Chapter 153: Pair of Silver headpin

"Greetings to the crown prince" Severus greeted with a bow.

Maverick nodded with a smile" Welcome. Enjoy the celebration".

"Yes, Crown prince. Here, accept your wedding gift from my side."

"HAHAHA. You don't need to go through such formalities. We are close Severus. I don't think you need to bring a gift for us".

"Ahh! You are too humble my prince but even if we were close, it's something that needs to be given." Under Severus' persistence, Maverick accepted it as well as opened it instantly. A pair of silver headpins revealed. It was beautifully secured inside a velvet box. It was so beautiful and antique to the point that everyone started whispering.

"Isn't it a pair of a Silver pin that symbolizes undying brotherhood?"

"Ye it is."

"I wonder his motives for giving the crown prince a silver pin, a symbol of undying brotherhood"

HUSH.

"Even if it is a simple hairpin, don't forget how valuable it is. Can anyone get their hands on it? I am sure he is just trying to gain the crown prince recognization. I still remember the tales of this headpin. It was said to be buried under a dungeon in the east of Reseen. Cursed with necromancy, several traps were placed there where it was buried. Several had gone there in search of it but not a single soul returned. "

"This is too shocking."

"Do you think he is a fraud?"

"..."

"Are you an idiot?"

Huh

"How can we believe him? If no one ever returned, then how can he have his hands on that pair of Silver head pin."

"Who knows?"

People started whispering around them. News spread like a wildfire. Even the king Marquis, sitting high up in his throne squinted his eyes when he saw the pair of silver headpins. As for Maverick, his face lost the smile. For a second his whole body turned cold, while he went into a trance.

"My prince, did you like my gift?"

Severus' voices broke his trance as he was greeted with a pair of honest eyes. It was the same pair of eyes who has saved his life numerous times. They were the same pair of eyes that were filled with distrust that night. Currently, Severus was honestly asking Maverick whether he liked his gift or not.

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

Past-----

Two small boys were digging the earth.

"My prince, please stop it. I will dig it for you. You are not in your best health so please refrain from doing any hard work or else you will faint."

A boy wearing royal clothes had mud smudged all over his face, but he was far from care. "Nothing will happen to me and not to forget I want to find this treasure for you."

"For me?" The boy wearing plain cloth was shocked.

"Yes dummy. I heard from the Sere, my maid that we need to give gifts to people at their wedding."

"..."

"So?" The little boy asked innocently.

"Areeee. Won't you be getting married in the future? I want to give this pair of Silver hairpins to you on your wedding as a wedding gift Idiot."

"..."

"I won't be getting married so save yourself from the trouble of looking for wedding gifts for me."

"What nonsense!!!" The kid wearing royal clothes disregarded his friends' talk.

"..."

"Prince"

"Listen please."

No matter how many times little Severus asked little Maverick to stop, he didn't listen.

"Severus, Severus I think I found something" He excitedly squealed.

"Really?" Little Severus asked in doubt.

"You dare doubt me?" Little Maverick frowned.

As if.

Maverick continued digging but soon his strength started fading. As time passed by, his body was turning limp." Is it so important for you?"

"Yes" Little Maverick spoke with a sigh.

"Then let me help you."

"No," Little Maverick strongly opposed. "You can't help me with this. How can I gift you something that you have acquired by yourself?"

"It doesn't matter, prince."

"Maybe it doesn't bother you, but it does to me."

"..."

"Okay but at this rate, you are going to faint" Little Severus finally could not take it anymore as he stopped him.

Maverick saw that he was turning weak, if this continued then he surely will faint, which will cause trouble for Severus. He might be scolded for his negligence. He finally signed and gave up. "Okay, I won't dig but promise me that you too won't dig it. You are not allowed to dig this pair of silver pins."

"But what if you got married first? I can simply dig it and give you at your wedding as a wedding gift."

"..."

"No, are you going to copy me?"

Waaaaah… 

Little Severus smiled brightly. "Okay, the one getting married first will be getting this as a gift for his wedding. Okay?" He suggested goofily.

HAISHHHHH.

"Okay," Maverick said in defeat.

Little Severus crouched on the ground as he patted his shoulder. "Come on."

"For what?"

"I know you are too weak to even walk so let me carry you."

"..."

"How can I? I am heavy…."

"But I am strong."

HAHAHAHA

"You got some guts, huh you started messing with me now?"

"I don't dare," Severus replied innocently.

Two little kids continued with their bickering. At the last Little Maverick was carried on the back by Little Severus. He slept on his back without any care of the world while little Severus was extremely vigilant. He cannot let his guards down when they are in open. Assassins might be hiding in the dark...…

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

Present.

Maverick grip on the pair of silver pins tightened. A sour feeling rose from his gut. He had a lot to say but no words came out from his mouth. He simply nodded his head. Severus backed off and bowed in front of Melanie. She was all hidden behind her veil, but Severus could easily see her. When Severus came to congratulate her, Melanie did not even lift her head up.

Sheesh. Not even looking at me. But then again, I do not blame her.

"Congratulations on becoming the official wife of the Crown Prince," Severus backed off as soon as he said. He intentionally said it fast as to avoid being answered by her.

Now we are on our own.

----

"What took you so long?" Desella questioned him when she noticed he was delayed.

"Nothing, I was just remembering the good old days."

"..."

"Nevermind. This is so boring. Let us go and much on sweets Severus".

"You still have space for food?" Severus asked in disbelief.

"Don't be rude" As they were bickering Severus noticed Marquis leaving the room.

"I will be back in a minute" Severus excused himself.

With nothing to do, Desella turned to a glutton.

----

Outside the chamber.

"Noworry" Severus called out for him. A blackbird soon appeared and perched on his shoulder.

[Something happened?]

"I want you to follow Marquis but beware. Oh yea, operate Ghost eyes so I can see what you will see."

[sure]

Noworry used his ability and soon Severus was able to see what the bird was seeing.

[Are you sure you can handle it?]

"Yea" He assured him.

Noworry saw that Severus was okay, so he didn't dilly-dally and followed Marquis.

OOOF!

Oh no.

It's hard to maintain balance with two visions but I got to manage it.

When Severus came back, the first thing he saw was Desella eating as if she was hungry for ages.

"I wish I could disown you, lady. I told you to save face for me not to lose it" He chuckled.

"Is eating bad?"

"No eating isn't bad but over-eating is. I wonder where your food goes. You are all skinny without extra meat on your body."

".."

"You are body-shaming for me?" Desella asked in hidden anger she jabbed Servers in his chest.

"I don't dare miss."

"You better not"

"Shah! Keep quiet and enjoy the celebrations".

"There is nothing interesting. Hey Severus!!"

Hmmm?

"I don't see anyone from the brides' family," Desella asked what everyone wanted to ask.

"Who knows?" He gave a vague reply.

"You sure know but you are keeping it a secret" Desella mumbled angrily. Desella spoke in a low voice thus no one heard but Severus did, however, he chose to ignore it.

"Well, how can they show themselves now? Her father, a traitor of Hui island, is long dead. Her sister already fell head over heels for you." Selena was not greedy like Melanie. Maybe it was because she was far too protected but whatever. She was able to maintain her innocence. Severus knocked sense in her and from then on. Selena did not actively initiated the conversation with Melanie. Nor did she create any drama for Gui Song, the current head of the Song family. It was as if she had made peace with her situation.

"Whatever, I still think someone from the Song family should have attended the ceremony," Severus said after a long pause.

"You think so? Me too, but then again who would be willing to attend. After what happened there, I doubt anyone would like to attend."

"Even if they are not willing, sometimes you need to attend ceremonies for benefits. Gui Island will face consequences if they fail to attend the ceremony. I am doubting that they are late. They will soon be here. You just wait" Severus spoke calmly with his one hand stroking the red necklace.