Chapter 1388 |
Vashas el Lyndis found himself in a dream. It was a vision of his distant past, when he lived happily without a care in the world—a time when his wife and mother, who had been his sanctuaries, were still with him. A time when even his sweet little sister was near his side.
It was a time that could never return. Memories and pasts were objectives of obsession and yearning precisely because of their impermanence, forever behind and never at hand.
Vashas’s life had been completely twisted and shattered by Empress Redimia’s death. It had forever robbed him of a sound sleep throughout the night.
The terrible ordeal he had been made to endure as of late had exhausted even his Master-level body, with the strain hitting him hard.
With Davey’s skillful surgery process complete, the pain that tormented Vashas had effectively disappeared, and even the chronic illness that had disturbed his sleep ever since he could remember had vanished.
All that remained for him was comfortable slumber.
- Brother!!!
- I made this myself!
- You're the funniest in the world!
Memories of him gently patting her head.
Memories of her tearing up in front of food she couldn’t eat because of that cursed diet; of seeing Empress Redimia give her a snack; and of him giving them a thunderous reprimand.
Memories of how he secretly took his tearful younger sister out to treat her to a rare delicacy, one that was hard for even royalty to enjoy, and others of timidly apologizing to her.
He saw memories of when he and his sister had run around the Imperial Palace together after Aeria skipped her classes, only to be caught and scolded by Empress Redimia.
While he wasn’t exactly young even back at that time, he was known to be quite genial and playful even within the Lyndis Imperial Castle.
For a man who hadn’t been able to dream at all, the sensation felt completely different from his usual nights.
How had things gotten so bad?
How did the situation become so twisted?
How did everyone become so distant from each other?
He knew the reason. Though he said it was because of the accident, the real cause was the misplaced hatred of a son who loved his mother too much, a hatred aimed in the wrong direction.
“Argh…” As Vashas winced at the lingering pain, he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes snapped open at a soft touch on his fingertips.
Memories from before he passed out began to flood back.
It might’ve been a miracle. He was afraid to wake up, thinking that if he did, it’d all turn out to be a lie. Yet, he could not stop. He was a man who’d do anything for the chance to see the mother he longed for, even if that hope was as thin as a single thread.
Davey O’Rowane had called him a terrible mama's boy, but that didn’t matter to him.
“Ah...”
[Vashas…]
When he fully opened his eyes and saw the person holding his hand, his eyes teared up instantly. “Mother... is it really... you, Mother?”
[My son... my one and only treasure. Vashas, your mother is so sorry…]
Despite being in her spiritual form, her tears felt warm.
He was certain it was not a lie, delusion, or dream. He held her hand tightly, determined not to forget the warm sensation. He felt as though if he spoke too loudly, everything would vanish like an illusion. Yet he had to ask what happened. “How...”
In response, Empress Redimia slowly recounted the events.
She explained how her soul had been bound to a certain entity after her death, what had transpired since, and who had found and saved her.
Vashas listened quietly, not saying a word as he listened to his mother’s account.
* * *
After more than a decade apart, mother and son seemed to have endless things to say.
Emperor Deorte, who also had every reason to be anxious, nonetheless waited patiently. While he had already spoken with her beforehand, it was also a courtesy toward his son.
“The thread connecting her soul is gradually thinning. Even Aeria's power won't be able to hold it soon. Is that truly alright with you?” Davey asked him, seeing him waiting to interact.
Emperor Deorte’s eyes closed for a moment before slowly opening. “A couple who’s been together a long time can sometimes say more with a single glance than with a hundred words.”
“I know you're just saying that to sound cool, Your Majesty.”
“You wretched brat...” Emperor Deorte glared at Davey as if he were rude for talking back to every single comment.
Yet, Davey couldn’t be fooled. It was clear the Emperor had plenty on his mind to share with Empress Redimia.
“What can I do? They look so happy. That look on his face... it might be the first time I’ve seen him smile in a long time.”
They said that since the accident that day, Vashas had never shown his smile to anyone. He was either terrifyingly obsessive, or just hopelessly miserable.
“It’s a pity you can only phrase that in such a way, you little rascal.”
“Your Majesty, it’s just a saying. I get it.”
Aeria brought a tray full of high-end snacks from Earth from somewhere, and Alberth picked one up with interest. “Davey. And Father and Brother. Please have some of this.”
“Oho. This is quite the strangely-shaped snack. Where was this made?” Deorte asked, intrigued.
She replied, “It came from Earth.”
“Earth?”
“The homeland of the outlanders.”
Emperor Deorte and Crown Prince Alberth quietly put the snacks in their mouths. Their eyes widened slightly, and they began to eat more.
“Haha. Earth's technology is truly remarkable!”
“Indeed. I would like to establish some diplomatic relations if possible, but that might not be feasible.”
“For now, there is no way. Though, if Grand Duke Davey were to help...”
Davey informed them, “I can help you trade for necessary supplies, but direct diplomacy should be avoided if possible since it could cause serious problems at a civilization-wide level.”
“What a shame.”
As they spoke, both their hands reached for the last remaining snack.
“Hmph. Everything in this nation belongs to this Emperor. How dare you lay a hand on my possession?!”
“Haha! Your Majesty, who do you think I am? I'm the Crown Prince! Your son! Can’t a father concede such a small thing to his son?”
“Tsk. This damn brat is running his mouth off.”
“Your Majesty, eating too many sweets at your age can lead to illness.”
“Shut up, you unfilial wretch.”
At the sight of the two glaring and growling at each other, Aeria covered her face in embarrassment.
Davey remembered them being gentlemen with far more formality than what was in front of him. “Ahem. There’s plenty more, so stop fighting. Aren't you embarrassed to act like that in front of your daughter?”
Both their gazes turned to him at the same time..
“This is not a problem due to mere snacks.”
“Right. This is a matter of His Majesty and my pride...”
“Stop it, both of you!!” It was only when Aeria finally shrieked that the two stopped.
It seemed Prince Vashas had finished his conversation with Empress Redimia. He silently waited for Davey with slightly flushed cheeks.
Empress Redimia would soon prepare to bid farewell to Emperor Deorte and Aeria, then depart.
Before the final farewell, Davey still had to treat him.
“Do you not hate me?”
“I do, but I’m not an amateur that lets things like that bother me when treating a patient.” As a physician, he put aside personal feelings when saving lives.
“Well, it did seem like you put in a lot of personal feelings during the surgery, though,” Vashas muttered.
“That was just a little grumbling.”
At his answer, Prince Vashas gave a wry smile. Then, he slowly rose and bowed his head to him. “I’ve inconvenienced you because of my son.”
Davey didn’t know what to say.
“The way Belluard turned out is entirely my fault, and I apologize for everything I’ve done. The way I treated Aeria, simply because I couldn’t find an outlet for the resentment I felt after foolishly losing my mother, was wrong.”
“Paying me lip service?”
“No. An apology with words will not bring back her lost years. I intend to pay the price.”
“Tell me what you will do,” Davey said, intrigued.
“I will relinquish my rights as royalty. I will become a commoner, just like Belluard. I then plan to teach and reform the abandoned Belluard, starting now.”
Davey was surprised to hear that.
“He is a child who was saved by your grace. I cannot let this hard-won second life be wasted in vain. That will be my atonement to Aeria, and the apology of a flawed father who failed to properly fulfill his duty to his son.”
Davey sighed. “That's all well and good, but do you think you'll be safe then?”
“What do you mean?”
“You have a lot of political enemies. If you fall to commoner status, what will you do then? Do you think those bastards will just leave you alone?”
“That is... my karma.”
“If you die clearing that karma, who will look after your son? That's not what you promised, you know.” More than anything, Aeria wouldn’t want him to die. Davey continued, “You can't die. You have no right to seek peace like that. First, fix what you've done from your current position. If you can successfully make a well-rounded and compassionate human out of Belluard, I’ll graciously overlook the punishment handed down to him and restore his status.”
Vashas was shocked. “What? Is that really okay?”
“What can I do? My beloved wife asked for it, and it’s a husband’s duty to follow.”
Since Belluard was officially struck from the royal family’s record as his punishment, he’d never be able to use the name Belluard again.
However, it worked out in a way, since if he truly wished to change, that name would only be a hindrance to him.
“What happens depends on what you do. From now on, you'll be the one to protect the beastfolk who have been persecuted for no reason. You will also right every wrong you've committed.”
That was the condition for him to meet Empress Redimia, what she wished for and Aeria desired.
“Her soul will depart soon, so don't waste time here. Go out and say your farewells,” Davey insisted.
“And you?”
“Even though Aeria’s my wife, interfering any further with internal imperial family matters isn’t really my thing.”
Davey then crossed the space without hesitation, giving them room.
He figured Aeria would stay for at least a few more days, so he left Killer Rabbit as a guard and planned to come back for her a few days later.
* * *
“The season’s changing...”
Having returned to the Heins Territory, Davey was busy with the aftermath of his conflict with the Goran Kingdom. There was the sole survivor named Moonlight, but her life at that moment was probably worse than death.
“Willow,” he called out
“Yes.”
“What are you doing here?” Davey asked Willow, his daughter and Goddess of Harmony, with a bewildered expression as she stared at a shimmering, holographic chessboard.
He assumed she was playing against Neltarid Mk II, the God of Earth. It appeared he had chased Willow away after she kept trying to cheat when they faced each other in person. Instead, whenever Willow touched a holographic chess piece, the chessboard automatically updated its own.
It seemed to be more than just simple chess, with several unique rules only for the gods, but on the surface, it was no different from a regular game of chess.
Her expression was grim, as she seemed to be falling behind. “I’m busy, Dad.”
The atmosphere was heavy, as if a slight nudge would make her fly over to Neltarid's sanctuary and rip his head off.
“Is that so? I was going to entrust this task to you.”
Crash!!!
That moment—
Willow, who had been playing chess with the utmost seriousness, flipped the chessboard without hesitation. “You should have told me sooner!”
Her eyes were twinkling brightly. It strongly appeared she had been searching for something interesting to do, incredibly bored with the game.
“...Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Dad, don't you trust me? I'm Willow. Your daughter, Willow.”
“Well, alright, I guess. The truth is, there's a bastard who leaked technology within Heins Territory.”
Her expression darkened slightly.
“Don't cheat with divine power,” Davey instructed her. “Find them with your wits. You can work with Evangeline, Blue Ribbon, and Red Ribbon if you like.”
Willow lightly cracked her fingers and snickered, “What should I do once I catch them?”
“Drag them over to me.”
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, he wondered if he had made the right choice in entrusting the task to her.
