204 Reminiscing 2. (2/2)

”So... you forgave us?” Raymond asked with anticipation, his tone getting a little brighter. Alver's previously grief-filled was also improved a little.

Ozul expressionlessly stared at the two as he thought, 'I was never angry in the first place. Sigh... whatever.'

”Yes... I do,” Ozul said. This was the best way to get it over with as quickly as possible.

A gentle smile appeared on Raymond's face as he looked at Alver. The latter seemed to understand whatever Raymond was trying to convey, while Ozul could only look confusedly between the two.

Even Ozul's ability to sense emotions could not tell him what a person was thinking.

He looked as Alver nodded his head, and both turned towards him, ”Will you come back to the family?”

Ozul could not help but raise his brows a little. He had almost forgotten that all of this meant that he was a part of the Ashin family.

He started to contemplate if he wanted to join them or not. It was up to him, and they could never really force him to do it.

Raymond and Alver also knew that it was his decision, so they let him decide.

After a while, Ozul had decided, ”I won't.”

Hearing his answer, both Raymond and Alver's expressions fell. Alver blurted out, ”But why?”

”Alver!” Raymond raised his voice when he saw that his brother asked their nephew such a question after all that had happened.

Alver realized his mistake and looked down on the floor. It was true; they had no right to ask him any question when they had never done anything family-like to him.

”It's fine. I won't join because I have my own things to do. It's just that simple,” Ozul said in a calm voice, ignoring the fact that Raymond was about to lash out at Alver. His interference seemed to pacify the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Although Ozul knew that he would get a lot more benefits if he decided to enter the family, he still declined because he had various reasons.

He had questions whose answers were probably in the worlds far away from here. He would probably make many enemies, and most of all, he would never stay in one place.

If he entered the family, he would be bound to one place, and then there were the responsibilities that he would not be able to escape from.

So, it was better if he remained the way he was right now. There was no one to order him to do anything. He never liked any factors that forced him to change his course of action—whatever it was.

”We understand. We have no right to ask you this in the first place...” Raymond flashed a smile.

”I shall take my leave then. It's been a long time. Irvin must be waiting for me,” Ozul said as he stood up. He was about to leave the room when Raymond called from behind, ”Wait!”

Ozul turned around to see Raymond approaching him while taking off one of his rings from his hand. He had many rings for some reason.

”Here, take this. With this, you can enter and leave the estate whenever you want. If anyone dares to stop you, just show them this,” Raymond handed him a silver ring. Ozul remembered that it was the same ring that glowed when Raymond was about to pass the shield bubble outside the estate.

Even Alver stood up and approached him before saying, ”The family's doors will remain open for you. If you need any help, whatever it is, just tell us.”

Ozul did not deny the offer and nodded his head before walking out of the door.

As he walked out, the lady guard standing outside quickly bower her head in his direction.

”He grew up to be a fine young man,” Alver muttered, watching Ozul's back in the corridor.

”Indeed, he did,” to his side, Raymond agreed with a pleased smile on his face.

Even if they hadn't been there for him, he was still the son of their late sister. They could not help but feel proud of him.