought lingered briefly, and Adrian found himself shrugging it off. Probably not. '

And... It doesn't matter.'

He had done what needed to be done. The truth was now a burden the King would have to bear. Adrian, meanwhile, had other priorities.

He inhaled the cool night air, the faint scent of roses mingling with the distant hum of the insects. His mind wandered to his own aspirations.

'Now, I can finally focus on my vacation plans—to grow the territory, improve people's lives, and perhaps even strengthen the kingdom as a whole.

' A small smile played on his lips.

'And I don't have to worry about them targeting my sister anymore.'
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As he approached the garden's main path, a familiar figure stepped into view—Isabella. She approached him with an inquisitive gaze, though her smile was perfectly composed.

"Brother Adrian," she greeted, her tone warm yet measured. "Leaving so soon?"

Adrian returned her smile with a polite nod. "The banquet was amazing, Princess Isabella. I wish you success and shall excuse myself now."

Her eyes lingered on him, as if weighing his words. Adrian suspected she had followed them earlier. Perhaps she had overheard fragments of his conversation with the King, though he doubted she had grasped the full picture. Still, she wasn't someone he needed to be wary of—not yet, at least.

"Safe travels, Lord Adrian," she said smoothly, stepping aside.

Adrian gave her a curt bow before continuing down the path, his thoughts drifting to the past.

'If my parents were alive, where could they be?'

He frowned, his mind racing with possibilities. '

Another continent? The other side of the world? Or perhaps…'

His steps slowed briefly, but he shook his head, a wry smile forming on his lips. "I'll have to look for them when the time comes," he murmured to himself.

Reaching the garden's exit, he spotted two familiar figures near the entrance. Aurelia stood by Aurelius, the two deep in conversation. Aurelia's expression was soft yet animated, while Aurelius listened attentively, his posture unusually relaxed.

Adrian approached silently, his presence catching their attention. Both turned to him, Aurelia offering a small smile while Aurelius straightened, his expression composed. Adrian glanced at Aurelius, his sharp gaze softening ever so slightly. "You've grown," he said simply, his tone carrying a subtle undertone of approval.

Aurelius gave a faint nod in return, his lips parting as if to speak, but Adrian had already shifted his attention to Aurelia. "Shall we?" he asked her, his voice warm and steady.

Aurelia nodded, bidding a quiet farewell to Aurelius before joining Adrian. Together, they walked toward the waiting carriage, the cool night enveloping them in its quiet embrace.

Adrian helped his sister into the carriage, his mind already returning to the broader horizon ahead. '

There's still so much to do.'

The faint smile from earlier returned, though it was softer now. As the carriage set into motion, he leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, his posture unusually relaxed.

Aurelia glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

She wanted to ask—wanted to know what had transpired between him and the King. But as her brother's steady breathing filled the carriage, she hesitated. It was rare to see him like this, so composed and at ease. '

I should let him rest,'

she decided, choosing instead to sit quietly and cherish the moment.

By the time they arrived at the inn Adrian had chosen, the moon hung high in the sky, its silvery glow illuminating the streets with the aether lamps. Adrian stepped out first, offering a hand to his sister as she descended. One of the workers, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, greeted them warmly, already aware of their reserved rooms.

"Welcome, young lord and lady. Your rooms are ready," the worker said, bowing slightly before gesturing to the staircase.

Adrian nodded politely, leading Aurelia up the steps to the second floor. The hall was modest yet elegant, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. They stopped outside two adjacent doors, and Adrian handed Aurelia her key.

"Good night, little sis," he said softly.

"Good night, brother," she replied, her voice equally quiet.

For a moment, she lingered, as though she might say something more. But she simply smiled and entered her room, the door clicking shut behind her. Adrian watched for a moment before turning to his own door and unlocking it.

Inside, the room was simple yet comfortable.

A neatly made bed sat against the far wall, and a small window offered a view of the starlit sky. Adrian closed the door behind him and sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a long breath. The events of the evening swirled in his mind, but he pushed them aside.

His gaze shifted to the window, and his expression softened. "Thank you for your help, Nanny Safiya," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He was obviously referring to the Shadows.

A familiar voice echoed in his mind, warm and maternal. '

It's my duty, young master.'

Adrian nodded slightly, his lips curving into a faint smile. He glanced out the window one last time, the faint glow of the stars casting a serene light across the room. Finally, he lay down, sinking into the soft mattress.

The exhaustion of the past week caught up with him almost instantly. After surviving on only three hours of sleep per night, his body welcomed the rest. His breathing evened out, and his expression softened as sleep claimed him.

For once, there was no tension in his face, no weight of burdens pressing down on his shoulders. His sleeping face looked calm, even content—a rare sight.

The night passed quietly, the world outside carrying on as Adrian drifted deeper into restful slumber.