~~~~~~~~~{ [ Chapter 4 ] }~~~~~~~~~~

"Please allow me to leave, Father."

His sudden statement made the three freeze; their hands were clenched into fists.

Akira looked directly into the Grand Duke's now-unseeing eyes. His heart began to race at a fast pace, but he still tried to keep a calm demeanor.

He raised his eyebrows in confusion. The Grand Duke remained silent; his eyes were shadowed by his bangs. Also, taking a quick glance at his brothers, they also have the same state as their father.

Akira started to sweat profusely, saying, "W-why? Why aren't they saying anything?' He thought, hanging his head down and stared at the marble floor in puzzlement.

But after a few minutes of silence, Alistair suddenly grabbed Akira's shoulders, and that made him lift his head and look up at the eldest brother in surprise.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN LEAVE? Where are you going? AKI! WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? "You have just recovered from the previous incident!"

Alistair shouted angrily. His grip on the youngest's shoulders tightened.

But Akira, who got yelled at, continues to look at Alistair. His unmatched eyes slightly dilated in an unknown manner.

"Brother. calm down. And let go of Akira, You're hurting him."

Zane said, trying to calm the agitated Alistair.

Alistair, who seemingly came back to his senses, slowly let go of his hold and averted his gaze in guilt. He sat back on the couch and gritted his teeth.

Silence overwhelms the entire room once again.

And this time, Akira, who can't handle the stress of edgy silence, looked at his father with a serious face.

The Grand Duke was taken aback but didn't say anything since his youngest seemed to have something else to say.

"Father, older brothers... It's not really what you think, okay? Please calm down and listen to me first!"

Said by Akira while looking at the Grand Duke, Alistair, and Zane back and forth.

This caught the attention of the troubled Alistair. Now that everyone is paying attention to him, Akira can't help but sigh in relief.

"You see, after the near-death experience I had, I was enlightened of my own foolishness. I was wrong, and I regret what I've done. I made my father and brothers worry and angry."

"No! We're not mad at you at all!" interrupted by a frowning Alistair, concern lacing his handsome face.

Akira eyed him and made a close-eyed smile. He doesn't care; why would he care if they're angry or not?

He is not the real Akira; all of his words are just words meant to be used for his own gain.

"I know, I really do, and that is why I feel so guilty. So, after thinking it through, it's much better for me to distance myself from 'him," right? If I continue to let myself fall for him, then it will continue to make me more miserable, and I will keep hurting father's and brothers' feelings. I would hate that. That's why, allow me to leave, Father. Everywhere is fine, just not here. Not in this place."

Akira softly said, his unmatched eyes flashing an unknown emotion before closing them briefly.

The Grand Duke solemnly stared at his youngest.

Are you really that in love with that guy? I should be glad to hear it, but my heart aches seeing you sad and miserable. Akira, my precious son... Why do you keep hurting your father? If you really love that guy... If being with him makes you happy, then how can I be selfish and burden you?

Hades gritted his teeth briefly. He sighed inaudibly, ignoring the pain in his heart.

"Akira, I understand. If you really wish to leave, then I can't stop you."

Hades words receive different reactions from his three sons.

Akira looked surprised, but the undisguised joy was reflected in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Alistair is scowling, his eyes reflecting rage, and Zane has no emotions or what so ever in his face but his eyes, glinting mysteriously, looking at their father.

But before Akira could express his gratitude, the words that left Hades mouth made his world crumble.

"But I have a condition. Keep attending the academy until the end of the first semester. You can do everything you want; I will not stop you. And if, after the first semester, you still want to leave, then I'll let you. I will find a suitable place beforehand and grant it to you.

Akira lifted his shaken eyes to look at Hades carefully.

Is his hearing deceiving him?

Why would the Grand Duke still want his precious youngest to attend the academy where the person who was the reason for his misery resides?

Didn't the Grand Duke disapprove of the fact that Akira liked the heroine?

I thought you'd be happy to hear that your long-time wish to distance Akira from the heroine will become a reality!

Why are you suddenly wanting me to attend school?

I will definitely meet the heroine and the other capture targets if that's the case!

I am planning to run away as fast as possible and make sure I am not involved in the game plot, so why are you saying that?

"But father, I wish to leave now."

Akita desperately pleaded. Reaching out to Hades, but Akira was sent out of the room in a matter of seconds before he could hear the response.

He dazedly stared at the door before turning around and walking away with a dark frown on his face.

-------------

Morning came. Akira slowly opened his eyes and yawned. He rubbed his eyelids and sat down, finding himself yawning again. The feeling of drowsiness wouldn't go away, and he felt so tired even though he was just lying down every day, doing nothing.

Frowning slightly, he was reluctant to leave the bed, but he eventually did and made his way towards the bathroom.

Akira sighs softly. He took a quick bath and changed his clothes afterwards.

After preparing himself, he went to the balcony and sat on one of the chairs placed there. Then, after a few minutes, a knock on the door was heard, snatching his attention.

The door swung open, and four maids stepped in. They looked excited and proud, but after taking a glance at the empty room, their jaws dropped to the floor in horror.

The youngest master is nowhere in sight!

They were about to panic, but then they heard footsteps from the balcony. They quickly turned their heads towards the balcony and watched as Akira came into view.

Akira had no idea that just by standing at the entrance, the white, thin curtain hovered around him, releasing a sort of relaxing ambience in the entire room.

His appearance looks so much like a masterpiece coming out of a painting in everyone's eyes.

Frighteningly enchanting. The maid who was blessed to witness it says so.

"I am ready. Please prepare the carriage for me." He decided to cut off the silence that overwhelmed the room.

"Yeah, young master!" They hurriedly leave the room, enthusiastically flustered. Leaving the young man alone in his bedroom.

Akira sighed inaudibly, turning his head to look at the black blazer lying dead on his bed.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he went to grab the black blazer, staring at it intently.

Akira frowned in frustration.

Unfortunately, he was really going back to the academy!

He didn't want to attend school. He didn't like school at all; he deeply hated it. Just thinking that he may be surrounded by other people gives him an angry feeling. And there's a high possibility that he will meet the heroine and the other captured targets.

but he can't do anything about it.

If he really wants the Grand Duke to grant his wish, he must first comply with the conditions given to him in exchange for it.

There's only a month left before the end of the first semester. It was only a short time, but he felt restless just thinking about it.

He wore the blazer and walked out of his room.

He really can't avoid attending the academy this time. The only thing he can do is wish that he couldn't meet any of the main characters in the game.

But Alas!

Akira just wanted the ground to swallow him whole!

Unmatched eyes frown deeply, staring at the four men standing in front of his carriage!

"Akira! I've come to retrieve you! Welcome back!"

"Hmm, I'm glad you can continue to attend your studies now."

"Good morning, Aki."

".....Morning"

Why are the other capture targets here in our house?