Science/Magic

The night of Academy City was silent. It was completely different from a few days ago when the city remained lively even after sunset.

Many people had died during the attack of Returning Dusk, so right now, the city was filled with gloom. Nobody was in the mood to enjoy the city's nightlife.

But Eres did not pay attention to it. She had experienced war several times before, so now, she was indifferent to the pain that remained after it.

It was her fate as a royal. Even if she was not the heir to the throne, her exceptional abilities forced her to kill most of her feelings long ago.

Right now, she only retained feelings for a few people.

And her strongest feelings belonged to her brother.

When she was beside him, Eres felt… alive.

She wanted to spend every second by his side, she wanted to see his face when she woke up and when she fell asleep, she wanted to feel his warmth every day.

She wanted to have him for herself. She wanted to get rid of the flies hanging out around him. She wanted to be the only one in his eyes.

However, Eres knew that it was impossible. If she tried to get rid of these flies, her brother would get angry and sad.

And she hated to see him like that.

Her brother deserved to be happy. She was going to make sure that he was happy.

Thus, she did not hesitate to come here.

The manor where her mother, the queen Soraya Dora, was staying.

As soon as the queen learned that her daughter was visiting her, she hurriedly came to greet her.

"My daughter, how have you been?"

"I'm alright, mother. However, you don't seem in good health."

The queen smiled bitterly.

Just like Eres said, the queen's complexion did not look good.

She was pale, with very noticeable eye bags, and her expression seemed gaunt.

She resembled someone that had not slept in several days.

"… You know the reason why I'm like this, my daughter."

Eres sighed softly and fell silent.

"Has Glenn asked for me?" The queen asked with a hopeful expression.

Eres was pained to see her mother like this, however, she did not want to lie to her.

Thus, she shook her head.

"He has not."

Soraya's expression became bitter.

"Yeah… I thought so."

"Mother…"

"I guess I deserve it. If I would have insisted harder back then, then perhaps your father would have not exiled Glenn. I… I can understand why he hates me."

"He doesn't hate you, mother."

"R-Really…?"

"You don't exist to him. He doesn't consider you his mother. The woman he calls mother is someone else."

Soraya's face became pale. She gripped her fist tightly, and her eyes were filled with tears.

"B-But, I… He is my son… I just… I just want to be a worthy mother to him once."

"However, he doesn't want it."

"E-Eres…"

"He doesn't want to see you. He doesn't want to see anything that reminds him of his time as a prince."

"I-I…"

"To him, you should disappear."

Soraya bit her lips and tears rolled down her cheek.

She covered her eyes and sobbed. The fact that her son hated her pained her greatly.

If she could turn back time, she would have not allowed her husband to exile her son.

But unfortunately, the past was not easy to change.

"… Why are you telling me this, Eres?" She asked her daughter with a downcasted look.

Eres stared at her mother fixedly before speaking.

"… A few days ago, a group of demigods of King's Shadows tried to kill brother."

Soraya stiffened.

"King's Shadows!? Do you mean…!?"

"Yes, father sent them."

Soraya's face became ashen. She hurriedly stood up from her chair and rushed towards Eres.

"How is him!? How is my son!?"

"… He is alright. However, it's a fact that father tried to kill him."

"It can't be…"

"But it's true, mother. I saw it with my own eyes."

Soraya's eyes widened.

She owed her son too much. She and her husband owed him a home. However, her husband did not hesitate to send assassins to get rid of him.

Did her husband not feel guilt towards her son?

That thought pained Soraya's heart. Perhaps, that was the reason why Glenn did not want to see them.

"… What should I do, Eres?"

"Stop father." Eres's voice was firm. "If you really want to be a mother for him, then instead of staying here crying due to the fact that he doesn't want to see you, you should fulfill your duty as a mother and protect him."

Soraya fell silent.

Eres was right, if she wanted to get her son forgiveness, she needed to do something.

Her husband was the ruler of the Kingdom of Alterna, but she had her means to stop him. If she tried hard enough, she could do it.

Soon, Soraya's eyes were filled with determination.

"I understand. I'll do it."

"Good. I'll wish you luck, mother."

With these words, Eres stood up and left.

Once her daughter was gone, Soraya's eyes became ice-cold. In an instant, her gaunt expression disappeared and was replaced by a dignified look worthy of a queen.

"Men. Prepare everything. We will go back to the kingdom. It looks like my husband needs to be taught a lesson."

...

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